Autism Research Roundup, with Dr. Alycia Halladay

We are delighted to bring back for Episode 44 Dr. Alycia Halladay, Chief Science Officer of the Autism Science Foundation, who we first featured way back in Episode 4. Alycia and host Jill Escher debate some of the more recent developments in autism research, including studies on genetics, prevalence, early intervention, and ... TikTok! It's a long episode and a bit "in the weeds" on some pretty technical topics but we hope you find it thought-provoking.
First they discuss a new paper that probes the role of "common genetic variants" in autism risk, and Jill expresses her dissatisfaction with the assumptions underlying the study. Prevalence is rising, and Alycia says it's not just one thing driving the increase. Early interventions show some promise in improving functioning in young autistic children, but not in overcoming autism. And, surprise (not), Tik Tok is full of autism misinformation....
Links:
The contributions of rare inherited and polygenic risk to ASD in multiplex families www.pnas.org/d...
The earlier the better: An RCT of treatment timing effects for toddlers on the autism spectrum journals.sagep...
Building Community and Identity Online: A Content Analysis of Highly Viewed #Autism TikTok Videos www.liebertpub...
ASF Podcast - Podcast: Tik-Tok for autism information? Nope autismsciencef...
Meet Alycia: autismsciencef...

[@bran8370]

Thank you all for making these videos. They're very informative.❤

[@shiftybroccoli8891]

As an Autistic individual who has a special interest understanding Autism, the one thing that has been bugging me non stop is the ancient genomics program run by Svante Paabo.
Neanderthals and Denisovans have a LOT of common genes with modern humans, AND modern humans have inherited UNIQUELY NEANDERTHAL/DENISOVAN DNA.
A lot of Autistic behaviours strongly resemble what we know about Neanderthal behaviour.
If a hard link can be established between Neanderthal/Denisovan DNA, and Autism, a big part of the solution to Autism becomes ETHOLOGY.
A Neanderthal in modern human society is as sick as a lion in the zoo.
Now, the genome and epigenome are constantly regulating eachother.
It is a flexible, adaptive machine with short term and long term genetic memory.
Our ability to understand it's mechanisms HOLISTICALLY is very far away, hence, the black box attitude is appropriate.
THEREFORE: Find the percentage commonality between the WHOLE genetics of neanderthals and modern Autistic people.
Not just uniquely Neanderthal genes. Also take into account the genes that are shared between modern humans and neanderthals.
One gene in one genetic environment (the other genes in the sequence) and one ecological environment (geographical location) operates differently in a different genetic and ecological environment.

[@irenetanzman3976]

I would like to see research that answers the following questions: Is there any evidence that individuals with severe autism receiving services in a group home or shared living become more integrated in the community than those in ICFs? In general, what are the outcomes of those with severe autism served in ICFs versus HCBS services?