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.

By David Mandell
12 May 2016 | 7 min read

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.

By Kevin Pelphrey
12 May 2016 | 7 min read

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.

By Matt Carey
12 May 2016 | 8 min read

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.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
12 May 2016 | 5 min read

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.

By Katie Moisse
12 May 2016 | 5 min read

Before talking about autism, listen to families

Scientists should phrase their findings to be sensitive to the dignity and needs of people with autism.

By Shannon Des Roches Rosa
26 January 2016 | 6 min read

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.

By Amy Yee
4 May 2016 | 19 min read

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.

By Jennifer Richler
16 June 2015 | 5 min read

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.

By Rachel Kremen
7 May 2015 | 3 min read

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.

By Connie Kasari
23 July 2013 | 5 min read

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.

By Ann Griswold
17 December 2015 | 5 min read

Questions for Amaral, Halladay: Boosting brainpower

A new network of brain banks aims to collect and disburse tissue donations to U.S. autism researchers.

By Katie Moisse
15 December 2015 | 6 min read

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.

By Rachel Zamzow
7 July 2015 | 4 min read

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.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
16 January 2017 | 7 min read

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.

By Emily Singer
14 March 2013 | 6 min read

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.

By Virginia Hughes
9 September 2009 | 7 min read

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.

By Emily Singer
9 May 2013 | 7 min read

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.

By Chris Gunter
24 October 2014 | 3 min read

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