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

Gut-Brain Axis and Neuropsychological Disorders

Autism Screening

Asperger Syndrome Causes

ADHD and Autism

Detecting Autism Early

ADHD and Related Conditions

Picky Eating and Autism: Tips & Advice

The Reward System and Autism

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Autism

Gut Bacteria and Autism Development

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Asperger Syndrome Mechanism

Evidence for Autism being a Genetic Condition

ADHD and Asperger's

Autism Spectrum Disorder & Allergies

Autism Mechanism

What Is Speech-Language Pathology?

Moving House with Autism: Reducing Stress & Anxiety

Asperger Syndrome Prognosis

Asperger Syndrome | Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Support

Autism and Sleep Problems

What is Autistic Burnout?

Obesity and Autism

Autism Prognosis

What is Autism?

What is Synaptic Pruning?

What is Asperger Syndrome?

Autism Related Conditions

What is Sensory Overload?

Autism Management

Travelling with a Child Who Has Autism

Autism History

Autoantibodies and Autism

Can Eating Behaviors Indicate Autism?

Are Apraxia and Autism Related?

Autism Classification

Autism and Junk DNA

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression, Anxiety, PTSD and More

Autism Causes

Autism and Particulate Air Matter

Latest Autism News and Research

Brain immune cells found to regulate anxiety and grooming behaviors

A study led by a University of Louisville School of Medicine pediatrics and child neurology researcher reveals how a specific signaling mechanism in microglia, the brain's immune cell, can regulate anxiety and grooming behaviors. These behaviors are core symptoms of autism and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders.

14 May 2026

Study reveals how brain cells process vision amidst thousands of synaptic inputs

Even in the primary visual cortex, a brain region named for its specialized role in processing basic features of what the eyes see, not every neuron ends up answering the call to process properties of visual input. Maybe that's because each neuron receives a wide variety of inputs via thousands of circuit connections, or "synapses," and has to opt to respond to the visual information vs. something else.

14 May 2026

Scientists identify genetic mechanisms connected to core autism behaviors

A long‑overlooked stretch of the human genome appears to play a distinct role in shaping the social and stereotypic repetitive behaviors that define Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), without affecting learning or other cognitive abilities, according to a major new study published in Nature.

13 May 2026

Genetic schizophrenia risk linked to neurodevelopmental changes during early adolescence

Research has found that children with higher genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia show decreases in frontal cortical surface area during early adolescence, in contrast to the regional expansion observed in children with low genetic susceptibility.

13 May 2026

Labeling feelings helps manage uncertainty-driven anxiety in people with autism

We feel more anxious when facing uncertain or unpredictable situations, but for those who score higher on autistic traits, this anxiety tends to be stronger.

13 May 2026

Selective eating in autism linked to inflammatory gut bacteria

Eating habits shape gut bacteria in children with autism, with potential dietary interventions offering hope for improving gut health and inflammation.

13 May 2026

Maternal workplace exposures may increase autism risk in children

Mothers who work in jobs where they are frequently exposed to toxic chemicals or experience high stress have higher odds of having a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), suggest the findings of original research published online in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

12 May 2026

A century of safety: Aluminium vaccine adjuvants do not raise serious long-term health risks

A BMJ systematic review of 59 human studies found no evidence supporting causal links between aluminum-adjuvanted vaccines and serious or long-term outcomes such as autism spectrum disorder, asthma, autoimmune conditions, or other chronic illnesses. The most consistent adverse events were uncommon, local, self-limited persistent nodules or granulomas, likely reflecting delayed-type hypersensitivity.

11 May 2026

Prenatal progesterone exposure alters brain development genes in male fetuses

Excessive exposure to progesterone in the womb can alter a gene in the frontal cortex in male sheep fetuses, which is needed for brain development and function, according to research presented at the 28th European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague.

11 May 2026

Autistic people gain measurable police-interaction skills after short VR training

A randomized controlled trial found that Floreo’s virtual reality Police Safety Module helped autistic teens and adults reduce fidgeting during live police-interaction assessments compared with video-based BeSAFE training. Both groups reported greater knowledge and comfort after training, but the clearest behavioral gains were seen in the VR group, supporting immersive practice as a promising tool for safer police encounters.

10 May 2026

Extensive data analysis confirms the safety of aluminum adjuvanted vaccines

Current evidence does not support direct (causal) associations between aluminium adjuvanted vaccines and serious or long-term health outcomes, including autism, diabetes, and asthma, finds a review of the latest data published by The BMJ today.

7 May 2026

Study examines factors associated with co-occurrence of autism and epilepsy in children

Children with epilepsy have a higher risk of also having autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A new study in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology examined factors associated with the co-occurrence of autism and epilepsy in a large population-based group.

6 May 2026

Virtual reality training improves police interactions for autistic individuals

A new study led by researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Joseph's University found that an innovative virtual reality intervention was helpful for improving interactions between autistic teens and adults and law enforcement officers.

5 May 2026

Genetic background shapes outcomes in chromosome 16 deletion disorders

Individuals that share the same deletion of a portion of chromosome 16 are at risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders, but some experience severe intellectual disability or developmental delay, while others may only exhibit milder psychiatric features like depression or anxiety.

5 May 2026

Telehealth autism tools provide high accuracy for children using short phrases

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down clinics and forced face-to-face interactions behind masks, autism diagnoses for many children came to a halt.

5 May 2026

Unclear vaccine communication fuels doubt and hesitancy

The scientific consensus is that vaccinations are neither causally nor statistically linked to autism. The US health authority CDC changed its official communication on this matter and instead emphasized a connection could not be scientifically ruled out.

30 Apr 2026

Molecular switch protein Ten4 guides neuron migration in the developing brain

During brain development, neurons can regulate their movement until they reach their final destination thanks to a "molecular switch" involving the protein Teneurin 4 (Ten4).

30 Apr 2026

Sickness behavior may be a coordinated whole organism immune strategy

Symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, altered sleep, and social withdrawal are often treated as inconvenient side effects of infection.

30 Apr 2026

Baby teeth show when metal exposure may affect brain development

The study identifies critical windows of metal exposure via baby teeth, revealing impacts on brain development and behavior in children and adolescents.

30 Apr 2026

New brain stimulation technique improves social communication in children with autism

A new non-invasive brain stimulation technique known as accelerated continuous theta burst stimulation (a-cTBS) improves social communication at one month follow up and has a favorable safety profile in children with autism, finds a trial from China published by The BMJ today.

29 Apr 2026