What Massachusetts’ New Autism Policy Means for Families
Maura Healey recently signed an executive order aimed at improving autism support services across Massachusetts. While much of the focus includes adult services and system-wide coordination, the broader goal is to strengthen how individuals with autism are supported throughout their lives. For families of young children, this type of policy signals something important: early support […]
20 Years in Special Education: What We’ve Learned and Why First Steps Developmental Services Was Founded
For more than 20 years, Jarrod Scalzo has worked closely with children, families, and educators within the field of special education. Throughout this time, he has witnessed firsthand the important role early intervention plays in supporting children with developmental delays or autism and the lasting impact it can have on families. These experiences shaped the […]
Acetaminophen use during pregnancy does not increase risk of autism, ADHD: Review
Using acetaminophen as directed during pregnancy does not increase a child’s risk of autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or intellectual disability, a major new review published Friday finds. Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol and by the brand name Tylenol, is one of the most commonly used medications in pregnancy, with doctors often recommending it as the […]
Barbie debuts autistic doll with sensory-sensitive, stimming features
Mattel’s recently released, ‘autistic Barbie doll’ has hit markets. Barbie is launching its first autistic doll in an effort to represent how individuals with autism spectrum disorder experience the world around them, USA TODAY can exclusively reveal. The doll, which is part of Barbie’s Fashionistas line, includes intentional design choices like flexible elbow and hand joints for […]
Polygenic and developmental profiles of autism differ by age at diagnosis
Although autism has historically been conceptualized as a condition that emerges in early childhood, many autistic people are diagnosed later in life. It is unknown whether earlier- and later-diagnosed autism have different developmental trajectories and genetic profiles. Using longitudinal data from four independent birth cohorts, we demonstrate that two different socioemotional and behavioural trajectories are […]
NIH launches $50M Autism Data Science Initiative to unlock causes and improve outcomes
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched the Autism Data Science Initiative (ADSI), a $50 million research effort aimed at uncovering the biological and environmental contributors to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and improving outcomes across the lifespan. Thirteen funded projects will integrate large-scale datasets spanning genomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, proteomics, clinical records, behavioral data, and […]
Yale Receives $27.7M Grant to Advance Individualized Autism Therapies
In a groundbreaking new initiative, the Yale School of Medicine has received a $27.7 million grant from the Aligning Research to Impact Autism (ARIA) program to advance autism research. This project aims to develop non-invasive, personalized therapies by using cutting-edge brain imaging, artificial intelligence, and “digital twin” technology to better understand communication and developmental differences […]
New Study Published by Princeton University Defines Four Subtypes of Autism
In a recently published study from Princeton University and the Simons Foundation, researchers identified four biologically distinct subtypes of autism: Social and Behavioral Challenges Mixed ASD with Developmental Delay Moderate Challenges Broadly Affected “For families navigating autism, knowing which subtype of autism their child has can offer new clarity, tailored care, support and community. ‘Understanding […]