Apr 27 Students with disabilities on the rise, driven by autism By Christina A. Samuels, Education Week The number of students covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act has gone up, driven by rapid growth in such disability categories as autism. Continue reading
Feb 16 Should all young children be screened for autism? Task force is inconclusive By Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News An influential task force says there’s “insufficient evidence” to argue definitely that the benefits of screening all young children for autism outweigh the harms. Continue reading
Feb 09 Narrow marketplace plans in Texas are a problem for some autistic children By Kate Harrington, Kaiser Health News New, narrower networks often mean families are losing access to therapists and providers they have used for their autistic children. Continue reading
Jan 25 New mutant monkeys model the inheritance of autism By Nsikan Akpan These genetically modified monkeys exhibit some of the social deficits and anxiety behaviors observed in human autism and may help uncover new therapies. Continue reading
Jan 20 Watch Telling the story of parents and activists who fought for autism acceptance By PBS News Hour The story of autism is many stories -- from doctors, to parents, to the afflicted themselves. Journalists Caren Zucker and John Donvan examine that history in their new book, "In a Different Key: The Story of Autism." Jeffrey Brown sits… Continue watching
Jan 20 Was this autism pioneer also a Nazi? By William Brangham Viennese psychologist Hans Asperger ran a clinic for autistic children in the 1930s and is considered by many to be one of the first to diagnose and define autism as we know it today. But what became of Asperger during… Continue reading
Jan 19 Watch 8:13 Author explores life on the expanding autism spectrum By PBS News Hour The rate of diagnosed cases of autism has more than doubled since 2000 and researchers have spent millions looking for causes and cures. In "NeuroTribes," author Steve Silberman explores the history behind this dramatic increase, arguing it's just always been… Continue watching
Jan 05 Clinton announces new autism initiative By Ken Thomas, Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa — Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton proposed a new initiative directed at boosting autism screening, treatment and research Tuesday aiming to ramp up the federal government's role in helping millions of Americans affected by the development disorder. Continue reading
Oct 22 ‘Sesame Street’ debuts Julia, its first character with autism By Joshua Barajas Joining Abby Cadabby and Elmo on “Sesame Street” is Julia, a green-eyed, orange-haired character with autism. Continue reading
Oct 21 Watch 8:17 This search engine could help unlock autism’s secrets By PBS News Hour Scientists have long known that genetics play a role in autism, but now they may be able to actually pinpoint the specific gene variants, which could help doctors diagnose and treat the neurodevelopmental disorder from birth. Special correspondent Jackie Judd… Continue watching