March 20, 2023
- Findings from a new population-based cohort study do not support a causal relationship between maternal use of benzodiazepines or Z-drugs during pregnancy and preterm birth, small for gestational age, autism, or ADHD. However, the study concludes that clinicians and pregnant women should carefully balance the known risks associated with these drugs when treating anxiety and sleep problems.
- New research has discovered that IgG anti-F(ab’)2 autoantibody serum levels were significantly lower in children with autism than in typically developing controls. These lower levels were negatively associated with autism severity. Additionally, the study showed that IQ scores were significantly and negatively correlated with IgG anti-F(ab’)2 levels in the autism group. This discovery demonstrates that autoantibody levels are more specific to autism than intellectual disability.
- According to a new scientific article, prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with an increased risk of developing ASD, particularly childhood autism. This research indicates that these associations occur at relatively low exposure levels. The study also shows that local PM2.5 exposure from small-scale residential heating (mainly wood burning) and road traffic (tailpipe emissions and vehicle wear-and-tear) are relevant exposure sources.
- James Martin, an actor with Down syndrome, won an Oscar earlier this month for Best Live-Action Short Film. His movie “An Irish Goodbye” is about a man with Down syndrome and his estranged brother who reconnect after the death of their mother. The win came on the actor’s birthday, prompting a special “Happy Birthday” singing by Hollywood A-listers.
- ADDitude is hosting a free webinar for grandparents raising or helping raise their grandchildren that are neurodivergent. The event takes place on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at 1 p.m. EDT. Grandparents will learn evidence-based behavior management strategies to improve interactions with their grandchildren. They will also learn how to address everyday struggles (e.g., getting ready in the morning, starting and completing homework, following directions, and balancing screen time) and avoid common pitfalls such as yelling and using escalating threats.
