Reading and math achievement profiles and longitudinal growth trajectories of children with an autism spectrum disorder
This study examined the reading and math achievement profiles and longitudinal growth trajectories of a nationally representative sample of children ages 6 through 9 with an autism spectrum disorder. Four distinct achievement profiles were identified: higher-achieving (39%), hyperlexia (9%), hypercalculia (20%) and lower-achieving (32%). Children with hypercalculia and lower-achieving profiles were more likely to be from low socioeconomic families and had lower functional cognitive skills than the higher-achieving profile. All four profiles lost ground in passage comprehension over time. Slower improvement occurred for the...
Source: Autism - January 28, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Wei, X., Christiano, E. R., Yu, J. W., Wagner, M., Spiker, D. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
The added value of the combined use of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule: Diagnostic validity in a clinical Swedish sample of toddlers and young preschoolers
The diagnostic validity of the new research algorithms of the Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised and the revised algorithms of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule was examined in a clinical sample of children aged 18–47 months. Validity was determined for each instrument separately and their combination against a clinical consensus diagnosis. A total of N = 268 children (n = 171 with autism spectrum disorder) were assessed. The new Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised algorithms (research cutoff) gave excellent specificities (91%–96%) but low sensitivities (44%–52%). Applying adjusted c...
Source: Autism - January 28, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Zander, E., Sturm, H., Bolte, S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Better to be equal? Challenges to equality for cognitively able children with autism spectrum disorders in a social decision game
Much controversy surrounds questions about whether humans have an aversion to inequity and how a commitment to equality might play a role in cooperation and other aspects of social interactions. Examining the social decisions of children with autism spectrum disorders provides a fascinating opportunity to explore these issues. Specifically, we evaluated the possibility that children with autism spectrum disorders may be less likely than typically developing children to show a prioritisation of equality. A total of 69 typically developing (mean age 11;6 years) and 57 cognitively able children with autism spectrum disorders ...
Source: Autism - January 28, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Schmitz, E. A., Banerjee, R., Pouw, L. B., Stockmann, L., Rieffe, C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Is early joint attention associated with school-age pragmatic language?
In order to evaluate evidence for the social–cognitive theory of joint attention, we examined relations between initiation of and response to joint attention at 12 and 18 months of age and pragmatic and structural language approximately 6 years later among children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Initiation of joint attention at 18 months was associated with structural, but not pragmatic, language for children with and without autism spectrum disorder. School-age children with autism exhibited difficulties with structural and pragmatic language relative to non-autistic siblings of children with autism and ...
Source: Autism - January 28, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Gillespie-Lynch, K., Khalulyan, A., del Rosario, M., McCarthy, B., Gomez, L., Sigman, M., Hutman, T. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Quality of life in autism across the lifespan: A meta-analysis
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder, with a known impact on quality of life. Yet the developmental trajectory of quality of life is not well understood. First, the effect of age on quality of life was studied with a meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis included 10 studies (published between 2004 and 2012) with a combined sample size of 486 people with autism and 17,776 controls. Second, as there were no studies on quality of life of the elderly with autism, we conducted an empirical study on quality of life of the elderly (age range 53–83) with autism (N = 24) and without autism (N = 24). The meta-analysis s...
Source: Autism - January 28, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: van Heijst, B. F., Geurts, H. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Improving emotional face perception in autism with diuretic bumetanide: A proof-of-concept behavioral and functional brain imaging pilot study
Clinical observations have shown that GABA-acting benzodiazepines exert paradoxical excitatory effects in autism, suggesting elevated intracellular chloride (Cl–)i and excitatory action of GABA. In a previous double-blind randomized study, we have shown that the diuretic NKCC1 chloride importer antagonist bumetanide, that decreases (Cl–)i and reinforces GABAergic inhibition, reduces the severity of autism symptoms. Here, we report results from an open-label trial pilot study in which we used functional magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological testing to determine the effects of 10 months bumetanide tre...
