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Spectrum: Autism Research News

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Diagnosis

Diagnosing autism is an evolving science but a crucial first step to understanding the disorder.

September 2020
Illustration shows a family is watching fireworks, child sees blurry version of the event.

Eyeing the connection between autism and vision

by  /  16 September 2020

Autism is unusually common among blind people, and children with autism are more likely to have vision problems than their typical peers. Understanding why could lead to better therapies for autism for autism.

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Illustration shows information flowing from family (parents and child) into algorithm .

Listening to parents can curtail autism’s diagnostic odyssey

by ,  /  15 September 2020

Surveys of parents’ impressions of their child’s emotional and behavioral problems can improve autism screening and shorten waitlists for diagnostic evaluations.

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August 2020
Young patient getting diagnosis from doctor.

Diagnosis timeline drags for Black autistic children

by  /  24 August 2020

High rates of intellectual disability among Black autistic children may reflect diagnostic delays.

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Illustration shows an ear balancing on a brain, surrounded by barriers blocking sound waves

Confusion at the crossroads of autism and hearing loss

by  /  12 August 2020

Hearing difficulties and autism often overlap, exacerbating autism traits and complicating diagnoses.

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Young child getting an asthma treatment from a doctor

Asthma common among children with autism, developmental disabilities

by  /  7 August 2020

A new survey shows that children with autism or other developmental disabilities in the United States are at least twice as likely to have asthma as their neurotypical peers are.

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July 2020
small toddler looks at colorful motor skills toy in store with mother

Popular screen may mistake intellectual disability for autism

by  /  30 July 2020

A common autism screening tool misses more than 70 percent of autistic toddlers but flags more than 80 percent of non-autistic toddlers who have intellectual disability.

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clinician with child and family

Positive autism screening results rarely prompt follow-up

by  /  2 July 2020

Most toddlers who screen positive for autism do not receive the recommended referrals for follow-up tests or therapies.

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June 2020

Decade of data dents idea of a ‘female protective effect’

by  /  12 June 2020

Brothers and sisters of people with autism are both about two to three times more likely than the general population to have an autistic child themselves.

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Autism tests gauge traits equally well in girls and boys

by  /  5 June 2020

Three widely used tests for assessing autism can accurately measure trait severity in girls and boys.

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May 2020

Rare mutations in autism genes tied to intellectual disability

by  /  22 May 2020

A new study highlights the challenge of distinguishing genetic variants linked to autism from those associated with cognitive development.

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