A survey that estimates autism prevalence in the United States includes too few black families to yield accurate data, according to a new study. Researchers presented their analysis today at the 2019 International Society for Autism Research annual meeting in Montreal. The survey, called the Nationa…

May is Mental Health Awareness Month By Margaux WoskIt’s no secret: mental illness is still stigmatized. The discrimination is emotionally overwhelming. In my case, it piles on top of me like a ton of bricks I can’t carry. Being an Autistic person, I already struggle with understanding social …

“This hero gave us a bit of sanity back in a chaotic moment."Source: The Autism Site

"I really like my autism and my ADD, because it makes me who I am."Source: The Autism Site

There are no medications developed specifically for autism, but some drugs can modify behaviors associated with the condition. After stimulants, antipsychotics are the drugs most often prescribed to ease traits that accompany autism, including irritability, aggression, repetitive behaviors and hyper…

The 18th annual meeting of the International Society for Autism Research has drawn to a close. The conference brought together a diverse set of autism researchers from around the world to share their results, exchange ideas and spark new collaborations. Spectrum’s reporters were there, too, covering…

Four-year-old Kent "had been waiting so long for this moment."Source: The Autism Site

Social media is connecting families with researchers who study rare conditions related to autism — to the benefit of both. Host Kaitlyn Schwalje explains. Read the related story here. The post Spectrum Stories: How social media aids discovery and diagnosis of autism-linked conditions appeared first…

A social website called GeneMatcher has helped researchers identify a new gene for intellectual disability, developmental delay and, possibly, autism. Of the nine children they found with a mutation in the gene, BRSK2, seven have an autism diagnosis1. BRSK2 encodes an enzyme that helps neurons grow …

This is going to make vacation so much more relaxing for autism families!Source: The Autism Site

An autistic child may have the same rare, harmful mutation tied to autism as her unaffected sibling does. But she may carry more common variants that tip the balance toward autism. The unpublished results, presented today at the 2019 International Society for Autism Research meeting in Montreal, sug…

A panel of autism scientists and advocates is charged with a tall order: making recommendations for the care of autistic people worldwide. The panel is slated to meet for the first time today after the 2019 International Society for Autism Research annual meeting in Montreal. Convened by the journal…

By Kimberly Gerry-TuckerEver hear a voice and it reminds you of someone else’s voice? Someone long departed or otherwise gone from your life? You don’t realize it, it’s an involuntary thing, but when people speak… And in particular when that voice is familiar and heard often- their voice imprints on…

People with autism who harm themselves are more than 30 times as likely as the general population to commit suicide. The risk is especially pronounced among girls and women on the spectrum. The unpublished findings are based on data from more than 49,000 people with autism and 2.3 million controls i…