Advances in Autism – 9-4
1. Akrami L, Malekpour M, Faramarzi S, Abedi A. Effect of training program on sexual knowledge and social skills of adolescents with high-functioning autism in puberty. Advances in Autism;2023;9(4):309-321.
Purpose Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction. Puberty is an important period for teenagers with ASD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of educational program on increasing social skills (SS) and sexual knowledge (SK) in adolescent boys with high-functioning autism (HFA) disorder. Design/methodology/approach This study was conducted using a single-subject design. Participants were three boys diagnosed with HFA disorder, selected using purposive sampling. The social skills improvement system scale and the sexual knowledge questionnaire were used to measure SS and SK. The training program consisted of 49 sessions. Findings Results showed that, given the comparison of scores before and after the intervention, the training program was effective in improving SS and SK. Originality/value With regard to the importance of puberty, training programs for parents and adolescents play an effective role in increasing SS and SK of adolescents with HFA disorder.
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2. Schnabel A, Bastow C. Nothing for us, without us: a review of the clinical literature and discursive evidence of interpersonal trauma in autistic women. Advances in Autism;2023;9(4):322-339.
Purpose From the authors’ personal and professional experiences, they have observed that autistic women are uniquely at risk of interpersonal trauma. Given the tendency for autistic women to be overlooked in research and practice, this study aims to rectify this by exploring the relevant literature and including the voices of autistic women throughout this paper. Design/methodology/approach This study completed a literature review of quantitative and qualitative data relating to exposure to interpersonal trauma in autistic women. This study also reviewed relevant discursive evidence available on in memoirs and reports. This study also included dialogue between us as authors from an auto/“Autie”-ethnographic position. Findings Both clinical literature and discursive evidence support the idea that autistic women are uniquely at risk of interpersonal trauma, in particular, sexual victimisation. Explanatory factors are considered. Studies exploring rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were less consistent. Further evidence is required to better understand how autistic women experience and express PTSD and to inform assessment and treatment modifications. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to integrate clinical literature and discursive evidence on the topic of interpersonal trauma in autistic women. It provides useful insights into the experiences of autistic women in this space, directions for urgently needed future research and modifications to clinical practice.
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3. Kim M, Chung K-M, Chung E-S. Exploring intervention strategies to enhance face recognition abilities in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: assessing the impact of verbalization and Navon tasks. Advances in Autism;2023;9(4):340-352.
Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of two intervention strategies – identifying the global letter of Navon letters and verbally describing a face – in improving face recognition abilities of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Design/methodology/approach A total of 15 adolescents with ASD and 15 typically developing (TD) adolescents participated in this study, which consisted of three experimental conditions: verbalization, Navon and control. Participants were presented with a target face for a short period of time, then completed a task specific to the condition in a counterbalanced order, followed by a face recognition task. Findings The results of this study showed no significant interaction effects between groups and conditions, either in accuracy or reaction time. However, TD adolescents performed better than ASD adolescents in terms of accuracy. In addition, the verbalization condition resulted in better performance with slower response times compared to the control condition. Originality/value These findings suggest that verbalization may be a useful strategy to enhance face recognition abilities in ASD and TD individuals.
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4. Mirahmadizadeh A, Heiran A, Nemati H, Aminnia S, Azadian F, Rezaei F, Sahebi R, Miyar A, Sharifi MH, Tavasoli M. Effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns on the care delivery to the children with autism spectrum disorder: a web-based cross-sectional study. Advances in Autism;2023;9(4):353-363.
Purpose Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder need special attention for their mental and physical health and education. This study aims to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on them. Design/methodology/approach This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on data collected from an online survey. Respondents were the parents or caregivers of autistic children aged 3–18. It measured opinions about the favorable and unfavorable behavioral changes related to their children during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Findings In total, 131 respondents participated in the study. The mean age of their autistic children was 11.45 ± 4.26 years, of whom 78% were boys. Improved good behaviors during lockdowns included interaction with parents and siblings, eating healthy foods, quality of sleep, eye contact, pointing and asking for something, imitating sounds and phrases, sharing interests, reaction to emotions and empathy with family members, but sleep hours decreased. Originality/value Lockdown provided opportunities for examining the behaviors of children with autism taking into account its favorable and unfavorable effects, to improve communicating and behaving with these children.
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5. Yildirim E. The effect of the interaction between autistic traits and psychotic proneness on empathy: a cross-sectional study with a non-clinical sample. Advances in Autism;2023;9(4):364-376.
Purpose Recent evidence indicates an improving effect of the co-occurrence of autistic traits and psychotic symptoms on social cognition, but there is no agreement on the effect of the interaction between autistic traits and psychotic proneness on empathy. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the interaction between autistic traits and positive psychotic experiences on cognitive and affective empathy. Design/methodology/approach The sample consisted of 420 adults aged between 18 and 60. Assessments were administered anonymously online. Empathic abilities were evaluated by the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). While Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) was applied to measure autistic traits, The Community Assessment of Psychic Experience (CAPE) was used as a measurement of positive psychotic experiences. Findings A series of regression analyses showed that although AQ and CAPE scores were not correlated with cognitive-IRI, the interaction between these scores predicted cognitive-IRI scores. It was found that the personal distress subscale of IRI was significantly associated with AQ, but this relationship was moderated by CAPE scores. Originality/value These findings provide a different perspective on understanding social cognitive impairments in autism, which may have potential clinical implications. Findings also contribute to explaining the individual differences in empathic abilities.
