Summary of Advances
In Autism Research
2020
The 2020 IACC Summary of Advances in Autism Research
Each year, the IACC releases a list of scientific advances that represent significant progress in the field. The 2020 Summary of Advances provides short, plain language summaries of the top research breakthroughs selected by the IACC from a pool of research articles nominated by the members. The 20 studies selected for 2020 have provided new insight into disparities in screening, inheritance patterns of autism, and genes associated with autism and early brain development. The advances also include studies that investigated treatments and early intervention, patterns of health care enrollment and usage, and prevalence differences across demographic groups. Articles in the IACC Summary of Advances are grouped according to the topics represented by the seven Questions of the 2016-2017 IACC Strategic Plan for ASD. Citations for the articles selected for the Summary of Advances, as well as a complete listing of those nominated, are included at the end of the document.
Editorial Note on References to Autism: The terms "person with autism," "person with ASD," "autistic person," and "person on the autism spectrum" are used interchangeably throughout this document. Some members of the autism community prefer one term, while others prefer another. The Committee respects the different opinions within the community on the use of this language and does not intend to endorse any particular preference. In addition, the term "autism" is generally used in this document, and "autism spectrum disorder (ASD)" is used when referring specifically to the DSM defined diagnosis.
