Michigan State University’s annual autism conference emphasises the importance of careful listening and evidence-based approaches amid the rapid spread of misinformation online about neurodevelopmental disorders.
At a time when artificial intelligence and social media can amplify falsehoods in seconds, Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine is using its annual autism conference to argue for something slower and more disciplined: listening. The 10th annual Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Family and Professionals Conference, titled “Navigating Autism Science & Identity in the (Mis)Information Age”, brought together researchers, clinicians, educators, caregivers and people with autism to examine how families can sort evidence from noise.
Barbara Thompson, an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, said the pace at which claims now circulate is a serious concern in medicine. She argued that online posts often strip away context and replace careful explanation with oversimplified answers, making it harder for families to judge what is credible and what is not. Her work at Michigan State focuses on the biological and behavioural foundations of neurodevelopmental disorders, including the ways genetics and environment shape brain development.
The conference also highlighted the perspective of families living with autism every day. Iesha Brassell, a Wayne County mother, said she relies on both evidence and lived experience, and dismissed the stream of online chatter that often surrounds autism. Brassell described how applied behaviour analysis, a therapy based on learning principles, was ineffective when her daughter Jade was young but became far more useful in the teenage years, helping the family with redirection and daily balance.
Researchers at Michigan State are also stressing that autism is not a single condition with a single explanation. Lucas Pozzo-Miller, the inaugural Mall Family Endowed Professor in Genetic Autism Research, said the university’s work is aimed at understanding severe forms of autism that can significantly affect quality of life while also respecting neurodivergent identity. According to Michigan State, his research examines single-gene mutations, uses gene editing and large-scale data analysis, and seeks to identify the cellular mechanisms that may eventually lead to more targeted therapies.
For Thompson and Pozzo-Miller, the practical advice for families is straightforward: treat the internet as a starting point, not a diagnosis. Thompson said parents should take questions to a physician and check whether what they have seen online makes sense. Pozzo-Miller warned against expecting quick fixes from short-form videos and supplements, saying medical providers have the training and access to sound evidence needed to guide care. The message from the conference was that autism support improves when scientists, clinicians and families share the same table and keep the conversation grounded in experience, evidence and patience.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