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6. Nicholas DB, Jubenville-Wood T, Zulla RT, Lowe K, Zwaigenbaum L. Examining the transition to adulthood in autism spectrum disorder: examining the perspectives of autistic individuals, caregivers and service providers. Advances in Autism;2023;9(4):377-387.
Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how the search for transitional services has been characterized as a challenging experience for autistic youth and their families. Transitional services are reported to be inconsistent and do not address the range of needs that autistic individuals have. Design/methodology/approach In this study, qualitative interviews were conducted with autistic individuals (n = 31), their parents/caregivers (n = 23) and transition-based service providers (n = 10). Findings Findings invite capacity building across sectors, including working with both the autistic individual and their caregiver, and ensuring targeted services commensurate with individual needs related to autism and ancillary challenges. Implications and recommendations for service and system advancement are offered. Practical implications Current services were reportedly insufficient in meeting the needs of autistic individuals as they transitioned into adulthood. Service areas needing to be bolstered include daily life, community engagement and employment. Capacity building and enhanced training are required. Information and communication strategies require advancement. Social implications A more responsive system is required, which involves support from many societal sectors (e.g. health, mental health, advanced education, social services, industry, housing and justice) over the lifespan. Policy adjustments and organizational mandates need to be reviewed to better consider the needs of transitioning autistic youth and allocate resources accordingly. Partnerships across stakeholder groups are needed. Originality/value This study provides details on a known but not well understood issue of transition to adulthood for autistic adults. This study is unique in providing first-hand data from transitioning autistic adults, with corroborating data from families and service providers.
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7. Broupi AE, Kokaridas D, Tsimaras V, Varsamis P. The effect of a visual arts and exercise program on communication and social skills of students with autism spectrum disorders. Advances in Autism;2023;9(4):388-401.
Purpose Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) present challenges in their social and communication skills such as difficulties in developing interpersonal relationships and verbal and nonverbal communication; repetitive and restricted behaviors concerning resistance to environmental change, stereotyped movements and unusual reactions to sensory stimuli; and significant delays in motor development and performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a combined visual arts and exercise program on the communication and social behavior skills of people with ASD. Design/methodology/approach The research was conducted in a Creative Employment Center of People with Disabilities, and the sample consisted of 18 participants with ASD divided randomly into a control group (CG) (n = 8) and an experiment group (EG) (n = 10). The Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) was used prior and after the implementation of the intervention program. EG participants attended an intervention program, whereas CG individuals followed their daily routine activities, and they only completed the SCQ prior and after the program. Findings EG demonstrated statically significant improvements in communication skills and social behavior, compared to the results of the CG. Furthermore, participants with Asperger’s syndrome showed a higher improvement rate compared to participants with autism, while no statistically significant differences were noticed concerning gender and age of the participants. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to investigate the effect of a combined visual arts and adapted physical activity program on the social and communication skills of people with ASD.
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8. Osuna A, Tagavi D, Sabini K, Vernon T. Socialization, education and learning for the internet (SELFI): development and pilot of a social media skills program for autistic adults. Advances in Autism;2023;9(4):402-417.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and pilot of a novel program to support autistic adults with social media use. Social media use among autistic adults has been associated with increased happiness and closer friendships. However, autistic adults are at risk of social media challenges such as cyber-victimization. To date, no programs exist that specifically support autistic adults with safe and effective social media use. The primary aim of this study was to develop and pilot test a novel social media skills program for feasibility and acceptability. A secondary aim was to explore changes in Facebook activity as a proxy for online social engagement. Design/methodology/approach The socialization, education and learning for the internet (SELFI) program was developed by identifying relevant target skills, goals, considerations and evidence-based strategies to help autistic adults with online social communication. The developed SELFI program was then pilot tested with six autistic male young adults to explore initial feasibility (fidelity of delivery, attendance) and acceptability (attrition, enjoyment and programmatic feedback). Facebook data were collected to explore differences in the frequency of likes/reactions, comments and posts after completion of the program. Findings Each participant completed all procedures and attended every session. There was no attrition from the program. The average fidelity score for recorded sessions was 85.1%. Most participants endorsed agreement with program enjoyment and that it helped them maintain current relationships. Participant feedback provided valuable information regarding areas of strength and areas that needed improvement. Each participant who completed the study demonstrated increased Facebook engagement across likes/reactions, comments and posts. Research limitations/implications Limitations include a small all-male sample, exclusion of adults with intellectual disabilities and adolescents and dependence on Facebook data. Additionally, the developed program did not incorporate feedback from relevant stakeholders, including autistic adults. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to explore support for autistic adults specifically related to social media use.
