A mixed-method evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth-based parent-mediated intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder
This study employed telehealth methods in order to deliver an Internet-based, parent training intervention for autism spectrum disorder, ImPACT Online. This study used mixed-methods analysis to create a more thorough understanding of parent experiences likely to influence the adoption and implementation of the program in community settings. Specific research questions included (1) What are parents’ perceptions of the online program? (2) How does ImPACT Online compare to other services that parents are accessing for their children? And (3) Do parents’ experience in, and perceptions of, the program differ based o...
Source: Autism - September 6, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Pickard, K. E., Wainer, A. L., Bailey, K. M., Ingersoll, B. R. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Development and psychometric evaluation of a psychosocial quality-of-life questionnaire for individuals with autism and related developmental disorders
This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Child and Family Quality of Life scale, a measure of psychosocial quality of life in those with autism and related developmental disorders. Parents of 212 children suspected of autism spectrum disorder completed the Child and Family Quality of Life prior to a diagnostic evaluation. Results indicated that the Child and Family Quality of Life measured six unique quality-of-life constructs (child, family/caregiver, financial, external support, partner relationship, and coping), had good reliability across score ranges and exhibited expected patterns of convergent vali...
Source: Autism - September 6, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Markowitz, L. A., Reyes, C., Embacher, R. A., Speer, L. L., Roizen, N., Frazier, T. W. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Experiences of diagnosing autism spectrum disorder: A survey of professionals in the United Kingdom
In this study, 116 multidisciplinary professionals involved in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in the United Kingdom completed an online questionnaire exploring their experiences and opinions of three key areas of service: accessibility, the diagnostic process and post-diagnostic support. Although professionals were largely satisfied with service accessibility, around 40% of services were failing to provide timely assessments. Standardised diagnostic tools were perceived as helpful and were used consistently, but concerns were raised about their validity in detecting atypical autism spectrum disorder presentations (e.g...
Source: Autism - September 6, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Rogers, C. L., Goddard, L., Hill, E. L., Henry, L. A., Crane, L. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Does sex influence the diagnostic evaluation of autism spectrum disorder in adults?
This study reports sex differences in clinical outcomes for 1244 adults (935 males and 309 females) referred for autism spectrum disorder assessment. Significantly, more males (72%) than females (66%) were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder of any subtype (x2 = 4.09; p = 0.04). In high-functioning autism spectrum disorder adults (IQ > 70; N = 827), there were no significant sex differences in severity of socio-communicative domain symptoms. Males had significantly more repetitive behaviours/restricted interests than females (p = 0.001, d = 0.3). A multivariate analysis of variance indicated a significant interac...
Source: Autism - September 6, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Wilson, C. E., Murphy, C. M., McAlonan, G., Robertson, D. M., Spain, D., Hayward, H., Woodhouse, E., Deeley, P. Q., Gillan, N., Ohlsen, J. C., Zinkstok, J., Stoencheva, V., Faulkner, J., Yildiran, H., Bell, V., Hammond, N., Craig, M. C., Murphy, D. G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Assessing early implementation of state autism insurance mandates
This study examined five states’ experiences implementing autism insurance mandates. Semi-structured, key-informant interviews were conducted with 17 participants representing consumer advocacy organizations, provider organizations, and health insurance companies. Overall, participants thought that the mandates substantially affected the delivery of autism services. While access to autism treatment services has increased as a result of implementation of state mandates, states have struggled to keep up with the demand for services. Participants provided specific information about barriers and facilitators to meeting t...
Source: Autism - September 6, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Baller, J. B., Barry, C. L., Shea, K., Walker, M. M., Ouellette, R., Mandell, D. S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Diagnosis lost: Differences between children who had and who currently have an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis
This study uses a probability-based national survey—the Survey of Pathways to Diagnosis and Services—to compare currently diagnosed (n = 1420) and previously diagnosed (n = 187) children aged 6–17 years based on retrospective parental reports of early concerns about their children’s development, responses to those concerns by doctors and other healthcare providers, the type of provider who made the first autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, and the autism spectrum disorder subtype diagnoses received (if any). Propensity score matching was used to control for differences between the groups on children...
Source: Autism - September 6, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Blumberg, S. J., Zablotsky, B., Avila, R. M., Colpe, L. J., Pringle, B. A., Kogan, M. D. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
A trial of an iPad™ intervention targeting social communication skills in children with autism
This study evaluated a technology-based early intervention for social communication skills in pre-schoolers in a randomised controlled trial. Participants were 54 children aged under 6 years with a diagnosis of autism, assigned to either intervention or control conditions. The app engaged children, who played consistently, regardless of developmental level, and was rated highly by parents. There were no significant group differences in parent-report measures post-intervention, nor in a measure of parent–child play at follow-up. Therefore, this intervention did not have an observable impact on real-world social commun...
