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All about Autism
Early language loss in autistic children not tied to later communication problems
Much remains uncertain about the regression of skills in autism, including what causes it and what outcomes are associated with it. Even how common regression is and how to define it have increasingly come into question. A new study published in the Journal...
Inflexible thinking in adolescence linked to emotional, behavioral issues in adulthood
Autistic people experience high levels of co-occurring mental health difficulties. To develop more effective treatments, a greater understanding of the thinking processes that may lead to these difficulties is needed. Cognitive inflexibility, defined as a rigid...
Repetitive behaviours in children with Autism
Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors constitute one of two criteria that define autism in the diagnostic manual for psychiatry What are repetitive behaviors? Scientists categorize repetitive behaviors into two groups. So-called ‘lower-order’ repetitive...
Sleep problems in Autism
A good night’s rest isn’t guaranteed for anyone, but it is downright elusive for many people with autism. Individuals on the spectrum often have trouble falling and staying asleep. And that may worsen certain features of their condition, such as repetitive...
Robots help children with autism improve social skills
Robots help children with autism improve social skills Parents and carers of children with autism often struggle when communicating and interacting with their kids. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have a striking lack of interest and ability to...
Polypharmacy, shifting prescriptions common for autism comorbidities
Many people on the spectrum take multiple medications — which can lead to serious side effects and may not even be effective. In general, polypharmacy — most often defined as taking more than one prescription medication at once — is commonplace in people with autism....
Brain Study Suggests Autism Develops Differently in Girls Than Boys
Autism spectrum disorder is four times more common in boys, which may help explain why there's far less research about autism in girls. New research has shed light on how autism-spectrum disorder manifests in the brains of girls, The researchers discovered that there...
Anxiety, the Amygdala, and Autism
One of the more common and distressing co-occurring mental health issues in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is anxiety. Anxiety disorders are present in at least 50% of people with ASD, and some estimates go as high as 80%. The relationship between anxiety...
Newborn hearing test may enhance early detection
Autism can be challenging to detect, especially in very young children. Research has shown early diagnosis and treatment interventions can lead to better long-term outcomes for autistic people. Because of this, the scientific community is working toward...