1. {{Communication tool improves cooperation in children with autism}}. {British dental journal}. 2014 Sep 12;217(5):212.
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2. Beamer JA, Yun J. {{Physical educators’ beliefs and self-reported behaviors toward including students with autism spectrum disorder}}. {Adapted physical activity quarterly : APAQ}. 2014 Oct;31(4):362-76.
With an increase in the presence of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the general physical education (GPE) classroom, understanding the current state of GPE teachers’ beliefs and behaviors for including these students is warranted. The current study aimed to examine the beliefs and self-reported behaviors of GPE teachers’ inclusion of students with ASD. In addition, the study examined potential factors affecting their inclusion behaviors. Using a national stratified random sample, participants were 142 current GPE teachers who submitted surveys anonymously online. Results from a regression analysis indicate that teachers’ experience, graduate coursework in adapted physical education (APE), and perceptions of strength in undergraduate training in APE significantly predicted their self-reported behavior for including students with ASD. Although the participant response rate is considerably low, this study provides some support toward the importance of teacher education programs for inclusion training.
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3. Ciaramidaro A, Bolte S, Schlitt S, Hainz D, Poustka F, Weber B, Bara BG, Freitag C, Walter H. {{Schizophrenia and Autism as Contrasting Minds: Neural Evidence for the Hypo-Hyper-Intentionality Hypothesis}}. {Schizophrenia bulletin}. 2014 Sep 9.
Both schizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are characterized by mentalizing problems and associated neural dysfunction of the social brain. However, the deficits in mental state attribution are somehow opposed: Whereas patients with SCZ tend to over-attribute intentions to agents and physical events (« hyper-intentionality »), patients with autism treat people as devoid of intentions (« hypo-intentionality »). Here we aimed to investigate whether this hypo-hyper-intentionality hypothesis can be supported by neural evidence during a mentalizing task. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated the neural responses and functional connectivity during reading others intention. Scanning was performed in 23 individuals with ASD, 18 with paranoid SCZ and 23 gender and IQ matched control subjects. Both clinical groups showed reduced brain activation compared to controls for the contrast intentional vs physical information processing in left posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS) and ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) for SCZ, and right pSTS in ASD. As predicted, these effects were caused in a group specific way: Relative increased activation for physical information processing in SCZ that was also correlated with positive PANNS score and relative decreased activation for intentional information processing in ASD. Additionally, we could demonstrate opposed connectivity patterns between the right pSTS and vMPFC in the clinical groups, ie, increased for SCZ, decreased for ASD. These findings represent opposed neural signatures in key regions of the social brain as predicted by the hyper-hypo-intentionality hypothesis.
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4. Corona FP, Flammia AP, Cozzarelli CP. {{emotional resonance: a mirror system for emotions of children with autism spectrum disorders}}. {Annals of neurosciences}. 2013 Jul;20(3):86-9.
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5. Corona FP, Flammia AP, Cozzarelli CP. {{emotional resonance: a mirror system for emotions of children with autism spectrum disorders}}. {Annals of neurosciences}. 2013 Apr;20(2):39-41.
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6. Dewinter J, Vermeiren R, Vanwesenbeeck I, Lobbestael J, Van Nieuwenhuizen C. {{Sexuality in Adolescent Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Self-reported Behaviours and Attitudes}}. {J Autism Dev Disord}. 2014 Sep 12.
Differences in sexual functioning of adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are understudied. In the current study, self-reported sexual behaviours, interests and attitudes of 50 adolescent boys, aged 15-18, with at least average intelligence and diagnosed with ASD, were compared with a matched general population control group of 90 boys. Results demonstrated substantial similarity between the groups in terms of sexual behaviours. The only significant difference was that boys with ASD reacted more tolerant towards homosexuality compared to the control group. Results reveal that sexuality is a normative part of adolescent development in high-functioning boys with ASD. Hence, attention should be given to this topic in education and mental health care.
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7. Gentry T, Kriner R, Sima A, McDonough J, Wehman P. {{Reducing the Need for Personal Supports Among Workers with Autism Using an iPod Touch as an Assistive Technology: Delayed Randomized Control Trial}}. {J Autism Dev Disord}. 2014 Sep 12.
Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are versatile task organizers that hold promise as assistive technologies for people with cognitive-behavioral challenges. This delayed randomized controlled trial compared two groups of adult workers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to determine whether the use of an Apple iPod Touch PDA as a vocational support improves work performance and reduces personal support needs on the job. Baseline data were collected on 50 adults with ASD who were beginning a vocational placement supported by a job coach. Participants were randomized to receive training in the use of a PDA as a vocational aid upon starting their job or after working 12 weeks without PDA support. Workers who received PDA training at the beginning of their job placement required significantly less hours of job coaching support (p = 0.013) during their first 12 weeks on the job than those who had not yet received the intervention. Functional performance between the two groups was not significantly different. The significant difference in hours of job coaching support persisted during the subsequent 12 weeks, in which both groups used a PDA (p = 0.017).
