Before sitting down to write his new book, released today, Cambridge University psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen joked with his editor that it could be the shortest book in the world — just three words long. Those words? If, and, then. “Sensibly,” he writes, “she asked me to elaborate on them.” And th…

It’s not about what you see, it’s how I feel and that’s enough. By Ana Mei When I’m not spending time with my cats, I like to draw – mostly in silence. Ever since I was a child, I scribbled on the walls and got good grades in art education at school, but I was never go…

Editing DNA in embryonic and newborn mice by using CRISPR technology can override mutations underlying Angelman syndrome and prevent many of the condition’s traits, according to a new study1. The effects last for at least 17 months and may be permanent, the researchers say. “It’s very exciting,” say…

Natasha Lambert has been fascinated by sailing since the age of 9. She was a little disappointed when she learned that she wouldn’t be able to sail on her own because of her quadriplegic cerebral palsy since it affects her movement and ability to communicate.  Seeing his daughter’s interest in saili…

Autistic people vary widely in their quality of life, a new study shows1. Some report shortcomings in their physical health and school achievement, among other areas, but many do not. To help autistic people improve their well-being and satisfaction with life, researchers need a better understanding…

A small clinical trial of a gene therapy for Angelman syndrome — a rare genetic condition related to autism — is on hold after two participants temporarily lost the ability to walk. The safety issue is important to resolve, experts say, given that the therapy otherwise appears to be effective, and t…

By Aaron Bouma For much of my life I have been mainly focused on military history and military affairs as my main special interest. Just as many autistics, I possess a strong interest in a specific topic which I fixate on. A year after high school in 2007 I attempted to join the Canadian Forces but…

Autistic Author Interview M.E. Purfield Mike Purfield has worked as a book reviewer, screenwriter and bookseller. He has been writing fiction for almost 20 years in horror, science-fiction and young adult genres. As a writer, he’s been very prolific and has penned numerous books in the Miki Ra…

A new test can measure the language skills of autistic children of any verbal ability, at almost any age1. The assessment could help researchers track changes in a child’s language skills throughout development or in response to interventions, the researchers say. It is also the first test designed …

Black autistic children are diagnosed later than white children and are often misdiagnosed with other conditions first1. Systemic racism contributes to many inequalities that lead to Black-white disparities in autism diagnosis and outcomes2. Many Black caregivers report that their initial concerns w…

Leo Rodgers is a tall, athletic man living in the Tampa area. He works at a bicycle shop and loves to take his bike everywhere. What’s really unique about his bike is that it doesn’t have a pedal or crank arm on the left side. As an amputee with just one leg, his right one, Leo doesn’t need anything…

A tool that relies on video cameras and machine-learning software can identify mice that have mutations in a top autism gene by their behaviors. It also detects how a widely used autism drug affects their movements, a new study has found1. The work begins to link autism mutations to specific, subtle…

The first genetic analysis to include multiple types of variants from people with autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions has revealed hundreds of genes that may be linked to neurodevelopment. It also suggests a subset of these genes is tied more strongly to autism than to the other conditions…

Poetry by Sophie Dutsch-Zdanowicz Into the Black Pound in my head, chill in my skin Rattling breath stuck in my lungs Into the black Full moon in full glow, but does not Shine to where I stand Into the black Abandoned street, broken windows Hustle and bustle of maintown Muffled by distance and an ev…