1. Gaze responses in children with cerebral palsy, cerebral visual impairment, and severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2025.

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2. Al-Saleh I, Aljerayed Y, Gheith M, Alobaid N, Alenazi H, Elkhatib R, Aldhalaan H, Alnemer M, Mohamed G, Shoukri M. Longitudinal analysis of maternal exposure to phthalates and bisphenol A and their impact on infant neurodevelopment and autistic behavior: The potential mediating role of thyroid hormones. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2025; 269: 114647.

This prospective cohort study investigated the impact of maternal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, specifically phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), on infant neurodevelopment. From 2019 to 2022, 672 pregnant women consented to participate in the study during their initial prenatal appointments at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre. Two urine samples were collected each trimester to measure seven phthalate metabolites and BPA levels. Neurodevelopmental performance was evaluated using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® Third Edition at 6, 12, and 18 months of age, and the risk of autism was assessed with the Modified Checklist For Autism in Toddlers at 18 months. Linear mixed models and logistic regression were applied to evaluate trimester-specific and overall associations using natural log-transformed urinary concentrations of phthalates and BPA. Our results showed that each one-unit increase in the log-transformed concentration of specific phthalates and BPA was associated with significant changes in infant developmental scores. During the first trimester, elevated levels of mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono-iso-butyl phthalate (MiBP), and BPA were associated with 4.3 %-5.6 % decreases in gross motor (GM) scores. In contrast, monoethyl phthalate (MEP) and low-molecular-weight (∑LMW) phthalates were linked to 4 %-4.5 % increases in communication (COMM) scores. In the third trimester, MECPP and Σ(3)DEHP were positively associated with GM and fine motor (FM) scores, while MiBP was associated with reduced personal-social (PSoc) scores. Sex-stratified analyses revealed differences in susceptibility, with males showing stronger adverse associations in problem-solving and social domains and females more affected in gross and fine motor scores. Mediation analysis identified free thyroxine (FT4) as a partial mediator, accounting for 12.7 % of the effect of ∑LMW phthalates on COMM scores during the first trimester. However, most mediation effects through maternal thyroid hormones were small and not statistically significant. Additionally, some first-trimester exposures, such as MEP and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate, appeared to be associated with lower odds of a positive M-CHAT screen. At the same time, MnBP showed a potential increase in risk. However, these exploratory findings were based on crude models and a limited number of positive cases and should be interpreted cautiously. Our study also examined overall exposure to phthalates and BPA across pregnancy, revealing consistent yet subtle impacts across developmental domains. This study adds novel insights by assessing trimester-specific exposures and investigating maternal thyroid hormones as potential mediators of early neurodevelopmental outcomes.

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3. Baris S, Yavas C. PGAP1-Related Encephalopathy in an Infant With Neurodevelopmental Delay: Novel Variant and Review of Literature. Int J Dev Neurosci. 2025; 85(5): e70044.

Spastic paraplegia-67, caused by a defect in glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) biosynthesis, is an autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder. It is characterized by dysmorphic features, spasticity, brain abnormalities, hypotonia, impaired intellectual development and speech difficulties. A 9-month-old girl was admitted to our clinic with a neurodevelopmental disorder, hepatomegaly, occasional vomiting, spasticity and hypotonicity. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was planned in the patient who had microcephaly, dysmorphic facial appearance, short and blunt fingers, a wide mouth, lacking physical sensation, dyskinetic movements, agenesis of the corpus callosum and cerebellar hypoplasia on MRI. In our study, we used whole-exome sequencing, family segregation and bioinformatics to identify a homozygous 3 bp duplication in the GPI remodelling gene PGAP1 (c.1226_1229dup p.(Val411Argfs*3) [NM_024989.4]) in a female patient with a neurodevelopmental disorder, encephalopathy and nonspecific autosomal recessive forms of intellectual disability (ARID). At least 26 genes are involved in the biosynthesis and remodelling of GPI junctions. Hypomorphic coding variants in seven of these genes have been reported to cause reduced expression of GPI-associated proteins (GPI-APs) on the cell surface and ARID. PGAP1 gene variants are important in understanding GPI biosynthesis defects, which can lead to severe neurodevelopmental disorders like spastic paraplegia-67. The identified homozygous variant (c.1226_1229dup) further expands the genetic spectrum of GPI-related disorders and underscores the role of WES in diagnosing rare encephalopathies with dysmorphic features.

