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Author Interviews, Autism, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, JAMA / 06.10.2025

Memantine to Treat Social Impairment in Youths With ASD

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Gagan Joshi, MD Director, The Alan & Lorraine Bressler Clinical and Research Program for Autism Spectrum Disorder Associate Director, The Pediatric Psychopharmacology Research Program Associate Program Director, MGH Fellowship in Autism Spectrum Disorder Rovee Endowed Chair in Child Psychiatry Massachusetts General Hospital Associate Professor of Psychiatry Harvard Medical School MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Intellectually capable individuals with autism often face significant challenges in social functioning, yet pharmacologic treatments specifically targeting social impairments are lacking. Our prior neuroimaging research identified abnormally elevated brain glutamate levels in intellectually capable youth with autism, suggesting a potential neurochemical pathway underlying social difficulties. Based on these findings, we examined the effects of memantine—a glutamate-modulating medication—for the treatment of autism. (more…)
Autism, Environmental Risks, Legal-Malpractice, Pediatrics / 31.07.2025

possible-link-baby-food-autism.jpg In recent years, growing concern has emerged among parents, scientists, and legal professionals over a troubling link: the potential connection between baby food and autism. While research is still ongoing, reports suggest that some mainstream baby food products may contain harmful levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium—substances that can seriously impact early brain development.

What Does the Research Say?

Several government reports, including one by the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy in 2021, revealed that some popular baby food brands were found to have significant levels of toxic heavy metals. These metals are known neurotoxins and have been linked to developmental disorders when exposure occurs during infancy or pregnancy. As a result, some parents have begun filing toxic baby food product liability lawsuits. Although ASD is a complex condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, scientists have found that exposure to neurotoxic substances during early development may elevate the risk. Heavy metals, even in trace amounts, can disrupt the delicate neurological development processes in babies, potentially contributing to cognitive delays and behavioral issues commonly associated with ASD. (more…)
ADHD, Autism, Education, Mental Health Research / 08.07.2025

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to understanding and improving human behavior. It is widely used in clinical, educational, and organizational settings, with proven success in helping individuals with autism and other developmental disorders. While ABA is a broad field, its foundation is built upon a set of essential guiding principles — often referred to as the 7 Dimensions of ABA. Originally introduced by Baer, Wolf, and Risley in 1968, these dimensions represent the gold standard for what qualifies as effective and ethical ABA practice. In this article, we’ll explore these 7 keys of ABA in depth, explain their significance, and show how they work together to promote meaningful behavior change. Table of Contents
  1. What Are the 7 Keys of ABA?
  2. 1. Applied
  3. 2. Behavioral
  4. 3. Analytic
  5. 4. Technological
  6. 5. Conceptually Systematic
  7. 6. Effective
  8. 7. Generality
  9. Why These Dimensions Matter
  10. Applying the 7 Keys in Real Life
  11. Conclusion
(more…)
Autism / 08.06.2025

Although separation anxiety is common among children, it’s more pronounced in those on the autism spectrum. They often undergo considerable distress when separated from their primary caregiver or taken away from familiar surroundings. The result is disrupted daily life, compromised social interactions, and other life challenges that require well-thought-out interventions to address. It helps to understand the unique needs of autistic children and how to create a supportive environment where they feel loved and understood. Below are some strategies you can use to manage autism separation anxiety. (more…)
Autism / 15.04.2025

