Developmental delay

Recent articles

Cell ‘antennae’ link autism, congenital heart disease

Variants in genes tied to both conditions derail the formation of cilia, the tiny hair-like structure found on almost every cell in the body, a new study finds.

By Lauren Schenkman
24 July 2025 | 4 min listen
A woman plays with a child on the floor.

Four autism subtypes map onto distinct genes, traits

An analysis of more than 5,000 autistic children and their siblings underscores the idea that autism can be understood as multiple conditions with distinct trajectories.

By Giorgia Guglielmi
17 July 2025 | 6 min listen
Multiple exposure of Rujuta Wilson facing the camera, and walking along her gait mat.

A new look at walking in early childhood: Q&A with Rujuta Wilson

Quantifying toddlers’ gaits promises to improve autism diagnosis and intervention.

By Charles Q. Choi
14 March 2024 | 6 min read
Young child stacks colored blocks on a table.

High prevalence of developmental delay strains Australia’s support systems

The nation needs to build capacity to support the roughly 20 percent of children in Australia who have developmental delay.

By Andrew Whitehouse
1 September 2023 | 5 min read

Emotion dysregulation in autism with Carla Mazefsky

The director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Autism Center of Excellence talks about her new work investigating suicidality in autistic adults.

By Brady Huggett
1 August 2023 | 59 min listen
Illustration of half of a brain on the left and half of a heart on the right

Change of heart and mind: Autism’s ties to cardiac defects

Children with congenital heart disease have an increased likelihood of autism. Why?

By Lauren Schenkman
21 July 2023 | 12 min read
Research image of developing mouse embryos.

Medley of models reveals misbehaving pathways in autism-linked condition

The largest analysis of human samples to date, plus work in mice and zebrafish, detail the gene KMT5B’s role in brain development.

By Holly Barker
4 May 2023 | 5 min read
Image of scientists working in a lab.

African genetics study NeuroDev shares initial findings

The most comprehensive study of neurodevelopmental conditions in Kenya and South Africa ever conducted shares preliminary results and lessons.

By Maaisha Osman
15 March 2023 | 7 min listen
Toddler stepping towards parent, in front of window.

What developmental milestones say about autism research: A conversation with Susan Kuo and Elise Robinson

Shifts in diagnostic criteria have only added to the condition’s bedeviling heterogeneity, an analysis of smiling, sitting, walking and other early milestones in more than 17,000 autistic children reveals.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
10 August 2022 | 7 min read
A street crowded with pedestrian traffic

Spectrum of variants contribute differently to autism traits

Different combinations of common, rare, inherited and spontaneous mutations may explain why traits vary so widely among autistic people.

By Laura Dattaro
3 June 2022 | 5 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

New questions around motor neurons and plasticity

A researcher’s theory hangs muscle degeneration on a broken neural circuit.

By David Adam
10 October 2025 | 9 min read
Research image of SCN2A neurons.

Boosting SCN2A expression reduces seizures in mice

A modified form of CRISPR amps up expression of the gene—a strategy that could apply to other gene variations linked to autism.

By Charles Q. Choi
9 October 2025 | 5 min read

Nikolay Kukushkin discusses his book, ‘One Hand Clapping: Unraveling the Mystery of the Human Mind’

He explains how meaning arises in the interactions found throughout nature and evolution, from molecules to minds.

By Paul Middlebrooks
8 October 2025 | 1 min read

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