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Contextual Factors in Autism: What took us so long?

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Contextual factors, or external factors, are environmental influences and can impact not just a diagnosis but the life course of a person with autism and their families. A recent commentary by autism researchers around the world highlights the importance of these factors and provides resources on how they can be collected in a rigorous, but accessible, way. Dr. Marsha Mailick, lead author of the commentary, discusses the definition of contextual factors, why they are important, and how they can influence development. Read the commentary – open access – here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aur.3312

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Autism Insurance Mandates: Necessary But Not Sufficient For Services

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Autism insurance mandates are wonderful.  They require insurance companies to pay for screening, diagnosis and treatment and services for people with autism.  But just because insurance will pay for it does not mean that it’s out there.  The idea of “build it and they will come” for insurance mandates is on it’s way, but not quite there.  Dr. David Mandell from University of Pennsylvania explains why in a new study.  Also, single genes that are associated with autism are a great start to look for causes and subtypes of people with autism, but they aren’t the final word to resolve the heterogeneity of ASD.  If you didn’t read the new story about new findings in brains of people with autism, read more on the ASF website.