Autism

The post-fire entryway of the Anova school, which was located in Santa Rosa's Luther Burbank Center for the Arts.

A School For Kids With Autism Copes With Fire's Physical And Emotional Damage

11:47am October 14, 2017

by Devin Katayama

Dealing with a fire or other natural disaster is hard on anyone, from evacuation to aftermath. And people with physical or developmental disabilities have particular needs, say emergency planners.

People on the autism spectrum are more likely to have mental health diagnoses as well, which can make the transition to adulthood daunting.

Many Young Adults With Autism Also Have Mental Health Issues

5:00am October 01, 2017

by Tara Haelle

Young adults with autism are more likely to have anxiety, depression or other diagnoses than people with other disabilities. And that can make transitioning to adulthood more challenging.

Keir Gilchrist plays Sam, a high schooler who has autism, in Netflix's new series Atypical.

Netflix, ABC Portrayals Of Autism Still Fall Short, Critics Say

4:25pm August 11, 2017

by Eric Deggans

Two new TV series feature main characters who have autism. While some are applauding the fresh take on the disorder, others worry that the shows send the wrong messages.

Girls are much less likely to be diagnosed with autism, but that may be because the signs of the disorder can be less obvious than in boys. And girls may be missing out on help as a result.

Health & Safety

'Social Camouflage' May Lead To Underdiagnosis Of Autism In Girls

4:25pm July 31, 2017

Girls are much less likely to be diagnosed with autism, but that may be because the signs of the disorder are different than in boys. And girls may be missing out on help as a result.

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Erik Vance holds his son while a pediatrician administers vaccinations.

A Dad Takes His Son To The Doctor And Discovers Fear Of Vaccines

3:09pm June 10, 2017

by Erik Vance

As a science journalist, I know vaccines are safe. But when it was time to take my son to get his shots, I suddenly found myself overwhelmed by fear. Does science stand a chance against emotion?

Khadra Abdulle, a resident of St. Paul, stops to shop at the Riverside Market in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis. It's the inaccurate information about a link between vaccines and autism, she says, that's keeping some well-meaning parents

Unfounded Autism Fears Are Fueling Minnesota's Measles Outbreak

11:33pm May 03, 2017

by Mark Zdechlik

State health officials are struggling to contain a measles outbreak that has sickened mostly Somali-American children. The vaccination rate is low in this tight community that's worried about autism.

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Vials of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are displayed on a counter at a Walgreens Pharmacy in 2015 in Mill Valley, California.

Understanding The History Behind Communities' Vaccine Fears

4:57pm May 03, 2017

by Emily Sohn

A measles outbreak in Minnesota's Somali-American community is the latest example of the challenges public health officials face in addressing deeply ingrained concerns about vaccine safety.

Scientists placed two clusters of cultured forebrain cells side by side (each cluster the size of a head of a pin). Within days, the "minibrains" had fused and particular neurons (in green) migrated from the left side to the right side, as subsets of cell

'Minibrains' In A Dish Shed A Little Light On Autism And Epilepsy

3:11pm April 26, 2017

by Jon Hamilton

Experiments with small clusters of networked brain cells are helping scientists see how real brains develop normally, and what goes awry when cells have trouble making connections.

Julia (center) first appeared online and in printed materials as a part of Sesame Street's See Amazing in all Children initiative. She'll now appear on TV as well. From left, Elmo, Alan Muraoka, Julia, Abby Cadabby and Big Bird.

Julia, A Muppet With Autism, Joins The Cast Of 'Sesame Street'

12:14pm March 20, 2017

by David Folkenflik

Julia has bright red hair, big green eyes and she loves to draw. She can be a little shy, but Elmo and Abby Cadabby don't mind. She's voiced by Stacey Gordon, whose son is on the autism spectrum, too.

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Shaw, 8, plays an improv game with Erin McTiernan, an Indiana State University doctoral student. Shaw is a participant in an improv class at Indiana State University for children with high functioning autism.

Using Improv To Help Kids With Autism Show And Read Emotion

4:36pm February 13, 2017

by Peter Balonon-Rosen

Communicating and interacting socially can be hard for some children with autism. Researchers are looking at how improv classes may help these kids do better day to day.

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