Regression

Recent articles

Woman going over homework with distracted child.

Early language loss in autistic children not tied to later communication problems

Many autistic children experience language regression for about three months in early childhood, but this lapse does not appear to foretell future communication issues.

By Charles Q. Choi
28 February 2022 | 6 min read
Boy in brain-like tunnel looking towards the light

Puberty and autism: An unexplored transition

Researchers are just beginning to learn what happens in the brains of autistic children during adolescence to explain their unique social, cognitive and emotional challenges.

By Spectrum
24 March 2021 | 19 min read

Increase in intelligence scores may not alter autism traits

People with autism show significant improvements in cognitive ability from age 12 to 23 years, but their autism traits remain stable over this time.

By Peter Hess
4 February 2020 | 3 min read
Child hesitating in front of a giant eye showing areas of the brain, facial recognition and other connections related to sight.

Seeing connections between autism and blindness

Autism is unusually common among people with congenital blindness, in part because the ability to see drives much of brain development.

By Rubin Jure
12 November 2019 | 6 min read
linked hands in a pattern intertwined with DNA showing some broken parts, symbolizing mutations

Rett syndrome’s link to autism, explained

Studies of Rett syndrome hint at genes, cells and brain circuits that may be involved in autism — and may pave the way to treatments for both conditions.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
21 October 2019 | 5 min read

Language regression in autism tied to motor milestones

Autistic children who lose words reach key milestones earlier than autistic children without language regression.

By Tara Santora
9 October 2019 | 4 min read
Father helping boy brush teeth

Rapid regression distinguishes rare condition from autism

Some children who dramatically lose a range of abilities after age 2 may have a condition called childhood disintegrative disorder.

By Jessica Wright
7 February 2019 | 3 min read
Spectrum stories podcast logo.

Spectrum Stories: Resetting the autistic brain

Deep brain stimulation is not an approved treatment for autism but has helped some people with extreme obsessions and other severe traits. Host Ben Kuebrich investigates one success story.

By Ben Kuebrich
14 September 2018 | 1 min read
Photo: Autistic woman Becky Audette lies on a couch under a purple blanket.

Rebooting Becky’s brain

An electrical brain implant all but erased the obsessions that had consumed Becky Audette, years after her autism diagnosis. Could similar implants help other people with severe autism?

By Ingrid Wickelgren
12 September 2018 | 28 min read

Mutations in autism gene may trigger milder effects than does its loss

People with mutations in SHANK3 have milder features than do those missing a chunk of DNA that includes the gene.

By Bahar Gholipour
20 June 2018 | 4 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Abstract illustration of a human brain.

‘Elusive Cures: Why Neuroscience Hasn’t Solved Brain Disorders—and How We Can Change That,’ an excerpt

In her new book, published today, neuroscientist Nicole Rust takes us on her personal quest to spell out the brain research community's "Grand Plan."

By Nicole Rust
10 June 2025 | 9 min read
Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.

Convergent effects of autism-linked genes in zebrafish; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 9 June.

By Jill Adams
10 June 2025 | 2 min read
Research image containing repeated structures, suggesting potential image manipulation.

More than two dozen papers by neural tube researcher come under scrutiny

One of the studies, published in 2021 in Science Advances, received an editorial expression of concern on 21 May, after the journal learned that an institutional review of alleged image problems is underway.

By Claudia López Lloreda
9 June 2025 | 6 min read