2017: Year in review

Recent articles

Notable papers in autism research in 2017

This year’s list of top papers highlights nuances in the genetics of autism and new leads on early treatment.

By Spectrum
22 December 2017 | 4 min read

For autism research pioneers, early work paved path to success

We asked three distinguished autism researchers to reflect on their first studies in the field.

By Spectrum
22 December 2017 | 5 min read

From people with autism, lessons for scientists on love, compassion

People with autism teach researchers about compassion, honesty, love — and the joys of the holidays.

By Spectrum
22 December 2017 | 5 min read

2017’s spectrum of autism stories

2017 was the year we at Spectrum committed to being open — to new ideas, new types of stories, new ways of telling them and new ways to reach you, our audience.

By Spectrum
22 December 2017 | 4 min read

2017 in pictures: Spectrum’s picks for best images

We asked autism researchers to enter the Spectrum science image contest. Here are the top pics.

By Claire Cameron
22 December 2017 | 2 min read

Inside Scoop From the Autism Anchors: Year in review

Our autism anchors, Raphael Bernier and James Mancini, nominate candidates for the hottest topic in autism research in 2017.

By Spectrum
22 December 2017 | 1 min read
Illustration of two people speaking into a speech bubble.

Quotes of the year

Our favorite quotes from articles we published this year cover James Bond, mean girls and scientific breakthroughs.

By Spectrum
22 December 2017 | 3 min read

Five hot topics in autism research in 2017

We waded through the sea of autism studies published in 2017 and spotted several themes.

By Spectrum
22 December 2017 | 6 min read
students in subway taking notes

New York program transports children with autism to their passion

In a New York City after-school program, children with autism build social skills through a shared interest in trains.

By Abigail Fagan
22 December 2017 | 5 min read
Woman at a protest holds a sign that says "Grab 'em by the data"

2017: The year in tweets

In 2017, autism scientists took to Twitter to express their thoughts on immigration, healthcare policy, education leadership, proposed funding cuts and Brexit.

By Claire Cameron
22 December 2017 | 6 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Photo collage of Tempest McDonald.

When autistic kids grow up, Chapter 1: Those people

What leads an autism researcher to publish an intentionally inflammatory paper accusing the NIH of discrimination?

By Brady Huggett
4 June 2026 | 24 min listen
Headshots of Yale researchers Yong-Hui Jiang and Jiangbing Zhou.

Supported by a $40 million NIH grant, Yale brain shuttle technology raises questions

Yale University claims its STEP platform might be able to deliver gene-editing tools into the brain via multiple routes. Researchers are eager to see more.

By Natalia Mesa
3 June 2026 | 11 min read

What counts as a ‘naturalistic’ behavior?

Nedah Nemati explains how neuroscience methods and the lived experience of the scientists themselves shape how we define the behaviors we seek to explain.

By Paul Middlebrooks
3 June 2026 | 1 min read