A novel implant can deliver complex combinations of drugs and light to targeted areas of a lab animal’s brain, without restricting the animal’s movement1. The tool could help researchers uncover the brain pathways that underlie repetitive behaviors and unusual vocalizations in mouse models of autism…

By: Nicole Gorden, M.S., BCBA, LBA As a black behavior analyst, I have personally witnessed how culture and diversity profoundly impact the effectiveness of treatment for children with autism. It is crucial for us, as professionals, to recognize the role of culture and be conscious of our own bia…

Alex Abenchuchan, a resident of Austin, TX, has started a Youtube news channel for the deaf. His show, called The Daily Moth,  consists of him reading current news, including trending stories off of a makeshift teleprompter,  and signing them in ASL . He posts news Monday through Thur…

Find a better way to manage your time and check more things off your to-do list this school year! Created with ABA principles by Dan Sundberg, PhD, the Self Management Planner is perfect for those who have busy and frequently changing schedules and want something that will do more than schedule time…

By Lydia Wayman Photos By Aly Blue Photography Fans of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, the classic 1970s comedy, can’t forget Lou Grant. He was the crotchety news director at WJM-TV known for saying, “You’ve got spunk. I hate spunk!” But did you know that Lou would go on to have a son on the autism spect…

An Art of Autism interview with Elaine Hall, acting coach for the Netflix series Atypical How did you become involved with the series Atypical? Casting Directors for the series Atypical called me at The Miracle Project seeking actors with autism to portray actors with autism on Season 2 of the …

Mice with the mutations linked to tuberous sclerosis make too little protein in their brains, according to a new study1. The finding contradicts the idea that the mutations stimulate protein synthesis — a leading theory about the condition — and may have implications for its treatment. Tuberous scle…

Autistic mom, Megan Amodeo, uses her autistic daughter’s watching, listening and mimicking her as a teaching opportunity. By Megan Amodeo Do you ever feel like someone’s watching you? Like maybe someone is watching and recording everything you say and do? Guess what, if you have a child on the…

“Mom why does my brain get so much fear when my food is different? I like chocolate, but I can’t eat this chocolate pudding because my nose freaks out with the wrong smell of the weird chocolate.” We have always been open and direct with Finley about differences. All of our kids really. …

Seven years ago, Peter Kind, a neuroscientist at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, found himself in an uncomfortable situation. He was reading a study about fragile X syndrome, a developmental condition characterized by severe intellectual disability and, often, autism. The paper had appeared…

This is part two in a series on ethics and effective treatment. Part one can be found here.   In Part One, I discussed the right to effective treatment as detailed by the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. An essential part of effective treatment is providing, as t…

Vivint Smart Home, one of the leading smart home companies in North America, will be giving away four free smart home systems in honor of Autism Awareness Month in April to four families affected by ASD. The giveaway is open to any North American household with at least one member with ASD. To enter…

Led Bradshaw is using his talent as an artist to collaborate with his autistic son, Jacob, on bringing his comic book heroes to life. Together, they have created “Jetpulse Comics,” a collection of stories set in a neurodiverse world. Their companion workbooks help children practice and learn skills …

People who have mutations in a gene called PHF21A tend to have a constellation of traits and conditions, including autism, according to a new study1. PHF21A encodes a protein that is part of a massive complex that binds to DNA. The gene’s exact function is unknown, but studies suggest it prevents ne…