Get the latest autism updates from SPARK, including information about genes and ASD research, webinars, and personal stories from our community.
Our 'genes' page provides short, easy-to-understand descriptions of genes linked to autism. Under 'research', you'll find the latest updates from SPARK and other autism studies. In our 'stories' section, families, scientists and others share their journeys. In our monthly webinars, speakers from the autism community provide useful information for families and people with autism. All are welcome--invitation links are issued in our monthly newsletter. If you have suggestions for webinar topics, please email us at webinars@sparkforautism.org.
Researchers have found that most young children with autism spectrum disorder and severe language delay developed "phrase or fluent" speech by age 8, with almost half achieving fluent speech.
Nearly two years after they enrolled in SPARK, the Wises got the answer they had been looking for. Alexander had BWCFF syndrome, a condition caused by changes in one of two different genes — ACTB or ACTG1.
In this webinar, Roma Vasa, M.D., and Elizabeth Wise, M.D., share information about research on anxiety and depression in autism. They also provide information about various treatments for anxiety and depression. This webinar is 60 minutes long.
The Marine Corps helped instill in Rico Winston a strong belief in duty. So when his son was diagnosed with autism, he knew what he must do. He immersed himself in learning about autism, and advocating for research and services to help others like his son.
Kaylee Lurvey may go years without saying a word, and then speak a complete sentence. Her family hopes researchers will discover ways to unlock speech and other skills in people like Kaylee.
Leigh Merryday Porch, a mother of a son with autism, wants to help researchers find out why autism affects people so differently. That's one of the reasons she joined SPARK.
Dylan Robey loves insects, all of them, even the dreaded cockroach. Like many people with autism, Dylan has what researchers call a special interest, in his case, in bugs. Others might call it a passion for the unappreciated.
Jennifer Kelly took her son, Shia, to a specialist because he was having behavior problems at school. But the doctor’s initial diagnosis — attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression — “didn’t seem right,” she recalls. So she took Shia, 8, for three days of psychological testing last year. Only then did she learn that he has autism.
In this webinar, Beth Malow, M.D., M.S., shares more about research on sleep and autism. She also gives practical tips and resources related to sleep. This webinar is 60 minutes long.
