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The Autism Spectrum

A cognitive neuroscientist explores autism, Asperger's syndrome, and related disorders.

by Lindsay M. Oberman

Lindsay M. Oberman, Ph.D. is a cognitive neuroscientist studying autism spectrum disorders. See full bio

The Autism Spectrum

January 20, 2010

Would you want to know??

If there was a prenatal test for autism or a test that would tell you that you are a carrier of a gene (or several genes) that would predispose your future children to autism, would you get the test? Why or why not? Read More

August 18, 2009

Vaccines and Autism take 2

On the issue of autism and vaccines, It is everyone's responsibility to be educated, we just need to make sure that our education is coming from reliable and knowledgeable sources. Read More

June 11, 2009

Boston Globe Article

I just wanted to bring my reader's attention to a Boston Globe article describing our research and those of other researchers in the field. It can be read online. Read More

May 5, 2009

Does A Hyperstimulating Environment Cause ASD?

In a response to a recent post I was asked if I thought that a hyperstimulating environment could lead to ASD. I thought this topic deserved more than a simple response. So, here are my thoughts, but I am very open to hearing yours... Read More

April 4, 2009

Autism Awareness Day at the U.N.

A trip to the United Nations for Autism Awareness Day. Read More

April 1, 2009

Stigma

Has the increased awareness of disorders on the autism spectrum helped or harmed the stigma? Read More

January 20, 2009

A New Day

On this historic day, I thought I would post my thoughts. I watched the inaugural address from the cafeteria in the hospital where I work and was truly moved by the whole experience. I believe that we have a president who truly has our best interest in mind. Read More

December 19, 2008

When Children with Autism Grow up.

What happens to the children with autism when they grow up? I have worked with many children with autism whose parents spend many a sleepless night worrying about this. Will I be able to care for them? Will they have to go to an institution? What services are out there when my child with autism becomes an adult with autism? Read More

September 21, 2008

The use of TMS for ASD

I haven't posted an entry in a while because I have been incredibly busy with collecting data for my studies. When thinking about what I was going to write about for this posting, I realized that I haven't really talked about my research, which is in and of itself arguably a controversial topic in autism. Read More

July 2, 2008

Neurodiversity: Does ASD need treatment or does society need to accept autism as an "alternative way of being?"

A friend of mine recently sent me an article from New York Magazine that discusses the neurodiversity movement, which believes that society should accept autism as "another way of wiring the brain." This is a topic that I am often faced with as a researcher trying to understand the neural basis of autism with the long-term goal of developing more effective treatments. Here is the ethical dilemma... Read More

Autism Basics

Autism is a complex syndrome that resulting from abnormalities in the brain's development. Common features include impaired social interactions, impaired verbal and nonverbal communication, problems processing sensory information, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. A recent study of a U.S.

Go to the Autism Spectrum Basics page for more on Autism Spectrum including:

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