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Autism spectrum disorders news
RFK Jr.'s major autism study to use private health records
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will provide private health data to researchers for U.S. health chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s new autism study.
Apr 22, 2025
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Autistic people's experiences of periods are under-researched. Here's why that needs to change
Periods can be painful, unpredictable and disruptive. And for autistic people, they can present additional challenges. From sensory sensitivities to barriers accessing health care, the experience of autistic menstruation ...
Apr 22, 2025
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Study reveals new genetic mechanism behind autism development
Scientists from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the University of Las Vegas, Nevada (UNLV) have uncovered a genetic link between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and a rare genetic condition called myotonic dystrophy ...
Apr 21, 2025
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A horse therapy program in Namibia brings joy to children with learning disabilities
Susan de Meyer's horses have different effects on different children. Hyperactive kids learn to be a little quieter around them while nonverbal children are moved to communicate and to bond with them.
Apr 21, 2025
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Autism prevalence was 32.2 per 1,000 8-year-olds in 2022, analysis shows
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was 32.2 per 1,000 children aged 8 years across 16 sites in the United States in 2022, according to research published in the April 17 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease ...
Apr 16, 2025
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Autism rates in US rise again to 1 in 31 kids, CDC says
An estimated 1 in 31 U.S. children have autism, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday, marking another jump in a long string of increases.
Apr 15, 2025
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Focusing on a child's strengths can transform assessments—and help them thrive after ADHD or autism diagnosis
When parents are concerned about their child's development, they often seek an assessment to address concerns and identify any conditions, such as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or learning disorders.
Apr 15, 2025
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Parent surveys may help detect early signs of autism in first year of life
Autism is typically diagnosed in children ages 3 to 5 years old, but researchers at the University of Missouri's Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment are exploring whether signs of autism could be detected as early ...
Apr 15, 2025
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Gut-brain link may affect behavior in children with autism
A new USC study suggests that gut imbalances in children with autism may create an imbalance of metabolites in the digestive system—ultimately disrupting neurotransmitter production and influencing behavioral symptoms.
Apr 14, 2025
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Autism: The neural origin of the social bond
From birth, human survival depends on the ability to engage with others. This ability, which is essential for development, seems to be impaired very early on in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), who show limited ...
Apr 14, 2025
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Autism, stimming and touch: Exploring differences in brain processing of active vs. passive touch
Tapping a pen, shaking a leg, twirling hair—we have all been in a classroom, meeting, or a public place where we find ourselves or someone else engaging in repetitive behavior—a type of self-stimulatory movement also ...
Apr 14, 2025
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Autistic patients need better care and accommodations in the medical office, researchers say
A simple question would have made a world of difference for this routine pediatrician's visit, had it been asked: "What can we do to make this visit easier for you?" Lauren Schiff, MD, a gynecologic surgeon at the UNC School ...
Apr 14, 2025
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CBD could calm kids with autism
A non-intoxicating extract of cannabis appears to help children and teenagers with autism, a new study says.
Apr 12, 2025
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RFK Jr's autism 'epidemic' study raises anti-vaxx fears
US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s announcement of a vast study to reveal the cause of a so-called autism "epidemic" has alarmed medical experts, who fear it could rekindle thoroughly debunked conspiracy theories ...
Apr 12, 2025
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Puberty triggers brain rewiring in genetic condition tied to autism, mouse study suggests
Changes in brain connectivity before and after puberty may explain why some children with a rare genetic disorder have a higher risk of developing autism or schizophrenia, according to a UCLA Health study.
Apr 11, 2025
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Low-dose opioids could help promote social behaviors for people with autism spectrum disorder
The same chemicals and receptors that control the sensation of pain in the opioid system also play a role in regulating social behavior. The body produces natural opioid substances which are drawn to receptors throughout ...
Apr 11, 2025
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Exploring the unique needs and experiences of autistic mothers
An article by researchers at the Universitat Jaume I of Castelló published in the journal Autism in adulthood has collected some of the needs detected in autistic women regarding motherhood. Among them, the shortage of professionals ...
Apr 11, 2025
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Hello, ChatGPT: 'Please generate exercise prompt for neurodivergent child'
A University of Michigan research team has used AI to help deliver exercise "snacks" to kids with autism.
Apr 10, 2025
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RFK Jr says study will reveal cause of autism 'epidemic'
US authorities are conducting a large-scale study into the cause of the autism "epidemic," Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Thursday.
Apr 10, 2025
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Preference for predictable visual stimuli can serve as an early indicator for autism spectrum disorder
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience social communication impairments and engage in restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs). Early identification of these symptoms is critical for timely intervention, ...
Apr 8, 2025
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Cross-disciplinary research reveals oral microbiota as promising screen for autism spectrum disorder
A cross-disciplinary research team from the Faculty of Dentistry and the Department of Psychology of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has found a promising connection between oral microbiota and autism spectrum disorder ...
Apr 8, 2025
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Tracking tiny facial movements can reveal subtle emotions in autistic individuals
A study led by Rutgers University-New Brunswick researchers suggests that tiny facial movements—too slight for the human eye to notice—could help scientists better understand social communication in people with autism.
Apr 8, 2025
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Cannabidiol therapy could reduce symptoms in autistic children and teenagers
New research presented at the 2025 European Congress of Psychiatry reveals that the use of cannabidiol (CBD) cannabis extract can lead to meaningful benefits and improve the behavior of children and adolescents with autism ...
Apr 8, 2025
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