1. Abujadi C, Croarkin PE, Bellini BB, Brentani H, Marcolin MA. {{Intermittent theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation for autism spectrum disorder: an open-label pilot study}}. {Rev Bras Psiquiatr};2017 (Dec 11):0.
OBJECTIVE: Theta-burst stimulation (TBS) modulates synaptic plasticity more efficiently than standard repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation delivery and may be a promising modality for neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). At present there are few effective interventions for prefrontal cortex dysfunction in ASD. We report on an open-label, pilot study of intermittent TBS (iTBS) to target executive function deficits and restricted, repetitive behaviors in male children and adolescents with ASD. METHODS: Ten right-handed, male participants, aged 9-17 years with ASD were enrolled in an open-label trial of iTBS treatment. Fifteen sessions of neuronavigated iTBS at 100% motor threshold targeting the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were delivered over 3 weeks. RESULTS: Parent report scores on the Repetitive Behavior Scale Revised and the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale demonstrated improvements with iTBS treatment. Participants demonstrated improvements in perseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and total time for the Stroop test. The iTBS treatments were well tolerated with no serious adverse effects. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that further controlled interventional studies of iTBS for ASD are warranted.
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2. Arnell S, Jerlinder K, Lundqvist LO. {{Perceptions of Physical Activity Participation Among Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Conceptual Model of Conditional Participation}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2017 (Dec 13)
Adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are less physically active compared to typically developing peers. The reasons for not being physically active are complex and depend on several factors, which have not been comprehensively described from the adolescent’s perspective. Therefore, the aim was to describe how adolescents with an ASD perceive, experience and reflect on their participation in physical activity. Interviews with 24 adolescents diagnosed with high-functioning ASD, aged 12-16 years, were analysed with qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach. They expressed a variety of reasons determining their willingness to participate, which were conceptualized as: Conditional participation in physical activities. The present study presents an alternative perspective on participation in physical activity, with impact on intervention design.
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3. Beale DJ. {{Letter to the Editor: Unreported statistics lead to unverifiable results in study of vitamin D supplementation in children with autism spectrum disorder – Comment regarding Saad, K., et al. (2016)}}. {J Child Psychol Psychiatry};2018 (Jan);59(1):e1.
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4. DaWalt LS, Usher LV, Greenberg JS, Mailick MR. {{Friendships and social participation as markers of quality of life of adolescents and adults with fragile X syndrome and autism}}. {Autism};2017 (Dec 1):1362361317709202.
Friendships and social participation are key domains of quality of life for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This study examined the friendships, social and recreational activities, and family social networks of individuals with intellectual disabilities from two distinct diagnostic groups: individuals diagnosed with fragile X syndrome (n = 81) compared with those diagnosed with autistic disorder (n = 226). Within each diagnostic group, individuals in two developmental stages were compared: adolescence and adulthood. Quality of life in friendships and social participation domains was notably low for individuals with fragile X and those with autism. Individuals with fragile X had more friendships and a less negative social impact on the family than individuals with autism. Across both groups, adolescents spent less time with friends and neighbors, and more time in exercising, than did adults.
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5. DeNigris D, Brooks PJ, Obeid R, Alarcon M, Shane-Simpson C, Gillespie-Lynch K. {{Bullying and Identity Development: Insights from Autistic and Non-autistic College Students}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2017 (Dec 14)
Reduced cognitive empathy may put autistic people at risk for bullying. We compared interpretations of bullying provided by 22 autistic and 15 non-autistic college students. Autistic (and non-autistic) students reported less severe bullying in college relative to earlier in development. Chronic bullying was associated with improvements in self-descriptions and self-acceptance. Autistic students who were chronically bullied were more likely to self-identify as autistic when asked to explain their disability. Autistic and non-autistic students demonstrated similar levels of cognitive empathy, providing no evidence that a « double empathy problem » contributes to bullying for all autistic individuals. Findings suggest that recovery from bullying can contribute to resilience and that autistic people gain insights about bullying and how to overcome it with development.
