Is Autism Even a Brain Disorder?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, as a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. A couple of days ago, I listened to the Huberman Lab podcast episode that focused on the causes and treatments for autism with Dr. Karen Parker, Professor of Comparative Medicine at Stanford…
Why are Gender Identity Conflicts More Common in Individuals with ASD?
Madge Woollard, an autistic pianist, said, “A lot of us autistic people don’t really fit in socially, and I think this extends to ideas around gender.” As unlikely as it may sound, there is some evidence that individuals with autism are more likely than others to experience gender dysphoria, or distress related to gender incongruence.…
The Rest is Still Unwritten
When you’re 18 years old, a big question occupies your mind: “How does one decide to leave home to go to school and start a new chapter of their life?” It’s very complicated. Technically, I’m an adult. I’m 18 years old. I’m legal. However, I’m still a “teen.” I still want hugs from my Mommy,…
SCN2A: A Top Candidate Gene Linked to Autism
Research on autism spectrum disorder offers opportunities to study specific genetic mutations that could potentially reveal biological insights into the development of autism. Consistent with this, researchers have created lists of hundreds of studied risk genes for autism. The vast majority of autism cases are the result of multiple genetic and biological factors (Singer, n.d.).…
The Effect of Cultural Differences on Autism Diagnosis
According to the CDC, about 1 in 100 children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder globally. Autism is diagnosed in all socioeconomic and ethnic groups and makes up about 1% of the world’s population. However, a dominating factor calls this statistic into question: cultural differences throughout the world. In a scientific article published in…
Managing Anxiety & Stress Through Yoga
For the past several months, yoga has been a great way for me to cope with stressors, whether that be feeling anxious about a test, worrying about girl drama, or simply just going to work on myself emotionally and physically. I take an hour out of my day to unplug and be mindful about myself…
Innovative Therapies – A Podcast with Dr. Maja Mataric
Dr. Maja Mataric is at the forefront of innovative therapies for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Combining her skills in engineering and her passions in helping people, she has worked for over 20 years to improve human quality of life. To improve human life, she has created human-centered technologies, including socially-assistive robots for those with…
Nature vs. Nurture
Nature versus nurture has been a debate for centuries, even going back to the medieval French. As Francis Galton stated in 1874, “[nature vs. nurture] is a convenient jingle of words, for it separates under two distinct heads the innumerable elements of which personality is composed. Nature is all that a man brings with himself…
Depression & Suicide Risk – A Conversation with Dr. Jessica Schwartzman
Dr. Jessica Schwartzman’s research goes above and beyond when it comes to helping improve the quality of life of the neurodiverse community. She has researched critical real-world problems, such as COVID and suicide, as they have affected adolescents with autism and studied them to find solutions to such serious current issues. She is a professional…
Sensory Processing in Infants: A Conversation with Dr. Grace Baranek
Whenever I’ve interviewed a researcher specialized in studying autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, most of them recommend that I continue my interview series with Dr. Grace Baranek, a globally renowned professional in sensory characteristics and occupational therapy in children with autism spectrum disorder. She has co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles in several prestigious journals,…
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The Real Spectrum 