Source: Autism - January 28, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Hadjikhani, N., Zurcher, N. R., Rogier, O., Ruest, T., Hippolyte, L., Ben-Ari, Y., Lemonnier, E. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
A systematic review of sensory processing interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders
Children with autism spectrum disorders often exhibit co-occurring sensory processing problems and receive interventions that target self-regulation. In current practice, sensory interventions apply different theoretic constructs, focus on different goals, use a variety of sensory modalities, and involve markedly disparate procedures. Previous reviews examined the effects of sensory interventions without acknowledging these inconsistencies. This systematic review examined the research evidence (2000–2012) of two forms of sensory interventions, sensory integration therapy and sensory-based intervention, for children w...
Source: Autism - January 28, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Case-Smith, J., Weaver, L. L., Fristad, M. A. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Count us in: Addressing gender disparities in autism research
(Source: Autism)
Source: Autism - January 28, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Shefcyk, A. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
Lay Abstracts
(Source: Autism)
Source: Autism - December 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Tags: Lay Abstracts Source Type: research
Autism Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network surveillance: A reply to Drs Durkin, Bilder, Pettygrove, and Zahorodny
(Source: Autism)
Source: Autism - December 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Lecavalier, L., Mandell, D. Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: research
The validity and usefulness of public health surveillance of autism spectrum disorder
(Source: Autism)
Source: Autism - December 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Durkin, M. S., Bilder, D. A., Pettygrove, S., Zahorodny, W. Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: research
Validity of the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale for youth with autism spectrum disorders
High rates of anxiety and depression are reported among youth with autism spectrum disorders. These conditions are generally assessed using measures validated for typically developing youth. Few studies have investigated their validity for autism spectrum disorders, which is crucial for accurate assessment and the provision of proper treatment. The Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale was evaluated with 67 youth with autism spectrum disorders to examine its utility in measuring anxiety and depression in this population. Parents and children (aged 11–15 years) referred to a multisite intervention stud...
Source: Autism - December 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Sterling, L., Renno, P., Storch, E. A., Ehrenreich-May, J., Lewin, A. B., Arnold, E., Lin, E., Wood, J. Tags: Short Reports Source Type: research
The role of emotion perception in adaptive functioning of people with autism spectrum disorders
Cognitive functioning has historically been used to predict adaptive outcomes of people with autism spectrum disorders; however, research shows that it is not a complete predictor. The current study explored whether emotion perception was a predictor of adaptive outcomes, and more specifically, hypothesized that emotion perception (Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy-2 error scores) would mediate adaptive functioning of people with autism spectrum disorder (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition). People with autism spectrum disorders demonstrated significantly lower adaptive functioning and emotion percep...
Source: Autism - December 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Hudepohl, M. B., Robins, D. L., King, T. Z., Henrich, C. C. Tags: Short Reports Source Type: research
Drug-refractory aggression, self-injurious behavior, and severe tantrums in autism spectrum disorders: A chart review study
Aggression, self-injurious behavior, and severe tantrums are impairing symptoms frequently experienced by individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Despite US Food and Drug Administration approval of two atypical antipsychotics targeting these symptoms in youth with autistic disorder, they remain frequently drug refractory. We define drug-refractory aggression, self-injurious behavior, and severe tantrums in people with autism spectrum disorders as behavioral symptoms requiring medication adjustment despite previous trials of risperidone and aripiprazole or previous trials of three psychotropic drugs targeting the sympto...
Source: Autism - December 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Adler, B. A., Wink, L. K., Early, M., Shaffer, R., Minshawi, N., McDougle, C. J., Erickson, C. A. Tags: Short Reports Source Type: research
Reduced delay of gratification and effortful control among young children with autism spectrum disorders
We explored internal control of behavior using direct observation and parent report. Previous research has found that both the delay of gratification task and parent-reported effortful control predict later social ability and more positive outcomes in typically developing children. Children with autism spectrum disorder have previously been reported to have reduced effortful control, whereas delay of gratification ability has not been tested in a group with autism spectrum disorder. The current study compared 21 children with autism spectrum disorder and 21 typically developing children between 6 and 7 years of age—a...
Source: Autism - December 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Faja, S., Dawson, G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