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6. Ipsen C, Chambless C, Kurth N, McCormick S, Goe R, Hall J. {{Underrepresentation of adolescents with respiratory, mental health, and developmental disabilities using American Community Survey (ACS) questions}}. {Disabil Health J};2017 (Nov 29)
BACKGROUND: Disability prevalence estimates are used to identify populations, establish priorities and allocate funding for a broad range of federal, state, and local initiatives. Increasingly, these estimates are based on a set of six questions developed and tested for use in the American Community Survey (ACS). A key assumption about the ACS disability screeners is that they sufficiently capture the entire population of people with disabilities, but some studies indicate that certain disability groups are underrepresented. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to explore potential underrepresentation of certain disability groups identified by the ACS disability questions. METHODS: We compared disability prevalence rates from two data sources for adolescents with disabilities, aged 14 to 16, who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI, n = 2051). The Social Security Administration (SSA) provided disability determination data for each adolescent, and adolescents (or proxy-rater) provided baseline self-report data about functional limitation based on the six ACS disability questions. RESULTS: Approximately 17% of the sample did not endorse any ACS questions. Excluding SSA categories with cell counts less than 10, the top five conditions not captured by ACS questions included respiratory conditions (38%), mood disorders (28%), other mental disorders (27%), schizophrenic and other psychotic disorders (27%) and developmental disorders (20%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that people with mental health and developmental disabilities and those with respiratory conditions are among those groups under-represented by the ACS disability questions. Changes or additions to ACS questions should be considered to ensure that all disability groups are addressed in public health planning.
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7. Kalkman HO, Feuerbach D. {{Microglia M2A Polarization as Potential Link between Food Allergy and Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {Pharmaceuticals (Basel)};2017 (Dec 9);10(4)
Atopic diseases are frequently co-morbid with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Allergic responses are associated with an activation of mast cells, innate lymphoid cells, and Th2 cells. These cells produce type-2 cytokines (IL4 and IL13), which stimulate microglia and macrophages to adopt a phenotype referred to as ‘alternative activation’ or ‘M2A’. M2A-polarized macrophages and microglia play a physiological role in tissue repair by secreting growth factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor-1. In ASD there is evidence for increased type-2 cytokines, microglia activation, M2A polarization, and increased levels of growth factors. In neurons, these growth factors drive a signal transduction pathway that leads to activation of the enzyme mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR), and thereby to the inhibition of autophagy. Activation of mTOR is an effect that is also common to several of the genetic forms of autism. In the central nervous system, redundant synapses are removed via an autophagic process. Activation of mTOR would diminish the pruning of redundant synapses, which in the context of ASD is likely to be undesired. Based on this line of reasoning, atopic diseases like food allergy, eczema or asthma would represent risk factors for autism spectrum disorders.
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8. Lee TT, Skafidas E, Dottori M, Zantomio D, Pantelis C, Everall I, Chana G. {{No preliminary evidence of differences in astrocyte density within the white matter of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in autism}}. {Mol Autism};2017;8:64.
Background: While evidence for white matter and astrocytic abnormalities exist in autism, a detailed investigation of astrocytes has not been conducted. Such an investigation is further warranted by an increasing role for neuroinflammation in autism pathogenesis, with astrocytes being key players in this process. We present the first study of astrocyte density and morphology within the white matter of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in individuals with autism. Methods: DLPFC formalin-fixed sections containing white matter from individuals with autism (n = 8, age = 4-51 years) and age-matched controls (n = 7, age = 4-46 years) were immunostained for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Density of astrocytes and other glia were estimated via the optical fractionator, astrocyte somal size estimated via the nucleator, and astrocyte process length via the spaceballs probe. Results: We found no evidence for alteration in astrocyte density within DLPFC white matter of individuals with autism versus controls, together with no differences in astrocyte somal size and process length. Conclusion: Our results suggest that astrocyte abnormalities within the white matter in the DLPFC in autism may be less pronounced than previously thought. However, astrocytic dysregulation may still exist in autism, even in the absence of gross morphological changes. Our lack of evidence for astrocyte abnormalities could have been confounded to an extent by having a small sample size and wide age range, with pathological features potentially restricted to early stages of autism. Nonetheless, future investigations would benefit from assessing functional markers of astrocytes in light of the underlying pathophysiology of autism.