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4. Bassett J, Sathiyamoorthy K, Horman A, Taylor G, Wu HYT, Dent S, Sharma R. Challenges in diagnosing hawkinsinuria in adulthood: 2 cases from a single family. BMJ Case Rep. 2025; 18(8).

Hawkinsinuria, caused by an autosomal dominant gain-of-function variant of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase resulting in accumulation of 2-L-cystein-S-yl-1,4-dihydroxy-cyclohex-5-en-1-yl acetic acid (hawkinsin) and tyrosine, typically presents in the neonatal period. Here we report the case of a female adult patient in her early 20s presenting with childhood developmental delay and dyspraxia. She was initially referred to neurology, where baseline imaging and biochemistry were unremarkable. She was subsequently investigated for metabolic disorders, and it was found that plasma organic acids and amino acids were indicative of hawkinsinuria. Furthermore, her mother, who was asymptomatic, was also diagnosed with hawkinsinuria following family screening. Management was conservative, with regular monitoring of tyrosine and phenylalanine levels. Dietary restriction may be considered if tyrosine is elevated or patients become symptomatic. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of hawkinsinuria presenting symptomatically in an adult patient and the second case of an asymptomatic adult being diagnosed from genetic testing.

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5. Campbell M, Hastings E, McArdle P, Olsen D, Benton K, Nadler C. Psychosocial Supports for the Physical and Mental Health of Youth with Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Mo Med. 2025; 122(4): 291-6.

One in six youth has a neurodevelopmental disability (NDD), and autism diagnostic rates continue to rise. Before and after a diagnosis, families need trusted sources of guidance to navigate co-occurring medical and psychological conditions, and to manage unique stressors including transition to adulthood. However, medical professionals from all specialty areas struggle to identify resources to support the complex psychosocial and healthcare needs of these patients and their families. This primer on psychosocial supports for youth with autism will explore the major mental and physical health stressors faced by affected youth and families, and discuss opportunities for primary care and other providers to provide resources and empower their patients. Through awareness of key challenges and resources, non-specialist providers can integrate autism-specific supports into their regular practice. These same approaches will also allow providers to offer more holistic care for the broader NDD patient community as well.

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6. Carbone PS, Dada Y, Villalobos M, Stoddard GJ, Roundy J, Campbell K. The Caregiver Concerns Questionnaire: A Tool to Target Care for Children on the Autism Spectrum. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

To report results of the Caregiver Concerns Questionnaire (CCQ), a brief screening checklist that assessed the presence and severity of 19 developmental, behavioral, psychiatric and medical concerns expressed by caregivers of autistic children and to identify associations between CCQ items related to gastrointestinal and sleep problems with items related to maladaptive behaviors. We examined electronic health record data from children aged 2-17 years attending developmental specialty clinic visits whose caregivers completed the CCQ. Descriptive statistics and regression models were used for analysis. Among 2096 children on the autism spectrum with completed CCQs the mean number of items rated as moderate to severe was 7.60 (95% CI 7.41-7.79) and 7 of 19 items were rated as moderate to severe by > 50% of caregivers (social interactions, sensory issues, language use, anxiety, hyperactivity, attention span, and eating habits). There were differences in several CCQ item responses by age, sex and ethnicity. Caregivers of older children more often rated attention span, sensory issues, anxiety, mood swings, motor issues, and social interactions as moderate to severe problems than younger groups. There were associations between caregiver reported moderate to severe sleep and gastrointestinal problems with moderate to severe behavioral and psychiatric conditions (aggression, self-injury, anxiety, mood problems, hyperactivity). The Caregiver Concerns Questionnaire is a promising tool for ongoing care visits with children on the autism spectrum, quickly screening for common developmental issues and co-occurring conditions. Future studies could assess the utility of the CCQ in primary care settings.

