Research into autism has risen rapidly in recent decades, along with the autism rate itself. But has one group been left behind?
Speech and Language
One fourth of the youth with autism admitted to a hospital for psychiatric care had a history of being abused, and some had developed PTSD.
From 25 to 30 percent of people with autism speak few or no words. Despite an increase in overall autism research, why do we know so little about them?
Is autism different in girls? Researchers are trying to get a better picture of "female autism," but a new study shows just why it's so hard to define sex differences in autism.
No Speech Delay, but Substantial Problems with Nonverbal Communication and the “Art of Conversation"
Date First Published: April 2, 2007
From speech development to friendships, from genes to girls' experiences, you will find articles that explore the effect of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on the health and social well-being of people with ASD and their families.
Researchers found that most young children with autism spectrum disorder and severe language delay developed "phrase or fluent" speech by age 8, with almost half achieving fluent speech. These findings suggest that a greater percentage of children with autism "may be capable of attaining phrase speech than previously reported."
The Early Start Denver Model is an autism therapy that made news with reports that it "normalized" some toddlers' brain activity. Parents have looked to autism interventions for cures since psychologist O. Ivar Lovaas reported, in a groundbreaking study in 1987, that recovery is possible. But the Denver Model study provided the first physical evidence – in the form of brain wave tests – that an autism intervention works.
Karla McGregor, Ph.D., Allison Bean, M.A., Elizabeth Walker, M.A., and Derek Stiles, M.A.
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of Iowa