Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication and social behavior. A wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms is observed, but these notably include social deficits. Research at the McGovern Institute, including the Hock E. Tan and K. Lisa Yang Center for Autism Research, uses a range of approaches to understand the biological and genetic basis of ASD.
![Neurons in mouse brain expressing SAPAP-4.](https://mcgovern.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/autism2_1920x1080.jpg)
![Neurons in the mouse brain expressing SAPAP-4.](https://mcgovern.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/autism_640x960.jpg)
Autism Spectrum Disorder
![Guoping Feng headshot](https://mcgovern.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/GuopingFeng_1920x1080.jpg)
Featured Researcher
Guoping Feng
Guoping Feng studies the function of synapses—the connections between neurons—and how their disruptions contribute to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diseases.
> 50%
Sleep disturbances are seen in more than half of US children diagnosed with autism.
SOURCE: Richdale et al.