Fostering partnerships for autism research
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Testing school-based autism treatments takes teamwork
Partnering with families and teachers is the only way to make autism interventions work in the community.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016-VP-DavidMandell-844.jpg)
Testing school-based autism treatments takes teamwork
Partnering with families and teachers is the only way to make autism interventions work in the community.
How dining out with my daughter inspired my autism studies
Restaurants can be stressful for my daughter Frances, who has autism, but her difficulties led me to try to better understand and treat her type of situational anxiety.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016-VP-DaughterInspiration-844.jpg)
How dining out with my daughter inspired my autism studies
Restaurants can be stressful for my daughter Frances, who has autism, but her difficulties led me to try to better understand and treat her type of situational anxiety.
Scientists must curb tendency to try untested treatments
People may misconstrue basic research as ready remedies, so scientists must work to prevent misinterpretation of their findings.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016-VP-MattCarey-844.jpg)
Scientists must curb tendency to try untested treatments
People may misconstrue basic research as ready remedies, so scientists must work to prevent misinterpretation of their findings.
Firsthand experience with autism can spark new science
Meeting people with autism can give scientists new ideas and the motivation to pursue long-term studies.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016-ExperiencewithPeoplewithAutism-844.jpg)
Firsthand experience with autism can spark new science
Meeting people with autism can give scientists new ideas and the motivation to pursue long-term studies.
Questions for Laura Anthony: Teaming up to improve research
Partnering with families affected by autism may make research more relevant, fun and likely to succeed.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/2016-QA-LauraAnthony-844.jpg)
Questions for Laura Anthony: Teaming up to improve research
Partnering with families affected by autism may make research more relevant, fun and likely to succeed.
Before talking about autism, listen to families
Scientists should phrase their findings to be sensitive to the dignity and needs of people with autism.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/20160119NeedsofPeopleWithAutism-844.jpg)
Before talking about autism, listen to families
Scientists should phrase their findings to be sensitive to the dignity and needs of people with autism.
Autism’s full spectrum
Minority families often miss out on treatment or get left out of research — an ethical failure. New projects are illuminating autism’s diverse shades.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/20160503-Race-844-3.jpg)
Autism’s full spectrum
Minority families often miss out on treatment or get left out of research — an ethical failure. New projects are illuminating autism’s diverse shades.
From the archives
Questions for Ari Ne’eman: Partnering with participants
Autistic adults should be partners in the research process, not just ‘subjects’ in a study, says Ari Ne’eman.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2015/qa2015/b20150616qaarineemanart.jpg)
Questions for Ari Ne’eman: Partnering with participants
Autistic adults should be partners in the research process, not just ‘subjects’ in a study, says Ari Ne’eman.
Funds add up for research plans that put focus on families
With billions of dollars in hand, a novel initiative is funding projects that involve people with disorders and their caregivers from the outset.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2015/news2015/20150507newspcori.jpg)
Funds add up for research plans that put focus on families
With billions of dollars in hand, a novel initiative is funding projects that involve people with disorders and their caregivers from the outset.
School’s in
School-based interventions are arguably the best way to reach the truly underserved, under-represented and under-resourced children with autism, says Connie Kasari.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2013-folder/images-blog-2013/20130723blogschoolkasari.jpg)
School’s in
School-based interventions are arguably the best way to reach the truly underserved, under-represented and under-resourced children with autism, says Connie Kasari.
U.S. aims to overhaul ethics rules for research with people
The proposed guidelines would require scientists to destroy biological specimens if they don’t have the explicit consent of the participant for further use.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151222CommonRule-844-2.jpg)
U.S. aims to overhaul ethics rules for research with people
The proposed guidelines would require scientists to destroy biological specimens if they don’t have the explicit consent of the participant for further use.
Questions for Amaral, Halladay: Boosting brainpower
A new network of brain banks aims to collect and disburse tissue donations to U.S. autism researchers.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151215BrainNetQA-844-2.jpg)
Questions for Amaral, Halladay: Boosting brainpower
A new network of brain banks aims to collect and disburse tissue donations to U.S. autism researchers.
Autism researchers need to actively connect with public
Are scientists doing enough to communicate their findings — and explain their findings’ importance — to families affected by autism? The answer, suggests a new study, is no.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2015/blog2015/20150707blogparentscientistbeliefs.jpg)
Autism researchers need to actively connect with public
Are scientists doing enough to communicate their findings — and explain their findings’ importance — to families affected by autism? The answer, suggests a new study, is no.
Experimental autism treatments put to test in real world
Researchers are modifying autism therapies for the various communities tasked with implementing them — a move they hope will make treatments more effective for and accessible to all children.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/20150914newsExperimentalAutismTreatments.jpg)
Experimental autism treatments put to test in real world
Researchers are modifying autism therapies for the various communities tasked with implementing them — a move they hope will make treatments more effective for and accessible to all children.
Mother’s drive helps research on rare autism-linked mutation
A mother of two sons with mutations in the autism-linked gene neuroligin-4 helped broker collaborations between research teams. Her ultimate goal, she says, is to help researchers uncover new treatments for the disorder.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2013-folder/images-news-2013/20130314newsfamily.jpg)
Mother’s drive helps research on rare autism-linked mutation
A mother of two sons with mutations in the autism-linked gene neuroligin-4 helped broker collaborations between research teams. Her ultimate goal, she says, is to help researchers uncover new treatments for the disorder.
Family ties compel some scientists to tackle autism
Many autism researchers began studying the disorder after a loved one’s diagnosis, but some struggle with the decision to enroll their children in studies.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/news/194535.jpg)
Family ties compel some scientists to tackle autism
Many autism researchers began studying the disorder after a loved one’s diagnosis, but some struggle with the decision to enroll their children in studies.
Parents turn their skills to furthering autism research
Most parents educate themselves as much as possible when their child is diagnosed with a disorder. A handful of others — in many cases, mothers — have devoted their professional lives to research on autism-related disorders.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/geraldine450.jpg)
Parents turn their skills to furthering autism research
Most parents educate themselves as much as possible when their child is diagnosed with a disorder. A handful of others — in many cases, mothers — have devoted their professional lives to research on autism-related disorders.
Communication lapses hinder autism research
The term ‘deficit model’ traditionally means treating people with autism by focusing on their limitations rather than their strengths. Chris Gunter introduces the deficit model in a different context: science communication.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2014/blog2014/20141024guestblogguntercommunication.jpg)
Communication lapses hinder autism research
The term ‘deficit model’ traditionally means treating people with autism by focusing on their limitations rather than their strengths. Chris Gunter introduces the deficit model in a different context: science communication.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![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.
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.