All articles tagged with #autism
The FDA quietly retired a 2019 warning page that cautioned parents about unproven autism therapies—such as chelation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and detox baths—pushed by anti‑vaccine activists and RFK Jr.'s wellness allies, saying the page was removed in a routine cleanup; critics say the move reduces scrutiny of dangerous treatments promoted by Kennedy‑aligned figures.
Mattel introduced a Barbie with autism as part of its Barbie Fashionistas line, developed with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network to reflect how some people with autism experience the world. The doll features a side-eye shift, articulated elbows and wrists for stimming, a looser A-line dress, flat shoes, and accessories like a pink fidget spinner, noise-canceling headphones, and a tablet. It joins other inclusive dolls and will cost about $11.87, available online and at Target from Monday, with Walmart stocking it in March. The CDC says about 1 in 31 eight-year-olds in the U.S. have autism, with higher rates among nonwhite groups.
Israeli scientists used CRISPR technology to identify hundreds of genes crucial for early brain development, uncovering new insights into the genetic basis of autism and discovering a new neurodevelopmental disorder linked to the PEDS1 gene, with findings published in Nature Neuroscience.
A former school bus aide in Colorado pleaded guilty to assaulting three nonverbal students with autism, with the abuse uncovered through surveillance video after a parent noticed injuries on her son. She faces up to 15 years in prison.
Yale researchers found that autistic adults have reduced availability of the mGlu5 glutamate receptor across the brain, supporting the theory that an imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory signaling contributes to autism traits. EEG data correlated with receptor levels suggest a potential accessible diagnostic tool, and targeting mGlu5 could lead to new treatments. The study offers rare molecular insight into autism, with future research planned in children and individuals with intellectual disabilities.
A 6-year-old boy with autism, known to be attracted to water, was rescued from a Florida pond on Christmas Day by police, less than 18 months after a previous incident led to him taking swimming lessons. The boy, identified as Coco, was found in chest-deep water and was unharmed. Following his earlier escape, his family took safety precautions including swimming lessons and discussions about protective measures. Authorities emphasize the importance of multiple safety layers for children with autism or special needs.
Recent research identifies four distinct autism phenotypes based on genetic and behavioral differences, challenging the traditional view of autism as a single spectrum and suggesting varied developmental pathways and timelines, which could lead to more tailored diagnoses and treatments.
Scientists are now viewing autism as a complex condition with multiple forms, challenging traditional views and offering new insights into its origins, as exemplified by recent cases like Ellis Easton’s.
U.S. health officials are scrutinizing aluminum salts in vaccines, which are used as adjuvants to boost immune response, amid unfounded concerns about their safety and links to autism. Despite extensive scientific evidence supporting their safety, some officials and public figures have questioned their use, prompting investigations and debates. Experts emphasize that aluminum salts are safe, naturally occurring, and present in much higher amounts in food and breastmilk, with recent studies reaffirming their safety in vaccines.
RFK Jr. considered endorsing the Danish vaccine schedule, which is less extensive than the U.S. schedule, but was compelled to withdraw after internal debates within the HHS and CDC, amid ongoing discussions about vaccine safety and autism causes.
The demand for leucovorin, a drug touted by President Trump for autism treatment, is rising despite limited and small-scale scientific evidence. Doctors are cautious, emphasizing the need for more robust research before widespread prescribing, while families and online communities are increasingly interested in its potential benefits.
A study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that autistic individuals and their siblings use fewer causal explanations and describe less of protagonists' thoughts and feelings in storytelling, with some similarities in gaze patterns suggesting shared attentional mechanisms, highlighting differences in narrative skills associated with autism and potential genetic influences.
A mouse study suggests that a combination of zinc, serine, and branched-chain amino acids may improve brain connectivity and social behaviors in models of autism spectrum disorder, though further research is needed before clinical application.
A study published in Autism found that autistic adults are more prosocial towards strangers and socially distant individuals compared to non-autistic peers, with these behaviors not driven by repetitive responses or attitudes towards money, suggesting autism may be associated with increased prosociality.
A study found common and distinct patterns in gut bacteria among children with autism, ADHD, and anorexia nervosa, revealing links between gut microbes, appetite hormones, and brain health, though further research is needed due to limitations like small sample size.