autism spectrum disorders

Autism Starts Months Before Symptoms Appear

Parents often notice the first signs of autism in their children at around 12 to 18 months. Maybe a child isn’t making eye contact, or won’t smile when mom or dad walks in the door. But a new study suggests there is evidence of autism in the brain even earlier—well before a child’s first birthday—and [...]

Why Autism Diagnoses Are Often Delayed

Pixabay Images For children on the autism spectrum, very early social skills training, preferably before school age, can have a major impact on later development. But a lot of kids are missing that crucial intervention. For many, it’s not because they’re not getting diagnosed—it’s because they’re getting a different diagnosis first. Often, it’s [...]

Scientists Hail First Successful Treatment For Children With Autism

Flickr Images Scientists say they have established the first successful treatment for autism, after training parents in how best to respond to the needs of children with the condition. The study, published in The Lancet, found “striking” and “remarkable” long-term changes after toddlers were enrolled in intensive communication programmes, which aimed to coax them [...]

I Was Diagnosed With Autism In My 40s. It’s Not Just A Male Condition

Flickr Images Last year, in my late 40s, I was diagnosed with autism. I’ve always known I was different, and sought a formal diagnosis after the traits I’ve lived with for almost five decades became progressively more difficult to manage. I’m certainly not the only woman who has had to wait a long [...]

People With Autism Can Read Emotions, Feel Empathy

Flikr Images There is a persistent stereotype that people with autism are individuals who lack empathy and cannot understand emotion. It’s true that many people with autism don’t show emotion in ways that people without the condition would recognise1. But the notion that people with autism generally lack empathy and cannot recognize feelings [...]

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