What’s New in Autism Research?

According to the most recent data available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “One in 68 school-age kids across the country are estimated to have autism.” Such alarming statistics demand answers and researchers are busy studying the developmental disorder and its significant ramifications, not only for the people who have autism and their families, but for our society as well. In commemoration of National Autism Awareness Month, we’ve scoured the internet, to uncover the latest research findings on topics related to autism spectrum disorders.  Here’s what we found.

1. Brain scans can help predict development of autism in siblings

In February 2017, scientists at the University of Minnesota published findings of a 12-year-long study in the journal Nature, that could result in earlier detection of autism in children who have a genetic predisposition to developing the disorder. Basing their research on science from the 1990s that found children with autism had larger brain volume than children without autism, scientists took brain scans of more than 100 siblings of children with autism, at 6, 12 and 24 months of age. The researchers discovered that some siblings who later developed autism, experienced a rapid expansion of brain surface between the ages of 6-12 months. Using a computer program built for the study, scientists compared the brain scans of the siblings to the scans of children in a separate study group and could predict with 80 percent accuracy, which children would go on to develop autism. That’s a major development since early detection and intervention can make a huge difference when it comes to treatment efficacy.

2.  Parents of children with autism need to nurture their relationship

A study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities last month found that parents of children with autism spend (21 minutes per day) less time together than parents of typically developing children. Parents of children with autism should try to close that gap, recommended study lead author Sigan Harley of University of Wisconsin-Madison in an interview with Disability Scoop. “Just like any child, a child with ASD affects, and is affected by, the entire family …Developing therapies or strategies that help parents thrive and keep their relationships strong is critical for the long-term success of children.” In other words:  Don’t skip date night!

3.  Links between autism and gut microbes have treatment implications

A study by researchers at Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, Ohio State University and University of Minnesota lent support to previously reported links between autism and gut microbes. According to Northern Arizona University News, “Eighteen participants with autism who ranged in age from 7 to 16 underwent a 10-week treatment program that involved antibiotics, a bowel cleanse and daily fecal microbial transplants. The results, which were recently published in the journal Microbiome, were encouraging,” said the publication. “While the long-term impact is unknown, researchers observed an 80 percent improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders, with a 20-25 percent improvement in autism-related behaviors, including improved social skills and better sleeping habits.”

4. Brain mapping offers important data on boys with autism

A 2016 study published in JAMA Psychiatry provides hope for boys with autism and their families by using functional magnetic resonance imaging technology to “map and track the function of brain circuits affected by autism spectrum disorder in boys,” according to a press release from the George Washington University. “This is significant because biomarkers give us a ‘why’ for understanding autism in boys that we haven’t had before,” said Kevin Pelphrey, a co-author of the study. “We can now use functional biomarkers to identify what treatments will be effective for individual cases and measure progress.” In next steps, Pelphrey and his team will conduct a larger study of individuals with autism and other neurological disorders to determine whether brain scans show differences between the brains of boys with autistic spectrum disorders and boys with other neurological disorders. The study will also evaluate the technique’s efficacy in tracking treatment progress.

5. Children with autism at far greater risk of death from injuries

A brand-new study published last month in the American Journal of Public Health found that individuals with autism diagnoses were three times more likely to die from injuries than individuals who do not have the diagnosis. The numbers among children with autism are even more catastrophic. The study found that children with autism are 40 times more likely to die from injuries than children without autism. Eighty percent of these premature deaths are caused by asphyxiation, suffocation or most commonly—drowning. The bottom line? These needless deaths are preventable. Interviewed by CNN about the study, Autism Speaks’ Michael Rosanoff, directed parents to the organization’s website for tips on water safety for children with autism, especially those who tend to wander.