Monthly Archives: June 2020

Inherited mutations in a gene called ACTL6B lead to autism, epilepsy and intellectual disability, according to a new study. The mutations are recessive, which means that they lead to autism only if a person inherits them in both copies of the gene — one from each parent, who are silent carriers. Most other mutations implicated […]

Autistic girls may find social interaction more rewarding than autistic boys do, according to a new study focused on the brain’s reward system. “It may be a critical variable that can influence the way girls with autism present as opposed to boys,” says lead investigator Mirella Dapretto, professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral studies at the […]

Two second-year Institute of Technical Education (ITE) students have emerged winners in a global social innovation competition involving teams from 10 countries, placing Singapore top alongside Greece and Slovakia. The Social Innovation Relay 2020, which is in its 10th edition this year, challenges youth to develop an innovative business concept that addresses a social need. […]

SINGAPORE – Parents can find safe ways to organise physical activities at home during the circuit breaker period if their children with developmental needs enjoy going outdoors. Dr Koh Hwan Cui, principal psychologist at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital’s department of child development, encourages parents to consider their children’s interests and strengths when planning activities […]

SINGAPORE – Palm oil giant Musim Mas is donating $5 million in total to five local organisations, to help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Singapore-based firm announced in a statement on Monday (June 22) that under its Musim Mas Project Onward, each beneficiary would receive $1 million. The donation will benefit the Alzheimer’s […]

SINGAPORE – The reopening of schools since the circuit breaker was lifted on June 2 has given caregivers like Mrs Emily Mcintyre much-needed breathing space. The 52-year-old, whose 15-year-old son, Callum, is autistic, told President Halimah Yacob on Friday (June 19) that the four hours Callum spends in school every day has allowed her time to […]

An Australian boy who was missing for two nights on a mountainside in near-freezing conditions has been found safe and well, police say. William Callaghan, a 14-year-old with non-verbal autism, became lost during a family walk at Mount Disappointment, in Victoria, on Monday. His family had raised concerns that his inability to verbally communicate may […]

When puberty struck, one conservative mother had to learn to support her girls’ sexual development while coming up against the taboo around the topic. It took her years to find the kind of advice she was seeking. SINGAPORE: Jacqueline Ang’s eldest daughter was 10 years old when it happened for the first time. The girl […]

heAsianparent recently featured the story of Karen, a mother who is battling to raise two children under the age of 6 who have both been diagnosed with autism, while having to deal with a neighbour who is allegedly applying undue pressure on her small family, often cursing for her children to die. In our attempts […]

The first comic superhero with autism has arrived! You’ve probably had very little experience with autistic superheroes on the pages of your comics, so let us warn you in advance: it’s awesome. Created by Dave Kot, Face Value is a comic book centered around a hero named Michael with a special superpower — autism. Most people […]