A new study published in Nature Genetics (2025) has identified four distinct subtypes of autism, each differentiated by their own set of unique challenges and associated with specific genetic variations. According to co-lead author of the paper Natalie Sauerwald, “For families navigating autism, understanding their child’s specific subtype can provide greater clarity and open the …
Continue reading New Insights: Four Subtypes of Autism Revealed by Recent Study
SCN1A stands for sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 1 and the gene that encodes this channel is part of a family of genes that provides instructions to make sodium channels, which are essential in cellular signaling. SCN1A in particular encodes a sodium channel called NaV1.1 which is found in the brain. During this past school …
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 …
Continue reading The Benefits of Yoga for Stress Relief and Mental Health
The Nature vs. Nurture Debate Nature vs 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 …
Continue reading Exploring Nature vs Nurture in Autism Research
Dr. Sneha Kohli Mathur is an ally. She created a company, Spectrum Success, to provide adolescents and adults on the Autism Spectrum with numerous services to improve their quality of life. They offer consultation services for parents, adults, colleges, and parents. A founding member of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion SIG in ABA, Dr. Mathur …
Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is a developmental disorder, impairing an individual’s ability to interact with others and behave appropriately. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a spectrum. Dr. Rebecca Landa, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University, said in an interview, “If you meet one person with autism, you meet one person with autism.” Each person with …
Continue reading Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Early Theories to Current Insights
I previously mentioned that maternal diabetes during pregnancy has been related to an increased risk of autism. This is an idea that has been shown in my family; my Mom has Type 1 Diabetes and my brother is diagnosed with ASD Level 1. The role of inflammation in diabetes pathophysiology may be the underlying role …
Continue reading Understanding Intrauterine Inflammation and Autism Risk
In 1998, Andrew Wakefield published a paper, claiming that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine caused symptoms including intestinal inflammation, among other things that led to the consequent development of autism. This paper was scientifically flawed and even fraudulent due to data misrepresentation. Wakefield claimed that autism arose as a result of intestinal inflammation …
Continue reading Vaccine Safety: Fact vs. Fiction in Autism Research
Dr. Rebecca Landa is a professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University and a highly influential autism researcher. She also founded the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Her research has focused mainly on the neuropsychological communication and language processes of autism throughout an …
Continue reading The Importance of Person-First Language: Dr. Rebecca Landa’s Perspective
I recently had the wonderful opportunity to interview Dr. Wendy Chung, the director of clinical research at SPARK and a supervisor of education in human genetics at Columbia University Medical School as well as a Kennedy Family Professor of Pediatrics in Medicine. By managing the research study of autistic individuals, Dr. Chung evaluates opportunities to …
Continue reading Understanding Autism Through Research – An Interview with Dr. Wendy Chung