Shannon Des Roches Rosa is senior editor at Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism, parent to three ever-taller children, and a fan of her spouse’s work in public media science documentaries. She lives near San Francisco, California.
Shannon Des Roches Rosa
Managing editor
Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism
From this contributor
Clinicians must put more effort into autism-specific medical care
Without it, autistic adults with high support needs like my son are missing out on treatments that could reduce their suffering and improve their quality of life.
Clinicians must put more effort into autism-specific medical care
By
Shannon Des Roches Rosa
14 March 2022 | 6 min read
How to help autistic children cope with pandemic lockdowns
Sheltering in place is especially hard for autistic children who dread changes in routine and who may have learned to repress their ways of managing stress. Here are tips to help them cope.
How to help autistic children cope with pandemic lockdowns
By
Shannon Des Roches Rosa
28 April 2020 | 4 min read
Autism meeting evolves to address needs of people on the spectrum
The annual meeting of International Society for Autism Research has aligned its offerings with the priorities of people with autism and their families.
Autism meeting evolves to address needs of people on the spectrum
By
Shannon Des Roches Rosa
1 May 2018 | 5 min read
A call to scientists to develop communication tools for autism
People with autism who speak few or no words need tools that can help them communicate. Scientists could make this happen.
A call to scientists to develop communication tools for autism
By
Shannon Des Roches Rosa
20 December 2016 | 6 min read
Before talking about autism, listen to families
Scientists should phrase their findings to be sensitive to the dignity and needs of people with autism.
Before talking about autism, listen to families
By
Shannon Des Roches Rosa
26 January 2016 | 6 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
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.
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.
By
Charles Q. Choi
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.”
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.”
By
Helena Kudiabor
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