This week, researchers discussed a search for autism biomarkers, a surprising explanation for how the brain organizes spontaneous behavior, and sleep disturbances in children with genetic neurodevelopmental conditions. Also, four new projects on profound autism received funding from the Autism Scien…

Here is a roundup of news and research for the week of 16 January. The post Spotted around the web: Naturalistic research; AUTS2 gene; cerebellar GABA appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News

The questionnaire, designed to screen children for autism, isn’t ready for clinical use without further validation, contrary to what some overblown newspaper headlines reported. The post Tempering tales of a new autism measure: A conversation with Thomas Frazier appeared first on Spectrum | Au…

Inactivating TAOK1 prompts tentacle-like protrusions to form all over a neuron’s surface, revealing the gene’s role in molding the membrane. The post Mutations in autism-linked gene cause membrane mischief appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News

By Ashleigh Evans, MS, BCBA Time is a challenging concept for children to grasp. It is even more difficult for concrete thinkers, as many neurodiverse children are. Children with autism tend to understand concrete concepts better than abstract ones, like time. Visual timers and other supports can…

This edition takes aim at the autism-intervention evidence base with a slew of null results, plus findings that challenge a prevailing autism brain theory. The post Null & Noteworthy: Intervention flops; neural noise; gender care appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spect…

Autistic psychiatrists report experiencing prejudice, stigmatization and career barriers during their training and day-to-day practice. Workplaces can make some simple adjustments to better support them and enhance equality and inclusivity. The post Autistic psychiatrists are an asset to medicine — …

The Art of Autism is accepting contributions of art, poems, and prose for Black History Month. Email info@artautism.com By Dr. Angel Durr, Art of Autism Board member As Black History Month approaches, it’s important to recognize how many African Americans are affected by autism. While autism …

The people-focused researcher shares her secrets to carving out time for grant writing, creating work-life balance and letting go of unread emails. The post Beyond the bench: Finding solitude with Jill Silverman appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News

Applying makeup can be challenging for folks with visual impairment and many times, they have to reply on others to make sure their makeup is right. To help make this process easy without depending on others, Estée Lauder Companies recently launched a voice enabled app that can provide guidance and …

Discussion on Twitter this week swirled around the evidence base for autism interventions, a new tool for visualizing cells, and the relationship between attention problems and repetitive movements. The post Community Newsletter: An evidence problem; cells’ interior design; repetitive movements appe…

Here is a roundup of news and research for the week of 9 January. The post Spotted around the web: CDK13; hippocampal plasticity; science Twitter appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News

The measure breaks the behaviors down into eight distinct subdomains — categorization that could prove useful for clinical trials, its creator says. The post New tool aims to capture full breadth of repetitive behaviors appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News

Memories from Diering’s life trace the rising star’s scientific path from raising lizards as a child and later exploring home brewing to heading a lab that investigates memory, sleep disturbances and early development in animals with autism-linked mutations. The post Asleep in the Mouse House with G…