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9. Li XS, Pinto-Martin JA, Thompson A, Chittams J, Kral TVE. {{Weight status, diet quality, perceived stress, and functional health of caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder}}. {J Spec Pediatr Nurs};2017 (Dec 14)
PURPOSE: Caring for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be highly demanding and can put significant strain on caregivers. To date, little is known about the extent to which caregivers of children with ASD experience increased levels of stress which may adversely affect health outcomes. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to compare caregivers of children with ASD and caregivers of typically developing children (TDC) in weight status, diet quality, perceived stress related to the parenting role, and functional health and well-being. DESIGN AND METHODS: Caregivers of 25 children with ASD and 30 TDC completed the 2005 Block Food Frequency Questionnaire, the 36-item Short Form of the Parenting Stress Index (PSI/SF), and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and had their heights and weights measured during an onsite visit. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2010 and its dietary components and conformance to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. RESULTS: ASD caregivers did not differ significantly from TDC caregivers in body mass index or overweight/obesity prevalence (p >/= .28), even when controlling for covariates. In univariate analyses, ASD caregivers consumed significantly fewer empty calories from solid fats, alcohol, and added sugars than TDC caregivers (p = .03), but they did not differ significantly in any other dietary outcomes including nutrient adequacy (p >/= .10) and mean total HEI scores (p = .20). ASD caregivers, when compared to TDC caregivers, reported significantly greater parenting stress for the subscales difficult child and parent-child dysfunctional interaction as well as total stress (p < .001). In addition, 56% of ASD caregivers compared with 6.7% of TDC caregivers showed clinically significant levels of stress (p < .0001); a finding which remained statistically significant when controlling for covariates. ASD and TDC caregivers did not differ significantly in any SF-36 health domains related to functional health and well-being (p >/= .10). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Despite higher reported levels of stress, ASD caregivers did not differ significantly from TDC caregivers in diet- and health-related outcomes. Nurses and other health professionals should use comprehensive screening tools to assess overall caregiver stress and levels of resilience.
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10. Lindly OJ, Thorburn S, Heisler K, Reyes NM, Zuckerman KE. {{Parents’ Use of Complementary Health Approaches for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2017 (Dec 14)
Knowledge of why parents use complementary health approaches (CHA) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is limited. We conducted a mixed methods study to better understand factors influencing parents’ decision to use CHA for ASD. Parent-reported data about CHA use were collected on a probability sample of 352 young children with ASD in Denver, Colorado; Los Angeles, California; or Portland, Oregon. Follow-back interviews were conducted with 31 parents. CHA use was negatively associated with older child age and positively associated with parents’ belief ASD has major consequences, living in Portland or Denver, and medication use. Nine themes help explain these results. Study findings may have utility for healthcare providers working with children with ASD and their families regarding CHA.
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11. Little LM, Dean E, Tomchek S, Dunn W. {{Sensory Processing Patterns in Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Typical Development}}. {Phys Occup Ther Pediatr};2017 (Dec 14):1-12.
AIMS: The purpose of this study was to examine sensory processing in children ages 3-14 years with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and typical development (TD) using the Sensory Profile 2nd Edition (Dunn, 2014). METHODS: Participants included 239 children (ASD = 77; ADHD = 78; TD = 84) matched on age and gender. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to compare the extent to which the three grsoups differed on sensory processing patterns (i.e., sensitivity, avoiding, registration, seeking) and sensory systems (i.e., auditory, visual, touch, movement, body position, oral, conduct, attention, social). We also examined the effect of chronological age. RESULTS: Children with ASD and ADHD did not differ in sensory processing patterns which were elevated as compared to a TD group. Children with ASD showed the highest rate of oral processing differences, followed by ADHD and TD. Children with ADHD had higher visual processing scores than children with ASD and TD. Older children had lower scores for seeking, auditory, visual, movement, touch, and conduct than younger children, regardless of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that sensory features may be an area of overlap of behaviors in ASD and ADHD, which may have implications for intervention approaches for children with these conditions.
