Catherine Lord is distinguished professor of psychiatry and education at the University of California, Los Angeles. She specializes in diagnosis, social and communication development, and intervention in autism.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/authors/celord.jpg)
Catherine Lord
Director, Center for Autism and the Developing Brain
Weill Cornell Medicine
From this contributor
Your questions about the Lancet Commission and ‘profound autism,’ answered
Tony Charman and Catherine Lord answer questions from Spectrum’s webinar on the Lancet Commission’s recommendations for autism research.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CharmanLordBubble-844.jpg)
Your questions about the Lancet Commission and ‘profound autism,’ answered
Catherine Lord: Lessons from a storied career in autism research
Catherine Lord's career has been defined by relationships: with mentors, protegees and, above all, with autistic people and their families.
![Cathy Lord in her office at UCLA](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20191119-Lord844.jpg)
Catherine Lord: Lessons from a storied career in autism research
Measures of success for adults with autism need to mature
As children with autism grow into adults, the challenge is in measuring the skills that matter most in their daily lives.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20151117DailyLIvingSkills-844.jpg)
Measures of success for adults with autism need to mature
Optimal outcome
Some children classified as having autism outgrow their diagnosis, but it’s not yet clear why this group does better, says Cathy Lord.
Autism and the arts: “Lucy” captures disorder‘s complexity
Itʼs not often that movies, books and plays represent science accurately, or with a true and empathetic understanding of its complexity.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/49261.jpg)
Autism and the arts: “Lucy” captures disorder‘s complexity
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.