1. Ardulov V, Martinez VR, Somandepalli K, Zheng S, Salzman E, Lord C, Bishop S, Narayanan S. Robust diagnostic classification via Q-learning. Scientific reports. 2021; 11(1): 11730.

Machine learning (ML) models have demonstrated the power of utilizing clinical instruments to provide tools for domain experts in gaining additional insights toward complex clinical diagnoses. In this context these tools desire two additional properties: interpretability, being able to audit and understand the decision function, and robustness, being able to assign the correct label in spite of missing or noisy inputs. This work formulates diagnostic classification as a decision-making process and utilizes Q-learning to build classifiers that meet the aforementioned desired criteria. As an exemplary task, we simulate the process of differentiating Autism Spectrum Disorder from Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in verbal school aged children. This application highlights how reinforcement learning frameworks can be utilized to train more robust classifiers by jointly learning to maximize diagnostic accuracy while minimizing the amount of information required.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

2. Burrows EL, May C, Hill T, Churliov L, Johnson KA, Hannan AJ. Mice with an autism-associated R451C mutation in neuroligin-3 show a cautious but accurate response style in touchscreen attention tasks. Genes, brain, and behavior. 2022; 21(1): e12757.

One of the earliest identifiable features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is altered attention. Mice expressing the ASD-associated R451C mutation in synaptic adhesion protein neuroligin-3 (NL3) exhibit impaired reciprocal social interactions and repetitive and restrictive behaviours. The role of this mutation in attentional abnormalities has not been established. We assessed attention in male NL3(R451C) mice using two well-established tasks in touchscreen chambers. In the 5-choice serial reaction task, rodents were trained to attend to light stimuli that appear in any one of five locations. While no differences between NL3(R451C) and WT mice were seen in accuracy or omissions, slower response times and quicker reward collection latencies were seen across all training and probe trials. In the rodent continuous-performance test, animals were required to discriminate, and identify a visual target pattern over multiple distractor stimuli. NL3(R451C) mice displayed enhanced ability to attend to stimuli when task-load was low during training and baseline but lost this advantage when difficulty was increased by altering task parameters in probe trials. NL3(R451C) mice made less responses to the distractor stimuli, exhibiting lower false alarm rates during all training stages and in probe trials. Slower response times and quicker reward latencies were consistently seen in NL3(R451C) mice in the rCPT. Slower response times are a major cognitive phenotype reported in ASD patients and are indicative of slower processing speed. Enhanced attention has been shown in a subset of ASD patients and we have demonstrated this phenotype also exists in the NL3(R451C) mouse model.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

3. Dike IC, Onyishi CN, Adimora DE, Ugodulunwa CA, Adama GN, Ugwu GC, Eze UN, Eze A, Ogba FN, Obiwluozo PE, Onu JC, Onu AO, Omenma ZO, Nwaeze VC, Ani C, Ngwu CN, Uzodinma UE, Iremeka FU. Yoga complemented cognitive behavioral therapy on job burnout among teachers of children with autism spectrum disorders. Medicine. 2021; 100(22): e25801.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Job burnout is a syndrome of reaction to chronic job-related stress which affects overall health, limits occupational efficacy, and personal accomplishments of employees thereby thwarting organizational outcomes. Burnout symptoms are common among teachers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and affect the academic progress of the children. This study investigated the effectiveness of Yoga-based cognitive behavioral therapy (Y-CBT) in reducing occupational burnout among teachers of children with autism in Lagos States, Nigeria. METHODS: A group-randomized control-trial with immediate intervention and waitlist control groups was design was adopted. Participants included 58 teachers of children with autism in public and private special schools in the area. Participants were randomly assigned to Y-CBT (N = 29) and waitlist control (N = 29) groups. The Y-CBT group participated in a 2 hours Y-CBT program weekly for 12 weeks. Three instruments Demographic variable, Single Item Stress Questionnaire (SISQ), and Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators’ Survey (MBI-ES) were used to collect data. Data were collected at baseline; post-test and follow-up evaluations. Data were analyzed using means, standard deviations, t test statistics, repeated measures analysis of variance, and bar charts. RESULTS: Results revealed that job-burnout reduced significantly at post-test assessment among the Y-CBT group compared to the waitlisted group. The reduction in the participant was sustained across 3months follow-up evaluation. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that Y-CBT modalities could help to reduce the burnout symptoms among teachers of children with ASD.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

4. Faraji-Khiavi F, Zahiri M, Amiri E, Dindamal B, Pirani N. The experiences of families raising autistic children: A phenomenological study. Journal of education and health promotion. 2021; 10: 78.

