autism spectrum disorder

A former Citigroup managing director was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sex crimes, including drugging and assaulting women, and possessing child pornography. The defendant blamed autism for his actions, but prosecutors dismissed this as 'inflammatory nonsense.'

Edward Gene Smith, a former Citigroup managing director, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sex crimes, including drugging and sexually assaulting women and possessing child pornography. His lawyers cited autism as a factor, while prosecutors dismissed the claim as an excuse for his criminal behavior.

Seth Rogers, father of missing Tennessee teenager Sebastian Rogers, alleges failures by the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office and Tennessee Department of Children’s Services in his son’s 2.5-year-old disappearance. Sebastian, who has autism and a rare genetic disorder, vanished in February 2024 without shoes or his phone, sparking Tennessee’s largest missing-child search, but no suspects or leads have emerged.

Seth Rogers, father of missing Tennessee teen Sebastian Rogers, filed two federal lawsuits against the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office and Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, alleging they failed to protect his son before his disappearance and mishandled the subsequent investigation. Sebastian, who had autism spectrum disorder, severe ADHD, and a rare chromosomal condition, vanished in February 2024 from his Hendersonville home.

Kadiatou Diallo, a mother in Guinea, advocates for her autistic son Kazaliou Balde, who faced stigma and limited resources. Autism in Guinea lacks government support, with misconceptions attributing it to evil spirits and few affordable schools for affected children.

A Danish cohort study found that genetic risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has decreased over time, despite an increase in diagnoses for these conditions.

Researchers have found an association between PTCHD1-AS, a long non-coding RNA, and autism spectrum disorder in humans. This discovery was published online in Nature on May 13, 2026. The study suggests that PTCHD1-AS plays a role in the molecular and circuit-level dysregulation of the striatum.

New research shows that men over 40 who do not freeze their sperm are at a higher risk of miscarriage, cancer, and autism in their offspring. Rob, a 41-year-old man, shares his personal experience and advises other men to consider freezing their sperm. The risks associated with advanced paternal age are becoming increasingly apparent.

Researchers argue that lack of eye contact in children does not necessarily indicate autism and dismiss 'masking' as invalid. They claim autism is overdiagnosed, potentially harming vulnerable families through misdiagnosis.

The article discusses a significant increase in autism diagnoses leading to a booming care industry, but highlights systemic challenges such as rising costs and distorted care delivery. The healthcare system is struggling to meet growing demand while managing financial and operational pressures.