Category: social communication

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How to capture the real onset patterns of autism

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Autism does not start at one, two or three years. It is a condition with trajectories, where some individuals show signs early, others later. It doesn’t just happen after some mysterious “medical event”, people are born with it. Scientists know this by tracking outcomes of those with a high likelihood of autism all the way from birth to school age.

We need more research on why features do not show up the same in each person, and how you can predict not just an autism diagnosis but other co-occurring conditions that are common in autism. Finally, science on how to best support each person with autism across their lifespan must continue, not stop. @UCL and @KCL are conducting just that type of research – that understands that features of autism change over time, emerge at different ages and also are accompanied by different biological features. This week we talk to Tony Charman, Tessel Bazelmans, Emily Jones and Mark Johnson who are pioneers in understanding how autism features emerge and change over time, but start in early infancy.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42640439

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42410708

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What is the evidence that autism is genetic?

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This week we talk to Drs. Steve Scherer, Lisa Bradley and Graham Collingridge who recently published research that shows the gene PTCHD1-AS influences social functioning in humans and mice, without influencing intellectual deficits. This is the newest data that shows a single gene can control social communication and not some of the other comorbid features of ASD. They review the data around genetic influences in autism, why the knowledge of the role of genes in autism has exploded in the past decade, evidence that specific genes lead to an autism diagnosis, and more specifically, what this gene does in the brain and why it took so long to identify it.

Here is the article: open access! https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10515-6

Need a genetic test? Here are some resources:

www.startgenetic.com

Genetic Testing
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Mysteries of Motor Abilities in Autism

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This week’s podcast features beloved UCLA child neurologist Dr. Rujuta Wilson who helps families with autism and other neurological conditions, both with and without a known genetic condition. We discuss the overlap of motor disability with autism spectrum disorder, what we know, what we need to know and what research families can participate in to help solve these questions. Dr. Wilson also explains some common terms in motor abilities or disabilities and how recreational activities can enhance evidence-based therapies to improve motor function, and of course give joy to those participating.

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For this podcast, trans means transdiagnostic

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On this week’s podcast, we present new research summarizing how autism is part of a larger spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders and issues. There are issues that people with autism experience that are not unique to autism; they are seen in people with ADHD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression. This is what is meant by “transdiagnostic”. These things include core autism features, co-morbid health problems, and can partially be explained by genetics. While autism is a unique condition, understanding how autism is placed in the wider spectrum of disorders and conditions will speed up discoveries in treatments and supports.

Click to access mentalizing-impairments-across-11-psychiatric-conditions-a-transdiagnostic-systematic-review-and-network-meta-analysis-of-tasks-with-static-illustrations.pdf

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09820-3

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41416939

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41257798

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The importance of cognitive ability in autism traits, and how to measure it in those with IDD

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Everyone knows cognitive ability is critical for understanding autism, however, how does it affect developmental trajectories of autism traits, and can it be accurately measured in those with severe intellectual disabilities? We discuss. Plus, more evidence that tylenol doees not cause autism.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41207796

https://www.aaidd.org/docs/default-source/prepressarticles/which-score-for-what-operationalizing-standardized-cognitive-test-performance-for-the-assessment-of-change.pdf?sfvrsn=42950021_0

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33211814

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41203924

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A lesson on leucovorin

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Two pediatricians, a child neurologist and a child psychiatrist walk into the ASF weekly science podcast to discuss the safety, efficacy and appropriateness of leucovorin, the drug that the HHS is fast tracking through the FDA approval process. Does it work? Is it safe? What should I do or know when I talk to my doctor?

Here is a link to the statement by the Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics: https://sdbp.org/sdbp-statements-regarding-leucovorin-tylenol-and-autism/

Here are the four studies mentioned:

Here is a requested correction to one of the papers where a calculation error was made:

https://pubpeer.com/publications/987569A781B9A602DCE7358D4513A0

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What labels should be used to describe autism?

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This week’s podcast includes summaries from two new scientific studies (with comments from one of the studies’ authors @SimonsFoundation and @princetonPPH) about that tackle grouping and labeling the differences across the spectrum into meaningful subtypes. Both provide scientific evidence, including behavioral and biological data, that support the use of different labels. This is more evidence that lumping everyone into one unitary “autism” diagnosis is not meaningful or biologically accurate, and that using computer-driven approaches, different behavioral subtypes map onto behavioral features. This supports approaches that more clearly describe different types of autism for better supports.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40651720

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02224-z

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451902224003793?via%3Dihub

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What do Profound Autism Caregivers Need?

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In part 1 of a 3 part series on Profound Autism, ASF interviews Emily Ferguson, PhD from @Stanford shares what she learned by asking parents and caregivers of Profound Autism “what do you need?” The short answer was: “There is No Help“. The responses were overwhelmingly focused on inclusion in any program or service, since they are normally excluded from traditional programs. They also call for better multidisciplinary medical management. Needs were associated with a number of factors. Why talk to caregivers? Their perspectives help identify both research and service priorities in the future.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38963473

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The ASF Year End Review of Science

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Just three days before 2024, ASF provides a summary of the the highlights of scientific discoveries and how they have translated into tools families can use. They include ways to speed up diagnosis and reduce waitlists, study of the brains in females and clinical recommendations for helping autistic females at birth, evidence of better practices around intervention and supports, and a review of the numbers of people who have a diagnosis. It isn’t comprehensive and if something was missed, our apologies, but the summary is 20 minutes.

You can read the text here: https://autismsciencefoundation.org/2023-year-end-review/

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In support of AFAB

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A recent publication in the Lancet was dedicated to clinical recommendations to support autistic females at birth. Because more males than females are diagnosed with autism, their needs are often misunderstood, misinterpreted, or just ignored. Researchers, clinicians, scientists, parents and self-advocates from around the world joined together to identify those needs and propose solutions that can be implemented in everyday care. To read the article in it’s entirety, click here: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1i5LV8Mut2Mzvb