BACKGROUND: Conditions and needs of autistic children have impacts on both the children and the family members who have crucial roles in raising the child. The prevalence of autism is increasing, and this fact makes it necessary to focus more on experiences of parents who have children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Hence, this study aimed to reflect the experiences of parents who have autistic children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a qualitative research with phenomenology approach which was conducted using content analysis approach. Participants were 14 parents with ASD children in Ahvaz, and they were included based on purposive sampling method. To gather the required data, semi-structured interviews were formed. Data analysis was performed by Colaizzi’s seven-step method. RESULTS: Fifty-four conceptual codes were extracted from interviews of ASD children parents. Parents of these children had two main experiences: first family related and second education and treatment problems. Family problems included three categories (financial, psychological, and family relationships). Education and treatment was categorized into three (schooling, transporting, and quality in facilities). CONCLUSIONS: Problems mentioned by parents of autistic children highlight the need for providing training and counseling services as well as emotional supports from both society and government. Planning and implementing supportive plans empower parents to strategically face problems and eventually improve their life quality and mutual understanding.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

5. Ikekwere JC, Osuagwu FC, LePlatte D, Ghaziuddin M. Comorbid Psychiatric Aspects of Bainbridge-Ropers Syndrome. The primary care companion for CNS disorders. 2021; 23(3).

Objective: Bainbridge-Ropers syndrome (BRPS) is a neurodevelopmental genetic disorder associated with mutations in the additional sex combs-like ASXL3 gene on chromosome 18q12.1. The objective of this study is to describe the comorbid psychiatric aspects of BRPS. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of the electronic medical records of patients diagnosed with BRPS from 2013 to 2020 at an academic medical center. Results were deidentified and presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: Seven cases (5 White males and 2 White females) of BRPS were identified. The mean age at the time of referral was 12 years, while the mean age at diagnosis of BRPS was 7 years. Comorbid psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses associated with BRPS included global developmental delay: 6 (86%), sleep impairment: 5 (71%), autism spectrum disorder: 3 (43%), speech impairment: 2 (29%), disruptive behavior: 4 (57%), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: 3 (43%), self-injurious behavior: 3 (43%), aggression: 4 (57%), and seizures: 3 (43%). All 7 patients (100%) had multiple DSM-5 diagnoses. Conclusions: These data highlight the need for awareness of the psychiatric comorbidity of BRPS. The findings also underscore the need for further research and emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in the prompt assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients presenting with BRPS.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

6. Kim HH, An JI, Park YR. A Prediction Model for Detecting Developmental Disabilities in Preschool-Age Children Through Digital Biomarker-Driven Deep Learning in Serious Games: Development Study. JMIR serious games. 2021; 9(2): e23130.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of developmental disabilities in children is essential because early intervention can improve the prognosis of children. Meanwhile, a growing body of evidence has indicated a relationship between developmental disability and motor skill, and thus, motor skill is considered in the early diagnosis of developmental disability. However, there are challenges to assessing motor skill in the diagnosis of developmental disorder, such as a lack of specialists and time constraints, and thus it is commonly conducted through informal questions or surveys to parents. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate the possibility of using drag-and-drop data as a digital biomarker and to develop a classification model based on drag-and-drop data with which to classify children with developmental disabilities. METHODS: We collected drag-and-drop data from children with typical development and developmental disabilities from May 1, 2018, to May 1, 2020, via a mobile application (DoBrain). We used touch coordinates and extracted kinetic variables from these coordinates. A deep learning algorithm was developed to predict potential development disabilities in children. For interpretability of the model results, we identified which coordinates contributed to the classification results by applying gradient-weighted class activation mapping. RESULTS: Of the 370 children in the study, 223 had typical development, and 147 had developmental disabilities. In all games, the number of changes in the acceleration sign based on the direction of progress both in the x- and y-axes showed significant differences between the 2 groups (P<.001; effect size >0.5). The deep learning convolutional neural network model showed that drag-and-drop data can help diagnose developmental disabilities, with an area under the receiving operating characteristics curve of 0.817. A gradient class activation map, which can interpret the results of a deep learning model, was visualized with the game results for specific children. CONCLUSIONS: Through the results of the deep learning model, we confirmed that drag-and-drop data can be a new digital biomarker for the diagnosis of developmental disabilities.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

