Autism Weekly

ABS Kids

Autism Weekly is a podcast that discusses Autism news, current events, and inclusion. Each week we welcome a guest to the program to share their unique perspective and expertise as it relates to the fascinating world of Autism. We welcome all feedback. Please email podcast@abskids.com.

  1. APR 10

    How the Brain Gets Stuck and How to Help It Flex | Dr. Lucina Uddin #229

    What's actually happening in the brain when an autistic individual struggles to shift gears, adapt to change, or break out of a repetitive thought pattern? This week, host Jeffrey Skibitsky sits down with Dr. Lucina Uddin, neuroscientist and director of the Brain Connectivity and Cognition Laboratory at UCLA, to explore one of the most important and least-discussed topics in autism research: cognitive flexibility. Dr. Uddin breaks down how brain networks switch between internal thinking and external awareness, what happens when that switching system gets overloaded, and why some autistic individuals get stuck in a loop even when they have every skill needed to problem-solve in calmer moments. She also shares a surprising research finding: bilingual children with autism showed stronger inhibitory skills than their monolingual peers, suggesting that natural language exposure at home may support cognitive flexibility in ways families can start building today. Resources: Lucina Q. Uddin, Ph.D. (she/her) Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences Professor, Department of Psychology Director, Brain Connectivity and Cognition Laboratory Director, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience Analysis Core Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior University of California Los Angeles   Dr. Uddin's lab at UCLA is currently recruiting children ages 8 to 12 with an autism diagnosis for a paid brain study on bilingualism and cognitive flexibility. Families can earn up to $300 for participating. To learn more or sign up, contact uclabccl@gmail.com or call 323-609-5866.  In this episode: What cognitive flexibility is and why it matters for autistic individuals and their families The brain networks behind flexible thinking: default mode, salience, and executive systems Why anxiety and stress can shut down problem-solving even in high-ability individuals What neuroimaging reveals about brain differences in autism and where the science is headed The bilingual advantage: what Dr. Uddin's lab discovered and what it means for parents How early brain markers visible at six weeks old can predict later social development The shift toward precision psychiatry and individualized treatment Whether you're a parent, clinician, or educator, this episode gives you a new lens for understanding why flexibility can be hard and concrete reasons for hope. ............................................................... Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.

    38 min
5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Autism Weekly is a podcast that discusses Autism news, current events, and inclusion. Each week we welcome a guest to the program to share their unique perspective and expertise as it relates to the fascinating world of Autism. We welcome all feedback. Please email podcast@abskids.com.

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