Every day that Janet van der Laak drives between car dealerships in her sales job, she keeps size 12 shoes, some clothes and a packed lunch — a PB&J sandwich, fruit and a granola bar — beside her in case she sees her 27-year-old son on the streets. “’Jito, come home,” she always tell…

When Rafael was two years old, he was diagnosed with autism. His parents took him to different therapists, but traditional therapies didn't seem to help him.Source: The Autism Site

My name is Beth Lipari and I am a Casting Director in Los Angeles, working along with my casting partners, Sarah Katzman and Lisa Beach, on a feature film called WILDFLOWER, featuring a strong, supporting part for a woman with IDD. Based on a true story, it will bring to life a young woman’s…

People with mutations in a gene called TBR1 have unusual features in several brain regions, along with autism traits and developmental delay, according to a new study1. TBR1 encodes a protein that is involved in brain development. It controls the expression of several other autism-linked genes that …

By Dana Trick Sinking like a stone— You’re human, Not a rock, And you have the limbs to Swim towards the surface. Curiosity killed the cat— There are trillions of things that could have Killed the cat as well as you. Why do you promote foolish ignorance When knowledge is essential? Blind as a bat—…

Unlike many books on autism, this young man used his real-life experiences to create a book that really gives readers an insider's view of the disorder.Source: The Autism Site

Tom Iland was diagnosed with autism at age 13. Life has not been easy, and he has worked hard to meet many of his goals, including driving, living on his own, graduating from college and having a girlfriend. In his first book he shares insights and things he’s learned through experience to help othe…

This week, clinical psychologist Lauren Elder offers advice on setting up play dates for children with autism. Encouraging friendships is a priority for many parents, and a play date is a good first step. Playing with peers is difficult for many children with autism. So I’m glad you realize that a s…

About 1 in 59 children in the United States has autism, according to data released today by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Four times as many boys as girls have the condition, according to the report1. The data are based on a 2014 survey of 325,483 children across 11 stat…

Star-shaped brain cells from children with autism release inflammatory molecules that harm neurons, a new study suggests1. Researchers derived the cells, called astrocytes, from the children’s teeth, and cultured them alongside neurons. The new work hints that blocking inflammatory molecules from as…

Even under parental supervision, jewelry used for teething or sensory stimulation for young children can be quite dangerous.Source: The Autism Site

Luke opened up about being a father.Source: The Autism Site

Michael Gandal’s commitment to autism research is a family affair: Even his son Eli, age 3 and a half, has put in time. When Eli was an infant, he enrolled as a control in a longitudinal study of siblings of children with autism; he periodically had his brain scanned and underwent behavioral testing…

Acceptance By Rachel Pretlow Let the waves be open! Let the light shine in! Let us embrace parts of us Where we have never been! The wind picks up and lofts me On coast and sea and shore To desert fruits and poppy seeds And to the Mother’s core I am a pollinator I fly with birds and bees I feel the …