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12. Makinodan M, Okumura K, Ikawa D, Yamashita Y, Yamamuro K, Toritsuka M, Kimoto S, Yamauchi T, Komori T, Kayashima Y, Yoshino H, Wanaka A, Kishimoto T. {{Effects of cross-rearing with social peers on myelination in the medial prefrontal cortex of a mouse model with autism spectrum disorder}}. {Heliyon};2017 (Nov);3(11):e00468.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, poor communication skills, and repetitive/restrictive behaviors. Recent studies have indicated that early rehabilitative intervention can alleviate the symptoms of individuals with ASD. However, it remains unknown whether rehabilitative intervention can restore brain structures such as myelin, which generally shows abnormalities in individuals with ASD. Therefore, in the present study, we used a mouse model of ASD (BTBR mice) that demonstrated asocial behaviors and hypomyelination in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to investigate whether interaction with social peers (C57BL/6J mice) has an effect on myelination. We found that housing with C57BL/6J mice after weaning through adulthood increased the myelin thickness in mPFC, but not in the motor cortex, of BTBR mice. There was no effect of cross-rearing with C57BL/6J mice on axon diameter in mPFC of BTBR mice. This finding suggests that early rehabilitative intervention may alleviate myelin abnormalities in mPFC as well as clinical symptoms in individuals with ASD.
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13. Mire SS, Tolar TD, Brewton CM, Raff NS, McKee SL. {{Validating the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire as a Measure of Parent Perceptions of Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2017 (Dec 14)
The illness perception questionnaire (IPQ) and its revision (IPQ-R) measure perceptions about health-related diagnoses and the influence of cognitions on coping. In this study, the factor structure of a version revised for use with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was investigated with a sample of parents (n = 361) whose children have ASD. Subsequently, multidimensional item response theory was used to evaluate item and subscale properties. Results indicated items from five of the seven IPQ-R-ASD scales loaded as expected, though subscales related to control were not distinct. Additionally, parents’ response patterns were evaluated and discussed. Use of this measure in ASD-focused research may enhance understanding of how parents’ cognitions of their child’s ASD impacts treatment selection, treatment implementation, and overall family well-being.
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14. Naheed A, Koly KN, Uddin Ahmed H, Akhter S, Uddin MMJ, Smith Fawzi MC, Chandir S, Mannan M, Hossain S, Nelson C, Munir K. {{Implementing a Mental Health Care Program and Home-Based Training for Mothers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in an Urban Population in Bangladesh: Protocol for a Feasibility Assessment Study}}. {JMIR Res Protoc};2017 (Dec 14);6(12):e251.
BACKGROUND: Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have reported a higher level of depression than mothers of children with other neurodevelopmental disorders in both developed and developing countries. Mothers are the lifetime caregivers of children with ASD, and a high burden of depression can negatively impact their ability to provide care. However, access to mental health services in primary care is limited, given the scarcity of qualified providers in Bangladesh. OBJECTIVE: We aim to pilot the feasibility of integrating mental health services for the mothers of children with ASD attending schools offering ASD care and improve skills of mothers for child care through a home-based training program. METHODS: The study will be conducted in two selected schools in Dhaka in Bangladesh that have been offering services for ASD for more than 10 years. A female psychologist will be deployed at the schools to offer nonpharmacological services for all mothers having a depressive episode. Referral for pharmacological treatment will be made at the discretion of supervising psychiatrists. An ASD special educator will provide training to the mothers for enhancing their child care skills at home on a monthly basis. The proposed intervention package will be implemented over a period of 4-6 months, and the feasibility of the intervention will be assessed through a pre- and postintervention evaluation by obtaining the perspectives of various stakeholders involved in the implementation of mental health services and maternal training. The primary outcome will include assessment of acceptability, adaptability, demand, practicality, implementation, and integration of the package intervention in the school settings. The secondary outcomes will include assessment of: 1) the prevalence of maternal depression; 2) children’s behavioral, social, and communication skills; and 3) the intervention participation costs incurred by institutions and families. RESULTS: Between February and March 2017, 188 mothers of children with ASD were screened for depression following a written informed consent. Based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV), the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV (SCID-1) was administered to 66 mothers. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 mothers and 8 various stakeholders. Between January-June 2017, the team finalized a draft psychosocial counseling module and a maternal training module. Between April-May 2017, mental health services were provided by psychologists to 41 mothers who attended the counseling centers at each school. Three special educators have been trained in June 2017 to initiate training of the participating mothers. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of a mental health intervention for mothers of children with ASD to reduce their burden of depression and improve the outcomes of their children. The findings will inform the provision of services for children with ASD and their mothers in Bangladesh and similar settings.
