Gene expression patterns in the brains of people with autism are similar to those of people who have schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, according to a large study of postmortem brain tissue1. The findings appear today in Science. All three conditions show an activation of genes in star-shaped brain …

If you have a runner in your classroom, you don’t need a gym membership and have long ago put away those cute wedges. Every time the door opens you head jerks around to make sure it isn’t your little guy. The starbucks barista has your venti triple shot ready for you every morning before you get the…

Researchers pinpointed the exact hour a heart attack was likeliest to occur.Source: The Autism Site

One of the tenets of ABA is to provide evidence-based practice. The best way to help us do this is to keep up with the literature! Each month, Sam Blanco, PhD, LBA, BCBA will select one journal article and provide discussion questions for professionals working within the ABA community. The following…

Two imaging techniques together reveal architectural features of the brains of preterm infants of various ages1. The results hint at a pattern that could serve as a benchmark for typical brain development; deviations could raise a red flag for conditions such as autism. The fetal brain undergoes rap…

Lovastatin, a drug that lowers cholesterol levels, prevents memory problems in a rat model of fragile X syndrome, a new study suggests1. The drug’s effects seem to last after treatment ends. The results offer the promise of a treatment for people with fragile X syndrome or, perhaps, autism. The synd…

Autistic people’s skill at managing the demands of daily life starts to decline after they leave high school, according to a new study. But those who maintain more abilities relative to their peers are more likely to pursue further education. Daily living skills — the ability to take care of indepen…

Moose and Lali are nonverbal and live at home; Jess and Dan are more cognitively able and live independently. All four have autism. Together, these characters represent the broad spectrum of autism in the play “Uncommon Sense,” which premiered at the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture in New York …

The post In search of truce in the autism wars appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News

A saliva test designed to help clinicians diagnose autism is expected to be available in the next few weeks. The test detects the levels of 32 small RNA molecules in saliva that its creators say distinguish autistic children from controls1. But some experts are skeptical of the test’s accuracy and v…

Scientists are finding new ways to test cognition in autistic individuals who speak little or not at all. Host Ben Kuebrich explains. Read the related article here. The post Spectrum Stories: Tapping intelligence in minimally verbal people with autism appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research Ne…

If you're looking to raise kids who are confident, these methods and practices will help.Source: The Autism Site

A new method uses DNA mutations to maintain a detailed record of series of cellular events1. The system, called DNA-based Ordered Memory and Iteration Network Operator (DOMINO), could also enable researchers to study cell signaling, control the sequence and timing of gene expression in cells, and tr…

Autistic Author Interview Laurie Kennedy After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Digital Film and TV Production, Laurie Kennedy found out that he would have to make extreme changes to his living situation if he wanted to pursue a career in film or television. He got cold feet and also felt it w…