Susan Moffitt

A shocking story out of Texas reminds us of the need for a federal law banning the use of aversive measures in educational settings. Children with autism at Exley Elementary School in Katy had cotton balls soaked in vinegar put in their…

It's common knowledge that adult individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are chronically underemployed or unemployed. But shockingly, a 2009 U.S. Department of Education survey found that the employment rate for young adults with…

Stafford, Virginia brings us a ridiculous story of a fourteen-year-old boy with autism who was taken away in handcuffs after attempting to win the hearts of classmates by dressing up in a banana suit and running across the field during…

Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome (PDA) is the term for an obsessional avoidance of the ordinary demands of everyday life. The child with PDA exhibits a level of social understanding and ability that makes them able to be manipulative…

A recent study from the University of Boston suggests that individuals with high-functioning autism are more likely to be atheists and to reject organized religion in general. Data garnered from autism forums and surveys of individuals…

Pica is an abnormal craving for non-edible substances. The word "pica" comes from the Latin word for magpie, a bird known for eating anything in its path. Children between the age of two and three, and/or people with developmental…

Apple's invention of the iPad was a happy accident in unleashing a new wave of possibilities for individuals on the autism spectrum. This device with its easy touch screen interface and ever expanding array of apps for increasing…

Joshua Robb, an eight year old child with autism has been successfully rescued after running away from his elementary school and being lost in the San Bernardino National Forest for over 24-hours. "Thank you … you saved me," were the…

Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback which employs electroencephalography (EEG) and functional neuroimaging processes to focus upon the central nervous system and the brain. By using monitoring devices attached through sensors on the…

The Australian reports that researchers have identified two biologically different strains of autism, a breakthrough likened to the discovery of different forms of cancer in the 1960s. Researchers from the University of California…