Articles that focus on autism research, news and the latest reports to help guide people on the autism spectrum and their families. These up-to-date articles can include medical news and innovative programs surrounding autism.
It’s a new year, and the possibilities are infinite! While we’re energized about the future, we also want to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to our supportive autism community over the past year. Honestly, everyone deserves applause. As we look back on 2019, we are inspired by the exceptional group that has […]
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Have you been following the recent news reporting the benefits of CBD oils for autism? While scientific studies are underway, families report CBD oils can reduce stress for people on the autism spectrum, as well as lessen aggression, self-injurious behaviors, and anxiety surrounding social interactions. Recent reports indicate CBD can aid children with co-occurring seizures. […]
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While the term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been used by scientists and doctors for decades, we don’t have all the answers surrounding this developmental disability. Finding the advice and support autism families need can be challenging as there is a lot of inconsistent information and technical progress can be slow. To understand autism and […]
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Research is very important for parents to understand—unfortunately, it isn’t something that a lot of families have time for or can easily access. It may seem that research exists in an ivory tower. I want to inspire you to embrace research. It helps inform the practitioners and teachers that work with your loved one on […]
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My 14-year-old son, JP, has autism. As I’m sure you can understand, while this wasn’t something I signed up for, I do believe God chose me and my husband, Perry, to be JP’s parents. Being JP’s mom has been an unexpected and wonderful experience. Through JP, I have become a member of the special needs community. […]
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As a parent, university faculty member and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) researcher, I have been to many conferences that focus on those impacted by ASD. When I think of my favorite and most informative, The International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), formally International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) is always at the top of my […]
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The experience of expressing one’s self through art has widely been practiced as a form of therapy, as it’s no surprise that art brings a sense of calmness and serenity. This type of therapy is known as ‘art therapy,’ and it is a treatment widely used by therapists in meeting the challenges often faced by […]
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As a society, we have come a very long way to embrace children with autism in the educational system. Still, we have not made good educated progress to integrate adults across the autism spectrum to the workforce. As a society, we must break down the barriers and create new paths to employment. “In the United […]
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My Writing Journeys I’m often asked, “Why autism?,” followed by “What’s Wayang?” when I tell people about my children’s book, Open—A Boy’s Wayang Adventure. The answers don’t come in one-liners. My path as a writer has been a long and complicated one. I started a food blog some years back to cope with the loneliness of […]
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Inclusion, or placing different ability levels together in the classrooms, has been a proven practice in education for years. Research has shown that this mixture has been good for everyone, including those with and without disabilities. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 13 percent of public school students in the U.S. have a documented disability. Autism, […]
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The past 30 years have brought greater support and understanding for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with new interventions helping bridge some of the most challenging social challenges. We now know social skills can be taught through a diverse array of approaches, from group interventions and social stories to response training and problem-solving. Most […]
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Education, social care, and health services need to become more aware of the important role that fathers play in the lives of children with autism, alongside mothers, according to research by Leeds Beckett University. The new research is one of the largest studies to have been undertaken with fathers with autism so far. It was […]
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Children with autism often have sensory issues. They may be sensory seeking, or they may be sensory avoiding or even a little of both. For a child who is living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), some textures can be very irritating. Sounds, crowds, lights or smells can upset them. Many sensory approaches already aim to […]
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The National Inclusion Project has created a model that builds inclusive friendships for all children, called the Science of Friendship Method. The Science of Friendship Method is a step-by-step guide, which helps adults help children of all abilities make connections and build friendships. The desire to connect with others is a basic human one, but […]
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Significant overall improvements often occur in those with autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by medically treating their coexisting inner-ear/cerebellar-determined (dyslexia or learning disabilities (LD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety related) symptoms with inner-ear-improving medications. Despite significant scientific advances, we currently do not know the primary cause(s) and cure of autism. Thus a […]
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Product: Speech Blubs is a video- and voice-based app constructed with the purpose to boost children’s imitation and speaking abilities through play. “I’ve had it [Speech Blubs app] for less than a week and he’s already saying more!” Cost: $9.99 monthly subscription fee What’s special about this app is that it uses videos of real […]
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Sleep disruptions in children with autism studied This week, a new study has been published in the Journal of Developmental Disorders that examines why children with neurodevelopmental disorders experience higher levels of sleep disturbance. Researchers at the Universities of Leicester and Birmingham studied children ages 2-15 years old with a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders including […]
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Product: Tornado’s Edge is an on-ice skate trainer that helps children of all abilities to enhance skills on skates. The current product is intended for a training environment where one to four individuals can use the trainer together. There is an individual version of the trainer called the Twister that will be available at a […]
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We recently released a special guide about the use of the use CBD oil for children with autism and you can read more here. Children’s Hospital will study medical marijuana’s effect on children with autism An upcoming study at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will be the first of its kind in the United States to […]
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Disability awareness training needed Since 2014, there has been an increased national awareness regarding how police interact with the public during arrests and emergency situations. The autism community is no exception. During search and rescue missions, crime scene investigation, medical emergencies, and human services investigations, the way in which police and other first responders serve […]
