The questions verbal children with autism spectrum disorder encounter in the inclusive preschool classroom
This study investigated questions adults asked to children with autism spectrum disorder in inclusive pre-kindergarten classrooms, and whether child (e.g. autism severity) and setting (i.e. adult-to-child ratio) characteristics were related to questions asked during center-time. Videos of verbal children with autism spectrum disorder (n = 42) were coded based on the following question categories adapted from the work of Massey et al.: management, low cognitive challenging, or cognitively challenging. Results indicated that management questions (mean = 19.97, standard deviation = 12.71) were asked more than less cognit...
Source: Autism - December 23, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Sanders, E. J., Irvin, D. W., Belardi, K., McCune, L., Boyd, B. A., Odom, S. L. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Feasibility of an empirically based program for parents of preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder
This article reports on the feasibility of implementing an existing empirically based program, The Incredible Years, tailored to parents of young children with autism spectrum disorder. Parents raising preschool-aged children (aged 3–6 years) with autism spectrum disorder (N = 17) participated in a 15-week pilot trial of the intervention. Quantitative assessments of the program revealed fidelity was generally maintained, with the exception of program-specific videos. Qualitative data from individual post-intervention interviews reported parents benefited most from child emotion regulation strategies, play-based child...
Source: Autism - December 23, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Dababnah, S., Parish, S. L. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Sex differences in pre-diagnosis concerns for children later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
This study explored potential reasons for why autism spectrum disorder may be more difficult to identify in girls, based on carer concerns during the pre-diagnosis period. Carers of 92 boys and 60 girls diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder from school age completed an online survey addressing concerns regarding the child’s development during the pre-school years (pre-diagnosis). Significant sex differences were evident in key early concerns, as well as the strategies used to navigate pre-school social situations, and the types of restricted interests. Findings suggest, from carer perspective, that girls who went o...
Source: Autism - December 23, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Hiller, R. M., Young, R. L., Weber, N. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Friendships in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder: What holds them back, child characteristics or teacher behavior?
This study examined friendships in preschool children with autism and explored how joint attention contributes to these friendships in mainstream settings. A secondary aim was to determine the extent to which teachers used strategies to facilitate friendship development. The participants were 31 mainstreamed preschool children (ages 2–5 years) with autism spectrum disorder. School observations were conducted individually to capture participants’ interactions with peers and adults during free play. The results indicated that 20% of the participants had friendships at school. Children with friends were more likel...
Source: Autism - December 23, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Chang, Y.-C., Shih, W., Kasari, C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Problem-solving skills training for mothers of children recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: A pilot feasibility study
The objective of this study was to see whether mothers of children recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder would be receptive to receiving problem-solving skills training (feasibility trial). Participants were recruited from a local outpatient developmental clinic that is part of a university department of pediatrics. Participants were to receive eight 1-h sessions of problem-solving skills training and were asked to complete assessments prior to beginning problem-solving skills training (T1), immediately after intervention (T2), and 3 months after T2 (T3). Outcome measures assessed problem-solving skills and nega...
Source: Autism - December 23, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Nguyen, C. T., Fairclough, D. L., Noll, R. B. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Plugged in: Electronics use in youth and young adults with autism spectrum disorder
This study documents patterns and impact of electronics use in individuals with autism spectrum disorder compared to typically developing peers. Participants included 172 parents of typically developing individuals and 139 parents of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, ranging in age from 6 to 21 years. Parents completed an online survey of demographics and the frequency, duration, and problematic patterns of electronics use in their youth and young adults. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder were reported to use certain electronics more often in the last month and on an average day, and had great...
