Developmental delay
A new look at walking in early childhood: Q&A with Rujuta Wilson
Quantifying toddlers’ gaits promises to improve autism diagnosis and intervention.
![Multiple exposure of Rujuta Wilson facing the camera, and walking along her gait mat.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Rujuta-Wilson-gait-study-1200-1024x692.webp)
A new look at walking in early childhood: Q&A with Rujuta Wilson
Quantifying toddlers’ gaits promises to improve autism diagnosis and intervention.
High prevalence of developmental delay strains Australia’s support systems
The nation needs to build capacity to support the roughly 20 percent of children in Australia who have developmental delay.
![Young child stacks colored blocks on a table.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Motor-autism-development-811-1-1024x692.jpg)
High prevalence of developmental delay strains Australia’s support systems
The nation needs to build capacity to support the roughly 20 percent of children in Australia who have developmental delay.
Emotion dysregulation in autism with Carla Mazefsky
The director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Autism Center of Excellence talks about her new work investigating suicidality in autistic adults.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-synaptic-carla-mazefsky-autism-1024x692.jpg)
Emotion dysregulation in autism with Carla Mazefsky
The director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Autism Center of Excellence talks about her new work investigating suicidality in autistic adults.
Change of heart and mind: Autism’s ties to cardiac defects
Children with congenital heart disease have an increased likelihood of autism. Why?
![Illustration of half of a brain on the left and half of a heart on the right](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1200-trends-heart-defects-autism-1.jpg)
Change of heart and mind: Autism’s ties to cardiac defects
Children with congenital heart disease have an increased likelihood of autism. Why?
Medley of models reveals misbehaving pathways in autism-linked condition
The largest analysis of human samples to date, plus work in mice and zebrafish, detail the gene KMT5B’s role in brain development.
![Research image of developing mouse embryos.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/844-lede-final.png)
Medley of models reveals misbehaving pathways in autism-linked condition
The largest analysis of human samples to date, plus work in mice and zebrafish, detail the gene KMT5B’s role in brain development.
African genetics study NeuroDev shares initial findings
The most comprehensive study of neurodevelopmental conditions in Kenya and South Africa ever conducted shares preliminary results and lessons.
![Image of scientists working in a lab.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/844-cc_KEMRI-Lab_edited.jpg)
African genetics study NeuroDev shares initial findings
The most comprehensive study of neurodevelopmental conditions in Kenya and South Africa ever conducted shares preliminary results and lessons.
What developmental milestones say about autism research: A conversation with Susan Kuo and Elise Robinson
Shifts in diagnostic criteria have only added to the condition’s bedeviling heterogeneity, an analysis of smiling, sitting, walking and other early milestones in more than 17,000 autistic children reveals.
![Toddler stepping towards parent, in front of window.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/844-autism-developmental-variability.jpg)
What developmental milestones say about autism research: A conversation with Susan Kuo and Elise Robinson
Shifts in diagnostic criteria have only added to the condition’s bedeviling heterogeneity, an analysis of smiling, sitting, walking and other early milestones in more than 17,000 autistic children reveals.
Spectrum of variants contribute differently to autism traits
Different combinations of common, rare, inherited and spontaneous mutations may explain why traits vary so widely among autistic people.
![A street crowded with pedestrian traffic](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/844_genetic-factors-autism.jpg)
Spectrum of variants contribute differently to autism traits
Different combinations of common, rare, inherited and spontaneous mutations may explain why traits vary so widely among autistic people.
Cracking autism’s sleep conundrum
Sleep problems may contribute to or derive from autism traits — or both. After decades of work, researchers are beginning to uncover the biological connections between the two conditions, revealing new paths to potential treatments.
![Conceptual illustration of child sleeping under blanket with multiple EEG waves overlaid on top and a window on left showing it is daytime and window on right showing nighttime.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/SleepTrends-1-844.jpg)
Cracking autism’s sleep conundrum
Sleep problems may contribute to or derive from autism traits — or both. After decades of work, researchers are beginning to uncover the biological connections between the two conditions, revealing new paths to potential treatments.
Top autism candidate gene tied to newly identified syndrome
Mutations in the autism-linked gene PAX5 underlie a range of traits, including developmental delay, intellectual disability, seizures and autism.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/844_pax5.png)
Top autism candidate gene tied to newly identified syndrome
Mutations in the autism-linked gene PAX5 underlie a range of traits, including developmental delay, intellectual disability, seizures and autism.
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.