Community Shares | March 11th 2024
Findings from a new study strongly link particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) pollution and an increased risk of autism, particularly during prenatal and postnatal phases, showing stronger associations in males. The authors suggest that the underlying mechanisms for this risk include inflammation, oxidative stress, disruption of neural circuits, neuroinflammation, endocrine disruption, and epigenetic modifications. They […]
Research Shows Many Nonspeaking Individuals with ASD Are Proficient in Written Language
Half of the Study’s Participants Displayed Patterns Consistent with Literacy A recent study at the University of Virginia suggests that many nonspeaking adolescents and adults diagnosed with autism have acquired proficiency in written English. This ability was demonstrated by their capacity to anticipate the subsequent letters in a sentence, swift responses to common letter pairs […]
GAO Recommends IACC Establish a Process for Tracking and Reporting Progress Toward Its Goals
Report Highlights IACC’s Lack of Tangible, Measurable Objectives in Its Strategic Plans Investigators from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) have revealed that federal officials need to enhance their monitoring and coordination efforts to address the needs of Americans with autism. The GAO’s recent review involved 19 different agencies engaged in various autism-related activities ranging from […]
Community Shares | March 4th 2024
A longitudinal, population-based birth cohort study assessed the risk of autoimmune disease in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to matched controls. ASD cases were identified using DSM-IV-TR criteria from a cohort of 31,220 individuals. Each ASD case was then matched with two controls without ASD by age and sex. Results showed that ASD […]
Higher Rates of Internet Gaming Disorder Found in Pediatric Patients with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
IGD Prevalence Highest in Children with ADHD, Followed by Children with ASD Researchers from Italy have examined the prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in pediatric patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to those with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and healthy controls. Their study’s results showed a higher prevalence of IGD in both ASD and […]
Systematic Review: Mercury Exposure Contributes to the Variability in ASD Etiology
Findings Show Mercury During the Postnatal Period Is Especially Harmful A recent systematic review has underscored the role of mercury (Hg) exposure in the onset of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly when such exposure occurs during the postnatal period. According to the findings, infants are highly susceptible to toxins and heavy metals like Hg during […]
