recent research on autism

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Emergency & Trauma

The lifeflight legacy: 40 years in 40 photos, july 29, 2024, study sheds new light on autism, but there’s more work to be done.

A target of their investigations is serotonin, a signaling molecule that is well known for its critical roles in regulating mood and which also plays an important role in the development of the brain and nervous system.

Researchers from Columbia and Vanderbilt universities, the University of Illinois Chicago and colleagues across the country are making steady progress in their decades-long quest to understand autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a brain development condition that affects social interaction, communication and behavior.

In a recent study, the researchers measured blood levels of serotonin in women whose children were diagnosed with ASD. Some of the children carried rare genetic variations that strongly contribute to the risk of autism, while others did not.

In their paper, published July 4 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation , the researchers reported that higher serotonin levels were primarily found in women whose children who did not carry the rare variants.

This finding suggests that elevated maternal serotonin levels are associated with autism in a subset of children who have multiple common genetic or environmental factors which likely contribute to risk. Elevated levels are not found as frequently when a single, rare genetic variant explains most of the risk.

The link between autism-associated genetic variations and maternal serotonin levels was first described more than 60 years ago.

But it is a complicated picture that is not fully understood, noted James Sutcliffe , PhD, a pioneer in autism genetics at Vanderbilt University.

The study probed genetic samples from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Autism Center of Excellence and from the UIC and Vanderbilt sites of the Simons Simplex Collection , a repository of samples from 2,600 families of children with ASD maintained by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative.

The study did not have a control group — it did not compare maternal serotonin levels to those from women whose children do not have autism. Another limitation was that serotonin blood levels in the women were measured after their children had been diagnosed with ASD.

Taking measurements throughout pregnancy would provide a more complete picture of how maternal serotonin levels may relate to autism risk, said Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele , MD, the Ruane Professor of Psychiatry and director of the Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.

Veenstra-VanderWeele is corresponding author of the paper. Before coming to Columbia in 2014, he directed the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and was medical director of the Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders ( TRIAD ) at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.

Sutcliffe, who co-authored the paper, is associate professor of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics and of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt.

Other co-authors are Edwin Cook , MD, also a pioneer in autism genetics who directs the Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders and the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UI Health, and colleagues from New York University and Yale University School of Medicine.

While the true nature of the relationship between serotonin levels and ASD remains elusive, clinical trials are underway at Vanderbilt and elsewhere to evaluate drugs that, by impacting the serotonin system, may relieve irritability or improve social functioning in children with autism.

Genetic studies also have led to the identification of other, possibly related health conditions in children with ASD, including previously undiagnosed cardiac abnormalities and severe epilepsy that occurs during sleep, Sutcliffe said.

The investigators hope that further research may lead to targeted interventions based upon ASD-associated genetic variation or biomarkers. That, Veenstra-Vanderweele said, would be “transformative” for children who are severely affected by autism.

Related Articles

January 28, 2016

Autism study links sensory difficulties, serotonin system.

Vanderbilt researchers have established a link between the neurotransmitter serotonin and certain behaviors of some children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a link that may lead to new treatments for ASD.

By VUMC News and Communications

January 9, 2014

Brain-gut connection in autism.

An association between rigid-compulsive behaviors and gastrointestinal symptoms in autism spectrum disorder may point to a common biological pathway that impacts both the brain and the gut.

By Leigh MacMillan

November 16, 2017

Study may point to new treatment approach for asd.

Using sophisticated genome mining and gene manipulation techniques, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) have solved a mystery that could lead to a new treatment approach for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

By Bill Snyder

Autism Research in 2022

Written by staff and the SAB of the Autism Science Foundation

COVID Recovery Was Slow, But Scientific Progress Continues

After two grueling pandemic years, 2022 saw a return to quasi-normalcy in both the world at large and in the world of autism research. Although the pandemic was incredibly challenging for autism families and researchers, the pivot to telehealth led to advances in online autism diagnoses, mental health supports, and interventions that will likely benefit autistic people across the globe for years to come.

Autism scientists working in diverse areas of research made important strides this year and continued to gain valuable insights into every facet of autism. They also identified more effective ways to support people on the spectrum. Researchers developed a better understanding of the unique needs and priorities of specific groups of autistic people , better-defined links between biological mechanisms and behavior , and disparities in autism diagnosis and treatment.

This work was only possible because of families like yours: You actively participated in important research studies. You agreed to have your data shared with others. You donated. You advocated. Your U.S. tax dollars supported $100 million of NIH grants funded in 2022 . 

Autism science simply cannot progress without your continued partnership. Earlier this year, ASF launched a “ Participate in Research ” directory to match families with research studies that meet your needs and interests. Many of these studies offer compensation, and can also provide valuable information and resources to aid your family member. The goal is to use the information gleaned from research to improve the real lives of real people, both now and in the future.

Here’s a little bit of what 2022 taught us.

Early identification leads to earlier diagnosis, but diagnosis happens at all ages

• Developmental milestones are skills that most children reach at a certain age and are used by healthcare providers to track progress. This year, the CDC updated these milestones to track what 75% of children can do by certain ages, rather than 50%, causing some pushback. In addition, the CDC added new time points as well as markers that might predict an autism diagnosis. 1
• In autism, reaching developmental milestones can be delayed from months to years. Delays are often more severe and variable in those with co-occurring intellectual disability and a rare genetic variant. New research reinforced the need to focus on milestones and the importance of early intervention.: If you notice your infant is struggling with new skills, tell your healthcare provider. 2
• Language skills in infants are an important predictor of an ASD diagnosis. Recent work from the ASF-supported Baby Siblings Research Consortium (BSRC) showed that maternal education levels and early gestures are important predictors of these language skills, suggesting markers for intervention. 3
• Researchers have suggested that early behaviors that are predictive of a later diagnosis may be part of a larger “developmental cascade,” where, for example, the trajectory from laying to sitting to language may be disrupted. These are intertwined behavioral and neurobiological networks that affect how a person with autism functions. 4
• There are now multiple biomarkers under investigation. Some are better than others at not just autism diagnosis, but the response to intervention. 5 In the future, they can be used to promote earlier diagnosis and more objective measures of the effectiveness of interventions.

Key takeaways: Parents and clinicians should monitor developmental milestones early in life. Early signs are not a substitute for a diagnosis, but some supports and interventions can be provided that allow for an improvement of trajectories across the lifespan.

Parent-mediated interventions and training – they work.

• A review of 30 studies showed promising results from parent-mediated interventions, but improvements in studies are still needed. 6
• Parent-mediated interventions can be used for teaching everything from core autism symptoms to self-care like tooth brushing. 7
• Autism interventions can and should be customized to culture and race. 8,9
• Some parent-mediated interventions have been tested successfully in a hybrid format, leading the way for others to investigate their effect on parent and child outcomes. 10
• While some have suggested parents only recognize the weaknesses in their children, recent research strongly notes that parents know their child’s strengths and use those strengths to help support their family.  Educators also note these strengths in the classroom. 11,12
• Siblings play an important role in the outcome of autistic individuals, while they also experience unique challenges themselves. 13,14

Key takeaways: Parents and caregivers often feel helpless when they are concerned about their child’s development and are facing long waiting lists for services. New research shows that providing support is beneficial for both the parents and the child outcome, and elevates strengths while mitigating support challenges. Further research should continue to explore the role of sibling relationships and support.

The brain has a distinct “signature” and sensory issues are on the front line

• One type of immune cell of the brain called the microglia has been known to affect cell communication, shape, and number. Researchers have now determined when and where these cells are expressed during development, laying the foundation for research into a critical brain cell type. 17
• The greatest differences in gene expression in the brain are in sensory areas like the visual cortex. 15 This may explain the almost universal problems in sensory processing that autistic individuals experience, and why sensory problems are so common in ASD. 18
• The visual area, specifically the occipital cortex, was also enlarged at young ages, more so in kids who have siblings with a diagnosis, demonstrating that genetic heritability plays a role in brain activity involved in sensory processing in families. 19
• A new marker of sensory processing was detected: differences in the activity of a neurotransmitter called GABA. GABA commonly slows down the activity of brain cells, which is important when they are too active, indicating this neurotransmitter is critical for sensory processing. Changing the activity of GABA neurons can alleviate sensory problems in autistic individuals. 20
• In addition, changes in the thickness of different cortical regions may influence sensory responses, depending on whether there is overstimulation or understimulation. 21
• Another brain region called the amygdala may relate to anxiety in autistic people. Certain areas of the amygdala are different in size, 22 and can explain variability in anxiety. 23   There is also disruption in connectivity from the amygdala to outside regions, 24 which may also explain how anxiety interacts with autism features.
• Rather than examining one autism feature at a time, it seems that ability to make gains or show potential for change over time is correlated to differences in brain structure. Markers of change over time are also linked to genes associated with ASD. 25 Targets of intervention based on biological markers may need to focus on sensitivity to change rather than a specific number on an instrument per se.
• The use of biological tools has increased this year. These tools include induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) and organoids that are based on cells from individuals with different forms of ASD. Studies have looked at different types of autism (idiopathic and genetically-based) and identified creation of new brain cells as a common biological mechanism. 26 New studies also used novel tools to improve the validity of these cell-based systems. 27
• Animal models can be used to identify mechanisms by which genes and environmental factors exert their influence over behavior. Right now, there are hundreds of animal models of ASD, but not all of them are used appropriately to understand ASD. The ability of the model to recapitulate both the biology and behavior involved in ASD is essential. 28

Key takeaways: While different brain regions are specialized in their function, they interconnect and turn on and off in synchrony. Researchers need better models of human neurobiology, including better animal models, to understand the core and associated autism features, from sensory dysfunction to GI issues. If you want to learn more about research involving the brains of people with autism, sign up for more information at Autism BrainNet .

Genetic markers start to explain phenotype.

• The presence of rare genetic variants and common variants tend to funnel people into groups defined by intellectual disability (ID) or high educational attainment. 29,30 Scientists have identified and characterized two major types of genetic variation associated with ASD. Rare genetic variants are commonly associated with lower cognitive function and profound autism, but that is not always the case. 31  Even with hundreds of thousands of samples, scientists have still not found a direct gene – outcome linkage.  However, genetics are still important.  Genetic findings can help identify specific needs leading to appropriate supports.
• Certain types of gene mutations can explain associations with features like psychosis, 32 as well as obesity and depression. 33
• Five new variants were identified that are not linked to intellectual or developmental disability (IDD), but are linked to other neuropsychiatric issues besides ASD. 31,34 Therefore, rare ASD or DD gene mutations usually lead to some sort of deleterious outcome.
• There is a significant overlap between ASD genes and genes associated with developmental disorders in general. Researchers suggest that autism specificity may be the result of when the gene is expressed. For example, in developmental disorders, genes are expressed in progenitor cells while in ASD they may be expressed in developing neurons. 35  
• Other studies have not found any ASD-specific gene, they show linkage to neurodevelopmental problems in general, and can be grouped based on what cells are affected. 35
• There are shared pathways between ASD and other neuropsychiatric disorders. 36  
• Studies have shown linkages between epilepsy, ASD and ADHD. 37

Key takeaways: Genetic markers associated with ASD are also associated with other developmental conditions like ADHD and intellectual disability, as well as comorbid conditions like obesity. Two major types of genetic markers, rare and common variations, may represent biomarkers of two different phenotypes, but there is overlap, and rare and common variants are likely mixed in most people. Genetic research is important for a better understanding of ASD and the development of individualized approaches for supports.

But genetics doesn’t tell it all.

• Parental genetics and environmental factors are intertwined on a biological level. Genes associated with depression in parents are also linked to ASD. 38
• Maternal immune infections are an established risk factor for ASD. However, the genetics of children with and without maternal immune challenges during pregnancy are different. 39
• Studies in Norway offer a unique perspective of gestational exposures by banking blood taken mid-pregnancy during usual obstetrical visits. One study has shown that certain cytokines, or markers of immune activity, are elevated during pregnancy in both boys and girls with autism, particularly in girls. It’s unclear what role these cytokines play collectively or individually, or where they came from in the first place. 40
• Where you live can affect the role of genes vs. environment, evidenced by environmental factors playing a bigger role in heritability in certain areas of Sweden and the U.K. 41
• Genetics and the environment clearly interact when it comes to the influence of an ASD diagnosis. For example, pesticide exposure exacerbated the effects of the autism CHD8 gene on rodent behavior. 42
• The role of environmental factors may depend not just on a diagnosis but on specific autism traits. 43
• Given that autism is likely part of a larger developmental disorder spectrum, regulation of toxic chemicals which are harmful to development must be expanded. 44

Key takeaways: The role of environmental factors in ASD has often been disassociated with genetics when it should be integrated into the understanding of autism’s causes, behavioral features, and interventions.

Biological sex plays a role.

• Studies replicated this year showed that females with autism have a higher burden of rare genetic mutations. In addition, research is demonstrating that females with an autism diagnosis also show a higher level of “common” variations. 29,45
• The effect of higher levels of common variation in females extends to even undiagnosed members of ASD-impacted families, demonstrating that females carrying ASD genetic variation are resilient. 45
• The two above studies implicate an important role of the female protective effect but do not explain all of the differences in diagnosis. 46
• Some scientists have wondered if biases in instruments used to inform a diagnosis play a role in the sex difference. One study used a mathematical algorithm to eliminate the difference in M:F diagnostic differences, but still, females show different behavioral profiles. This further reiterates that instruments should be used to inform, not make a diagnosis, and that autism is more than a yes or no diagnosis. 47
• Clinicians may miss an autism diagnosis in females because of camouflage. Females are also more likely to camouflage, which means they (consciously or unconsciously) pretend to fit in as a typically-developing girl. This leads to lower quality of life. 48
•  Intellectual disability plays a bigger role in autism features in girls vs. boys. 49
•  New genetic mutations involving the X chromosome were identified – and these mutations are more likely to occur in females. 35
• Sex differences in brain region size can be attributed to gene expression patterns. In other words, brain differences in males and females with ASD are due, in part, to underlying genetics. 50

Key takeaways: Females with ASD show different biological and behavioral profiles and are understudied in research and underserved in the community. Future research should aim to include more females to better understand their unique needs and provide targeted support.

It’s still not over, but families are in a better place than a year ago.

• Despite a rocky start at the height of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, opportunities to receive autism diagnoses, mental health supports, and interventions via telehealth have been improved, and polished, and are not only acceptable to families and clinicians but are effective. 51-57
• Families and clinicians were happier with remote diagnosis and evaluation when the diagnosis was clear; in cases where there was some ambiguity, it caused frustration. 58,59
• While many families and individuals experienced a mental health decline during the pandemic, some exhibited resiliency under social distancing guidelines. 60 The differences could be due to the degree to which services were lost, coping styles, and pre-existing mental health attributes. 61

Key takeaways: Autism families suffered during the pandemic, but it also allowed for new approaches to be developed that may ultimately improve practice – including hybrid clinical services, holistic family support, and more comprehensive diagnostic practices.

It’s not all about the asd.

• Individuals with ASD experience higher levels of anxiety, GI issues, epilepsy, and other developmental disorders like ADHD compared to those without a diagnosis.
• While not a core autism symptom, anxiety is linked to insistence on sameness in toddlers with ASD, which indicates a similar underlying mechanism. 62
• Gastrointestinal issues plague people with autism, and there are few options for treatment. The gastrointestinal microbiome has been a target for intervention for autism symptoms, although studies are still ongoing. 63 GI issues were the focus of a major NIH-funded meeting this year .
• Suicide risk is higher in ASD. 64
• Sleep problems, while mostly studied in children, are now shown to follow kids into adolescence and adulthood. 65
• There is a high degree of overlap in the brain activity profiles between ADHD and ASD kids. Differences are mostly seen when symptom severity is accounted for. ADHD and ASD show more similarities in the brain than differences. 66
• Behavioral profiles between ADHD and ASD are also similar. 67
• Mental health concerns are present in adolescents and adults with ASD with cognitive inflexibility strongly linked to compromised mental health. 68,69 Cognitive inflexibility, which is different than cognitive ability, is how someone shifts their attention from one thing to another based on what is going on around them. This may be a focus for future mental health interventions.
• Unfortunately there are no strong individual-level predictors in childhood of mental health issues in adults, but some factors that may lead to better mental health are better living skills and higher IQ. 70

Key takeaways: Outside the core features of autism listed in the DSM5, individuals experience a wide range of associated features, ranging from psychiatric issues to medical comorbidities. For many individuals, these associated features are highly debilitating.

Biases in underserved communities are getting more attention.

• A recent analysis showed a reduction of the disparities in the age of ASD diagnosis for Black and Hispanic children over the last four years, but a difference still exists. 71
• This is likely due to provider bias, but not necessarily diagnostic instrument biases. The standard diagnostic tools are not biased toward race or sex. 72
•  Lessons learned from the pandemic reiterate the need for intense community engagement, flexibility, and an understanding that a holistic approach – rather than one focused on ASD – is necessary for working with underserved communities 73,74 .
• A culturally-adapted parent training program delivered by Black providers was effective in the Black community and could be a model for future engagement efforts. 8
• Only 25% of intervention studies report the ethnic and racial makeup of their participants, 75 indicating that researchers need to do a better job of deliberately including racial and ethnic minorities, recruiting them as research leads and coordinators, and including them on boards for scientific review. 76
• Low socioeconomic status contributes to social and communication deficits in young children with ASD. 77

Key takeaways: Racial and ethnic biases are still pervasive in autism research and diagnosis, and we need a holistic approach to support families in all aspects of their lives beyond just autism symptoms. Scientists must continue to focus on the deliberate inclusion of these groups in both research and career training to better serve all individuals with autism.

On a final note, there has been a lot of debate this year about the language used to describe autism. 78-81 There is a diversity of experiences with autism and likely to be a diversity of perspectives. Families and scientists should use scientifically accurate terms to best describe the wide range of autistic people and their symptoms. 82   What that is may differ from person to person, and situation to situation, which means context and preference need to be considered as well.

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Research, Clinical, and Sociological Aspects of Autism

The concept of autism continues to evolve. Not only have the central diagnostic criteria that define autism evolved but understanding of the label and how autism is viewed in research, clinical and sociological terms has also changed. Several key issues have emerged in relation to research, clinical and sociological aspects of autism. Shifts in research focus to encompass the massive heterogeneity covered under the label and appreciation that autism rarely exists in a diagnostic vacuum have brought about new questions and challenges. Diagnostic changes, increasing moves towards early diagnosis and intervention, and a greater appreciation of autism in girls and women and into adulthood and old age have similarly impacted on autism in the clinic. Discussions about autism in socio-political terms have also increased, as exemplified by the rise of ideas such as neurodiversity and an increasingly vocal dialogue with those diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Such changes are to be welcomed, but at the same time bring with them new challenges. Those changes also offer an insight into what might be further to come for the label of autism.

Introduction

Although there is still debate in some quarters about who first formally defined autism ( 1 ), most people accept that Kanner ( 2 ) should be credited as offering the first recognised description of the condition in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. The core diagnostic features covering issues in areas of social and communicative interaction alongside the presence of restricted and/or repetitive patterns of behaviour ( 3 ) described in his small caseload still remain central parts of the diagnosis today. The core issue of alterations in social cognition affecting emotion recognition and social attention ( 4 ) remain integral to the diagnosis of autism. The additional requirement for such behaviours to significantly impact on various areas of day-to-day functioning completes the diagnostic criteria.

From defining a relatively small group of people, the evolution of the diagnostic criteria for autism has gone hand-in-hand with a corresponding increase in the numbers of people being diagnosed. Prevalence figures that referred to 4.5 per 10,000 ( 5 ) in the 1960s have been replaced by newer estimates suggesting that 1 in 59 children (16 per 1,000) present with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2014 ( 6 ). The widening of the definition of autism has undoubtedly contributed to the significant increase in the numbers of people being diagnosed. It would be unacceptably speculative however, to define diagnostic changes as being the sole cause of the perceived prevalence increases.

Alongside the growth in numbers of people being diagnosed with autism so there have been changes in other areas related to autism; specifically those related to the research, clinical practice and sociological aspects of autism. Many of the changes have centred on key issues around the acceptance that autism is an extremely heterogeneous condition both in terms of presentation and also in relation to the genetic and biological complexity underlying its existence. That autism rarely exists in some sort of diagnostic vacuum is another part of the changes witnessed over the decades following the description of autism.

In this paper we highlight some of the more widely discussed changes in areas of research, clinical practice and sociological terms in relation to autism. We speculate on how such changes might also further develop the concept of autism in years to come.

Autism Research

As the definition of autism has subtly changed over the years, so ideas and trends in autism research have waxed and waned. The focus on psychology and behaviour as core descriptive features of autism has, in many respects, guided research and clinical views and opinions about the condition. Social cognition, including areas as diverse as social motivation, emotion recognition, social attention and social learning ( 4 ), remains a mainstay of research in this area. The rise of psychoanalysis and related ideas such as attachment theory in the early 20th century for example, played a huge role in the now discredited ideas that maternal bonding or cold parenting were a cause of autism. The seemingly implicit need for psychology to formulate theories has also no doubt played a role in perpetuating all-manner of different grand and unifying reasons on why autism comes about and the core nature of the condition.

As time moved on and science witnessed the rise of psychiatric genetics, where subtle changes to the genetic code were correlated with specific behavioural and psychiatric labels, so autism science also moved in the same direction. Scientific progress allowing the genetic code to be more easily and more cost-effectively read opened up a whole new scientific world in relation to autism and various other labels. It was within this area of genetic science that some particularly important discoveries were made: (a) for the vast majority of people, autism is not a single gene “disorder,” and (b) genetic polymorphisms whilst important, are not the only mechanism that can affect gene expression. Mirroring the role of genetics in other behavioural and psychiatric conditions ( 7 ), the picture that is emerging suggests that yes, there are genetic underpinnings to autism, but identifying such label-specific genetic issues is complicated and indeed, wide-ranging.

What such genetic studies also served to prove is that autism is heterogeneous. They complemented the wide-ranging behavioural profiles that are included under the diagnostic heading of autism. Profiles that ranged from those who are profoundly autistic and who require almost constant attention to meet their daily needs, to those who have jobs, families and are able to navigate the world [seemingly] with little or minimal support for much of the time.

It is this heterogeneity that is perhaps at the core of where autism is now from several different perspectives. A heterogeneity that not only relates to the presentation of the core traits of autism but also to how autism rarely manifests in a diagnostic vacuum ( 8 ). Several authors have talked about autism as part of a wider clinical picture ( 9 , 10 ) and how various behavioural/psychiatric/somatic issues seem to follow the diagnosis. Again, such a shift mirrors what is happening in other areas of science, such as the establishment of the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) project ( 11 ). RDoC recognised that defining behavioural and psychiatric conditions on the basis of presented signs and symptoms does not necessarily “reflect” the relevant underlying processes and systems that might be important. It recognised that in order to deliver important clinical information about how and why a condition manifests, or the best strategies to intervene, research cannot just singularly start with the label. Science and clinical practice need more information rather than just a blanket descriptive label such as autism.

To talk about autism as a condition that also manifests various over-represented comorbid labels also asks a fundamental question: is the word “comorbidity” entirely accurate when referring to such labels? ( 12 ). Does such comorbidity instead represent something more fundamental to at least some presentations of autism or is it something that should be seen more transiently? Numerous conditions have been detailed to co-occur alongside autism. These include various behavioural and psychiatric diagnoses such as depression, anxiety and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ( 13 ). Other more somatic based conditions such as epilepsy ( 14 ), sleep ( 15 ) and various facets of gastrointestinal (GI) functioning ( 16 ) have also been discussed in the peer-reviewed science literature. Some of these co-occurring conditions have been described in the context of specific genetic conditions manifesting autism. Issues with the BCKDK (Branched Chain Ketoacid Dehydrogenase Kinase) gene for example, have been discussed in the context of autism, intellectual (learning) disability and epilepsy appearing together ( 17 ). Such a diagnostic combination is not unusual; autism often being described as the primary diagnosis with epilepsy and learning disability seen as “add-ons.” But should this be the case? Other evidence pointing to the possibility that epilepsy might under some circumstances beget autism ( 18 ) suggests that under some circumstances, such co-occurring conditions are so much more than just co-occurring or comorbid.

Other evidence for questioning the label “comorbid” comes from various animal models of autism. Accepting that one has to be particularly careful about extrapolating from animal models of autism to the more complex presentation of autism in humans ( 19 ), various models have suggested that autism may for some, fundamentally coexist with GI or bowel issues ( 20 , 21 ). Such observations have been noted across different animal models and cover important issues such as gut motility for example, that have been talked about in the context of autism ( 22 ).

Similarly, when one talks about the behavioural and psychiatric comorbidity in the context of autism, an analogous question arises about whether comorbidity is the right term. Anxiety and depression represent important research topics in the context of autism. Both issues have long been talked about in the context of autism ( 1 , 13 , 23 ) but only in recent years have their respective “links” to autism been more closely scrutinised.

Depression covers various different types of clinical presentations. Some research has suggested that in the context of autism, depressive illnesses such as bipolar disorder can present atypically ( 24 ). Combined with other study ( 25 ) suggesting that interventions targeting depressive symptoms might also impact on core autistic features, the possibility that autism and depression or depressive symptoms might be more closely linked than hitherto appreciated arises. Likewise with anxiety in mind, similar conclusions could be drawn from the existing research literature that anxiety may be a more central feature of autism. This on the basis of connections observed between traits of the two conditions ( 26 ) alongside shared features such as an intolerance of uncertainty ( 27 ) exerting an important effect.

A greater appreciation of the heterogeneity of autism and consideration of the myriad of other conditions that seem to be over-represented alongside autism pose serious problems to autism research. The use of “autism pure” where research participants are only included into studies on the basis of not having epilepsy or not possessing a diagnosis of ADHD or related condition pose a serious problem when it comes to the generalisation of research results to the wider population. Indeed, with the vast heterogeneity that encompasses autism, one has to question how, in the context of the current blanket diagnosis of autism or ASD, one could ever provide any universal answers about autism.

Autism in the Clinic

As mentioned previously, various subtle shifts in the criteria governing the diagnosis of autism have been witnessed down the years. Such changes have led to increased challenges for clinicians diagnosing autism from several different perspectives. One of the key challenges has come about as a function of the various expansions and contractions of what constitutes autism from a diagnostic point of view. This includes the adoption of autism as a spectrum disorder in more recent diagnostic texts.

The inclusion of Asperger syndrome in the DSM-IV and ICD-10 diagnostic schedules represented an expansion of the diagnostic criteria covering autism. Asperger syndrome defined by Hans Asperger ( 28 ) as autistic features without significant language impairment and with intelligence in the typical range, was included in the text for various different reasons. Allen Frances, one of the architects of the DSM-IV schedule, mentioned the importance of having a “ specific category to cover the substantial group of patients who failed to meet the stringent criteria for autistic disorder, but nonetheless had substantial distress or impairment from their stereotyped interests, eccentric behaviors, and interpersonal problems ” ( 29 ). It is now widely accepted that the inclusion of Asperger syndrome in diagnostic texts led to an increase in the number of autism diagnoses being given.

More recent revisions to the DSM criteria covering autism—DSM-5—included the removal of Asperger syndrome as a discrete diagnosis on the autism spectrum ( 30 ). Instead, a broader categorisation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was adopted. The reasons for the removal of Asperger syndrome from DSM-5 are complex. The removal has however generally been positively greeted as a function of on-going debates about whether there are/were important differences between autism and Asperger syndrome to require a distinction ( 31 ) alongside more recent revelations about the actions of Asperger during World War II ( 32 ). Studies comparing DSM-IV (and its smaller revisions) with DSM-5 have also hinted that the diagnostic differences between the schedules may well-impact on the numbers of people in receipt of a diagnosis ( 33 ).

Shifts in the diagnostic text covering autism represent only one challenge to autism in the clinical sense. Other important factors continue to complicate the practice of diagnosing autism. Another important issue is a greater realisation that although the presence of observable autistic features are a necessary requirement for a diagnosis of autism, such features are also apparent in various other clinical labels. Autistic features have been noted in a range of other conditions including schizophrenia ( 34 ), personality disorders ( 35 ) and eating disorders ( 36 ) for examples. Coupled with the increasingly important observation that autism rarely exists in a diagnostic vacuum, the clinical challenges to accurately diagnosing autism multiply as a result.

The additional suggestion of “behavioural profiles” within the autism spectrum adds to the complexity. Terms such as pathological demand avoidance (PDA) coined by Newson and colleagues ( 37 ) have started to enter some diagnostic processes, despite not yet being formally recognised in diagnostic texts. Including various autistic traits alongside features such as “resisting and avoiding the ordinary demands of life” and the “active use of various strategies to resist demands via social manipulation,” debate continues about the nature of PDA and its diagnostic value ( 38 ).

Early diagnosis and intervention for autism have also witnessed some important clinical changes over the years. Driven by an acceptance of the idea that earlier diagnosis means that early intervention can be put in place to “ameliorate” some of the more life-changing effects of autism, there has been a sharp focus on the ways and means of identifying autism early and/or highlighting those most at risk of a diagnosis. It's long been known that there is a heritable aspect to autism, whether in terms of traits or diagnosis ( 39 ). In this respect, preferential screening for autism in younger siblings when an older child has been diagnosed is not an uncommon clinical sentiment ( 40 ). Other work looking at possible “red flags” for autism, whether in behaviour ( 41 ) or in more physiological terms still continue to find popularity in both research and clinical terms.

But still however, autism continues to confound. As of yet, there are only limited reliable red flags to determine or preclude the future presence of autism ( 42 ). Early behavioural interventions for autism have not yet fulfilled the promise they are said to hold ( 43 ) and autism is not seemingly present in the earliest days of development for all ( 44 , 45 ). There is still a way to go.

Autism in a modern clinical sense is also witnessing change in several other quarters. The traditional focus of autism on children, particularly boys, is being replaced by a wider acceptance that (a) autism can and does manifest in girls and women, and (b) children with autism age and mature to become adults with autism. Even the psychological mainstay of autism—issues with social cognition—is undergoing discussion and revision.

On the issue of autism presentation in females, several important themes are becoming more evident. Discussions about whether there may be subtle differences in the presentation of autism in females compared to males are being voiced, pertinent to the idea that there may be one or more specific female phenotypes of autism ( 46 ). Further characterisation has hinted that sex differences in the core domain of repetitive stereotyped behaviours ( 47 ) for example, may be something important when it comes to assessing autism in females.

Allied to the idea of sex differences in autism presentation, is an increasing emphasis on the notion of camouflaging or masking ( 48 ). This masking assumes that there may active or adaptive processes on-going that allow females to hide some of their core autistic features and which potentially contributes to the under-identification of autism. Although some authors have talked about the potentially negative aspects of masking in terms of the use of cognitive resources to “maintain the mask,” one could also view such as adaptation in a more positive light relating to the learning of such a strategy as a coping mechanism. Both the themes of possible sex differences in presentation and masking add to the clinical complexity of reliably assessing for autism.

Insofar as the growing interest in the presentation of autism in adulthood, there are various other clinical considerations. Alongside the idea that the presentation of autism in childhood might not be the same as autism in adulthood ( 49 ), the increasing number of people receiving a diagnosis in adulthood is a worthy reminder that autism is very much a lifelong condition for many, but not necessarily all ( 50 ). The available research literature also highlights how autism in older adults carries some unique issues ( 51 ) some of which will require clinical attention.

Insofar as the issue of social cognition and autism, previous sweeping generalisations about a deficit in empathy for example, embodying all autism are also being questioned. Discussions are beginning debating issues such as how empathy is measured and whether such measurements in the context of autism are as accurate as once believed ( 52 ). Whether too, the concept of social cognition and all the aspects it encompasses is too generalised in its portrayal of autism, including the notion of the “double empathy problem” ( 53 ) where reciprocity and mutual understanding during interaction are not solely down to the person with autism. Rather, they come about because experiences and understanding differ from an autistic and non-autistic point of view. Such discussions are beginning to have a real impact on the way that autism is perceived.

Autism in Sociological Terms

To talk about autism purely through a research or clinical practice lens does not do justice to the existing peer-reviewed literature in its entirety. Where once autism was the sole domain of medical or academic professionals, so now there is a growing appreciation of autism in socio-political terms too, with numerous voices from the autism spectrum being heard in the scientific literature and beyond.

There are various factors that have contributed to the increased visibility of those diagnosed with autism contributing to the narrative about autism. As mentioned, the fact that children with autism become autistic adults is starting to become more widely appreciated in various circles. The expansion of the diagnostic criteria has also played a strong role too, as the diagnostic boundaries of the autism spectrum were widened to include those with sometimes good vocal communicative abilities. The growth in social media and related communication forms likewise provided a platform for many people to voice their own opinions about what autism means to them and further influence discussions about autism. The idea that autistic people are experts on autism continues to grow ( 54 ).

For some people with autism, the existing narrative about autism based on a deficit model (deficits in socio-communicative abilities for example) is seemingly over-emphasised. The existing medical model of autism focusing such deficits as being centred on the person does not offer a completely satisfying explanation for autism and how its features can disable a person. Autism does not solely exist in a sociological as well as diagnostic vacuum. In this context, the rise and rise of the concept of neurodiversity offered an important alternative to the existing viewpoint.

Although still the topic of some discussion, neurodiversity applied to autism is based on several key tenets: (a) all minds are different, and (b) “ neurodiversity is the idea that neurological differences like autism and ADHD are the result of normal, natural variation in the human genome ” ( 55 ). The adoption of the social model of disability by neurodiversity proponents moves the emphasis on the person as the epicentre of disability to that where societal structures and functions tend to be “ physically, socially and emotionally inhospitable towards autistic people ” ( 56 ). The message is that subtle changes to the social environment could make quite a lot of difference to the disabling features of autism.

Although a popular idea in many quarters, the concept of neurodiversity is not without its critics both from a scientific and sociological point of view ( 57 ). Certain key terms often mentioned alongside neurodiversity (e.g., neurotypical) are not well-defined or are incompatible with the existing research literature ( 58 ). The idea that societal organisation is a primary cause of the disability experienced by those with the most profound types of autism is also problematic in the context of current scientific knowledge and understanding. Other issues such as the increasing use of self-diagnosis ( 59 ) and the seeming under-representation of those with the most profound forms of autism in relation to neurodiversity further complicate the movement and its aims.

The challenges that face the evolving concept of neurodiversity when applied to autism should not however detract from the important effects that it has had and continues to have. Moving away from the idea that autistic people are broken or somehow incomplete as a function of their disability is an important part of the evolution of autism. The idea that autism is something to be researched as stand-alone issue separate from the person is something else that is being slowly being eroded by such a theory.

The concept of autism continues to evolve in relation to research, clinical practice and sociological domains. Such changes offer clues as to the future directions that autism may take and the challenges that lie ahead.

The continuing focus on the huge heterogeneity and comorbidity clusters that define autism are ripe for the introduction of a new taxonomy for describing the condition. A more plural definition—the autisms—could represent one starting position ( 60 ) encompassing a greater appreciation that (a) there is variety in the presentation of the core features of autism, (b) there are seemingly several different genetic and biological pathways that bring someone to a diagnosis of autism, (c) different developmental trajectories are an important facet of the autism spectrum, and (d) the various “comorbidities” that variably present alongside autism may offer important clues about the classification of autism. Some authors have stressed that a multi-dimensional conceptualisation may be more appropriate than a categorical concept ( 61 ) but further investigations are required.

In relation to the proposed pluralisation of the label, several long held “beliefs” about autism are also ripe for further investigation. The idea that autism is innate and presents in the earliest days in all does not universally hold ( 45 ). The finding that some children experience a period of typical development and then regress into autism ( 62 ) is becoming more readily discussed in research and clinical circles, albeit not universally so. Similarly, the belief that autism is a lifelong condition for all is also not borne out by the peer-reviewed literature ( 63 ). Terms such as optimal outcome ( 64 ) might not be wholly appropriate, but do nonetheless, shed light on an important phenomenon noted in at least some cases of autism where diagnostic cut-off points are reached at one point but not another. These and other important areas provide initial support for the adoption of the idea of the plural autisms.

Allied to the notion of “the autisms” is the requirement to overhaul the terminology around the use of the “level of functioning” phrase ( 65 ). “High functioning” is typically used to describe those people on the spectrum who present with some degree of communicative language, possess typical or above-average intelligence and who can seemingly traverse the world with only minimal levels of support. “Low functioning”, conversely, is used to describe those with significant support needs who may also be non-communicative. Aside from the societal implications of labelling someone “low functioning” and the possible connotations stemming from such a label, such functioning categorisation do not seemingly offer as accurate a representation as many people might think. The high-functioning autistic child who for example, has been excluded from school on the basis of their behaviour, cannot be readily labelled “high-functioning” if the presentation of their autistic behaviours has led to such a serious outcome. This on the basis that part of the diagnostic decision to diagnose autism is taken by appreciation of whether or not presented behaviours significantly interfere with day-to-day living ( 3 ). What might replace functioning labels is still a matter for debate. The use of “levels of support requirement” utilised in current diagnostic criteria offer a template for further discussions. Such discussions may also need to recognise that the traits of autism are not static over a lifetime ( 51 ) and support levels may vary as a result.

Whatever terminology is put forward to replace functioning labels, there is a need to address some very apparent differences in the way that parts of the autism spectrum are viewed, represented and included in research. Described as the “understudied populations” by some authors ( 66 ) those with limited verbal communicative language and learning disability have long been disadvantaged in research terms and also in more general depictions of autism. In more recent times, there has been a subtle shift to acknowledge the bias that exists against those with a more profound presentation of autism ( 67 ). Further developments are however required to ensure that such groups are not excluded; not least also to guarantee the generalisability of autism research to the entire spectrum and not just one portion of it.

On the topic of generalisability to the entire autism spectrum, the moves to further involve those diagnosed with autism in research, clinical and sociological discussions presents opportunities and obstacles in equal measure. The application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to autism ( 68 ) to measure “health-related functioning” represented a key moment in autism participatory research. Taking on board various views and opinions about autism, the development of the ICF core autism sets has allowed those with autism and their significant others to voice their opinions about autism ( 69 ).

Such joint initiatives are to be welcomed on the basis of the multiple perspectives they offer including lived experience of autism. But with such participation, so questions are also raised about how representative such opinions are to the entire autism spectrum ( 70 ). Questions on whether those who are able to participate in such initiatives “can ever truly speak for the entire autism spectrum?” are bound to follow. Questions also about whether such first-hand reports are more important than parental or caregiver input when it comes to individuals on the autism spectrum are likewise important to ask. This bearing in mind that those with autism participating in such initiatives bring with them the same potential biases as researchers and clinicians carry with them about the nature of autism, albeit not necessarily in total agreement.

The translation of research findings into clinical practice represents another important issue that has yet to be suitably addressed. Although covering a sizeable area, several important stumbling blocks have prohibited the move from “bench to bedside” when it comes to autism research. The focus for example, on the overt behavioural presentation of autism, has in some senses continued to hinder the translational progress of more biological-based findings into autism practice. Nowhere is this seemingly more evident than when it comes to the over-representation of gastrointestinal (GI) issues in relation to autism and their management or treatment. Despite multiple findings of such issues being present ( 16 ), very little is seemingly offered despite autism-specific screening and management guidance being in place for nearly a decade at the time of writing ( 71 ). Other quite consistently reported research findings in relation to low functional levels of vitamin D ( 72 ) for example, have similarly not sparked massive shifts in clinical practices. Ignoring such potentially important clinical features contributes to a state of relative health inequality that is experienced by many on the autism spectrum.

Without trying to prioritise some areas over others, there are some important topics in relation to autism that are becoming important to autism research and clinical practice. Many of these topics are more “real life” focused; taking into account the impact of autism or autistic traits on daily living skills and functioning. These include issues such as the truly shocking early mortality statistics around autism ( 73 ) and the need for more detailed inquiry into the factors around such risks such as suicide ( 74 ) and self-injury ( 75 ) and wandering/elopement ( 76 ) alongside the considerable influence of conditions such as epilepsy.

Although already previously hinted at in this paper, the nature of the relationship between autism and various “comorbid” conditions observed to be over-represented alongside is starting to become more widely discussed in scientific circles. Whether for example, moves to intervene to mitigate issues such as depression in relation to autism might also have knock-on effects on the presentation of core autistic features is something being considered. Interest in other topics such as employment, ageing, parenting and the worrying issue of contact with law enforcement or criminal justice systems ( 77 ) are also in the ascendancy.

Conclusions

Autism as a diagnostic label continues to evolve in research, clinical practice and sociological terms. Although the core features described by Kanner and others have weathered such evolution, important shifts in knowledge, views and opinions have influenced many important issues around those core behaviours. As well as increasing understanding of autism, many of the changes, past and present, have brought about challenges too.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed equally to the writing and review of this manuscript.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Funding. This paper was fully funded by ESPA Research using part of a donation from the Robert Luff Foundation (charity number: 273810). The Foundation played no role in the content, formulation or conclusions reached in this manuscript.

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Autism and cerebral palsy: evidence for converging phenotypes

• Elizabeth Greenfield 1 , 2 &
• Salathiel Kendrick-Allwood 1 , 2  

Pediatric Research ( 2024 ) Cite this article

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Early, accurate diagnosis is crucial, as EI is associated with positive long-term outcomes in both ASD and CP 13 , 16 , 17 However, common screening tools are not validated for this population. Moore and colleagues showed, of 16% of early preterm children who screened positive on the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT-R), a common screening measure for ASD, only 8% were diagnosed with ASD at 11 years of age. 18 Motor, cognitive, visual, hearing impairments, sensorimotor differences, and emotional and behavioral dysregulation contribute to M-CHAT-R preterm misclassifications. 19 , 20 , 21 There are similar challenges regarding other ASD screening measures, like the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), and the Social Responsiveness Scale, Preschool Version (SRS-2). 22 , 23 Both demonstrate poor sensitivity in preterm children. 12 , 24 Even when children with CP are referred for evaluation, current diagnostic tools present with limitations. 25 The administration manual for the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), widely considered the gold standard diagnostic assessment for ASD, states that it is not designed for use with children who have sensory, significant motor impairments, or with a mental age below 12 months, precluding many children with CP. 12 , 26

Overlapping features of ASD and CP can lead to delays in accurate diagnosis for both disorders. 2 , 11 As a result, children with dual diagnoses miss vital opportunities for EI. Additionally, children with both ASD and CP face a higher unmet need for therapy services. 27 Measures used for universal ASD screening and diagnosis in a general population of young children may not be appropriate for those born prematurely or with CP. 2 Additional research is needed to identify measures that can accurately detect the subtle differences between these conditions.

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Greenfield, E., Kendrick-Allwood, S. Autism and cerebral palsy: evidence for converging phenotypes. Pediatr Res (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-024-03575-9

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New advances in the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders

• Lei Qin 1 ,
• Haijiao Wang 2 ,
• Wenjing Ning 1 ,
• Mengmeng Cui 1 &
• Qian Wang 3  

European Journal of Medical Research volume  29 , Article number:  322 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

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Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that affect individuals' social interactions, communication skills, and behavioral patterns, with significant individual differences and complex etiology. This article reviews the definition and characteristics of ASD, epidemiological profile, early research and diagnostic history, etiological studies, advances in diagnostic methods, therapeutic approaches and intervention strategies, social and educational integration, and future research directions. The highly heritable nature of ASD, the role of environmental factors, genetic–environmental interactions, and the need for individualized, integrated, and technology-driven treatment strategies are emphasized. Also discussed is the interaction of social policy with ASD research and the outlook for future research and treatment, including the promise of precision medicine and emerging biotechnology applications. The paper points out that despite the remarkable progress that has been made, there are still many challenges to the comprehensive understanding and effective treatment of ASD, and interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research and global collaboration are needed to further deepen the understanding of ASD and improve the quality of life of patients.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a broad group of neurodevelopmental disorders that affect an individual's social interactions, communication skills, and behavioral patterns [ 1 , 2 ]. The characteristics of ASD vary significantly between individuals, from mild social impairments to severe communication and behavioral problems, a diversity that reflects the use of the term “spectrum” [ 3 ]. Although the exact causes of ASD are not fully understood, research suggests that both genetic and environmental factors play a key role in its development [ 4 ].

Characteristics of ASD

Difficulties in social interaction.

Individuals with ASD often exhibit significant difficulties in social interactions. These difficulties may include difficulty understanding the feelings and intentions of others, maintaining eye contact and facial expressions, and adapting to social norms and expectations. Individuals with ASD may experience challenges in establishing and maintaining friendships, they may not understand the two-way nature of social interactions, or they may feel uncomfortable sharing interests and activities [ 5 ].

Communication disorders

Communication deficits are another core feature of ASD. This may manifest itself in delays in language development, including delays in uttering first words or simple sentences. Some individuals with ASD may not use language to communicate at all. Even among individuals with ASD who have normal language skills, they may have difficulty using language in conversations to communicate thoughts, feelings, or needs. In addition, nonverbal communication, such as the understanding and use of body language and facial expressions, may also be affected [ 6 ].

Repetitive behaviors and interests

Individuals with ASD often display restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. These may include a strong fixation on specific topics or activities, repetitive body movements (e.g., rocking, clapping), and an overreliance on daily routines. These repetitive behaviors are sometimes seen as a way of self-soothing or as an attempt to control an environment that otherwise feels unpredictable and overwhelming to them [ 7 ].

Sensory sensitivity

Many individuals with ASD have abnormalities in sensory processing and may have very strong or delayed responses to sound, light, touch, taste or odor. For example, some individuals with ASD may find background noises in their everyday environment unusually harsh, or they may not notice pain or other bodily sensations [ 8 ].

Epidemiologic profile of ASD

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the average prevalence of ASD among children globally is approximately 1% [ 9 ]. However, this figure varies significantly between regions and countries. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the prevalence of ASD among 8-year-olds in the U.S. is 1 to 54. ASD is significantly more prevalent in males than females, at a ratio of approximately 4:1 [ 10 ]. This gender difference may reflect differences in genetic susceptibility and/or gender bias in the diagnostic process. Early diagnosis is key to improving developmental outcomes for children with ASD. Despite this, many children are not diagnosed by age 3. The CDC reports that most children are first evaluated for ASD by age 4, but diagnosis may occur later. Research suggests that ASD is highly heritable, but multiple genetic variants are associated with disease risk and environmental factors also play a role [ 11 ]. For example, there is an increased risk of ASD in preterm and low birth weight infants. Socioeconomic factors influence ASD diagnosis and treatment access. Families of lower socioeconomic status may face greater challenges, including barriers to accessing early intervention services, etc. ASD is a global public health problem, and its incidence, time to diagnosis, and treatment access are influenced by multiple factors [ 12 ]. Ongoing epidemiologic research and the advancement of a deeper understanding of ASD are critical to the development of effective prevention, diagnosis, and interventions.

Historical background

Early history of research and diagnosis of asd.

The concept of ASD was first clearly defined in the 1940s, when a group of children exhibiting extreme self-isolation and lack of responsiveness to the environment was first described by American psychiatrist Leo Kanner [ 13 ]. Almost simultaneously, Austrian child psychologist Hans Asperger described a similar but higher level of functioning in a condition that came to be known as Asperger’s syndrome [ 14 ]. These two independent studies laid the foundation for the modern understanding of ASD. For the first few decades, ASD was considered extremely rare and was often confused with schizophrenia. Due to a lack of in-depth understanding of ASD, early diagnostic criteria were unclear and treatment was largely limited to behavioral interventions and psychotherapy. Over time, researchers began to pay more attention to the genetic and neurobiological underpinnings of ASD, thus contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of this complex condition. Since the 1990s, the diagnosis of ASD has risen significantly, as diagnostic criteria have continued to be refined and public awareness has increased. This period has also witnessed an increased awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for ASD, which has led to significant improvements in the prognosis and quality of life for many children and adults with ASD [ 15 ].

Evolution of research paradigms

The research paradigm for ASD has undergone a remarkable evolution since the mid-twentieth century, a process that reflects a deepening of the understanding of ASD as well as advances in scientific research methods [ 16 ]. In the early stages, ASD research focused on behavioral observations and psychoanalysis, when ASD was often mistaken for an emotional disorder due to an indifferent mother. During this period, understanding of ASD was relatively limited and treatments focused primarily on psychotherapy and behavior modification. Into the second half of the twentieth century, with advances in genetics and neuroscience, researchers began to explore the biological basis of ASD. This marked a shift from a psychosocial to a biomedical model, and the focus of research gradually shifted to genetic factors and abnormalities in brain structure and function. Through a large number of family and twin studies, scientists found that ASD has a high genetic predisposition, while neuroimaging studies revealed the specificity of brain development in ASD patients. In the twenty-first century, with the application of bioinformatics and high-throughput gene sequencing technology, the study of ASD has entered a new stage [ 17 ]. Researchers have not only been able to identify specific genetic variants associated with ASD, but have also begun to explore the interaction between environmental factors and genetic susceptibility. In addition, the adoption of interdisciplinary research approaches, such as combining neuroscience, genetics, psychology, and computational modeling, has provided new perspectives for understanding the complexity of ASD.

Recently, the concepts of precision medicine and personalized treatment strategies have been introduced to the study of ASD, aiming to develop customized intervention programs based on each patient’s genetic background and symptom profile. With advances in technology and improved methods of data analysis, future research on ASD is expected to reveal more knowledge about its pathomechanisms and provide more effective support and treatment for patients with ASD.

Etiologic studies

Genetic factors, monogenic genetic cases.

The etiology of ASD is multifactorial, involving a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Although most cases of ASD are thought to be the result of polygenic interactions, there are some cases that are directly associated with variations in a single gene, and these are referred to as monogenic genetic cases. Monogenic genetic cases provide an important window into understanding the genetic basis of ASD, although they represent a relatively small proportion of all ASD cases [ 18 ]. A number of specific genetic syndromes, such as fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, 15q11-q13 duplication syndrome, and Rett syndrome, have been found to be associated with a higher risk of ASD. These conditions, often caused by mutations or abnormalities in a single gene, can lead to significant differences in brain development and function, thereby increasing the probability of an ASD phenotype. Fragile X syndrome is one of the most common forms of inherited intellectual disability and the single-gene disorder known to be most strongly associated with ASD. It is caused by a repeat expansion on the FMR1 gene [ 19 ]. Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is an inherited disorder that affects multiple systems and is caused by mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, and the prevalence of ASD is higher in patients with TSC. 15q11-q13 duplication syndrome (Dupuy 15q syndrome) involves a region of chromosome 15, the duplication of which is associated with an increased risk of ASD [ 20 ]. Rett syndrome, which predominantly affects females, is caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene, and patients often exhibit some of the features of ASD, such as impaired social interactions [ 21 ]. The association of these classical candidate genes with ASD is summarized in Table  1 .

The discovery of these monogenic genetic cases is not only crucial for understanding the genetic mechanisms of ASD, but also potentially valuable for the development of interventional and therapeutic strategies targeting specific genetic variants. However, even in these cases, the expression of the genetic variants showed a degree of heterogeneity, suggesting that the diversity of phenotypic features and clinical manifestations, even in monogenic genetic cases, may be influenced by other genetic and environmental factors. Therefore, an in-depth study of these conditions will not only improve our understanding of the genetic basis of ASD, but also provide clues for the development of more personalized therapeutic strategies.

Multigene interactions

The development of ASD is widely recognized as a result of the interaction of genetic and environmental factors, with polygenic interactions occupying a central position in the genetic background of the disease. Unlike monogenic cases, polygenic interactions involve variants or polymorphisms in multiple genes that together increase the risk of ASD. These genetic variants may contribute a smaller effect in each individual, but when acting together they can significantly increase the probability of ASD development [ 30 ]. Current research suggests that no single gene can explain all cases of ASD. Instead, hundreds of genetic loci have been identified that are associated with an increased risk of ASD. These genes are often involved in key processes such as brain development, neuronal signaling, and intercellular communication, suggesting that ASD involves extensive regulation of brain function and structure. The complexity of multigene interactions means that genetic studies of ASD require large-scale genomic data and sophisticated statistical methods to reveal those genomic variants that increase risk.

Meta-analyses of large-sample genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several consistently replicated ASD risk gene loci, such as those in the chromosomal regions 3p21, 5p14, 7q35, and 20p12. These loci contain genes like CNTN4, CNTNAP2, and NRXN1, which play crucial roles in neurodevelopment and synaptic function, particularly in processes such as synaptic adhesion and neurotransmission. These findings provide a more robust understanding of the genetic architecture of ASD and highlight the importance of integrating genetic findings with functional studies to advance our understanding of the disorder. They also have implications for future research, such as the development of personalized diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on an individual's genetic profile. Through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and other genomic approaches, scientists are gradually unraveling the genetic landscape of this complex disease. Understanding the impact of multiple gene interactions on ASD not only helps us understand its genetic basis, but also opens up the possibility of developing personalized treatment and intervention strategies [ 31 ].

Environmental factors

Maternal exposure.

Exposure during pregnancy refers to a mother’s exposure to specific environmental factors or substances during fetal development, which may increase the child's risk of developing ASD in the future. These exposures include certain prescription medications (e.g., anti-seizure medications and opioids), environmental pollutants (e.g., heavy metals and air pollutants), infections (e.g., rubella and influenza viruses), and poor nutrition or deficiencies in specific nutrients (e.g., folic acid). These factors may increase the risk of ASD by affecting fetal brain development and the maturation process of the nervous system. Understanding the effects of exposure during pregnancy can help to take preventive measures to reduce the incidence of ASDs [ 32 ].

Effects of early developmental stages

The early developmental stages of ASD are influenced by a variety of factors that include genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, and early life experiences. During a child's early development, the brain experiences rapid growth and the formation of neural networks. Any disruption during this critical period may interfere with the proper development of brain structure and function, thereby increasing the risk of ASD. For example, very early lack of social interaction, delayed language development or abnormal sensory processing may be early signs of ASD. These developmental abnormalities reflect difficulties in the brain’s nervous system in processing information, making connections and adapting to environmental changes. Early identification and intervention are essential to promote optimal development in children with ASD [ 33 ].

Genetic–environmental interactions

The genetic–environmental interactions are summarized in Fig.  1 . ASD develops as a result of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors, and this interaction reflects the complexity of the combination of genetic background and external environmental factors that influence ASD risk. Specifically, certain genetic susceptibilities may be activated in response to environmental triggers, leading to the development of ASD. For example, genetic variants may make individuals more sensitive to certain environmental exposures (e.g., substance use during pregnancy, environmental pollutants, or maternal nutritional status), which together may increase the risk of ASD by acting on key brain developmental stages [ 34 ]. This complex genetic–environmental interaction underscores the need to understand multifactorial etiological models of ASD and the importance of developing personalized intervention strategies.

Advances in diagnostic methods

Traditional diagnostic methods.

Traditional diagnostic methods for ASD rely heavily on detailed assessments of behavior and developmental history. These assessments are usually conducted by specialized health care providers such as pediatricians, neuropsychologists, or psychiatrists. The diagnostic process encompasses direct observation of the child as well as in-depth interviews with parents or caregivers to gather information about the child's social interactions, communication skills, and behavioral patterns [ 35 ]. Diagnostic tools include, but are not limited to, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS), and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). These tools are designed to identify core symptoms of ASD, such as social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors or interests. In addition, the doctor may perform a series of developmental or cognitive assessments to rule out other conditions that may explain the child’s behavior, such as language disorders or other neurodevelopmental disorders [ 36 ]. While these traditional diagnostic methods are highly effective in recognizing ASD, they rely on subjective assessments and the experience of the professional, and therefore may have some degree of variability. In recent years, with a deeper understanding of ASDs, new diagnostic techniques and methods are being developed and adopted to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.

Latest diagnostic techniques and tools

Genetic testing.

Genetic testing for ASD is a method of identifying risks associated with ASD by analyzing genetic variants in an individual's DNA. This testing looks for specific genetic variants that have been linked by scientific research to the development of ASD. Although the genetic background of ASD is extremely complex, involving multiple genes and the interaction of genes with environmental factors, variants in specific genes have been identified as having a significant impact on ASD risk [ 37 ]. For example, variants in the SHANK3 gene are associated with Phelan–McDermid syndrome, and patients with this syndrome often exhibit ASD features. Variants in the FMR1 gene are responsible for fragile X syndrome, which is the most common single-gene cause of ASD known to be associated with ASD. Mutations in the MECP2 gene have been associated with Rett syndrome, and patients with Rett syndrome often exhibit ASD condition. In addition, variants in the NRXN1 and NLGN3/4 genes have been found to increase the risk of ASD [ 38 ]. Genetic testing can help provide more precise diagnostic information, and in those cases of ASD where the cause is unknown, it may even reveal the underlying genetic cause. This will not only help to understand the genetic mechanisms of ASD, but also provide more targeted intervention and support strategies for patients and families.

Neuroimaging

Neuroimaging techniques in the study of ASD provide a non-invasive way to explore changes in brain structure and function, helping scientists better understand the biological basis of ASD. These techniques include functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and positron emission tomography (PET). Through these neuroimaging techniques, researchers are able to observe structural and functional differences in specific regions and networks of the brain in individuals with ASD [ 39 ]. For example, fMRI can reveal patterns of brain activity when performing specific tasks, helping to understand the impairments in social, language, and cognitive functioning in individuals with ASD. dTI focuses on the microstructure of the brain’s white matter, revealing the connections of bundles of nerve fibers, which can help to study neural connectivity issues in ASD. PET scans, on the other hand, are able to assess the activity of specific chemicals in the brain, providing clues to study the neurochemical basis of ASD [ 40 ]. With these advanced neuroimaging techniques, researchers will not only be able to delve deeper into the neurodevelopmental abnormalities of ASD, but also identify possible novel therapeutic targets that can provide a scientific basis for developing more effective interventions. However, while these techniques provide valuable perspectives in understanding ASD, a complete understanding of the complexity of the brain remains a challenge for future research.

Early screening methods

Recently, the field of early screening for ASD has witnessed the application of a number of innovative techniques designed to improve the accuracy and convenience of screening. One notable new approach is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques to analyze children's behavioral videos and biomarkers. By training algorithms to recognize specific behavioral patterns and physiological signals associated with ASD, these technologies can help physicians and researchers identify potential ASD symptoms earlier [ 41 ]. Another area of innovation is eye-tracking technology, which assesses children’s social and cognitive development by analyzing their eye movement patterns when viewing pictures or videos. Studies have shown that the eye movement patterns of children with ASD while viewing social scenes differ from those of typically developing children, providing a non-invasive window for early screening [ 42 ]. The application of these state-of-the-art technologies not only improves the efficiency and accessibility of early screening, but also provides new perspectives for understanding the complexity and individual differences in ASD [ 43 ]. Although these approaches are still in the research and development stage, they demonstrate the great potential of utilizing technological advances to improve the process of ASD screening and diagnosis. With further validation and refinement of these techniques, it is expected that they will make a significant contribution to the early identification and intervention of ASD in the future.

Treatment approaches and intervention strategies

Behavioral and educational interventions, applied behavior analysis (aba).

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is an intervention approach based on the principles of behavioral psychology that is widely used in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). ABA works to understand and improve specific behaviors, particularly to enhance social, communication, academic skills, and daily living skills, while reducing maladaptive behaviors. It helps individuals learn new skills and behaviors by systematically applying reinforcement strategies that encourage and reward desired behaviors [ 44 ]. ABA therapy is highly individualized and customized to each child’s specific needs and abilities. Treatment planning begins with a detailed behavioral assessment to identify target behaviors and intervention strategies. Learned behaviors are then reinforced and cemented through one-on-one teaching sessions using positive reinforcement. ABA also emphasizes the importance of data, which is collected and analyzed on an ongoing basis by the therapist to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as necessary [ 45 ]. Research has shown that ABA is an effective way to improve social interactions, communication skills, and learning in children with ASD. Through early and consistent intervention, ABA can significantly improve the independence and overall quality of life of children with ASD. Although ABA treatment requires a commitment of time and resources, the long-term benefits it brings to children with ASD and their families are immeasurable.

Social skills training

Social skills training (SST) for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is an intervention designed to improve their ability to interact socially in everyday life. This training focuses on teaching children with ASD the ability to understand social cues, establish effective communication skills, and develop friendships. Through SST, children learn how to recognize and interpret other people's facial expressions, body language, and social etiquette, which are essential for building positive relationships [ 46 ]. Social skills training typically includes a series of structured instructional activities such as role-playing, social stories, interactive group exercises, and peer modeling. These activities are designed to provide practice in real-world social situations in a supportive and interactive manner, helping children with ASD learn and practice new skills in a safe environment [ 47 ]. In addition, SST can include teaching emotion management and conflict resolution skills to help children with ASD better understand and express their emotions and cope with challenges in social interactions. Through regular and consistent practice, children with ASD can improve their self-confidence, increase their social engagement, and ultimately improve their social competence and quality of life. SST has been shown to be significantly effective in enhancing social adjustment and interpersonal interactions in children with ASD [ 48 ].

Medical treatment

While there is no cure for ASD, certain medications can be used to manage specific symptoms associated with ASD, such as behavioral problems, attention deficits, anxiety, and mood swings that are common in individuals with autism. Medication is often used as part of a comprehensive intervention program designed to improve the quality of life and daily functioning of the patient [ 49 ]. Medications commonly used for ASD symptom management include antipsychotics, antidepressants, stimulants, and anxiolytics. For example, two antipsychotics, risperidone and aripiprazole, have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of stereotypic and aggressive behavior in children and adolescents with ASD. In addition, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be helpful in managing anxiety and depressive symptoms in individuals with ASD.

Importantly, medication needs to be closely monitored by a physician to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the medications, as they may have side effects. We have summarized the research evidence on the efficacy and safety of commonly used medications in ASD, including antipsychotics for treating irritability and aggression, antidepressants for co-occurring anxiety and depression, and other medications such as stimulants and melatonin. While these medications can be helpful in managing specific symptoms, they also carry potential side effects and risks, such as weight gain, metabolic disturbances, and behavioral activation. Therefore, a thorough diagnostic evaluation, individualized treatment planning, close monitoring, and regular follow-up are essential when considering pharmacotherapy for individuals with ASD. The decision to medicate should be based on an individualized assessment that takes into account the patient’s specific needs, the severity of symptoms, and possible side effects. At the same time, pharmacological treatments are often used in combination with non-pharmacological treatments such as behavioral interventions and educational support to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes [ 50 ].

Biofeedback and neuromodulation

Biofeedback and neuromodulation are innovative approaches that have been explored in recent years in the treatment of ASD, aiming to reduce ASD symptoms by improving brain function. Biofeedback techniques enable individuals to learn how to control physiological processes that are not normally under conscious control, such as heart rate, muscle tension, and brainwave activity. Through real-time feedback, patients can learn how to regulate their physiology, resulting in improved concentration, reduced anxiety, and improved emotional regulation. Neuromodulation, specifically transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), affects neural activity in the brain through external stimulation. tMS utilizes a magnetic field to affect neuronal activity in specific areas of the brain, while tDCS modulates neuronal excitability by applying a weak electrical current. These methods have been studied for improving social communication skills and reducing stereotypical behaviors in people with ASD [ 51 ].

Biofeedback helps individuals develop self-regulation skills by providing real-time feedback on physiological states, while neuromodulation techniques like TMS and tDCS modulate cortical excitability and neural plasticity in aberrant circuits implicated in ASD. Current research suggests potential benefits of these techniques in improving emotional regulation, social functioning, and cognitive performance, but mixed results highlight the need for larger, well-controlled trials to validate efficacy, safety, and optimal protocols. Despite challenges, these techniques show promise as adjunctive therapies in the comprehensive management of ASD, warranting further research to guide their translation into clinical practice. Although biofeedback and neuromodulation show potential in the treatment of ASD, research on these techniques is currently in its infancy. More clinical trials and studies are needed to evaluate their effectiveness, safety, and long-term effects and to determine which patients may benefit from these interventions. Nevertheless, as non-pharmacologic treatments, they offer promising complementary options to the comprehensive treatment of ASD.

Emerging intervention approaches

Technology-assisted interventions.

Technology-assisted interventions have become an important development in the field of ASD treatment in recent years, providing new ways for children with ASD to learn and communicate. These interventions utilize computers, tablets, smartphone apps, and virtual reality technology to design a range of interactive learning tools and games designed to improve social skills, communication, and cognitive functioning in children with ASD [ 52 ]. A key advantage of technology-assisted interventions is their ability to provide highly personalized learning experiences. Software and applications can be adapted to a child's specific needs and interests, ensuring that learning content is both engaging and appropriate to the individual's developmental level. In addition, the feedback provided by technology is often immediate and consistent, helping children with ASD to better understand and process information. The use of virtual reality technology, by simulating social situations, provides a safe and controlled environment for children with ASD to practice social interaction and problem-solving skills, which is often difficult to achieve in traditional educational and therapeutic settings [ 53 ]. Although technology-assisted interventions have demonstrated great potential, research on their long-term effects and optimal implementation is still ongoing. To maximize the benefits of these tools, it is often recommended that technology-assisted interventions be used in conjunction with other therapeutic approaches to provide a comprehensive intervention program.

Diet and nutrition interventions

Dietary and nutritional interventions have received increasing attention in the treatment of ASD, based on the observed potential link between nutritional imbalances and ASD symptoms. This intervention approach aims to improve the behavioral performance and overall health of children with ASD by optimizing their diet. Specific strategies include restricting certain foods that may exacerbate symptoms, such as gluten and lactose, as well as increasing intake of foods rich in essential nutrients to support brain development and function [ 54 ]. Several studies support the potential benefits of specific dietary interventions, such as implementing a gluten-free lactose-free (GFCF) diet, which may help improve behavioral and digestive symptoms in some children with ASD. In addition, supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals (e.g., magnesium and zinc) have been proposed as potentially beneficial strategies to support neurologic health and alleviate ASD-related symptoms [ 55 ]. However, the effectiveness of dietary and nutritional interventions may vary by individual and more scientific research is needed to gain a deeper understanding of their long-term effects on children with ASD. Before implementing any dietary intervention, it is recommended to consult with a physician or nutritional expert to ensure that the individual needs of the child are met and to avoid malnutrition. In combination, dietary and nutritional interventions can be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for ASD, complementing traditional behavioral and educational interventions.

Social and educational integration

Educational integration of children with asd.

Educational integration of children with ASD is an inclusive educational practice that seeks to integrate children with ASD into the mainstream educational system to learn and grow with their typically developing peers. This integration model emphasizes individualized learning plans and adaptive teaching strategies to meet the unique needs of children with ASD while promoting their social inclusion and emotional development. Through educational integration, children with ASD are provided with opportunities to interact with other children, which is essential for them to learn social skills, enhance their communication abilities, and improve their ability to adapt to society. To support the successful integration of children with ASD, schools often provide special education services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral interventions, which take place in classroom settings to ensure their academic and social progress. Educational inclusion is not only beneficial for children with ASD, but it also helps to foster a sense of inclusion and diversity among their peers. By learning and playing together, all children learn to respect and understand differences, laying the foundation for a more inclusive society. However, effective integrated education requires close collaboration among teachers, parents and professionals, as well as the availability of appropriate resources and support systems [ 56 ].

Social integration and employment of adults with ASD

The social integration and employment of adults with ASD is a current focus of attention in ASD research and social services. For many adults with ASD, social integration challenges include establishing stable relationships, participating in community activities, and finding and keeping a job. Although adults with ASD may have unique skills and interests in specific areas, social communication deficits and fixed patterns of behavior may make it difficult for them in traditional work settings. In recent years, more and more organizations and businesses have begun to recognize the value of diversity and inclusion and are working to create work environments that are better suited for adults with ASD. This includes providing flexible work arrangements, clear communication guidelines, and individualized support measures such as workplace co-worker support and professional career counseling. In addition, social service programs and non-profit organizations offer training and job readiness programs specifically designed for adults with ASD to help them develop necessary vocational skills and social competencies. Through these efforts, adults with ASD will not only be able to find jobs that meet their interests and abilities, but also find a place for themselves in society, enhancing their independence and life satisfaction. However, the realization of this goal requires sustained social awareness-raising and the construction of an ASD-friendly environment [ 57 ].

Future research directions

Application of precision medicine in asd treatment.

The application of precision medicine in the treatment of ASD represents a paradigm of a personalized treatment strategy that aims to tailor the treatment plan to each patient's genetic information, biomarkers, history of environmental exposure, and lifestyle factors. The philosophy behind this approach is that, although ASD is classified as a spectrum, each patient's etiology, symptoms, and their severity are different, and therefore treatment should be highly individualized [ 58 , 59 ]. By fully sequencing a patient's genome, scientists and physicians can identify specific genetic variants that may affect ASD symptoms, allowing them to develop targeted treatments. For example, if a particular ASD patient's symptoms are linked to an abnormality in a specific metabolic pathway, that pathway could be modulated through dietary adjustments, nutritional supplements, or specific medications with a view to improving symptoms. In addition, precision medicine involves the consideration of environmental factors and personal behavior to ensure that treatment options are not only scientifically effective, but also appropriate to the patient's lifestyle. Although precision medicine is still in its early stages in the field of ASD, it offers great potential for delivering more personalized and effective treatment regimens, which are expected to significantly improve the quality of life of people with ASD [ 60 ].

Prospects for emerging biotechnologies

Emerging biotechnologies in the field of ASD, such as gene editing, stem cell therapies, and biomarker development, are opening up new possibilities for treating and understanding ASD. Gene editing technologies, particularly the CRISPR-Cas9 system, provide researchers with the means to precisely modify genetic variants associated with ASD, promising to reveal how specific genetic variants affect brain development and function, thereby providing clues for the development of targeted therapies [ 61 ]. Stem cell therapies utilize a patient's own induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to study the pathomechanisms of ASD by mimicking the neurodevelopmental process in vitro, as well as exploring potential cellular alternative treatments. In addition, the discovery of biomarkers facilitates early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression, making personalized treatment possible [ 62 ]. In addition, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived brain organoids from ASD patients have emerged as a powerful tool for studying the neurodevelopmental abnormalities associated with ASD. These 3D, self-organizing models recapitulate key features of human brain development in vitro, allowing researchers to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying ASD pathogenesis. By comparing brain organoids derived from ASD patients with those from healthy controls, researchers can identify alterations in neuronal differentiation, migration, and connectivity that may contribute to the development of ASD. Moreover, patient-derived brain organoids provide a personalized platform for drug screening and testing, enabling the identification of targeted therapies that can be tailored to an individual's genetic background. This approach has the potential to revolutionize the development of precision medicine strategies for ASD, by providing a more accurate and relevant model system for investigating disease mechanisms and testing novel therapeutic interventions. As the field continues to advance, iPSC-derived brain organoids are expected to play an increasingly important role in unraveling the complex etiology of ASD and guiding the development of personalized treatment strategies [ 63 ]. The development of these technologies has not only improved our understanding of the complex etiology of ASD, but also provided more precise and effective treatment options for ASD patients. Although most of these emerging biotechnologies are still in the research phase, they bring hope and anticipation for the future of ASD treatment and management. As research progresses and technology matures, it is expected that these innovative approaches will bring substantial benefits to individuals with ASD and their families.

Interaction between social policy and ASD research

The interaction between social policy and ASD research is key to achieving better social inclusion and quality of life for individuals with ASD and their families. Effective social policies can provide the necessary financial support and legal framework for ASD research, promoting a deeper understanding of ASD and the development of new treatments. For example, policies can promote collaboration in interdisciplinary research, encourage the use of innovative technologies and methods, and support long-term follow-up studies. In addition, social policies play a crucial role in ensuring that ASD research results are translated into practical applications and that education, employment, and social services are provided to individuals with ASD. Through the development of inclusive education policies, employment assistance programs, and the provision of integrated social services, policies can help individuals with ASD realize their potential and better integrate into society. At the same time, advances in ASD research also provide a scientific basis for the development of more targeted and effective social policies, helping policymakers understand the needs of individuals with ASD and develop more precise support measures. Thus, there is a close interplay between social policy and ASD research, which together have contributed to the advancement of the understanding of ASD and coping strategies.

Limitations of the current research

Although significant progress has been made in ASD research, a number of key limitations remain. First, the etiology of ASD is extremely complex, involving genetic and environmental factors and their interactions, making it extremely challenging to identify specific etiologies and develop targeted treatment strategies. Second, the heterogeneity of ASD is reflected in the extreme variability of symptoms among patients, which makes it difficult to develop uniform diagnostic criteria and treatment approaches. In addition, most studies have focused on children, and adult patients with ASD have been relatively understudied, which limits the understanding of the full lifespan of ASD. In terms of research methodology, most current ASD research relies on small, short-term studies, which may affect the broad applicability of results and the assessment of long-term effectiveness. In addition, although advances in technology have provided new tools for ASD diagnosis and intervention, the popularization and application of these technologies still face economic and resource constraints. Finally, ASD research is unequal across the globe, with far more research conducted in resource-rich countries and regions than in resource-limited areas. This imbalance limits a comprehensive understanding of ASD in different cultural and social contexts. Therefore, to overcome these limitations, more interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, and long-term research, as well as global collaborations, are needed to deepen the understanding of ASD and improve the quality of life of individuals with ASD.

Perspectives on future research

The outlook for future prevention and treatment of ASD points in a more individualized, integrated, and technology-driven direction. With a deeper understanding of the genetic and environmental factors of ASD, it is expected that more targeted interventions and therapeutic strategies will be developed that will be based on an individual's specific genetic background and pathologic characteristics. The application of precision medicine is expected to improve treatment outcomes, reduce unwanted side effects, and optimize resource allocation. Meanwhile, technological advances, particularly artificial intelligence, machine learning, and virtual reality, are expected to revolutionize the way ASDs are diagnosed, monitored, and treated. These technologies are capable of delivering customized learning and treatment programs that enhance the acceptability and effectiveness of interventions. In addition, interdisciplinary research will be strengthened, and social policies and public health strategies will focus more on early screening and intervention, as well as increasing public awareness and understanding of ASD. Most importantly, the future of ASD prevention and treatment will place greater emphasis on the needs of patients and families, promote social integration and employment of patients, and improve their quality of life. As society's awareness of diversity and inclusion increases, individuals with ASD will receive more support and respect and enjoy fuller opportunities for social participation.

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Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian, Shandong, China

Lei Qin, Wenjing Ning & Mengmeng Cui

Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Feicheng People’s Hospital, Taian, Shandong, China

Haijiao Wang

Department of Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, China

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LQ, HW and WN wrote the draft of the manuscript. MC and QW revised this manuscript. All the listed authors have made a substantial, direct, and intellectual contribution to the work, and approved its publication.

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Qin, L., Wang, H., Ning, W. et al. New advances in the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Eur J Med Res 29 , 322 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-024-01916-2

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New autism research finds that autistic brains are differently wired.

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New research finds differences in neuron density in autistic brains.

Neurodiversity advocates have long argued that autistic brains are differently wired. Now, new evidence shows they are right. Researchers have found atypical numbers of brain cells in two key areas of the brain in autistic children, according to a new study published in the journal Autism Research. These findings contribute to our understanding of how the brain works in autism, continuing a shift away from seeing autism as a group of undesirable behaviors to a uniquely structured brain that provides a unique experience. The researchers hope that investigations like theirs could generate new diagnostic insights and therapies for autism.

Autistic brains show differences in neuron density

Past research into brain structure in autism has faced limitations because it relied on post-mortem investigations. In contrast, for this study researchers at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester made use of recent advances in processing magnetic resonance diffusion weighted images (DWI). By drawing on the DWI imaging data from the brains of children ages 9-11 collected by the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD®) study, the researchers were able to gain more accurate view of the brain. They compared images from 142 children with an autism diagnosis to those of 8971 controls, in order to study neuron architecture in living children.

The researchers found that certain regions of the cerebral cortex showed lower neuron density in autistic children than in controls. That means were there less brain cells in regions associated with memory, learning, reasoning and problem-solving.

On the other hand, the study found that the brains of autistic children had higher neuron density in the amygdala. A part of the brain’s limbic system, the amygdala is a small but critical structure with multiple functions. The amygdala processes emotions, and connects those emotions to tasks like learning, memory formation, and sensory processing. It’s also the home of the fight or flight response.

The neuron density differences are unique to autism

Next, the researchers wanted to find out whether the differences in neuron density they were finding were unique to autism or a shared feature of other neurodevelopmental or psychiatric diagnoses. The researchers pulled images from 1404 individuals out of the original 8971 who had other non-autism psychiatric conditions. When they compared these images to those from the autistic children, the researchers found that their results were the same. They had confirmed that the variations in neuron densities were specific to autism.

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These findings mean we now have a new set of measurements that have shown unique promise in characterizing individuals with autism,” said Zachary Christensen, MD/PhD candidate at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, and first author of the paper in a press release . “If characterizing unique deviations in neuron structure in those with autism can be done reliably and with relative ease, that opens a lot of opportunities to characterize how autism develops, and these measures may be used to identify individuals with autism that could benefit from more specific therapeutic interventions.”

Neuron density and brain function

Neuron density, or the number of brain cells in a given volume of the brain, has long been considered a proxy for brain function . (Beul 2019) Dense clusters of neurons are thought to reflect the connectivity of the brain, and more is thought to be better.

Given this assumption, we might conclude that the lower neuron density this paper found in cortical areas involved with memory, learning, reasoning and problem-solving means those areas don’t work as well in autistic brains. Or we might think that increased neuronal density in the amygdala means that this brain area works better, or more strongly. Indeed, many autistic people have more easily triggered and stronger fight or flight responses than the general population. (Panju 2015)

However, neuron density does not tell the whole story. How the brain functions also has a lot to do with how many connections there are between neurons, among other factors. A key process in the development of a child’s brain is synaptic pruning, where the brain actually prunes away connections between neuronal cells at the synapse. Too little pruning, means too many connections, which means the brain can’t function efficiently. In the brains of children with autism, the process of synaptic pruning slows down during development, leaving their brains with many more synaptic connections that neurotypical peers. (Tang 2014) This also occurs in the brains of children with ADHD, who have differences in synaptic pruning and connectivity as compared to neurotypical peers.

In addition, neuroscientists increasingly view models of the brain that rely on specific brain areas as outdated. Instead, what drives brain function is how those areas work together, in systems. But rather than simply looking at which brain areas are connected to each other at a structural level, the new field of neural connectonomics seeks to map out the individual connections of every neuron to every other neuron in the brain. Understanding brain function at that level will surely generate findings that surprise us.

Autistic brains are wired differently

In context, neuronal density helps us explore the autistic brain, but does not give us obvious conclusions. Consider the low neuron density found in problem-solving regions of the cortex. Now juxtapose that finding with the fact that many autistic people show superior problem-solving abilities. In one Harvard study , autistics were 40% faster at problem solving that non-autistics. (Soulieres 2009) This tells us that the story of brain function in autism is far more complex than simply assuming that lower or higher neuronal density equates to quality of function.

This study’s findings of unique patterns in neuronal density specific to the autistic brain is still exciting, for the simple reason that every increase in our understanding of autism brings opportunities to better support our autistic community.

A note on language. Person first language is currently considered the most respectful way to refer to people’s diagnoses. For example, we would say a person with diabetes rather than a diabetic. However, in the autistic community, many self advocates see autism as part of their identity to be respected and prefer to be referred to as autistic people. In this article, my word choices honor this preference.

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Research articles covering work related to austism spectrum disorders are provided below.

Human-Specific Genes Reveal Link Between Brain Growth and Autism

Neuron Density Differences in Autistic Children’s Brains

Brain Activity Syncs Differently in Autism and Neurotypical Interactions

No Increased Autism Risk in Pandemic-Born Children

New Imaging Technique Identifies Autism Markers with 95% Accuracy

Gender Nonconformity in Play Linked to ASD and Behavioral Problems

Early Brain Changes May Trigger Autism

Brain Overgrowth Linked to Autism Symptom Severity

AI Model Predicts Autism in Toddlers with 80% Accuracy

20% Increased ASD Risk for Kids with Autistic Siblings

BPA Exposure in Pregnancy Linked to Autism Risk

Neurodivergence Linked to Chronic Fatigue in Children

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Breakthrough Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder Within Reach: Scientists Discover Key Clue

Scientists in South Korea have succeeded in identifying the cell-specific molecular network of autism spectrum disorder . It is expected to lay the foundation for treating autism spectrum disorder. Published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry , the research was conducted by Professor Kim Min-sik’s team of researchers at the Department of New Biology, DGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology).

Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability that is known to occur from early childhood. It is a neuro-developmental disorder characterized by continuous impairment of social communication and interaction-related behaviors leading to limited ranges of behavioral patterns, interests, and activities, as well as repetitive behaviors.

