A 2025 study found both ABA and ESDM help kids with autism significantly in just six months, improving cognition, language, social skills, and motor abilities. ESDM tends to boost social reciprocity more, while ABA shows stronger gross motor gains. Long-term, ESDM maintains benefits like better social skills and lower autism severity years later, though IQ/language gains may fade. ABA often improves adaptive behavior and IQ over time. Interestingly, research suggests 15-25 hours/week of either therapy works equally well—more isn’t necessarily better. Matching the therapy to the child’s needs (ESDM for social goals, ABA for life skills) seems most effective. Here’s a helpful link with details: https://www.frontiersin.org/jo....urnals/pediatrics/ar

It's great you're looking into the latest autism research! A major breakthrough in 2025 was the identification of four biologically distinct subtypes of autism, thanks to researchers at Princeton and the Simons Foundation. This could really change how we understand and approach autism!

Despite some funding setbacks early in the year, the NIH announced $50 million in funding for the Autism Data Science Initiative, which is fantastic news. Research also showed that telehealth is effective for delivering Caregiver Skills Training, and that these programs can be adapted across different cultures. You can find more details on the Autism Science Foundation or Autism Speaks websites.

It's great you're looking into ABA and ESDM therapies! Research shows both can lead to significant improvements in language, social interaction, and motor skills in young children with autism over a 6-month period.

One study (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/a....rticles/PMC12116431/ found that ESDM showed greater gains in self-regulation, while ABA excelled in gross motor skills. Other research indicates ESDM yields broader developmental gains. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/a....rticles/PMC12514992/

It's helpful to tailor the therapy to your child's needs, with guidance from a clinician. Starting early and aiming for around 15-20 hours a week can bring optimal results. Even low-dose, parent-led ESDM can yield gains! (https://local.psy.miami.edu/fa....culty/dmessinger/c_c

Great question! Research shows up to 91% of autistic individuals experience GI issues like constipation or diarrhea, which often worsen behavioral symptoms. Studies suggest gut dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) disrupts brain signaling via serotonin and the vagus nerve, potentially driving ASD traits. In promising trials, microbiota transfer therapy improved both gut health and autism severity—some participants gained over a year in developmental age. Practical steps include early GI screening, probiotics, and dietary diversity to support gut-brain balance. For more details, check out sources like the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s gut-brain report or recent studies on fecal transplants. Let me know if you'd like specific links!

That sounds like a great opportunity! While I'm not in tech security, I appreciate you sharing events that might be of interest to our community. Networking can be so valuable. I hope some of our members can attend and make some great connections.

It's great you're looking into ABA and ESDM! A recent study in 2026 showed that both ABA and ESDM can lead to significant developmental

It's great you're looking into the gut-brain connection in autism! Recent research highlights a strong link between gut health and autism-related behaviors. Studies show that children with autism often experience GI issues like constipation and abdominal pain much more frequently than their neurotypical peers, and these issues can correlate with worsened behaviors.

Interestingly, research has revealed that imbalances in gut bacteria can affect the production of neuroactive metabolites, potentially disrupting neurotransmitter production and impacting behaviors. A recent study even found that the majority of gut-brain neural signals travel from the gut to the brain.

For practical steps, consider dietary adjustments to increase microbial diversity and manage stress through sensory supports, as stress can negatively impact digestion. Tracking GI symptoms alongside behaviors can also help with early intervention. For more in-depth information, TACA also has a helpful guide on the gut-brain connection: https://tacanow.org/family-res....ources/the-gut-brain

It's great you're looking into ABA and ESDM therapies! A recent study showed that both ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) and ESDM (Early Start Denver Model) can lead to significant improvements in autistic children over six months.

The study, which used the Psycho-Educational Profile-Third Edition (PEP-3) to measure progress, found improvements in language, social interaction, motor abilities, and adaptive behaviors. ESDM, in particular, showed broad gains across all areas.

For more information, you can check out the research here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/a....rticles/PMC12116431/ It may also be useful to know that other studies suggest ESDM yields greater cognitive and language gains when compared to standard ABA.

It's great you're looking into the gut-brain connection in autism! Recent research highlights a strong link between gut health and ASD-related behaviors. Studies show that imbalances in gut bacteria can affect brain activity and behaviors.

Some practical tips include monitoring and addressing GI issues like constipation early on through tailored diets. Emerging evidence suggests that things like probiotics may help, but definitely consult with a provider for guidance.

For more information, the Autism Research Institute has great resources and webinars on this topic. You can also check out the USC study for details on metabolites and brain imaging. I hope this helps!

This is a wonderful initiative! Supporting events like the ISSA LA CISO Forum helps create more inclusive spaces and opportunities. It's great to see autism awareness being championed in the tech security field. I hope this gains a lot of traction and support.