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autism spectrum disorder

This shows a child staring at a bowl of cereal

·July 9, 2019·4 min read

Unusual eating behaviors may be a new diagnostic indicator for autism

Atypical eating habits in children may be a biomarker for autism. 70% of children on the autism spectrum had atypical eating behaviors, making this 15 times more common than in neurotypical children. Atypical eating behaviors include limited food preferences, hypersensitivity to food temperature or texture, and pocketing food without swallowing.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·July 9, 2019·4 min read

New technique developed to detect autism in children

Children with autism scan the faces of other people differently to neurotypical children. A new eye-tracking technique that uses facial areas of interest could help with the early detection of ASD.

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Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 8, 2019·5 min read

Autistic adults experience high rates of negative life events

Autistic adults are more vulnerable to negative life events, including employment difficulties, domestic abuse, and financial hardships. Negative life events may explain higher rates of depression and anxiety, and lower life satisfaction in those on the autism spectrum.

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Autism Featured Neurology Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 5, 2019·10 min read

Autism and sensory processing: Avoiding the sensory overload at the root of meltdowns

Sensory processing difficulties associated with ASD, ADHD, and PTSD often result in 'meltdown' behaviors. While researchers are making headway into discovering the mechanisms behind sensory dysfunction, many in society do not understand the implications of the disorder. Researchers tackle how to prevent meltdowns associated with sensory processing disorders, and consider how social inclusion can help break the stigma.

This shows the RGC disruptions in the scaffold

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 2, 2019·5 min read

The neuroscience of autism: New clues for how condition begins

A mutation of the Memo1 gene results in the disruption of radial glial cell scaffold, causing misplaced and disorganized layers. The mutation may be responsible for brain development abnormalities associated with autism.

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Autism Featured Neuroscience

·June 28, 2019·3 min read

Exploring perceptions of touch in people with autism

Researchers explore how touch perception differs in those on the autism spectrum.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 27, 2019·4 min read

Autism health challenges could be explained by problem behaviors

A new study explores the relationship between problem behaviors associated with autism and gastrointestinal symptoms. Findings suggest younger children on the autism spectrum with aggressive problem behaviors are 11.2% more likely to have co-occurring nausea, whereas older children with ASD had more complex relationships between internalizing symptoms and GI problems.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 26, 2019·6 min read

Understanding how tics are suppressed may help some at risk for tic disorders

Almost 20% of children develop facial or vocal tics by the time they are elementary school age. For many children, knowing others are watching them helps to reduce tic behaviors. A histor of anxiety disorder has been associated with tics in young children. Understanding more about tic behaviors in children may help to develop new strategies to help those with Tourette suppress tics.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 24, 2019·8 min read

Mood neurons mature during adolescence

Late developing neurons in the amygdala may be responsible for emotional development and mood disorders, researchers report.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 21, 2019·4 min read

Researchers call for the term ‘high functioning autism’ to be consigned to history

Researchers argue the term "high functioning autism" be abandoned by the scientific community as it is misleading and may create harmful expectations of abilities for children on the autism spectrum. "High functioning autism" is not a diagnostic term. The term is based on IQ assessments rather than functional assessments. While children with ASD may exhibit normal-to-higher IQ for their age, many experience skill based, social and behavioral difficulties that impact their daily lives.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 20, 2019·5 min read

Processed foods may hold key to rise in autism

Eating processed food which contains Propionic Acid (PPA) during pregnancy may affect neural stem cell development in the fetal brain. Excessive PPA reduces the number of neurons and over-produces glial cells, causing inflammation. Additionally, PPA shortens neural pathways. The combination of damaged pathways and reduced neurons may be associated with behavioral deficits associated with ASD.