New research has shown that parent training in interventions markedly improves outcomes of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Brigham Young University (BYU) worked on Effects of Parent-Implemented Interventions on Outcomes of Children with Autism: A Meta-Analysis, which has been published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.  The research shows training and empowering

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

About 50% of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) had elevated levels of depressive symptoms over 18 months, while rates were much lower (6% to 13.6%) for mothers with neurotypical children in the same period, according to a new study from The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). The report, which was published

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Research from Washington State University reveals an eye test has been developed which could help diagnose children with autism. Publishing their data in the Neurological Sciences Journal, Washington State University’s researchers believe the test could be a huge step forward for early diagnosis.  The process involves testing the speed at which a child’s eye dilates

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Research has shown for the first time that three sub-groups of autism can be identified from measuring brain activity. Birkbeck, University of London, conducted the research which also showed that brain activity can predict how social skills develop. It is thought by those involved that this new way of predicting how social skills might naturally

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Improved treatment options for irritability and novel treatments for core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are the key unmet needs for the autism community, according to GlobalData. GlobalData, a data and analytics company, conducted a survey which revealed treatment options to target irritability and aggression associated with autism, and the core symptoms of ASD,

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

The global Autism Parenting Summit is returning for September 2022 following three highly successful previous installments. Summit host Autism Parenting Magazine has announced that the virtual event will be back for four days on September 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th with a stellar lineup of expert speakers.  Doctors, therapists, educators, advocates, and people on the

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Research shows that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are twice as likely to be regularly, and unlawfully, excluded from school for a fixed term than their neurotypical peers. The University of Birmingham’s Autism Centre for Education and Research (ACER) in the UK looked into the causes and implications of exclusions for autistic pupils, discovering

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

A free app has been released by autism expert Professor James Adams, PhD and his team at the Autism Nutrition Research Center (ANRC) which displays the user ratings of many autism therapies and treatments. The ANRC Autism Treatment Rater App is a smart-phone app that shows the ratings of multiple medications, supplements, diets, and therapies,

in Autism News, Autism Technology by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

The third Autism Parenting Summit, hosted by Autism Parenting Magazine, took place earlier this month (April 2022) and was a great success. The virtual Autism Parenting Summit was hosted during Autism Acceptance Month and featured a diverse array of speakers—from autism experts, therapists, doctors, and educators, to neurodivergent advocates and parents.  Over the course of

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

The LEGO Foundation has launched a new accelerator programme, Play for All, designed to celebrate the strengths of neurodivergent children and help ensure all young people have the right to play, learn, and thrive. Play for All is an equity free funding and fixed term mentorship program for social enterprises, ventures and organizations that support

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

All our hearts are going out to the people of Ukraine at the moment, but for the neurodivergent community, the current state of warfare with Russia is even more challenging. Many autistic individuals with high support needs are trapped in the Ukranian capital Kyiv or facing the situation of fleeing with little to no assistance

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

After two highly successful previous events, the virtual Autism Parenting Summit is returning this April in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month. Organizers at Autism Parenting Magazine have announced that the Autism Parenting Summit virtual conference will return for four full days from April 1st – 4th 2022.  Doctors, therapists, educators, advocates, and people on the

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Researchers have found differences between the brains of boys and girls with autism spectrum disorder, which link to motor, language, behaviors, and visuospatial attentional systems.  Researchers have discovered that the brains of males and females on the autism spectrum function differently, and this could be the reason why their clinical symptoms often present in different

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Risk of death from natural causes as well as unnatural causes is significantly increased for people on the autism spectrum, according to researchers.  A systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Pediatrics claims the mortality risk is significantly increased for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Ferrán Catalá-López, PhD, from the

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

A routine prenatal ultrasound in the second trimester of pregnancy can identify early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a study from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Soroka Medical Center in Israel.  Researchers from the Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research published their findings recently in the peer-reviewed journal Brain.

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Autism Parenting Magazine has revealed more than a third of autism caregivers use an ABA therapy provider to support a child on the spectrum. In a survey sent out by Autism Parenting Magazine (APM) to more than 160,000 email subscribers, over a third of responders confirmed they are using an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy

in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Women are more likely to have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) if they have experienced anorexia nervosa before or during pregnancy, according to a new study. The findings came from studying 52,878 children born in Sweden between 1990 and 2012. A total of 8,800 of these children were born to women who had

in Autism Health and Medical Info, Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

The US Patent Office has approved a patent submitted by Arizona State University (ASU) for the use of Microbiota Transplant Therapy (MTT) for treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms. The news marks a big step forward in the realm of autism treatments but does not yet mean that MTT is US Food and Drug Administration

Autism researchers have found nutraceuticals (nutritional supplements) have more positive benefits than pharmaceuticals on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms, with lower adverse effects. Professor James B. Adams, PhD of Arizona State University, conducted and analyzed a survey alongside Anisha Bhargava of Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, Devon M. Coleman, of Arizona State University, Richard

in Autism Health and Medical Info, Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

The work we do at Autism Parenting Magazine (APM) to support families all over the world simply wouldn’t be possible without the help and dedication of our valued contributors. Every year, we’re privileged to have many autism experts offering their time and services to the magazine as writers and, in 2021, for the first time,

