Non-binary link to autism
Non-binary and transgender people have a higher risk of autism, a new study reports. The risk is significantly higher for those who were assigned the female gender at birth.... Read More...
Autism
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.... Read More...
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.... Read More...
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.... Read More...
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.... Read More...
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.... Read More...
Exploring perceptions of touch in people with autism
Researchers explore how touch perception differs in those on the autism spectrum.... Read More...
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.... Read More...
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.... Read More...
Mood neurons mature during adolescence
Late developing neurons in the amygdala may be responsible for emotional development and mood disorders, researchers report. ... Read More...
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. ... Read More...
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.... Read More...