7. Lewis FJ, Rappleyea D, Didericksen K, Sira N, Byrd J, Buton A. Bringing Inclusion Into Pediatric Primary Health Care: A Systematic Review of the Behavioral Health Treatment of Racial and Ethnic Minority Youth. Journal of pediatric health care : official publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners. 2021; 35(6): e32-e42.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, pediatric behavioral health care accounts for one of the fastest growing health care expenditures. Children representing racial and ethnic minority groups are still found to experience significant behavioral health needs. Primary health care represents the first level of contact with the health care system. METHOD: The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize articles discussing the behavioral health needs and treatment of racial and ethnic minority in primary care settings. RESULTS: Results yielded 40 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Themes included: provider screening, provider selected treatments, prevalence and need, and stigma and patient-provider communication. CONCLUSIONS: Themes were discussed through the Ecological Systems Theory lens. Study limitations included its exclusion of intellectual disabilities like Autism Spectrum Disorder, lack of literature utilizing large minority samples, and lack of attention to the intersection between race and/or ethnicity alongside other demographics of concern like gender, age, social class, and geographical location.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

8. Mondal A, Mukherjee S, Dar W, Singh S, Pati S. Role of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and its association to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Biochimica et biophysica acta Molecular basis of disease. 2021; 1867(10): 166185.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common group of neurodevelopmental disorders which causes significant alterations in social and communication skills along with repetitive behavior and limited interests. The physiological understanding of ASD is ambiguous. Several reports suggested that environmental, genetic and epigenetic changes, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic alterations orchestrate the pathological outcomes of ASD. A recent report from Saudi Arabia found a mutation in X-chromosomal housekeeping glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) gene in two male ASD patients. Although, the involvement of G6PD-deficiency in the pathogenesis of ASD is poorly understood. Several reports suggested that G6PD deficiency impedes cellular detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may result in neuronal damage and neuroinflammation. A deficiency of G6PD in newborn children may play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of ASD. In this review, we will discuss the implications of G6PD deficiency in pathogenesis, male biasness and theranostics in ASD patients.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

9. Morneau-Vaillancourt G, Andlauer TFM, Ouellet-Morin I, Paquin S, Brendgen MR, Vitaro F, Gouin JP, Séguin JR, Gagnon É, Cheesman R, Forget-Dubois N, Rouleau GA, Turecki G, Tremblay RE, Côté SM, Dionne G, Boivin M. Polygenic scores differentially predict developmental trajectories of subtypes of social withdrawal in childhood. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines. 2021; 62(11): 1320-9.

BACKGROUND: Children who consistently withdraw from social situations face increased risk for later socioemotional difficulties. Twin studies indicate that genetic factors substantially account for the persistence of social withdrawal over time. However, the molecular genetic etiology of chronic courses of social wariness and preference for solitude, two dimensions of social withdrawal, remains undocumented. The objectives of the present study were (a) to identify high-risk trajectories for social wariness and preference for solitude in childhood and (b) to examine whether falling on these high-risk trajectories can be predicted by specific polygenic scores for mental health traits and disorders and by a general polygenic predisposition to these traits. METHODS: Teachers evaluated 971 genotyped children at five occasions (age 6 to 12 years) from two prospective longitudinal studies, the Quebec Newborn Twin Study and the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. Developmental trajectories for social wariness and preference for solitude were identified. We tested whether polygenic scores for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, depression, loneliness, and subjective well-being, as well as a general mental health genetic risk score derived across these traits, were associated with the developmental trajectories. RESULTS: Polygenic scores differentially predicted social wariness and preference for solitude. Only the loneliness polygenic score significantly predicted the high trajectory for social wariness. By contrast, the general mental health genetic risk score factor was associated with the trajectory depicting high-chronic preference for solitude. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct associations were uncovered between the polygenic scores, social wariness, and preference for solitude.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

10. Okay K, Varış P, Miral S, Ekinci B, Yaraş T, Karakülah G, Oktay Y. Alternative splicing and gene co-expression network-based analysis of dizygotic twins with autism-spectrum disorder and their parents. Genomics. 2021; 113(4): 2561-71.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with high heritability, however, understanding the complexity of the underlying genetic basis has proven to be a challenging task. We hypothesized that dissecting the aberrations in alternative splicing (AS) and their effects on expression networks might provide insight. Therefore, we performed AS and co-expression analyses of total RNA isolated from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) of two pairs of dizygotic (DZ) twins with non-syndromic autism and their parents. We identified 183 differential AS events in 146 genes, seven of them being Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) Category 1-3 genes, three of which had previously been reported to be alternatively spliced in ASD post-mortem brains. Gene co-expression analysis identified 7 modules with 513 genes, 5 of which were SFARI Category 1 or Category 2 genes. Among differentially AS genes within the modules, ZNF322 and NR4A1 could be potentially interesting targets for further investigations.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

