September 12, 2022
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced they will award $100 million over the next five years to support nine Autism Centers of Excellence (ACEs). The ACE program was created in 2007 and is renewed every five years. It funds large research projects to understand and develop interventions for those on the spectrum.
- Soticlestat, a new drug that has completed phase 2 clinical trials, shows promise for reducing seizures in children with epilepsy linked to autism. Among the 129 trial participants, the median reduction of seizures was approximately 30%. For patients with Dravet syndrome, the drop was a more significant 50%. Soticlestat must undergo additional extensive trials with more participants before hitting the market. However, experts are hopeful about the efficacy of this new drug.
- The Child Mind Institute has published an article with tips that help transition kids with anxiety to return to school. The organization starts off by suggesting parents manage their stress about the new school year before helping their children. Then they recommend listening to their children’s worries about going back to school and making a plan with their child that addresses those concerns. Other suggestions include touring the school before classes start and meeting the teacher early. If the child continues to struggle, the article suggests contacting a mental health professional to help with their transition.
- “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” has been the most popular non-English series on Netflix this summer. The main character of this courtroom drama is a young lawyer with autism. A new analysis from the Washington Post criticizes the series for its cliched portrayal of an individual on the spectrum who has savant skills, is academically high-achieving, awkward but pretty, and experiences one professional triumph after another. The author points out that this depiction is very different from most people with autism, who often experience difficulties communicating, present with self-stimulating behaviors, and have problems with changes in routine. Ultimately, the piece calls Attorney Woo a caricature, not a character.
