Autism Research Institute @ariConference

A major study suggests that some of the groundwork for brain development may be shaped before birth through a surprising partnership between a baby’s genes and gut microbes. Researchers found that epigenetic changes present at birth can influence how the gut microbiome develops during the first year of life, and certain combinations were linked to early signs of autism and ADHD by age three. sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/…

A new statistical framework developed by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Kaiser Permanente Northern California offers an improved understanding of how genetics and environment contribute to autism risk. medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-a…

Tune in Wednesday, June 10th - This talk explores how the brain processes speech and voices in autism, and how these differences relate to real-world communication. Drawing on naturalistic neuroscience approaches, we highlight how understanding these processes can inform more effective supports. Register: autism.org/helping-childr…

On June 9, 2026, the Autism Research Institute will co-sponsor a side event at United Nations Headquarters in New York during the 19th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. International experts, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and autistic self-advocates will come together to address these challenges and identify practical solutions. The event aims to advance awareness, strengthen collaboration, and promote policies that better support autistic adults across the lifespan. Individuals around the world can watch this important discussion live online beginning at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (USA). autism.org/health-rights-…

A new study has broken through decades of clinical ambiguity by proving that autism can be split into at least two distinct biological subtypes based on brain connectivity. The research represents the first systematic effort to decode human functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data by mapping it directly against the molecular landscapes of animal models. neurosciencenews.com/autism-subtype…

A research team led by Niigata University has now reported that copper, an essential trace element, may help connect metabolic changes in the body with white matter development and social behavior in autism. medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-c…

Free webinar at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time (US), June 17, 2026 Dr. Wenn Lawson will speak about what it can be like navigating adulthood with both autism and ADHD, the impact of receiving a diagnosis, and the self-care and compassion that are necessary for success. Register: autism.org/autism-adhd-in…

Contemporary research on the intersection of autism, sexuality, and gender identity asserts that autistic individuals are more likely to identify as LGBTQIA+ than the allistic (non-autistic) population. Autistic individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ face increased discrimination in access to care, cultural stigmas, and violence. Such experiences can drive poor mental health and suicidality, which are already high among autistic and LGBTQIA+ communities. To better support autistic LGBTQIA+ individuals, we must accept, listen to, and honor the lived experiences of this community. We hope these resources from across the web are helpful to LGBTQIA+ members of the autism community and those who love and support them. autism.org/lgbtq-and-auti…

ARI Board of Directors member Wenn Lawson, PhD, recently appeared on the Testing Psychologist Podcast to discuss the foundational cognitive structures of autism that are often overlooked by traditional diagnostic frameworks. thetestingpsychologist.com/578-what-the-d…

"The larger issue emerging from this conversation is no longer whether autistic adults can work successfully. Many already are. The more difficult question is whether workplaces are structured in ways that allow them to remain healthy while doing it." forbes.com/sites/jennifer…

A pilot study found that elevated gut microbe-derived metabolites could identify many children with autism, raising the possibility of a simple urine-based screening tool and a newly proposed autism subtype tied to microbiome dysfunction. news-medical.net/news/20260529/…

A new study explores why some autistic kids excel at detecting subtle sound variations but struggle to process the temporal features of spoken language. medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-c…

The paper, published in Nature Human Behavior, suggests that social differences emerge when autistic individuals are very young, yet considerable changes can unfold by the time they reach adulthood. ow.ly/Oz7J50Z4nUi

Free Webinar: June 10 This talk explores how the brain processes speech and voices in autism, and how these differences relate to real-world communication. Drawing on naturalistic neuroscience approaches, we highlight how understanding these processes can inform more effective supports. Register: ow.ly/NaAA50Z4MYY

Did you miss "Synergistic Therapies: Combining Nutrition, ABA, and Environmental Interventions in Autism Care"? ARI webinars are recorded and you can watch the playback, free, anytime on our website. autism.org/synergistic-th…

Missed today’s webinar with ARI research grant recipient Daniel Vogt on Monogenic Syndromes and Autism? Watch the replay and take the knowledge quiz: autism.org/research-updat… #AutismResearch #Autism #Neuroscience

A systematic review into whether the “rapid prompting method” or “spelling to communicate” can help autistic people express themselves comes up empty yet again. thetransmitter.org/spectrum/still…

Researchers are investigating whether existing dementia assessment methods may overlook signs of cognitive decline in autistic adults because many screening tools were developed around neurotypical populations. medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-d…

Free webinar at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time (US), May 27, 2026 Dr. Daniel Vogt, Ph.D., will discuss his current research on monogenic syndromes and what they can tell us about the underlying causes of autism. Register and tune in: autism.org/research-updat…

Just ahead of the summer travel season, another airline is taking steps to be more welcoming toward travelers on the spectrum. Virgin Atlantic says that it will train all of its cabin crew on how to support individuals with autism and their families. disabilityscoop.com/2026/05/15/air…