News / Spectrum

Executive function; screen time; Rett syndrome therapy

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 18 November.

By Jill Adams
19 November 2024 | 1 min read
  • Children with neurodevelopmental conditions show delays in attention and executive function that become detectable during toddlerhood and more noticeable by preschool, according to a review of studies across ages 0 to 5 years. Molecular Psychiatry
  • An autism screening tool designed for use in primary care settings, called STAT, compares well to diagnostic tools and expert diagnosticians. Autism
  • Family income and maternal education appear to influence children’s screen time and undermine any causal link between screen time and autism. Spectrum has previously reported on how the old saw—correlation does not imply causation—applies to the connection between this condition and time spent staring at screens. JAMA Pediatrics
Illustration of a parent and child both distracted by screens.
Time out: Researchers have identified socioeconomic factors that may contribute to the association between screen time and autism in children.
Illustration by Julien Posture
  • Neurogene’s stock has tumbled after a serious adverse event occurred with a high dose of the company’s AAV therapy for Rett syndrome, according to Endpoints News. In an opinion piece for STAT, Adam Feuerstein questioned the company’s approach. Endpoints News, STAT
  • Components of executive function—inhibition, shifting and perspective-taking—tend to be stronger in autistic children who are multilingual. Autism Research

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