Autism significantly impacts how individuals interact, communicate and perceive the world. Gastrointestinal disturbances, particularly constipation, are prevalent among autistic people, affecting their overall well-being. However, to the best of our knowledge, no specific guidelines are currently available regarding the diagnosis of constipation…

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a wide range of behavioral alterations, including impaired social interaction and repetitive behaviors. Numerous pharmacological interventions have been developed for autism spectrum disorder, often proving ineffective and accompanied by a multitude of side effects. The gut…

A growing body of evidence supports the applicability of reusable menstrual products for non-autistic menstruators; however, only a few studies have investigated menstrual product preferences for young autistic persons with a uterus. With recent research indicating greater menstrual challenges for autistic menstruators, this study aimed to (1)…

Sleep problems are prevalent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and have a range of causes, including circadian rhythm misalignment. However, little is known about sleep in autistic children with co-occurring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study was conducted in 87 autistic children and…

The oxytocin system may be different in autistic people, which could explain some of the deficits in social behavior and cognition associated with autism spectrum disorder. However, studies comparing oxytocin levels in autistic and neurotypical individuals have shown conflicting results and a 2016 meta-analysis on seven studies concluded that…

Autism can make menstruation and menopause and other aspects of reproductive and sexual health (RSH) more difficult. However, healthcare professionals (HCPs) often fail to provide autism-aware care, and often lack the skills or confidence to discuss RSH with patients. This study explored whether autistic people experience particular difficulties…

Some studies suggest that individuals with autism spectrum disorder have reduced emotional empathy while others do not. The presence of co-occurring alexithymia in autism spectrum disorder and differences in interoception have been associated with reductions in empathic ability. To fully explore the relationships between interoception,…

Previous research indicates that menopause can be an extremely difficult transition for some autistic people. This study asks how autistic people experience menopause and how they can better access services, support and information; autistic Community Research Associates played an important role in each stage of the research. Online focus groups…

Differences in understanding emotion in autism are well-documented, although far more research has considered how being autistic impacts an understanding of other people's emotions, compared to their own. In neurotypical adults and children, many emotions are associated with distinct bodily maps of experienced sensation, and the ability to report…

Cognition and brain homeostasis depends on cerebral blood flow to secure adequate oxygen and nutrient distribution to the brain tissue. Altered cerebral blood flow has previously been reported in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum condition in comparison to non-autistics. This phenomenon might suggest cerebral blood flow as a potential…

Epidemiological studies, which can have inherent methodological limitations, are used to study the relation between endocrine disrupting chemicals and autism spectrum disorder. The objective is to systematically review the treatment of methodological limitations and assess the quality and strength of the findings in the available literature. The…

This pilot study investigates the feasibility and assesses the impact of "Lactobacillus plantarum" PS128 probiotics on the neurological function in Rett syndrome. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial on Rett syndrome with MECP2 mutation aged between 1 and 50 years in Taiwan. In this pilot study,…

Gut dysfunction and microbial dysbiosis comorbidities are of particular interest in recent autism research, as gastrointestinal distress is present in up to 90% of autism spectrum disorder cases and therefore may play a key role in the pathogenesis of this disorder. This scoping review aims to integrate the results of studies conducted in the past…

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with atypical autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. However, little is known about this relationship, while accounting for co-occurring mental health conditions (e.g. anxiety) that are also associated with ANS dysfunction. In addition, research on the ANS has typically involved physiological…

The sex bias in autism diagnosis suggests the involvement of sex-specific endocrine mechanisms during prenatal development, but these hormones affect health throughout life. Therefore, the current study examined the association of autism and autistic traits with conditions and symptoms related to the sex-steroid system in adult women. In total,…