What neuroscience tells us about autism in children - with Dr. Wu Nordahl

We discuss the importance of this type of longitudinal research (i.e. research that involves repeated observations of the same variables over periods of time) in understanding how the brain develops in children who have autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. As well as exploring Dr. Wu Nordahl’s findings we also explore why there is less research carried out on girls and non-binary children with autism. With regard to girls this is in part because of their tendency to mask their natural tendencies and preferences socially meaning it’s less often diagnosed, as a result research has predominantly been carried out on boys with autism. Dr. Wu Nordahl has worked really hard to improve the ratio of males to females in her cohorts helping to advance our understanding of some of the neurological nuances the sex differences represent.

Christine’s research program at the UC Davis MIND Institute utilizes structural and functional MRI scans to study brain development in autism across the life span. Since 2006, she has led neuroimaging efforts of the Autism Phenome Project and Girls with Autism - Imaging of Neurodevelopment study, two integrated longitudinal, interdisciplinary studies aimed at identifying clinically meaningful subtypes of autism. She is particularly committed to evaluating the entire autism spectrum, including girls with autism as well as the entire range of intellectual abilities. In 2021, she and her team initiated NeuroTeens, a social support group for neurodivergent girls and non-binary teens.