Helen Pearson is a science writer based in New York City.
Helen Pearson
Freelance writer
Simons Foundation
From this contributor
Father’s advanced age feeds autism risk
Are older fathers more likely to have children with autism? A series of epidemiological studies is giving credence to the idea, suggesting that, with age, sperm may accumulate damage that increases risk in the next generation.
Sense of ‘self’ impaired in autism
People with autism struggle to see their own role in social situations. That's the conclusion from the first study to scan individualsʼ brains while they interact with another person - a technique that could lead to a diagnostic tool.
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Federal funding cuts imperil next generation of autism researchers
As the International Society for Autism Research’s annual meeting begins, its next president reflects on a brewing crisis.
Federal funding cuts imperil next generation of autism researchers
As the International Society for Autism Research’s annual meeting begins, its next president reflects on a brewing crisis.
By
Brian Boyd
30 April 2025 | 5 min read
Null and Noteworthy: Reanalysis contradicts report of immune memory in astrocytes
The analysis, which has not yet been peer reviewed, attributes the finding to misidentified immune cells instead.
Null and Noteworthy: Reanalysis contradicts report of immune memory in astrocytes
The analysis, which has not yet been peer reviewed, attributes the finding to misidentified immune cells instead.
By
Laura Dattaro
30 April 2025 | 5 min read
Documenting decades of autism prevalence; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 28 April.
Documenting decades of autism prevalence; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 28 April.
By
Jill Adams
29 April 2025 | 1 min read