Helen Tager-Flusberg is director of the Center for Autism Research Excellence at Boston University. Her research aims to untangle autism and language impairments using behavioral and brain-imagining studies. She was also a columnist for Spectrum.
Helen Tager-Flusberg
Boston University
From this contributor
Why no one needs a diagnosis of ‘social communication disorder’
A diagnosis of social communication disorder only keeps people from a community and resources they desperately want and need.
Why no one needs a diagnosis of ‘social communication disorder’
By
Helen Tager-Flusberg
17 April 2018 | 1 min read
Should scientists study mothers of children with autism?
Studying parents of children with autism has long been controversial, but that doesn’t mean scientists should avoid it.
Should scientists study mothers of children with autism?
By
Helen Tager-Flusberg
12 April 2016 | 1 min read
‘Frozen’ offers glimpse of autism in girls
Elsa, the star of the movie “Frozen,” is the poster child for girls with autism.
‘Frozen’ offers glimpse of autism in girls
By
Helen Tager-Flusberg
15 September 2015 | 4 min read
Time for some soul-searching in science
Scientists should slow down and return to the basic tenets of research to regain the public’s trust.
Time for some soul-searching in science
By
Helen Tager-Flusberg
1 September 2015 | 1 min read
Better behavioral tests may save trials of autism treatments
Trials to test drugs for autism suffer from subjective measurements and placebo effects. Helen Tager-Flusberg outlines how to ferret out the true effects of potential autism therapies.
Better behavioral tests may save trials of autism treatments
By
Helen Tager-Flusberg
21 April 2015 | 1 min read
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Estropipate, paclitaxel and levocarnitine altered behaviors tied to SCN2A and DYRK1A variants specifically, a new open-source platform revealed.
Nearly 400 compounds affect behaviors tied to autism-linked genes in zebrafish
Estropipate, paclitaxel and levocarnitine altered behaviors tied to SCN2A and DYRK1A variants specifically, a new open-source platform revealed.
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16 April 2026 | 4 min read
What neuroscientists want from a new NINDS director
The search is underway for the next director of the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, who will face a range of challenges, neuroscientists say, but will also have an “immense opportunity to do good things.”
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15 April 2026 | 4 min read
Arousal neurons’ activity explains brain’s blood flow dynamics in mice
The findings could influence how researchers interpret signals from techniques that use blood flow as a surrogate for neuronal activity.
Arousal neurons’ activity explains brain’s blood flow dynamics in mice
The findings could influence how researchers interpret signals from techniques that use blood flow as a surrogate for neuronal activity.
By
Claudia López Lloreda
15 April 2026 | 5 min read