1. Alutaibi AI, Sharma SK, Khan AR. Capsule DenseNet++: Enhanced autism detection framework with deep learning and reinforcement learning-based lifestyle recommendation. Comput Biol Med;2025 (Mar 21);190:110038.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological condition that impairs the ability to interact, communicate, and behave. It is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, with an increase in the number of young children diagnosed with ASD in Saudi Arabia. Timely identification and customized interventions are essential for enhancing developmental outcomes. However, existing diagnostic approaches are subjective, limiting the cost-effectiveness of their utilization and the uniformity of their outcomes across different communities. In light of these concerns, this study presents a two-phase deep learning framework for autism detection with lifestyle advice using reinforcement learning. In the first phase, the proposed framework utilizes advanced multiscale statistical techniques for feature extraction, such as measures of central tendencies, variability indices, and percentiles, incorporated with the CosmoNest Optimizer, which is a hybrid of the African Vultures Optimization Algorithm and Butterfly Optimization Algorithm. For accurate ASD identification, these optimized features were classified using Capsule DenseNet++, an advanced deep learning model that increases feature representation efficiency and interpretability. In the second stage, we implement a personalized lifestyle recommendation system using the Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) algorithm, a reinforcement learning algorithm. In the PPO approach, lifestyle decisions are sequential actions aimed at optimizing interventions, therapies, or daily activities for a given person. The PPO system dynamically learns and adapts recommendations over time to improve its effectiveness. The framework was developed in Python and tested on two datasets: autism screening data and ASD screening data for toddlers in Saudi Arabia. The performance of the detection model was recorded in terms of accuracy (99.2 % and 99.3 %, respectively), precision (98.5 % and 98.7 %, respectively), sensitivity (98.7 % and 98.9 %, respectively), and F1-score (99.1 % and 99.2 %, respectively), demonstrating its robustness for ASD detection across both datasets.

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2. Andrade C. Discordant Sibling Pair Comparisons in Observational Studies: A Research Design Simply Explained. J Clin Psychiatry;2025 (Mar 17);86(2)

When studying how (eg) gestational exposure to antidepressant drugs influences the risk of (eg) autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring, conventional observational studies adjust analyses for available covariates and confounds. In such analyses, a significant association between antidepressant exposure and ASD outcome can never be asserted to be causal because of the possibility of residual confounding arising from confounding by indication (or severity thereof), confounding by genetic risk factors, and confounding by environmental risk factors. Confounding by indication and severity thereof can sometimes be addressed through propensity score matching, but the adjustment can never be perfect. Additionally, adjustment for genetic and environmental risk factors is hard or impossible to do because these are inadequately measured, unmeasured, and/or unknown variables. Sibling comparison studies have recently emerged as an option to address the genetic and environmental risk factors. In such studies, sibs discordant for exposure are compared for risk of outcome (cohort design) or sibs discordant for outcome are compared for odds of exposure (case-control design). The assumption is that sibs share similar genetic and environmental risk factors and so, when sibs are compared, these risk factors cancel out whether they are measured or not, known or unknown. If antidepressant exposure remains significantly associated with ASD in sibling comparisons, a possible conclusion is that antidepressants and not genetic or environmental factors drive the ASD risk. If antidepressant exposure loses significance in the sibling comparisons, it suggests that shared genetic and/or environmental factors, rather than antidepressant exposure, explain the ASD risk. The interpretation, however, is nuanced. Strengths, limitations, and interpretations of sibling comparison studies are explained. To illustrate the usefulness of sibling comparisons, results are presented from a recent study of ASD risk after gestational or early infancy exposure to antibiotics.

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3. Arora K, Balwani M, Wakchaure A, Passi GR. Yield of Genetic Testing in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder – A Single-Center Experience. Ann Indian Acad Neurol;2025 (Mar 21)

Identifying genetic etiologies is an important consideration in the comprehensive management of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic yield of genetic tests in ASD. This retrospective descriptive study evaluated and compared the diagnostic yield of genetic tests in patients with ASD in a teaching hospital from Central India between 2018 and 2023. Fifty-four patients were tested. Pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were identified in 13 (24.07%) patients. Yield of whole exome sequencing (WES), 12/27 (44.49%), was more than that of chromosomal microarray (CMA) 1/30 (3.3%) (P < 0.05). Fragile-X gene mutation was detected in 0/14 patients tested. Patients with motor delay and hand stereotypes were more likely to have pathogenic variants on WES. The most common pathogenic gene identified was the MECP2 gene (5/12, 41.66%). Genetic abnormalities were identified in 24.07% of children with ASD. WES had higher diagnostic yield than CMA.

