Adults with autism
Recent articles
Spectrum 2024: Year in review
We round up our most notable autism stories of the past 12 months.
![An illustration of a magnifying glass, checklists, and anonymous figures.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1200-transmitter-neuroscience-autism-prototypical-1024x683.webp)
Spectrum 2024: Year in review
We round up our most notable autism stories of the past 12 months.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Photo of the U.S. Capitol Building.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Synaptic anomalies in autistic people support imbalance hypothesis
Increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of autistic people suggest broader impacts on brain function and connectivity.
![Research image of excitatory synapses in the prefrontal cortex.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fig2BD3BD-1200-1024x692.webp)
Synaptic anomalies in autistic people support imbalance hypothesis
Increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of autistic people suggest broader impacts on brain function and connectivity.
Some minimally verbal autistic people show signs of written-language familiarity, study suggests
But researchers not involved in the work worry the findings could be used to support discredited facilitated-communication techniques.
![Conceptual image of colorful falling letters, casting shadows on a white wall.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Non-speaking-autism-1200-1024x692.webp)
Some minimally verbal autistic people show signs of written-language familiarity, study suggests
But researchers not involved in the work worry the findings could be used to support discredited facilitated-communication techniques.
Spectrum 10K consultation report delayed
The U.K.-based genetics study launched the consultation more than a year ago in response to fierce criticism from autistic self-advocates.
![two people sit on opposite edges of a cliff](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Spectrum10Kautism-1200-1024x692.webp)
Spectrum 10K consultation report delayed
The U.K.-based genetics study launched the consultation more than a year ago in response to fierce criticism from autistic self-advocates.
Life expectancy lags for autistic people in United Kingdom
The finding confirms past research that links autism to early death, but it also suggests that the life expectancy gap may be smaller than previously thought.
![A woman sits on the edge of her bed in a darkened room](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-spectrum-autism-life-expectancy-united-kingdom-1024x683.webp)
Life expectancy lags for autistic people in United Kingdom
The finding confirms past research that links autism to early death, but it also suggests that the life expectancy gap may be smaller than previously thought.
Year in Review: Spectrum’s best in 2023
Here are five must-reads from our coverage of autism research over the past 12 months.
![Three groups of people meet and mix at a crossroads.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1200-transmitter-best-of-news-1024x683.webp)
Year in Review: Spectrum’s best in 2023
Here are five must-reads from our coverage of autism research over the past 12 months.
Autism research hits the road
Some scientists are thinking creatively about how to collect data in flexible environments and meet communities where they’re at.
Autism research hits the road
Some scientists are thinking creatively about how to collect data in flexible environments and meet communities where they’re at.
Building bridges: Collaboration across the autism community
An autistic person and the mother of an autistic child explore partnership in the autism community.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1200-lutz-1024x683.webp)
Building bridges: Collaboration across the autism community
An autistic person and the mother of an autistic child explore partnership in the autism community.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Subthalamic plasticity helps mice squelch innate fear responses
When the animals learn that a perceived threat is not dangerous, long-term activity changes in a part of the subthalamus suppress their instinctive fears.
![Research image of a mouse brain slice stained in purple and yellow.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Fear-coronal-brain-1200-1-1024x692.png)
Subthalamic plasticity helps mice squelch innate fear responses
When the animals learn that a perceived threat is not dangerous, long-term activity changes in a part of the subthalamus suppress their instinctive fears.
To accelerate the study of neurodevelopment, we need a transdiagnostic framework
Our tendency to focus on one condition at a time likely silos expertise and services—and obscures critical connections across diagnostic categories.
![Illustration of a hand and various blocks, check boxes, and shapes and lines.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Guastella-transdiagnostic-1200-1024x692.png)
To accelerate the study of neurodevelopment, we need a transdiagnostic framework
Our tendency to focus on one condition at a time likely silos expertise and services—and obscures critical connections across diagnostic categories.
NeuroAI and the hidden complexity of agency
As we attempt to build autonomous artificial-intelligence systems, we're discovering that a capability we take for granted in animals may be much more complex than we imagined.
![Image of squirrels on a branch.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/NeuroAI-Agency-Zador-1200-1024x692.png)
NeuroAI and the hidden complexity of agency
As we attempt to build autonomous artificial-intelligence systems, we're discovering that a capability we take for granted in animals may be much more complex than we imagined.