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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.

January 2023
A multiracial group of schoolchildren sit at their desks in class.

Racial, economic disparities skew New Jersey data on autism, intellectual disability

by  /  26 January 2023

Serious differences in autism identification persist, according to an analysis of autistic children in New Jersey over 16 years.

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Three groups of people meet and mix at a crossroads.

Autism research at the crossroads

by  /  25 January 2023

The power struggle between researchers, autistic self-advocates and parents is threatening progress across the field.

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Three groups of people meet and mix at a crossroads.

Divisions over ABA

by  /  25 January 2023

Applied behavior analysis, the most common intervention for children diagnosed with autism, is the subject of an intense debate between practitioners and neurodiversity advocates.

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An illustration of a questionnaire that is slightly visually distorted

Tempering tales of a new autism measure: A conversation with Thomas Frazier

by  /  20 January 2023

The questionnaire, designed to screen children for autism, isn’t ready for clinical use without further validation, contrary to what some overblown newspaper headlines reported.

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Headshots of Melissa Licari, Somer Bishop, Jana Iverson, Anjana Bhat and Audrey Thurm.

Should motor impairment be added to the diagnostic criteria for autism?

by  /  11 January 2023

In light of growing evidence that motor challenges are common among people with autism, we asked five researchers how these problems fit into the definition of the condition.

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Two teenage girls sit next to each other on a couch, one looking at a cell phone while the other uses a tablet computer.

Turner syndrome tied to autism

by  /  5 January 2023

Most people with the X-linked syndrome have autism traits, and about one-quarter meet diagnostic criteria for the condition.

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December 2022
lllustration of the junction between two nerve cells.

Multi-omics study captures CNTNAP2’s far-ranging effects

by  /  8 December 2022

The in-depth approach shows mutations in the autism-linked gene disrupt neuronal growth and communication, as well as mitochondrial gene expression.

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A map of England displaying autism incidence.

Autism incidence in England varies by ethnicity, class, location

by  /  6 December 2022

High rates of autism are linked to lower socioeconomic status and minority ethnic groups, according to the largest-ever autism incidence study.

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November 2022
Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.

Null and Noteworthy: COVID-19 conclusions; diagnosis duplication; oxytocin again

by  /  10 November 2022

This month’s newsletter explores the pandemic’s effects on autism rates, trends in co-occurring mental health conditions, and the impact of intranasal oxytocin.

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October 2022
Conceptual illustration of two DNA helixes with several overlapping portions showing common and differing genes.

Genome scan spots common variant differences between autism and ADHD

by  /  12 October 2022

Common variants in five regions of the genome may determine whether someone has one condition versus the other.

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