Technology for Early Screening: A new tablet-based screening tool is being developed to analyze children’s behavior in response to videos to help with early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Genetic and Molecular Research: Studies continue to explore the genetic links to autism, with recent findings identifying a connection between a genetic switch and brain balance, as well as an underlying molecular network shared by autism and congenital heart disease.
Health and Well-being: Research has found that autistic people may have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. There are also ongoing discussions about the physical and mental health of autistic people, including topics like neurodivergent burnout and the link between autism and conditions like constipation.
Advocacy and Social Issues: Advocacy news covers efforts to empower parents of children with autism and to protect services like Medicaid from budget cuts. There are also discussions about autism acceptance, stigma, and the importance of including autistic investigators in research.
Common Misconceptions: A fact sheet from the World Health Organization (WHO) confirms that extensive research has shown no link between vaccines and autism.