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. …
Continue reading Why are Gender Identity Conflicts More Common in Individuals with ASD?
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
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 …
Continue reading Innovative Therapies – A Podcast with Dr. Maja Mataric
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 …
If you look up the most influential autism researchers, Dr. Connie Kasari Ph.D., Professor of Human Development and Psychology at UCLA is on that list. A founding member of the Center for Autism Research and Treatment at UCLA, Dr. Kasari aims to develop new and evidence-based intervention strategies for children with ASD that can be …
Walking out of the elevator, I was greeted with bursts of color along the hallways of the Toby and Leon Cooperman Therapy and Family Resource Center. Feeling like a child once again, I followed the pathways along the tiles across the floor, putting me at ease. A tactile wall with different materials lines the hallway, …
Continue reading Therapies and Resources at the Toby and Leon Cooperman Center
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
This past October, Keith Wargo became the president and CEO of Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to aiding individuals on the spectrum and their families. Responsible for the management of Autism Speaks, Wargo works to guarantee that the mission of the organization is being fulfilled. Autism Speaks is working to promote greater understanding and acceptance, …
Continue reading Keith Wargo: Leading Autism Speaks Into a New Era