In this episode, Sal, Adam & Justin speak with Melissa Mello of the UC Davis Mind Institute on Autism. Mind Pump Recommends: White Boy Ricky. (3:21) Introducing Melissa Mello: Who is she and what does she do? (4:50) What got her into this field of research? (6:00) Has autism exploded or have people become more aware? (6:31) How do we categorize autism? (8:41) What do we know about the autistic brain? (11:50) Breaking the myths of autism. What causes it? (13:50) Is there a link between poor nutrition/lack of exercise and autism? (17:36) Have there been any evolutionary advantages to having autism? (19:45) How does one treat autism? (21:42) What are the different forms of autism? Spectrums? (23:05) What symptoms can parents look for? (25:11) Are there any tools/objective tests to see if kids are on the spectrum? (27:14) The lessons she has learned working with children with autism. (28:23) Has she had a particular breakthrough recently? (29:36) Are there common mistakes parents make that have autistic children? (32:03) Are we doing a good or bad job treating children with autism? (36:23) What are the biggest roadblocks when it comes to furthering research and treatments? (38:00) What is the hallmark of autism? (39:21) Is there a gut/brain connection when it comes to autism? (42:39) What frustrates her the most and does she have to battle the parents? (44:26) What are the big rocks to address if your child gets diagnosed with autism? (46:15) When the child wants to talk, but can’t. What does that mean? (47:51) How does she deal with failure? (49:04) Does she get emotional connected to the children she treats? (50:48) Her thoughts on labeling things without knowing. (54:40) Knowing what we know now, does she speculate on who may have had autism? (57:10) What potential future research excites her in the field? (1:01:30) Have there been paradigm shattering moments in her career? (1:03:15) Does she find herself closed off from other people after a long day? (1:05:05) Recommendations for websites with quality autism research/information. (1:07:14) Are there symptoms she sees in adult patients? (1:10:27) Favorite books? (1:11:30) Featured Guest/People Mentioned: Melissa Mello, M.Ed. BCBA - Project Manager Autism Phenome Project (APP) Research Team UC Davis Health Tony Lowe (@tonyloweyoyoyo)  Instagram Links/Products Mentioned: White Boy (2017) Data and Statistics | Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Social Cognition, the Male Brain and the Autism Spectrum Environmental Chemical Exposures and Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review of the Epidemiological Evidence Challenging Autism With Exercise: An Opportunity Worth Stretching For Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) | Autism Speaks Joint Attention and Vocabulary Development How inflammation and gut bacteria influence autism New findings on probiotics and autism: What you need to know Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)® Temple Grandin: Inside ASD | Autism Research Institute Joe Rogan Experience #1169 - Elon Musk - YouTube Large study on parent age & autism finds increased risk with teen moms The NPDB Autism Speaks: Home Let me hear your voice - Book by Catherine Maurice The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism - Book by Naoki Higashida Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis