Four new techniques expand the repertoire of the gene-editing tool CRISPR. The improvements make it easier to check the results, expand the method’s potential targets and even ease features of diabetes or other conditions in mice. One team of researchers developed a version of CRISPR that cuts DNA o…

By Nils Skudra The ABC miniseries “The Good Doctor,” which has become an extremely popular television show of late, features the English actor Freddie Highmore as Shaun Murphy, a young medical genius with “high-functioning autism” and Savant Syndrome. In the TV Series, Shawn is hired at …

Autistic Health Care Advocacy By Ann Oldendorf, MD I am a retired urologist and a mom who will never retire. My two children are now young adults, but they continue to seek my guidance as they learn their new roles in society. My son, who is the eldest, was diagnosed with autism at age 3 in 1999. So…

There was nothing in the mail, nor even an email ping to alert Kristin Hook that she would no longer receive a paycheck. Hook is not a government employee; she’s a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Maryland, College Park. But her work on sperm evolution is funded by the National Science Found…

A new tool marries an unusually bright fluorescent protein to a light-sensitive pigment to illuminate individual neurons as they fire. The approach, described 19 November in Science Express, could shed light on neuron signaling abnormalities in autism1. Neurons send signals through the brain in mill…

By Jasmine Dyoco Going back to school can be exciting and fun for some kids, but for others, it can cause anxiety and stress. It’s normal to be nervous about the unknown. New teachers, classmates, schedules, classrooms, and subjects can cause the jitters in just about anyone. But for children and te…

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…

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Around 650 million people around the world have some disabilities, and 10% of that population uses wheelchairs. Recently, Apple  announced that Apple Watch's next update will enable wheelchair users to use it for keeping track of calories burned as well as their fitness goals. What's remarkable…

Happy people are essential to my well being because life is greatly difficult when you dearly have a body like mine, that does not respond to your wishes. Belief in my ability to frankly realize my dreams is important. By Jeremy Sicile-Kira My need for support is the most important aspect of my life…

The post Straightening out chiropractic’s claim as a treatment for autism appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News

The question of autism’s heritability is compelling for researchers and laypeople alike, but many people in both groups misunderstand its definition. Heritability is defined as the proportion of variation in a condition that is attributable to variation in genetics. Heritability estimates can influe…

Male mice with a DNA deletion linked to autism have trouble falling asleep, according to a new study1. Female mice with the same mutation fare well with sleep. All mice with the mutation are hyperactive. Researchers could use the mice to test treatments for sleep disturbances and hyperactivity — pro…

I am an adult with autism. I am different not less. Well, that is until I have a meltdown, or don’t understand something or pace for hours at night. In which case, I am difficult, incompetent, hyperactive, disruptive, unprofessional and those things make me different. By Kaelynn Partlow Go onli…