AUTISM

This study tested whether a child's own bone marrow stem cells could improve social and behavioral skills in autism. Thirty children aged 5 to 15 received the cells through a spinal injection. Researchers measured changes in autism symptoms and development over 6 months.

This study tested whether a special MRI technique called Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) can measure blood flow in the brain to help diagnose autism in children. Researchers studied 115 children aged 5 to 17 with autism or suspected autism. The goal was to see if this safe, non-inva…

This study tested whether a portable eye-tracking device can help diagnose autism in young children in Kenya. Researchers measured eye movements in 27 children aged 14-72 months and compared the results to standard clinical evaluations. The goal was to see if this quick, non-inva…

This study tested a device called the EarliPoint System that tracks where children look while watching short videos. The goal was to see if it can help diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children ages 2.5 to 7 years. Nearly 1,000 children took part. The device measures so…

This study tested whether having a therapy dog present during dental visits helps anxious autistic children feel calmer and complete their treatment. Fifty children aged 6 to 17 with autism took part. Researchers measured anxiety levels and whether the dental work was finished su…

This study looked at whether a gentle massage technique called Qigong Sensory Training could help children with autism manage their sensory sensitivities and improve behavior. Twenty-six children aged 4 to 12 years received 15-minute massages twice a day, five days a week for 8 w…

This study looked at how 10 months of judo training affects physical fitness and anxiety in children aged 7-14 with and without autism. 90 kids participated in integrated judo classes. Results showed improvements in physical fitness and reduced anxiety levels, suggesting judo can…

This study tested whether pregnenolone, a natural hormone in the brain, can help reduce irritability and improve social communication in people with autism. Forty participants aged 14 to 25 took the hormone or a placebo. The goal was to see if it is safe and effective for easing …

This study tested a therapy called Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) to see if it helps improve social communication in preschoolers with autism. 75 children aged 2 to 4 years took part in a center-based program. The researchers measured changes in social skills and communication …

This study tested whether training classmates to interact with autistic children improves their social connections. 60 children in kindergarten through 5th grade took part. Researchers measured how involved autistic kids became in their school's social network.

This study tested whether a nasal spray containing vasopressin, a natural hormone, can improve social skills in children with autism. 157 children aged 6 to 17 took part. Researchers measured changes in social behavior using parent questionnaires and clinician ratings over 8 week…

This study tested an in-person mindfulness program for adolescents with autism (ages 13-18) and their caregivers. The goal was to improve mental health symptoms like stress, anxiety, and depression. 28 families participated in group sessions, and researchers measured changes in m…

This study adapted a behavioral activation treatment (BeatIt-2) to help minimally verbal autistic adults with depression. Nine participants and their caregivers took part. The goal was to see if the therapy was feasible and could reduce depressive symptoms using caregiver-reporte…

This study tested a light-based treatment called transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) to see if it could safely reduce autistic traits in children and teens with ADHD. 38 participants aged 9-17 received the treatment. The goal was to improve social skills and ADHD symptoms, wit…

This study tested a group therapy designed to help autistic young people manage difficult sensory experiences and related anxiety. Twenty-five participants completed the program and performed tasks before and after to see if their brain and behavior changed. The main goal was to …

This study looked at how two different exercise programs—circuit aerobic training and circuit resistance training—affect heart health, fitness, and breathing in children with autism. Thirty-two children aged 7 to 17 took part. The goal was to see which type of exercise helps impr…

This study tested whether atomoxetine, a medication for ADHD, can help children with autism who also have problems with hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity. Sixty children took either atomoxetine or a placebo for 8 weeks. The goal was to see if the drug reduced ADHD sympto…

This study tested whether taking part in art activities (like painting, music, or dance) can improve mental well-being and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. 382 people with mental health issues were randomly assigned to either an art program or a waitlist. The researcher…

This study looked at how adding a thinking task changes movement and balance in children with autism compared to typically developing kids. 90 children aged 5-16 did simple physical tasks like standing still or walking, both alone and while doing a mental task. The goal was to un…

This study looked at the types of bacteria in the mouths of 380 children with autism, aged 6 to 18. Researchers collected dental plaque and saliva to analyze the bacteria and immune markers. The goal was to understand how oral health might be different in these children. No treat…

This study looked at how body posture, hand function, and sensory processing affect eating in children with autism. Researchers compared 40 children with autism to 40 healthy children, all aged 5-10. They found that children with autism had poorer posture, weaker hand grip, and m…

This study looked at the gut bacteria in children with autism and compared them to their brothers or sisters without autism. The goal was to see if there are differences in the types of bacteria and other substances in their stool. Twenty children aged 3 to 10 took part. No treat…

This study used a special brain scan (PET imaging) to measure a chemical messenger called glutamate in 27 men with autism, Fragile-X syndrome, or no condition. The goal was to see how brain signaling differs between these groups. No treatment was given; it was purely an observati…

This study tested a training program to help autistic adults use rideshare services like Uber or Lyft. 13 autistic adults took part to see if the training was acceptable and if it improved their ability to travel safely and independently. The goal was to give them more freedom to…

This study tested a new educational program to help organization members better support suicide prevention for autistic people. 51 participants took part in a four-part virtual training and completed surveys before, after, and three months later. The goal was to see if the progra…

This study looked at whether a special swim program (Sensory Enhanced Aquatics) helps autistic children ages 5-9 learn swimming and water safety better than standard lessons. 51 children took part in 16 half-hour lessons. Researchers measured their swim skills before and after to…

This study tested a new eye-tracking system called EarliPoint to see if it can monitor changes in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) over time. Researchers watched 325 children, ages 15 to 84 months, including those with ASD, developmental delays, and typically developi…

This study tested a computer program called Work Chat that helps young people with autism practice workplace conversations. The goal was to improve their ability to read social cues, handle feedback, and keep jobs longer. Researchers worked with schools to see if the training led…