February 27, 2023
- Results from a new study have shown significant differences in attention to motherese speech between toddlers with and without autism. This research reported that neurotypical toddlers showed almost uniform attention to motherese speech, while toddlers on the spectrum demonstrated a wide range of attention levels to motherese speech. Some toddlers with autism had a high fixation on motherese speech, but others on the spectrum showed low attention. This research also revealed an association between low attention to motherese speech and low social and language abilities. The authors concluded that attention to motherese speech is a fundamental aspect of early development and could be a useful tool for early autism screenings.
- Researchers at Northwestern University believe they have discovered a new therapeutic drug that addresses cognitive and motor behavior deficiencies, among other symptoms associated with Phelan-McCermid syndrome (PMS). PMS is a genetic disorder that is one of the most common single-gene forms associated with autism. The team behind this research hopes that with proper funding and support, their drug, JB2, could be approved by the FDA in the next two years.
- A research letter published in JAMA Dermatology reports that the prevalence of eczema among American children has increased over the past two decades. The increase was experienced to differing degrees among racial and ethnic groups. This new research showed that in 1997, the total eczema prevalence was at 7.9%, and by 2018 it had increased to 12.6%. During this time span, Black and multiracial children both encountered larger average annual percent changes of the skin condition (3.5% and 3.9%) compared to their white counterparts (2.5%).
- The Federal Register has recently published a proposed Social Security Administration (SSA) change to how the agency calculates its In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM). SSA is recommending the removal of in-kind food amounts from the calculation of ISM. If this proposal is accepted, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applicants and recipients will no longer need to provide information about their food expenses for ISM calculations.
- The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute is hosting a virtual autism lecture via Zoom on Tuesday, March 21, from 3 – 5:00 p.m. EDT. Christine Ladd-Acosta, Ph.D., will deliver a presentation titled “Improving Autism Public Health through the use of a Biosciences Toolkit.” In her talk, Ladd-Acosta will discuss how using biological tools such as genetic and epigenetic patterns can advance the understanding of autism-relevant biology, environments, and outcomes at the population level with the ultimate goal of utilizing this knowledge to improve the health and well-being of individuals on the spectrum. Registration for this webinar is required.
