#Autism

Recent headlines have focused public attention on Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now serving as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, after he made sweeping statements about measles, autism, vaccines, and the impact of diet on health—claims that have sparked controversy internationally and resonate even among Thai readers navigating similar public health debates. As widespread measles outbreaks and concerns over rising autism rates draw renewed focus on medical facts and myths, a thorough examination of the latest research provides crucial context for Thai families, educators, and policymakers.

Touch is a sense so omnipresent that most people rarely pause to appreciate its profound influence—until it’s disrupted. Yet, as fresh research led by Harvard’s Dr. David Ginty reveals, touch is our most complex sense, arising from an intricate landscape of cellular sensors that function as the body’s constantly vigilant interface with the world. These findings, summarized in a sweeping feature in Quanta Magazine and recent reports from Harvard’s neurobiology teams, paint touch not as a single sensation but as a rich, dynamic network involving myriad neuron types, each finely tuned to unique tactile experiences—from the gentle tickle of a breeze on the skin to the comforting pressure of a mother’s hug (Quanta Magazine, 2025; Harvard Medical School, 2024).

A leading center at MIT is accelerating our understanding of the human brain and turning discoveries into practical tools for health, learning, and inclusion. The McGovern Institute for Brain Research is identified as a hub of cutting-edge neuroscience, bringing together researchers across disciplines to tackle questions that matter to public health and education in Thailand and Southeast Asia. New projects point to breakthroughs in treating psychiatric disorders, supporting neurodiverse learners, and strengthening community health systems.

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that extremes in brain synchrony—either too much or too little—may underlie distinct subtypes of autism, offering Thai families, educators, and clinicians fresh hope for more tailored approaches to diagnosis and support. Published on 17 April 2025 in The Transmitter, the research used advanced brain imaging across twenty mouse models genetically engineered to mimic autism, with remarkable implications for understanding the diversity—or heterogeneity—of the autism spectrum in humans (The Transmitter, 2025).

A wave of new science is reshaping how we understand touch—the earliest and among the most complex senses we rely on daily. Led by researchers at Harvard Medical School, recent work highlights how a diverse network of skin and organ sensors creates our perception of everything from a gentle kiss to a thorn’s prick. The findings also point to how disruptions in touch processing can influence chronic pain and autism, according to a feature by Quanta Magazine.

A new study suggests that extreme brain synchrony—either too high or too low—may define distinct autism subtypes. The finding offers fresh hope for Thai families, educators, and clinicians seeking more personalized approaches to diagnosis and intervention. The research, published on 17 April 2025 in The Transmitter, used advanced brain imaging across twenty mouse models designed to mimic autism and explored how brain regions coordinate activity. The study’s implications extend to understanding the heterogeneity of autism in humans.

In a scientific renaissance reshaping our understanding of human sensation, new research led by David Ginty at Harvard Medical School is illuminating the breathtaking intricacies of touch—the first sense we develop and the most complex in both scope and impact on our lives. Recent findings, highlighted in a striking feature from Quanta Magazine, reveal how a rich tapestry of specialized cellular sensors underpins our ability to perceive everything from a lover’s gentle kiss to the prick of a thorn, and show that faulty touch processing may hold the key to conditions like chronic pain and autism (Quanta Magazine).

It might be easy to take touch for granted—until something goes wrong. But in recent research led by Harvard neurobiologist David Ginty, and reported by Quanta Magazine on April 16, 2025, scientists are uncovering an astonishingly intricate “landscape” of cellular sensors that give rise to the rich, nuanced sense of touch. Far surpassing the simplicity of earlier textbook diagrams, these findings paint touch as the most complex human sense, rooted in a vast, diverse family of sensory neurons scattered across skin and internal organs (Quanta Magazine).

Touch is more intricate than we often admit. A new wave of research led by a renowned neurobiologist from Harvard and summarized by Quanta Magazine in April 2025 reveals a vast landscape of cellular sensors that shape our sense of touch. The study describes touch as the most complex human sense, built from a diverse family of sensory neurons scattered across skin and internal organs. In Thai media, this finding invites a deeper look at how touch connects with health, education, culture, and daily life.

A Brazilian study suggests cannabidiol (CBD) may help ease autism symptoms in children and young adults. Researchers from the University of São Paulo reported that oral CBD led to improvements in social skills, fewer tantrums, and reduced aggression in participants. Presented at the 2025 European Congress of Psychiatry, the findings indicate CBD could complement traditional therapies, though experts urge larger trials to confirm results.