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Product: Let’s Go Shopping! App Cost: $3.99 The Let’s Go Shopping! App was developed by parents for parents. It is designed to encourage children on the spectrum to explore and integrate themselves into a supermarket environment at their own pace, whilst making sense of their own thoughts and feelings. It gradually introduces children to the […]
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After working on the causes of autism for almost 25 years, one of the most fascinating and puzzling aspects has been the marked increase in autism that has been noted over the last 30 years. To qualify as a cause of autism, the factor needs to be something that did not exist at the beginning […]
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The inability to get a good night’s sleep is experienced by most people at one time or another. However, recent studies show sleep concerns are more prevalent with people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For many people with autism, it can be a challenge to get to sleep and stay asleep, which can have […]
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Product: Hi-Fidelity Vibes Earplugs protect individuals with sensory sensitivities from the discomfort of loud sounds while preserving the clarity of sound in their environment. Cost: $23.99 For decades, foam earplugs and over-ear headphones have been the standard for protecting individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other sensory disorders from the discomfort they experience in loud […]
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Product: Unlike anything else on the market, the Indi speech tablet from Tobii Dynavox is designed specifically for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and it is ideal for symbol-based communicators of all ages with speech and language disabilities, including individuals with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, aphasia, and intellectual disabilities. Cost: $999 Introducing Indi, the […]
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PinPoint Technologies, Inc. is a smartwatch start-up based out of Detroit, Michigan, that has made it a goal to help the autism community. It was founded by its chief operating officer, Quincy Hyatt, a Detroit native. Quincy, who has a sister with special needs, knows all too well what families affected by autism experience every […]
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The future job market is looking bright for many people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Large companies such as Microsoft, EY, and Utah-based Chargeback have piloted neurodiversity programs that aim to employ adults who are on the spectrum. The main objective of the program is to explore the possible benefits of hiring employees with varying […]
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What is L-Carnosine? L-Carnosine is classified as a dipeptide, which is a compound made up of amino acid molecules that are linked together. It enhances frontal lobe function in the brain. Research suggests that it is also a powerful antioxidant. A synthetic form of carnosine is available and sold as a supplement to help treat […]
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According to a recent study, more than five percent of sperm cell mutations scientists believed to have appeared in a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) could, in fact, be inherited. Such mutations were seen in a subset of a father’s sperm cells, according to an unpublished study conducted by the University of California, San […]
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An Exclusive Chat About Autism with a Cast Member of The Good Doctor Tamlyn Tomita plays Allegra Aoki on ABC’s new hit show The Good Doctor, which premiered last month to 17 million people. The series follows Dr. Shaun Murphy, a surgical resident with savant syndrome and an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and his journey […]
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A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry disclosed that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have refractory insomnia will benefit from prolonged release melatonin (PEDPRM). The trial conducted was random, placebo-controlled, and double-blind. Profiles of participants There were 125 participants in the trial aged 2 to […]
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With great advancements in the medical field and surgery, an impressive 90 percent of infants born with a congenital heart condition are able to survive until adulthood. The majority of these infants, however, often suffer from health problems including heart arrhythmia, neurodevelopmental deficiencies, autism, and respiratory issues. According to Martina Brueckner, genetics and pediatrics professor […]
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As part of a special brain-tissue study, a group of researchers from Columbia University Medical Center made an extraordinary discovery when they examined the brain tissues of children with autism. According to researchers, the study revealed that the brains of the children studied had an excess of synapses, the structure that permits a neuron to pass an […]
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In the center of the huge frenzy the miracle gadget fidget spinner stirred, experts recently revealed that the spinner is nothing more than a regular toy. Fidget spinners have been marketed as easy to carry anxiety-busting gadgets that can aid children and adults with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and any type of anxiety disorder. […]
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Great strides have been made in the past few years towards embracing the inherent challenges and discoveries made about the different degrees of autism. Targeted diets, advanced educator training, multitudes of periodical resources and specialized mainstream community mentor programs are all available to lend support. However, it is technology in the classroom that has propelled […]
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A study done by Stanford University of Medicine on the use of oxytocin as treatment for children with autism revealed that children with low baseline oxytocin levels exhibited improved social behaviors. The study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was the first one conducted on how oxytocin baseline levels […]
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Repetitive behavior? It’s all relative. And new research from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, illustrates that the repetitive behavior exhibited by parents themselves may hold the secret to determining what might be typical behavior for a developing child and what might be an early indicator of future developmental struggles. David Evans, professor of psychology at […]
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Over the years, lack of eye contact from a person diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been mistaken as an indication of lack of empathy or connection with others. This theory began in the 1980s when psychologists Simon Baron-Cohen and Uta Frith indicated that people diagnosed with autism were not capable of using the […]
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Lately, the news has been immersed in images of the city of Houston, Texas swallowed by a torrent of flood water. We’ve felt sympathy for those affected, we’ve worried about their welfare. And we’ve all probably thought, “What if that was my family?” We hope it will never happen, but sometimes it does. Fire, flood, […]
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Recent clinical trials looking at gluten-free diets for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are showing benefits worth considering. Typical indicators of autism spectrum in children may include delayed speech, lack of eye contact, impaired or non-present social skills, shyness, obsessive-type behaviors, delayed gross or fine motor skills, sensory integration issues (sound and touch sensitivity, […]
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