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7. Genovese AC, Yusuf M. Letter: Improving Outcomes in Level 3 Autism after Treating Co-Occurring ADHD. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2025.

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8. Kraus de Camargo O. Viewpoint: taking a strengths-based approach to developmental disability: the F-words for child development. BMJ Paediatr Open. 2025; 9(1).

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9. Masa’Deh R, Sawalha MA, Maabreh RS, Aslanoğlu A, Safieh HA, Elshatarat RA, Saleh ZT, Almagharbeh WT, Alnawafleh KA, Al-Sayaghi KM. Perceived social support as a moderator of posttraumatic stress in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1): 29252.

Parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face elevated psychological distress, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study explored whether perceived social support moderates the relationship between parental gender and PTSD risk. A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted among 142 Arabic-speaking parents (equally distributed between mothers and fathers) recruited from 10 ASD treatment centers in central Jordan. Participants completed standardized measures of PTSD symptoms and perceived social support, along with demographic and child-related information. Two hierarchical linear regression models were employed to examine whether perceived social support moderated the association between parental gender and PTSD symptoms, controlling for relevant covariates. The mean PTSD score among parents was 42.08, surpassing the clinical risk threshold of 33. Mothers reported significantly higher PTSD scores compared to fathers. Elevated PTSD symptoms were also observed among parents with low levels of perceived social support and those caring for children with more severe ASD symptoms. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that perceived social support significantly moderated the relationship between parental gender and PTSD symptoms. Specifically, mothers with low perceived social support exhibited the highest levels of PTSD symptoms, whereas fathers with high support showed the lowest. The final regression model explained 61% of the variance in PTSD scores. Perceived social support serves as a significant moderating factor in the relationship between parental gender and PTSD risk among parents of children with ASD. Targeted interventions that strengthen social support-particularly for mothers-may help reduce PTSD symptoms and enhance the psychological well-being of caregivers in ASD-affected families.

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10. Moronski LS, Lake ET, McHugh MD. Associations Between Nurse Staffing Levels and 30- and 60-Day Readmissions for Acute Care Patients With Intellectual and Developmental Disability. Res Nurs Health. 2025.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between hospital nurse staffing levels and 30- and 60-day readmissions among patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). This cross-sectional correlational study utilized secondary data from 595 acute care, nonfederal hospitals in California, Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania in 2016. Data were obtained from three sources: the American Hospital Association Annual Survey, the RN4CAST-US nurse survey, and state patient hospital discharge summaries. The analytic sample included 39,558 hospital stays for 28,446 adults with IDD aged 18 and older who were discharged alive. In adjusted models, every additional patient added to a nurse’s workload was associated with 7% higher odds of 30-day readmission OR = 1.07 (95% CI [1.03, 1.12], p = 0.001) and 9% higher odds of 60-day readmission OR = 1.09 (95% CI [1.04, 1.13], p < 0.001) among patients with IDD. The average nurse staffing level across hospitals was 4.7 patients per nurse (SD = 0.99). Staffing levels varied by hospital characteristics, with large hospitals, major teaching hospitals, and hospitals in California having better staffing ratios. The study population had a 30-day readmission rate of 17.1%, which is 27% higher than the average adult hospital 30-day readmission rate in the US in 2018. This study demonstrates the association of nurse staffing levels with readmission odds for patients with IDD. Improving nurse staffing levels is a system-based solution that can potentially improve outcomes for patients with IDD, who often require intensive nursing care.

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11. Qiao SN, Wang SE, Kim KY, Jo S, Jiang YH. Inflammation increases the penetrance of behavioral impairment in Shank3 haploinsufficiency mice – can it explain the behavioral regression in Autism?. bioRxiv. 2025.