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4. Brittenham C, DiCriscio AS, Troiani V, Hu Y, Wagner JB. Task-evoked pupil responses during free-viewing of hierarchical figures in relation to autistic traits in adults. Sci Rep;2025 (Mar 21);15(1):9778.

Sensory processing differences, particularly within the visual domain, are common in neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism. Studies examining hierarchical processing of figures containing global (i.e., gist) and local (i.e., detail) elements are inconsistent but converge on a common theme in relation to autism: slowed global processing and a locally-oriented default. We examined behavioral and pupillary responses in adults with varying levels of autistic traits during a free-viewing hierarchical processing task. Results showed that participants were both more likely and faster to report global elements, but contrary to our hypothesis, differences in level of autistic traits were unrelated to spontaneous reporting of global vs. local elements. When examining phase-based analysis of pupillary responses, participants high on autistic traits showed more early and less later constriction within trials. Further, trajectory-based pupillary analysis revealed two trajectories, one characterized by constriction and the other dilation, and results showed that the dilation group disproportionately included low traits individuals. Findings suggest that although high and low traits groups showed similar behavioral responses, visual strategies used may differ, as indicated by pupillometry. This study advances our understanding of the relationship between autistic traits and visual processing, laying groundwork for further investigations into neurodivergent visual processing mechanisms.

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5. Guan J, Li H, Yang Q, Lv Y, Zhang L, Wang Y, Li S. Improving brain difference identification in autism spectrum disorder through enhanced head motion correction in ICA-AROMA. Commun Biol;2025 (Mar 21);8(1):473.

Head motion during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can influence the identification of brain differences as well as early diagnosis and precise MRI-based interventions for ASD. This study aims to address head motion issues in resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data by comparing various correction methods. Specifically, we evaluate the independent component analysis-based automatic removal of motion artifacts (ICA-AROMA) against traditional preprocessing pipelines, including head motion realignment parameters and global signal regression (GSR). Our dataset consisted of 306 participants, including 148 individuals with ASD and 158 participants with typical development (TD). We find that ICA-AROMA, particularly when combined with GSR and physiological noise correction, outperformed other strategies in differentiating ASD from TD participants based on functional connectivity (FC) analyses. The correlation of quality control with functional connectivity (QC-FC) is statistically significant in proportion and distance after applying each denoising pipeline. The mean FC between groups is significant for Yeo’s 17-Network in each denoising strategy. ICA-AROMA head motion correction outperformed other strategies, revealing more significant FC networks and distinct brain regions linked to the posterior cingulate cortex and postcentral gyrus. This suggests ICA-AROMA enhances fMRI preprocessing, aiding ASD diagnosis and biomarker development.

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6. Hagenaar DA, Mous SE, Ten Hoopen LW, Rietman AB, Hiralal KR, Bindels-de Heus K, de Nijs PFA, Mohr TC, Lens EJ, Hillegers MHJ, Moll HA, de Wit MY, Dieleman GC. Age-Related Trajectories of Autistic Traits in Children With Angelman Syndrome. Autism Res;2025 (Mar 21)

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurogenetic disorder. Previous studies indicate a high prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with considerable variability. Little is known regarding the longitudinal trajectory of autistic traits. We aim to investigate autistic traits, the effect of age on these traits, and associated features in AS children. This (partly) longitudinal clinical record study at the ENCORE Expertise Center involved 107 AS children aged 2-18 with one (N = 107), two (N = 49), or three (N = 14) measurements. Autistic traits and sensory processing issues were assessed using various instruments, and DSM classifications were used descriptively. Covariates were genotype, gender, and epilepsy. Results indicate a high prevalence of autistic traits and sensory processing issues. Children with the deletion genotype exhibited more autistic traits. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) classifications indicated higher rates of ASD compared to clinician DSM classifications. Autistic traits generally remained stable over time, except that ADOS scores significantly decreased for children with the UBE3A mutation genotype, and in the social affect domain for the entire group. In conclusion, incorporating the assessment of autistic traits and sensory processing into clinical practice for AS is important to inform adaptations of the environment to meet the child’s needs. Additionally, clinicians and researchers should be mindful of the potential for overestimating ASD traits in AS when relying on the ADOS. ASD diagnosis in AS should integrate multiple diagnostic instruments, diverse hetero-anamnestic sources, and multidisciplinary expert opinions.

