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Beyond Baby Siblings: Why “Next Gen Sibs” Is Critical to Advancing Autism Research
In the late 1990s, evidence-based research made it clear that autism was heritable and younger siblings of kids with ASD were more likely to become diagnosed themselves. This was a tremendous breakthrough but led to further questions about how to better understand autism recurrence and features...
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Increasing Inclusion in Biomarker Research
A new study being conducted by researchers in the McPartland Lab at the Yale Child Study Center is using technological advancements to bring biomarker discovery research to minimally verbal and cognitively impaired autistic individuals. These individuals have historically been underrepresented in...
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Early Screening Tool Leads to Earlier Diagnosis and Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Since it debuted in 2011, the Get SET Early program, which provides pediatricians and parents with a relatively simple process to screen for indicators of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children as young as age 1, has steadily grown in use and validation. Early screening and identification of...
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The Pandemic Has Devastated the Autism Community. It’s Also Been an Important Learning Opportunity
The world has been living through a global emergency since the coronavirus pandemic took hold early last year, and autism families have been hit particularly hard. People with autism thrive on routine and predictability, which are precisely what was lost amid COVID-19. While I know autism families...
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The Critical Need for Tracing Individual Trajectories After an Early Diagnosis of Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder (here forward referred to autism) is more commonly recognized at early ages (Zwaigenbaum, Bauman, Choueiri, et al., 2015). This has led to increased access to early intervention and special educational supports, which in turn provide opportunities to better long-term...
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Remote Learning: Autism Science Foundation Goes Virtual with Day of Learning Conference
We all know 2020 is a challenging year, but it’s not without its silver linings. One unexpected upside? The Autism Science Foundation’s annual Day of Learning, a TED-style science conference, went virtual this year on Sept. 22, allowing attendees to take part from all over the world. Although I...
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Stress and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Paying Attention to Your Cortisol Level in Challenging Times
The COVID-19 pandemic not only worries us about our health but our very survival as a society. We all can identify with the emotional, physical and cognitive impact of stress on our bodies and minds. In stressful situations we struggle to concentrate, remember and learn. We are more prone to...
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Largest-Ever Genetic Study of Autism Yields New Insights
Anyone who’s spent time with people affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can tell you that it’s a very complex puzzle. The wide variability seen among individuals with this group of developmental brain disorders, which can disrupt communication, behavior control, and social skills, has...
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Genome Testing for Siblings of Individuals May Aid in a Diagnosis Before Symptoms Appear
One of the key priorities of interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is starting early, with some evidence showing infants as young as seven months old could benefit. Yet, most children in North America aren’t diagnosed with ASD until they’re over four years of age. New research led by...
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Autism Science Foundation Statement on the Use of Medical Marijuana for People with Autism
Medical marijuana is now legal in several states and the District of Columbia. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the term “medical marijuana” means either the marijuana plant itself or one its many extracts or compounds. Use of the marijuana plant is not approved by the FDA for...
