Profound autism
Brain organoid size matches intensity of social problems in autistic people
Overgrown organoids could point to mechanisms underlying profound autism.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ctrl-ASD-1200-1024x692.webp)
Brain organoid size matches intensity of social problems in autistic people
Overgrown organoids could point to mechanisms underlying profound autism.
Pinning down ‘profound autism’ for reliable research: Q&A with Matthew Siegel
A clear and actionable definition for the term could enhance research and improve care, Matthew Siegel says.
![Portrait of Matthew Siegel sitting on a staircase.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1200-lede-siegel-qa-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Pinning down ‘profound autism’ for reliable research: Q&A with Matthew Siegel
A clear and actionable definition for the term could enhance research and improve care, Matthew Siegel says.
Building bridges: Collaboration across the autism community
An autistic person and the mother of an autistic child explore partnership in the autism community.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1200-lutz-1024x683.webp)
Building bridges: Collaboration across the autism community
An autistic person and the mother of an autistic child explore partnership in the autism community.
Weaponized heterogeneity only harms the most vulnerable autistic people
Focusing on aspects of autistic experience that we all share may lead more quickly to our shared goal of improved outcomes for all autistic people.
![Photograph of a woman in a dim room looking out her window.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/844-autism-heterogeneity-harms-vulnerable.jpg)
Weaponized heterogeneity only harms the most vulnerable autistic people
Focusing on aspects of autistic experience that we all share may lead more quickly to our shared goal of improved outcomes for all autistic people.
It’s time to embrace ‘profound autism’
My experience at the Autism-Europe International Congress — and as a parent of a child with profound autism — makes me more convinced than ever that we need to bifurcate the diagnosis of ‘autism spectrum disorder’ and add a new diagnosis of ‘profound autism’ to better serve this vulnerable population.
![Lone figure treads a central path that splits into two, surrounded on both sides by an uncertain, shifting landscape in murky colors.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/844-singer-profound-autism-viewpoint.jpg)
It’s time to embrace ‘profound autism’
My experience at the Autism-Europe International Congress — and as a parent of a child with profound autism — makes me more convinced than ever that we need to bifurcate the diagnosis of ‘autism spectrum disorder’ and add a new diagnosis of ‘profound autism’ to better serve this vulnerable population.
New program offers $35K grants to study ‘profound autism’
People who have ‘profound autism’ — those with severe intellectual disability, limited communication abilities or both — tend to be excluded from research. The Autism Science Foundation seeks to change that.
![An abstract "funding mechanism" featuring dollar bills alongside tubes, beakers and wires](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Funding-mechanism-asf-autism-844.jpg)
New program offers $35K grants to study ‘profound autism’
People who have ‘profound autism’ — those with severe intellectual disability, limited communication abilities or both — tend to be excluded from research. The Autism Science Foundation seeks to change that.
Mapping the futures of autistic children
Researchers can roughly project what autistic children's lives will look like years down the road. But how good is their crystal ball — and what are its benefits?
![Illustration shows yellow landscape with blue sections and a lot of trains on paths with kids on the trains, going different directions.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Lead-844.jpg)
Mapping the futures of autistic children
Researchers can roughly project what autistic children's lives will look like years down the road. But how good is their crystal ball — and what are its benefits?
Big brain may mark subtype of autism
Autistic boys with large brains in early childhood still have large brains in adolescence, challenging the long-standing idea that brain enlargement in autism is temporary.
![MRIs show changes over time](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/FInalMRI.jpg)
Big brain may mark subtype of autism
Autistic boys with large brains in early childhood still have large brains in adolescence, challenging the long-standing idea that brain enlargement in autism is temporary.
Autism, intellectual disability linked to levels of fragile X protein
People with particularly low levels of FMRP, the protein lacking in those with fragile X syndrome, are more likely to also have autism and severe intellectual disability.
![Adolescent has cheek swabbed](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201026-FragileX.jpg)
Autism, intellectual disability linked to levels of fragile X protein
People with particularly low levels of FMRP, the protein lacking in those with fragile X syndrome, are more likely to also have autism and severe intellectual disability.
Neural responses to names may underlie language difficulties in some autistic people
Minimally verbal autistic people do not differentiate the sound of their own name from that of a stranger, according to a new EEG study.
![Mother in the background unsuccessfully trying to get attention of daughter in the foreground.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/GettyImages-119706835.jpg)
Neural responses to names may underlie language difficulties in some autistic people
Minimally verbal autistic people do not differentiate the sound of their own name from that of a stranger, according to a new EEG study.
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.