The number of therapists certified to provide applied behavior analysis (ABA), a widely used autism therapy, has skyrocketed in the past two decades, yet more than half of all counties in the United States have none, according to a new study. These counties are home to many autistic children, howev…

Ron Sandison interviews child musical prodigy Jacob Velazquez For those who missed Jacob Velazquez on America’s Got Talent here’s a video of his appearance: I had the opportunity to ask Jacob a few questions about his autism and his music. 1. How did PDD-NOS effect you as a child and at…

The visits are offered free of charge and help kids get comfortable with the things they'll experience at their first real visit. The post Amazing Dentist Does “Practice Visits” for Children with Autism to Help Reduce Their Anxiety appeared first on The Autism Site News. Source: The Auti…

By Gretchen McIntire I’m watching spring awaken around me more and more each day. I love the sound of the birds singing after so much silence in this world. Each day I find myself more and more thankful for the courage it took to move to Raleigh. “I feel like so much transformation is happenin…

Shortly after the coronavirus pandemic began, clinical psychologist Janice Keener was floored when she reassessed a boy she had evaluated for autism in her clinic a few months earlier. During that initial visit, Keener hadn’t observed any of the repetitive behaviors the boy’s mother had described to…

If you are like me, you love memes! You can sometimes go down a meme rabbit hole very easily, guffawing as a cat or  Gene Wilder makes some sassy statements by making references to ‘90s pop culture. Often times, you may also speak in memes – sending them to your friends on iMessage and letting…

Hello, and welcome to the Community Newsletter! I’m your host, Chelsey B. Coombs, Spectrum’s engagement editor. Our first post of the week comes from the Sheffield Autism Research Lab at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom. The lab posted a link to its new paper in the journal Autism, …

The Art of Autism opened Color of Sound yesterday at Oceanside Museum of Art.  This exhibit features 14 Southern California artists on the autism spectrum.  The themes are synesthesia, music, and color.  On April 29 at 7 PM PST Oceanside Museum will be hosting a panel discussion moderated by Debra M…

“Although there is a widespread perception that disabilities inhibit people from reaching their potential, advocates have argued that in many ways they can serve as assets because of the unique talents that they contribute to the workplace and to interpersonal relationships.” By Nils Sku…

The post Spotted around the web: Fuzzy diagnostic boundary, organoid oversight, women scientist setbacks appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News

Autism-linked mutations in the CUL3 gene may alter brain structure by disrupting the ‘skeletons’ of neurons, according to a new study. Like all cells, neurons contain long strands of protein that help them keep their shape. These strands, collectively called a cytoskeleton, also help ferry substance…

A gene that is poorly expressed in people with certain neurodevelopmental conditions is also essential for sleep, according to a new study in fruit flies. Many people with autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions have trouble falling asleep and slumbering soundly. This difficulty is often viewe…

Prenatal vitamins help ensure that a fetus has everything it needs to develop. Research indicates that too little — or too much — of certain substances during pregnancy can increase the child’s chances of having autism. But many of these studies are observational in nature and are not set up to prov…

If you’re the sort of person who’s into running, 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic hampered your chances to... The post Woman Runs 40 Miles for Autism Organization That Has Struggled to Fundraise Due to COVID appeared first on The Autism Site News. Source: The Autism Site