Autism
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Insights from Two Decades of Statewide Data on the Diagnostic Rates among Autistic Females
A 2024 study by Harrop and colleagues reflects how the landscape of autism diagnosis for females has evolved. Drawing on more than 10,000 diagnostic records from the TEACCH Autism Program in North Carolina, spanning the years 2000 to 2021, the study reveals a steady increase in the proportion of females identified as autistic. While diagnostic pathways are becoming more inclusive, late recognition remains a concern, highlighting the ongoing need for approaches that acknowledge the diversity of autistic experience.
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Validation of a Mobile App for Remote Autism Screening in Toddlers
A 2025 multi-site study led by Dawson and colleagues evaluated a mobile app called “SenseToKnow,” designed for accessible, early autism screening in toddlers. The results suggest digital approaches as a promising way to make early identification more accessible, objective, and equitable for all families.
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STEPS in the Community: Pilot Trial Offers Promising Pathways for Autistic Adults Transitioning to Independence
Up to 70,000 autistic teenagers enter adulthood in the US each year, yet many report feeling unprepared for the leap. The Stepped Transition to Employment and Postsecondary Success (STEPS) programme is a goal-oriented intervention designed to bridge this gap.
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From Zimbabwe to Cambridge: Discussing Mental Health Research and Advocacy
In this In Conversation Podcast, Clara Faria is joined by Tanatswa Chikaura, a mental health researcher and advocate, Founder and Director of Ndinewe Foundation, and PhD candidate in the Department of Psychiatry in the University of Cambridge. Tanatswa’s research interests include suicide prevention, trauma, and mental health among autistic children and adults. Tanatswa was acknowledged in 2023 with a Diana Award for her mental health advocacy work. The focus of this podcast is on Tanatswa’s research journey, her mental health advocacy work, and how she conciliates both.
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Neurodiversity, Autism and Healthcare
In this Papers Podcast, Professor Jonathan Green discusses his CAMH journal Debate paper ‘Debate: Neurodiversity, autism and healthcare’. This podcast coincides with World Autism Acceptance Week.
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The Relationship Between Social Camouflaging in Autism and Safety Behaviours in Social Anxiety
In this Papers Podcast, Dr. Jiedi Lei discusses her JCPP paper ‘Understanding the relationship between social camouflaging in autism and safety behaviours in social anxiety in autistic and non-autistic adolescents’. Jiedi is the first author of the paper.
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Breaking Down Barriers and Improving Understanding – Autism Acceptance Week 2024
This World Autism Acceptance Week (2 April to 8 April 2024), we encourage you to explore the FREE learning opportunities available on our website, and to share with your networks.
Together we can work towards ‘sharing best evidence, improving practice’ to help create a society that works for autistic children and young people.
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Testing the social motivation theory of autism: the role of co-occurring anxiety
Open Access paper from the JCPP – ‘This study tests the mechanisms underlying the association between social motivation and autistic traits.’ Eloise Bagg et al.
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Diagnostic certainty during in-person and telehealth autism evaluations
Open Access paper from JCPP Advances – ‘Differences emerged in the frequency of diagnoses evaluated and made and diagnostic certainty for evaluations conducted via telehealth during the pandemic compared to in person before the pandemic, which likely impacted patients and reflect real-word challenges.’ Natasha N. Ludwig (pic) et al.
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Oxytocin Administration, Neural Sensitivity, and Autism
In this Papers Podcast, Dr. Matthijs Moerkerke discusses his JCPP paper ‘Can repeated intranasal oxytocin administration affect reduced neural sensitivity towards expressive faces in autism? A randomized controlled trial’. Matthijs is the first author of the paper.
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