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Dr. Lana Ferris is currently accepting new patients for autism assessments only.
New medication-management patients cannot be accommodated at this time.

Can Autism Be Passed Down Through Generations?

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Can Autism Be Passed Down Through Generations? Understanding whether autism can be passed down through generations is a common and valid question for individuals and families seeking clarity. Research shows that autism is influenced by a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. While autism can run in families, it does not follow a simple […]

Can Autism Be Passed Down From Parents To Children?

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Can Autism Be Passed Down From Parents to Children? Understanding how autism is inherited can help families make sense of diagnosis, family history, and risk—without placing blame or oversimplifying a complex topic. Research shows that genetics play a significant role in autism, but inheritance does not follow a simple or predictable pattern. Understanding the Genetic […]

Are Autism and ADHD Related

Illustration showing two people working together to hold overlapping heart shapes, symbolizing the connection between autism and ADHD.

Are Autism and ADHD Related? What Families and Clinicians Should Know Autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two distinct neurodevelopmental conditions that frequently overlap. Many individuals meet criteria for both, a presentation often referred to as AuDHD. Understanding how and why these conditions co-occur can help families, clinicians, and individuals access more accurate assessments and […]

Which Parent Carries the Autism Gene?

A parent lifting a baby into the air at sunset, symbolizing early development, genetics, and family relationships.

Which Parent Carries the Autism Gene? Understanding What Genetics Really Show Understanding Autism and Genetics Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that reflects natural variation in how human brains develop and function. Research consistently shows that genetics play a significant role in autism, but there is no single gene and no single parent responsible. Instead, autism […]

Who Can Diagnose Autism in Adults

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Who Can Diagnose Autism in Adults: Understanding the Options Understanding the Adult Autism Diagnosis Process Many adults reach a point in life where they begin to question whether they may be autistic. A common misconception is that autism is only identified in childhood, leading many adults to assume that if they were autistic, it would […]

Why Autism Has Increased

Illustration showing a rising step pattern with human icons, representing increased identification of autism over time.

Why Autism Has Increased: What Research Actually Shows Questions about why autism identification has increased are common. Over the past few decades, reported autism prevalence has changed significantly, leading many people to wonder what these numbers truly represent. Researchers consistently emphasize that these shifts reflect improvements in awareness, diagnostic practices, and access to evaluation—not a […]

When Was Autism First Identified

llustration of a hand holding a magnifying glass over letters and symbols, representing research into when autism was first identified.

When Was Autism First Identified? A Clear Timeline of How Understanding Evolved Understanding when was autism first identified requires separating the origin of the word from the recognition of autism as a distinct neurodevelopmental difference. These are not the same moment in history. Autism was not immediately understood as it is today, and early interpretations […]

What Autism Means

Adult man wearing glasses looking thoughtfully into the distance, representing what autism means for adults and diverse neurodevelopmental experiences

What Autism Means: Breaking Down Common Misconceptions Understanding what autism means starts with moving beyond stereotypes and “one-size-fits-all” narratives. Autism is a natural form of neurodiversity: a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference that can influence communication, sensory processing, routines, and social connection. Autistic people can have a wide range of strengths, needs, and support profiles. In this […]

Can Autism Be Developed Later in Life?

Older adults smiling and holding champagne glasses together, representing later-life self-understanding and the question of whether autism can be developed later in life

Can Autism Be Developed Later in Life? What Research Actually Shows Many adults begin questioning their neurodevelopment later in life, often after learning more about autism or seeing descriptions that resonate with their own experiences. This commonly leads to the question: can autism be developed later in life, or is it something a person is […]

How Many People Have Autism

How Many People Have Autism? Insights From Recent Studies If you’ve been wondering how many people have autism, you’re not alone. Prevalence estimates are shared widely online, but they can be confusing because numbers change over time, and different studies measure different things (children vs. adults, community tracking vs. national samples, or “identified autism” vs. […]

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