Most autism spectrum disorder patients have behavioral disorders, sometimes accompanied by other developmental disabilities. Because there is currently no accurate molecular diagnosis method, early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is made at a fairly late period. Although there has been some success in improving symptoms with behavioral management therapy, there is a lack of effective treatments at the molecular level.

Professor Kim Min-sik’s team utilized the Cntnap2 defect model, a spectral disorder mouse model established by Professor Lee Yong-Seok’s team at Seoul National University College of Medicine to extract prefrontal cortex tissue and performed mass spectrometry-based integrated quantitative proteomic and metabolomic analysis. In addition, by comparing and analyzing this with previously reported big data of autism spectrum disorder patients, the team confirmed that problems occur in networks such as metabolism and synapses in excitable neurons.

Professor Kim Min-sik of the Department of New Biology said, “The multi-omics integrated analysis technology developed through this study has advanced the pathological understanding of autism spectrum disorder and made it possible to discover an integrated network ranging from molecular-level cell differentiation induced by a specific autism gene to biometric information,“ and added, “We are trying to find the core network of autism spectrum disorder and discover treatment targets by conducting an integrated analysis of various models.”

Reference: “Cntnap2-dependent molecular networks in autism spectrum disorder revealed through an integrative multi-omics analysis” by Wooyoung Eric Jang, Ji Hwan Park, Gaeun Park, Geul Bang, Chan Hyun Na, Jin Young Kim, Kwang-Youl Kim, Kwang Pyo Kim, Chan Young Shin, Joon-Yong An, Yong-Seok Lee and Min-Sik Kim, 17 October 2022, Molecular Psychiatry . DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01822-1

This research was carried out with support from the Brain Science Source Technology Development Project of the Ministry of Science and ICT.

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In addition to the need for meditative treatments we still require effective behavioral therapy. Speaking from experience, autistic people are effectively locked out of emotional development by peers as they advance. The only solution is to allow us to experience the simultaneous expression of positive and negative emotions used to identify and understand boundaries through playful teasing. We require, beyond any possible contestation, an experience of prosocial teasing. At present we are only exposed to antisocial teasing and people wonder why we behave antisocially.

There is no great mystery here. Positive and negative emotions must be allowed to coexist, simply applying negative enforcement against our positively intended actions WILL NOT CUT IT in the modern world.

Another research into eugenics against autistic minority. Thanks for nothing.

Or, we could simply embrace our quirks and learn to live in harmony without the need to make others that there is something “wrong” with them. Also the word autism is being overused and lumps a bunch of people together under the guide of some “spectrum” disorder which is growing so broad eventually it will exclude only a handful of people. One wonders if perhaps these excluded people are not the ones with the problem…

Exactly. I object to being told I have ‘Autism Spectrum Disordet’. It’s Asperger’s Syndrome and it is NOT a disorder.

Smearing s&*t on walls, having severe meltdowns because your routine is disrupted, and not being able to accomplish basic life skills after hundreds of hours of therapy is not a “quirk”. It’s a debilitating condition that needs to be fixed as soon as possible. If you don’t want a potential cure, fine, don’t deny it to families that are suffering.

thank you so much for this, it scares me sometimes that just because some people with autism are comfortable accepting who they are means i shouldn’t ever have the opportunity to have the life i want. its so selfish to say oh its a “quirk” like guys I’m stuck in my room all day everyday i cant work because i have meltdowns i have a battery of social life meaning keeping friends and making friends is a tiring and painful task. my life is miserable but because someone with asd wants to feel ok with who they are I’m meant to what? suffer in silence and embrace my “quirk”…

Or, we could simply embrace our quirks and learn to live in harmony without the need to make others that feel there is something “wrong” with them. Also the word autism is being overused and lumps a bunch of people together under the guise of some “spectrum” disorder which is growing so broad eventually it will exclude only a handful of people. One wonders if perhaps these excluded people are not the ones with the problem…

Yes! My son is amazing and not disordered. He is not in need of a treatment just because people think everyone should be cookie cutter. Who gets to decide who’s the “normal” to strive for? No thanks. He’s perfectly himself.

No. I hate to be this guy, Mary, but I know from experience that you are setting your son up for disaster with that mentality.

While I have extreme mistrust for Big Pharma and politicians (we have been given many reasons to be mistrusting), you have to recognize that autism IS a disorder and that if your son unquestionably has it (diagnosed), there IS something wrong with him. I went YEARS of my life in total denial of having autism, but when I finally began to understand that it wasn’t the rest of the world’s fault that I wasn’t like them, all the talk therapy and group therapy my parents and my school forced me into suddenly began to be a LOT more useful to me.

Much like any other disease or disorder, there comes a point where you have to accept that lifestyle needs to change in order to cope with the symptoms or be cured.

Also, you replied to a robot.

This is very important, so in case my explanation of key clues was not understood, please allow me to try again.

All social development is a two way street. When an autistic person tries to communicate with a normally developed peer, in most cases, something very specific is happening. The autist is using emotions at an age level which the peer recognizes as beneath themselves, and then the typically developed peer pushes the autist away using a variety of displacement techniques. The autist, regardless of ability to mature, is locked out of a path to maturity by peers because they are locked out of necessary attempts and validations which a normally developed person is able to enjoy across the path of their entire lives.

This all comes down to the essence of teasing. Teasing is the foundation of all complex emotional processing. The ability to hold both positive and negative emotions at the same time and then to place the positive above the negative. There is an exact pattern to this, just as music is of the mathematics of emotion, a particular sequence of emotions is necessary for all positive communication. When we start with a negative and have no means to transform that negative into a positive, only negative experiences can be known. This is the fundamental source of exclusion for autistic people. Nobody wants us to directly express a negative, they expect an internal negative to positive transformation to occur before we speak and displace our negativity into the listener. We would love to give this sort of positive communication preference, and to join you in experiencing connections and the capacity to be emotionally healed by peers, yet we can’t. Such experiences are held by typically developed people and willfully withheld from perceived lesser people through negative teasing.

The only solution is to take us back in time to a younger state and let us realize, for the first time in our lives, that teasing actually can be positive, can build bonds rather than break bonds. You such normal people hide that from us and our gaining an equal footing in this matter should be the primary focus of all behavior therapies. We autistic people claim that ABA Therapy feels abusive and causes trauma, we are not joking.

Give us prosocial teasing.

Left side cerebellum death ,but don’t know when or how it happened ,due to no adoption records,history of ,p,d,d w comorbidities,mild torets syndrome ,life long depression ,last MRI was at age ,15 but pons are stable I have amazing memory especially when it comes to detail ,y’all wanna due a newer MRI for resurch on me ,maybe it will help my 13 year old son who also has autism,us this a possibility.

Stop trying to cure us you good for nothing waste of space, I hope everyone working on that drops dead just leave us alone and let us be who we are, I wish people like you didn’t exist people on the spectrum and everyone else would be better off without people like you bothering us.

Obviously you are able to voice your opinion. Unfortunately there are some on the spectrum who are unable to find ways to communicate what they want\don’t want. I think they would be grateful to find an answer. Not to fit into this crazy world but just to get a glass of water without needing to wail. Glad your not one of those people.

Thank you for standing up for those of us that DO want to be able to both learn and possibly benefit from this kind of research. The autism community needs more people like you who fight for the ones who aren’t just “a bit quirky.” This makes me feel a lot less hopeless.

Jayden, while it’s obvious that Autistics are disabled to greater and lesser degrees, Autistic people who are masked and pass as Neurotypical also have the highest suicide rate in any demographic, so don’t believe we’re not morbidly disabled by society’s demands. By definition, a diagnostic of Autism means we’re disabled. Furthermore, the conditions that you struggle with most are not Autism, they are disorders that non-Autistics have too. I hope these conditions can indeed be better understood. Science is barking up the wrong tree.

Absolutely.

I don’t think anybody is trying to push a cure on individuals who do not want to be cured. But there are types of autism that I hope one day can be remediated. A parent would love to her their non-verbal child say, “I love you”. A child who may be experiencing comorbid issues, such as global developmental delay, should be given the tools to help them succeed in life independently, and every parent would want that, I believe.

Your doing exactly the same as you are complaining about. But worse, saying you wish they didn’t exist. Take a long look in the mirror and have more empathy and patience to what the world is about in its entirety. Don’t be so aggressive, its off putting and your not going to be listened to with that attitude.

This is encouraging. I have 14 yrs autistic twin boys and I pray s solution can be found.

Hi there! I pray for a solution too. I pray that your sons may be surrounded by people who understand that there’s nothing wrong with them, including yourself. I pray that they will receive the accommodations and access that they need to navigate life instead of having to change themselves to conform to this ableist society. I pray that they stay autistic forever because it is part of who they are and they deserve to be themselves just like anybody else.

@Josiah please keep your prayers to your nonexistent God to yourself. I don’t know who died and made you the spokesperson for the autism community, but for some people the anxiety that comes with autism is a serious detriment to their quality of life. If you and your nonexistent God wasn’t their suffering to continue them you are as sadistic and immoral as the God you worship.

Keep up the good fight, Macharia! I have my adult life to owe to my Mom, who worked extremely hard to help me overcome my autism starting from a young age. God bless her.

Gunna do research to cure having different skin colors or different looking eyes? This is so gross, I can’t believe this isn’t just straight out labeled as Eugenics. By presenting this as morally neutral you are contributing to the pathologization and dehumanization of autistic people. Just gross.

These research bodies are narrow-minded. Everything people worry about in their autistic loved ones is not autism specific. Depression, anxiety, apraxia, seizures, EDS, food sensitivities, digestive and/or bowel issues… these things are common with autism but not specific TO autism and is experienced by a broad range of people. This implies these things can be addressed both to improve the quality of life in autistic people AND non-autistic people.

Advancements in alternative communication systems is very useful but also, if you alleviate the other conditions that might be causing stress/strain on them, how would that affect their depression/anxiety/apraxia/terrifyingly repetitive behaviour? We don’t know because research is being spent on curing something that hasn’t been proven to CAUSE these co-morbidities. Treat/cure the co-moebidities and see what autism itself actually causes.

Some of the negative experiences can also be addressed through a more accepting society which would help with other disabled people’s quality of life too and allow more autistic people to grow without being told by all those around them that they can’t or are broken, abnormal. Imagine how depressing and delibitating that would be?

On top of all this, if a treatment is made to manipulate autism out of people’s genetic makeup, who gets to decide who gets the treatment? Some autistic people seem at their worst behaviourally when their parents are in control of their lives and medical decisions. So suddenly we’re in the realm of radical treatments that WILL affect the patient’s personality and MAY NOT solve the co-morbidities, but will likely make life easier for parents… being decided on by the parents. ‘Parents know best’ does not quite fit when it’s something so drastic. Treat the comorbidities that hurt autistics and other people alike… don’t treat something that doesn’t necessarily cause harm directly. (Note the term directly here).

But @DariusSpearman is just going to target this comment and claim “There are a lot of self-appointed spokespeople here trying to speak for the entire autism community.” And Darius will likely assume I am not suffering from co-morbidities which is entirely false. But I don’t assume my comorbidities wouldn’t exist if I wasn’t autistic. Frankly, I don’t know what definition of gaslighting Darius has been using but when you tell ‘a lot’ of people to shove it just because they CAN communicate – that sounds like gaslighting. If there are a lot of us, perhaps you should be taking that into account rather than copy pasting your insults everywhere.

@Catherine Gaslighting is when you attempt to make others feel as if their experiences are invalid, telling them what their problems are (as if you can possibly know), and replacing their experiences with your introduction of them. For example, claiming I “tell ‘a lot’ of people to shove it just because they CAN communicate” when I never said that would be an example of gaslighting. I also haven’t insulted anyone.

You have accused so many people of gaslighting when they are not doing anything of the kind it makes me wondering if your using it for a cover of your own gaslighting by saying that “some” autistic are incapable of making decisions for themselves based solely on their communication skills.

GTFOH, dips***. We’re done. (That, in case you were wondering, is what an insult looks like.)

@darrius you also forgot to call me a loser re*** who is incapable of any adult level interaction. But your 45 years to late for that to any effect on me… I hear it everyother day some entitled NT who thinks they know more about life then I do because the are not ASD

@darrius I guess the next thing your going to prove that your somehow supperiour to me is call me a “loser ret*rd” (sorry you are about 50 years to late for that to any effect on me)

I am not so vulgar as to throw a stick and stones insult back you but I will do one better and say by ignoring any postives to ASD your condeming your son to a future of failure by self-profiling proficies.

No, dips***, I want going to do that, but feel free to continue projecting random statements into me like the dishonest doυchebag that you are!

Read The Asperger Husband by Lisa Merle- a very interesting story of family life

Autism is definitely inherited or can be inherited so why does it develop in very early life?

Autism is more than just personality quirks. For a lot of people with autism, their quality of life is drastically impaired due to a constant assault on their senses. I’m all for embracing difference, but if we can alleviate unnecessary suffering, let’s not call that “eugenics.

Who said we wanted a ‘cure’ ,how many actually autistic people were a part of this study. We struggle yes but we aren’t broken or sick. We have children and families, careers . I don’t need Training to behave as a neurotypical, I need neurotypical people to be more accepting . My behaviours and ‘quirks’ make sense to me. Throw some more eugenics around and see how many more neurodivergent people we can traumatise.

I don’t know who died and appointed the spokesperson for the autism community, but this is not an issue of acceptance. For some people, autism manifests in ways that cause extreme levels of stress and anxiety such that it seriously impairs their quality of life. If yours doesn’t manifest in that way, be grateful. For others whose autism manifests such that daily life is a horrific assault on their senses, to call seeking treatment “eugenics,” is just as evil and intolerant as people who won’t accept your “quirks.”

Thank you so much for speaking up for those of us who aren’t just struggling, but are in Edmonton agony on a daily basis. If these emotional masochist want to struggle then that’s fine, but don’t force it on other people because you were force feed propaganda about how having a harder life makes you more special than everyone else. I’m tired of having to work harder than everyone else around me to do literally anything. I want a job, a family, friends, a life. I just want to be angle to eat at McDonald’s like everyone else’s without having a panic attack and leaving on an ambulance just cause the very cooler wouldn’t stop beeping. And frankly, i think i deserve at least that much.

I agree. As Singer et al. (2022) have stated, “There does not need to be a battle between the two viewpoints around autism vocabulary; there is room across the spectrum to acknowledge that autism can be a state of being for some, an impairing condition for others and somewhere in between for many.”

While I see the value in using all available technologies to dx kids earlier so they may get supports and services sooner- I don’t believe people with autism a “cure” or treatment to change them into “normal” kids. We need to expand what’s called “normal”. The best thing I could imagine for the autistic community is a societal change on “normal’. THAT’S the problem. They ARE normal people. They don’t need to be fixed/ changed. The stigmas, the ignorance, the bullying etc should be what’s “cured”!

I have a child on the spectrum who is nonverbal. What infuriates me time and again are the comments from adults on the spectrum that can communicate and complain about research and that to leave them alone. Well by the looks of it, at least you are able to communicate while parents like me struggle to see our kid struggling to even communicate basic needs. So research is important to help those that need this the most. I worry about my kid being unable to communicate and live on his own when we are no more.

Apraxia of speech is not Autism. Extinguishing the Autism gene will not help with apraxia or any of the other disorders that occur in non -Autistic (Allistic) people too. I wish your child all the best in this non-accomodating, willfully ignorant world.

Bravo. Thank you for that @Concernedparent I thought I had stepped into a different universe when reading some of these comments. Know that I am in the same position as you. My son will be 30 this coming weekend. He is beautiful and special. I have spent the last 29 years caring for and fighting for him. After all back then most doctors didn’t know squat about Autism/ASD etc.. They just labeled him ‘mentally re***ed’ when the changes were truly noticed. But, his communication is severely limited and he definitely cannot do a reply in a website (unlike many here). His speech is his own version (we have come to learn it). He also cannot wash himself, nor feed himself (unable to prepare simple items), he cannot operate a simple game boy, or the newer TVs, he cannot read, doesn’t know letters, numbers, colors etc… He is funny, outgoing and too trusting. Meaning others can easily do harm. I am in the same camp as you. I worry to death what will happen when my husband and I are not here. I have a younger son and while he has said he would take care of him, that is a huge burden to put on someone. To all those who have replied here? At lease you CAN communicate via typing, language and keyboards. Not everyone out there can . Not everyone out there is trying to change who YOU are, or trying to “Control you” (as one person eluded to). Or the whole eugenics thing. (massive eye roll) So maybe, if possible, have some sympathy and compassion for those of us dealing with far more severe forms than you have.

Waste of money and space. Autistics don’t want to be turned into society darlings. Just because y’all don’t want to learn how to be accepting and kind to everyone doesn’t mean we should have to change.

YOU don’t, but some of us do. Don’t try to speak for me. You do not have that right.

You can speak for me with this opinion because I believe in self acceptance and advocacy.

To the concerned parent, that’s not autism. And it’s non-speaking. Just because your child doesn’t speak doesn’t mean they don’t communicate. How about you stop trying to turn your child into an automaton and instead accept them for who they are. A lot of non speaking autistics don’t use verbal language because they feel like no one cares what they have to say. After all, we have our poor sympathy-seeking parents to do it for us.

Respectfully, the fact that you may be on the spectrum doesn’t give you the right to gaslight others. A concerned parent knows their child a lot better than you do. Please speak to your own experiences instead of trying to pretend that you know other people’s experiences better than they do.

And not being on the spectrum doesn’t give you the right to gaslight those who are on it!

@Aryeh F your opinion on this is irrelevant. This conversation is pointless. The research isn’t going to stop no matter how butthurt you are over it. Get over yourself. Peace out!

So when all else fails dismiss anyone who has ASD as being so deaf, blind and stupid that any statement they make is “irrelevant”… You do the Führer proud, Sieg Heil!

@Aryeh F. Yet another example of your blatant dishonesty. I’m not dismissing “anyone who has ASD.” I’m dismissing YOU for being an absolute tool and a doυchebag. You have made several references comparing people’s statements to Naziism, which is the absolute lowest form of dishonest doυchebaggery.

Darius is right. If there’s a new medication that would make it easier for me to “read” people why can’t I take it? Or at least try it? It’s not like everyone else isn’t on drugs trying to cope with the rapidly deteriorating world around us, may as well get some better ones that have less side effects.

Thank you! There are s lot of self-appointed spokespeople here trying to speak for the entire autism community. If you are functioning well enough I’m happy for you, but there are a lot of people whose autism manifests on ways that make their daily lives a living hell. My son can’t even go to the park or enjoy a movie without constant fear of hearing a sound that might trigger him.

Autism is not needing a “cure” or “medication “. It’s not an illness or disorder. It is a difference in the way the brain is wired. Autistic people don’t want or need to be cured. Like others have said, they just want to be accepted for who they are and not what they have. Acceptance is what is needed. It’s common knowledge that the synapses have miscommunicated at some point. Autistic individuals know this and don’t need some busybody interfering and saying a lot of tosh!!

My 9 year old grandson is a non verbal, non potty trained individual. He would love to be understood and be able to fit into a catagory where he can go and play with other kids but he can’t. So he is often crying or whimpering in his quest to be the same as others. I too am desperate for treatment.

I am in awe of the comments of those who say that they don’t want their love one who deals with this issue to be cured. Apparently those who recommend this your child must be on the highly functional side of the spectrum. My son unfortunately is not. He is non verbal and is has anger outbreaks out of this world. I would love for someone to find a cure for autism.

I suspect many of the people saying that are them selves on the spectrum and everything being equal we don’t want to be NT’s (some stuff is easier for us some is harder)

What these self-appointed spokespeople need to understand is that autism is a spectrum disorder that affects people in a variety of ways. For some people it causes unbelievable stress and anxiety that’s seriously impedes their quality of life. This isn’t an issue of just accepting people’s quirks. It’s about alleviating unnecessary suffering.

As someone who is one of the co-founders of a local support group here in NYC and formally has level 2 autism (requires some community support but can accomplish most simple day to day tasks without much help [when I feel like doing them that is!]) I can very much express how much it hinders one both in school and out of school (I am willing to have a piss contest with anyone in terms of messed up K-12 schooling and a very odd ball career path as well as some of my complete failures to live long-term [18+ months] on my own without some “adult” supervision… luckily my GF is also on the spectrum and gets me completely but is a level 1 and thus theoretically more “adjusted” to “earth society” then I am).

So if I had it 100% to do over and have zero of the experiences both good and bad of being on the spectrum I would say sure why not mightiest well get a peek at the manual all the NT’s where given at birth this time around.

But since I have had those experiences I would not trade them in for the more non-going where the wind blows me experiences I have had. In short I do not want to be an NT because of who I am (my memories and experiences) not what I am (autistic) it is impossible to separate the two.

@Aryeh F. No one is asking you or anybody else to be NT. If you are able to function without a “cure,” I’m truly happy for you. There are many people, however, for whom this disease causes extreme stress and trauma such that it makes daily functioning horribly difficult for reasons having absolutely nothing to do with “accepting people as they are.” I’m all for acceptance, but a lot of these self-appointed spokespeople for the autism community Don’t seem to understand that for some people on the spectrum, relief from the constant anxiety they experience would be life-altering.

Even calling it a “disease” is incorrect both in terms of medical jargon (a disease is not something your are born with and/or is innate to how you function/perceive the world) and it is unnecessary abalist.

Let’s instead call it a condition just like say being black skinned is a “condition” (i.e. not much can be done to change it without causing more harm). when was the last time you heard any non-Neo-nazi say black people needed to be “cured”?

I am not a spokesperson for anyone but myself. If due to what ever position other people in and outside of the community put me in I might appear to be speaking for someone besides myself. If other people have similar experiences to me then they will identify with what I am saying and if they have not they won’t.

Finally there are areas where ASD is actually helpful… In the 90’s it allowed me to be one of the co-inventors of streaming media (I was able to do this because I had ASD not despite of it)… But I also spent 12 years in special ed and I wish that on no one… So on balance I have no real regrets about should of beens (for example if I was a NT).

Also please be aware part of acceptance is accepting what you can’t change and that in most cases comes down to accepting what is between someone’s head regardless of how much it fits or does not fit into NT reality.

Anxiety is not my thing but I have major clinical depression co-occurring with my ASD and take anti-depressants for that and they work really well (at least according to everyone else I notice no real difference and that is half the point isn’t it?)

As a member of a support group I belong to said above if you have met one autistic you have met that exactly one autistic and not any other autistic. The also say normal is a setting on the drier. This means if some ASD treat really is effecting me I will work on that trait but I am not willing to throw out the postives of ASD to do so.

Believe it or not, no, I actually want my children to have Asperger’s Syndrome. And I want their children to have Asperger’s Syndrome too.

I don’t want it to be ‘cured’. I want more of us. Thank you.

@Aryeh F While it is technically more accurate to refer to autism as a disorder, it is not inaccurate to refer to it as a disease. It is not ableist and it bears absolutely no similarity to Naziism. Your hyperbole here is reprehensible as are your attempts to gaslight others. This has NOTHING to do with acceptance. No one is asking you to throw away something you see as a positive. If you are not suffering, I’m genuinely glad for you. Many people are suffering, though. I don’t know who died and made you the spokesperson for the autism community, but your attempts to download other people’s suffering just because YOU are not suffering is very disturbing.

If your going to flame me at least have the courtesy to do it as a reply to me not someone else who is not me. And have the courtesy to actual read what I wrote and to see I am making no claims about anyone but my self here (nor even pretending to so). If other people can identify with my situation good… if not oh well.

@Aryeh F I’m sorry you feel “flamed” there was no “reply” box available for your comment which is why I “atted” you. I also carefully read what you wrote and responded.

You are really something. And you’re such a racist. How can you say having black skin is a condition and comparing it to autism. I am totally convinced you are sick and need help. Just speak for yourself and stop pretending you’re speaking for those on the spectrum. If there’s a breakthrough that’s going to help people, those that want to access it have a right to and people like you can pass. Simple as

@ches spoken like a parent who has yet to realize that their kid’s ASD is not going to magically cure it self the day they turn 18 and/or graduate school (which ever comes last).

Stop focusing so much on fixing people who don’t want to be fixed and instead ask what areas we have problems and what solutions can be made to make them less of a problem. This is the primary reason why so many ASD men turn into incels (I am not one of them and I do my best to help those who are on that path just so ASD doesn’t get blamed for another mass shooter)

If you can verbalize that you have autism, you are one of the lucky ones. My 22 year old son cannot do that. Don’t judge people that want to “cure” this disorder… I want my son to be able to live a normal life like you do.

Please define normal… Many of my ASD traits actually *HELP* me professionally… for example my many sensory problems helped me co-invent streaming media in the 90’s (i.e. I didn’t do it despite ASD I did because I saw the world differently)… Don’t get me wrong I spent 12 years in special ed and would not wish that on anyone but at the same time I would not trade my life for for the life of a NT.

I agree with some of the comments here. Why are we trying to change people who are autistic? Are not these people to be celebrated for who they are? There are many autistic people who have mad enormous contributions to society. My son has Asperger’s, and he has a brilliant mind. I wouldn’t want to change a thing. It might be easy for me to say, because my son is not severe, but overall can we not just embrace the diversity? My other son was transgender, and just committed suicide this year. He faced the same fate of people trying to change who he was. I don’t get it.

You could have stopped talking when you said, “It might be easy for me to say, because my Son is not severe.” You are absolutely correct. For whose autism manifests more severely, daily life is an unending assault on their senses causing unimaginable stress and anxiety. I can accept “quirks and differences.” What I cannot accept is my son’s inability to enjoy a park or a movie out of sheer terror that some sound might trigger him.

1st please stop with bs about accepting quirks. If you are able to type then you don’t have debilitating classic autism(like my son). 2nd Korea has a big concentration of autism in a small area where it’s likely highly genetic. This might not be the same in the rest of the world. Autism is a condition with common symptoms but it’s mostly understood that it may have many different causes. Lastly knowing a genetic marker does not mean there is a cure.

Hi Sam. Forgive the interruption but what part of Korea is this high concentration of people with ASD if you do not mind me asking? I have family in the very South part of the peninsula, not far from Busan. Coincidentally this is also where most of my Korean genes can be traced to.

No takeaways from this. The title is missleading

My youngest child has been diagnosed with both severe autism and Kabuki syndrome. I hope this is something that would lead to a treatment that would give her some independence. My fear is that she will end up going to a State run facility if my wife and I have died or are both too old to take care of her.

Jason Cline, thank you so much for your comment. I read as much as I can and listen as much as I can to the community to be the best that I can in this field. I truly care about each child I serve and come from a place of compassion and trauma informed care. This playful teasing you mentioned is so important as is knowing that every expression of excitement is too. Thank you again.

It would be nice if people who should know better stopped talking about ‘curing a disease’. It’s not a disease. Maybe effort should be focused on isolating the causes of the genuine issues experienced by some autistic people and less on ‘fixing’ all autistic people?

If I were given the option of ‘fixing’ my debilitating executive function issues at the cost of my out-of-the-box thinking and ability to hyperfocus, I’d have to take a hard pass.