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Strides are being made in autism diagnosis as scientists in Israel report they are able to diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within the first year of a child’s life. The news comes from researchers at Bar-Ilan University, with two studies carried out by Bar-Ilan’s Mifne Center for Early Intervention in the Treatment of Autism and

in Autism Diagnosis, Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

A groundbreaking biomarker discovery from scientists at Northwestern University could lead to new treatment for children with autism and epilepsy. Researchers have identified a biomarker for autism within patients’ cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This biomarker helps establish a link between autism and epilepsy, conditions which often co-occur, and could be used in future treatment methods.  Epilepsy

in Autism Health and Medical Info, Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

One in 44 (2.3%) eight-year-old children in the USA have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to an analysis of 2018 data newly published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Surveillance Summaries. This figure is higher than the previous estimate published in March 2020, which found a prevalence of 1 in 54 (1.9%) eight-year-old

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Strides are being taken in autism terminology as the term “profound autism” has been officially recognized by The Autism Science Foundation (ASF) for the first time. The new Lancet Commission report has formally recognized the need for, and endorsed the use of, the term “profound autism” for the first time in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Professor Uta Frith of University College London recently spoke out about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, saying urgent changes are needed in how the condition is diagnosed as it “has been stretched to breaking point and has outgrown its purpose”. The comments were made after a study was published in the Journal of Child Psychology

in Autism Diagnosis by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Exclusive data from Autism Parenting Magazine reveals close to 6% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have some form of gender dysphoria. Are people on the autism spectrum more likely to have gender identity confusion? This question is being posed more and more as gender dysphoria sees increased coverage in the media and people

in Autism Health and Medical Info, Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

A parent-led therapy for babies displaying early signs of autism has significantly reduced the likelihood of a diagnosis in early childhood, according to research by CliniKids at the Telethon Kids Institute. An international research team led by Professor Andrew Whitehouse at the University of Western Australia found that a clinician diagnosis of autism at age

in Autism Diagnosis, Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Following the great success of the inaugural Autism Parenting Summit in April, Autism Parenting Magazine has announced that the virtual event will return for three full days in September. Doctors, therapists, educators, parents, and people on the spectrum will again cover the topics that matter most to autism families in this FREE virtual event taking

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Autism Parenting Magazine has revealed almost 20% of people caring for a child with autism give their child CBD, while 31.3% started usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a survey sent out by Autism Parenting Magazine (APM) to more than 160,000 email subscribers around the world, 18.6% of respondents confirmed they use CBD for a

in Autism Therapies and Treatments by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Did you know people on the autism spectrum are much more likely to identify as LGBTQ? Research conducted by the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge in the UK has revealed that autstic individuals are three to nine times more likely to be “homosexual”, “asexual” or “other.”  The above responses were given in

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

The free Autism Parenting Summit is scheduled for 20th and 21st April 2021. Parents can book a spot by visiting the official website. Autism Parenting Magazine is hosting a free, virtual Autism Parenting Summit which will play host to some of the world’s leading autism experts.  Doctors, therapists, educators, parents, and people on the spectrum

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Xavier DeGroat from Michigan, US, has made history as the first person with autism to take part in an internship with the White House. During his internship, Xavier had the chance to check out Marine One, have lunch with many staff members including his friend Andrew Giuliani (son of former New York City Mayor Rudy

in Autism Advocacy by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

2020 has not been an easy year for anyone, with the COVID-19 virus affecting people’s lives and lockdowns restricting daily living. For the autism community, it’s been particularly challenging as families were forced to abandon their usual routines and ASD children found themselves living in an unfamiliar world. At Autism Parenting Magazine, we take the

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have trouble with communication skills such as understanding and interpreting language. Speech therapy is designed to improve all areas of communication in your child. It is thought that, the earlier that your child receives it, the greater the chances of improving his/her communication skills. One of the

in Communication Skills by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Parents of children with autism are likely to have heard about the concept of using a fecal transplant in hopes of reducing autism symptoms. The idea is one that has undoubtedly gained momentum and popularity in the field over the past few years. If you’re a parent wanting to learn about the fecal transplant procedure

in Autism Therapies and Treatments by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Does facilitated communication have a place in the world of autism? The biggest debate has been over who is doing the communicating, the nonverbal individual, or the facilitator? Over the years, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of facilitated communication in nonverbal children with autism and other conditions.  This article will cover what facilitated

in Communication Skills by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

The subject of autism and seizures is being asked about more and more by parents of children on the spectrum. Exact figures vary from study to study, however, it is clear that the potential for epilepsy in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is high. According to UK medical researcher Frank MC Besag, around 20%

in Autism Health and Medical Info, Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Autism Parenting Magazine was saddened to hear of the tragic deaths of autism advocate Feda Almaliti and her teenage son, Muhammed. Feda served as Director of Outreach for the Mental Health & Autism Insurance Project and was a founding member and Vice President of the National Council on Severe Autism in the U.S. Fifteen-year-old Muhammed

in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Parents are always researching the best therapies and supports for their children on the autism spectrum. In doing so, one of the first options that comes up is likely to be ABA therapy. This approach is designed to help children build life and social skills while adapting challenging behaviors. However, ABA therapy for autism has

in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

NOTE: This article serves as guide information only and we recommend parents do up-to-date research before choosing where to base their family. The content in this article was last reviewed on April 30, 2021 and a methodology/references list can be found at the bottom of the content. Here at Autism Parenting Magazine we understand that

in Autism Solutions by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip