Autism Dating Show Wins Emmy Awards

 A documentary series following the dating experiences of young adults with autism is the winner of multiple Emmys. Read More >

Scrabble Brings World Into Focus For Boy With ASD

 At 12, Ricky Rodriguez, who has autism, has competed in Scrabble tournaments from Texas to Pennsylvania to Malaysia, finding a community and a place to build his social skills along the way. Read More >

New Version Of Autism Dating Show Coming To Netflix

 Netflix will air a new iteration of its documentary series following people with autism in the dating world, this time focused on a group of individuals on the spectrum in the U.S. Read More >

Robots Give Students An Assist With Communication Skills

 Originally created to help students who have autism, classroom robots named Milo and Carver are helping students struggling with communication, processing delays and social emotional learning. Read More >

Netflix Brings Back Autism Dating Show

 A documentary series following young people with autism as they experience the world of dating is set to return. Read More >

Cats May Improve Social Skills In Kids With Autism

 Adopting a cat can make a big difference for kids with autism, new research suggests. Read More >

For Many With Autism, Challenges Of Social Distancing Aren't New

Although the pandemic can be stressful for people on the spectrum, many are practiced in dealing with social isolation, disrupted routines and other challenges that are now affecting everyone. Read More;

Opinion: How tech supports girls with autism

Technology can be used to support female students with autism who tend to seek a better understanding of societal norms online, writes Carol Allen. In this commentary, Allen discusses the ways that girls with autism differ from boys and makes suggestions for better use of technology to meet those needs.

District Administration magazine online

Nightclub For Adults With Disabilities Fosters Love, Friendship And Inclusion

At what might be the only club of its kind in the country, hundreds of people with developmental disabilities come to dance, make friends and be like anyone else out for the night. Read More;

Robots help support students with autism

Some students with autism are learning to develop social, emotional and communication skills with the help of robots, including Milo from RoboKind. Improved eye contact, turn-taking and sharing are some of the gains seen among such students, though more research is needed to determine if these improvements will continue into the long term, says Brian Scassellati, a Yale University professor.

The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (5/20),  Becker's Hospital Review

Program For Variously-Abled Adults Working To End Social Isolation

Through sessions twice a month, a hangout for those with developmental disabilities — including many with limited communication — is promoting social interaction alongside crafts and games. Read More;

Proms Expected To Draw Over 100,000 With Special Needs

More than 650 churches around the globe are set to welcome teens and adults with disabilities for a series of special proms all planned on a single night this month. Read More >

Study examines facial expressions in people with autism

Individuals with autism may struggle to form spontaneous and appropriate facial expressions, which could affect how they are perceived in social interactions, according to an analysis of 39 studies. However, older participants produce facial expressions almost as well as the control group.

Spectrum News

Virtual World Provides Haven For Those With Special Needs

People with disabilities often struggle with social interaction, but researchers say the virtual world of Second Life can offer a safe space to socialize and forge meaningful relationships. Read More >

Larger Trial Of Experimental Autism Drug Planned

More extensive testing is in the works to further evaluate a century-old medicine that showed noticeable improvement in social interaction and function when used in those with autism. Read More >

'Social Robots' Show Promise As Autism Intervention

Children with autism could see meaningful social skills gains from working with an interactive robot at home, researchers say. Read More >

Virtual World May Help Those With Autism Sharpen Social Skills

A 28-year-old with autism is using his personal experience to design a virtual world aimed at helping others on the spectrum improve their social skills. Read More 

Peer helpers increase inclusion at summer camp

A summer camp for students with autism in Maryland features peer assistants who help campers improve their social skills through interactions. The camp is cosponsored by a school district and county recreation department, and offers activities from field trips and sports to job-training opportunities for older campers.   Southern Maryland Newspapers Online (tiered subscription model)

Vasopressin might be a marker, treatment for autism, studies suggest

Boosting vasopressin levels in unsocial rhesus macaques improved social function, according to research published in Scientific Reports, and a study reported in Science Translational Medicine found most monkeys studied were correctly classified as highly social or unsocial based only on vasopressin levels in cerebrospinal fluid. The findings support the hypothesis that vasopressin plays a role in autism spectrum disorder, and enrollment is underway in a clinical trial to study whether vasopressin can ease ASD symptoms.   Spectrum News (5/29) 

Humanoid Teaching Kids with ASD, Social, Emotional Skills

Across the country, educators are incorporating lessons with a doll-like robot designed to help students with autism learn new vocabulary, calming techniques and other coping skills. Read More >