That and neurotypical people need to do give some serious thought to accommodating people who are different. A lot of the issues many of us face stem from neurotypicals fearing what’s different and trying to force us to be ‘just like them’ and having panic attacks when people act a bit differently.

Normal…. Is… A… Setting… On… A… Dryer!

“Autism parents”: Begin by taking stock of where your child’s strengths are, rather than where their weaknesses are. My son did not fit in public school because they focused on trying to get him to ‘behave normally’. We have been homeschooling for several years and he is now ahead of grade level in several subjects. He’s very bright and incredibly creative. His behavior gradually improved as he learned slowly how to socialize. This is a child the public school system wanted to let fall through the cracks.

Stop trying to ‘fix’ what isn’t broken. We’re not broken.

It seems there are a lot of self-appointed spokespeople for the autism community in these comments. If your quality of life is not seriously diminished due to the constant stress and anxiety that autism can manifest in, I’m truly happy for you. For those whose lives are made of living hell due to the constant assault on their senses, their suffering isn’t a matter of “acceptance.” Being on the spectrum doesn’t give you the right to gaslight others seeking relief from their suffering.

Based largely upon me being born during W.W.II (food rationing) and sixty years of American adulthood including 42 years of lone lay investigation (enhanced with decades of diagnostic training and experience as an industrial electrician on mostly production shifts) into my own chronic illnesses, the primary cause of now epidemic ASD is probably estrogen-masked long-term chronic subclinical non-IgE-mediated food allergy reactions aggravated with officially (FDA in the US) approved added ‘cultured-free’ (can cross the blood brain barrier) MSG (since 1980 in the US) related elevated serum uric acid levels (asymptomatic gout), resulting in calcium (minimally; standard blood serum testing being unreliable due to blood pH regulation) deficiencies in expectant mothers and newborn babies. As with most industrial electrical devices, prevention is probably vastly superior to accepting dysfunction as normal, providing perpetual treatments and/or seeking costly cures indefinitely. It now makes me curious as to how much benefit mere improved nutrition might provide to all who are affected by ASD?

I love how anything it anyone different from you needs a cure so that you can feel better about being you.

Stop trying to “cure” us just because you can’t accept that some people are different. I’m sick of the eugenics.

This makes me really sad and conflicted. My son had what was called Asperger’s before. He was unique and amazing and I adored him. Crappy, ignorant people in our society didn’t, bullied him, and treated him terribly. He had trust issues as a result, depression, and passed away in a drug accident. If he’d been “treated” maybe he’d still be alive, but he wouldn’t have been the amazing man I loved & admired. Could you develop a treatment for what causes people to have such narrow definitions of “normal”? Could you treat bullying?

A cure would be amazing…. I hate living like this. I just want to be normal. I don’t know where all of you get off with this “we don’t need a cure” bs. I WANT ONE! I NEED ONE! My autism causes severe social anxiety to a point it is severely affecting my life. I hate my life. And no matter what I do I can’t fix the problems. It gets worse every day. I would gladly stop being “special” if I could have a conversation or go in public without massive anxiety, depressive, or panick attacks. You don’t speak for all of us.

As a mother of an 18 year old son with autism I read almost everything I can get my hands on. This article is one that I could have done without. It is clear that they are not trying to understand, rather, they are looking to omit. We have encountered multiple struggles with our son, however, he is a beautiful young man who I am blessed to be his mother. My world is a much better place with him in it and I would not change that for anything! Instead of trying to omit people with autism/spectrum disorders, maybe we should focus on how we approach people in general.

I think you might feel differently if your child’s autism manifested in ways that made it difficult for him to even go outside out of sheer terror of hearing a sound that might trigger him. For some people, the constant assault on their senses that comes with autism causes a serious detriment to their quality of life. If that’s not the case with your son, I’m genuinely happy for you. Please don’t disregard the suffering of others, though. This isn’t about acceptance. It’s about helping people who are suffering.

Thanks for seeking to cure my son of who he is. He doesn’t need to be cured but understood by ignorant neurotypicals who think they know best.

Hey, I’d just like to remind you that there is nothing inherently wrong with autism. It is not physically or psychologically harmful, it is just different from being neurological. The psychological damage comes from the rejection and mockery of autistic people’s differences. Your autistic children and loved ones are not miserable because they dislike eye contact or don’t communicate verbally. To them, that is a good life, far better than one in which they’re forced to act a certain way to please others. Please remember that the things the autistic community goes through are because of discrimination, not a “defect”.

@Josiah Please stop with the gaslighting! For a lot of people, their autism is extremely harmful to their quality of life. You don’t get to tell people that their experience of autism isn’t harmful. Many people are suffering. Do not disregard their suffering.

This is really messed up. Neuro-diverse people don’t need to be “cured” to fit for into the maladaptive societal mold. There are so many gifts of beyond on the spectrum and hyperfocused and sensitive. I’m very high functioning on the spectrum. I do not fit into society and never want to. Neurotypical neurosis is something that could use a cure though.

We don’t need to be cured

YOU don’t need to be cured. Please stop trying to speak for the entire autism community. Some people are suffering.

Those of you with autism who are condemning possible treatments for autism seem to be functionally quite well. You read the article, understood the complex neurological study, and wrote an opinionated post. What about the others with autism that do not function as highly as you obviously do? How can you speak for them and their caregivers? Wouldn’t you, being a part of the community, want others to have comparable abilities as you and the opportunities that come along with them? Before you label studies and their resulting potential treatments as “gross” or “shameful”, perhaps you should consider autistic persons other than yourself.

Well stated and, as a caregiver, you might be interested in what I posted above, especially the part about blood serum testing for calcium (minimally) being unreliable. However, using calcium carbonate (minimally) as a calcium supplement can cause a serious phosphorus deficiency (binds with and gets excreted; e.g., myself). Be careful and get help with that if needed.

Are you going to suggest miracle mineral water next? (look it up if you want)

I suggest Badoit if you can find it in North America. It won’t cure autism, but it’s very good mineral water. 🙂

Nuerotypicals – back at it with the eugenics war yet again. Christ you lot can be so f**king disgusting as a sentient echo-chamber, and also twice as st*pid. You’ve likely never spent more time with any autistic person other than through a clinical textbook lense; or you’ve specifically cherry picked your subjects for relevant stereotypes; are twisting representation of the truth for media business agendas (what else is new? Journalists continue to act soulless); or, as usual with any majority groups heading into awareness of a new and ‘threatening’ minority – your egos/worldviews/reptilian amygdalas are threatened and you’re striking the relatively undefended weak while still vulnerable. Could be a mix of all the above. For all the researched flaws of every other nuerotype, nuerotypicals sure blind to how f**king annoying and inconvenient their own flaws can be left unchecked to every other nuerotype on the planet. Primarily the incessant need to follow the social crowd like sheep, sacrificing a backbone and conforming with the status quo – going as far as to destroy anyone acting different even if they’re completely harmless – as long as it serves a purpose to fulfil you in the social ranks. God damn, you people have no f**king idea how vulnerable you are to group think influence until you stand on the other side in exhaustion watching people with otherwise perfectly humane hearts dehumanize and destroy another person psychologically because a puzzle piece toting hate group convinced them that these ‘victims’ are ‘monsters’ using nothing more than emotional appeal, fear mongering, and the implied support of nuerotypical social privilege and majority. If you’ve met one autistic person you’ve met one autistic person. If social awareness is a weak area, you can damn well bet that that person still has emotions, a psyche, a personality, a heart, a soul, whatever the hell you want to define it as. Even with the struggles in social skills an autistic person can definitely still care, feel, psychologically process, react in turn, grow, be hurt, be traumatised, develop PTSD and get really f**ked up by a majority nuerotypical population who they could strangely coexist and flourish aside a lot better if only they met them halfway, accepted nuerodiverse interactions a bit left field from the norm, and learned past the harmful stereotypes dominating the past couple decades. I don’t want to be altered to be nuerotypical, I want to think like me, it’s served well in it’s own way and truly the problems I have encountered came from people of nuerotypical privilege that project their worldview onto others as “the only way to be.” Question to think on: How does humanity hope to ever meet and encounter extraterrestrial life one day without repeating the mistakes of colonisation or invasion? You don’t even empathize with the differing nuerotypes alongside you on earth. The aliens are going to think differently. No living brain is flawless, we’re all biological structures evolving out of earlier evolutionary processes. The dynamics between a leftover, fearful lizard brain and a more recently evolving rational brain are not great set ups – being as it cripples the whole of humanity with a desperate need to master it’s darker impulse to dehumanize other fellow humans, enabling otherwise questionable actions and stances to be justified/weaponized against a ‘threatening’ new minority.

TL/DR: No brain is perfect, neither are nuerotypicals, despite the fact that majority privilege has meant that many nuerotypicals never had to analyse that level of awareness concerning their own situation. Check yourselves, because your dangerous ignorance is leading into eugenics – like every. Other. Minority vs majority. Struggle. In recent. History. That. No one. Learns. From. Ever.

I’m so f**king dead inside when I see this sh*t these days. I need a f**king drink. F**k the lack of paragraphs, much like detached medical opinions and irresponsible narratives f**ked the mental health of an entire nuerodiverse generation.

Autistic people have a limited range of interests? The horror! As an autistic person I find myself surrounded by so-called normal people who do nothing but sleep, work, pay bills, and watch TV while drinking beer.

Neurotypical people, stop trying to “fix” us and start fixing yourselves to be more tolerant and accepting.

As many of others have said (as well my self in other replies): We (I and anyone else who considers themselves in the same boat) want to be left the F alone, we don’t want a “cure” (if there is a “cure” that works for someone and they do it with informed consent I won’t stop them or complain as long they don’t try to become “religious zealots” about the “cure”), we don’t want to be “fixed”. We are happy just the way we are (again if someone wants to be a NT so bad they are willing try a “fix” I will not stop them).

Like anyone else I have some strengths and I have some weaknesses. Perhaps ASD makes these more spiky but that is part of my personality and would be in human to remove it this late in life (my mid 50’s).

Or how about maybe if the neurotypicals would stop traumatising us.

As an autistic woman I do not like the term disability. I don’t feel disabled. I have a higher IQ than most of the people around me and this is a fact not conjecture. I don’t appreciate neurotypicals thinking they can “fix us” when there’s nothing to be fixed. How about just be less of a douchebag and more inclusive and try understanding people where they’re at? Did neurotypical people ever stop to consider how strange they behave to us? I doubt it because they think there’s nothing wrong with them. That’s laughable. This is all just smoke in mirrors. I’ve had enough judgments in my life without some study to come along and continue to judge me. GTFOH!

I’m very disappointed in you for thinking that someone like me with autism needs a cure or treatment if other’s like me or that had similar unique ways of thinking on how our brain developed is such a problem then we would have come forward about it but we didn’t not all of us we need you guys nitpicking at our brain every the same as if we did it to you I’m not coming off as aggressive this is passive aggressive and now if you want a proper study and want to actually do something positive go directly to the people that actually have this ask them what they have trouble with on a daily basis don’t just be like oh this looks like fun let’s try to explore this to find out where it’ll lead and then push it on to others and make them feel belittled or like they should be a science experiment just for your own fun no this is not right in any measure or time of measurement I have autism but at least I can understand when something is wrong this should not have even been messed with or done with you all were just doing this as selfishness to the point of just trying to over justify the fact that you need to find a cure for some more treatment when everyone is supposed to be individual and unique if all of our brains function the exact same way they would be no individuality there be no creativity that we know thought process of higher intellectuality there would be nothing but boredom this needs to stop and I truly mean that I have a high IQ and I have autism but even I can function normally on a day-to-day basis I may not meet the requirements to get a job but I can still be an entrepreneur and sell food that I grow or do art and sell it to earn money in a way of living others like me don’t need this and I know it’s going to make so many upset just from this article it should be literally removed and deleted and burned it should never have been made to begin with this is how problems arise when people get too curious for their own good and think they’re doing a lot of good when they’re doing a lot of wrong this is how you imprison people make them into scientific slaves no one truly likes this and if you do then I’m sure for a doubt of a fact that your in on this with them.

i think there`s a difference between autism as it`s defined and diagnosed in the dsm 5 and icd-11, and the autism that many of the people in this thread are talking about. autism as it`s defined and diagnosed doesn`t include things like talking or toileting as part of the autism. those are comorbid or co-occurring things. they may be connected to a specific genetic disease that also causes the autism. or they may not. but most autistics, when they talk about not wanting a cure, aren`t talking about things like epilepsy, not talking or low iq because those things aren`t part of autism as it`s defined or diagnosed. most autistics are talking about the core parts of autism when they say they don`t want or need a cure. this isn`t about quirks, either. it`s about how autism has a number of aspects that many autistics like and would prefer to keep.

most people, and most autistics would agree that being able to speak or not have seizures or not need diapers is important. but those are all things that can easily happen even without being autistic. we need to be more clear about what it is we really want to see happen.

Note the above comment was made by someone else (not me). Likely due to a bug in the system and not their fault or mine (I am a software engineer and thus find this the most likely exlination). I do agree with all the comments made though (they are almost word for word ones my GF would make to me). So I am not complaining.

Found a major security hole in this site which explains this. Probably has to do with coding. Will explain offline.

Did you send it to me on gmail if so I never got it. But if your talking about non-password protected ID’s that is obvious but the comment was not mean or something I disagree so I say it is a pure and simple bug. If found something else let me know off line so we can decide who if anyone needs to be alerted to repair it.

Eugenics is alive and well. We don’t need a ‘cure’, we need people to start treating us like human beings.

This is disgusting. Autism is present at birth it dictates one’s entire neurobiology. We don’t need to be fixed or cured, being disabled isn’t bad. You all just want to make it so we’re more convenient for you/our care givers. Just call this an article in eugenics. I bet no autistic voices are being heard or even sought out by those conducting this research. We don’t want or need your “help” we want you to accept us and let us be who we are. Next you’re going to come up with research on treatments for not having light skin, perhaps?

Wow I don’t understand I’m trying to understand but I don’t I work in a school for children with multiple disabilities and anything that can help a child on the spectrum I think would be a huge breakthrough these kids struggle to express themselves and speak..I don’t understand why wouldn’t we want to do everything we can to help them

Did anyone ask them if they wanted “help”?

@Aryeh F Now you’re being silly. It’s not common practice to go around asking people with ANY type of disorder before researching treatment options. If you don’t want treatment, cool, but don’t disparage the people who are actively trying to improve people’s lives.

I am only “disparaging” people who are barking up trees that have already been looked by others and proven to not be a tree that a cat could get into.

There has been a long line of people who suggest nutritional “cures” not a single one of them has stood up to a simple double blind study.

oops wrong reply…. what I meant is what gives you the moral right to decide for someone else how to “help” them…. I think many Jews would owe a Hitler a thank you if that was that case…. so if it is wrong for a religious group what makes it right for something like a “disability”?

@Aryeh F who are you to say that they are barking up the wrong tree?!?! I’ll say it again… YOU ARE NOT THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE AUTISM COMMUNITY!!! You do not get to decide what treatment options are available to people who are suffering. This isn’t Naziism. If autism doesn’t affect your quality of live, cool! There are people are suffering. It is not your place to say that treatment options should not be pursued for people who can benefit from them.

As someone with lived experience and developing policies to improve inclusion for all individuals in my home province, I think the key takeaway for this research is the fact that medical science is able to provide amazing new information, and as a high-tech global world we need to embrace all individuals equitably and use information as education to creating a world with more understanding between people.

Be nice to use that money for accommodations in society for those on the Spectrum instead of trying to cure us.

I welcome this news with great joy! Finally something that will make a great difference!

Eugenics and the tyranny of the neuromajority. Just look at the culture of consumerism, commercialisation, and social malaise and tell me hand on heart that neurotypical norms are worth aspiring to. Oh, and read up on the Double Empathy Problem. It’s not us who need social skills training. It’s you.

I have an autistic nephew. He can’t speak, look you in the eye, or communicate meaningfully in any way. If his parents were to die suddenly, he would not be able to take care of himself. He is interested in watching the same movie repeatedly, or playing on his tablet. It is not a life. A cure is needed.

I completely agree with you. This sort of thing makes me so angry.

Cured??? I wouldn’t want to be ‘cured’. That would mean losing about forty IQ points. It would mean becoming insensitive and dull witted.

Why would I want to be a herd animal bleating away like the rest of the sheep? By cure, you mean essentially lobotomising us I guess.

Not only are you sterilising our kids, now you want to ‘cure’ us???

No. No. No. Leave us alone. Stop this attempt to exterminate us.

Autism isn’t a disease and it doesn’t need treatment. Instead of trying to treat autism we should be embracing differences and listening to minorities. Take it from someone who’s autistic themselves, there’s nothing more ableist, rude and annoying then ABA and supposed “treatment.”

I recently read that hyperbaric chambers were helpful for autism. That’s something that can be accessed right now albeit at a cost due to it most likely being off label.

To FBN, the headline isn’t misleading. It includes the term “within reach,” which is true.

To all those suggesting a cure for autism violates their right to not have a cure, or that it will lead to eugenics, as though you care about the quality of other people’s lives, your self-centered point of view doesn’t account for people who are not you. Why, in that case, should your opinion matter to anyone else?

To these, first, no one can force you to be treated. That’s your choice, just like everyone else. Second, what right do you have to say others should not have a choice? Third, being a spectrum, some autistics will likely be far more debilitated by the condition than you must be. Do you lack social empathy?

You have the right to keep your cancer, lung, heart and liver disease, broken legs, missing limbs, deafness and blindness. But others welcome new treatments and cures that promise longer, more productive lives. And this is only from the patient’s viewpoint. Scientists are the other side of the coin. They generally have a lifelong passion to know how things work in all of their intricacy. Your getting what you want would deprive many young people from being free to pursue their intellectual interests and passions to their fullest, and to contribute to or understanding of life, nature, and the universe overall.

Trust me it was the mmr shots that caused it, now they keep blaming everything from the flu to Tylenol that for sure didn’t cause it. I had 1 doctor admit it. When my granddaughter was 5 she had to get her chicken pox shot. I screamed at the doctor about the shots. She closed the door and said yes the mmr caused it but they took the preservatives out. I said its a lil to late now, the damage it caused. But no one will ever blame the pharmaceutical cuz of a big law suit. Go figure.

What a BS explination I was born before MMR’s where available and still have ASD please explain that if MMR’s are at fault.

@Jamesbaker Hi, I am on the fence about taking my son in the be tested for Autism. He is 5 in 2 months. I could list all the things he does..but that is not the point. The only thing they would do for him is the behavioral therapy. So I was wondering…if you went back to being a child…how would you like to be parented? I have tried everything I can think of, but maybe you can broaden my mind….please?

Sorry I meant @Jasoncline or anyone? I love my son so much. I just want him to be happy…

End this line of research, we don’t want it, we won’t have it, autism does not need a cure, it will never have a cure, we are not sick, we are not broken, we are human, we are alive, do not research us like lab rats, we are they way we are, accept it, and move on, spend money on social studies and training so we can be accepted into society, because like it or not, we are here to stay, in fact, I personally believe we are the next step in human evolution, so, stop trying to cure us, and accept reality, we are here to stay.

I don’t know who died and made you the spokesperson for the autism community, but for some people the constant stress and anxiety that comes with autism is a serious detriment to their quality of life. If that doesn’t include you, I’m genuinely glad for you, but to disparage those seeking a cure is to disregard the suffering of many people who are not at fortunate as you.

The worst part is when and if they are going to speak and also trying to control those horrible seizures.

My 5 year old has autism, I would love to cure him. The fear of when I die, and who will care for him is terrifying. I want him to be able to look after himself

I have 8 year-old twins who are autistic, non verbal,and I pray that God will bring healing and restoration. They don’t deserve to be the way they are. So any divine treatment will be well appreciated 🙏

Finding a solution to this spectrum shouldn’t be a problem for anyone. Let’s face the fact, the vast majority would embrace some kind of miracle to make them whole like every other individual. Being autistic sucks and that’s the reality. I have an immediate family who is going through this and im not excluded either. I hope the solution comes soon enough and those who don’t get it, should simply forget about it. Thanks for the research and hopefully, the solution is around the corner.

Listen, this approach is the problem. You want to help line the pockets of your funders to line your own pockets. Parents ,in most cases, need to quit treating their children like they have something wrong with them. Character is a good thing. Cruel peers make for a strong will to overcome stereotypes. The scientists working on this surely are socially lacking. Autism spectrum disorder only exists because folks want to choose how other folks should interact. It’s only classified because people classified them in a broad range of characteristics. It’s a diagnosis of lack of acceptance from peers. Like buck teeth.It’s hard to fit in when your physical or emotional traits go against the grain of what is “normal”. If your child can function, let them figure it out. Teach them to keep their chin up instead of hiding who they are.

Thank you for this research. Many with autism are disabled to the point they cannot communicate at all, and they want a cure. The people commenting otherwise are disenfranchising an entire group who cannot speak for themselves.

A cure is needed, at least for the most severely affected. If people with mild autism don’t want a cure, they don’t have to have it.

Severely disabled people with autism exist and they need help. Thanks to the research team and thanks Scitech for sharing this article!

Almost everyone even the non-verbal communicate in someway or an other you just need to learn how to “listen” to that communications. For example I didn’t talk til I was 4 and it was frustrating and I have a bad memories ABA style speech therapy being used to “force” me to talk.

So please get of your high horse and NT assumptions that talking/writing/etc. are the only forms of communication possible. And even if the person is non-verbal later in life they can always find other non-verbal ways to communicate (like writing).

So it is you who is totally disenfranchising a whole demographic by assuming spoken English is the *ONLY* way to communicate.

So not asking them if they “want” a “cure” is violation of basic human rights. It is ableist to assume you have any right all to make a decision for an other human being in anyway shape or form. This is called infintalizing in the adult autistic community and considered one of the highest forms of insult possible. Go read about it on various adult autism on-line forums like wrong planet or different on-line meetings that formed during Covid.

@Aryeh F You are being extremely dishonest claiming to speak to your own experiences while making statements like, “even if the person is non-verbal later in life they can always find other non- verbal ways to communicate (like writing).” You don’t know that and you are once again attempting to speak for an entire community. It is not abelist to make decisions for someone who is otherwise not able to communicate their wants/needs. There are legal processes that allow for that and there are certain situations where it is the only ethical thing to do. I wish you would consider how you are completely disregarding people who are suffering just because you don’t feel that YOU need a cure.

Please live my life and my experiences then tell me if I am generalizing in anyway. I spent 12 years in special ed so I know very well how the “system” looks at stuff and that is what I am referring to an the attitudes that lead to the system in the first place.

As to anything I say about personal experience that is just that personal experience but I can back it up by linking to article/post after article/post by others who have almost identical issues.

For example your assuming I (like some of the more radical posters here) am completely against such research, I am not and if good adaptations can be made for some the more annoying ASD treats that is wonderful, but saying you want to “cure” someone’s personality is a violation of basic human rights.

@Aryeh F. Taking YOUR lived experience and applying it to an entire community by saying, “WE” don’t need a cure is the very DEFINITION of generalizing. Also, where did you get the idea that anyone was attempting to cure someone’s personality? I LOVE my son’s personality. I DON’T love the fact that he can’t go outside or have the TV on without covering his ears out of constant dread of hearing some noise that might trigger him. His autism causes him to live live in CONSTANT anxiety. THAT’S what I want to cure. Now PLEASE tell me how that’s a human rights violation!!!

@darius You like making unreplable replies… Also from how inflexible your thinking is on this I wonder which one of is showing more stereotypical ASD behaviour me or you (i.e. fixation on a topic and refusual to change your opinion no matter what the “facts” are)… I will assume your not autistic since you have not said if you are or not… so this brings up the idea of double standards…. if I said I wanted to cure being NT I am sure I would get a huge backlash from successful NT’s also…

So do your self and stop alienating the very people your attempting to “help”

Also your earlier comment about autism being a disorder is also technically incorrect it is only a disorder in how autistics interface with a world that is not designed for our style of thinking there is nothing inherently wrong with that style of thinking (hell it helped me become a very successful software engineer with a lot of co-inventions if what later became the core of the modern Internet… like cloud computing and streaming media)

So, you’re just going to ignore what I said and again try to gaslight me, huh? I’m done attempting to converse with you you dishonest POS! Honestly, it’s not as if your opinion even matters. You think research is going to stop because of your selfish myopic,”I don’t need a cure, so NOBODY does,” BS? GTFOH.

@darrius you are the one putting words in peoples mouths not me. I never once said I would oppose someone trying such a “cure” I only said it was not for me (and anyone else who identifies with what I am saying). Two qualifications are needed here though 1) it has to the the actual person affected by what they want to “cure” and they need to have made the decision with full informed consent (*NO ONE* else can make the decision *FOR* them) and 2) They and/or their loved ones don’t be come religious zelots about the “miracle cure” they found that worked for them… ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL!

@darrius before you think stuff like co-existing sensory issues are all bad let me quote a part of a letter I wrote a few days ago to a potential client (they already know I have ASD due to how we met, via their GF who is in my support group… I ***DO NOT*** normally disclose I have ASD in business settings just so I can avoid @ssholes like you [your not as bad as some]):

In addition to my technical background, I also have some physical sensory sensitivities that make me unusually aware of various aspects of video quality, giving me a very sharp eye when debugging video streams:

1) Unusual visual sensitivity to motion: I need a higher-than-normal frame rate to be fooled into the continuous motion illusion. (The average person needs 12 fps whereas I need about 20 fps.) This makes me hypersensitive to flicker of all types, including variations in the rate of flicker. Thus I can easily see when frames are missing, and I can tell if the playback is truly at an even frame rate.

2) Color blindness, a condition with some compensating advantages in terms of the ability to see fine visual details. (See, for example: https://www.colorblindguide.com/post/the-advantage-of-being-colorblind .)

3) Auditory issues: I have super-sensitive hearing (I can hear people whispering a few rooms away) and I am also super sensitive to when my eyes and ears do not agree, e.g. badly-dubbed movies.

Thus I have a very keen eye regarding any hiccups in a video stream. It is even physically painful to me to watch a poorly streamed (for whatever reason) video.

For example, in 2020, early during the pandemic, I tried Zoom once and I had to turn it off after 30 seconds, because it gave me a pounding headache that lasted more than an hour (even with Advil). But what I observed in that 30 seconds shocked me. Zoom’s video quality issues include (or at least DID include; I haven’t looked again to see if they’ve improved since then): (1) filling blank/missing frames with black screens, (2) very random jittering/flickering of the stream, and (3) the default UI that assumes I want to watch everyone in the meeting (all with the same head-splitting glitches) all at once. (I know Zoom has an option to make it so you see only one person at a time, but that doesn’t solve the flicker/jitter and missing-frame issues.) Worse yet, I observed Zoom’s glitches via a good solid Internet connection (Spectrum cable, via a wired Ethernet connection to a desktop machine). I cannot bear to imagine how much worse they would be via a phone in a neighborhood with spotty coverage.

Given my own personal history of having successfully solved both the flicker/jitter and missing-frame issues way back in 1997, at much lower bandwidth and with much higher packet loss, I consider Zoom’s lack of video quality to be unforgivable.

