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Connecting Community and Science to Heal Autism

Scientific Evidence Research on Autism

Scientists and therapists are working tirelessly to determine which therapies are most effective for the treatment of autism. They present their research findings at scientific meetings and in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Each published scientific article begins with a short abstract that summarizes the important points of the paper. The abstracts are designed so that other scientists in the field can quickly understand and build upon each individual scientific finding.

Here you will find lay abstracts of these scientific publications. They are designed so that you can also quickly understand the basic points of each research article and the implications for your own child's care. At the end of each lay summary you will find a link to the original scientific abstract. If you go to the scientific abstract, you may also find a link to the original publication. Sometimes the publications can be obtained for free and sometimes they must be purchased.

Many talented people understand that autism is an important issue that affects many families. As they work to optimize therapies and find a cure, they will be publishing their research as quickly as they can. The lay summaries allow you to understand the research and apply it to your child as quickly as you can.

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page last updated 07/23/2008

Most Recent Research

A Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Trial of Piracetam Added to Risperidone in Patients with Autistic Disorder Akhondzadeh, S.; Tajdar, H.; Mohammadi, M.; Mohammadi, M.; Nouroozinejad, G.; Shabstari, O.; Ghelichnia, H. , Child Psychiatry Hum Dev, Volume 39, Issue 3, p.237-245, (2008) Layperson Summary
Becoming a Face Expert: A Computerized Face-Training Program for High-Functioning Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder Faja, S.; Aylward, E.; Bernier, R.; Dawson, G. , Developmental Neuropsychology, Volume 33, Issue 1, p.1-24, (2008) Layperson Summary
Risperidone-Induced Double Incontinence Herguner, S.; Mukaddes, N. , Progress in Neuro-Psychomarmacology & Biological Psychiatry, Volume 32, Issue 4, p.1085-1086, (2008) Layperson Summary
Autistic Disorders: Is the Use of Pharmacotherapy Necessary in Every Case? Anywanwu, E. , Int J Disabil Hum Dev, Volume 7, Issue 1, p.13-17, (2008) Layperson Summary
How Do I Decide Whether or Not to Use Medication for My Child with Autism? Should I Try Behavior Therapy First? Scahill, L. , J Autism Dev Disord, Volume 38, Issue 6, p.1197-1198, (2008) Layperson Summary
Targeting Prosody in an Eight-year-old Child with High-functioning Autism during an Interactive Approach to Therapy Bellom-Harn, M.; Harn, W.; Watson, G. , Child Language Teaching and Therapy, Volume 32, Issue 2, p.157-179, (2007) Layperson Summary
Altered Amino Acid Excretion in Children with Autism Evans, C.; Dunstan, R.; Rothkirch, T.; Roberts, T.; Reichelt, K.; Cosford, R.; Deed, G.; Ellis, L.; Sparkes, D. , Nutritional Neuroscience, Volume 11, Issue 1, p.9-17, (2008) Layperson Summary
Dolphin Assisted Therapy: Can Swimming with Dolphins Be a Suitable Treatment? Williamson, C. , Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, Volume 50, Issue 6, p.477, (2008) Layperson Summary
Safety and Usage of Atypical Antipsychotic Medicines in Children: A Nationwide Prospective Cohort Study Harrison-Woolrych, M.; Garcia-Quiroga, J.; Ashton, J.; Herbison, P. , Drug Safety, Volume 30, Issue 7, p.569-579, (2007) Layperson Summary
Outcome for Children with Autism who Began Intensive Behavioral Treatment between Ages 4 and 7: A Comparison Controlled Study Eikeseth, S.; Smith, T.; Jahr, E. , Behavior Modification, Volume 31, Issue 3, p.264-278, (2007) Layperson Summary
The Effects of Intellectual Functioning and Autism Severity on Outcome of Early Behavioral Intervention for Children with Autism Ben-Itzchak, E.; Zachor, D. , Research in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 28, Issue 3, p.287-303, (2007) Layperson Summary
Outcomes in Adults with Asperger Syndrome Barnhill, G. , Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Volume 22, Issue 2, p.116-126, (2007) Layperson Summary