Behavioral regression occurs in ∼40% of SHANK3 -associated autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We previously reported that significant behavioral regression in a small cohort with SHANK3 haploinsufficiency patients, triggered by subclinical infections, responded to immunomodulator treatments. We hypothesize that behavioral regression results from the interplay between SHANK3 deficiency and neuroinflammation. Using Shank3 exon 4-22 deletion heterozygous mutant ( Sh3 (+/-) ) mouse, which shows no significant behavior impairments, we established a preclinical model – Shank3 haploinsufficiency mouse undergoing systemic inflammation challenge via intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). We found that, two weeks after LPS challenge, wild-type mice (WT) recovered but Sh3 (+/-) mice exhibited motor impairment, anxiety-like behaviors, and excessive grooming, similar to Shank3 exon 4-22 deletion homozygous mutants. Anti-inflammatory treatment partially reversed LPS-induced behavioral changes. Transcriptomic analysis revealed upregulation of neuroinflammation-related genes and downregulation of synaptic function-related genes in Sh3 (+/-) mice in response to LPS. Especially, pro-inflammatory genes and microglia markers were overly activated that may result from the increased Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) expression in microglia in Sh3 (+/-) mice. Our findings indicate that neuroinflammation increases the penetrance of behavioral impairment in Shank3 haploinsufficiency mice and support a potential mechanism for the behavioral regression in human SHANK3 disorders for future investigations.

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12. Traynor BP, Patrascu A, Attumalil T, Alkasab M, Gamal A, Ong G, Fam NP, Alnasser SM. Multiple ASDs Closure Using the Interleaving Method: A Refined Strategy Utilizing GORE CARDIOFORM Occluder Devices. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2025; 18(15): 1928-31.

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13. Valle D, Jetter E, Warner J, Carr B. Divalproex for Managing Aggression and Irritability in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2025.

Background: Aggression and irritability are common challenges in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often requiring pharmacological management. Divalproex, an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer, is used off-label for these symptoms, but its effectiveness remains unclear. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy and safety of divalproex in managing aggression and irritability in children with ASD. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, registered with PROSPERO (CRD420251029754). Searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, identifying studies involving children with ASD treated with divalproex, valproic acid, or valproate sodium. Data were extracted on study design, sample size, intervention details, outcomes, and adverse effects. Results: Ten studies met inclusion criteria, comprising three randomized controlled trials, one open-label trial, and six case reports. Intravenous (IV) divalproex demonstrated rapid reductions in aggression, suggesting potential for acute stabilization. However, oral divalproex produced inconsistent results for chronic aggression and irritability. Adverse effects included weight gain, sedation, and behavioral activation, with toxicity risks in polypharmacy settings. Discussion/Conclusion: Divalproex may offer value for acute management of aggression in children with ASD when administered intravenously. Its role in chronic management is less clear, with inconsistent outcomes and notable side effects. Clinicians should prioritize regular serum monitoring and consider alternative options for chronic use. Further research is needed to clarify its clinical role, particularly in diverse patient populations.

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14. Wang L, Grant W, Jin X, Wang G. Understanding Intention Triggers in Early Autism Screening Promotion: The Role of Narrative and Framing. Health Commun. 2025: 1-11.

The global prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (autism) is rising rapidly. Given the importance of early screening and intervention, we conducted a randomized experiment to examine the persuasive effects of message type (narrative vs. statistical) and framing (gain vs. loss) on intentions for early autism screening and information-seeking, using a 2 × 2 factorial design with a no-message control group. Results showed that statistical messages triggered higher behavioral intentions for early autism screening than narrative messages, while narrative messages generated higher information-seeking intention. However, there were no significant differences between narrative and statistical messages for long-term effects. Significant interactions between type and framing were observed for hope, sympathy, and sadness. Furthermore, there is a significant interaction between type and parenthood on perceived susceptibility. Regarding the mechanisms, the effect of message type was mediated by transportation and counterarguing in a serial model. Additionally, only sympathy was a predictor of intention. This study extends the literature on narrative persuasion by examining its application across different topics, discrete emotions, and psychological distance.