Source: Autism - December 23, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: MacMullin, J. A., Lunsky, Y., Weiss, J. A. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Onset of maternal psychiatric disorders after the birth of a child with autism spectrum disorder: A retrospective cohort study
Conclusion and implications:
The increase of psychiatric disorders in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder and no psychiatric history compared to similar mothers with no child with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability might be due to a pre-existing genetic disposition coupled with an environmental trigger provided by the challenges of raising their children with autism spectrum disorder. In addition, the increased burden borne by the mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder might result in a higher incidence of psychiatric disorders in mothers who are not genetically disposed. (Source: Autism)
Source: Autism - December 23, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Fairthorne, J., Jacoby, P., Bourke, J., de Klerk, N., Leonard, H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Maternal exposure to intimate partner abuse before birth is associated with autism spectrum disorder in offspring
We sought to determine whether maternal (a) physical harm from intimate partner abuse during pregnancy or (b) sexual, emotional, or physical abuse before birth increased risk of autism spectrum disorder. We calculated risk ratios for autism spectrum disorder associated with abuse in a population-based cohort of women and their children (54,512 controls, 451 cases). Physical harm from abuse during pregnancy was not associated with autism spectrum disorder. However, autism spectrum disorder risk was increased in children of women who reported fear of partner or sexual, emotional, or physical abuse in the 2 years before the b...
Source: Autism - December 23, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Roberts, A. L., Lyall, K., Rich-Edwards, J. W., Ascherio, A., Weisskopf, M. G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Evaluating the appropriateness of a new computer-administered measure of adaptive function for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders
This study evaluated the performance of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test with a national sample of children and youth with autism spectrum disorders aged 3–21 years. Parents (n = 365) completed an online survey that included demographics, the Social Communication Questionnaire, and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test Social/Cognitive, Daily Activities, and Responsibility domains. Item response theory analysis confirmed items in each domain fit a unidimensional model and few items misfit. A large number of items in the Social/Cognitive domain s...
Source: Autism - December 23, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Coster, W. J., Kramer, J. M., Tian, F., Dooley, M., Liljenquist, K., Kao, Y.-C., Ni, P. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
The transition from primary to secondary school in mainstream education for children with autism spectrum disorder
We describe change and continuity for children with autism spectrum disorder (N = 28, mean age = 11.29 years, mean full-scale IQ = 87.86) transitioning in mainstream education from primary to secondary school. Levels of psychopathology, adaptive functioning and peer victimisation were measured by parent, self and teacher report in the last year of primary school, and again after one term of secondary school. At follow-up, all participants were still in their secondary school, and there was no evidence for a marked escalation of difficulties during the transition. Instead, we observed high levels of psychopathology and mala...
Source: Autism - December 23, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Mandy, W., Murin, M., Baykaner, O., Staunton, S., Hellriegel, J., Anderson, S., Skuse, D. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
The International Journal of Research and Practice celebrates 20 years
(Source: Autism)
Source: Autism - December 23, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Mandell, D., Howlin, P. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
Lay abstracts
(Source: Autism)
Source: Autism - October 9, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Lay abstracts Source Type: research
Support for community-based research
(Source: Autism)
Source: Autism - October 9, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Cooper, T., Feder, J., Shanker, S., Wilson, D. Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
Validation of existing diagnosis of autism in mainland China using standardised diagnostic instruments
Research to date in mainland China has mainly focused on children with autistic disorder rather than Autism Spectrum Conditions and the diagnosis largely depended on clinical judgment without the use of diagnostic instruments. Whether children who have been diagnosed in China before meet the diagnostic criteria of Autism Spectrum Conditions is not known nor how many such children would meet these criteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate children with a known diagnosis of autism in mainland China using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and the Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised to verify that children...
Source: Autism - October 9, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Sun, X., Allison, C., Auyeung, B., Zhang, Z., Matthews, F. E., Baron-Cohen, S., Brayne, C. Tags: Short Report Source Type: research
Appearance-based trust behaviour is reduced in children with autism spectrum disorder
Typical individuals make rapid and reliable evaluations of trustworthiness from facial appearances, which can powerfully influence behaviour. However, the same may not be true for children with autism spectrum disorder. Using an economic trust game, the current study revealed that like typical children, children with autism spectrum disorder rationally modulate their trust behaviour based on non-face cues to partner trustworthiness (e.g. reputation information). Critically, however, they are no more likely to place their trust in partners with faces that look trustworthy to them, than those that look untrustworthy. These r...
Source: Autism - October 9, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Ewing, L., Caulfield, F., Read, A., Rhodes, G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