The Impact of Social-Behavioral Learning Strategy Training on the Social Interaction Skills of Four Students with Asperger Syndrome Bock, M. , Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Volume 22, Issue 2, p.88-95, (2007) Layperson Summary
Symptomatic Nutritional Rickets in a Teenager with Autistic Spectrum Disorder Stewart, C.; Latif, A. , Child: Care, Health and Development, Volume 34, Issue 2, p.276-278, (2008) Layperson Summary
Evidence-Based Comprehensive Treatments for Early Autism Rogers, S.; Vismara, L. , Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Volume 37, Issue 1, p.8-38, (2008) Layperson Summary
Guidelines for Early Identification, Screening, and Clinical Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Greenspan, S.; Brazelton, T.; Cordero, J.; Solomon, R.; Bauman, M.; Robinson, R.; Shanker, S.; Breinbauer, C. , Pediatrics, Volume 121, Issue 4, p.828-830, (2008) Layperson Summary
Melatonin for Insomnia in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Anderson, I.; Kaczmarska, J.; McGrew, S.; Malow, B. , Journal of Child Neurology, Volume 23, Issue 5, p.482-485, (2008) Layperson Summary
Folate Receptor Autoimmunity and Cerebral Folate Deficiency in Low-Functioning Autism with Neurological Deficits Ramaekers, V.; Blau, N.; Sequeira, J.; Nassogne, M.; Quadros, E. , Neuropediatrics, Volume 38, Issue 6, p.276-281, (2008) Layperson Summary
Addressing Feeding Disorders in Children on the Autism Spectrum in School-Based Settings: Physiological and Behavioral Issues Twachtman-Reilly, J.; Amaral, S.; Zebrowski, P. , Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, Volume 39, Issue 2, p.261-272, (2008) Layperson Summary
Stimulant Medication Treatment of Target Behaviors in Children with Autism: A Population-Based Study Nickels, K.; Katusic, S.; Colligan, R.; Weaver, A.; Voigt, R.; Barbaresi, W. , J Dev Behav Pediatr, Volume 29, p.75-81, (2008) Layperson Summary
Make Me Normal: The Views and Experiences of Pupils on the Autistic Spectrum in Mainstream Secondary Schools Humphrey, N.; Lewis, S. , Autism, Volume 12, Issue 1, p.23-46, (2008) Layperson Summary
Maternal Involvement in the Education of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Benson, P.; Karlof, K.; Siperstein, G. , Autism, Volume 12, Issue 1, p.47-63, (2008) Layperson Summary
Using Time-Delay to Improve Social Play Skills with Peers for Children with Autism Liber, D.; Frea, W.; Symon, J. , J Autism Dev Disord, Volume 38, Issue 2, p.312-323, (2008) Layperson Summary
Constant and Progressive Time Delay Procedures for Teaching Children with Autism: A Literature Review Walker, G. , J Autism Dev Disord, Volume 38, Issue 2, p.261-275, (2008) Layperson Summary
Sensational Stars with Autism Simmons, K.; Miller, L. , EP Magazine, Volume April, p.14-20, (2008) Layperson Summary
Gluten- and Casein-Free Diets for Autistic Spectrum Disorder Millward, C.; Ferriter, M.; Calver, S.; Connell-Jones, G. , The Cochrane Library, Volume 2, p.1-22, (2008) Layperson Summary
The Effects of Enhanced Milieu Teaching and a Voice Output Communication Aid on the Requesting of Three Children with Autism Olive, M.; de Cruz, B.; Davis, T.; Chan, J.; Lang, R.; OReilly, M.; Dickson, S. , J Autism Dev Disord, Volume 37, Issue 8, p.1505-1513, (2007) Layperson Summary
A Transactional Systems Model of Autism Services Cuvo, A.; Vallelunga, L. , The Behavior Analyst, Volume 30, Issue 2, p.161-180, (2007) Layperson Summary
Psychopharmacology of Aggression in Children and Adolescents with Autism: A Critical Review of Efficacy and Tolerability Parikh, M.; Kolevzon, A.; Hollander, E. , Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, Volume 18, Issue 2, p.157-178, (2008) Layperson Summary
The Possible Interplay of Synaptic and Clock Genes in Autism Spectrum Disorder Bourgeron, T. , Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology, Volume 72, p.645-654, (2007) Layperson Summary
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Pharmacotherapy for Challenging Behaviors Matson, J.; Dempsey, T. , J Dev Phys Disabil, Volume 20, Issue 2, p.175-191, (2008) Layperson Summary
Assessing Portrait Drawings Created by Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder Martin, N. , Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, Volume 25, Issue 1, p.15-23, (2008) Layperson Summary
