Autism

Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females.

What is Autism?

Autism is not a single disease entity. It is part of a range of developmental disorders known as autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). They begin in childhood and last through adulthood.

What is Autistic Burnout?

Autism Causes

Autism Mechanism

Autism Classification

Autism Screening

Autism Prognosis

Gut Bacteria and Autism Development

Detecting Autism Early

Autism Management

Autism History

Autism Related Conditions

See more featured articles »

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Autism

The Reward System and Autism

Autism and Junk DNA

Autism and Sleep Problems

Picky Eating and Autism: Tips & Advice

Travelling with a Child Who Has Autism

Moving House with Autism: Reducing Stress & Anxiety

Autism Spectrum Disorder & Allergies

Autism and Particulate Air Matter

Are Apraxia and Autism Related?

Evidence for Autism being a Genetic Condition

Autoantibodies and Autism

What is Sensory Overload?

Latest Autism News and Research

New model can explain neural and behavioral differences in autism spectrum disorder

Researchers Dr. Yuval Hart and Oded Wertheimer from the Psychology department and the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Science (ELSC) at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a new computational model to explain neural and behavioral differences in autism spectrum disorder.

28 Nov 2024

Dopamine and serotonin balance reward learning in opposing ways

If you've heard of two of the brain's chemical neurotransmitters, it's probably dopamine and serotonin. Never mind that glutamate and GABA do most of the work -; it's the thrill of dopamine as the "pleasure chemical" and serotonin as tender mood-stabilizer that attract all the headlines.

25 Nov 2024

Robust measures developed to study how social determinants influence spinal cord injury outcomes

Kessler Foundation researchers have developed robust measures of neighborhood economic factors to study how social determinants influence health outcomes after spinal cord injury (SCI).

25 Nov 2024

Animal characters can play an important role in children's psychological development

Children's books are full of animal characters whose antics capture the hearts and inspire the imaginations of their young readers.

22 Nov 2024

Georgians with disabilities are still being institutionalized, despite federal oversight

Lloyd Mills was tired of being stuck in a small, drab hospital room. On a rainy mid-September morning, a small TV attached to a mostly blank white wall played silently. There was nothing in the space to cheer it up — no cards, no flowers.

22 Nov 2024

Antiseizure medications in pregnancy tied to child neurodevelopment risks

Researchers investigate how anti-seizure medication use during pregnancy may increase the risk of neuropsychological conditions in children.

20 Nov 2024

Experts identify five elements of brain-based visual impairment in children

Experts convened by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have identified five elements of a brain-based condition that has emerged as a leading cause of vision impairment starting in childhood in the United States and other industrialized nations.

20 Nov 2024

Study reveals the power of sleep in enhancing motor learning for individuals with brain injury

New research published by scientists at Kessler Foundation provides critical insights into the role of sleep in motor learning for individuals recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI).

19 Nov 2024

Study links cannabis use to genotoxicity and transgenerational health impacts

Cannabis exposure leads to genetic damage and accelerated aging, raising concerns about its transgenerational health effects and public health implications.

18 Nov 2024

Can music therapy be the breakthrough dementia care desperately needs?

Music therapy reduces distress and improves well-being in advanced dementia by meeting unmet needs, enhancing caregiver-patient understanding, and fostering humanizing connections in institutional care settings.

18 Nov 2024

Antiseizure medications during pregnancy linked to neurodevelopmental risks in children

Children born to mothers who take antiseizure medications to manage seizures and psychiatric conditions during pregnancy may face increased risks of neurodevelopmental conditions, according to new data from researchers at Drexel's Dornsife School of Public Health.

15 Nov 2024

Standardized screening leads to earlier autism diagnoses in pediatric care

New research from Drexel University's A.J. Drexel Autism Institute found that the use of standardized autism screening during pediatric well-child visits identifies more children with high autism likelihood at a younger age, including those presenting with more subtle symptoms.

15 Nov 2024

Study highlights air pollution as key environmental factor in autism risk

Air pollution is a key environmental risk factor for autism, influencing neurodevelopment through neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and epigenetic changes.

14 Nov 2024

Community partnerships lead to more inclusive health care for neurodiverse individuals

A new paper shows how partnering with the community can lead to more inclusive health care, especially for individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities.

14 Nov 2024

Exploring the intergenerational impact of adversity on mind-body health

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) is hosting a free webinar, "Intergenerational Effects of Adversity on Mind-Body Health: Pathways Through the Gut-Brain Axis" on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 2:00 pm ET. The presenter, Bridget Laura Callaghan, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). At UCLA, Dr. Callaghan directs the Brain & Body Lab in the Department of Psychology and also heads the Mental Disorders and Pain research theme at the Goodman Luskin Microbiome Center.

8 Nov 2024

CRISPR technology reveals essential noncoding RNAs in the human genome

Genes contain instructions for making proteins, and a central dogma of biology is that this information flows from DNA to RNA to proteins.

7 Nov 2024

Coping strategies and resilience can boost quality of life for parents raising disabled children

For parents of children with disabilities, finding time to focus on themselves may be difficult. However, a new study finds that the right coping strategies and resilience can significantly help manage the challenges of raising children with special needs.

6 Nov 2024

Trump’s White House return poised to tangle health care safety net

Former President Donald Trump's election victory and looming return to the White House will likely bring changes that scale back the nation's public health insurance programs — increasing the uninsured rate, while imposing new barriers to abortion and other reproductive care.

6 Nov 2024

New technology for visualizing AMPA receptors offers insights into psychiatric disorders

Even though psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are quite common, their diagnosis and treatment are challenging.

5 Nov 2024

Study delves into the lives of neurodivergent psychiatrists

Groundbreaking research exploring the experiences of autistic psychiatrists has revealed that psychiatrists who are unaware that they themselves are autistic may fail to recognise the condition in their patients.

1 Nov 2024