Diagnosis
Diagnosing autism and teaching neurodiversity with So Hyun “Sophy” Kim
The Korea University professor on her path to autism research and studying in the United States.
![Illustrated portrait of So Hyun “Sophy” Kim.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1200-sophy-kim-synaptic-1024x683.webp)
Diagnosing autism and teaching neurodiversity with So Hyun “Sophy” Kim
The Korea University professor on her path to autism research and studying in the United States.
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.
Mutation in top autism-linked gene may alter eye reflex
The discovery could help clinicians diagnose children who carry mutations in the gene, called SCN2A, and gauge their responses to potential therapies.
![A slice of a cerebellum.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-lede-cerebellar-plasticity-autism-1024x692.png)
Mutation in top autism-linked gene may alter eye reflex
The discovery could help clinicians diagnose children who carry mutations in the gene, called SCN2A, and gauge their responses to potential therapies.
‘Prototypical autism’ research is likely a dead end
Efforts to define “frank” or “classic” forms of the condition build on several assumptions that the science has not yet borne out.
![An illustration of a magnifying glass, checklists, and anonymous figures.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-transmitter-neuroscience-autism-prototypical-1024x683.webp)
‘Prototypical autism’ research is likely a dead end
Efforts to define “frank” or “classic” forms of the condition build on several assumptions that the science has not yet borne out.
New tablet-based tools to spot autism draw excitement — and questions
Handheld devices promise to bring autism detection home, but many researchers urge caution.
![A child uses a tablet device](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-autism-app-tablet-neuroscience-transmitter-1024x683.webp)
New tablet-based tools to spot autism draw excitement — and questions
Handheld devices promise to bring autism detection home, but many researchers urge caution.
Year in Review: Spectrum’s best in 2023
Here are five must-reads from our coverage of autism research over the past 12 months.
![Three groups of people meet and mix at a crossroads.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1200-transmitter-best-of-news-1024x683.webp)
Year in Review: Spectrum’s best in 2023
Here are five must-reads from our coverage of autism research over the past 12 months.
Autism research hits the road
Some scientists are thinking creatively about how to collect data in flexible environments and meet communities where they’re at.
Autism research hits the road
Some scientists are thinking creatively about how to collect data in flexible environments and meet communities where they’re at.
Teasing apart insistence on sameness with Mirko Uljarević
The hallmark autism trait has multiple facets, Uljarević and his colleagues have found.
![A person stands in front of a neatly organized dresser drawer.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-autism-sameness-1024x692.webp)
Teasing apart insistence on sameness with Mirko Uljarević
The hallmark autism trait has multiple facets, Uljarević and his colleagues have found.
Journal club: Why do some children lose their autism diagnosis?
More than one-third of a cohort of autistic toddlers no longer meet criteria for the condition at school age, according to a new study, but the findings may not generalize because the cohort is predominantly white and affluent.
![A group of elementary school children run toward the entrance of a school, their backs turned to the camera.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-journal-club-autism-1024x692.webp)
Journal club: Why do some children lose their autism diagnosis?
More than one-third of a cohort of autistic toddlers no longer meet criteria for the condition at school age, according to a new study, but the findings may not generalize because the cohort is predominantly white and affluent.
Looking at eye tracking’s potential for clinical trials
This month’s Going on Trial newsletter explores how eye tracking might be used beyond helping with diagnosis, among other drug development news.
![A hand reaches from above to add a pill to a stack that is resting against the x-axis of a graph.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/844-going-on-trial-autism-drugs-01.jpg)
Looking at eye tracking’s potential for clinical trials
This month’s Going on Trial newsletter explores how eye tracking might be used beyond helping with diagnosis, among other drug development news.
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.