NIMH Pages about Autism

Overview of Autism…

Find current clinical trials on Autism…

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

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.

Neurons Grown from Skin Cells May Hold Clues to Autism

Press Release • November 28, 2011
Potential clues to how autism miswires the brain are emerging from a study of a rare, purely genetic form of the disorders that affects fewer than 20 people worldwide. Using cutting-edge “disease-in a-dish” technology, researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health have grown patients’ skin cells into neurons to discover what goes wrong in the brain in Timothy Syndrome. Affected children often show symptoms of autism spectrum disorders along with a constellation of physical problems.

NIH-funded Study Shows Pre-birth Brain Growth Problems Linked to Autism

Press Release • November 08, 2011
Children with autism have more brain cells and heavier brains compared to typically developing children, according to researchers partly funded by the National Institutes of Health.

More Science News about Autism

Posts about Autism

February 07, 2012

The Long Paths to Breakthroughs

Posted by Thomas Insel

December 23, 2011

NIMH’s Top 10 Research Advances of 2011

Posted by Thomas Insel

June 28, 2011

Autism Spring

Posted by Thomas Insel

New studies published this Spring provide new insights into the molecular basis of autism, involving the interplay of genetic risk and environmental exposure.

May 13, 2011

Skin cells to neurons: Disease-in-a-dish promises shortcut to discovery

Posted by Thomas Insel

An emerging research technology using Induced pluripotent stem cells holds promise as a window into the developing brain in mental illness.

April 01, 2011

Highlights in Autism Progress -- for April, Autism Awareness Month

Posted by Thomas Insel

Today, the start of Autism Awareness Month, inspires us to focus on the highlights of our research progress, and look ahead to further strengthening our investigative efforts.

More Posts about Autism

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.

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