This week, the Trump administration announced that the FDA had approved leucovorin, a generic drug, as a treatment for autism.
Leucovorin bypasses that blockage and can help some autistic kids improve their ability to speak. Three randomized controlled trials of leucovorin to treat autism have shown positive effects on speech.
While there's no single cause, studies suggest that around 90% of autism risk can be attributed to genetic factors, with environmental influences playing a secondary role.
The "6-second rule" is a communication strategy used to support autistic individuals by giving them extra processing time after being asked a question. Instead of expecting an immediate response, a person using the rule will pause for about six seconds after asking a question before repeating it or moving on.
While established treatments like ABA, speech therapy, and occupational therapy remain essential, the following are emerging as top evolving Autism treatment options in 2025: Digital CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) tools for anxiety management. Music and Rhythm Apps that target motor coordination and communication.
Behavioral approaches focus on changing behaviors by understanding what happens before and after the behavior. Behavioral approaches have the most evidence for treating symptoms of ASD. They have become widely accepted among educators and healthcare professionals and are used in many schools and treatment clinics.
There is not just one cause of ASD. Many different factors have been identified that may make a child more likely to have ASD, including environmental, biologic, and genetic factors.
Pre-adolescence, also known as the “tween” years, is a critical period as children begin to experience rapid physical, social, and emotional changes. This stage can be particularly hard for children with autism, as they may struggle to understand or adapt to the concept of social identity and independence.
Chinning is a form of repetitive self-stimulatory behavior (stimming) that you may notice in children or adults with autism. It involves pressing, rubbing, or holding the chin against objects, surfaces, or even hands to gain sensory input or comfort.
In general, people who have an active lifestyle are much more emotionally resilient and focused. There also seems to be some evidence that physical exercise helps people with depression and ADHD, which are commonly co-occurring conditions with autism.
While the exact reasons are not yet clear, changes in how the disorder is defined, increases in screening, and more awareness certainly contribute to this increase. If you have any concerns about your child's development, speak to a healthcare professional about diagnostic tests.
Understanding the 6 stages of an autism meltdown can help parents, caregivers, and educators respond with empathy and support.
Main signs of autism
finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling. getting very anxious about social situations. finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own. seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to.
The anti-psychotic drug risperidone is approved for reducing irritability in 5-to-16-year-olds with autism. These medications can decrease hyperactivity, reduce stereotyped behaviors, and minimize withdrawal and aggression among people with autism.
Autism is generally recognized in early childhood, often between the ages of two and four, when developmental milestones related to communication, social interaction, and behavior are more apparent. In some cases, autism can be identified much later, even in adolescence or adulthood.
TalkingTablet Communication Aids: For children and adults alike, Talking Tablets support people with a range of disabilities such as autism. TalkingTablets help people with speech or learning difficulties to communicate.
Babies with Autism Do Smile – Just Not Always How You Would Expect. A common misconception about autism is that babies with autism don't smile. They do — but their smiles may appear less frequently, come at unexpected moments, or not seem directly tied to social interaction.
Common Obsessions in Autism
One concept that has gained increasing attention is Cassandra Syndrome-a situation where one partner (often the neurotypical) feels unheard, unseen, or invalidated, especially when their struggles in the relationship are minimized or dismissed.
Autism does not have a universal “peak age,” but signs are often most noticeable between ages 2 and 5. This is when developmental milestones like speech, social interaction, and play become more apparent compared to peers.
Experts haven't found a single cause of autism. It's likely a combination of genetics and certain things related to pregnancy, labor and delivery. You might see these things described as “environmental factors” or “prenatal events.” These factors all interact to lead to the brain differences we see in autism.
There is some evidence that the core symptoms of autism abate to some degree in adolescence and young adulthood 3, with improvements in communication skills most common. Social impairments and repetitive behaviors tend to persist into adulthood.
Top 10 Calming Strategies for Autism
It's something you're born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older. If you're autistic, you're autistic your whole life.
Occupational therapy, like speech therapy, is a crucial part of the best treatment for autism in the world. It addresses sensory processing issues and improves the ability of children with autism to engage in daily activities.