News that two major animal research laboratories are likely to close down within a few years has left some researchers in the United Kingdom uncertain about the future of their work. Officials at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, a leading genomics center based in Hinxton, England, announced on 16 May …

“Oh I love acting. I love being theatrical” – Tommy Abelson Tommy Abelson, 36, has Autism. He is one of the 1200 residents and patients at the Center for Discovery location near Hurleyville, New York attending a music therapy program geared towards people with Autism and other complex condi…

“…the notion of a “neurotypical savior” who brings a severely challenged and mistreated autistic individual out of their shell would be considered offensive by many viewers today due to recognition of the success in self-advocacy and professional achievement that so many individuals on t…

The post Spotted around the web: Week of 8 July 2019 appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News

A new online tool maps the shape and location of neurons in the larval zebrafish brain1. Researchers have used the tool to create a brain atlas covering 2 percent of the fish’s neuronal wiring. As the atlas grows, scientists could use it to connect neuronal circuits to zebrafish behaviors and to com…

Mutations in the gene NLGN3, found in some people with autism, alter mice’s gut nervous system, two new studies suggest1,2. One of these mutations also affects the population of microbes that live inside their gut. The same genes play a role in the nervous system of both the brain and the gut, so mu…

By Ryan Smoluk A lot has happened since we last connected, some good some not so good. Anyhow it’s the beginning of another beautiful summer here in Winnipeg, Canada. I am happy and excited to share with you my latest good news. In June, I had my art on exhibit in one of Canada’s most respected and …

If you think sign language is only for communicating with other human beings, think twice! Rebecca Malstrom, a gymnast and a student, became deaf at the age of 15. She has a dog, Molly, who is deaf too. Rebecca (Becca) has been teaching Molly some really neat tricks using ASL, and it’s really …

Alexa Bjornson sent a note with her son to help explain his condition, but she still worried his seatmate might be annoyed by him.Source: The Autism Site

One of the tenets of ABA is to provide evidence-based practice. The best way to help us do this is to keep up with the literature! Each month, Sam Blanco, PhD, LBA, BCBA will select one journal article and provide discussion questions for professionals working within the ABA community. The following…

By Megan Amodeo Who has the biggest house? The best car? The most intelligent children? The most athletic children? Sometimes it seems that we spend the majority of our days comparing ourselves with other people and their children. I’m sure we’ve all been compared with others at least once in our li…

In a home video, 9-year-old Beckett giggles with delight as his family’s puppy, Coco, nips at his fingers. The dog chomps down again and again, eventually drawing blood, but Beckett does not stop smiling. Monica Weldon, Beckett’s mother, can be heard from behind the camera, crying out in disbelief, …

For the longest time, the cause of Tinnitus, the condition that makes a constant  ringing noise in a person’s ears, has been unknown. Tinnitus also doesn’t have a tried and tested cure or treatment. However, a group of scientists, led by Dr. Bao Shaowen think that they may have a breakthr…

A wealth of research supports a role for the hormone vasopressin in social behavior. Also known as ‘antidiuretic hormone,’ vasopressin is a small peptide that regulates a variety of functions, such as thirst, water balance, blood pressure and social behavior. Because of its effects on social behavio…