A speech condition that is thought to be as common as dyslexia and affects 2-7% of preschool children may have been pinpointed down to the gene level. Researchers are closely looking at the CNTNAP2 gene and its apparent contributions to the language disorder

An interesting article released in Scientific American speaks in detail in the roots of brain development and genius thinking. The article has no mention of autism, but provides a good insight into intelligence.

In an article released yesterday in Scientific American, UCLA neuroscientist Marco Lacoboni discusses mirror neurons and how the role of social cognition relies heavily on their function. Impaired or reduced mirror neuron activity impacts social interaction making it difficult for those on the spectrum to relate to people, read body language, understand mental states.

Having been discovered almost a century ago, scientists now have a better, more defined understanding of the star shaped cells in the brain known as astrocytes. For a very long time, many in the scientific community discounted their existence, labeling them as 'bit players' but now, neuroscientists believe that these are MAJOR players and when not operating at their maximum potential can possibly trigger mental disoders such as autism.