On January 7, 2025, Autism Speaks presented California Assemblymember and Human Services Budget Subcommittee Chair Dr. Corey Jackson with its 2024 Public Service Award. This recognition celebrates Assemblymember Jackson’s unwavering leadership in securing vital funding for services supporting people with autism and other intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD).

The holidays are around the corner! For many, this is a time for twinkling lights, unwrapping presents and cozy nights with family. But for people with autism and their families, the holiday season can be stressful. Changes in routine, unusual guests, unfamiliar foods and new sensory experiences can be overwhelming for those on the spectrum.

Last month, I had the privilege of traveling to the country of Georgia as part of the Professional Fellows Program. This unique fellowship fosters cross-cultural exchange, providing an opportunity to share knowledge and learn from the dedicated professionals and families supporting autistic people in Georgia.

Medicaid is crucial for low-income Americans, as it provides essential health care services that many would otherwise be unable to afford. For individuals with disabilities, it offers vital support for medical treatments, therapies, and long-term care, ensuring they can lead healthier lives. Seniors benefit from coverage for nursing home care and prescription medications, which can be extremely costly. Meanwhile, children and pregnant women receive necessary prenatal and pediatric care, promoting healthier outcomes for families.

Study after study is showing that there's no harm to being included, but there's great risks of harm to being segregated," says Jennifer Kurth, a professor of special education at the University of Kansas. "Kids [with disabilities] who are included develop better academic skills, better communication skills, better social skills, just kind of everything we try to measure."

Elderberry juice may be a potent tool for weight management and enhancing metabolic health, according to a recent study. A clinical trial found that drinking 12 ounces of elderberry juice daily for a week causes positive changes in the gut microbiome and improves glucose tolerance and fat oxidation.

Now researchers at Stanford Medicine have developed an AI model able to incorporate visual and language-based information. After training on 50 million medical images of standard pathology slides and more than 1 billion pathology-related texts.

Cleveland Clinic researchers found that a 12-week therapeutic virtual yoga program for chronic low back pain can be a feasible, safe and effective treatment option.

Slightly overweight stroke survivors have a lower risk of sustaining disabilities. New research adds another aspect to the obesity paradox but also highlights the importance of considering the population's normal when recommending best practices.