Spontaneous mutations in stretches of DNA between genes contribute to autism, a robust new analysis of nearly 8,000 whole genomes suggests1. These mutations are present in promoters, the segments that abut genes and control their expression. The work stops short of identifying individual mutations, …

How could this happen?Source: The Autism Site

The post Spotted around the web: Week of 10 December 2018 appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News

A new method enables researchers to plot activity in the zebrafish brain’s system for spatial orientation and balance1. The technique could provide insight into the brain’s vestibular system and the problems with balance and coordination that sometimes occur in people with autism. About 80 percent o…

It's not just women -- we are all guilty of doing this.Source: The Autism Site

The affected tampons were distributed in the United States and Canada between Oct. 17, 2016, and Oct. 23, 2018.Source: The Autism Site

Nearly one in four men who have a daughter with Rett syndrome carry mutations linked to the condition in some of their sperm, a new study suggests1. The findings, based on an analysis of data from 21 families, challenge the idea that Rett syndrome is rarely inherited. The study also reveals that in …

"Strangers in the street stop and stare at him, and he's been called 'ugly,' a 'freak,' and a 'midget' by others. It's heartbreaking."Source: The Autism Site

Mary Hodge likened the room to a prison cell.Source: The Autism Site

There are many things that I would love to change about the treatment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. One of them is the notion that all kids with ASD are motivated by the same things. Certainly, some kids with autism love light up toys, squeezes, or music, but that’s true of the popul…

Some children diagnosed with autism by age 2 show unusual responses to sights, sounds and textures as infants, according to a new study1. For example, the infants may cover their ears in response to ordinary conversation or shrink from being touched; they may also be slow to react to pain or changes…

This is despicable!Source: The Autism Site

When I first met Jeremy, he seemed like a shy but sweet 7-year-old. He brought a plastic dinosaur to the clinic and was playing with it on the floor. I crouched down to his level and gently expressed interest in the toy. He was excited to learn that we had more dinosaurs for him to play with. (I hav…

For people on the spectrum, the physical space they occupy can go a long way in providing a sense of comfort and support. Architects are working with schools to create welcoming, versatile spaces for autistic students. This video looks at two projects: an urban campus in New York City and a rural on…