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15. Wu G, Song L, Zhang G, Xu Y, Fang J, Xiong S, Yang W, Jiang L. Sex Differences in Functional Gradients and Dynamic Functional Connectivity in Preschool-Aged Children With ASD. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2025; 31(8): e70562.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is significantly higher in males than in females; although the underlying etiology remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the multi-scale reorganization of brain networks in preschool-aged boys with ASD and their impact on clinical symptoms. METHODS: A total of 54 children with ASD (40 boys and 14 girls) and 44 typically developing (TD) children (28 boys and 16 girls), aged between 2 and 6 years, were recruited for this study. Functional gradient analysis and dynamic functional connectivity were used to examine differences in the hierarchical organization of brain functional networks between preschool-aged boys and girls with ASD compared to their corresponding typically developing peers. Subsequently, multiple machine learning models were applied to evaluate the classification performance of the identified abnormal features in distinguishing ASD from TD. RESULTS: The results showed that the ASD group exhibited functional gradient abnormalities in multiple brain networks: (1) In boys with ASD, primary gradient abnormalities were identified in the dorsal attention network, limbic network, ventral attention network, and default mode network (DMN), whereas in girls with ASD, primary gradient abnormalities were only found in the DMN; (2) Secondary gradient abnormalities in boys with ASD were found in the sensorimotor network (SMN), ventral attention network, and DMN, while in girls with ASD, secondary gradient abnormalities were restricted to the DMN and SMN; (3) Third gradient abnormalities in boys with ASD were observed only in the visual network, whereas in girls with ASD, abnormalities were present in the limbic network, SMN, and visual network; (4) Enhanced dynamic functional connectivity was detected in boys with ASD only in state 1. CONCLUSION: Preschool-aged boys and girls with ASD exhibit significant sex differences in functional gradients and dynamic functional connectivity, underscoring the complexity and heterogeneity of ASD. These findings provide a novel theoretical framework for understanding the neuroimaging mechanisms underlying ASD.

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16. Yang Y, Wang Y, Li W, Su L. Effect of music therapy on children with autism spectrum disorders in the Chinese population: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry. 2025; 16: 1611182.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of music therapy (MT) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Chinese population through a meta-analysis. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. SETTING: We performed a systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic and comprehensive search was conducted across five databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Chinese Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database, and Wanfang Database, up to the end of September 2024, that administered MT to children with ASD. Continuous variables were reported as standardized mean differences (SMD) accompanied by 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All analyses were carried out using the Stata statistical software package version 16.0. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies were included in our meta-analysis. The results showed that MT significantly decreased the total ATEC (autism treatment evaluation checklist) score (SMD = -2.52, 95% CI: -3.69 ~ -1.35, P < 0.001), ABC (autism behavior checklist) (SMD = -1.07, 95% CI: -1.52 ~ -0.61, P < 0.001), and CARS (childhood autism rating scale) score (SMD = -1.50, 95% CI: -2.26 ~ -0.74, P < 0.001). Specifically, MT significantly improved communication skills (SMD = -1.10, 95% CI: -1.54 ~ -0.66, P < 0.001), social interaction skills (SMD = -1.69, 95% CI: -2.59 ~ -0.78, P < 0.001), language ability (SMD = -1.15, 95% CI: -1.56 ~ -0.74, P < 0.001), and cognitive function (SMD = -1.80, 95% CI: -2.73 ~ -0.87, P < 0.001) compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: MT can improve communication skills, social interaction skills, language ability, and cognitive function in children with ASD disorders in the Chinese population.

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17. Zhang C, Xu C, Zhang B, Zhou T. Reciprocal associations between parental reflective functioning and behavioral problems in Chinese children with autism spectrum disorder: a cross-lagged panel analysis. Dev Psychopathol. 2025: 1-12.

Higher levels of parental reflective functioning are associated with normatively developing children’s secure attachment and better socioemotional functioning. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit more severe behavioral problems than normatively developing children, which hinder social adaptation and impose significant parenting challenges. However, the relationship between parental reflective functioning and behavioral problems in children with ASD remains underexplored, with most studies being cross-sectional. The present study examined reciprocal associations between parental reflective functioning and behavioral problems over a 6-month period across three timepoints in a sample of 180 Chinese parents of children with ASD using cross-lagged panel analyses. The result revealed a bidirectional relationship between parental reflective functioning and children’s internalizing behavioral problems. Higher level of pre-mentalizing predicted increased internalizing behavioral problems at the subsequent time point, and vice versa. A child-driven effect was found in the association between externalizing behavioral problems and parental reflective functioning. A higher level of children’s externalizing behaviors was correlated with increased parental pre-mentalizing and decreased certainty about mental states, as well as reduced parental interest and curiosity, at subsequent time points. The results underscore the importance of developing parenting interventions aimed at enhancing parental reflective functioning to mitigate behavioral problems in children with ASD.

