News and Events
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Aug 2021
10,000 autistic people to take part in the UK’s largest study of autismAn ambitious new research project, Spectrum 10K, launches today and will recruit 10,000 autistic individuals, as well as their relatives, living in the UK.
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While autistic individuals are less likely to use substances, those who do so are more likely to self-medicate for their mental health symptoms, according to new research from the University of Cambridge and published today in The Lancet Psychiatry.
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Autistic people have far greater risks of long-term physical health conditions than others, but the reasons for this remain unclear. New research from the University of Cambridge suggests that unhealthy lifestyle habits may be an important contributing factor.
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Around one in 57 (1.76%) children in the UK is on the autistic spectrum, significantly higher than previously reported, according to a study of more than seven million children carried out by researchers from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Psychiatry, in collaboration with researchers from Newcastle University and Maastricht University.
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Jan 2021
Simon Baron-Cohen is awarded a knighthood for services to autism and autism researchProfessor Simon Baron-Cohen has been knighted for his services to autism research and advocacy. A leading global expert, he has held key roles including Chair of the NICE autism guidelines, Director of the Autism Centre of Excellence [now called Autism Action], and President of the International Society for Autism Research. He founded the first adult autism diagnosis clinic and has championed the human rights of autistic people at the UN.
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Sep 2020
Autistic adults have a higher rate of physical health conditionsAutistic individuals are more likely to have chronic physical health conditions, particularly heart, lung, and diabetic conditions, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge. The results are published in the journal Autism.
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Transgender and gender-diverse adults are three to six times more likely as cisgender adults (individuals whose gender identity corresponds to their sex assigned at birth) to be diagnosed as autistic, according to a new study by scientists at the University of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre.
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Jan 2020
Higher rates of post-natal depression among autistic mothersAutistic mothers are more likely to report post-natal depression compared to non-autistic mothers, according to a new study of mothers of autistic children carried out by researchers at the University of Cambridge. A better understanding of the experiences of autistic mothers during pregnancy and the post-natal period is critical to improving wellbeing. The results are published in Molecular Autism.
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Oct 2019
Genetic variants for autism linked to higher rates of self-harm and childhood maltreatmentPeople with a higher genetic likelihood of autism are more likely to report higher childhood maltreatment, self-harm and suicidal thoughts according to a new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge. A better understanding of these issues is critical to improving wellbeing in autistic people. The results are published today in Molecular Psychiatry.
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Jul 2019
High levels of oestrogen in the womb linked to autismScientists have identified a link between exposure to high levels of oestrogen sex hormones in the womb and the likelihood of developing autism. The findings are published today in the journal Molecular Psychiatry
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Jul 2019
Autistic adults experience high rates of negative life eventsAutistic adults are vulnerable to many types of negative life experiences, including employment difficulties, financial hardship, domestic abuse and ‘mate-crime’, according to new research published today in the journal Autism Research.
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Mar 2019
Levels of autism in China similar to the West, joint Chinese-UK study showsThe first large-scale study of autism in China has revealed that around one in a hundred people in China has an autism spectrum condition – the same figure as found in the West.
