autism

RFK seeks the 'environmental' cause of autism. Scientists say it's not that simple

5:31pm April 16, 2025

Researchers and advocates have pushed back at what they consider inaccurate and stigmatizing comments made by the health secretary, and note the causes of autism are complex.

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Chorus or cacophony? Cicada song hits some ears harder than others

9:30am June 26, 2024

by Zach Dyer

Cicadas are the song of the summer, but this year’s large broods may be especially irritating for people on the autism spectrum who have hearing sensitivity.

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This image shows a brain "assembloid" consisting of two connected brain "organoids." Scientists studying these structures have restored impaired brain cells in Timothy syndrome patients.

Scientists restore brain cells impaired by a rare genetic disorder

6:01am April 30, 2024

by Jon Hamilton

A therapy that restores brain cells impaired by a rare genetic disorder may offer a strategy for treating conditions like autism, epilepsy, and schizophrenia.

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Early in life, Sam (left) and John were much more similar than they may seem today. "They both did not wave, they didn't respond to their name, they both had a lot of repetitive movements," says their mother, Kim Leaird.

These identical twins both grew up with autism, but took very different paths

1:35pm April 04, 2024

by Jon Hamilton

Sam and John Fetters are identical twins with autism. But Sam is in college, while John still struggles to form sentences. Their experience may shed light on the disorder's mix of nature and nurture.

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Mary Gachoki with her son, who was diagnosed with autism. She says she cannot afford therapy sessions for the 4-year-old.

Health & Safety

Raising a child with autism in Kenya: Facing stigma, finding glimmers of hope

8:46am February 26, 2024

by Scovian Lillian

In Africa, there is a shortage of specialists and a lack of financial support for famlies who can't afford therapy. We look at how three families are coping.

The cast in How to Dance in Ohio in its World Premiere at Syracuse Stage, 2022

Arts

'How to Dance in Ohio' is a Broadway musical starring 7 autistic actors

5:00am December 05, 2023

by Jeff Lunden

The musical is an adaptation of a Peabody award-winning HBO documentary — it follows seven young people at a group counseling center in Columbus as they get ready for a big dance.

New research probes the relationship between certain genes and brain disorders like autism and schizophrenia.

Brain cells, interrupted: How some genes may cause autism, epilepsy and schizophrenia

9:25am October 02, 2023

by Jon Hamilton

Researchers have identified 46 genes that can disrupt a process that is critical to early brain development. The finding could help scientists find new treatments for disorders including autism.

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National

A boy on the autism spectrum struggled with a haircut. His barber saved the day

5:01am August 09, 2023

by Autumn Barnes

Getting haircuts was one of Jackson's biggest fears. But one barber's patience and creativity made the ordeal something he now looks forward to.

Bridget Narsh at her home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Narsh's son has autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, and ADHD. In 2020, he spent more than 100 days at Central Regional Hospital, a state-run mental health facility. The state billed the family nearly $102,000 for the hospitalizations.

Health & Safety

A mom owed nearly $102,000 for her son's stay in a state mental health hospital

5:00am July 19, 2023

by Fred Clasen-Kelly

One North Carolina family's six-figure medical bill came from a state hospital. The attorney general, who is running for governor and says he's against high medical costs, tried to collect the debt.

Health & Safety

Donald Triplett, the 1st person diagnosed with autism, dies at 89

2:58pm June 17, 2023

by The Associated Press

The Mississippi man known as "Case 1" was the first person to be diagnosed with autism. Triplett was the subject of a book and documentary titled In a Different Key and many medical journal articles.