Autism Spectrum Disorders

Scientists investigate inherited causes of autism

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are among the most heritable of all neuropsychiatric conditions. Yet, most genetic links to ASD found in recent years have involved de novo mutations, which are not passed from parent to child, ...

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Psychiatric diagnoses: Why no one is satisfied

As the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is revised for the first time since 1994, controversy about psychiatric diagnosis is reaching a fever pitch.

Autism spectrum disorders created Feb 15, 2012 | popularity 3 / 5 (1) | comments 2 | with audio podcast

Study compares traits of autism, schizophrenia

(Medical Xpress) -- A UT Dallas professor is studying the differences between the social impairments found in autism and schizophrenia to help develop better treatments for people with both disorders.

Autism spectrum disorders created Feb 27, 2012 | popularity 4 / 5 (5) | comments 2

Link found between child prodigies and autism

(Medical Xpress)—A new study of eight child prodigies suggests a possible link between these children's special skills and autism.

Autism spectrum disorders created Nov 09, 2012 | popularity 3.8 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

New study looks at medication use of kids with ASD, ADHD

(Medical Xpress) -- Many children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can benefit from medication for related disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Attention deficit disorders created Feb 17, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Speech emerges in children with autism and severe language delay at greater rate than thought

New findings published in Pediatrics (Epub ahead of print) by the Kennedy Krieger Institute's Center for Autism and Related Disorders reveal that 70 percent of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who have a hist ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Mar 04, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Study details bullying involvement for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

A study based on information collected from 920 parents suggests an estimated 46.3 percent of adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder were the victims of bullying, according to a report published Online First by Archives of ...

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Researchers spot attention deficits in babies who later develop autism

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine are able to detect deficits in social attention in infants as young as six months of age who later develop Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Published in the current issue of Biological Ps ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Feb 05, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Bullying harms kids with autism, parents say

(HealthDay)—Nearly 70 percent of children with autism suffer emotional trauma as a result of bullying, according to a new study.

Autism spectrum disorders created Jan 11, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 1

Genetic test developed for those at-risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Accuracy to be studied

(Medical Xpress)—A team of Australian researchers, led by University of Melbourne has developed a genetic test that is able to predict the risk of developing Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD.

Autism spectrum disorders created Sep 12, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

State with one of highest rates of autism turns out to be in normal range

When New Jersey reported one of the nation's highest rates of autism last year - doubling in six years to one in 49 children - researchers described it as "beyond an emergency." But a federal study released this past week ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Mar 26, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Researchers reveal new mechanism behind more male autism

(Medical Xpress) -- New University of Otago research into two sex hormones released by the testes of male fetuses and boys may help solve the enduring mystery of why autism is much more common in boys than ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Aug 15, 2012 | popularity 3.7 / 5 (3) | comments 3 | with audio podcast

Autism speaks through gene expression

Autism spectrum disorders affect nearly 1 in 88 children, with symptoms ranging from mild personality traits to severe intellectual disability and seizures. Understanding the altered genetic pathways is critical for diagnosis ...

Genetics created Feb 01, 2013 | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

ASD early intervention found cost effective through school years

The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a comprehensive behavioral early intervention program that is appropriate for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as young as 12 months, has been found to reduce the need for ...

Autism spectrum disorders created May 01, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

People with autism have a greater ability to process information: study

(Medical Xpress) -- People with autism have a greater than normal capacity for processing information even from rapid presentations and are better able to detect information defined as ‘critical’, ...

Autism spectrum disorders created Mar 22, 2012 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (6) | comments 1 | with audio podcast


The term "autism spectrum" is often used to describe disorders that are currently classified as pervasive developmental disorders. Pervasive developmental disorders include autism, Asperger syndrome, Childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. These disorders are typically characterized by social deficits, communication difficulties, stereotyped or repetitive behaviors and interests, and/or cognitive delays. Although these diagnoses share some common features, individuals with these disorders are thought to be "on the spectrum" because of differences in severity across these domains.

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