Autism

While most people become less generous towards strangers, autistic adults maintain high levels of prosocial behavior regardless of social distance. New research confirms this generosity is intentional, not a byproduct of repetitive responding.

A new study identifies unique gut bacteria patterns in children with autism, ADHD, and anorexia nervosa. Researchers also found altered levels of appetite-regulating hormones, suggesting a link between gut health and these complex conditions.

Children whose mothers had COVID-19 during pregnancy showed a 29% higher odds of neurodevelopmental diagnoses by age three, particularly males and those exposed in the third trimester.

A large Swedish study suggests the dramatic rise in autism diagnoses is not matched by an increase in symptoms. While ADHD traits remained stable in boys, they saw a small, statistically significant increase in girls, indicating other factors drive diagnostic...

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently asserted a link exists between circumcision and a higher risk of autism, suggesting it is caused by Tylenol administration. He appears to be referencing this tiny body of research.

A parent's subclinical autistic traits may predict their child's early developmental progress, a Japanese study of over 31,000 families suggests.

Childhood autistic traits may predict a future PTSD diagnosis, according to a long-term study in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. The findings show young people with more traits are more vulnerable to developing the disorder after experiencing a...

New research provides genetic evidence that neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD and autism may directly increase the risk for specific heart diseases. The study, published in Cells, used genetic data to uncover potential causal relationships between the disorders.

A new study reveals that people with higher autistic traits perceive facial attractiveness differently. Researchers found a link between these traits and a stronger preference for masculine features in both male and female faces.

A large-scale study of autistic women and nonbinary adults suggests that receiving a diagnosis in adulthood is associated with greater psychological distress. Participants diagnosed later in life reported more co-occurring psychiatric conditions and lower self-perceived strengths than those diagnosed in...

Researchers reviewed dozens of studies and found that children whose mothers used acetaminophen during pregnancy were more likely to be diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders. The study adds weight to growing concerns about the drug’s safety in pregnancy.

A long-term study found children with autism experience more frequent and persistent gastrointestinal problems than their peers. These digestive issues were linked to greater challenges with sleep, behavior, communication, and sensory processing, with more symptoms indicating more severe difficulties.

Autism and social anxiety can look similar on the surface, but new research reveals meaningful differences in how empathy is experienced. The study proposes a new tool to help clinicians more accurately differentiate between the two conditions.

A new study used artificial intelligence to analyze over 740,000 Reddit posts about autism. The findings offer a window into how autistic individuals describe their lives, revealing emotional struggles, sensory issues, and community support often missing from clinical descriptions.

Autism-like behaviors in mice vanished after researchers calmed a hyperactive brain circuit using targeted drugs and neuromodulation. The findings point to the thalamus as a key player in autism and open the door to brain-based treatment strategies.