Understanding the Importance of Early and Personalized Intervention

For families navigating an autism diagnosis, one of the most common and pressing questions is: What are the best therapy options available? In Illinois, a growing number of families are turning to evidence-based autism therapy programs that emphasize early intervention, personalized treatment, and measurable outcomes. Therapy for autism isn’t one-size-fits-all. Children on the autism spectrum present with a diverse range of strengths and challenges, so effective therapy must be tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs. Fortunately, the field has evolved significantly in recent years, offering families in Illinois greater access to advanced care models designed to support long-term development and well-being. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Pediatrics / 14.02.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Magdalena Janecka PhD Associate Professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Associate Professor, Department of Population Health NYU Grossman School of Medicine MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Several earlier studies have indicated that certain maternal conditions in pregnancy – for example, depression or obesity - are associated with higher rates of autism in offspring. However, the majority of the conditions females experience during pregnancy have not been investigated in the context of autism before. Additionally, while the evidence that these associations are likely not causal existed for a few maternal diagnoses, it was not clear whether this applies to just a few associations that have been examined or is more widespread. Our study investigated the association between all maternal conditions in pregnancy (provided they were common enough to allow us to estimate their effects) and the likelihood of autism in the child. Then, for the significant associations, we tested whether these associations seemed causal, or whether they were instead attributable to other confounding factors. Confounders are other variables that can influence the relationship between the variables in a study, for example maternal health and autism. Factors shared by family members, i.e. familial factors (e.g., genetics) are common confounders in studies like ours, and are particularly difficult to account for. (more…)
Autism / 09.01.2025

Behavior technicians, often referred to as behavior techs, play a pivotal role in the field of behavioral health. These professionals work closely with individuals who have various behavioral challenges, particularly those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They are the front-line workers who implement behavioral interventions designed to improve the quality of life for their clients. If you're interested in pursuing a career that makes a meaningful difference, consider enrolling in a behavior tech course to get started. behavior-techician

What Does a Behavior Technician Do?

Behavior technicians are responsible for carrying out behavior intervention plans (BIPs) under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Their duties include observing and recording client behavior, implementing interventions, and providing feedback to supervisors. The primary goal of a behavior technician is to help clients develop skills and behaviors that enable them to function more effectively in their daily lives. (more…)
Autism / 17.12.2024

It’s time to focus more on girls with ASD. Stereotypes of autistic girls all-too-often prevent them from getting the help they need. Society tends to draw a narrow picture of what autism looks like. That means so many girls go undiagnosed or misunderstood. It is important to dismantle these myths to create more understanding and bring about a world wherein every autistic girl feels valued and accepted.

Autism Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

One of the greatest myths is that autism presents in every individual the same way. Girls on the spectrum will often present differently than boys, which can make their autism less obvious. For example, girls may have socially accepted interests, such as animals or characters in fiction, while boys are more likely to have interests traditionally associated with autism, like trains or technology. Many girls learn to camouflage their autistic traits. They may imitate social behaviors or suppress stimming to fit in, which makes their challenges less noticeable. This can bring about emotional exhaustion and delayed diagnosis. (more…)
Autism / 27.09.2024

Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. One common characteristic of autism is stimming, which stands for self-stimulatory behavior. Stimming helps individuals with autism cope with sensory overload, anxiety, and other challenges they may face. In this article, we'll delve into the world of stimming and focus on a specific form of it - finger flicking.

What is Stimming?

Stimming is a set of self-soothing behaviors that people with autism engage in. It's a way for them to regulate their sensory experiences and emotional responses. Stimming can take various forms, from rocking and hand-flapping to repetitive vocal sounds and, of course, finger flicking. These behaviors serve a crucial purpose for individuals with autism, helping them manage stress, anxiety, and sensory overstimulation. (more…)
Autism / 06.09.2024

aba_therapy, autism Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is an evidence-based treatment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disorders. ABA therapy is a personalized treatment plan that focuses on improving behavior, social interaction, and more, simultaneously focusing on the person’s strengths and weaknesses. For this reason, it is crucial to plan the treatment effectively. While the treatment itself has been groundbreaking, it does come with a set of challenges. This article explores the challenges of ABA treatment planning with practical solutions.

Why Is ABA Treatment Planning Important?