Aryeh F, searching “autism and mineral water” proved to be inconclusive. On the other hand, while never diagnosed with ASD myself, the kind of allergy related calcium deficiency I referred to covers a large spectrum of disorders (e.g., dementia, depression, diabetes, gout, mass shootings, obesity, suicide, etc.) and has been ignored by still ‘dark-ages’ mainstream medicine since the early 1930s, at least. Furthermore, like the Covid-19 ‘scamdemic,’ it was illegally foisted on an unsuspecting American public by 1980 (primarily FDA approved added MSG) exacerbating the listed conditions and more, affecting and diminishing tens of millions of American (minimally; going/gone global with the western diet) lives for profit; medical and pseudo-food manufacturing. For me it now begs this question: “Are you a victim (like me) and/or a victor (like me)?” Ionic testing is said to be reliable for calcium and poor bone density is another reliable symptom of long-term added MSG poisoning. Be safe; be well; share, please, for the sake of all.

I specifically was refering to “miracle mineral water” not just mineral water (btw MMW is not minerals it is stuff like bleach and mercury and such)

I have asd and other disabilities and I find it hard to make sense of the world and what people are saying and doing and I have attachment problems with my family members too and bad at money skills and I have discan coulier with is dyslexic with numbers

Hopefully, this research will lead to something that will make your life easier despite all of folks who are butthurt over the idea of the research community trying to improve people’s lives simply because THEY don’t need it.

Attempting to change how someone feels and thinks, and effectively rebuild the personality is unlikely to work in context of a spectrum disorder with so many variable where each may be interrelated (e.g. improve one at the expense of the other). It also seems like push society in the direction of increasing intolerance, rather than trying to encourage harmony where individuality is accepted, and the mavericks differing from the norm are not ostracised, despised or persecuted. Assuming a ‘cure’ for someone diagnosed with autism was available, could the long-term negative impact be accurately assessed? Sir Isaac Newton would probably have received such a diagnosis. Would the world have been better if his likes and dislikes had been irrevocably changed? How many great scientists and mathematicians in the pipeline might end up lost to the world by such treatment? Leibniz and Newton developed differential calculus, leading to major advancements without which we wouldn’t have the modern world. A lot would depend on the age at which such treatment was implemented, but in today’s society with many children labelled autistic at an early age, and taken out of mainstream education, it seems highly likely! As the song Rotterdam goes: “And everyone is blonde And everyone is beautiful And when blondes and beautiful are multiple They become so dull and dutiful.” Surely mankind knows better than this!

My 2 young grandchildren are 6 years old with autism and 3 of them wear diapers, their parents do not have the economic power to have a house and they live in a small apartment and there are times when we do not even know how to control it because the medicine that the doctor gives them is very small and there is whole nights we can’t sleep he has a lot of problems at school because of all the viruses so please someone who can help us😭🙏♥️♥️

Any help for my daughter-in-law who is the mother of my 2 grandchildren with autism, how important is it because she is the one who suffers all my son is the only one who works, any help is very important to us

No guarantee but maybe some of my comments above about allergies, added MSG and calcium (minimally) deficiency could provide you with some help. Certainly, pure/safe foods and complete nutrition should help to improve any person’s mental health and well being, to some extent.

I have worked with the autistic population for over 30 years.if you have autism and are making anti social comments degrading this science and the fine scientists behind it claiming you don’t need help, then you have been locked into your own selfish world of high functioning autism.

The professional community has stopped using the terms high/low functioning because they imply value judgements about how much someone is worth by how well the “function”/”communicate” not what is in the heart or soul.

There is no such thing as high functioning autism. That is a label not a diagnosis.

Autism isn’t an illness, it doesn’t need treating or curing. It’s present from birth

I agree with most of these comments that autism doesn’t need to be full on cured. I have ADHD which can share a few symptoms with it and even has a higher chance of including autism (and vise versa) and I noticed “limited interests” being characterized as a negative but that’s the super power of both these disorders. It grants us the ability to become experts very quickly in our interests. And then (for autism) there’s being hyper analytical and hyper organized which is extremely useful in the workplace and allows for big picture thinking. There are many accompanying behaviors that need no changing, they define our personalities, identities and many of our strengths.

With that criticism out of the way however I fully support this research haha. If there could be a short term medication produced from these studies which could, like ADHD medications, eliminate the negative side effects of having this disorder, it would be a net good in my opinion. Overwhelm and meltdowns can be pretty intense, an inability to filter background noise and stimuli can not only be distracting but distressing. So having a medication that could allow a more comfortable performance when needed would probably help a lot of folks. Imagine a young parent of a baby, they would have the option of not getting overwhelmed from the loudness of the crying and might have a bit more stress control. Or if the overwhelm of school gets in the way of learning, perhaps within that environment a medication would be advantageous.

I’m beginning to believe that the real issue here is ‘clickbait’. The headline contains the phrase ‘breakthrough treatment for ASD’. This is a trigger for those of us on the spectrum who don’t want or need a cure and have been screaming at bullies and teachers and our kids’ bullies and teachers for decades for some accommodation.

If someone wants to help people on the spectrum, the best way to do so is to get to know the individual and accommodate the individual. Yes, the individual. If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met… One person with autism. We’re all different.

In my experience, the way to help us is to accommodate us. No ‘breakthrough treatment’ is necessary. If someone is nonverbal, there is tech available to enable them to communicate. If someone gets anxious in social situations, therapy can be helpful, as can noise-cancelling headphones and some forethought as to choice of venue.

It would be nice to have even a small fraction of the resources squandered on the Crusade for the Holy Grail ‘breakthrough treatment’ used toward accommodating me or my son or Aryeh and his gf or others I know or even Darius’ son and the children of the other people here who desperately need help. Maybe clean up the oceans and space junk before you start terraforming Mars?

Side note to authors: Please consider your choice of words in choosing a title for your article. Your quest for clickbait is triggering two subsets of the community and causing them to fight each other when they should be working together. Stop it.

I agree that the title is “clickbaitty”, but it’s not technically incorrect. Respectfully, though, it’s not always possible to just accommodate. we have done the best with therapy and he has made some progress, and his medication has done a lot to help with his anxiety. Unfortunately it also has implications on his quality of life . It has caused him to gain almost 200 lb, he is now pretty diabetic and will likely need medication for that as well, and while progress was made, he still does suffer.

I agree with the adage that adage that, “If you have met one person with autism you have met one person with autism.” That’s what makes it all the more infuriating when people who say they don’t need a cure take it as some sort of personal insult when research is done to help people who do need it. They are ONE person. They are not the entire autism community.

Sorry they put your son on psych meds with harmful side effects for something which is really not a psych condition. That said, I’m not a psychologist or a psychiatrist and I’m not in your shoes (other than being ‘one person with autism’ with an autistic son). I think there should have been a better way to address this, but in the end I can’t speak for you or him. In my son’s case, accommodation and alternative teaching methodology has made all the difference in the world.

FWIW if I get anxious from a social situation due to loud noise, I can choose to avoid this situation or wear earplugs or a noise-cancelling headset. I live my life, not the life someone else might consider ‘normal’. This comes with the territory of being autistic.

There are people here who are triggered by the prospect of being forced to be ‘normal’ because we have PTSD (and/or our children have it) from ABA ‘therapy’ (Pet Training Applied to Humans) and the like. We don’t want that kind of ‘help’ and we don’t want anyone else like us to be subjected to it ever again. I hope your son gets what he needs to build an independent life for himself.

@Archmage Arcane PLEASE…F***ING…STOP!!! You don’t get to tell me what my son’s condition is or isn’t. You seem like a nice, well-meaning person, but the period in your sentence should have been after the words, “I’m not a psychologist or a psychiatrist and I’m not in your shoes.”

I realize that there are people who are triggered by the prospect of being forced to be “normal.” I 100% agree with you that that is s***ty. What is also s***ty is the people in this comment section who are both diminishing the work of others who are trying to help people that are suffering just because THEY don’t need it while completely trivializing the lives of people who are ACTUALLY suffering. I appreciate that your anxiety can be alleviated by headphones and earplugs. My son’s cannot. Headphones and earplugs are bothersome to him. I also appreciate that accommodation and alternative teaching has made a difference for you and your son. That is also the case with me and my son, but it hasn’t alleviated his suffering. In our case, we had to make a choice between medication that had harmful side effects and something much much worse. We chose the lesser of two evils. If you or anyone else takes issue with that choice, frankly (and I can’t stress this enough) I don’t give a flying f***! I have been working for nearly 30 years to help my son have an independent life, but I have come to realize that is not a realistic goal. I have come to terms with it and accepted my son where he is at.

Please take the heart the words, “If you’ve met one person with autism you’ve met one person with autism.” Your experience is cool and all, but it has f***all to do with mine or my son’s experience.

@Archmage Arcane PLEASE…F***ING…STOP! You don’t get to tell me what my son’s condition is or isn’t. You seem to be a nice, well-meaning person, but the period in that sentence belonged after the words, “I’m not a psychologist or a psychiatrist and I’m not in your shoes.” I realize that there are people who are triggered by the prospect of being forced to be normal. I would 100% agree with you that that sucks. What also sucks is the people in this comment section taking a giant dump on the folks who are doing the work of helping people who are suffering Just because THEY don’t need it while simultaneously taking a giant dump on the people who DO need it and ARE suffering.

I appreciate that your anxiety can be ameliorated by wearing headphones or earplugs. That is not the case with my son as he finds headphones and earplugs bothersome. I also appreciate that accommodation and alternative teaching has made a difference for you and your son. That is also the case with me and my son, but that hasn’t stopped his suffering. In our case, we had to make a choice between medication with harmful side effects and something much, much worse. Is your or anyone else takes issue with that, frankly (and I can’t stress this enough), I don’t give give a flying f***.

I have been working for almost 30 years to help my son have an independent life. I have come to realize that despite my best efforts, that’s not going to happen. I have come to terms with it and accepted my son where he’s at.

Please try to take to heart the adage that “if you’ve met one person with autism you’ve met one person with autism.” Your experience is nice, and all, but it has f*** all to do with my son’s experience.

@darris So you would support any “cure” that “works”? does that include old fashion electroshock therapy? (which has been labeled as a crime against humanity by the UN Human Rights Commission) which is still practiced to this day is some school therapy settings like the Judge Rothenberg Center https://www.judgerc.org/ which has been the center of about 10 different law suits for using stuff like electroshock. An other example is a school in Illionese that I forget the name of but was in the national news a few days ago for having cops there almost everyday to arrest “disruptive ASD” students.

That is the kind of thing people are talking about when we say we don’t want to be “cured” and frankly the big research efforts have not moved beyond that thinking because they never ask anyone of the spectrum how to design these studies or what they should be studying

For the record, this is what being a dishonest doυchebag looks like. No, I do not support shock therapy, you dishonest POS! 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

To the Lady MJ Who has twin 14 year old boys. My Daughter has a 14 year old son who has Autism. I wish there was a cure ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

I am autistic and I have a first class honours degree. Does that make me valid? I am human and if everyone gets in a flap about a cure for autism, remember folks it is only the rich people who will have access to the cure for their kids. Ordinary people who are already adults will not be deemed worthy! After all economic prejudice cuts across all of this. So no one can cure you of being you! There is no cure for who we choose to be. And autistic people generally are of higher intellect than the rest of the population. Women are diagnosed later after passing off as neuro-typical most of their lives. I know how to look like you, I just don’t think like you (non autistic people). If you are trying to cure anything it is your own sense of frustration in the face of people who cannot be socially persuaded, or bribed, or made to act like you. Claiming a cure is at best silly, at worst a waste of time… But that’s what some people what to spend their time doing.

Yes, Anne. I know how to look and act like them as well. I got an advanced degree despite debilitating executive function issues. I needed literally a genius-level IQ to compete with NTs of normal intelligence due to lack of accommodation.

‘Passing as normal’ is something most of us can do after enough practice (think decades), but it’s very draining and can lead to shutdown/burnout. There are relatively minor accommodations (compared to wheelchair ramps and autimatic doors and the like for people in wheelchairs) which would make life easier for many of us and simply possible for others.

So true. One has to be super smart to survive in a world of complete sensory and functioning chaos. Well done for your academic brilliance!!

From knowing you in real life I still think you would make the PERFECT contestant on Jeopardy!

I wonder how many of you are really bothered about anyone but themselves? If you kid is having problems with loud noises, buy him a pair of headphones. If your child can’t cope try spending less time in the internet wingeing about how terrible it is to have an autistic child. And spend time being a better parent.

F*** you, and f*** you judgemental BS. We are doing the best we can with what we have. If you weren’t so wrapped up in yourself, maybe you would quit being so butthurt over the research done trying to improve other people’s lives just because you don’t feel that YOU will benefit from it. Kindly, f*** off with that BS!

@anne is right a little bit of common sense goes a long ways for example I not only discovered I love what is now called Classic Rock back in the 80’s but having it on was one the best ways to shut out the outside world and not be bugged by so stupidities as someone arguing a block away. The longer I listen to the same songs (not on infinite repeat but on infinite loop through about 1500 of them) the easier it is for me to focus on the outside world since the music blocks out all the distractions.

It is experiences like this that leads honest researchers (not the ones looking to be “rock stars” by finding a “cure”) to come up with ideas like using white, pink and brown (brown being stuff like my love of classic rock) noise generators and the use of headphones to lessen the sensory onslaught of the real world.

Alot of progress has been made in the last 20 or 30 years with such adaptive tech. Alot of it invented by people on the spectrum themselves.

Cool. You both can go f*** yourselves. I have zero interest in either of your opinions. Your butthurt isn’t going to have the slightest impact on the research community, so your opinion is irrelevant anyway.

Your level of ignorance and complete lack of empathy is outstanding.

As your apparent level of intolerance for anyone who does not agree with your world view. How amazing narrow minded and NT! (I am purposely stereotyping here so you can see what s*** people on the spectrum have to put up with almost everyday).

As your apparent level of intolerance for anyone who does not agree with your world view. How amazing narrow minded and NT! (I am purposely stereotyping here so you can see what BS people on the spectrum have to put up with almost everyday).

… and f*** you too, you lying, dishonest, POS!

@Darrius a serious piece of advice (me an Archmage discussed privately and we both agree on it) you might want to look into if your on the spectrum or not because your reactions to anyone who disagrees with you are so amazingly stereotypical.

Also if you care so much about being honest why not list all the exact areas where you feel I am being dishonest instead of just dimissing me (like you are likely doing to your son also) because I do not agree with you and I happen to ASD and not an NT (and thus some how damaged and incapable of any coherant statement on anything).

How many different ways can I say this? GO…FυCK…YOURSELF!!! I have zero interest in your completely uninformed armchair diagnosis of me and even less interest in what you think of my relationship with my son. I have neither the time, nor the inclination to go back through our conversations and list all the ways you have been a dishonest interlocutor and a complete doυchebag! I don’t give a f*** what stereotypes you think I’m living up to, and you have made it clear that you don’t give a f*** about people whose quality of life could be made better through scientific research, so I no longer give a f*** about you. F*** you very much, and have a nice day!

You are free to do what ever you want but don’t claim it is the only or the right way! As to your son who knows what he actually thinks because you refuse to let him “talk” even when he “wants” to… As I proved above I have the same damn issues with TV he does but I learned how to make them a positive not a negative you are

@Aryeh F. Thank you for once again revealing yourself to be the dishonest doυchebag that you are. I never came remotely close to claiming that my way was the only way. You have no f***ing clue what I refuse to let my son do or what he wants. Pretending to know other people’s lives better than they do is classic gaslighting. F*** you very much. 🖕

I should be more careful about what nerves I hit next time then… but honestly parents like you are the ones who need the help to accept something that they can’t change not the other way around… For example you didn’t say what triggers your sons meltdowns? So why not actually try to get him to explain what happened and doing nothing but that will likely make them less severe and frequent…. the truth is most ASD meltdowns are due to who ever we are dealing with just simply refuses to be the least bit accommodating and explain things in a way we can understand

No, I never said anything about triggering any meltdowns. I never even mentioned the word. What I said was that it causes him stress and anxiety. And thank you for telling me what I need help with, without even having bothered to pay attention to what the f*** I said, you absolute tool. You have absolutely no clue what I have and have not accepted, and you have also have no clue what conversations we’ve had over the past 30 years. But thank you for once again attempting telling me all about my lived experience as if you have a slightest idea what you’re talking about and showing what a gaslighting doυcebag you are!

… if humankind would put more effort together toward things like this, we would be way better of now, but just because covid 19 proved the real state of human mind… we are where we are, now…

Maybe we need to look at vaccines. Now 1 in 54 kids have autism. I suggest RFK jr website childrenshealthdefense. org for real science and Dr Peter McCullough for current jab “problems”.

Let’s not resurrect long debunked fringe nonsense, please! Autism rates have “gone up” simply because our ability to diagnose has improved. It has nothing to do with vaccines. Science is a process by which are best understanding of reality arrives through results being verified and a building scientific consensus. Just because one scientist publishes something that comports with your preconceived bias, that doesn’t make it “real science.”

Have obesity rates “gone up” due only to improved diagnosis? I don’t presently recall if I personally wrote Dr. McCullough but I do recall writing JFK Jr’s website about allergies, FDA approved food poisoning and possible nutritional deficiencies, albeit in-vain. Some of my findings are unique to me so I try to inform those with incomplete higher educations of my lay findings but, regrettably, they are too highly educated to learn from a mere former industrial electrician with only 42 years, now, of dealing with his own externally imposed allergy related chronic illnesses. And, while $Trillions have been spent on a phony Covid-19 pandemic, as a lone lay victim, investigator, experimenter and discoverer I’ve never been eligible for any research grant I’ve ever investigated. So, please, don’t be so quick to dismiss the possibility of autism, like obesity, being illegally foisted on those who are unfortunately naturally susceptible to such things.

@Charles G. Shaver No, obesity rates have not gone up because of our ability to diagnose. Are you capable of having an honest conversation, or are you just going to respond with ridiculous strawman arguments? You haven’t been given a research grant because you are a self-admitted laymen with zero expertise. It’s for that reason I will dismiss your opinion in favor of those who actually know what the f*** they are talking about.

Darius, by the time I became mysteriously, seriously ill for the second time, in 1981, I was already a journeyman industrial electrician for a decade and a community college drop-out for seven years. Too ill and broke to continue my college education, immediately, following a failed thorough medical examination in mid-1981 I simply embraced the challenge of solving the problem myself and, therefore, some of my at-home discoveries are unique to me, not anything you’ll find in any medical texts, yet. At 79 years of age I’m still battling FDA approved food poisoning but again prescription drug free. I’m not the ignorant savage you suggest I am. Quite the opposite, I’ve unsuccessfully tried to share my successful lay findings and practices with thousands of more authoritative, qualified and/or resourceful professional others, beginning with the FDA (with replies) in October of 2005 about obesity; obviously, now, in-vain. Many more highly educated, successful younger others (e.g., the Commissioner of the FDA in 1980, when the expanded use of added MSG was approved, and the global health expert Dr. Paul Farmer, quite recently) have already died as I live on. Mainstream medicine is still so ‘dark-ages.’ Look them up; more upon fair request.

@Aryeh F. I didn’t suggest that either. Are you completely incapable of stringing words together to form a sentence that ISN’T dishonest to its core, you utter tool?

I never suggested that you are an ignorant savage, so I guess that answers the question about whether you are able to have an honest conversation.

No you just suggested that you do not agree that “that all men [sic] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. Where you disagree is when you deny that people with ASD (not matter how “mild” or how “severe”) have any capacity for freedom or happiness and thus must be “cured”.

Note all people being equal does not mean we are all identical, far from it, and I mightiest well let my nerd flag a little and say I live my life by the Vulcan slogan IDIC — Infinity Diversity in Infinite Combinations … this means while we are all unique and special because of that uniqueness we are also all still human and therefor if we are Americans (since everyone here is using perfect American English I will assume we are all Americans) we are by the very fact of being a human being have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (how ever we may define those terms due to our right to the Freedom of Expression by the 1st Amendment). Look at the world as a salad bowl not as a melting pot and you will see the variety makes us richer not poorer.

I didn’t suggest that either. Are you completely incapable of stringing words together into a sentence that isn’t COMPLETELY dishonest, you utter diρs***?

@Aryeh F. I never suggested that either you, tool, but thanks for demonstrating once again that you are incapable of stringing a sentence together that isn’t completely dishonest!

To the typical democratic replies “what’s wrong with having it.. bla bla bla…” Tell that to a child who cannot speak, so you think it’s fair that they cannot speak in order to not offend others who have autism??????? I love how you don’t even have autism and I’m betting don’t even have a child who does because as a parent WITH autism having a child WITH autism we would greatly like to see where this research leads… my son wants to talk if OK with your hurt feelings.

Buy your son a communication board, for now? If I had my way, he would be given one free of charge.

One of the highest compliments I was ever paid was back in the early 2000’s when I was in a double blind study to see if Prozac helps ASD (turns out it doesn’t but it does help the often co-occuring depression… who wouldn’t be depressed with all the BS we have to put up with from NT’s on top seeing the world differently… thus I have continued to take it despite it not “helping” my core ASD because it does wonders for my depression)… As I was waiting to do my bi-weekly interview by one of the researchers I ran into a parent of a 12 year old on the spectrum. After talking for a few minutes the parent was amazed saying they have never seen their son open up like to anyone (period)… I told them I had no idea what I did special except also being on the spectrum and went along with my day.

Aryeh: FWIW I was on track to ve a teacher. Wanted to teach languages, but might well have gravitated toward special ed. I was ruthlessly weeded out by an old lady who was supposed to be my mentor because I reminded her of kids she was actively making fall through the cracks. Kids on the spectrum, before the diagnosis was common (1980s). This caused me to burn out, so I switched to library science. Adults on the spectrum suffer horribly from lack of accommodation.

Same kind of thing for me when I went back to school in my late 20’s it was to get a degree in computer science education (how to teach CS) after being disillusioned by the commercial software world. Then the dept head directed a fellow student my direction who had a business idea and you know the rest of the story.

this is eugenics but also i’m skeptical of these conclusions drawn because the data has been cherry-picked in the past with studies like this. the age-old one about trans people being supposedly detectable based on brain matter comes to mind… people like to give answers to get attention, funding, etc. etc.

For those who are offended and feel there should be no cure for those who want it for better outcomes in life, it is very likely that your autism or your loved one’s autism is mild, meaning you can write the abuse on here against the research and any research into treatment smh. You completely fail to consider or understand that not everyone autistic person has mild symptoms. Believe you me if you ask a severely affected person or their family, you might find some of them (not all) would like some help to get to some level of independence. To be able to read and write like you, to be able to express their needs and fears including reporting abuse. Just because you can and are happy with your experiences DOES NOT give you the right to speak for all autistic people and their families because you don’t know the half of it. Remember no autistic person is like the other. It’s a spectrum so being on the high functioning side does not give you the right to impede on potentially beneficial research! #CARRYONWITHTHERESEARCH

For Darrius and all the other parents who are convienced they know better then their ASD kids (note I think the orginal movie was great for it’s time but is very much harmful in the modern world as a model for ASD) [except in my case replace Pinball with Computers and the Internet ;-)]

Welcome to the Camp I guess you all know why we’re here My name is Tommy and I became aware this year

If you want to follow me You’ve got to play pinball And put in your earplugs Put on your eyeshades You know where to put the cork

Hey you getting drunk, so sorry I’ve got you sussed Hey you smoking Mother Nature This is a bust Hey hung up old Mr. Normal Don’t try to gain my trust ‘Cause you ain’t gonna follow me any of those ways Although you think you must

We’re not gonna take it We’re not gonna take it We’re not gonna take it We’re not gonna take it

We’re not gonna take it Never did and never will We’re not gonna take it Gonna break it Gonna shake it Let’s forget it better still

Now you can’t hear me Your ears are truly sealed You can’t speak either Your mouth is filled You can’t see nothing And pinball completes the scene Here comes Uncle Ernie to guide you to Your very own machine

We’re not gonna take it Never did and never will Don’t want no religion And as far as we can tell We ain’t gonna take you Never did and never will We’re not gonna take you We forsake you Gonna rape you Let’s forget you better still

We forsake you Gonna rape you Let’s forget you better still

See me, feel me, touch me, heal me See me, feel me, touch me, heal me See me, feel me, touch me, heal me See me, feel me, touch me, heal me

Listening to you, I get the music Gazing at you, I get the heat Following you, I climb the mountain I get excitement at your feet

Right behind you, I see the millions On you, I see the glory From you, I get opinions From you, I get the story

F*** you very much, you POS! 🖕🖕🖕

Are 4 letter words the only ones you know? I guess I will give up deciding who the more “mature” person at this table is

I know quite a few words that are longer than four letters, dips***! And f*** you for trying to tone police me. 🖕

I should of posted this song instead since it explains what many autstics have deal with when faced with @ssholes like you:

I am Iron Man Has he lost his mind? Can he see or is he blind? Can he walk at all Or if he moves, will he fall? Is he alive or dead? Has he thoughts within his head? We’ll just pass him there Why should we even care? He was turned to steel In the great magnetic field When he traveled time For the future of mankind Nobody wants him He just stares at the world Planning his vengeance That he will soon unfurl Now the time is here For Iron Man to spread fear Vengeance from the grave Kills the people he once saved Nobody wants him They just turn their heads Nobody helps him Now he has his revenge Heavy boots of lead Fills his victims full of dread Running as fast as they can Iron Man lives again

Dedicated with all my heart to Aryeh F.

Were you born an a**hole, or did you work it at your whole life?

Well I was driving down I-95 the other night, When somebody nearly cut me right off the road. I decided it wasn’t going to do any good to get mad, So I wrote a song about him instead. It goes like this…

Were you bo-rn an a**hole, or did you work at it your whole life? Either way it worked out fine, ’cause you’re an a**-hole tonight.

Yes you’re an A-SSHOLE, and don’t you try to blame it on me, You deserve all the credit, you’re an a**hole tonight.

You were an a**ho-le yesterday, you’re an a**-hole tonight, And I’ve got a feeling, you’ll be an a**hole the rest of your life.

And I was talking to your mother, just the other night, I told her I thought you were an a**hole, she said “yes, I think you’re right”.

And a-ll your friends are a**holes, ’cause you’ve known them your whole life, And somebo-dy told me, you’ve got an a**hole for a wife.

This article is incredibly abilist and abusive towards us asd folks. How about allistics stop being abusive garbage instead? Our “social deficiet” is us not conomying with abuse structures in yt supremecy, abilism, misogyny, and homophobia. Instead of eugenics you could try supporting our needs and stop using abuse as “therapy”. Try meeting our needs instead of treating us like we’re the problem. If my needs had been met as a child I wouldn’t have had so many “behavior” issues, as an adult I constantly have to advocate for myself and its not asking a lot, yet allistics view us as less than and it’s beyond vile and abilst.

It would be nice if they had up votes (and down votes) on this site I would give you a infinite number of up votes for the above.

there is no “treatment” for asd “for me specifically aspergers” and its not a disorder. its from birth and we already know the most prevalent causes, one of which is receiving too much testosterone in the womb. for low functioning forms of autism the best we can do is give them alternative means of communication and patience.

It fine to embrace yourself but my autistic granson cries and hits himself in the head and attacks others , is non verbal and miserable! Its a spectum disorder and he needs a cure.. you may not!

Hello people. I hope you all had a good Christmas. But I do believe that some of you were on the naughty list this year. It is really illuminating to see so much of the diversity of the human condition expressed on the internet. It really helps me appreciate a good book a lot more. So thank you for demonstrating why cats are better company than people. Happy new year dearies.

Agreed! Not only is being completely indifferent to people’s suffering, judging parents when you know absolutely nothing about them or their relationships with their children, and taking a giant dump on people who are working to make the lives of others better a bit naughty, it is also the height of doυchebaggery. Happy New Year, doυche! I’m sorry that your poor cat has to suffer your doυchiness!

Will scritch my rabbit’s ears and my friend’s 3 cats for you. They’re very good company. Have a great new year!

Cool! At least you can’t gaslight them.

… idk, maybe one of the cats has a kitten that you’ve never met (or even heard of prior to today) and you can try to convince the cat that you know more about its kitten than they do.

Please prove you know how to do something other than be a transparent troll…. troll’s don’t make for cute and cuddle pets and that what every NT parent really wants a cute of cuddle pet.

Please prove that you are not an insufferable doυchebag who could actually give two f***s about something that might help people who are suffering even if you don’t benefit from it.

…and maybe not be completely dishonest in the process!

@darrius At this point no comment is needed for an objective reader to know which one of us is the real @sshole. Thus I will not even attempt to correct your perceptions of me and others on the spectrum (something that is apparently impossible)

@Aryeh F. of course you don’t need to comment about me… yet you can continue to do so. Thank you for demonstrating (yet again) what a dishonest douchebag you are!

What an apallingly written article. Terrible journalism. Non factual, biased, mis-representative. The autistic SPECTRUM is a developmental DIFFERENCE rhat sometimes manifests with disability. It’s a different skillset, with different strengths and weaknesses.

Sadly to many people with loved ones on the spectrum that aren’t on the spectrum themselves will not see it this way. Mostly because they can’t get over the fact that their kid is not cute and cuddly like NT kids should be and looking for someone or something to blame (in in there case that seems to be anyone on the spectrum that has found a there own “voice”).

Equally sad is that some douchebags will pass judgment on parents that they don’t know, have never met, and could have no possible way of knowing anything whatsoever about their relationship with their children who are on the spectrum.

Your own statements have spoken for themselves I need not put any words in your mouth.

Darius, final comments from me: okay, you only implied I’m an ignorant savage, I apologize. The fact of the matter is that by the time I became mysteriously, seriously ill in 1981 I had sufficient higher education and training and diagnostic experience as an electrical troubleshooter to put a research group together if I had the funding. In 2011 I wrote the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and The Lancet of my early lay findings of calcium deficiency related illnesses (e.g., bad moods, fatigue and short-term memory problems, minimally) and of the unreliability of standard blood serum testing for calcium. I estimate about fifteen million American lives could have been extended (and can only guess how many ASD persons may have been affected one way or another) by now if my submissions hadn’t been rejected for it being only ‘a one subject study,’ as if it didn’t/wouldn’t apply to many others. I suspect you too-typically have a medically undiagnosed calcium deficiency and suggest (not prescribe), if available to you, get ionic and/or bone density testing for calcium, minimally. If calcium supplements are indicated-for, avoid long-term calcium carbonate; can cause a very serious phosphorus deficiency. And, because there is a natural ratio of calcium to magnesium (‘natural tranquilizers’), it probably would be wise to maintain that. I don’t get paid for trying to help others I just know I have rare/unique information and insights to share as a decent human being and a dutiful American. For a few more details, if so desired and you can locate them, I’ve uploaded a one-page overview of my lay findings to the “About” page of my non-economic Odysee dot com/@charlesgshaver video channel. Best regards, and wishes for a great new year of improved health and the sharing of “how?” if it applies.

@Charles G. Shaver thanks, but if your research methods are as sloppy as your interpretation of my comment that apparently somehow implied that you are an ignorant savage, it’s a hard pass for me.

As usual, a posse of high functioning autistic (and probably several “self-diagnosed” autistic) people have descended here to speak for the entire community of people with autism. Any treatments coming from research like this will surely be optional and you are free to stay autistic for as long as you would like. For those who actually would like to find new treatments, are you their spokesperson?

High/low functioning are NT designations not ones that many in the ASD community (professionals or people on the spectrum), btw I am level 2 and thus likely would not meet the outdated definition of “high functioning”. What we take issue is not the idea of a “cure” if it works for you good just don’t ram it down our throats.

By ram it down our throats you never once stop to ask *US* our opinion before doing this research because after all we are deaf, blind, and stupid and thus unable to make basic decisions about our own lives. This is a violation of human rights and is deeply un-American.

@Ryan A actually yes. In case you are not aware, @Aryeh F. is in fact the official spokesperson for the autism community. Aryeh F. must be consulted before pursuing any research or treatment options… because that’s how research works. Additionally, Aryeh F. is the official parenting coach for all parents of children on the spectrum due to their demonstrated expertise on diagnosing parenting issues of people they have never met.

I like how your attempting to crown me something I never claimed to be. All I said is if people identify with me good if they don’t oh well.

@Aryeh F. Of course that’s all you said… And then you proceeded to compare people who don’t identify with you to Hitler. Seriously, were you born an a**hole or did you work it at your whole life?

… and an absolutely no way did you judge my parenting or pretend to know things about me and my relationship with my child that you couldn’t possibly know. Not only are you an a**hole, you are a f***ing liar!

I sure hope your taking out your 30 years of rage at ASD on me and not your son.

Because your getting more and more unglued by the post.

@Aryeh F. I’m beginning to suspect that you have very little experience with people calling you out on your bullshιt. What you experience as “30 years of rage,” is actually nothing more than somebody confronting you with the truth (which you have yet to challenge me on). “Rage” and all, am I wrong about you being a liar? As unglued as you think I am, please tell me where a single thing I said is wrong.

… and by the way, it’s called “sarcasm,” dipshιt!

[crickets]… Yep, that’s exactly what I thought. You judge my parenting based on absolutely nothing, you are a completely dishonest interlocutor and an outright liar, and when I call you out on it, “Oh my god… The rage! He’s so unglued!” GO F*** YOURSELF, DOUCHEBAG!

Crickets due to my work being done here… I am worried if you get any more unglued you will end in the psych ward and be no help to your son at all… thus it will be crickets from now on from me re: you.

@Aryeh F. So, I challenged you to point out where I’m wrong, and instead you AGAIN deflect to my being rageful and unglued. Thank you for tacitly acknowledging that you are a liar and a douchebag by deflecting every time you’re called out on it.

crick, crick, crick… snoore

… and then flip the table.

I can see that some people are going to be unreachable. I’m seeing a pattern here: When we present our life experiences, which are different from yours and at least in our individual cases invalidate what you’re saying, we’re gaslighting. Then you get angry and start insulting us. And it gets worse and worse. And then we rage about gaslighting rabbits and cats (pets are great de-stressors) for autistic people…

I’m done here. I’ve said my piece.

OK, ça fait tout. C’est fini.

À bientôt…

Cool! Goodbye, douche!

I, for one, would be extremely glad if there is a “cure”. My 5 year has severe ASD and it’s heartbreaking to see him suffer. When I say suffer I don’t mean him not eating properly, not responding to potty training and shoving hands in to the diaper and taking out what he just made and smearing on his face, not being able to communicate his thoughts and feelings and so on. None of these account for suffering in my books. It’s the fact that he has to take 4 different meds everyday to keep him functional and when the dosage becomes too small for him, his shrieking, screaming and crying. His constant digestion problems. I am glad that a lot of you people with ASD in the comments are able to use the devices, read the articles and curse the researchers in the comments and I would’ve given anything in the world for my son to be like you guys and not to dread the time when he grows up and is still non verbal and all of the other “fun stuff”.

I was not totally potty trained until I was 8 or so (got out of diapers around 6 or so I think)…. even to this day I have an unfortunate “accident” once or twice a year… I think I did just as interesting stuff with my sh*t (maybe that why I am so go at steering it up as an adult in others it seems). Even now I have severe IBS many times (I must be one the people who keeps the laxative companies and Immodem in business).

What I am saying is just because he is like that 5 (I think was likely worse) doesn’t mean he will always be like that. That’s where finding solutions for the individual issues/problems and not looking for a big bang cure comes in really *DOES HELP* but wasting money on such big bang cures your cutting funding to stuff that actual does help.

I will also add that the study this article cites makes the assumption that ASD is a one size fits all “disorder”.

As my GF (who is also on the spectrum) privately said about this study (posted with permission):

I don’t think it’s at all likely that they’ve discovered anything anywhere near as significant as they claim. These experiments are being done on a “mouse model” — of what, exactly? There are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of different kinds of autism. A one-size-fits-all “mouse model,” much less a one-size-fits-all “cure,” is highly unlikely.

Scientists have been experimenting with “mouse models of autism” for decades. Never gets very far, but both the government and billionaire parents of autistic kids continue to be willing to pay for it.

Unfortunately, stories like this tend to convince parents that a total “cure” is just around the corner. These parents, in turn, become extremely hostile toward autistic self-advocates.

Oh I also forgot the pure joy of 15 years ABA-style speech therapy to first force me to “talk” and then “talk right” (any bad english here can likely be traced to this btw)

It’s all about helping people who are suffering. My son is severely speech impaired and has extremely limited social skills. None of that seriously impacts his quality of life and if he never progresses in those areas of be okay with that. What does cause him suffering is his extreme sensitivity to sound. Some self-appointed parenting gurus will suggest simple solutions like earplugs, headphones, and certain avoiding places (as if we’ve just been sitting here with our thumbs up our butts not trying that). They also suggest these “simple solutions” render this research unnecessary as if they get to make that decision. I too am glad that some on the spectrum are not suffering as my son is. Many on the spectrum are not so fortunate as they are.

@darrius you just have not been reading any of the life experiences anyone on the spectrum has relayed at all… for example if you read I showed point by point I have the same sensory sensitivities as your son and gave you some ideas on how to work on them… you rejected all them because they came from a fellow person on the spectrum and not some professional or high cost researcher

Hint on my sensory issues I am triggered by things not even other people with the same sensory sensitives that I have get. For example I am extremely triggered by CFG light bulb’s (to the point of needing non-otc headache medicine for it) due to their 60 Hz flicker.

Now back to cricket mode… snore

@Faridun see what I mean? The sheer level of douchebaggery knows absolutely no limits.

@Aryeh F. Tell you what, douchebag. I’m all for medical consent, but in your case, if it’s your autism that’s manifesting in your being an absolute douche, I hope you are cured. I hope you are strapped to a gurney, gagged, kicking and screaming, and forcefully injected with anti-douche serum. I know… I know… “Hitler”… “Nazi”… Blah blah blah. F*CK OFF!!!

… and the next time you present your OWN life experiences, maybe try not telling other people what their experiences are who you have never met, what their children’s experiences are who you have also never met, what their relationships with their children that you have absolutely zero experience with are like? Maybe then you will come across as left of an insufferable douchebag!

In other words, when telling YOUR OWN life experience, STICK TO YOUR OWN F***ING LIFE EXPERIENCE! M’Kay,douche?

No you are worse then a Nazi your the Jewish parent that thanks the Nazi’s for “curing” their kid by BBQ’ing them.

Yep! Nailed it! That’s absolutely 100% me!

Your clairvoyance on people you’ve never met is mind-blowing. Tell me… What color am I thinking?

It’s weird people “feeling offended” by a research saying the OBVIOUS, sorry unfortunately a person who’s got autism isn’t mentally health as you want to believe, my brother was an autistic guy from the beginning till his death and I can say that an autistic person isn’t a normal healty person and YES needs professional help.

Heil Hitler!

I have three grandbabies they have autism when it’s 2 1/2 the other two or one and a half and they are nonverbal Though I love them dearly just the way they are. I wish my grandkids could have a better life a more normal life. Have close friends , the boys could foot play ball. Jalaya could be a ballet dancer. But they will probably never be to do that. Because of their autism. They are all level three and go through so much misery. Not being able to talk to us when somethings wrong kills me. Not being able to express emotion. Or just play together like normal brothers and sister. And my seven year old grandchild suffers to from her parents not being able to spend time with her because all the time goes to the three babies you never her. and she has ADHD and ADD and wants so much attention that she can never get. and my heart is broken to see that.

Brace yourself for a dose of parenting shame from @Aryeh F. based on zero knowledge of you or your relationship with your child which, if you don’t accept, obviously makes you a Nazi.

Nonsense, autism is a “gift”! You should be happy with them as they are because they are amazing miracle babies. It doesn’t matter if they smear s&*t everywhere, still haven’t master basic life skills by teenage years, and prevent you from being able to enjoy any family time together because they meltdown due to every little thing that happens externally. Society is the problem, not autism! They’re so cute and quirky.

The depression and massive anxiety experienced by autistic people is largely because non-autistics are either forcing us to behave in unnatural ways, judging us because we’re different, attributing negative traits to us whilst exhibiting them themselves (the double empathy problem. We feel empathy but express it differently. NT’s wrongly claim we don’t have empathy because they are unable or unwilling to empathize with, or understand our differences)

In my experience NT people are generally dishonest and highly manipulative, choosing to hint and insinuate rather than state a need or intention. Why don’t you all start figuring out how to erase those disordered, faulty individuals from our species?

I think the opportunity of being well and having a better quality of life is essential but if you don’t want that then that’s your choice but I know my grandson and his siblings would go to the end of the world for treatment as he is so disabled that affects all of their lives it’s heartbreaking. So don’t jump down someone’s throat who can help if help is wanted. Bring on the cures and embrace science

At the cost of not founding less “sexy” research that acually has a larger impact *NOW* not in the *FUTURE*?

Was this article written by a f***ing A.I.? Nonsensical AND ableist? Smh my head, y’all NTs needa chill tf out

So much arguing here. The most important thing is What does the autistic person want? It is so easy for us, as parents, (in general, with or without autism being involved) to ignore what our kids want in life and instead define that according to what WE want for then rather than what THEY want for themselves. Some unspoken social rule about needing to have many friends was one such definition I first came upon. Parent (and society) thinks child should have X amount of friends but child is perfectly happy with the number of friends they have. Who is correct here? The child is.

Yes, we all want what’s “best” for our kids….we want them to lead fruitful and productive lives….but most of all they need to be happy with the lives they lead, and need to be supported to make the changes that THEY feel are necessary in order to lead the lives that THEY want, not the lives WE want them to lead.

To this end yes, autism specific (and autism friendly) “therapies” are invaluable for those who want them….and for those who don’t want them that’s fine also. Everyone is entitled to the autonomy to choose their own path.

These members of the autistic community who keep trying to insist that we must all fit inside a tiny tightly defined box need to stop IMO. They are doing more harm to the cause than good. And I also believe that it is more a reflection of their own trauma or insecurities, than a general autism issue.

We need to 1. Ask the autistic person what they need to lead the life they want. 2. Support the autistic person to obtain whatever they decide they need.

We need to do this from the getgo. “What do you need….? How can I help you achieve that?” And if they are non verbal we find ways to communicate and find out. (Yep, it’s hard, harder than taking the easy way out of making all the decisions for them) We can’t put our own desires and anxieties onto them. We must love them unconditionally and come from that place to continually find out what THEY want and need to make their life better.

And we have to accept that it may look very different to what WE thought they might want or need.

In a meeting I was in last night on the topic of “ASD politics” this article was the main topic as well as the comments. Among other things we decided if we ever did start a group that attempts to “educate” parents in general (personally I have been blessed by parents who do what you suggest) we came up with potential future group name of “Hi, we are autistic. Are you listening?”

We need to have more options available to us, if autistic people don’t want a potential cure that’s fine, but they shouldn’t try and come together a community to stop research from finding one. Autism can be very debilitating for a lot of people and families, so having a cure available could do so much to improve the quality of life for many. If it takes thousands of hours of therapy to learn basic life skills that typical children master in very little time, then we can’t simply see autism as a “gift”, or different way of viewing the world. We have to see it for what it can be, a hugely detrimental disability that can destroy people’s lives.

Jason Cline, you are so correct. If I could have spared my son of the YEARS of teasing, I would have. If people are happy and well-adjusted, no “corrections” are needed. However, for those who are enable to adapt, this research offers hope. Thank you.

I feel speech is one communication we have learnt to get around. Using one word instead of a sentence still does not prevent us as as a family communicating in sentences. My three year old understands but mainly answers with very few words, yes or no. Food is complex and has led to other issues. We have learnt to use the combination she likes. Still much time wasted on the way forward by the specialists

This article is both disgusting and disturbing. While there are aspects of autism that we do need assistance in, autism is not something that needs to be “cured”. The sooner they learn that augism is permanent, the better. It’s a disability, yes. But sometimes it’s not always bad. Some of our characteristics can come in handy in multiple situations. Since I just woke up, I can’t think of any off the top of my head.

Knowledge is power. Not everyone likes the same books, food, shoes. When we do not recognizing new research whether we like it or not should not prevent further research to be done. I teach in a public schoolsetting. I am blessed to be surrounded by kids with and without physical and learning disabilities. These disabilities are just obstacles that make life a bit harder, not impossible. I have a family member who had dyslexia, he is now an engineer. I have another family member who was diagnosed at the age of 17 to be on the autism spectrum. He now creates and produces video games. I have students with nothing impending their learning, yet they choose to fail. They choose not to do homework, write essays, or read books. When asked why, they respond they did not want to. These same students excelle on standardize test. Embrace research, progress. It may be the right fit for some, maybe not all. We should not belittle others for trying to help people they may know struggle.

while I do think that there is things that can be learned from this research, I think that motive behind it, and the idea of having to “cure” autism actions flawed. there is nothing wrong with being autistic, and nobody should be trying to “fix“ autistic people. really people should just try to learn to be more understanding and not constantly think that neurodivergent people have something wrong with them.

Neurological diversity looks different in nearly every description of the understanding because no two bodies function exactly the dance. Idiosyncratic functions express our unique eccentricities. Take for example, synesthesia, a neurological enhancement experienced by 1 in 20k humans may actually be more like 1-300. It is my belief that when and if we begin to understand the various neurological differences we can better understand a more rounded definition of individualism, prejudicial treatment practices, and how we can better support every human attempting to live their best life!

I would like a cure for my Aspergers. I agree with others that this shouldn’t be forced on anyone, but why should those of us who don’t want to have Aspergers or Autism anymore not be allowed to be rid of it if they want to be?

I just want a normal life where I can understand sarcasm like others, know what to do in a social situation, have as many chances to date as other people, be able to make friends more easily and not get obsessed about certain things.

I want the same experiences that everyday people have and to live my life to the fullest! I hope everyday for a cure to this debilitating disorder.

Fck this so much, thanks for promoting literal eugenics! 🙂 It’s the fkking world that needs to change and understand that everyone isn’t the same and shouldn’t be shoved into a singular mold. It’s hurting EVERYONE and needs to stop.

This is a wonderful Christmas gift, I have a lot of hope that eventually we’ll find a cure for this maddening disorder and families will never have to suffer being unable to enjoy their children because of this debilitating condition.

I really love the comment from the person who objects to it being called a disorder. I have also been diagnosed with what is commonly called Asperger’s syndrome. I think it’s somewhat funny that we have had something in the diagnostic manual whose chief characteristic is being highly intelligent. Perhaps if we called it intelligent persons syndrome we be trying to develop something that would make everybody this way. We live in a world that is happily embracing sexual diversity but we don’t want to embrace psychological diversity. Do we only want to have vanilla as our choices and eliminate chocolate, caramel, cinnamon?

Please get the medicine for autism as soon as possible,my son is 3.5 yrs old,unable to express his feelings,it’s so hard for him to attend therapies,supplements to eat in this 3 yrs age,and I see a lot of parents are suffering almost dieing for their kids to recover,and trying hard to help them with the tears and prayers,iam one of them,please help these children and parents to give a second chance to live a happy life

I am also searching for new research-based narrow down diagnosis of ASD and treatment. Please guide if there is any breakthrough in this regards.

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New Research May Change How We Think About the Autism Spectrum

Insar keynote suggests brain differences correlate with cognition—not diagnosis..

Posted May 16, 2022 | Reviewed by Davia Sills

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• Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou presented the results of neuroimaging studies at the International Society for Autism Research 2022 annual meeting.
• Of note, brain differences clustered along dimensions of cognition and hyperactivity, not diagnosis.
• These findings suggest we need to reconsider how we classify neurodivergence.

University of Toronto child neurologist Evdokia Anagnostou dropped a bombshell in her keynote Saturday at the annual meeting of the International Society of Autism Research (INSAR) in Austin, Texas, which may call into question the validity of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis.

What Brain Scans Tell Us About Autism Spectrum Disorder

Anagnostou and her colleagues had set out to use neuroimaging to identify brain differences unique to ASD, as compared to other neurodevelopmental differences like ADHD , OCD , and intellectual disability. And they did find that brain differences clustered into different groups—but not by diagnosis. In fact, brain scans could not distinguish children who had been diagnosed with ASD from those who had been diagnosed with ADHD or OCD.

“Dr. Anagnostou reported data from multiple papers that looked at over 3,500 children,” Dr. Alycia Halladay, Chief Science Officer at the Autism Science Foundation, explained to me. “These studies looked at multiple structural and functional features of the brain—including cortical gyrification (the way the brain folds in the cortex), connectivity of different brain regions, and the thickness of the cortical area—and found no differences based on diagnosis.”

Groupings did emerge, but they were along totally different axes. Added Halladay, “The brains themselves were more similar based on cognitive ability, hyperactivity, and adaptive behavior.” In other words, the brains of mildly affected autistic children looked much more like the brains of kids with ADHD than they did like those of severely autistic children.

Validity of the Autism Spectrum Diagnosis May Be at Stake

If replicated, these findings could have tremendous implications for our current diagnostic framework. During the question and answer period following her talk, Anagnostou described two children who both carried the diagnosis of autism; one was very mildly affected, while the other had such disordered behavior that “even their bus driver knows” he is autistic. “Should these kids have the same diagnosis?” she asked.

Right now, they do—but there has been a growing dissatisfaction among many stakeholders in the autism community with the American Psychiatric Association’s introduction of the all-encompassing ASD diagnosis in the 2013 revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) to replace more narrowly defined categories, including Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and childhood disintegrative disorder.

In 2021, the Lancet Commission —a group of 32 researchers, clinicians, autistic individuals, and family members—called for the creation of a new label, “profound autism,” that would carve out those autistic individuals who also suffer from cognitive and language impairments and require round-the-clock supervision. “Anagnostou’s data converge nicely with the Lancet Commission’s proposal,” Halladay observed. “They provide biological evidence for a category that was originally defined solely by external criteria.”

At the very least. The real question is whether this work demands an even more radical re-imagining of our classification of neurodevelopmental differences. If, as Anagnostou’s data demonstrates, cognition and hyperactivity are much more correlated with brain difference than variables like social deficit that have been considered core symptoms of autism, then perhaps it’s time to scrap our current model and introduce new diagnoses based on these more salient dimensions. Aligning our diagnostic system with underlying biology is the first step in the development of targeted interventions for some of the most intractable and dangerous behaviors exhibited by the developmentally disabled, such as aggression , elopement, self-injury , and pica (the compulsion to eat inedible objects).

As Anagnostou opened her talk, “Nature doesn’t read the DSM.” But, as our understanding of the brain advances, shouldn’t the DSM reflect these divisions in nature?

Amy S.F. Lutz, Ph.D. , is a historian of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of We Walk: Life with Severe Autism (2020) and Each Day I Like It Better: Autism, ECT, and the Treatment of Our Most Impaired Children (2014) . She is also the Vice-President of the National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA).

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Autism Spectrum Disorder Articles

At a glance.

Below is a list of recent scientific articles on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) generated from CDC programs and activities.

Key findings and scientific articles

Key findings.

These key findings provide brief summaries of some of CDC's latest ASD research.

Key Findings: ADDM Network Expands Surveillance to Identify Healthcare Needs and Transition Planning for Youth

Five of CDC's ADDM Network sites (Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Utah, and Wisconsin) began monitoring autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2018 among 16-year-old adolescents who were initially identified as having characteristics of ASD in 2010. (Published: February 25, 2023)

Key Findings: Study Shows Linking Statewide Data for ASD Prevalence is Effective

Linking statewide health and education data is an effective way for states to have actionable local ASD prevalence estimates when resources are limited. (Published: January 18, 2023)

Key Findings: CDC Releases First Estimates of the Number of Adults Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the United States

This study fills a gap in data on adults living with ASD in the United States because there is not an existing surveillance system to collect this information. (Published May 10, 2020)

CDC scientific articles

These articles are either from CDC-funded research or have at least one CDC author. These articles are listed by year of publication, with the most recent first.

• Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnostic Patterns, Co-occurring Conditions, and Transition Planning. Hughes MM, Shaw KA, Patrick ME, et al. J Adolesc Health. 2023;73(2):271-278.
• Statewide county-level autism spectrum disorder prevalence estimates—seven U.S. states, 2018. Shaw KA, Williams S, Hughes MM, et al. Ann Epidemiol. 2023;79:39-43.
• The Prevalence and Characteristics of Children With Profound Autism, 15 Sites, United States, 2000-2016. Hughes MM, Shaw KA, DiRienzo M, et al. Public Health Rep. 2023;138(6):971-980.
• Prevalence and Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years—Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2020. Maenner MJ, Warren Z, Williams AR, et al. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2023;72(2):1-14. Published 2023 Mar 24. [ Easy-Read Summary ]
• Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 4 Years—Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2020. Shaw KA, Bilder DA, McArthur D, et al. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2023;72(1):1-15. Published 2023 Mar 24. [ Easy-Read Summary ]
• Social vulnerability and prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program (MADDSP). Patrick ME, Hughes MM, Ali A, Shaw KA, Maenner MJ. Ann Epidemiol. 2023;83:47-53.e1.
• Individualized Education Programs and Transition Planning for Adolescents With Autism. Hughes MM, Kirby AV, Davis J, et al. Pediatrics. 2023;152(1):e2022060199. [ Watch Video Abstract ]

" There is no epidemic of autism. It's an epidemic of need." ‎

Two authors provide their commentary on CDC's 2023 Community Report in an article published in ST A T News' First Opinion (March 2023).

Read the full article here.

