The cost-effectiveness of supported employment for adults with autism in the United Kingdom
The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of supported employment compared with standard care (day services) for adults with autism in the United Kingdom. Thus, a decision-analytic economic model was developed, which used outcome data from the only trial that has evaluated supported employment for adults with autism in the United Kingdom. The main analysis considered intervention costs, while cost-savings associated with changes in accommodation status and National Health Service and personal social service resource use were examined in secondary analyses. Two outcome measures were used: the number o...
Source: Autism - October 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Mavranezouli, I., Megnin-Viggars, O., Cheema, N., Howlin, P., Baron-Cohen, S., Pilling, S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Sex differences in co-occurring conditions of children with autism spectrum disorders
This study investigated differences in co-occurring diagnoses made in females compared to males with autism spectrum disorders in 913 children (746 males and 167 females) living in the United States with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis identified via caregiver-reported data from the National Survey of Children’s Health 2007. The results indicated that overall, females had significantly fewer reported autism spectrum disorder co-occurring conditions than males. Females, compared to males, with a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis had lower rates of past learning disorder, current mild learning dis...
Source: Autism - October 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Stacy, M. E., Zablotsky, B., Yarger, H. A., Zimmerman, A., Makia, B., Lee, L.-C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Outcomes of an acceptance and commitment therapy-based skills training group for students with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: A quasi-experimental pilot study
Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by social impairments and behavioural inflexibility. In this pilot study, the feasibility and outcomes of a 6-week acceptance and commitment therapy-based skills training group were evaluated in a special school setting using a quasi-experimental design (acceptance and commitment therapy/school classes as usual). A total of 28 high-functioning students with autism spectrum disorder (aged 13–21 years) were assessed using self- and teacher-ratings at pre- and post-assessment and 2-month follow-up. All participants completed the skills training, and treatment satisfaction was hi...
Source: Autism - October 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Pahnke, J., Lundgren, T., Hursti, T., Hirvikoski, T. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Inversion effects in the perception of the moving human form: A comparison of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing adolescents
The "body inversion effect" refers to superior recognition of upright than inverted images of the human body and indicates typical configural processing. Previous research by Reed et al. using static images of the human body shows that people with autism fail to demonstrate this effect. Using a novel task in which adults, adolescents with autism, and typically developing adolescents judged whether walking stick figures—created from biological motion recordings and shown at seven orientations between 0° and 180°—were normal or distorted, this study shows clear effects of stimulus inversion. Reaction time...
Source: Autism - October 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Cleary, L., Looney, K., Brady, N., Fitzgerald, M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Psychotropic medication use among children with autism spectrum disorders within the Simons Simplex Collection: Are core features of autism spectrum disorder related?
Psychotropic medication use and its relationship to autism spectrum core features were examined in a well-characterized but nonstratified North American sample (N = 1605) of children/adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders utilizing the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and the Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised, from the multisite Simons Simplex Collection. Analyses included (a) prevalence of psychotropic use (overall, and by classes), (b) correlations between prevalence of use and autism spectrum core features, age, and cognitive functioning, and (c) logistic regression to identify whether these ...
Source: Autism - October 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Mire, S. S., Nowell, K. P., Kubiszyn, T., Goin-Kochel, R. P. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Longitudinal follow-up of factors associated with food selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorders
The objective of this study was to examine food selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorders longitudinally. Additionally explored were the stability of the relationship between food selectivity and sensory over-responsivity from time 1 to time 2 and the association between food selectivity and restricted and repetitive behavior at time 2. A total of 52 parents of children with autism were surveyed approximately 20 months after completing an initial questionnaire. First and second surveys each contained identical parent-response item to categorize food selectivity level and a scale to measure sensory over-respons...
Source: Autism - October 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Suarez, M. A., Nelson, N. W., Curtis, A. B. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Media use among adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
This study explores how adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) use media, and the factors associated with their media use. A total of 91 adolescents with ASD and their parents completed mail-based surveys. In all, 78% of the adolescents with ASD watched television (approximately 2 h/day), and 98% used computers (approximately 5 h/day) on any given day. They most frequently watched cartoons, played computer or video games that involved shooting, and visited websites that contained information on video games. Adolescents with ASD who watched television with parents reported more positive parent–child relations...
