Month: April 2024

Misinformation on TikTok could lead thousands of young adults to believe they have autism spectrum disorder when they really don’t. Here’s what to know about autism symptoms in adults. On the one hand, social media has brought important and much-needed attention to mental health disorders. On the other hand, it’s circulating misinformation about a number…

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience suicidality at a younger age than their peers without ASD, according to study results published in JAMA Pediatrics . Suicidal thoughts and behaviors were present among children with ASD who were aged 8 or younger. Individuals with ASD are at a higher risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts and…

It’s Autism Awareness Month and few places focus on the condition as much as TikTok. The search for “autism” on the social media platform brings up more than 37 billion views. Viral videos include people on all parts of the autism spectrum showcasing how they live with the condition — some dance, some show how…

Navigating life’s challenges can be tough for everyone, but for children on the autism spectrum, the journey comes with its own set of difficulties. From struggling to fit in and make friends at school to feeling overwhelmed in social situations, the journey for these kids can often feel isolating. As a parent of two autistic…

When we look at persons with autism, we tend to focus on the social challenges they bravely face daily. What is less looked upon is that many of those with ASD tend to have significant and unusual fears that can impact their daily functioning. But is there a connection between autism and paranoia? In studies,…

Summary: Researchers made significant strides in understanding autism spectrum disorder’s genetic underpinnings. By studying mice with a frameshift mutation in the KMT2C gene, they observed behavioral and cognitive impairments resembling ASD symptoms. Through extensive molecular analyses, they discovered an unexpected increase in the expression of genes linked to ASD risk due to KMT2C haploinsufficiency, implicating…

Budapest, Hungary — Twice daily intranasal oxytocin has been associated with improved social functioning, quality of life, and overall symptoms in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), results of a small randomized control trial showed. “One of the challenges for adults with autism is experiencing poor social interactions and difficulties in making friends. Insufficient social…

A Florida pastor is facing backlash from some parents after he canceled Autism Awareness Week events at a Christian school. Matt Baker emailed families at Trinity Christian Academy in Lake Worth Beach on March 30, just days before the observation was scheduled to begin. The advertised dress-up days wouldn’t be happening, the pastor said, “because…

Best Buddies and Our Family: An Autism Awareness Month Story Miami, FL, April 1, 2024 —  April is Autism Awareness Month, a worldwide celebration of people on the autism spectrum. Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development, inclusive living and family support for people with intellectual and developmental…