Interesting new study about the 4 types of autism
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Anonymous
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They could research the effectiveness of ABA for one thing! or the impact of insurance coverage on ABA companies. It’s pretty well known that the search for genetic roots of mental health/developmental conditions has been a red herring. |
Anonymous
They need to focus on the biology of autism. Many of the hallmarks of autism are now being linked to biological causes. Same for adhd. Here's a small example- convergent insufficiency is a weakness in the eyes that makes it very difficult to focus on objects close to your eyes. How many kids that have autism have this disorder but its written off as "poor social eye contact " without further investigation? |
Anonymous
The focus on the biological roots of autism (and any psychiatric condition) has been a total failure. I don’t even know what garbage that is about focusing your eyes. But I’m pretty sure you should not be in charge of research funding. |
Anonymous
Mr. Sour Pants is back! You know whats been a total failure? Cancer research. Its been a total failure. How many decades have researchers come up e.lty for a cure and not been able to get anything beyond chemo to work? Until one day they did. Truly hoping someone with your outlook on life isnt in charge of ANYTHING |
Anonymous
read a book. Continuing to seek out the genetic causes of something as heterogeneous as “autism” is fruitless and totally different from seeking therapies for specific cancers. For that matter, autism research on therapies of any type would be 10000Xxx more fruitful than continued garbage like this study. |
Anonymous
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I asked ai for a summary of the recent advancements in understanding the biology behind autism and it gave some interesting topics for further reading.
*** Over the past few years, significant advancements have been made in understanding the biology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with breakthroughs across genetics, neuroimmunology, metabolism, and gut-brain interactions. Here are some key areas of progress (as of mid-2025): 1. Genetics and Epigenetics Large-Scale Gene Sequencing: Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and whole exome/genome sequencing have identified over 100 genes with strong links to ASD. These include CHD8, SCN2A, SHANK3, ADNP, SYNGAP1, and others. De Novo Mutations: Many ASD cases arise from spontaneous (de novo) mutations, particularly in genes related to synaptic function and brain development. Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS): Studies now show that common genetic variants also contribute to ASD risk in a cumulative way, helping explain broader-spectrum traits. Epigenetic Regulation: Changes in DNA methylation and histone modification patterns are being linked to environmental factors (e.g., maternal immune activation, stress) and can influence ASD risk. 2. Brain Connectivity and Function Functional MRI (fMRI) Studies: New imaging technologies and AI-driven analysis reveal atypical brain connectivity—particularly hyperconnectivity in local networks and hypoconnectivity between distant networks, especially in areas responsible for social cognition, language, and sensory processing. Critical Period Disruption: Research supports the idea that ASD involves altered timing in critical developmental windows for pruning and plasticity in the brain. Excitatory/Inhibitory Imbalance: Growing evidence supports disruptions in the balance between glutamate (excitatory) and GABA (inhibitory) neurotransmission. 3. Neuroinflammation and the Immune System Microglial Activation: Studies show persistent microglial activation in the brains of autistic individuals, suggesting a role for chronic neuroinflammation. Maternal Immune Activation (MIA): Maternal infections, autoantibodies, and immune dysregulation during pregnancy can increase autism risk by disrupting fetal brain development. Autoantibodies: Autoantibodies targeting the fetal brain (e.g., folate receptor alpha autoantibodies, or FRAA) have been linked to cerebral folate deficiency and developmental disorders including ASD. 4. Metabolic and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Mitochondrial Abnormalities: Up to 30–50% of children with autism show some signs of mitochondrial dysfunction, which may affect brain energy metabolism. Oxidative Stress and Redox Imbalance: Markers of oxidative stress and glutathione depletion are common and may impact neural signaling and detoxification. Folate and Methylation Pathways: Disturbances in methylation cycles (e.g., MTHFR, MTRR genes) and folate transport (e.g., FOLR1 autoantibodies) are increasingly recognized as risk factors. 