Different genetic variants associated with autism converge on common biological processes that shape the developing brain, according to a large study of organoids derived from autistic people’s cells. Individual variants initially alter neurodevelopment in distinct ways, but over time they all disrupt neuron maturation and other key processes, the study shows. Previous work, including postmortem […]
Did you know that you can timebox and even postpone your worry? I don’t need to tell you that anxiety has a way of hijacking the ADHD brain’s attention and focus. That it shows up unannounced, derailing our plans and schedules. But what if you could turn the tables and put anxiety itself on a […]
Almost without exception, parents tell me the same story: Meltdowns, yelling, and door-slamming the moment their teen is forced to quit their video game, log off TikTok, or otherwise disengage with their preferred form of “brain rot.” The explosive reactions happen again and again, even after conversations and apologies for past transgressions. This behavior may […]
Back-to-school season brings more than sharpened pencils and new routines. It is a full-spectrum shift in structure, emotion, and identity. This episode unpacks what is really happening beneath the surface for both kids and parents during this transition. From resistance to readiness, discover why slowing down, tuning in, and getting curious might be the most […]
Today’s kids are growing up online, and parenting hasn’t kept pace. In this episode, Betsy Bozdech from Common Sense Media unpacks the real challenges of raising digital natives. From screen time to AI, the conversation dives into what families need to know but rarely talk about. If you think tech is the problem, think again. […]
I Have a Confession I suffer from “one-more-thing-itis,” a minor ailment marked by a tendency to run 5 minutes late. I used to complicate this dis-ease with guilt and excessive excuses, but I’m happy to report that it’s a manageable condition. I’ve learned to offer explanations and accept responsibility, without beating myself up (too much). […]
By Cathy Jameson I have a handwritten note in a folder that goes with me to every doctor’s appointment I make for my son. The paper isn’t that old. Well, in terms of today’s technological advances, it may be – it’s from a dot-matrix printer we used to own in the late 1990s. On it […]
Illustration by Laurenne Boglio Welcome back to By the Numbers, Spectrum’s data-centric take on autism research. Let us know what you think of the newsletter at niko@spectrumnews.org, and thanks for reading. Total funding for autism research in the United States nearly doubled between 2008 and 2018, according to data from the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, […]
If you’re mad about the new addition, maybe consider that fact that it’s not for you. When it comes to expressing ourselves on the internet, nothing changed the game more than the introduction of emojis. And with the new batch of emojis being released in the coming weeks, some iPhone users who have typically been […]
Kristin Sainani Associate Teaching Professor, University of Stanford A study published yesterday in JAMA Pediatrics prompted headlines such as “Boys who watch television for at least two hours a day are 3.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism by age three, a study found.” spectrum asked statistics expert Kristin Sainani, Associate Teaching Professor […]
What if leaving your child the way they are was so controversial that it regularly sparked outrage? social media? What if there were articles, videos, and documentaries about kids like yours arguing against their access to public washrooms, exercise, or proper medical care? What if these were forwarded to you by concerned family members or […]
Thank you Safeminds.org for continuing to address so many important issues related to autism. Safety is a primary concern and the reticence and seclusion of students with disabilities is a source of concern and sometimes even a crime. The thought of our children being sent into a room alone is insane. Worse, being held in […]