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8. Gore AC, Martien KM, Gagnidze K, Pfaff D. {{Implications of prenatal steroid perturbations for neurodevelopment, behavior, and autism}}. {Endocrine reviews}. 2014 Sep 11:er20131122.
The prenatal brain develops under the influence of an ever-changing hormonal milieu that includes endogenous fetal gonadal and adrenal hormones; placental and maternal hormones; and exogenous substances with hormonal activity that can cross the placental barrier. This review discusses the influences of endogenous fetal and maternal hormones on normal brain development, and potential consequences of pathophysiological hormonal perturbations to the developing brain, with particular reference to autism. We also consider the effects of hormonal pharmaceuticals used for assisted reproduction, the maintenance of pregnancy, the prevention of congenital adrenal hypertrophy, and hormonal contraceptives continued into an unanticipated pregnancy, among others. These treatments, while in some instances life-saving, may have unintended consequences on the developing fetuses. Additional concern is raised by fetal exposures to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) encountered universally by pregnant women from food/water containers, contaminated food, household chemicals, and other sources. What are the potential outcomes of prenatal steroid perturbations on neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders, including autism spectrum disorders? Our purposes here are: (i.) to summarize some consequences of steroid exposures during pregnancy for the development of brain and behavior in the offspring; (ii.) to summarize what is known about the relationships between exposures and behavior, including autism spectrum disorders; (iii.) to discuss the molecular underpinnings of such effects, especially molecular epigenetic mechanisms of prenatal steroid manipulations, a field that may explain effects of direct exposures, and even transgenerational effects; and (iv.) for all of these, to add cautionary notes about their interpretation in the name of scientific rigor.
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9. Mazurek MO, Handen BL, Wodka EL, Nowinski L, Butter E, Engelhardt CR. {{Age at First Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis: The Role of Birth Cohort, Demographic Factors, and Clinical Features}}. {Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP}. 2014 Sep 9.
OBJECTIVE:: This study sought to identify factors that may be associated with delays in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, including birth cohort, sociodemographic characteristics, and clinical features. METHODS:: Participants included 1716 children and adolescents with ASD enrolled in the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (AS-ATN) between the years 2008 and 2011. Data were collected at enrollment using AS-ATN parent- and clinician-report forms and standardized measures of I.Q., ASD symptoms, adaptive function, and psychiatric symptoms. RESULTS:: Age at first ASD diagnosis was positively correlated with current age, suggesting a birth cohort effect. Sociodemographic and clinical features were also associated with age at diagnosis, even after controlling for current age. Hierarchical linear regression results showed that older current age, lower socioeconomic status (SES), higher I.Q. score, and lower levels of autism symptoms were associated with later age at initial diagnosis. There was also a significant interaction between current age and I.Q., with higher functioning children being diagnosed at younger ages than in previous years. CONCLUSIONS:: Early diagnosis of ASD is critically important for improving access to interventions; however, many children experience diagnostic delays. In this sample, children from the most recent birth cohorts were diagnosed earlier, suggesting that early signs of ASD are being increasingly recognized. However, socioeconomic barriers to diagnosis still seem to exist. Children with less severe ASD symptoms and with higher I.Q. are also diagnosed at later ages. Efforts are still needed to reduce diagnostic disparities for families of low SES and to improve early recognition of more subtle symptoms.
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10. Mohinderpal Chadha G, Kakodkar P, Chaugule V, Nimbalkar V. {{Dental survey of institutionalized children with autistic disorder}}. {International journal of clinical pediatric dentistry}. 2012 Jan;5(1):29-32.
The objective of this study was to assess the oral hygiene practices, dietary pattern, dental caries status and needs of institutionalized autistic children. The sample consisted of 35 children (28 males and 7 females) in the age group of 5 to 10 years from two institutions in Maharashtra, India. The parents of the children were interviewed regarding oral hygiene practices of their respective ward and instructed to maintain a 4-day diet chart for their children. A clinical examination was conducted using WHO dentition status and treatment needs index and a simplified oral hygiene index for ages 4 to 6 years and 7 to 10 years (deciduous and mixed dentition) was used to assess the oral hygiene. The results of diet chart analysis according to Nizel AE and Papas AS score showed the ‘at meal’ sugar exposure close to nil, while the ‘in between’ meal sugar exposure was observed to be more than three times per day among maximum children. The oral hygiene status was poor with abundance of soft debris and fair calculus accumulation. The mean caries experience (deft) in these children was 6.4. The present study provided baseline data which has been used for planning a comprehensive oral health care program. How to cite this article: Chadha GM, Kakodkar P, Chaugule V, Nimbalkar V. Dental Survey of Institutionalized Children with Autistic Disorder. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2012;5(1):29-32.
