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 | 4 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
Explore more from The Transmitter
Up and out with Peggy Mason
Mason helped define the rodent prosocial behavior field, but now she’s changing course.
Up and out with Peggy Mason
Mason helped define the rodent prosocial behavior field, but now she’s changing course.
By
Sydney Wyatt
15 August 2025 | 13 min read
The spectrum goes multidimensional in search of autism subtypes
Grouping people with autism based on shared features, genetics and co-occurring conditions may improve clinical trial outcomes, researchers say.
The spectrum goes multidimensional in search of autism subtypes
Grouping people with autism based on shared features, genetics and co-occurring conditions may improve clinical trial outcomes, researchers say.
By
Katie Moisse
14 August 2025 | 9 min listen
Exclusive: Harvard University lays off fly database team
The layoffs jeopardize this resource, which has served more than 4,000 labs for about three decades.
Exclusive: Harvard University lays off fly database team
The layoffs jeopardize this resource, which has served more than 4,000 labs for about three decades.
By
Claudia López Lloreda
13 August 2025 | 5 min listen