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15. Oswald TM, Winder-Patel B, Ruder S, Xing G, Stahmer A, Solomon M. {{A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the ACCESS Program: A Group Intervention to Improve Social, Adaptive Functioning, Stress Coping, and Self-Determination Outcomes in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2017 (Dec 12)
The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to investigate the acceptability and efficacy of the Acquiring Career, Coping, Executive control, Social Skills (ACCESS) Program, a group intervention tailored for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to enhance critical skills and beliefs that promote adult functioning, including social and adaptive skills, self-determination skills, and coping self-efficacy. Forty-four adults with ASD (ages 18-38; 13 females) and their caregivers were randomly assigned to treatment or waitlist control. Compared to controls, adults in treatment significantly improved in adaptive and self-determination skills, per caregiver report, and self-reported greater belief in their ability to access social support to cope with stressors. Results provide evidence for the acceptability and efficacy of the ACCESS Program.
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16. Park WJ, Schauder KB, Zhang R, Bennetto L, Tadin D. {{High internal noise and poor external noise filtering characterize perception in autism spectrum disorder}}. {Sci Rep};2017 (Dec 14);7(1):17584.
An emerging hypothesis postulates that internal noise is a key factor influencing perceptual abilities in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Given fundamental and inescapable effects of noise on nearly all aspects of neural processing, this could be a critical abnormality with broad implications for perception, behavior, and cognition. However, this proposal has been challenged by both theoretical and empirical studies. A crucial question is whether and how internal noise limits perception in ASD, independently from other sources of perceptual inefficiency, such as the ability to filter out external noise. Here, we separately estimated internal noise and external noise filtering in ASD. In children and adolescents with and without ASD, we computationally modeled individuals’ visual orientation discrimination in the presence of varying levels of external noise. The results revealed increased internal noise and worse external noise filtering in individuals with ASD. For both factors, we also observed high inter-individual variability in ASD, with only the internal noise estimates significantly correlating with severity of ASD symptoms. We provide evidence for reduced perceptual efficiency in ASD that is due to both increased internal noise and worse external noise filtering, while highlighting internal noise as a possible contributing factor to variability in ASD symptoms.
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17. Saad K. {{Response to letters: Randomized controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation in children with autism spectrum disorder – correction and additional information}}. {J Child Psychol Psychiatry};2018 (Jan);59(1):e3-e5.
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18. Sarrett JC. {{Autism and Accommodations in Higher Education: Insights from the Autism Community}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2017 (Dec 14)
This article builds on the growing body of research on higher education for autistic students by soliciting input from autistic adults on their higher education experiences and suggestions on making these experiences more ‘autism-friendly’. Sixty-six individuals participated in a national exploratory survey and thirty-one participated in follow-up, online focus groups. The article reviews the accommodations individuals received and the accommodations they would have liked to receive. Concrete strategies are provided for institutes of higher education to address the social and sensory needs of autistic students, areas many participants reported being neglected in their academic experience, such as mentors and a neurodiverse space. These suggestions are intended to complement traditional academic accommodations to improve the outcomes of autistic students.
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19. Stevenson J. {{Letter to the Editor: Unreported statistics lead to unverifiable results in study of vitamin D supplementation in children with autism spectrum disorder – Comment regarding Saad, K., et al. (2016)}}. {J Child Psychol Psychiatry};2018 (Jan);59(1):e1-e2.