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11. Nolin SL, Glicksman A, Ersalesi N, Dobkin C, Brown WT, Cao R, Blatt E, Sah S, Latham GJ, Hadd AG. {{Fragile X full mutation expansions are inhibited by one or more AGG interruptions in premutation carriers}}. {Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics}. 2014 Sep 11.
Purpose:Fragile X CGG repeat alleles often contain one or more AGG interruptions that influence allele stability and risk of a full mutation transmission from parent to child. We have examined transmissions of maternal and paternal alleles with 45-90 repeats to quantify the effect of AGG interruptions on fragile X repeat instability.Methods:A novel FMR1 polymerase chain reaction assay was used to determine CGG repeat length and AGG interruptions for 1,040 alleles from 705 families.Results:We grouped transmissions into nine categories of five repeats by parental size and found that in every size category, alleles with no AGGs had the greatest risk for instability. For maternal alleles <75 repeats, 89% (24/27) that expanded to a full mutation had no AGGs. Two contractions in maternal transmission were accompanied by loss of AGGs, suggesting a mechanism for generating alleles that lack AGG interruptions. Maternal age was examined as a factor in full mutation expansions using prenatal samples to minimize ascertainment bias, and a possible effect was observed though it was not statistically significant (P = 0.06).Conclusion:These results strengthen the association of AGG repeats with CGG repeat stability and provide more accurate risk estimates of full mutation expansions for women with 45-90 repeat alleles.Genet Med advance online publication 11 September 2014Genetics in Medicine (2014); doi:10.1038/gim.2014.106.
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12. Palermo MT, Bogaerts S. {{The Dangers of Posthumous Diagnoses and the Unintended Consequences of Facile Associations: Jeffrey Dahmer and Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology}. 2014 Sep 10.
Posthumous diagnoses are not uncommonly given to notorious public and historical figures by applying retrospectively, and typically in the absence of the individual being diagnosed, contemporary diagnostic criteria. Although this may be relatively easy and free of consequences when it concerns clear-cut medical conditions, it may have unintended repercussions in the case of psychiatric disorders by creating myths and perpetuating stigma. The case of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer is a typical example where a somewhat facile and almost syllogistic application of perhaps over-inclusive criteria may have contributed to the legend of solitary murderers as possibly suffering from an autism spectrum condition. Although there may be an understandable human need to explain abominable and heinous behaviors, the lack of the possibility to verify a diagnostic theory and the ill-advised attempt to make a diagnosis fit may de facto be the basis of prejudice and profiling that do not correspond to clinical reality. Although there is no doubt that the brain is the organ of behavior, the authors caution against a budding neo-Lombrosian approach to crime and criminality and against the all too common use of widely differing terms in the study of deviance, such as crime, delinquency, and aggression, the operational use of which, often used interchangeably even in association studies, often erroneously leads to further confusion.
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13. Rogers SJ, Vismara L, Wagner AL, McCormick C, Young G, Ozonoff S. {{Autism Treatment in the First Year of Life: A Pilot Study of Infant Start, a Parent-Implemented Intervention for Symptomatic Infants}}. {J Autism Dev Disord}. 2014 Sep 12.
The goal of early autism screening is earlier treatment. We pilot-tested a 12-week, low-intensity treatment with seven symptomatic infants ages 7-15 months. Parents mastered the intervention and maintained skills after treatment ended. Four comparison groups were matched from a study of infant siblings. The treated group of infants was significantly more symptomatic than most of the comparison groups at 9 months of age but was significantly less symptomatic than the two most affected groups between 18 and 36 months. At 36 months, the treated group had much lower rates of both ASD and DQs under 70 than a similarly symptomatic group who did not enroll in the treatment study. It appears feasible to identify and enroll symptomatic infants in parent-implemented intervention before 12 months, and the pilot study outcomes are promising, but testing the treatment’s efficacy awaits a randomized trial.
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14. Tamanaha AC, Machado GM, Loebmann C, Perissinoto J. {{Process of speech acquisition and development of autistic children with or without autistic regression}}. {CoDAS}. 2014 Jul;26(4):265-9.
PURPOSE: To compare the trajectory of acquisition speech and development of autistic children with or without autistic regression. METHODS: The sample consisted of 64 children, aged 3-10 years, of both genders, diagnosed by a multidisciplinary team with autism. In the analysis were investigated during the interview: mention whether or not the episode regression speech reported by parents; number of words produced in a minimum period of three months prior to detection of regression; mention whether or not the episode regression social behaviors concomitant arrest in speech, verbal and production at three years of age. We adopted a significance level of 5% for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Thirty one percent of children had speech regression. These, 100% showed regression of social behaviors. Mean words produced before the detection regression were five. The groups did not show difference on the period of acquisition and development of speech. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to compare the trajectory speech development of children with or without regression. And we did not find that the children affected by autistic regression period show more positive clinical outcome in relation to the production of speech.
