Autism

Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females.

Thimerosal in Vaccines: Myths vs. Medical Facts

Thimerosal is an organomercury preservative used in vaccines and other biological products, distinguished by its rapid metabolism and clearance as ethylmercury, which is not linked to neurotoxicity at clinical exposure levels. Decades of epidemiological research and regulatory reviews confirm the safety of thimerosal in vaccines, refuting claims of its association with autism and supporting its continued use in multi-dose immunization strategies.

Sensory Overload vs. Sensory Seeking: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Explained

ADHD and Asperger's

ADHD and Autism

What is Autistic Burnout?

What Is Speech-Language Pathology?

Asperger Syndrome Causes

Picky Eating and Autism: Tips & Advice

Gut-Brain Axis and Neuropsychological Disorders

Asperger Syndrome Mechanism

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Autism

The Reward System and Autism

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ADHD and Related Conditions

Evidence for Autism being a Genetic Condition

Obesity and Autism

Autism Classification

Autism Screening

Autism Management

Autism Related Conditions

Can Eating Behaviors Indicate Autism?

Gut Bacteria and Autism Development

What is Autism?

Autism and Sleep Problems

Asperger Syndrome Prognosis

Autism Causes

Travelling with a Child Who Has Autism

Detecting Autism Early

Autoantibodies and Autism

What is Synaptic Pruning?

Autism History

Autism and Particulate Air Matter

Autism and Junk DNA

What is Sensory Overload?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression, Anxiety, PTSD and More

Autism Spectrum Disorder & Allergies

Autism Mechanism

Are Apraxia and Autism Related?

Asperger Syndrome | Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Support

What is Asperger Syndrome?

Autism Prognosis

Moving House with Autism: Reducing Stress & Anxiety

Latest Autism News and Research

Study highlights benefits of specialist resource centers for autistic pupils

Specialist resource centers (a form of 'Inclusion Base') within mainstream secondary schools may be linked to stronger academic progress, improved attendance, and a greater sense of belonging for autistic pupils, according to a new three-year study from the University of Surrey.

13 Mar 2026

Republicans fret over RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine policies while MAHA moms stew

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is fielding pressure from the White House to relax his controversial approach to vaccine policies as the midterms near, but his most steadfast supporters are pressing for more aggressive action — like restricting covid-19 vaccines and pesticide use — to carry out the Make America Healthy Again agenda.

12 Mar 2026

Kids with autism and ADHD show different cognition–behavior patterns than single diagnoses

Research on children with autism and ADHD shows distinct cognitive and behavioral patterns, suggesting comorbidity may require unique intervention approaches.

10 Mar 2026

Long-read whole genome sequencing uncovers new genetic variants linked to autism

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have identified new genetic variants associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by using long-read whole genome sequencing (LR-WGS), an emerging approach that reads large sections of the genome at once, making it easier for scientists to find new genetic variants and understand how genetic variants affect the function of a gene.

9 Mar 2026

Largest genetic study classifies 14 psychiatric disorders into five major groups

Although mental disorders have multifactorial causes, genetics can explain some of them, yet this field remains largely unexplored in terms of guiding diagnoses and treatments.

9 Mar 2026

Brain network predicts how quickly we adapt to social behavior

Humans often adapt their behavior to that of other people with lightning speed. A new study by the University of Zurich reveals what brain networks govern social mentalization and adaptation, making it possible to predict how flexibly one person reacts to others.

9 Mar 2026

Newsom picks a dogfight with Trump and RFK Jr. on public health

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has positioned himself as a national public health leader by staking out science-backed policies in contrast with the Trump administration.

9 Mar 2026

NIH grant supports research on immune-related receptor in neurons

Florida Atlantic University has received a $2.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to investigate how an immune-related receptor in neurons plays a fundamental role in brain function, behavior and psychiatric health.

6 Mar 2026

How the brain’s "parental machinery" fuels social support in mice

Humans and animals share a remarkable capacity to sense when others are in distress and respond with comforting behavior. But the motivation for doing so, and why it sometimes breaks down, has been poorly understood.

6 Mar 2026

Study tracks surge in leucovorin after White House promotion

A White House briefing in September 2025 that raised concerns about acetaminophen use during pregnancy and promoted the drug leucovorin as a potential autism treatment was followed by sharp changes in how doctors prescribed those medications nationwide, according to a new study.

6 Mar 2026

Neural circuit mechanisms explain how chronic sleep loss disrupts social memory

Social memory—the ability to recognize familiar individuals and distinguish them from strangers—is fundamental to social cognition.

5 Mar 2026

Virtual reality system supports social skills training for people with autism

Researchers at TU Graz are using virtual reality and large language models to support people with autism spectrum disorder in training social skills.

5 Mar 2026

Trump’s cuts to Medicaid threaten services that help disabled people live at home

Leisa and Kent Walker recently received a disturbing notice: The private company managing their son's Medicaid coverage intends to cut nearly 40% of what it spends for caregivers who help him live at home instead of in a nursing home.

5 Mar 2026

New research on two million people quantifies how genetic risks overlap across diagnoses

A sweeping new peer-reviewed study published in Genomic Psychiatry has introduced a concept that could reshape how psychiatrists and geneticists think about mental illness: genetic specificity.

3 Mar 2026

Families defend disability services amid Medicaid cuts

Families of Idahoans with disabilities say their lives could be upended as lawmakers in the state's Republican-dominated legislature mull sweeping cuts.

2 Mar 2026

Georgia State experts to play a key role in the largest study of profound autism

Experts from the Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) Center at Georgia State University will play a key role in the largest study ever conducted to investigate the causes of profound autism in children and develop possible treatments.

26 Feb 2026

US measles and pertussis outbreaks expose policy failures, not just vaccine hesitancy

A recent commentary argues that US measles and pertussis outbreaks are not simply the result of vaccine hesitancy but reflect weakened immunization policies, permissive exemptions, and underfunded public health systems. The authors contend that policy environments determine whether pockets of low coverage escalate into large-scale, preventable outbreaks.

24 Feb 2026