NIMH Pages about Autism

Overview of Autism…

Find current clinical trials on Autism…External Link: Please review our disclaimer.

Publications about Autism

A Parent’s Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder: This guide is intended to help parents understand what autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is, recognize common signs and symptoms, and find the resources they need. It’s important to remember that help is available.

Science News about Autism

Agent Reduces Autism-like Behaviors in Mice: Press Release • April 25, 2012
Autism-like behaviors in mice have been reduced, using an experimental agent being tested in patients for a related disorder.
Spontaneous Gene Glitches Linked to Autism Risk with Older Dads: Press Release • April 04, 2012
A trio of new studies have found that sequence changes in parts of genes that code for proteins play a significant role in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
Gene Regulator in Brain’s Executive Hub Tracked Across Lifespan – NIH study: Press Release • February 02, 2012
For the first time, scientists have tracked the activity, across the lifespan, of an environmentally responsive regulatory mechanism that turns genes on and off in the brain’s executive hub. Among key findings of the study by National Institutes of Health scientists: genes implicated in schizophrenia and autism turn out to be members of a select club of genes in which regulatory activity peaks during an environmentally-sensitive critical period in development.
NDAR Federation Creates Largest Source of Autism Research Data to Date: Press Release • December 12, 2011
A data partnership between the National Database for Autism Research (NDAR), and the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) positions NDAR as possibly the largest repository to date of genetic, phenotypic, clinical, and medical imaging data related to research on autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Training Peers Improves Social Outcomes for Some Kids with ASD: Press Release • November 28, 2011
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who attend regular education classes may be more likely to improve their social skills if their typically developing peers are taught how to interact with them than if only the children with ASD are taught such skills. According to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health, a shift away from more commonly used interventions that focus on training children with ASD directly may provide greater social benefits for children with ASD.

More Science News about Autism

Posts about Autism

The New Genetics of Autism – Why Environment Matters

By Thomas Insel on April 04, 2012

Dr. Insel discusses how new research may help tie together seemingly disparate findings in genetic vs environmental risk factors in autism spectrum disorders.

Autism Prevalence: More Affected or More Detected?

By Thomas Insel on March 29, 2012

Dr. Insel discusses the CDC's latest report on autism prevalence.

From Paresis to PANDAS and PANS

By Thomas Insel on March 26, 2012

Dr. Insel discusses the connection between mental disorders and infection in light of pediatric neuropsychiatric disorders PANS and PANDAS.

The Long Paths to Breakthroughs

By Thomas Insel on February 07, 2012

Dr. Insel talks about how basic research can lead to potential treatments.

NIMH’s Top 10 Research Advances of 2011

By Thomas Insel on December 23, 2011

Dr. Insel shares NIMH’s Top 10 Research Advances for 2011.

Meeting Summaries about Autism

NIH Workshop on Nonverbal School-Aged Children with Autism: April 13, 2010 – April 14, 2010
Rockville, Maryland
NIH Workshop on Nonverbal School-Aged Children with Autism Meeting Summary
Translational Approaches to Studying Repetitive Behavior and Resistance to Change in Autism: September 06, 2007 – September 07, 2007
Washington, D.C.
NIMH held this multidisciplinary workshop to identify major trends, gaps, and opportunities in clinical and basic research on repetitive behavior and resistance to change in autism.

Director’s Updates about Autism

NIMH’s Response to New Autism Prevalence Estimate

October 15, 2009

On October 5, 2009, researchers with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Massachusetts General Hospital published a new estimate of the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) among children in the United States.