2018: Year in Review

Recent articles

DNA helix shows blue spots as mutations.

Five hot topics in autism research in 2018

This year, researchers made big headway on autism’s most perplexing questions.

By Spectrum
21 December 2018 | 5 min read
Illustration of empty text bubbles.

Quotes of the year

In our favorite quotes from stories we published this year, researchers talk about where to store your marijuana for research, the significance of mouse-butt sniffing and the secret to productivity.

By Spectrum
21 December 2018 | 2 min read
A drawing shows the word 'autism' formed of loose letters under a magnifying glass.

A decade of Spectrum

It’s been 10 years since Spectrum — well, one version of Spectrum — launched. Fittingly, in this anniversary year, we made forays into new territory.

By Spectrum
21 December 2018 | 3 min read
Illustration of profiles with brains of different colors.

In case you missed it: Five Spectrum stories from 2018

Spectrum's editors chose five stories from 2018 you may have missed the first time around.

By Spectrum
21 December 2018 | 3 min read
whimsical machine takes in various data and spits out an organized version on the other end

Notable papers in autism research in 2018

This year's list of top papers highlights new dimensions in our understanding of autism genetics and hints at novel treatments.

By Spectrum
21 December 2018 | 4 min read

Science serves up inspiration for Katie Carey’s whimsical artwork

Katie Carey, who has illustrated several Spectrum articles, reveals her creative process and her strategies for pushing past mental blocks.

By Rebecca Horne
21 December 2018 | 6 min read
A man walks up a decrepit staircase in his neighborhood in Lima, Peru.

In Peru, novel program paves the way for autistic people’s employment

At a center in Lima, Peru, people with autism learn to identify their strengths and find jobs that play to those strengths.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
21 December 2018 | 7 min read

Pitch your thesis: Big questions drive autism research

Early-career autism researchers record 'elevator pitches' of their projects.

By Claire Cameron
21 December 2018 | 8 min watch
Woman looking into mirror sees words and fragmented reflection.

Why adults need an easier path to autism diagnosis

Getting an autism diagnosis can be difficult for many adults, due to the dearth of reliable tests, high costs and bureaucracy.

By Sara Luterman
18 December 2018 | 6 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Research image of different types of microglia in mice.

Autism and anxiety insights; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 15 September.

By Jill Adams
16 September 2025 | 2 min read

First nerve-net connectome shows how evolutionarily ancient nervous system coordinates movement

The map of a comb jelly’s aboral nerve net, which helps the animal orient and position itself within the water column, reveals a unique system for sensing the world and coordinating movement.

By Siddhant Pusdekar
16 September 2025 | 0 min watch
Illustration of two researchers attempting to use a microscope that has been twisted into a knot.

International scientific collaboration is more necessary—yet more challenging—than ever

These partnerships accelerate neuroscience by enabling researchers to share resources and expertise, as well as generate more relevant and reproducible results. But new federal funding restrictions in the United States are putting such collaborations in jeopardy.

By Lucina Q. Uddin
15 September 2025 | 6 min listen

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