Adults with autism are at an increased risk for diabetes, depression and a number of other health problems, suggests a large survey of electronic health records.

Two new studies explore the link between autism and aggression — a controversial connection that weighs heavily on individuals with the disorder and their families.

There is an urgent need for psychiatrists who are trained to care for individuals with autism. Matthew Siegel calls for a formal training program in autism for psychiatrists.
 

Some siblings of people with autism struggle in adulthood with employment, relationships and mental health, according to new research.

The idea that people with autism don’t feel strong emotions is a myth: Many of them are vulnerable to depression, despair and even suicide. New research documents alarmingly high rates of suicidal thoughts and actions in this group — and suggests that their distress takes unique forms.

When individuals with autism see themselves as impaired and get stuck on those thoughts, they may become and stay depressed, says Katherine Gotham.

People with autism often feel anxious, worrying about everyday events and ruminating on their fears for long periods of time, reports a study published 8 May in the journal Autism.

Adults with autism may suffer from various health problems, ranging from psychiatric conditions to motor symptoms that resemble Parkinson’s disease, according to two studies presented Thursday at the 2014 International Meeting for Autism Research in Atlanta.

Women who take antidepressants such as Prozac while pregnant may increase their sons’ risk of autism and developmental disability, reports a study published 14 April in Pediatrics. But, like other studies before it, the study leaves room for doubt.

A small study published 3 April in Molecular Autism has found that 98 percent of mothers of children with autism have unusual responses to sensory stimuli, including light, sound and touch.