The announcement this week that the U.S. federal government is changing its policy on the use of human fetal tissue in medical research is designed to please anti-abortion groups that have strongly supported President Donald Trump. But it could jeopardize promising medical research and set back atte…

Hello, and welcome to the Community Newsletter! I’m your host, Chelsey B. Coombs, Spectrum’s engagement editor. What do psychotherapists who treat adults know about autism? A thread about a study in Autism offered some insight this week. A blind spot in mental healthcare? A study by a participatory…

As a social worker in community mental health services, I spent a lot of my time looking for information. I looked for information to see how one of the participants in my program who experienced family violence could find some help. I looked for information to find a gym that another participant co…

People with Autism and post traumatic stress disorder are sensitive to loud and large venues – generally places that have over-stimulating environments. In many cases, people with these conditions or parents with kids with these conditions avoid going to such places. However, completely avoidi…

By Tulika Prasad I’m not a supermom but I get that a lot. Having a child with Autism does not make me one. Please let me be weak and let me cry, let me make mistakes, let my guard down, and let me just be a mom, a wife, a woman, not a “super-someone.” The day Vedant was diagnosed with Autism, …

The latest study to show that autistic children tend to be overweight suggests that the risk is greatest for those at the severe end of the spectrum1. Autistic children are about 1.6 times as likely as their typical peers to be overweight or obese, the study shows. And autistic children with severe …

To understand another person’s point of view, children with autism need to actively suppress their own, a new study suggests1. People with autism struggle with theory of mind — the ability to guess others’ thoughts and feelings. This may contribute to their social difficulties. The new work hints at…

In this strange lull between the Xmas holiday and New Year’s Day, we usually drift in nostalgia and reminisce about the past year’s activities and achievements. And though there have been many wonderful accomplishments this year, we find ourselves looking forward to 2017. We are ready to…

By Trisha Katkin As teachers, we are always told, “every child is unique,” and “each one is different.” And I believe that this is true. HOWEVER… When you are trying to handle a busy class with students that are all on different wavelengths, it can be mind-boggling to figure out how to accommodate e…

Beyond the big headlines in autism research this year was a steady stream of studies hinting at important discoveries to come. Here’s a look at some trending topics that are likely to surge in the years ahead. Weighty matter Many chronic health conditions can accompany autism. Mounting evidence repo…

The Art of Autism encourages those on the autism spectrum to vote. For many on the autism spectrum, disability funding is in essence decided through the voting process. Many candidates have disability platforms. Below is an excerpt from an article about disabilities and voting called Election Day Eq…

A study published just a month ago indicates that researchers at the University of Minnesota are developing a new technique that may be a safe and effective intervention for children with Cerebral Palsy. This new research involves using small electric current through two sponges placed on specific r…

By Adriana White Representation matters. Seeing ourselves in stories is a critical part of our identity development. It’s how we learn norms – a gauge by which we measure ourselves and our life experiences. It shows us who we are and who we could be. Without genuine representation, we are left…

Finding effective treatments for their children with autism is one of the most difficult challenges parents face. In this month’s ASAT feature, Gina Green, PhD, BCBA-D and Lora Perry, MS, BCBA share insights about the many claims that are made about treatments for autism, and suggest some questions …