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20. Valentovich V, Goldberg WA, Garfin DR, Guo Y. {{Emotion Coregulation Processes between Mothers and their Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder: Associations with Children’s Maladaptive Behaviors}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2017 (Dec 12)
A dyadic microanalysis approach was used to examine emotion coregulation processes in mother-child interactions in relation to children’s maladaptive behaviors. Seventy-two mother-child dyads (46 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); 26 neurotypical children) were previously videotaped in a semi-structured play procedure at home and mothers reported on children’s internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Mother-child interactions were reliably coded in 5-second intervals and analyzed using Space State Grid software. Regression analyses supported moderation, whereby greater dyadic flexibility and more mutual-positive engagements were significantly associated with lower levels of maladaptive outcomes for children with ASD. Results have implications for initiating positive interactions and promoting effective parenting that help improve behavior in young children with ASD.
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21. Zablotsky B, Black LI, Blumberg SJ. {{Estimated Prevalence of Children With Diagnosed Developmental Disabilities in the United States, 2014-2016}}. {NCHS Data Brief};2017 (Nov)(291):1-8.
Key findings Data from the National Health Interview Survey-During 2014-2016, the prevalence of children aged 3-17 years who had ever been diagnosed with a developmental disability increased from 5.76% to 6.99%. During this same time, the prevalence of diagnosed autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability did not change significantly. The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, other developmental delay, and any developmental disability was higher among boys compared with girls. The prevalence of any developmental disability was lower among Hispanic children compared with children in all other race and ethnicity groups.
22. Zand DH, Bultas MW, McMillin SE, Halloran D, White T, McNamara D, Pierce KJ. {{A Pilot of a Brief Positive Parenting Program on Children Newly Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {Fam Process};2017 (Dec 14)
Disruptive behaviors can be of comparable or greater concern to parents than the core symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Provision of effective interventions to address these behaviors within the first year of initial diagnosis holds great potential for improving the child’s, parents’, and family’s functioning. We piloted a four-session, manualized, positive parenting program on 21 parents of newly diagnosed children ages 2 through 12 years using a mixed methods design. Seventy-five percent of parents completed four sessions, with 100% reporting high levels of service satisfaction. Preliminary results indicated clinically and statistically significant reductions in child maladaptive behaviors, as well as improvements in parental and family functioning. Practitioners and parents identified several potential implementation adaptations, including additional sessions to focus on ASD education and real-time parent-child interactions. Taken as a whole, these data suggest that a brief positive parenting intervention may be a feasible way to improve child, parent, and family functioning during the first year of ASD diagnosis. Findings point to the need for additional research to determine treatment efficacy and to assist with the identification of moderators and mediators of effects.
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23. Zhang J, Meng Y, Tong X, Yuan Z, Wu C. {{Exploring the Neural Correlates of Lexical Stress Perception in English among Chinese-English Bilingual Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: an ERP Study}}. {Neurosci Lett};2017 (Dec 14)
Previous studies found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were less sensitive to the variations of lexical stress in their native language. However, no study has been conducted to explore the perception of lexical stress in the second language among individuals with ASD. Using ERP (event-related potential) measurement with an oddball paradigm, the current study examined and compared the neural responses by Chinese-English bilingual children with ASD and typically developing controls in the processing of English lexical stress. The results showed that when compared with typically developing controls, children with ASD manifested reduced MMN (mismatch negativity) amplitude at the left temporal-parietal and parietal sites, indicating that they were less sensitive to lexical stress. However, a more negative MMN response was found for ASD group than for typically developing group at the right central-parietal, temporal-parietal, and temporal sites. In addition, the right hemisphere was more activated than the left hemisphere for ASD group, which might be derived from the reversed asymmetry of brain activation for people with ASD when processing language-related stimuli.
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24. Zhang W, Baranek G, Boyd B. {{Brief Report: Factors Associated with Emergency Department Visits for Epilepsy Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2017 (Dec 12)
We examined how demographic and clinical characteristics differ between emergency department (ED) visits for epilepsy (EP cohort) and ED visits for other reasons (non-EP cohort) in children with ASD. The data were drawn from the 2009 and 2010 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. We performed both univariate and multivariate analyses to compare and contrast similarities and differences between EP cohort and non-EP cohort among children with ASD. The results showed ED visits in EP cohort were more likely to occur among adolescents aged 13-17 years, less likely to occur among children with co-occurring psychiatric conditions, and were more likely to co-occur with injury. We discussed some unique challenges for managing children with both ASD and epilepsy.