Source: Autism - October 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Kuo, M. H., Orsmond, G. I., Coster, W. J., Cohn, E. S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
The construction and evaluation of three measures of affectionate behaviour for children with Asperger's syndrome
This study aimed to develop a valid measure of affectionate behaviour that could be used to investigate and quantify these anecdotal reports and then be used in further intervention research. Using parent and expert focus groups, three measures (Affection for Others Questionnaire, Affection for You Questionnaire and General Affection Questionnaire) were developed with reference to the existing affection literature. The measures were completed by 131 parents of children with a clinician-confirmed diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome. Psychometric assessment of the measures revealed clear factor structures with high intern...
Source: Autism - October 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Sofronoff, K., Lee, J., Sheffield, J., Attwood, T. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Augmentative and alternative communication supports for adults with autism spectrum disorders
Many adults with autism spectrum disorders have complex communication needs and may benefit from the use of augmentative and alternative communication. However, there is a lack of research examining the specific communication needs of these adults, let alone the outcomes of interventions aimed at addressing them. The aim of this study was to explore the views and experiences of support workers and family members regarding the outcomes of providing low-technology communication aids to adults with autism spectrum disorders. The participants were six support workers and two family members of six men and women with autism spec...
Source: Autism - October 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Trembath, D., Iacono, T., Lyon, K., West, D., Johnson, H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Carers' experiences of being exposed to challenging behaviour in services for autism spectrum disorders
Previous studies have demonstrated that being exposed to challenging behaviour in services of care can have a negative impact on staff. Recently, challenging behaviour has been linked to people with autism spectrum disorders; however, little research has been aimed at exploring staff’s experiences of facing such behaviour in services for autism spectrum disorders in particular. A qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted. This method involves thorough exploration of experiences revealed by individuals. A purposive sample (N = 10) was used. Participants were involved in semi-struct...
Source: Autism - October 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Butrimaviciute, R., Grieve, A. Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
The contribution of epigenetics to understanding genetic factors in autism
Autism spectrum disorder is a grouping of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social communication and language, as well as by repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. While the environment is believed to play a role in the development of autism spectrum disorder, there is now strong evidence for a genetic link to autism. Despite such evidence, studies investigating a potential single-gene cause for autism, although insightful, have been highly inconclusive. A consideration of an epigenetic approach proves to be very promising in clarifying genetic factors involved in autism. The present article is inten...
Source: Autism - October 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Hall, L., Kelley, E. Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
The uses of cognitive training technologies in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders
In this review, we focus on research that has used technology to provide cognitive training – i.e. to improve performance on some measurable aspect of behaviour – in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. We review technology-enhanced interventions that target three different cognitive domains: (a) emotion and face recognition, (b) language and literacy, and (c) social skills. The interventions reviewed allow for interaction through different modes, including point-and-click and eye-gaze contingent software, and are delivered through diverse implementations, including virtual reality and robotics. In each ...
Source: Autism - October 15, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Wass, S. V., Porayska-Pomsta, K. Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
Lay Abstracts
(Source: Autism)
Source: Autism - September 19, 2014 Category: Neurology Tags: Lay Abstracts Source Type: research
'Do It Yourself' in the parent-professional partnership for the assessment and diagnosis of children with autism spectrum conditions in Hong Kong: A qualitative study
Timely and appropriate care for children with autism spectrum conditions is affected by the interaction between healthcare professionals and parents. Despite the importance of the parent–professional partnership, there is a dearth of cultural-specific data on parent–professional partnership in the Chinese context. We conducted 10 in-depth life-history interviews with parents of children with autism spectrum conditions in Hong Kong who were diagnosed during preschool years. Using an interpretative phenomenological analytic method, five themes were constructed to represent the context of parent–professional...
Source: Autism - September 19, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Ho, H. S., Yi, H., Griffiths, S., Chan, D. F., Murray, S. Tags: Special Issue Articles Source Type: research
A training and development project to improve services and opportunities for social inclusion for children and young people with autism in Romania
In 2010, the Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation launched a 3-year national training and development programme to develop and deliver a model of diagnostic and therapeutic services aimed at promoting social inclusion for children and young people with autism spectrum disorders. The project adopted a number of strategies aimed at developing knowledge and skills among professionals and increasing awareness in political and public spheres: (a) a three-stage training programme designed to increase knowledge of autism spectrum disorders and promote best practice among professionals working in services providing for children with a...
Source: Autism - September 19, 2014 Category: Neurology Authors: Pasco, G., Clark, B., Dragan, I., Kalambayi, F., Slonims, V., Tarpan, A. K., Wittemeyer, K. Tags: Special Issue Articles Source Type: research
