April 2024

“World Autism Month is a poignant reminder of the importance of our Lurie Center community,” shares Dr. Chris McDougle, Director of the Lurie Center for Autism, in an open letter to the community. “Each family we serve holds a special place in our hearts, and this month serves as an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to improving lives. Whether it be through committed compassionate care, cutting-edge research, or developing new support groups and workshops, we are dedicated to being a source of information, support and empowerment for you and your loved ones”. 

Read the full letter from Dr. McDougle.

A new autism diagnosis can come with mixed emotions for parents and caregivers, including relief, confusion, fear, anger, surprise --or often some combination of the above. It’s not uncommon for parents to feel overwhelmed by the information they’ve received after a new diagnosis and confused about what to do next. If you’ve found yourself googling for next steps, you’re not alone. In this article, we break down some practical considerations and where to turn for guidance on services and resources that may help to support your child.  

Read the full article here.

Getting a good night’s sleep is not always easy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In fact, up to 80 percent of autistic children experience problems with sleep. This can increase challenging daytime behaviors like hyperactivity, self-injury, and inattention. And as parents can attest, a child’s sleep patterns affect the whole family. In this article we’ll discuss common sleep problems, when to consult your child’s healthcare provider, and some intriguing brain research on why autism may be linked with poor sleep. 

Read the full article here.

The Lurie Center for Autism invites you to join Christopher J. McDougle, MD for a presentation and discussion on the relationship between autoimmune disorders in biological relatives and having a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Evidence for this possible association will be presented. Common autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, psoriasis/eczema, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and thyroid disease will be discussed. The possible clinical presentation of an individual with immune-related ASD will be discussed; potential clinical comorbidities include gastrointestinal disorders, seizure disorders, and sleep disorders. Finally, we will present a new study being conducted at the Lurie Center for Autism that addresses the possible relationship between familial autoimmune disorders and ASD.  



Register for this event online.

Dr. Marcy Kingsbury, Ph.D., is a research scientist at the Lurie Center for Autism. In her laboratory, she studies how the gut shapes the developing brain and may contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Most recently, she has been examining how the hormone oxytocin can be protective for both the developing brain and gut during labor and delivery. Outside of the lab, she loves to hike and explore national parks with her daughters.



Read the full interview here. 

The Massachusetts General Hospital at the Lurie Center for Autism is looking for adult males with ASD, as well as biological parents or siblings to participate in a research study. The study involves one virtual visit, a blood draw, and questionnaires which may be completed remotely. Participants must be 18-50 years old and have a diagnosis of ASD.

For additional information, please contact the Lurie Center research staff at 781-860-1711 or LurieCenterResearch@mgb.org.

View currently enrolling Lurie Center research studies.