Specific language impairment
Recent articles
Test gauges autistic children’s verbal abilities in natural settings
An interactive assessment allows clinicians and researchers to evaluate an autistic child's use of language in everyday social situations.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201106-OSEL-844.jpg)
Test gauges autistic children’s verbal abilities in natural settings
An interactive assessment allows clinicians and researchers to evaluate an autistic child's use of language in everyday social situations.
Social communication in autism, explained
Communication problems have always been considered a core feature of autism. Yet there are substantial and wide-ranging differences in how people with autism communicate.
![silhouette of head with illustrated text](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1120x550_lead_05_lowres.jpg)
Social communication in autism, explained
Communication problems have always been considered a core feature of autism. Yet there are substantial and wide-ranging differences in how people with autism communicate.
Where communication breaks down for people with autism
People on the spectrum often have subtle problems using language or making facial expressions. Pinpointing where those difficulties originate may help ease their social communication.
![animation: a child sits between two parents who are talking to each other. The child looks confused or worried.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1900x688_lead_gif_02.gif)
Where communication breaks down for people with autism
People on the spectrum often have subtle problems using language or making facial expressions. Pinpointing where those difficulties originate may help ease their social communication.
Why no one needs a diagnosis of ‘social communication disorder’
A diagnosis of social communication disorder only keeps people from a community and resources they desperately want and need.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/HTF-SCD_1120x550.jpg)
Why no one needs a diagnosis of ‘social communication disorder’
A diagnosis of social communication disorder only keeps people from a community and resources they desperately want and need.
Should scientists study mothers of children with autism?
Studying parents of children with autism has long been controversial, but that doesn’t mean scientists should avoid it.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/mothersinautism844.jpg)
Should scientists study mothers of children with autism?
Studying parents of children with autism has long been controversial, but that doesn’t mean scientists should avoid it.
Powerful memory system may compensate for autism’s deficits
A brain system called declarative memory may help people learn scripts and strategies that alleviate autism symptoms, say Michael Ullman and Mariel Pullman.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/shutterstock_186351248-viewpoint-declarativeMemory.jpg)
Powerful memory system may compensate for autism’s deficits
A brain system called declarative memory may help people learn scripts and strategies that alleviate autism symptoms, say Michael Ullman and Mariel Pullman.
Toddlers with autism show few symptoms during brief exams
Many toddlers with autism display so few abnormal behaviors during short doctor visits that they may evade the diagnostic eye of even expert clinicians.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2015/blog2015/20150123blogcliniciansmiss.jpg)
Toddlers with autism show few symptoms during brief exams
Many toddlers with autism display so few abnormal behaviors during short doctor visits that they may evade the diagnostic eye of even expert clinicians.
Social language lapses hint at syndrome distinct from autism
Some siblings of children with autism have social language impairments that may signal another, more controversial disorder.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2014/blog2014/20141104blogpragmaticlanguage.jpg)
Social language lapses hint at syndrome distinct from autism
Some siblings of children with autism have social language impairments that may signal another, more controversial disorder.
Scaled-down device detects brain activity in children
A new device designed to conduct magneto-electroencephalography in children younger than 3 years is ideal for detecting early signs of autism, researchers reported 3 March in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2014/toolbox2014/20140423toolboxartemis.jpg)
Scaled-down device detects brain activity in children
A new device designed to conduct magneto-electroencephalography in children younger than 3 years is ideal for detecting early signs of autism, researchers reported 3 March in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
Loss of language gene enhances pitch discrimination in mice
Mice lacking the autism-linked gene CNTNAP2 process sounds more slowly than control mice do but are better at discriminating between tones. The unpublished research was presented Tuesday at the 2013 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in San Diego.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2013-folder/images-sfn-2013/20131112sfn_cntnap2.jpg)
Loss of language gene enhances pitch discrimination in mice
Mice lacking the autism-linked gene CNTNAP2 process sounds more slowly than control mice do but are better at discriminating between tones. The unpublished research was presented Tuesday at the 2013 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in San Diego.
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.