Autism Speaks Official Blog

Virtual conversation simulator found beneficial for adults with autism (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
Simulated interactions in which adults with autism converse with a virtual partner may help them develop better social interaction skills, according to a novel study presented in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Read more.

York College students raise money for autism awareness (York, Penn.)
York College students will be raising money for autism awareness through April 15. The school’s Public Relations Student Society of America chapter has teamed up with Autism York, according to a news release. The members and volunteers will collect donations for Autism York for families and individuals living with autism spectrum disorders. Read more.

Autism: DNA Research May Hold Promise (EmpowHER)
The causes of autism are still unknown, but studying genetic factors has been yielding some fruit in recent years, uncovering some of the genes that play a role in autism. Read more.

Judge: Autistic student’s service dog unnecessary at school (Naples, Fla.)
An administrative law judge has ruled that an autistic Estates Elementary School student will have to leave his service dog at home. Read more.

When autistic children grow up, larger challenges appear (The Washington Post)
The March 13 front-page article “ In assault case, anxious parents recognize ‘dark side of autism’ ” underscored a reality that haunts families like mine that are touched by autism. But it is not fear of violence. Rather, it is the demographic reality that children with autism quickly become adults with autism. Read more.