The courtroom buzzed as jurors reconvened on Monday, tasked with deciding whether to impose death or life imprisonment for Tanner Horner, who admitted to the 2022 murder of seven‑year‑old Athena Strand. The case had evolved from a straightforward crime narrative into a layered examination of Horner’
In brain scans, scientists often use specific exercises to find where certain functions live in the brain. These tasks can be boring, causing people to move and tiredness, especially kids who find long scans hard. A new idea is to show them a fun movie instead of a strict task, hoping they stay stil
Scientists are starting to see a surprising link between autism, usually thought of as a childhood condition, and Alzheimer’s, a disease that shows up in old age. At first glance the two seem unrelated: one is about early brain wiring, the other about later brain decay. But new studies suggest
Passaic is set to hold a special job fair for teens with autism on Saturday, April 18. Eight local businesses will be there to talk about work and give hands‑on training. The event happens during Autism Awareness Month, making it one of the first of its kind in the area. The idea started wi
Scientists say that the key to unlocking how autism works lies in studying real human brains, but most people don’t know that brain donation is a separate process from regular organ donation. In a recent survey of just over a thousand Americans, only about 15 percent knew that being an organ donor
In adolescence, the brain’s “default mode, ” “central executive, ” and “salience” networks are thought to work together for social understanding. When these networks do not connect properly, people may find it hard to read others’ feelings or intentions. Researchers compared teens with autism spectr
Parents of 523 children aged 7 to 12, most boys, filled out surveys about their kids’ daily habits and feelings. Researchers used a statistical method called latent profile analysis to spot patterns in four distinct groups. The first group, about one‑fifth of the sample, showed very high levels of
Families in San Diego wake up early to prepare their children with autism for the day. A small shift in timing or an unexpected noise can throw a routine off balance, and parents must calm their kids before the school bell rings. This quiet labor starts hours before any official support begins and o
The Independent Autism Coordinating Committee, or I‑ACC, met for the first time in Washington, D. C. , offering a fresh take on autism science after recent changes to the federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. The I‑ACC was formed quickly by researchers and advocates who felt the officia
Scientists and advocates have announced a fresh, independent body that will chart the future of autism studies. The new group aims to set priorities based on solid science, offering a counterpoint to a federal panel that many feel is tainted by questionable views. The federal committee was reshap