• Toileting Resistance Among Preschool-Age Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder. Wiggins LD, Nadler C, Hepburn S, Rosenberg S, Reynolds A, Zubler J. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2022;43(4):216-223.
• Defining in Detail and Evaluating Reliability of DSM-5 Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Among Children Rice CE, Carpenter LA, Morrier MJ, et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022;52(12):5308-5320. [published correction appears in J Autism Dev Disord. 2022 Jan 29;:].
• Reasons for participation in a child development study: Are cases with developmental diagnoses different from controls? Bradley CB, Tapia AL, DiGuiseppi CG, et al. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2022;36(3):435-445.
• Features that best define the heterogeneity and homogeneity of autism in preschool-age children: A multisite case–control analysis replicated across two independent samples. Wiggins LD, Tian LH, Rubenstein E, et al. Autism Res. 2022;15(3):539-550.
• Progress and Disparities in Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 2002–2016. Shaw KA, McArthur D, Hughes MM, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2022;61(7):905-914.
• Peri-Pregnancy Cannabis Use and Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Offspring: Findings from the Study to Explore Early Development. DiGuiseppi C, Crume T, Van Dyke J, et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022;52(11):5064-5071.
• Heterogeneity in Autism Spectrum Disorder Case-Finding Algorithms in United States Health Administrative Database Analyses. Grosse SD, Nichols P, Nyarko K, Maenner M, Danielson ML, Shea L. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022;52(9):4150-4163.
• Early identification of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 4 years—Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 sites, United States, 2018. Shaw KA, Maenner MJ, Bakian AV, et al. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2021;70(10):1-14. Published 2021 Dec 3.
• Prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years—autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2018. Maenner MJ, Shaw KA, Bakian AV, et al. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2021;70(11):1-16. Published 2021 Dec 3.
• Comparison of 2 Case Definitions for Ascertaining the Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among 8-Year-Old Children. Maenner MJ, Graves SJ, Peacock G, Honein MA, Boyle CA, Dietz PM. Am J Epidemiol. 2021;190(10):2198-2207.
• Healthcare Costs of Pediatric Autism Spectrum Disorder in the United States, 2003–2015. Zuvekas SH, Grosse SD, Lavelle TA, Maenner MJ, Dietz P, Ji X. J Autism Dev Disord. 2021;51(8):2950-2958.
• Association between pica and gastrointestinal symptoms in preschoolers with and without autism spectrum disorder: Study to Explore Early Development. Fields VL, Soke GN, Reynolds A, et al. Disabil Health J. 2021;14(3):101052.
• Health Status and Health Care Use Among Adolescents Identified With and Without Autism in Early Childhood—Four US Sites, 2018–2020. Powell PS, Pazol K, Wiggins LD, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021;70(17):605-611. Published 2021 Apr 30.
• Evaluation of sex differences in preschool children with and without autism spectrum disorder enrolled in the study to explore early development. Wiggins LD, Rubenstein E, Windham G, et al. Res Dev Disabil. 2021;112:103897.
• A Distinct Three-Factor Structure of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in an Epidemiologically Sound Sample of Preschool-Age Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Hiruma L, Pretzel RE, Tapia AL, et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2021;51(10):3456-3468.
• Spending on Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Employer-Sponsored Plans, 2011–2017 Grosse SD, Ji X, Nichols P, Zuvekas SH, Rice CE, Yeargin-Allsopp M. Psychiatr Serv. 2021;72(1):16-22. [published correction appears in Psychiatr Serv. 2021 Jan 1;72(1):97].
• A Preliminary Epidemiology Study of Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder Relative to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disability Without Social Communication Deficits. Ellis Weismer S, Rubenstein E, Wiggins L, Durkin MS. J Autism Dev Disord. 2021;51(8):2686-2696.
• CE: From the CDC: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder. Christensen D, Zubler J. Am J Nurs. 2020;120(10):30-37.
• Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aaged 4 Years—Early Autism and Developmental Disability Monitoring Network, Six Sites, United States, 2016. Shaw KA, Maenner MJ, Baio J, et al. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2020;69(3):1-11. Published 2020 Mar 27.
• Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years—Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2016. Maenner MJ, Shaw KA, Baio J, et al. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2020;69(4):1-12. Published 2020 Mar 27. [published correction appears in MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020 Apr 24;69(16):503].
• Disparities in Documented Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Demographic, Individual, and Service Factors. Wiggins LD, Durkin M, Esler A, et al. Autism Res. 2020;13(3):464-473.

SEED Research

Researchers working on CDC's Study to Explore Early Development (SEED) have published many studies reporting on important findings related to ASD.

For more information on the methods and descriptions of the SEED study sample, SEED publications, and the evaluation of clinical and laboratory methods using SEED data, click the link below.

Featured Article | Summer 2023

Cdc seed study explores prenatal ultrasound use and risk of autism spectrum disorder.

Prenatal ultrasound use and risk of autism spectrum disorder: Findings from the case-control Study to Explore Early Development (SEED). Christensen D, Pazol K, Overwyk KJ, et al. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2023;37(6):527-535.

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Many additional studies are underway. We will provide summaries of those studies in the future.

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Search CDC Stacks for articles that have been published by CDC authors within the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities from 1990 to present.

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. CDC is committed to continuing to provide essential data on ASD and develop resources that help identify children with ASD as early as possible.

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Research finds neurons look different in children with autism

There is new evidence that the cells responsible for communication in the brain may be structured differently in children with autism. Researchers at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester discovered that in some areas of the brain neuron density varies in children with autism when compared to the general population.

“We've spent many years describing the larger characteristics of brain regions, such as thickness, volume, and curvature,” said Zachary Christensen, MD/PhD candidate at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , and first author of the paper out today in Autism Research . “However, newer techniques in the field of neuroimaging for characterizing cells using MRI, unveil new levels of complexity throughout development.”

Imaging provides new insight into brain development

Researchers used brain imaging data collected from more than 11,000 children ages 9-11. They compared the imaging of the 142 children in that group with autism, to the general population and found there was lower neuron density in regions of the cerebral cortex. Some of these regions of the brain are responsible for tasks like memory, learning, reasoning, and problem-solving. In contrast, the researchers also found other brain regions, such as the amygdala—an area responsible for emotions—that showed increased neuron density. In addition to comparing the scans of children with autism to those of children without any neurodevelopmental diagnosis, they also compared the children with autism to a large group of children diagnosed with common psychiatric disorders like ADHD and anxiety. The results were the same, suggesting that these differences are specific to Autism.

“People with a diagnosis of autism often have other things they have to deal with, such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. But these findings mean we now have a new set of measurements that have shown unique promise in characterizing individuals with autism,” Christensen said. “If characterizing unique deviations in neuron structure in those with autism can be done reliably and with relative ease, that opens a lot of opportunities to characterize how autism develops, and these measures may be used to identify individuals with autism that could benefit from more specific therapeutic interventions.”

Technology leverages what we know about the innerworkings of the brain and autism

Technology has transformed the level of precision and detail that investigators are now able to able to see in neuronal structure. Previously, researchers would only be able to see structural differences in neural populations postmortem. The imaging data used for this research were collected from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study database. It is the largest long-term study of brain development and child health. The University of Rochester is one of 21 national sites collecting data for this study that began in 2015 and has revolutionized our understanding of adolescent brain health and development.

“We are at the beginning of understanding the true impact that the extraordinary data collected by the ABCD Study will have on the health of our children,” said John Foxe, PhD , senior author of the study, director of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience and the Golisano Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Institute . “It is truly transforming what we know about brain development as we follow this group of children from childhood into early adulthood.”

Additional authors include Edward Freedman of the University of Rochester Medical Center. This research was supported by the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study and the Translational Neuroimaging and Neurophysiology Core of the University of Rochester Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center.

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Research finds neurons look different in children with autism

by Kelsie Smith Hayduk, University of Rochester Medical Center

There is new evidence that the cells responsible for communication in the brain may be structured differently in children with autism. Researchers at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester discovered that in some areas of the brain neuron density varies in children with autism when compared to the general population.

"We've spent many years describing the larger characteristics of brain regions, such as thickness, volume, and curvature," said Zachary Christensen, MD/Ph.D. candidate at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, and first author of the paper out today in Autism Research . "However, newer techniques in the field of neuroimaging for characterizing cells using MRI, unveil new levels of complexity throughout development ."

Imaging provides new insight into brain development

Researchers used brain imaging data collected from more than 11,000 children ages 9–11. They compared the imaging of the 142 children in that group with autism , to the general population and found there was lower neuron density in regions of the cerebral cortex. Some of these regions of the brain are responsible for tasks like memory, learning, reasoning, and problem-solving.

In contrast, the researchers also found other brain regions , such as the amygdala—an area responsible for emotions—that showed increased neuron density. In addition to comparing the scans of children with autism to those of children without any neurodevelopmental diagnosis, they also compared the children with autism to a large group of children diagnosed with common psychiatric disorders like ADHD and anxiety. The results were the same, suggesting that these differences are specific to Autism.

"People with a diagnosis of autism often have other things they have to deal with, such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. But these findings mean we now have a new set of measurements that have shown unique promise in characterizing individuals with autism," Christensen said.

"If characterizing unique deviations in neuron structure in those with autism can be done reliably and with relative ease, that opens a lot of opportunities to characterize how autism develops, and these measures may be used to identify individuals with autism that could benefit from more specific therapeutic interventions."

Technology leverages what we know about the innerworkings of the brain and autism

Technology has transformed the level of precision and detail that investigators are now able to able to see in neuronal structure. Previously, researchers would only be able to see structural differences in neural populations postmortem. The imaging data used for this research were collected from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study database. It is the largest long-term study of brain development and child health . The University of Rochester is one of 21 national sites collecting data for this study that began in 2015 and has revolutionized our understanding of adolescent brain health and development.

"We are at the beginning of understanding the true impact that the extraordinary data collected by the ABCD Study will have on the health of our children," said John Foxe, Ph.D., senior author of the study, director of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience and the Golisano Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Institute. "It is truly transforming what we know about brain development as we follow this group of children from childhood into early adulthood."

Additional authors include Edward Freedman of the University of Rochester Medical Center.

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What went wrong with autism research? Let’s start with lab mice.

Animal models of autism haven’t helped autistic people enough. So why do scientists still use them?

by Celia Ford

In the world of neuroscience research, the mouse reigns supreme: in the US alone, tens of millions of mice are studied as a proxy for the human brain in labs. They’re small, they breed quickly, and they’re relatively easy to genetically manipulate, making mice ubiquitous in biomedical science. When studying something fundamental to biology, like how individual cells work, the leap from mouse to human doesn’t feel egregious. But when mice are used to study distinctly human conditions like autism, the parallels start to break down.

Fifteen years ago, researchers introduced the first two mouse models of autism , each carrying a genetic mutation linked to autism in humans. They claimed that these mice behaved like autistic humans, unusually preferring solitude over meeting new mice, and squeaking only around half as often as their non-autistic littermates.

Their results made major waves, inspiring researchers to experiment with other autism-related genes. Since the late 2000s, neuroscientists have bred over 20 types of mouse models with motor problems, sensory sensitivities, and repetitive behaviors. These each capture some hallmark of human autism — provided you buy that a mouse burying marbles is the same as, for example, an autistic child insisting on eating the same food every day.

As a freshly minted PhD working at the National Institute of Mental Health in the late 2000s, Jill Silverman ran experiments on mice missing part of their SHANK3 gene , a mutation found in about 1 in 100 autistic people. These SHANK3 mice seemed to show “autistic-like behaviors” like social discomfort and compulsive grooming, similar to the repetitive body movements, or stimming , seen in some humans with autism.

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Silverman, now a principal investigator at the UC Davis Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute , still gets compliments on these mice — even though many of her original findings couldn’t be reproduced in future experiments. “They’ll say all this amazing stuff praising it,” she said. “And I’m like, that is the biggest mistake this field has ever made.”

Billions of dollars have been poured into autism research over the last decade, funding a staggering number of experiments — including over 1,500 studies in the US in 2020 alone . Many of these studies use animal models, especially mice.

Whether or not you believe that animal testing is ethical (many don’t) , scientists in numerous research fields — especially neuroscience, genetics, and other areas of biology — run experiments on animals . To understand how cells in the brain communicate to form thoughts and guide behavior, you need a living brain connected to a living body. Millions of rodents are used — and nearly all killed — for science experiments every year, many of which are preclinical tests of new drugs and other treatments with potential public health benefits, including for autism.

And yet, all attempts to make drugs that help people manage some of the more challenging effects of autism, like sensory sensitivity or self-harm, have failed .

When I asked senior scientist Brigitta Gundersen , who manages Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative ( SFARI ) funding for autism studies involving rodents , for an example of a tangible quality of life improvement that this line of research has given us, she paused. “I struggle to think of examples across all of psychiatry, frankly.”

“There’s this overall idea that understanding biology and understanding mechanisms will lead to better interventions,” she said. “But that hasn’t totally panned out.”

In theory, figuring out how autism manifests in the brain and body should help scientists develop better treatments for some of its more debilitating symptoms, like seizures, mobility challenges, and self-harm. Given how much we still have to learn about how the brain works, autistic or otherwise, this kind of research is “a really long game,” Gundersen said.

Mouse models of autism-related gene mutations may help uncover the underlying biology of autism in the long run. But autistic people understandably want tangible support now, and research serving that need is hugely underfunded. “It barely matters to us what a mouse model says,” said Sam Crane, an advocate for people with disabilities and a public member of the federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), a group that helps policymakers decide what types of autism research to pay for.

Others, including the parents of autistic children with very high support needs, fear that deprioritizing biological research will leave their loved ones behind , turning attention away from developing potentially lifesaving treatments. Massive funding agencies like the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) are also wary of those trying to shift autism research away from genetics and neuroscience, arguing that scientific breakthroughs often come from long-term studies of fundamental biology — even when those studies don’t seem to offer real-world benefits in the short term.

Looking at the numbers, though, research exploring how to help autistic people navigate everyday life — the research many autistic people say they’d like to see — is still only getting about a quarter of the money allocated for autism research in the US. At a moment when autism diagnoses are on the rise — for reasons scientists still don’t fully understand — why are we spending so much on mice that might help humans eventually, and so little on services that could help humans now?

The history of autism research, briefly explained

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as defined by the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), is usually characterized by communication challenges, trouble navigating social interactions, and a high sensitivity to change.

It’s also defined by how different the roughly 5.4 million people diagnosed with autism in the US are from each other. The wide umbrella of ASD includes people who live independently, have fulfilling careers and relationships, and can advocate for their own needs. It also includes people who don’t speak much (or at all), use a wheelchair, and may require full-time support from a caregiver for the entirety of their lives.

Biologically speaking, autism — like the brain in general — is still poorly understood. In the 1950s and 1960s, medical professionals embraced the now-discredited “refrigerator mother” theory linking autism to cold, distant parenting, blaming mothers for their children’s condition. Later, psychologist Bernie Rimland presented evidence that autism is rooted in biology. Then, former physician Andrew Wakefield published a paper in 1998 incorrectly linking the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism, fueling the modern anti-vaccination movement .

Today, most researchers believe that autism is strongly influenced by genetics. However, when symptoms can include everything from difficulty reading social cues to seizures to constipation, it’s hard to figure out what genes might be causing what — after all, over several decades of work, scientists have compiled a list of 100 or so genes that might be linked to autism.

To leaders at private funding agencies like SFARI, Autism Speaks , and the Autism Science Foundation (ASF), that complexity is precisely why we need basic research to explore the underlying biology and genetics of autism. The ultimate goal of these funders, several of whom have autistic children, is to find treatments for autism. Historically, some of these institutions even wanted to find “cures.”

But digging into the genetics of autism in the early aughts raised more questions than answers, forcing researchers to reconsider what autism even is . Meanwhile, in the absence of meaningful medical progress, some desperate parents turned to extreme DIY “cures” like making their autistic kids drink bleach .

“Despite the fact that they’re pointing in diametrically opposed directions, there’s a common theme with the refrigerator mother approach and the anti-vaccine approach,” said Ari Ne’eman , assistant professor at the Harvard School of Public Health and co-founder of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). “Namely, they both really emphasize the idea of causation as central to the business of autism advocacy.”

Framing autism as a disease that “happens” to otherwise-healthy children as a consequence of their parenting, genetics, or environment makes it feel like something that science can fix, or even prevent in the first place. For many diseases — think deadly cancers — this wouldn’t be controversial.

But many autistic adults believe the “causation” framing is hugely misguided . Efforts to pinpoint genetic markers of autism have raised serious concerns about eugenics — namely, that if parents could get a prenatal test for autism, many of them would choose not to have those children.

Prenatal tests for many diseases, like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease, already exist , and the fears of autism advocates are not unfounded. In Iceland, for example, nearly 100 percent of parents who get prenatal tests for Down syndrome — a chromosomal condition affecting as many as 6 million people worldwide, many of whom live long, healthy, fulfilling lives — choose to abort their pregnancy if the results are positive, causing the population of Down syndrome children to almost completely disappear there. Even in the US, where abortion is politically fraught , over two-thirds of parents choose not to give birth after finding out their child will have Down syndrome. Should it also be acceptable for parents to abort a pregnancy if they learn that their child will be autistic?

“Autism research was really built with the assumption that the goal is a world without autism,” Ne’eman said. But a growing number of people embrace the neurodiversity movement, proposing that autism is simply another way to move through the world . To them, the condition is not something to cure with medication or prevent with prenatal testing. This shift has led to significant controversy in the world of autism research. Autism Speaks came under fire in the mid-2010s for portraying autism as a devastating disease that ought to be stamped out, before denouncing that rhetoric in 2016.

For now, an effective prenatal test is not widely available — while autism does seem to be strongly influenced by genetics, there isn’t a single gene that flags autism . Prenatal tests and emerging gene-editing tools like CRISPR seem to work best for conditions caused by a single genetic mutation, like sickle cell disease .

However, scientists have listed about 100 genes that all seem related to someone’s likelihood of being diagnosed with autism, making a target for potential screenings, drugs, or other therapies much harder to pin down. Mutations in any one gene don’t necessarily mean that a person will be autistic, or shape what autism will look like for them. While some single-gene mutations cause specific neurodevelopmental disorders that fall under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorder, like fragile X syndrome , they are relatively rare .

All considered, autism isn’t currently something that can be addressed by traditional drug development pipelines. Yet, funding for projects studying the biology of autism more than quadrupled since 2008, while funding for projects finding better ways to help autistic people in day-to-day life fell or remained stagnant .

Under the Combating Autism Act , which George W. Bush signed into law in 2006, Congress established the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee . As the name suggests, the Combating Autism Act was focused on finding treatments to prevent or “cure” autism.

At the time, the vast majority of IACC members were not autistic — and their funding priorities were oriented accordingly. Their first set of recommendations , published in 2009, heavily skewed toward funding the search for causes and cures of autism. For example, they proposed spending $75 million on developing animal models of autism — nearly 50 times more than they suggested spending on studying everyday support services for autistic people.

Can biologists breed autistic mice? (Not really.)

In the world of biomedical research, where there are genetic risk factors, there are genetically altered mouse models . But by continuing to fall back on the rodents that they are so accustomed to studying, researchers are holding themselves back from fully understanding how autism manifests in humans.

Mice are small, reproduce quickly, and share about 85 percent of their functional genes with humans, making them desirable to geneticists hoping to study diseases outside of the human body. While non-animal models are slowly replacing animal testing in many areas of science, “you need a live animal to study a disorder that’s solely behavioral,” Silverman said. “Cells don’t behave.”

Mice behave, but their behavior is very different from ours. So, neuroscientists have had to stretch to draw parallels between the behavior of mice and autistic humans. If a mouse buries marbles with unusual fervor or over-grooms themselves, a study may qualify it as “repetitive behavior.” If a mouse prefers being alone to hanging out with a stranger mouse in its cage, it’s displaying “social deficits.” Studies have even measured changes in ultrasonic vocalizations in mice to try to understand speech problems in autistic humans, and recorded electrical activity from the brains of dogs with autism-related gene mutations to see whether LSD could improve their social interactions.

Animal behavior is finicky, though — especially when those animals are living in tiny laboratory cages , far from their natural habitat. The same mouse in the same marble-burying setup, for example, may bury fewer marbles than usual one day because it got distracted by the smell of whatever shampoo the experimenter used that morning.

Human error can play a role, too. An exhausted grad student may miscount the number of times two mice bump noses. Researchers in different labs may not even agree what that nose-bumping behavior means, or how to classify it in their papers. It “just lends itself to a lack of reproducibility,” Gundersen said.

It also makes preclinical trials for new treatments, which are often conducted in animals, challenging to translate to humans. Many symptoms, especially those related to social interactions and communication, are distinctly human — so much so that they’re nearly impossible to reproduce in mice. “You know,” Gundersen said, “no mice talk.”

Today, more scientists are rejecting the idea that mice can actually exhibit autistic-like behaviors. “Nobody thinks that mice are people,” Gundersen told me. “Nobody thinks that mice are modeling autism.”

But the number of publications featuring “mouse model(s) of autism” in the title has steadily increased since they were first introduced in the mid-2000s. A cynic might wonder why scientists are continuing to pursue this line of research, when both autistic self-advocates and a growing number of leaders in biomedicine are saying that it doesn’t make any sense.

Ne’eman said that some people in the autistic community jokingly refer to autism research as a “geneticist’s Full Employment Act ” — a parallel to the proposed Autism Full Employment Act , which would create incentives for workplaces to hire autistic people.

The grant application system is really competitive. To boost their chances of getting research funding, applicants increasingly have to twist their research proposals to align with whoever will give them money. A lab interested in studying how gene expression guides brain cells to form connections with each other, for example, could pitch it as an autism study to open up additional funding opportunities.

So, Ne’eman suspects that some scientists are “looking at the autism research agenda as exclusively or primarily a vehicle for a relatively small number of abstract questions of basic science,” which aims to expand knowledge without necessarily translating to new drugs or other practical applications. Just look at the mice: it’s been clear for years that they’re a bad proxy for autistic people, but many biomedical researchers have built their careers around using them. Moving away from dysfunctional models requires time, money, and critically evaluating old, imperfect findings — something scientists aren’t really incentivized to do.

People like Alycia Halladay , chief science officer at the Autism Science Foundation, worry that self-advocates like Ne’eman are too dismissive of basic science. But it isn’t that autistic people don’t value science. Rather, many of them think the somewhat futile search for a “cure” to autism shouldn’t receive as much funding as it does, relative to other areas of research.

A more promising path for biomedical researchers could be studying rare neurodevelopmental disorders, like Angelman syndrome and Rett syndrome , caused by mutations in a single gene that exists in both mice and humans. People with disorders like these often have symptoms experienced by others with autism, like seizures , gastrointestinal issues , and insomnia — which are more easily quantifiable in mice than, say, language.

Silverman moved her lab in this direction entirely, after losing faith in models of other “autism-like behaviors.” She hopes that a clearer understanding of these specific genetic mutations will lay the foundation for things like better epilepsy medications down the line — not only for those with Angelman syndrome, but for anyone who experiences seizures alongside autism.

I asked Halladay what research she wanted to see, as the mother of an autistic daughter . She agreed that more investigations of conditions related to autism, like sensory sensitivity, would be incredibly helpful to families like her own. Halladay, like many other parents, doesn’t want her daughter’s autism to go away; she just wants more support — and possibly medicine — to help her child live the best life possible.

Autism research is torn between different visions

In general, Ne’eman thinks that “the average autistic person, as well as the average family member, doesn’t wake up in the morning thinking, ‘Have they found a better mouse model?’” They do think about whether they’ll be able to find a full-time caretaker who is covered by insurance, or what the newest adaptive communication devices will be capable of.

When autistic self-advocates were largely excluded from the decision-making process, funding for things that would help them immediately, like communication assistance or housing support, fell by the wayside .

That’s since changed — today, the IACC includes 23 non-autistic government employees and 22 public members, seven of whom are autistic themselves. Their budget priorities have shifted accordingly , centering research questions like “What services and supports are needed to maximize health and well-being?” in addition to basic biology studies.

At the same time, the gap between the committee’s proposed budget and how much funders actually spend has also grown . And while funding for services and support doubled between 2019 and 2020, it still only accounted for 8.4 percent of the money spent that year.

One big thing standing in the way of the IACC’s recommendations and reality: the biggest sources of science funding, public and private, weren’t really built to fund things other than biology research. Of the 28 organizations listed as funding autism-related projects between 2019 and 2020, the National Institutes of Health and SFARI — which only award grants for basic science and clinical research — together paid for over 80 percent of research .

Agencies like the Department of Education and the Administration for Community Living pay for projects studying interventions like how to help autistic adults avoid institutionalization and live as independently as possible — major priorities for autistic self-advocates . However, they only fund a tiny portion of autism research.

Solving this problem will likely require a major redistribution of funding, or a big overall increase in the pool of money available to everyone. “I’m not sure that you can totally fix it by just yelling at the NIH,” Crane said. In fact, she suspects that the Office of National Autism Coordination , housed within the NIH, knows that they’re supposed to be funding more studies about how to support autistic people — they’re just not receiving grant applications for them. The NIH did not respond to Vox’s requests for comment by the time of publication.

One solution the IACC recommended involves growing the overall pool of money set aside for autism research to $685 million by next year. They specifically highlighted three research areas that need the most additional resources: lifespan issues, evidence-based interventions and services, and the development of culturally responsive services.

By “lifespan issues,” the IACC means anything related to big life transitions: access to higher education and employment, opportunities to live as independently as possible alongside non-autistic community members, and health care. Figuring out how to help autistic adults — including those with the most severe disabilities — find fulfilling jobs that they’re good at, stay out of harmful psychiatric institutions, and form healthy relationships doesn’t require mouse models. It requires piloting initiatives like new housing programs , building better assistive communication devices , and other community-oriented research.

Studying existing interventions to make sure they’re helping autistic people — not just making them appear non-autistic in public — is also crucial, Crane said. For example, applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy , which rewards “goal behaviors” like making eye contact or saying hello to people, is controversial in the autistic community because it can be experienced as abusive and coercive . Most existing studies on the effectiveness of ABA measured things like whether recipients behaved better in the classroom , rather than long-term outcomes like overall academic achievement or quality of life. With more money, Crane hopes this can change. “We need to be funding research that actually tracks the outcomes that matter to people.”

The bottom line is that we don’t need more mouse models of autism or of autism-like behaviors. Biomedical science has a role to play, especially in helping people manage symptoms of other autism-related health issues like epilepsy and sleep disorders — but it has claimed a disproportionately large chunk of autism research funding for too long.

Some people, especially the parents of children with intellectual and physical disabilities related to autism, argue that autistic self-advocates who push back against the biomedical research agenda are acting out of self-interest, leaving those with the most severe disabilities behind. People with different experiences of autism, Autism Science Foundation president Alison Singer argues , need different things. Specifically, she believes that people with the most severe disabilities need the kinds of pharmaceutical interventions that biomedical research aims to find — and that many autistic self-advocates want to deprioritize.

Ne’eman believes the opposite is true. “Those with the most severe impairments are especially poorly served by research that does not relate back to their needs,” he said. In its statement on genetic research , the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network emphasizes, “Autistic people with the highest support needs are some of the most vulnerable members of our community. They deserve good lives with the right to make their own decisions, not yet another round of ‘cures’ that will not work.”

Neuroscience still has a lot to offer the autism community, but neuroscientists need to listen to the people they’re claiming to serve. Ditching outdated behavioral tests on mouse models of “autism-like behavior” might be a great place to start.

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