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Autism spectrum disorders news

Autism spectrum disorders

Prescribed opioid pain medications during pregnancy likely aren't associated with increased risk of autism, ADHD

Previous studies have suggested that children exposed to opioid pain medications while in the womb have higher rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but a new study ...

Autism spectrum disorders

Autism is not a scare story: What parents need to know about medications in pregnancy, genetic risk

Over the past couple of months, headlines have warned expectant parents that something as ordinary as a pain reliever or an antidepressant taken during pregnancy could "cause autism."

Autism spectrum disorders

Autism is lifelong. Here's what support looks like in adulthood

The government plans to redirect some children off the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and onto a new program called Thriving Kids. When announcing the change last month, health and disability minister Mark Butler ...

Genetics

Tiny fish open new horizons for autism research

Researchers from Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Japan, have revealed that environment influences social behaviors in autism. By using zebrafish that have a mutation in ube3a, a gene linked to Angelman syndrome ...

Autism spectrum disorders

New review highlights need for menopause support for autistic people

A new evidence review undertaken by Swansea University academics to better understand the menopause-related experiences and needs of autistic people, has revealed significant gaps in knowledge, support, and health care provision, ...

Autism spectrum disorders

What we do (and don't know) about autism and aging—new research

Autism is often thought of as a childhood condition, but this is far from true. Autism is a lifelong condition—and most autistic people are adults. Yet less than 1% of autism research has focused on older autistic people.

Autism spectrum disorders

No strong evidence for alternative autism treatments, study finds

The most comprehensive quantitative review of research into complementary and alternative treatments for autism has found no strong evidence to support their use, and that the safety of these treatments was rarely assessed.

Autism spectrum disorders

New study reveals gaps in autism diagnosis for girls

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered the most compelling evidence to date that girls present with different symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than boys—highlighting the need for new and innovative ...

Autism spectrum disorders

New data examines health spending among children with autism

Families with a child receiving treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) incur almost 10 times more in health care costs than those of other children, including those diagnosed but not receiving any ASD treatment.

Neuroscience

Researchers reverse autism symptoms in mice with epilepsy drugs

Stanford Medicine scientists investigating the neurological underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder have found that hyperactivity in a specific brain region could drive behaviors commonly associated with the disorder.

Autism spectrum disorders

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.

Neuroscience

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 ...

Autism spectrum disorders

CBD could calm kids with autism

A non-intoxicating extract of cannabis appears to help children and teenagers with autism, a new study says.

Autism spectrum disorders

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 ...

Autism spectrum disorders

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 ...