11. Ordemann GJ, Apgar CJ, Chitwood RA, Brager DH. Altered A-type potassium channel function impairs dendritic spike initiation and temporoammonic long-term potentiation in Fragile X syndrome. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 2021; 41(27): 5947-62.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading monogenetic cause of cognitive impairment and autism spectrum disorder. Area CA1 of the hippocampus receives current information about the external world from the entorhinal cortex via the temporoammonic (TA) pathway. Given its role in learning and memory, it is surprising that little is known about TA long-term potentiation (TA-LTP) in FXS. We found that TA-LTP was impaired in male fmr1 KO mice. Although there were no significant differences in basal synaptic transmission, synaptically evoked dendritic calcium signals were smaller in KO neurons. Using dendritic recording, we found no difference in complex spikes or pharmacologically isolated Ca(2+) spikes; however, the threshold for fast, Na(+) dependent dendritic spikes was depolarized in fmr1 KO mice. Cell-attached patch clamp recordings found no difference in Na(+) channels between wild type and fmr1 KO CA1 dendrites. Dendritic spike threshold and TA-LTP were restored by block of A-type K(+) channels with either 150 μM Ba(2+) or the more specific toxin AmmTx3. The impairment of TA-LTP shown here, coupled with previously described enhanced Schaffer collateral LTP, may contribute to spatial memory alterations in FXS. Furthermore, as both of these LTP phenotypes are attributed to changes in A-type K(+) channels in FXS, our findings provide a potential therapeutic target to treat cognitive impairments in FXS.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAlterations in synaptic function and plasticity are likely contributors to learning and memory impairments in many neurological disorders. Fragile X syndrome is marked by dysfunctional learning and memory and changes in synaptic structure and function. This study shows a lack of LTP at temporoammonic synapses in CA1 neurons associated with biophysical differences in A-type K(+) channels in fmr1 KO CA1 neurons. Our results, along with previous findings on A-type K(+) channel effects on Schaffer collateral LTP, reveal differential effects of a single ion channelopathy on LTP at the two major excitatory pathways of CA1 pyramidal neurons. These findings expand our understanding of memory deficits in FXS and provide a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of memory dysfunction in FXS.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

12. Sakamoto S, Miyawaki D, Goto A, Harima Y, Tokuhara D, Inoue K. COVID-19 phobia in a boy with undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder: A case report. Medicine. 2021; 100(22): e26233.

RATIONALE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is affecting mental health profoundly. Previous studies have reported pandemic-related anxiety. Anxiety disorder and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are common comorbidities. However, there has been no report of any patient with undiagnosed ASD who developed anxiety disorders caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this case report, we describe an 8-year-old Japanese boy with undiagnosed ASD who developed COVID-19 phobia, resulting in avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). PATIENT CONCERNS: As COVID-19 was highly publicized in the mass media and the risk of droplet infection was emphasized upon, the patient began to fear viral contamination from food, culminating in a refusal to eat or even swallow his saliva. He was admitted to a pediatric medical center in Osaka with life-threatening dehydration and was then referred to our child psychiatry department. DIAGNOSIS: We diagnosed the patient with COVID-19 phobia resulting in ARFID. We identified ASD traits from his present social communication skills and developmental history. INTERVENTIONS: We provided psychoeducation of ASD for the parents and administered supportive psychotherapy. OUTCOMES: Shortly after our intervention to relieve his ASD-related anxiety, his dysphagia improved. LESSONS: Our findings suggest that children with undiagnosed ASD may develop COVID-19 phobia. In these cases, intervention for ASD may be more appropriate than starting treatment for anxiety disorders as the first-line option. COVID-19 is the biggest pandemic in the recent past, and more undiagnosed ASD patients who develop COVID-19 phobia may seek treatment. Clinicians should consider the underlying ASD in these patients and assess their developmental history and present social communication skills.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

13. Samuel P, Yew RY, Hooley M, Hickey M, Stokes MA. Sensory challenges experienced by autistic women during pregnancy and childbirth: a systematic review. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics. 2022; 305(2): 299-311.

