Maia Szalavitz

Neuroscience Journalist
Freelance

Maia Szalavitz is the author, most recently, of Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction, which will be released in paperback in May. She has written about neuroscience and addiction for nearly 30 years for publications ranging from the New York Times and Washington Post to TIME and Scientific American.

From this contributor

Spectrum

By Maia Szalavitz

1 March 2017

15 min read

Autism’s hidden habit

Conventional wisdom holds that people with autism don't get hooked on alcohol or other drugs, but new evidence suggests otherwise.

Spectrum

Autism’s hidden habit

By Maia Szalavitz

1 March 2017 | 15 min read

Spectrum

By Maia Szalavitz

8 April 2014

3 min read

New tests extend prospects for ‘reading the mind in the eyes’

Researchers have revamped a screen for ‘mind blindness’ — an impaired understanding of others’ intentions and perspectives — which is a key deficit in autism. The revised test may shed light on how autism develops.

Spectrum

New tests extend prospects for ‘reading the mind in the eyes’

By Maia Szalavitz

8 April 2014 | 3 min read

Spectrum

By Maia Szalavitz

21 February 2014

3 min read

‘Resting’ autism brains still hum with activity

Even at rest, the brains of people with autism manage more information than those of their peers, according to a new study that may provide support for the so-called ‘intense world’ theory of autism.

Spectrum

‘Resting’ autism brains still hum with activity

By Maia Szalavitz

21 February 2014 | 3 min read

Spectrum

By Maia Szalavitz

17 February 2014

4 min read

First 1,000 days of life could hold keys to autism

Autism researchers have high hopes for a new project called the First 1,000 Days of Life, which aims to follow 5,000 women and their babies from pregnancy through two years after birth.

Spectrum

First 1,000 days of life could hold keys to autism

By Maia Szalavitz

17 February 2014 | 4 min read

Spectrum

By Maia Szalavitz

19 December 2013

5 min read

Long neglected, severe cases of autism get some attention

A large new project aims to link specialized psychiatric units across the U.S. to investigate the causes and best treatment for autism’s most severe and challenging cases.

Spectrum