The process of planning an ABA treatment plan involves carefully designing intervention strategies to aid people with autism. The primary goal of ABA therapy is to encourage positive behavior, situationally appropriate communication, advance social interaction, and day-to-day quality of life. When an ABA treatment plan is planned effectively, it allows ABA therapists to identify preferences, challenges, and strengths much faster, allowing for quicker intervention. Furthermore, ABA treatment plans should be dynamic. In other words, you must be able to adjust the plan when the need arises. Not only is this great for the autistic individual since it promotes and encourages growth, but it also allows the person to reach their goals much faster. Do keep in mind that a treatment plan must include clear, manageable goals. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, Genetic Research / 26.08.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Caroline Dias, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Pediatrics-Developmental Pediatrics University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus       Christopher Walsh, M.D., Ph.D. Chief, Division of Genetics and Genomics Bullard Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at Harvard Medical School and researcher who has used material donated to the brain bank     MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Many different types of genetic variants contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. Copy number variants are large pieces of genetic material that are duplicated or deleted. We have known for many years that many copy number variants at certain genetic locations are linked to autism. Because these copy number variants may include lots of different genes, it has been difficult to understand how these copy number variants alter human brain function. Furthermore, although animal models are important, autism is in many ways defined by differences in uniquely human cognitive and social functioning. Better understanding of how these copy number variants change human brain function will shed light on universal mechanisms that regulate neurodevelopment. We studied a copy number variant called dup15q, that is associated with almost 40-fold higher rates of autism vs. the general population. We studied post-mortem human brain tissue from individuals with dup15q, individuals with autism not related to dup15q, and neurotypical controls, to better understand how the human brain is impacted by dup15q. We focused on frontal cortex, an important brain region in executive function and social perspective taking. We applied cutting edge techniques that allow us to assess individual cells in the brain.  (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, JAMA, Pediatrics, UCSD / 08.02.2023

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Karen Pierce, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Neurosciences, UCSD Co-Director, Autism Center of Excellence, UCSD MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The mean age of ASD diagnosis and eventual treatment remains at ~52 months in the United States1 - years beyond the disorder’s prenatal origins2, and beyond the age when it can be reliably diagnosed in many cases3. Currently the only way to determine if a child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is to receive a developmental evaluation from an experienced clinician (usually a licensed clinical psychologist). There are often long waiting lists, and only a small number of clinicians have the experience required to make early-age (i.e., between 12-36 months) diagnoses of ASD. Thus, there are many places in the country as well as world wide wherein children wait months or years to receive a formal diagnosis due to a lack of available expertise. Moreover, diagnostic evaluations are expensive and usually cost the parent and/or insurance approximately ~$2,000 or more per evaluation.  Finally, clinical evaluations usually take between 2-3 hours to complete and result in fatigue for both the parent and toddler. Eye-tracking, which generates biologically-relevant, objective, and quantifiable metrics of both visual and auditory preference profiles in babies and toddlers in just minutes, is a technology that can dramatically change how ASD is diagnosed. (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Medical Imaging / 02.04.2022

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Alpen ORTUĞ, PhD Postdoctoral Research Fellow​ Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Radiology Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging Boston, MA   MedicalResearch.com:  What is the background for this study?  What are the main findings? Response: Finding the earliest diagnosis possible for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the main goals for researchers studying ASD. This study aimed to investigate the critical abnormalities in prenatal brain development in ASD using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We hypothesized that volumetric analyses of brain segmentations are useful to identify such abnormalities before birth. We have retrospectively analyzed fetal MRI based on the knowledge that the same individuals were later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. We have evaluated developmental abnormalities in brain structures of prospective ASD fetuses using volumetric segmentation. The current study is still preliminary, but the ‘insula’ of the brain showed statistically significant volumetric enlargement in prospective ASD patients, compared to the other three control groups.  (more…)
Author Interviews, Autism, Cannabis, JAMA, Pediatrics / 28.05.2021

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Daimei Sasayama, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Psychiatry Shinshu University MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing worldwide. A 2016 US survey reported a prevalence of 1.85% in 8-year-olds, and a birth cohort study in Denmark reported that the future cumulative incidence of ASD could exceed 2.8%. Our recent regional cohort study in Japan reported an even higher cumulative incidence of 3.1%. So we examined whether the cumulative incidence in our regional cohort represents the nationwide incidence in Japan.  (more…)