Evidence of Oxidative Stress in Autism Derived from Animal Models Ming, X.; Cheh, M.; Yochum, C.; Halladay, A.; Wagner, G. , American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Volume 4, Issue 2, p.218-225, (2008) Layperson Summary
Screening of Male Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder for Creatine Transporter Deficiency Newmeyer, A.; deGrauw, T.; Clark, J.; Chuck, G.; Salomons, G. , Neuropediatrics, Volume 38, Issue 6, p.310-312, (2007) Layperson Summary
Evaluating the College Transition Needs of Individuals with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders Adreon, D.; Durocher, J. , Intervention in School and Clinic, Volume 42, Issue 5, p.271-279, (2007) Layperson Summary
Supported Employment Improves Cognitive Performance in Adults with Autism Garcia-Villamisar, D.; Hughes, C. , Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, Volume 51, Issue 2, p.142-150, (2007) Layperson Summary
Acquired Variant of Rett’s Disorder and Response to Lamotrigine Mendhekar, D.; Duggal, H. , J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci, Volume 19, Issue 4, p.474-475, (2007) Layperson Summary
Co-Occurrence of ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Phenomenology and Treatment Reiersen, A.; Todd, R. , Expert Rev Neurotherapeutics, Volume 8, Issue 4, p.657-669, (2008) Layperson Summary
Outcome-Based Evaluation of a Social Skills Program Using Art Therapy and Group Therapy for Children on the Autism Spectrum Epp, K. , Children & School, Volume 30, Issue 1, p.27-36, (2008) Layperson Summary
Effectiveness of the Picture Exchange Communication System as a Functional Communication Intervention for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Practice-Based Research Synthesis Tien, K. , Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 43, Issue 1, p.61-76, (2008) Layperson Summary
Psychotropic Medication Use among Medicaid-Enrolled Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Mandell, D.; Morales, K.; Marcus, S.; Stahmer, A.; Doshi, J.; Polsky, D. , Pediatrics, Volume 121, Issue 3, p.e441-e448, (2008) Layperson Summary
Autism: Part II. Genetics, Diagnosis, and Treatment Ray-Mihm, R. , The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, Volume 39, Issue 3, p.102-103, (2008) Layperson Summary
Play with Online Virtual Pets as a Method to Improve Mirror Neuron and Real World Functioning in Autistic Children Altschuler, E. , Medical Hypotheses, Volume 70, Issue 4, p.748-749, (2008) Layperson Summary
The Association between Tick-Borne Infections, Lyme Borreliosis and Autism Spectrum Disorders Bransfield, R.; Wulfman, J.; Harvey, W.; Asman, A. , Medical Hypotheses, Volume 70, Issue 5, p.967-974, (2008) Layperson Summary
Social Skills Groups for Asperger’s Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified Gillig, P. , Psychiatry, Volume January, p.42-47, (2008) Layperson Summary
Critical Case Rounds in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Separation, Autism, and Residential Treatment Solomon, L.; Peltz, L. , J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychoatry, Volume 17, Issue 1, p.26-29, (2008) Layperson Summary
Pharmacological Treatment Options for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children and Adolescents Leskovec, T.; Rowles, B.; Findling, R. , Harvard Review of Psychiatry, Volume 16, Issue 2, p.97-112, (2008) Layperson Summary
Autistic Spectrum Disorders: A Challenge and a Model for Inclusion in Education Jordan, R. , British Journal of Special Education, Volume 35, Issue 1, p.11-15, (2008) Layperson Summary
Case Report: Using an Auditory Trainer with Caregiver Video Modeling to Enhance Communication and Socialization Behaviors in Autism Baharav, E.; Darling, R. , J Autism Dev Disord, Volume 38, Issue 4, p.771-775, (2008) Layperson Summary
Effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Anxiety for Children with High-Functioning Autistic Spectrum Disorders Ooi, Y.; Lam, C.; Sung, M.; Tan, W.; Goh, T.; Fung, D.; Pathy, P.; Ang, R.; Chua, A. , Singapore Medical Journal, Volume 49, Issue 3, p.215-220, (2008) Layperson Summary
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