Toddlers with autism have unusually strong connections between sensory areas of the brain, according to a new study1. And the stronger the connections, the more pronounced a child’s autism traits tend to be. Overconnectivity in sensory areas may get in the way of an autistic child’s brain developmen…

Garrison even invited his favorite flight attendant to his graduation ceremony.Source: The Autism Site

Most toddlers who screen positive for autism do not receive the recommended referrals for follow-up tests and therapies, a new study of nearly 4,500 children suggests1. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that doctors screen all children for autism starting at 18 months of age and refer ch…

Diggerland USA is a unique theme park that allows kids to operate real construction machinery in a safe, fun environment. It's the only construction theme park in the U.S. Source: The Autism Site

The post How one communication tool may fail some autistic people appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News

Should neuroscientific evidence influence courtoom decisions? Inform public policy? Should insurance companies have access to a client’s autism diagnosis or any other mental condition? How should adolescents who run into trouble with the law be treated? ‘Neurolaw’ is a growing field of interdiscipli…

“No diagnostic manual can truly explain the multi-faceted experience of autism,” Elisabeth Wiklander By Ron Sandison Elisabeth Wiklander was raised in a musically talented family. Her dad is a pianist, organist, and composer and mom a conductor, singer, and clarinetist. When Elisabeth w…

By Dana Trick Sinking like a stone— You’re human, Not a rock, And you have the limbs to Swim towards the surface. Curiosity killed the cat— There are trillions of things that could have Killed the cat as well as you. Why do you promote foolish ignorance When knowledge is essential? Blind as a bat—…

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…

Autistic girls may find social interaction more rewarding than autistic boys do, according to a new study focused on the brain’s reward system1. “It may be a critical variable that can influence the way girls with autism present as opposed to boys,” says lead investigator Mirella Dapretto, professor…

Have you heard of the game “The Last of Us Part II” yet? Released this month on the 19th on PlayStation 4, this game is already a huge success. The successor of The Last of Us Part 1, which received critical acclaim in 2014, All gamers were waiting for it with bated breath right since it was announc…

The bill was signed into law in June of 2020 and will take effect in July of 2021.Source: The Autism Site

Host Chelsey B. Coombs talks to clinicians and people with autism about their experience of the pandemic, how their routines have changed and some of the unexpected benefits. Read the related story here. You can read the full transcript here. The post Spectrum stories: Life in lockdown with autism …

The coronavirus pandemic is altering autism research in unprecedented ways. It also has had a huge impact on the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. This special report wraps up Spectrum’s coverage so far on the myriad reverberations of the virus within the autism community. In the academic wo…