1. Neuroimaging findings in children with cerebral palsy with autism and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a population-based study. Dev Med Child Neurol;2023 (Jun 11)

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2. Agarwal R, Heron LM, Burke SL. Financial Planning Among Parents of Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Intellect Dev Disabil;2023 (Jun 1);61(3):211-223.

Families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience significant financial hardship, which could improve through financial planning and utilization of accounts such as the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE). Unfortunately, current rates of banking are low among individuals with disabilities, and no study has examined this phenomenon specifically among families of children with IDD. In this cross-sectional study, 176 parents shared their financial planning and utilization experience. Findings indicate that parents worry about their child’s financial future, however, paradoxically, are not engaging in financial planning. Utilization of ABLE, checking and savings accounts, and special needs trusts are also low. Parents reported several programmatic and personal barriers which could inform immediate programmatic changes and long-term policy considerations.

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3. Ağırkan M, Koç M, Avcı Ö H. How effective are group-based psychoeducation programs for parents of children with ASD in Turkey? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Res Dev Disabil;2023 (Jun 8);139:104554.

Recent research shows that group-based psychoeducation programs designed for parents of children with ASD have grown in popularity over time. The international evidence for the effectiveness of psychoeducation programs designed for parents of children with ASD in developed societies emphasizes the importance of providing a synthesis of the effectiveness of programs in developing societies. This study’s primary aim is to assess the efficacy of group-based psychoeducation programs in Turkey for parents of children with ASD. The second aim is to investigate how the programs are influenced by the potential moderators (type of involvement, research design, number of sessions, duration of sessions, and number of participants). For these purposes, a database search was conducted that included group-based psychoeducation programs for parents of children with ASD implemented in Turkey. Twelve group-based psychoeducation programs that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The results showed that group-based psychoeducation programs for parents of children with ASD had « medium » effects on psychological symptoms [ES(SE) = 0.65 (.08), 95%CI (0.48-0.81)], « low » effects on social skills [ES(SE) = 0.32 (.16), 95%CI (0.02-0.62)], and « high » effects on well-being [ES(SE) = 1.05 (.19), 95%CI (0.66-1.43)]. According to moderator analyses, the type of involvement and the number of sessions were statistically significant moderators of psychological symptoms, but not the research design, duration of sessions, or number of participants.

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4. Arutiunian V, Davydova E, Pereverzeva D, Sorokin A, Tyushkevich S, Mamokhina U, Danilina K, Dragoy O. Reduced grey matter volume of amygdala and hippocampus is associated with the severity of autistic symptoms and language abilities in school-aged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: an exploratory study. Brain Struct Funct;2023 (Jun 11)

The core symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are impairments in social interaction/communication and the presence of stereotyped and repetitive behaviour. The amygdala and hippocampus are involved in core functions in the « social brain » and, thus, may be of particular interest in ASD. Previous studies demonstrated inconsistent results, revealing both increased and reduced volume of these brain structures in individuals with ASD. In this study, we investigated the grey and white matter volumes of amygdala and hippocampus in primary-school-aged children with and without ASD. Also, we assessed the relationships between the volume of brain structures and behavioural measures in children with ASD. A total of 36 children participated in the study: 18 children with ASD (13 boys, age range 8.01-14.01 years, mean age (M(age)) = 10.02, standard deviation (SD) = 1.76) and 18 age- and sex-matched typically developing controls (13 boys, age range 7.06-12.03 years, M(age) = 10.00, SD = 1.38). The whole-brain structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was applied to acquire T1 images for each child. The results showed a bilateral reduction in grey matter volume of amygdala and hippocampus in children with ASD, but no difference was found in white matter volume. Importantly, pathological reduction in grey matter volume of amygdala was associated with lower language skills and more severe autistic traits; also, a reduced grey matter volume of the left hippocampus was related to lower language skills in the ASD group.

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5. Desroches ML, Tyo M. Promoting Resilience in Direct Support Professionals of Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Qualitative Descriptive Study. Intellect Dev Disabil;2023 (Jun 1);61(3):250-264.

The direct support professional (DSP) workforce shortage crisis has reached untenable levels during the COVID-19 pandemic as DSPs rapidly exit the workforce. To gain a better understanding of factors that contribute to DSP resilience during stressful and challenging times, we interviewed 10 DSPs identified by colleagues as resilient to elicit strategies to promote DSP resilience. Our content analysis revealed nine distinct strategies: (a) communication; (b) self-worth and recognition; (c) authentic, equitable relationships; (d) embracing change and learning; (e) establishing and maintaining boundaries; (f) cultivating an intentional mindset; (g) self-care; (h) spirituality/ »the bigger picture »; and (i) a daily practice of humor and fun.

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6. Friedman C. The Relationship Between Choice and Injuries of People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Intellect Dev Disabil;2023 (Jun 1);61(3):185-196.

