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.

What Is Speech-Language Pathology?

Autism Classification

What is Autism?

Can Eating Behaviors Indicate Autism?

ADHD and Related Conditions

What is Sensory Overload?

Autism Causes

Detecting Autism Early

Picky Eating and Autism: Tips & Advice

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression, Anxiety, PTSD and More

Autism and Junk DNA

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Asperger Syndrome Causes

Evidence for Autism being a Genetic Condition

Asperger Syndrome Prognosis

What is Autistic Burnout?

The Reward System and Autism

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Autism

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

Autoantibodies and Autism

Autism Prognosis

Autism Related Conditions

ADHD and Asperger's

Autism Screening

Autism Management

Obesity and Autism

Autism Mechanism

ADHD and Autism

Are Apraxia and Autism Related?

Gut Bacteria and Autism Development

Moving House with Autism: Reducing Stress & Anxiety

What is Synaptic Pruning?

Autism and Sleep Problems

Travelling with a Child Who Has Autism

Asperger Syndrome Mechanism

Autism and Particulate Air Matter

What is Asperger Syndrome?

Gut-Brain Axis and Neuropsychological Disorders

Autism History

Asperger Syndrome | Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Support

Autism Spectrum Disorder & Allergies

Latest Autism News and Research

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

Oxytocin circuits mediate sleep loss-induced social memory deficits

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

23 Feb 2026

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities face severe mental health disparities

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as autism and Down syndrome, experience substantially higher rates of anxiety and depression than the general population of adults, researchers reported today in JAMA Network Open.

20 Feb 2026

Brain organoids show goal-directed learning in control task

Imagine balancing a ruler vertically in the palm of your hand: you have to constantly pay attention to the angle of the ruler and make many small adjustments to make sure it doesn't fall over. It takes practice to get good at this.

19 Feb 2026

Sensory traits in infancy tied to poorer sleep quality

Babies with an increased likelihood of autism may struggle to settle into deep, restorative sleep, according to a new study from the University of East Anglia.

19 Feb 2026

New technology maps protein production across individual brain cells

The brain's ability to carry out everything from forming memories to coordinating movement depends on its cells producing the right proteins at the right time.

18 Feb 2026

RFK Jr. made promises in order to become health secretary. He’s broken many of them.

One year after taking charge of the nation’s health department, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hasn’t held true to many of the promises he made while appealing to U.S. senators concerned about the longtime anti-vaccine activist’s plans for the nation’s care.

13 Feb 2026

Exposure to intense wildfire smoke during pregnancy may increase risk of autism in children

New research suggests that exposure to intense wildfire smoke during pregnancy may be associated with increased likelihood of autism in children.

12 Feb 2026

COVID vaccination during pregnancy not associated with neurodevelopmental problems in children

The mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is not associated with autism or other neurodevelopmental problems in children whose mothers received the vaccine immediately before or during pregnancy, according to new research presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 2026 Pregnancy Meeting.

11 Feb 2026

Shared brainwave biomarker bridges mouse and human fragile X research

Numerous potential treatments for neurological conditions, including autism spectrum disorders, have worked well in lab mice but then disappointed in humans.

11 Feb 2026

Defective ASTN1 gene linked to developmental delay and neurological disorders

Nearly 30 years ago, researchers began studying the gene Astn1, which encodes the cell adhesion protein astrotactin 1 in mice, and its role in brain development.

10 Feb 2026

Why autism is diagnosed later in females than males

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9 Feb 2026

Maternal perinatal depression linked to autistic traits in toddlers

A research team from the Department of Psychiatry at Tohoku University, led by Dr. Zhiqian Yu and Professor Hiroaki Tomita, has uncovered compelling evidence that maternal perinatal depression - psychological distress occurring during pregnancy or postpartum - elevates the risk of autistic-related traits in toddlers, with a particularly strong impact on girls.

5 Feb 2026

Study identifies genetic fingerprint of neuropathic pain neurons

Researchers from The University of Texas at Dallas and their international colleagues have determined the molecular signature of human sleeping - or silent - nociceptors: sensory neurons that are unresponsive to touch or pressure yet are key culprits in neuropathic pain.

4 Feb 2026

Autism diagnosis rates equalize between males and females

Autism has long been viewed as a condition that predominantly affects male individuals, but a study from Sweden published by The BMJ shows that autism may actually occur at comparable rates among male and female individuals.

4 Feb 2026

Advancing brain microphysiological systems for in vitro neurotoxicity and cognitive function testing

Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling.

From Yokogawa Life Science 3 Feb 2026

Most commercially insured patients live with chronic conditions

The majority (57.5 percent) of commercially insured patients had at least one chronic condition in 2024. The average allowed amount for a patient with no chronic conditions was $1,590, while the average allowed amount for a patient with one chronic condition was nearly double ($3,039).

2 Feb 2026

Not all children with autism benefit from early language therapy

Understanding child profiles is crucial for improving language therapy in autism, as factors like cognitive abilities and imitation skills influence progress.

27 Jan 2026