1. Huskens B, Reijers H, Didden R. {{Staff training effective in increasing learning opportunities for school-aged children with autism spectrum disorders}}. {Dev Neurorehabil};2012 (Oct 3)
Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of instruction and video feedback on staff’s ABA skills during one-to-one play situations and initiations of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: Data were collected within a multiple baseline design across 5 dyads. A continuous 20 s interval recording system was used to record motivation, creating opportunities, prompting and reinforcement of staff and child initiations. Training included instruction, consisting of instructions, video examples and role-plays. After this, a 4-h delayed video feedback condition started. Results: Three staff members created significantly more learning opportunities during post-instruction and a significant increase occurred during video feedback for one staff member. Initiatives increased significantly in two children during post-instruction. During follow-up, three children showed unprompted initiatives. The mean percentage of spontaneous initiations increased during follow-up. Conclusion: The findings provide support for training staff in a clinical setting to create learning opportunities, which also may result in concomittant improvement in child initiations.
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2. Jordan CJ, Caldwell-Harris CL. {{Understanding differences in neurotypical and autism spectrum special interests through internet forums}}. {Intellect Dev Disabil};2012 (Oct);50(5):391-402.
Abstract Special interests are frequently developed by individuals with autism spectrum disorder, expressed as an intense focus on specific topics. Neurotypical individuals also develop special interests, often in the form of hobbies. Although past research has focused on special interests held by children with autism spectrum disorder, little is known about their role in adulthood. The current study investigated differences in the content, number, and specificity of the special interests held by adult individuals with autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical individuals, using Internet discussion forums as a data source. Quantitative analysis of forum posts revealed significant differences between the diagnostic groups. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder reported having more interests in systemizing domains, more specific interests, and a greater number of interests overall than neurotypical individuals. Understanding special interests can lead to the development of educational and therapeutic programs that facilitate the acquirement of other important social and communication skills.
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3. May ME, Brandt RC, Bohannan JK. {{Moderating effects of autism on parent views of genetic screening for aggression}}. {Intellect Dev Disabil};2012 (Oct);50(5):415-425.
Abstract Advances in gene-environment interaction research have revealed genes that are associated with aggression. However, little is known about parent perceptions of genetic screening for behavioral symptoms like aggression as opposed to diagnosing disabilities. These perceptions may influence future research endeavors involving genetic linkage studies to behavior, including proactive approaches for parents to avoid events leading to aggression. The purpose of this study was to solicit the perspectives of parents who have children with autism about screening for genes associated with aggression, compared to responses from those who have children without disabilities and those planning to have children. Parents of children with autism were more likely to support screening and the use of the results to seek treatment if necessary. Results are discussed in the context of surveillance screening and systematic early intervention for behavioral symptoms related to autism. The results may provide insight for clincians, researchers, policymakers, and advocacy groups related to diagnosing and treating aggression in people with autism.
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4. Palmen A, Didden R, Verhoeven L. {{A personal digital assistant for improving independent transitioning in adolescents with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder}}. {Dev Neurorehabil};2012 (Oct 3)
Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a personal digital assistant (PDA) on independent transitioning between activities in a day treatment centre for youth with high-functioning ASD. Methods: Within a multiple baseline design across four participants, data were collected on participant’s transitioning and staff’s prompting behaviour. Intervention by staff consisted of one technical instruction session on use of the PDA and non-specific instruction following incorrect transitions while not using the PDA, in the natural setting. Results: Analysis revealed a significant increase in percentage independent daily transitions, which resulted from the independent use of the PDA. The change in staff’s prompt use during intervention was mainly the result of a significant decrease in the use of non-specific prompts in correcting participant’s transition behaviour. Conclusion: A brief intervention was effective in improving independent transitioning using a PDA. Findings are evaluated in light of their clinical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
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5. Rieske RD, Matson JL, Davis TE, 3rd, Konst MJ, Williams LW, Whiting SE. {{Examination and validation of a measure of anxiety specific to children with autism spectrum disorders}}. {Dev Neurorehabil};2012 (Oct 3)
Objective: Investigated the use of a combined scale (Worry/Depressed and Avoidant scales) from the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Comorbidity for Children (ASD-CC) as a measure of anxiety. Alternative methods of measuring anxiety were examined using the ASD-CC in an ASD population. Methods: Participants included 147 children, age 2-16 years, evincing a mixture of behavior problems. Comparisons between scores on the ASD-CC and Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2) were examined to determine the most efficacious method of measuring anxiety and to establish convergent and discriminant validity. Results: The worry/depressed subscale was the most effective subscale of the ASD-CC to measure anxiety with proven incremental validity over the combined scale. Conclusion: The worry/depressed subscale is the best measure of anxiety utilizing the ASD-CC in children with an ASD. Additionally, convergent and discriminant validity was demonstrated by comparing the scale with similar and dissimilar scales of the BASC-2.
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6. Soden SE, Garrison CB, Egan AM, Beckwith AM. {{Nutrition, physical activity, and bone mineral density in youth with autistic spectrum disorders}}. {J Dev Behav Pediatr};2012 (Oct);33(8):618-624.