Source: Autism - September 6, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Fletcher-Watson, S., Petrou, A., Scott-Barrett, J., Dicks, P., Graham, C., OHare, A., Pain, H., McConachie, H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Lay abstracts
(Source: Autism)
Source: Autism - July 4, 2016 Category: Neurology Tags: Lay abstracts Source Type: research
Early deictic but not other gestures predict later vocabulary in both typical development and autism
In this study, we ask whether gesture production plays a similar role for children with autism spectrum disorder. We observed 23 18-month-old typically developing children and 23 30-month-old children with autism spectrum disorder interact with their caregivers (Communication Play Protocol) and coded types of gestures children produced (deictic, give, conventional, and iconic) in two communicative contexts (commenting and requesting). One year later, we assessed children’s expressive vocabulary, using Expressive Vocabulary Test. Children with autism spectrum disorder showed significant deficits in gesture production,...
Source: Autism - July 4, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Özcalıskan, S., Adamson, L. B., Dimitrova, N. Tags: Short Report Source Type: research
Children with autism spectrum disorder have an exceptional explanatory drive
We presented children with and without autism spectrum disorder unsolvable problems in a physical and in a social context and evaluated problem-solving and explanation-seeking responses. In the physical context (but not the social context), the children with autism spectrum disorder showed a stronger explanatory drive than controls. Importantly, the number of explanatory behaviors made by children with autism spectrum disorder in the social context was independent of social and communicative impairments. Children with autism spectrum disorder did not show an exceptional explanatory drive in the social domain. These results...
Source: Autism - July 4, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Rutherford, M., Subiaul, F. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Anxiety in high-functioning autism: A pilot study of experience sampling using a mobile platform
This study used modified experience sampling techniques to examine everyday anxiety and stress in adults with high-functioning autism and to explore the feasibility of delivering real-time stress management techniques using a mobile platform. High levels of anxiety were found to be characterised by worry, confusing thoughts and being alone but was not associated with internal focus, imagery or rumination. Participants reported improved mood and less worry and anxious thinking in the active phase of the study. These results support previous studies indicating that people with high-functioning autism differ in their experien...
Source: Autism - July 4, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Hare, D. J., Gracey, C., Wood, C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Examining the relationship between autistic traits and college adjustment
We examined the relationship between characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorder and college adjustment in a sample of neurotypical college students. Using the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire and the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire, we found that higher levels of autism spectrum disorder characteristics were associated with poorer adjustment to college. One subscale of the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire, pragmatic language difficulties, explained the most variance in adjustment. In addition, students who met the previously established cut-off scores for possessing the broad autism phenot...
Source: Autism - July 4, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Trevisan, D., Birmingham, E. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Preconceptional and prenatal supplementary folic acid and multivitamin intake and autism spectrum disorders
Conclusion:
We did not find any evidence to corroborate previous reports of a reduced risk for autism spectrum disorders in offspring of women using folic acid supplements in early pregnancy. (Source: Autism)
Source: Autism - July 4, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Virk, J., Liew, Z., Olsen, J., Nohr, E. A., Catov, J. M., Ritz, B. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Social network analysis of children with autism spectrum disorder: Predictors of fragmentation and connectivity in elementary school classrooms
This study identified and compared predictors of social connectivity of children with and without autism spectrum disorder using a social network analysis. Participants included 182 children with autism spectrum disorder and 152 children without autism spectrum disorder, aged 5–12 years in 152 general education K-5 classrooms. General linear models were used to compare how age, classroom size, gender, baseline connectivity, diagnosis, and intelligence quotient predicted changes in social connectivity (closeness). Gender and classroom size had a unique interaction in predicting final social connectivity and the change...
Source: Autism - July 4, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Anderson, A., Locke, J., Kretzmann, M., Kasari, C., AIR-B Network Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Parental romantic expectations and parent-child sexuality communication in autism spectrum disorders
This study examined the relationship between core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, parental romantic expectations, and parental provision of sexuality and relationship education in an online sample of 190 parents of youth 12–18 years of age with a parent-reported diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Regression analyses were conducted separately for youth with autism spectrum disorder + parent-reported average or above IQ and youth with autism spectrum disorder + parent-reported below average IQ. For youth with autism spectrum disorder + parent-reported average or above IQ, autism spectrum disorder severity pre...
Source: Autism - July 4, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Holmes, L. G., Himle, M. B., Strassberg, D. S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