5. Gut-Brain Axis Microbiome Dysbiosis: Multiple studies have found that children with ASD often have distinct gut microbiota, with altered ratios of Bacteroides, Clostridia, and Lactobacilli species. Microbial Metabolites: Short-chain fatty acids (like propionic acid) and other microbial metabolites can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect behavior and brain development. Fecal Microbiota Transplants (FMT): Pilot studies show long-lasting behavioral improvements following FMT in some children with ASD, suggesting a therapeutic target. 6. Environmental Interactions Pesticides, Air Pollution, and Heavy Metals: Emerging data links prenatal and early-life exposure to pollutants (e.g., organophosphates, lead) with increased ASD risk. Gene-Environment Interactions: Tools to assess how genetic susceptibility interacts with environmental triggers are improving, refining our understanding of individual risk. 7. Subtyping and Precision Medicine Biological Subtypes (Endophenotypes): Research is now attempting to categorize ASD into biological subtypes, such as those with: Immune dysfunction Mitochondrial issues Gut dysbiosis Folate-related metabolism abnormalities Biomarker Development: Blood-based and CSF biomarkers (e.g., cytokines, folate metabolites, mitochondrial enzymes) are being investigated for diagnostics and treatment monitoring. |
Anonymous
You have comprehension problems. No one said what youre asserting. |
Anonymous
DS is a loud talker, which was written off as "autism." We later discovered he had retracted eardrums from having had ear infections. His speaking level returned to normal a few months after surgery. |
Anonymous
| I agree there are well known comorbidities that come with autism. Some symptoms may even be cured with treatment when the underlying cause is evaluated. Its surprising there isnt a gold standard in evaluating the health of autistic children. I would love to see that as a research goal. |
Anonymous
It depends on your insurance. Our insurance only pays for OT, ST, and ABA with an ASD daignosis. OT was not helpful at all for us. |
Anonymous
Sure, that’s a good reason to get a diagnosis. FWIW the indications that truly require OT (delayed fine motor skills) can be coded by the OT for insurance based on their own evaluation, not requiring a diagnosis of autism. ABA probably requires a diagnosis but we got excellent behavioral therapy/parent training from a child psychologist covered by insurance with no diagnosis of autism. (I wasn’t trying to avoid a diagnosis, it just took a while to get there.) my kid is high functioning so we didn’t need traditional ABA when he was young. Also did not do speech therapy but I feel like speech therapists can probably also code for insurance based on their speech assessment. |
Anonymous
Why are you so dug into trying to stop parents from getting a diagnosis? FYI OT focused on executive functioning, play skills and social skills has been immensely helpful for my child. OTs are trained support people with everyday tasks, not just fine motor skills. Some OTs (like ours, thankfully, even though we didn't know we needed it at the time) have a ton of expertise and experience with autism. The notion that OT is only indicated for fine motor issues is an excuse used by insurers like Kaiser to avoid paying for services. |
Anonymous
insurance covers 12-15 sessions per year per modality unless you have an autism diagnosis. That alone is a great reason to get diagnosed |
Anonymous
Depends on your specific plan but yes, a diagnosis can help get services covered by insurance and and help get services and/or accommodations in school that would otherwise not be given. |
Anonymous
The effectiveness of ABA has been thoroughly researched since at least the 1950s. Insurance coverage started in SC, go look it up yourself, tons of work involved fighting for this- only reason insurance companies granted coverage was BECAUSE of that research. I will agree with you that insurance coverage has saturated the industry with inexperienced RBTs and pointless requirements. I don’t even take insurance because their asks were going against best practices for my clients. So find someone that doesn’t take insurance if that’s your complaint, but the field of ABA and supporting research is sound. Stick to BCBA/LBA only providers and background check thoroughly their experience, education, and overall fit with your child’s needs. You can find the best provider but it might just not be a good fit- a good provider will tell you this, just keep looking. Be confident in your choice BEFORE they start working with your child. |