We’ve learned a lot about the genetics of autism in the past decade. And there is much more work being done to find autism genes. I advocate a shift in focus: As a neuroscientist who has studied the genetic basis of autism for two decades, I think biomedical research should now concentrate on unders…

The post Rogue poop; ancestral autism; travel limbo and more appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News

A new device measures how long a mouse cozies up with a cagemate in a tiny tube. Researchers can use the tool to detect social impairments in mice with mutations tied to autism1. Scientists often assess sociability in mice using the so-called three-chamber test, in which mice choose between a space …

Children with tuberous sclerosis who have seizures as infants are particularly likely to also have developmental delay and autism features, according to a new study1. The study gets at an important question in autism research, although it stops short of answering it conclusively: whether having seiz…

The post Spectrum stories: The role of genetics in autism appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News

It's actually not such a bad thing.Source: The Autism Site

This week, Leanne Page M.Ed, BCBA, offers advice on how to avoid prompt dependence.  This piece originally appeared on bsci21.org. “Dear Behavior BFF, I am not a parent myself but am writing you about my nephew. My sister and brother in law are constantly telling him what to say. “Tell her thank yo…

Read this essay in Zoom Autism Magazine! “Your son is amazing!” That’s what a woman said to me at a reception the other day. Jonathan was doing some volunteer work for an organization that helps autistic teens and adults develop social skills and friendships through filmmaking. They were having a fi…

Babies with a family history of autism have heart rates that are unusually low and that respond aberrantly to speech sounds, according to a new study1. If the findings are confirmed in larger studies, a low heart rate might indicate heightened risk of autism, says lead investigator Katherine Perdue,…

The post Inside Scoop from the Autism Anchors: Special report on genetics appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News

Melissa Koole isn't interested in limitations.Source: The Autism Site

It's a fascinating question with important implications.Source: The Autism Site

Autism is a complex condition, with a wide range of features that vary in their severity. Autism’s genetic roots are equally complex. The condition runs in families, but most of the relevant mutations identified so far arose spontaneously in the sperm or egg or after fertilization. In the past 10 ye…

Genetics in motion: The secret to understanding autism lies largely in our DNA. The post Autism genetics: the movie appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News. Source: Spectrum News