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.
Explore more from The Transmitter
SHANK3 deficiency and behavior in mice; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 24 November.
SHANK3 deficiency and behavior in mice; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 24 November.
By
Jill Adams
25 November 2025 | 2 min read
Remembering Mark Hallett, leader in transcranial magnetic stimulation
The long-time NINDS researcher, best known for studying movement disorders, has died at age 82.
Remembering Mark Hallett, leader in transcranial magnetic stimulation
The long-time NINDS researcher, best known for studying movement disorders, has died at age 82.
By
David Dobbs
25 November 2025 | 7 min read
Autism scientists push back on CDC’s inaccurate vaccine claims
The CDC website now falsely suggests that autism-vaccine research is still an open question, prompting distrust among researchers—some of whom anticipate “more unreliable statements coming from the junta that took over” the agency.
Autism scientists push back on CDC’s inaccurate vaccine claims
The CDC website now falsely suggests that autism-vaccine research is still an open question, prompting distrust among researchers—some of whom anticipate “more unreliable statements coming from the junta that took over” the agency.
By
The Transmitter
21 November 2025 | 6 min read