Interest in CBD arises from its role in supporting the body’s endocannabinoid system, which influences mood and stress. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a high, making it a more acceptable option for neurological conditions beyond autism, such as epilepsy, while avoiding psychoactive effects.

In an exciting development, a Brazilian study has highlighted cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential supplement in easing autism symptoms in children and young adults. Researchers from the University of São Paulo have found that oral CBD intake led to significant improvements in social skills, reduced aggression, and eased tantrums among young participants. This promising research, presented at the 2025 European Congress of Psychiatry, suggests that CBD could be incorporated into autism treatment plans alongside traditional therapies. However, experts remain cautious, calling for larger trials to confirm these findings.

A growing body of research challenges the idea that autism is mainly a male condition. New findings reveal that systemic biases have obscured how autism presents in girls and women. For Thailand, where traditional gender roles influence health and education, this shift matters for earlier recognition and support.

Historically, boys were more often referred for autism assessments than girls. Consequently, many girls were misdiagnosed with social anxiety or eating disorders before autism was considered. A recent 2023 analysis suggests that up to 80 percent of girls initially misdiagnosed with other conditions may actually have autism. This data from leading researchers highlights the need to rethink diagnostic practices.

In a groundbreaking look at autism diagnosis, new research underscores systemic biases that have long obscured the understanding of autism in girls and women. Historically perceived as a predominantly male condition, autism’s complexity among females is becoming increasingly illuminated through the work of researchers like Gina Rippon, as highlighted in her book “Off the Spectrum: Why the Science of Autism Has Failed Women and Girls” source.

Rippon’s insights into how past diagnostic processes neglected girls question long-held assumptions with significant implications for Thailand, where tradition often dictates gender roles. With boys being ten times more likely to be referred for autism assessments, girls were often misdiagnosed with conditions like social anxiety or eating disorders before receiving an accurate autism identification. A 2023 study, illustrated in Rippon’s research, shows that 80% of girls misdiagnosed with other psychological conditions may indeed have autism source.

In an age where mental health awareness is at an all-time high, a new perspective from neuropsychiatrist Dr. Alastair Santhouse raises thought-provoking questions about the potential over-diagnosis of mental health conditions. Dr. Santhouse’s recent book, No More Normal: Mental Health in an Age of Overdiagnosis, argues that while mental health awareness is undoubtedly beneficial, it might also be leading more people to identify with symptoms that may not necessarily qualify as mental disorders. For Thai readers, understanding this global conversation is crucial in navigating local mental health discourses.

A new perspective from neuropsychiatrist Dr. Alastair Santhouse challenges readers to consider whether mental health awareness is veering into over-diagnosis. In his book No More Normal: Mental Health in an Age of Overdiagnosis, he argues that while raising awareness is vital, it may also prompt more people to identify with symptoms that do not meet clinical criteria. For Thai audiences, this global discussion has meaningful local implications for how mental health is understood and treated.

In a surprising and controversial move, the U.S. federal government has appointed David Geier, a well-known vaccine skeptic, to lead a study examining the disproven link between vaccines and autism. This decision, revealed by the Washington Post, has sparked outcry from the scientific community, given Geier’s history of promoting discredited research in this arena.

This development is part of a broader narrative where public health agendas in the U.S. appear to be influenced by prominent anti-vaccine figures. David Geier, in collaboration with his father, Mark Geier, has consistently advocated against vaccinations. Their research, often dismissed by the scientific community for its methodological shortcomings, focuses on purported dangers of vaccines, specifically mercury-based ingredients, which they claim are linked to autism—a claim that has been thoroughly debunked by numerous scientific studies over the years. Despite the widespread scientific consensus, their studies still hold sway among certain anti-vaccine circles, particularly those led by figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who now oversees health initiatives.

A high-stakes policy shift in the United States has sparked global scrutiny about scientific integrity and public trust. A new senior data analyst role and a controversial leadership choice for an autism study have drawn sharp questions from researchers about the credibility of the project. The move has stirred concern that leadership decisions may influence the direction and reliability of the research.

Data from reputable institutions indicates growing concern when policymakers elevate voices outside mainstream scientific consensus. The project’s transition between federal agencies highlights a broader debate over how public health agendas are shaped and who guides them. Critics note the appointment comes amid ongoing disputes surrounding researchers who have challenged vaccine safety, using methods that many scientists label flawed. The central claim—that vaccines cause autism—has been extensively studied and not supported by robust evidence. Yet, anti-vaccine networks continue to promote these claims, complicating public understanding.