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18. Zhou Q, Li D, Zhang Y, Zhang Q, Li Y, Zhu C, Wang K. Evaluating the effectiveness of intelligent interaction technology in autism interventions: A meta-analysis based on trial assessment. Res Dev Disabil. 2025; 164: 105087.

PURPOSE: This research aims to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the utilization of intelligent interaction technologies, including Extended Reality (XR) and robotic systems, within the context of autism interventions. METHOD: This study commenced on June 16, 2022, and conducted a systematic search of publications from 2017 to 2024 using Boolean terms such as « Virtual Reality » AND « autism » AND « RCT » in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SpringerLink, and Embase. Two reviewers independently conducted research selection, data extraction, and quality assessment (using Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, RoB 2), and resolved differences through discussion. Statistical analysis was conducted in STATA using a random-effects model to calculate Standardized Mean Difference (SMD), supplemented by sensitivity analysis, funnel plot, and Egger’s test to ensure robustness. RESULT: The meta-analysis included 13 studies involving 459 individuals with ASD from different regions (age range: 2-15 years, diagnosed using standardized instruments), including Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East, but without representatives from Africa. The results showed that intelligent interactive intervention demonstrated significant efficacy (SMD=0.66, 95 % CI: 0.27-1.05, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses indicated that age and intervention targets influenced the effect size, with particularly pronounced positive impacts observed in preschool-aged children and cognitive interventions. Subgroup analysis of intervention measures showed that the XR group exhibited a more positive effect. In contrast, the robotic group, due to high heterogeneity and wide confidence intervals, did not lead to a conclusion that this intervention was effective overall. Additionally, sensitivity analysis, funnel plots, and Egger's test were conducted, demonstrating that the results are stable and no significant publication bias. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the overall efficacy of intelligent interaction as an intervention is positive, showing benefits in social, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of ASD, particularly with XR (SMD=0.80, 95 % CI: 0.47-1.13). However, further research is required to ascertain the effects of robots. Furthermore, this study suggests intelligent interaction demonstrated larger effects for preschool-aged children(2-6 years; SMD=1.00, p = 0.007).

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19. Zhu C, Li H, Zhang L, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Huang B, Li W. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy characteristics in children with autism spectrum disorder under animated video modeling therapy. Front Neurol. 2025; 16: 1590185.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of animated video modeling (AVM) on the brain function of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). METHODS: Fifteen children with ASD and 15 matched typically developing (TD) controls were enrolled. fNIRS was used to obtain 8-min data in quiet and visually stimulated states, with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and bilateral occipital lobe as regions of interest (ROIs). Based on the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO(2)) over time, correlation coefficient analysis was performed to calculate functional connection strength, and the intergroup disparity was compared. RESULT: The ASD group showed significantly lower functional connection strength. Comparison of the ROI-ROI functional connectivity strength revealed significant differences in connectivity patterns of the right dorsolateral prefrontal lobe (RDLPFC), left dorsolateral prefrontal lobe (LDLPFC), mPFC, right occipital lobe (ROL), and left occipital lobe (LOL) with other brain regions. Extremely significant differences were found between the RDLPFC/RPMC, ROL/RPMC, LOL/RPMC, and LOL/LIPL. The functional connectivity strength of children with ASD was significantly higher during visual stimulation than during the quiet test. Comparison between the ROI-ROI functional connectivity strengths revealed significant differences in the connectivity strength of the RDLPFC/LOL, LDLPFC/LIPL, mPFC/RPMC, mPFC/LPMC, mPFC/LIPL, ROL/RPM, ROL. RIPL, ROL/LIPL, and LOL/LIPL. Extremely significant differences were observed between the ROL/RPMC and ROL/RIPL. CONCLUSION: Animated video modeling can improve visual perception and information processing in children with ASD, by strengthening the functional connectivity between the occipital and inferior parietal cortices.

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