Family ties

Recent articles

How ordinary people influence autism research

MIND Institute

The builders: How parents shaped autism research

A group of savvy parents jump-started autism research in California, but they also set the research agenda.

By Jocelyn Wiener
5 October 2016 | 21 min read
Someone writes descriptions on gridded paper, the paper is in the shape of a child's silhouette.

The innovators: How families launch their own autism studies

Some parents are starting ‘N-of-1’ studies for autism, but their efforts don’t always get taken seriously.

By Carrie Arnold
28 September 2016 | 20 min read
Two parents look at a frame held by a mysterious salesman-like hand. Within the frame, the picture of a glorious horizon. The tone suggests that not everything is as it seems.

The seekers: Why parents try fringe therapies for autism

Many parents resort to unproven — even dangerous — alternative treatments for their children’s autism. What drives them?

By Alisa Opar
21 September 2016 | 23 min read
Image of pots and pans hanging from the ceiling. This is meant to be a visual pun, because marijuana is also known as 'pot'.

The pioneers: How parents are experimenting with marijuana for autism

Meet the backyard marijuana growers and home chemists who are rushing in where scientists fear to tread.

By Jessica Wright
14 September 2016 | 20 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Portrait of insect-cognition researcher Martin Giurfa.

O que significa ‘lar’ para Martín Giurfa

O pesquisador especializado em cognição de insetos já trabalhou em vários continentes, mas a Argentina nunca está longe de seus pensamentos.

By Gina Jiménez
10 August 2026 | 15 min read
Ilustração de um cientista diante de uma paisagem fragmentada.

Redefinindo a sub-representação na neurociência mundial

Mudar o foco das iniciativas de equidade das categorias identitárias para as barreiras estruturais pode revelar desafios negligenciados e aumentar o apoio e a participação em todo o mundo.

Ilustración del científico frente a un paisaje fracturado.

Redefiniendo la subrepresentación en la neurociencia global

Si se cambia el enfoque de las iniciativas de promoción de equidad desde categorías de identidad a barreras estructurales, se revelan desafíos que habían pasado desapercibidos que pueden aumentar la participación a nivel mundial.