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7. Hswen Y, Collins N. How AI Could Improve Health Care for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Jama;2025 (Mar 21)

This Medical News article is an interview with Dimitri Christakis, MD, MPH, chief health officer at Special Olympics International. eng

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8. Kabatas S, Civelek E, Savrunlu EC, Karaaslan U, Yıldız Ö, Karaöz E. Advances in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder: Wharton jelly mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. World J Methodol;2025 (Mar 20);15(1):95857.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with multifaceted origins. In recent studies, neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation have come to the forefront in its pathogenesis. There are studies suggesting that stem cell therapy may be effective in the treatment of ASD. AIM: To evolve the landscape of ASD treatment, focusing on the potential benefits and safety of stem cell transplantation. METHODS: A detailed case report is presented, displaying the positive outcomes observed in a child who underwent intrathecal and intravenous Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) transplantation combined with neurorehabilitation. RESULTS: The study demonstrates a significant improvement in the child’s functional outcomes (Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Denver 2 Developmental Screening Test), especially in language and gross motor skills. No serious side effects were encountered during the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The findings support the safety and effectiveness of WJ-MSC transplantation in managing ASD.

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9. Kleebayoon A, Wiwanitkit V. Comment on « temporal and spatial variability of large-scale dynamic brain networks in ASD ». Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry;2025 (Mar 21)

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10. Lai CC, Wu CC. Caries pattern and dental treatment features of children with autism spectrum disorder under general anesthesia. Medicine (Baltimore);2025 (Mar 21);104(12):e41867.

Difficulty in the cooperation of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) leads to a poor diagnosis of caries patterns and poor clinical and radiographic findings. This study aimed to investigate the association between caries patterns and treatment characteristics in children with ASD and compare these variables with those in healthy children treated under general anesthesia. The medical records of children with ASD undergoing dental treatment under general anesthesia (n = 40) were analyzed in this study. The collected data included demographic profile, medical status (ASD severity and associated comorbidities), dental history (behavior, care approach, past dental treatment, and follow-up period), caries pattern (surface and depth), and clinical and radiographic findings (e.g., percussion/palpation pain, fistula, furcation involvement, and pathologic resorption). We compared the caries patterns and treatment of children with ASD to those of their healthy counterparts (n = 40). In children with ASD, age and severity were significantly associated with presentation behavior (P = .03 and P = .04) and the chosen care approach (P = .03). Clinical and radiographic examinations revealed that furcation involvement or pathological resorption was more frequent in children with ASD from families with lower average monthly income (P = .05) and in those with associated comorbidities (P = .02). Caries involving 1 or 2 surfaces were more prevalent in children with ASD, with a significant proportion extending to the dental pulp (P < .001). Dental caries characteristics and patterns among children with ASD differ from those of healthy children, which influences dental treatment decisions.

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11. Levy-Shraga Y, Goldmann S, Gruber N, Tripto-Shkolnik L, Modan-Moses D, Givon U, Ben-Zeev B. Bone health and bisphosphonate treatment in females with Rett syndrome in a national center. Pediatr Res;2025 (Mar 21)

BACKGROUND: Impaired bone health is a common morbidity in Rett syndrome (RTT). We aimed to assess lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) in females with RTT, and to evaluate the effectiveness of bisphosphonate treatment. METHODS: This retrospective study included 40 females with RTT, aged 5-22 years, who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans during 2019-2024 at a national center for RTT. Data collected included medical treatment, anthropometric measurements, and functional scores. RESULTS: The median age at the first DXA scan was 10.8 years. The mean L1-4 BMD Z-score was -2.1 ± 1.4, and the mean TBS Z-score was -0.4 ± 1.3. The L1-4 BMD Z-score correlated with height (r = 0.407, p = 0.009), weight (r = 0.551, p < 0.001), BMI (r = 0.644, p < 0.001), and TBS Z-scores (r = 0.594, p = 0.009). Poor L1-4 BMD Z-scores were associated with poor mobility scores (p = 0.05) and valproate treatment (p = 0.016). Nine patients (23%) received zoledronate, for a mean 2 years. The mean age at zoledronate initiation was 9.7 ± 2.3 years. Four completed two DXA scans (pre- and post-treatment); the mean BMD Z-score improved from -2.2 ± 0.9 to -1.4 ± 0.9 after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Females with RTT have reduced lumbar BMD, which was associated with anthropometric factors, TBS, mobility, and valproate use. Zoledronate may be effective for some patients. IMPACT: In a retrospective study of 40 females with Rett syndrome (RTT), low bone mineral density (BMD) correlated with lower anthropometric measurements, impaired mobility, and valproic acid use. The association between BMD and trabecular bone score (TBS) in the context of RTT is a novel finding. Our preliminary data support the effectiveness and safety of zoledronate for treating osteoporosis in patients with RTT. Our findings are important in light of the increasing life expectancy of individuals with RTT, and the consequent need to prioritize bone health in this population.

