Research summary
People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have problems with social communication and interaction, and may also have different ways of learning, moving or paying attention. Such impairments can derail an autistic young person’s successful transition to adulthood. To help youth in this important stage of life, it is critical that we find effective treatments for the social thinking deficits and mental health symptoms that may affect them.
As Canada Research Chair in Neuroimaging of Autism and Mental Health in Youth, Dr. Stephanie Ameis is advancing brain imaging in transition-age youth with autism to identify brain-based biomarkers of social, cognitive and functional impairment. She and her research team aim to use these findings to fuel innovations in mental health treatment. Ultimately, their research will lead to better outcomes for autistic youth by shedding light on possible treatments and predicting responses to treatments.