People with IDD are often denied choices based on concerns for their safety, including to prevent and reduce injuries. This study examined the relationship between the service-related choices of people with IDD and their injuries. In this cross-sectional analysis, we analyzed secondary Personal Outcome Measures® interview data and injury data from 251 people with IDD. Our findings revealed, controlling for all demographics, for every one-unit increase in service-related choice outcomes present, there was a 35% decrease in injuries. Expanding people with IDD’s choice-making opportunities may result in fewer injuries. We must move beyond custodial models of care and ensure people with IDD are supported to live the lives of their choosing.

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7. Frye RE. Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency: A model of neurocircuit imbalances in autism and potential insight into new biomarkers. Dev Med Child Neurol;2023 (Jun 11)

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8. Higuchi Y, Tada T, Nakachi T, Arakawa H. Serotonergic circuit dysregulation underlying autism-related phenotypes in BTBR mouse model of autism. Neuropharmacology;2023 (Jun 8):109634.

The inbred mouse strain, BTBR T(+)Itpr3(tf)/J (BTBR), possesses neuronal and circuit abnormalities that underlie atypical behavioral profiles resembling the major symptoms of human autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Forebrain serotonin (5-HT) transmission has been implicated in ASD-related behavioral alterations. In this study, we assessed 5-HT signals and the functional responsiveness in BTBR mice compared to standard C57BL/6J (B6) control mice to elucidate how 5-HT alterations contribute to behavioral abnormalities in BTBR mice. A lower number of 5-HT neurons in the median raphe, but not in the dorsal raphe, was observed in male and female BTBR mice. Acute systemic injection of buspirone, a 5-HT1A receptor agonist, induced c-Fos in several brain regions in both B6 and BTBR mice; however, blunted c-Fos induction in BTBR mice was documented in the cingulate cortex, basolateral amygdala (BLA), and ventral hippocampus (Hipp). Decreased c-Fos responses in these regions are associated with a lack of buspirone effects on anxiety-like behavior in BTBR mice. Analysis of mRNA expression following acute buspirone injection indicated that 5HTR1a gene downregulation (or upregulation) occurred in the BLA and Hipp of B6 mice, respectively, but not BTBR mice. The mRNA expression of factors associated with neurogenesis or the pro-inflammatory state was not consistently altered by acute buspirone injection. Therefore, 5-HT responsivity via 5-HT1A receptors in the BLA and Hipp are linked to anxiety-like behavior, in which circuits are disrupted in BTBR mice. Other distinct 5-HT circuits from the BLA and Hipp that regulate social behavior are restricted but preserved in BTBR mice.

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9. Inge Schytz Andersen-Civil A, Anjan Sawale R, Claude Vanwalleghem G. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a translational model for neuro-immune interactions in the enteric nervous system in autism spectrum disorders. Brain Behav Immun;2023 (Jun 8)

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect about 1% of the population and are strongly associated with gastrointestinal diseases creating shortcomings in quality of life. Multiple factors contribute to the development of ASD and although neurodevelopmental deficits are central, the pathogenesis of the condition is complex and the high prevalence of intestinal disorders is poorly understood. In agreement with the prominent research establishing clear bidirectional interactions between the gut and the brain, several studies have made it evident that such a relation also exists in ASD. Thus, dysregulation of the gut microbiota and gut barrier integrity may play an important role in ASD. However, only limited research has investigated how the enteric nervous system (ENS) and intestinal mucosal immune factors may impact on the development of ASD-related intestinal disorders. This review focuses on the mechanistic studies that elucidate the regulation and interactions between enteric immune cells, residing gut microbiota and the ENS in models of ASD. Especially the multifaceted properties and applicability of zebrafish (Danio rerio) for the study of ASD pathogenesis are assessed in comparison to studies conducted in rodent models and humans. Advances in molecular techniques and in vivo imaging, combined with genetic manipulation and generation of germ-free animals in a controlled environment, appear to make zebrafish an underestimated model of choice for the study of ASD. Finally, we establish the research gaps that remain to be explored to further our understanding of the complexity of ASD pathogenesis and associated mechanisms that may lead to intestinal disorders.

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10. Tichá R, Pettingell SL, Lemanowicz J, Feinstein CS, Bershadsky J, Houseworth J, Zhang AQ. Using the Independent Monitoring for Quality Program to Examine Longitudinal Outcomes for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Intellect Dev Disabil;2023 (Jun 1);61(3):238-249.

The purpose of this study is to lay a foundation for illustrating the importance of longitudinal data collection by sharing the results of the Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) program in Pennsylvania designed to collect data over time on the quality of services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this article, we report on the history and characteristics of the IM4Q program, describe the key variables of interest, and highlight the trends in the key variables over 3 years of data collection (2013, 2016, and 2019). The descriptive results indicate mixed trends for the three areas of focus: comparable rates of people employed in community-based settings, less support-related choice, and better everyday choice-making outcomes.

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