Autism
The 2024 GTCO Autism Conference aims to provide a platform for experts to share knowledge and insights on autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted patterns of behavior. The conference, now in its 14th edition, is themed "A Spectrum of Possibilities" and seeks
Autism
Qualitative research conducted in Sylhet, Bangladesh, aimed to understand the challenges faced by caregivers in diagnosing and managing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. The study involved 22 caregivers of children with ASD and found that sociocultural factors, religious beliefs, and genetic predispositions significantly influenced caregivers' perceptions of ASD
Autism
Daniel Tammet's book, Nine Minds, presents an intimate and nuanced portrait of autistic individuals, challenging the stereotype that autism and empathy are mutually exclusive. Through compelling stories of exceptional abilities and everyday struggles, Tammet explores the richness and diversity of autistic experiences. From brilliant mathematicians to murder detectives,
Autism
Autistic meltdowns are a complex and poorly understood phenomenon that affects nearly 70% of individuals with autism. These involuntary fits of frustration, rage, and physical violence are often triggered by sensory and cognitive stressors easily tolerated by neurotypicals. The neural mechanisms underlying meltdowns are not yet well understood, hindering the
Autism
Researchers have long been fascinated by the complexities of decision-making in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Recent studies have shed light on the atypical profiles of abilities in autistic individuals, who often excel in structured paradigms while struggling with real-life decision-making. A comprehensive review of 104 studies compared decision-making
Adults
As the autistic population continues to grow, there is an increasing need to understand the ageing experiences and support needs of middle-aged and older autistic adults. A recent study aimed to explore this topic by interviewing 17 autistic adults aged 46 to 72 years. The findings revealed that autism influences
Air pollution
Researchers from the University of California Davis investigated the association between prenatal and early life exposure to air pollutants and cognitive and adaptive outcomes in children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study, published in Environmental Research, analyzed data from the CHARGE case-control study, which included children born
Autism
A study from the Yale Child Study Center has found that children with an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at a higher risk of developmental vulnerabilities if they also have family members with neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions. The research, published in the journal Autism Research, investigated the
Autism
Children with autism and disabilities often face unique challenges when it comes to safety, particularly due to the risk of elopement. Elopement, or wandering away from safe environments, can occur for various reasons, including executive functioning differences, social skill variations, and sensory sensitivities. Non-speaking children are at an even greater
Autism
Researchers from Soochow University have conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to investigate the effects of physical activity on motor skills and stereotypies in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study, published in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, included 14 studies with 345 participants and found that physical
Autism
Research led by Micheal Sandbank, PhD, at the UNC School of Medicine and other researchers across the United States has found that evidence is lacking that higher intensity interventions provide increased benefits for young autistic children. The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, used data from 144 early childhood intervention studies
Autism
Researchers have long recommended intensive interventions, often amounting to 20-40 hours per week, to support the development of young autistic children. However, a new study led by Micheal Sandbank, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Health Sciences at the UNC School of Medicine, has found that more does not