PURPOSE: The aim of this systematic review was to identify challenges faced by autistic women during pregnancy and birth due to sensory issues or other features of Autism Spectrum Disorder. METHODS: A systematic search of literature was conducted using Medline, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, MIDIRS, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, and Open Access Theses and Dissertations. Eligible studies addressed autistic women’s pregnancy or birth experiences, and were assessed for methodological quality. RESULTS: The search generated 2656 results, with six meeting inclusion criteria. Data from 427 autistic participants were extracted from four qualitative and two quantitative studies for synthesis. CONCLUSION: We found that the literature was exploratory and lacked focussed research questions addressing sensory issues in pregnancy. Sensory challenges were, however, identified as a key finding in all qualitative studies. Other challenges faced by autistic women during pregnancy and birth included communication issues in healthcare settings and lack of appropriate information and supports for pregnancy and birth. Implications for health professionals and challenges associated with research in this area are discussed.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

14. Song W, Shea L, Nonnemacher SL, Brusilovskiy E, Townley G, Salzer MS. Correction to: Community Participation Comparison Between Adults on the Autism Spectrum and Adults in the General Population. Journal of autism and developmental disorders. 2022; 52(4): 1622.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

15. Tabeshian R, Nezakat-Alhosseini M, Movahedi A, Zehr EP, Faramarzi S. The Effect of Tai Chi Chuan Training on Stereotypic Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of autism and developmental disorders. 2022; 52(5): 2180-6.

This quasi-experimental study investigated effects of Tai Chi Chuan training on stereotypic behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder. Twenty-three participants (mean age = 9.60 ± 1.40 years) were assigned to experimental (N = 12) and control (N = 11) groups. The experimental group received 12 weeks of Tai Chi training and all participants had pre, post, and one-month follow-up assessments. Stereotypic behavior measured using Gilliam Autism Rating Scale 2 Scores, was significantly altered by ~ 25% in the Tai Chi Chuan group. Behavioral change was maintained at follow up since there was no significant difference between that and the posttest. In conclusion, Tai Chi Chuan training is a useful and appropriate intervention to modulate behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

16. Turbett K, Jeffery L, Bell J, Burton J, Palermo R. Autistic Traits are Associated with Less Precise Perceptual Integration of Face Identity. Journal of autism and developmental disorders. 2022; 52(5): 2168-79.

Face recognition difficulties are common in autism and could be a consequence of perceptual atypicalities that disrupt the ability to integrate current and prior information. We tested this theory by measuring the strength of serial dependence for faces (i.e. how likely is it that current perception of a face is biased towards a previously seen face) across the broader autism phenotype. Though serial dependence was not weaker in individuals with more autistic traits, more autistic traits were associated with greater integration of less similar faces. These results suggest that serial dependence is less specialised, and may not operate optimally, in individuals with more autistic traits and could therefore be a contributing factor to autism-linked face recognition difficulties.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

17. Vacas J, Antolí A, Sánchez-Raya A, Pérez-Dueñas C, Cuadrado F. Visual preference for social vs. non-social images in young children with autism spectrum disorders. An eye tracking study. PloS one. 2021; 16(6): e0252795.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are associated to social attention (SA) impairments. A gaze bias to non-social objects over faces has been proposed as an early marker of ASD. This bias may be related to the concomitant circumscribed interests (CI), which question the role of competing objects in this atypical visual behavior. The aim of this study was to compare visual attention patterns to social and non-social images in young children with ASD and matched typical controls (N = 36; age range 41-73 months) assessing the role of emotion in facial stimuli and the type of competing object. A paired preference task was designed pairing happy, angry, and neutral faces with two types of objects (related or not related to autism CI). Eye tracking data were collected, and three indexes were considered as dependent variables: prioritization (attentional orientation), preference, and duration (sustained attention). Results showed that both groups had similar visual pattern to faces (prioritization, more attention and longer visits to faces paired with objects non-related to their CI); however, the ASD group attended to faces significantly less than controls. Children with ASD showed an emotional bias (late orientation to angry faces and typical preference for happy faces). Finally, objects related to their CI captured attention in both groups, significantly reducing SA in children with ASD. Atypical SA is present in young children with ASD regardless the competing non-social object. Identifying strengths and difficulties in SA in this population may have substantial repercussion for early diagnosis, intervention, and ultimately prognosis.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

18. Wagner L, Weitlauf AS, Hine J, Corona LL, Berman AF, Nicholson A, Allen W, Black M, Warren Z. Transitioning to Telemedicine During COVID-19: Impact on Perceptions and Use of Telemedicine Procedures for the Diagnosis of Autism in Toddlers. Journal of autism and developmental disorders. 2022; 52(5): 2247-57.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of telemedicine as an avenue to address the need for diagnostic clarification in young children at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although preliminary research has supported the use of telemedicine for identifying ASD in toddlers, little is known about the experiences of practitioners attempting direct-to-home tele-assessment. We surveyed diagnostic providers regarding changes in practice behavior in the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic and their perceptions of ASD tele-assessment. We also examined the use of the TELE-ASD-PEDS, a novel tool for ASD tele-assessment, in response to COVID-19 at seven sites across the country. Results support the clinical acceptability and diagnostic utility of ASD tele-assessment while also highlighting critical avenues of future investigation.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)