OBJECTIVE: : Fractures and pain, secondary to low bone mineral density (BMD), have been reported in pediatric patients with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). The purpose of this study was to assess the BMD of a clinical sample of 10- to 18-year olds with ASD, and the nutrition and physical activity correlates of skeletal health in this population. METHODS: : Twenty-six patients with ASD were recruited from an outpatient multidisciplinary child-development clinic. Lumbar bone density was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Data collection included anthropometries, serum nutrient levels, parent interview, and 72-hour diet, screen-time, and physical activity records. RESULTS: : Four patients (15%) met criteria for pediatric low BMD with z scores less than or equal to -2.0; another 4 were at risk with z scores less than or equal to -1.0. Approximately 54% of participants had insufficient serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Mean electronic media use was 251 minutes/day; mean physical activity 69 minutes/day. Fewer than 50% of participants met daily reference intake of vitamins A, B3, D, E, K, zinc, calcium, folate, potassium, and fiber. Bone density correlated positively with body mass (r = .47), calcium intake (r = .46), and calorie intake (r = .58). CONCLUSIONS: : Children aged 10 to 18 years old with ASD are at risk for occult low bone density. In this study, those with low body mass index and insufficient calcium and calorie intake were at greater risk. Other unhealthy behaviors in this population included a high screen-time to physical activity ratio and multiple nutrient deficiencies.
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7. Stevens SA, Nash K, Koren G, Rovet J. {{Autism characteristics in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders}}. {Child Neuropsychol};2012 (Oct 3)
Background: Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) exhibit difficulties in many cognitive and behavioral domains and also have high comorbidity with other disorders such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder as well as autism. Although the FASD profile is shown to be distinct from ADHD and conduct disorder, far less is known about the commonalities with autism. The current study used a parent-rated questionnaire containing an autism subscale to explore the autistic-like features that children with FASD exhibit. Methods: Studied were 25 children with FASD (age: M = 10.3 years) and 17 normal controls (NCs; age: M = 10.2 years). As part of a larger study, all parents/caregivers completed the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS; Gresham & Elliot, 2008 ), which in addition to evaluating social skills and behavior problems globally, includes an Autism subscale. Results: Between-group comparisons showed the FASD group not only scored significantly lower in social skills and significantly higher in behavior problems than the NC group but children with FASD also scored significantly higher on the Autism subscale. Item analysis revealed they showed the most difficulty in terms of social and communicative functioning and the least in repetitive and restrictive behaviors. Conclusion: Current findings signify that FASD and autism share similarities with regard to social and communicative functioning. These findings, which further our knowledge of the FASD phenotype, may be useful in specifying the particular interventions these children need.
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8. Turygin N, Matson JL, Beighley J, Adams H. {{The effect of DSM-5 criteria on the developmental quotient in toddlers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder}}. {Dev Neurorehabil};2012 (Oct 3)
Objective: To determine the effect of the changing fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) criteria on the developmental profiles of children diagnosed with an Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: This study examines the effect of DSM-5 changes on impairment profiles of a population of 2054 at-risk toddlers aged 17-36 months using the Battelle Developmental Inventory, Second Edition. Results: Toddlers diagnosed with an ASD according to the DSM-5 were found to represent a more impaired population compared to those who qualified for a diagnosis of an ASD based on the DSM-IV-TR, but not the DSM-5. The group diagnosed according to the DSM-IV-TR represented a population of toddlers who were more impaired than atypically developing peers. Conclusions: The proposed changes to the DSM will likely result in those diagnosed with an ASD according to the new criteria representing a more functionally impaired group. Implications of this proposed change are discussed.
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9. Wisniowiecka-Kowalnik B, Kastory-Bronowska M, Bartnik M, Derwinska K, Dymczak-Domini W, Szumbarska D, Ziemka E, Szczaluba K, Sykulski M, Gambin T, Gambin A, Shaw CA, Mazurczak T, Obersztyn E, Bocian E, Stankiewicz P. {{Application of custom-designed oligonucleotide array CGH in 145 patients with autistic spectrum disorders}}. {Eur J Hum Genet};2012 (Oct 3)
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders, including childhood autism, atypical autism, and Asperger syndrome, with an estimated prevalence of 1.0-2.5% in the general population. ASDs have a complex multifactorial etiology, with genetic causes being recognized in only 10-20% of cases. Recently, copy-number variants (CNVs) have been shown to contribute to over 10% of ASD cases. We have applied a custom-designed oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridization with an exonic coverage of over 1700 genes, including 221 genes known to cause autism and autism candidate genes, in a cohort of 145 patients with ASDs. The patients were classified according to ICD-10 standards and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale protocol into three groups consisting of 45 individuals with and 69 individuals without developmental delay/intellectual disability (DD/ID), and 31 patients, in whom DD/ID could not be excluded. In 12 patients, we have identified 16 copy-number changes, eight (5.5%) of which likely contribute to ASDs. In addition to known recurrent CNVs such as deletions 15q11.2 (BP1-BP2) and 3q13.31 (including DRD3 and ZBTB20), and duplications 15q13.3 and 16p13.11, our analysis revealed two novel genes clinically relevant for ASDs: ARHGAP24 (4q21.23q21.3) and SLC16A7 (12q14.1). Our results further confirm the diagnostic importance of array CGH in detection of CNVs in patients with ASDs and demonstrate that CNVs are an important cause of ASDs as a heterogeneous condition with a variety of contributory genes.European Journal of Human Genetics advance online publication, 3 October 2012; doi:10.1038/ejhg.2012.219.
