Each month our editorial team sifts through hundreds of papers and curates notable findings—for practitioners and informed readers who want to stay current with the evidence. Subscribe to the monthly Research Digest for expert analysis and concise summaries of key papers.
31 papers
The study introduced the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), a short self-test that gives a score from 0 to 50 to measure autistic traits in adults with normal intelligence. The researchers tested four groups (58 adults with Asperger/high-functioning autism; 174 random controls; 840 Cambridge students; and 16 math Olympiad winners) and found…
Researchers interviewed 92 adults with autism to study “camouflaging,” which means hiding or changing autistic behaviors in social situations. They used thematic analysis to make a three-stage model. People said they camouflage to fit in and make connections. Camouflaging included masking (hiding traits) and compensation (using learned social techniques). Reported…
This review looked at brain studies of how people with autism sense sounds, touch, and sights. It notes that unusual sensory reactions are very common in autism (reported in over 96% of children) and that brain measures (like ABR, EEG, MEG, and fMRI) often show differences in early auditory pathways…
This ADDA article explains ADHD masking — when people hide or copy others to appear "normal." Masking can help someone function but often uses a lot of mental and emotional energy. The article says masking can delay diagnosis, cause burnout or mood problems, and may help explain why women are…
The paper says the modern DSM-IV-TR idea of ADHD is relatively new, but people with symptoms like inattention, restlessness, and impulsivity were described more than 200 years ago. For example, Sir Alexander Crichton in 1798 wrote about children who could not keep their attention on one thing and were easily…
This paper says many people with ADHD have big problems with emotions. These problems include over-reacting, deep shame or guilt, and a strong sensitivity to rejection called rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD). The author explains that emotions were often left out of ADHD research and diagnosis because they are not always…
This CDC report looked at how common autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was in 2022 at 16 U.S. sites and how early children were identified. Across those sites, 8-year-old children had ASD at a rate of 32.2 per 1,000 (about one in 31). The report found big differences by sex, race…
Researchers tested the 80-question Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R) in 779 adults at nine centers on three continents. The tool showed large score differences between 201 people with confirmed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and 578 comparison participants, and the authors concluded it is a useful tool to help clinicians…
This review looked at eye-tracking studies of infants, toddlers, and young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or at risk for ASD. Eye tracking is a non-invasive way to record where children look, and studies show early differences: reduced looking at people and faces and trouble shifting attention can appear…
This review found that ADHD often continues from childhood into adulthood but is commonly missed and untreated in grown-ups. It estimates adult ADHD affects about 2.5%–5% of the general population and says fewer than 20% of adults with ADHD are diagnosed or treated. Adults with ADHD often have other mental…
This systematic review looked at what happens when women live with undiagnosed ADHD and what changes after they get diagnosed as adults. The authors searched three databases and kept eight studies. They used thematic analysis and found four main themes: harms to social and emotional wellbeing, hard or strained relationships,…
Researchers studied 32-day-old juvenile rats that were allowed 30 minutes of rough-and-tumble play. Right after play, the rats showed higher levels of BDNF messenger RNA in the amygdala and dorsolateral frontal cortex, measured with in situ hybridization. The authors suggested this could mean play helps shape brain areas tied to…
