Spotted around the web: Sleep problems, social comfort, police training

Research roundup

Suicidal behavior may be rooted in people feeling burdened by and excluded from society, both of which are heightened in those with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Sleep problems in autism persist into at least middle age. Autism in Adulthood
Autistic people tend to feel most comfortable when they are around others on the spectrum. Autism
Children and adults with autism can count their heartbeats — a skill related to processing emotions — as accurately as typical people can, but they display different brain activity during the task. Autism Research
A family-based cognitive behavioral therapy may ease anxiety in autistic preschoolers. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Vaccine exemptions for philosophical reasons, as opposed to medical or religious reasons, doubled in Texas between 2012 and 2018, and were concentrated in metropolitan areas. PLOS Medicine
Parents of children with intellectual disability have increased odds of mental health problems. The British Journal of Psychiatry

Science and society

Some families introduce their autistic children to local police and educate officers on atypical behaviors, such as easily misinterpreted responses to commands. The New York Times
A New York state legislator offers suggestions for families to inform and prepare their autistic children for the coronavirus pandemic. Times Union
New York state has approved street signs alerting motorists that a child with autism lives nearby. The Buffalo News
Two autistic writers share advice they would give their younger selves about fitting into a typical world. Psychology Today
The perceived social difficulties of people with autism have more to do with perception than reality. Scientific American
The shoe company Vans has released a new line of cushioned slip-on shoes designed for children with autism. CNN

Autism and the arts

Autistic artist Julius Trees Parrish is showing his abstract paintings at a gallery in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Vernon County Broadcaster
A documentary about an autistic teenager from Iceland who built the world’s largest Lego model of the Titanic premiered this week in Tennessee, near the museum that holds the model. WVLT
An artists market and coffee shop outside Detroit, Michigan, trains and hires people with autism and sells their art. Metromode

Originally published on Spectrum

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