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12. Lu HH, Nandy A, Ni HC. Autistic Traits and Emotion Dysregulation in 5-11-Year-Old Intellectually Able Children With Autism Spectrum Condition: Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation Strategies. Autism Res;2025 (Mar 21)

Emotion dysregulation (ED) is common among children with an autism spectrum condition (ASC). However, the mechanisms underlying emotion regulation strategies (ERSs) and their impacts on ED in this population remain unclear. The current study examined whether ED is directly related to autistic traits or mediated by deficits in ERSs after comorbidity is accounted for. A cohort of 110 intellectually able children aged 5-11 years with ASC participated in this study. Autistic traits and ED were assessed using the Autism Spectrum Quotient-Children and Child Behavior Checklist, respectively. Intrinsic ERSs, specifically cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression, were evaluated using the Parent Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, alongside items measuring parental coregulation as an extrinsic ERS. After adjusting for comorbidities (i.e., other neurodevelopmental or neurological disorders), the findings revealed pronounced autistic traits in social skills, attention switching, communication, and imagination correlated with higher ED levels, with parental coregulation mediating this correlation. Notably, the effects of communication and imagination on ED were fully mediated by parental coregulation. Additionally, autistic traits related to imagination were demonstrated to impair the development of cognitive reappraisal, further exacerbating ED. These results provide a deeper understanding of the emotional challenges faced by intellectually able children with ASC. The findings of this study underscore the importance of interventions aimed at enhancing emotion regulation within the parent-child dyad and fostering the development of cognitive reappraisal through imitative tasks. Such ERS-focused interventions hold potential for mitigating the adverse effects of autistic traits on emotional functioning.

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13. Politano D, Marazzi F, Scognamillo I, Morelli F, Signorini S, Gana S, Nicolosi S, Rognone E, Borgatti R, Valente EM, Romaniello R. A de novo ZMYM2 gene variant associated to a Rett-like phenotype: Case report of a new phenotype and review of the literature. Brain Dev;2025 (Mar 19);47(3):104351.

BACKGROUND: ZMYM2 heterozygous pathogenic variants cause an ultra-rare disease characterized by a broad clinical phenotype. This condition has been named neurodevelopmental-craniofacial syndrome with variable renal and cardiac abnormalities (NECRC, MIM#619522). Associated anomalies include congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), non-specific facial, cardiac, and skeletal abnormalities, along with a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders. Other abnormalities reported in some patients include infantile hypotonia, poor growth, microcephaly, hypospadias, and motor stereotypies. Recently, one patient with cerebral palsy embedded in a complex phenotype was reported to carry a pathogenic ZMYM2 variant. CASE PRESENTATION: This study presents the case of a 13-year-old girl carrying a de novo ZMYM2 heterozygous pathogenic variant. The patient displayed a Rett-like phenotype, associated with non-specific features such as precocious puberty, short stature, facial dysmorphisms, and spastic diplegia. CONCLUSIONS: This case expands the known clinical phenotype associated with ZMYM2 pathogenic variants, suggesting for the first time a possible link to Rett-like syndromes.

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14. Rahman T, Hasan MZ. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – An analysis of the ASD interventions utilized in Bangladesh. Res Dev Disabil;2025 (Mar 21);160:104971.

OBJECTIVES: This study focused on analysing treatment applicability and effectiveness for ASD in Bangladesh based on the perspectives of parents/guardians, and educational or healthcare professionals. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We utilized a cross-sectional survey and a mixed methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative and qualitative data about interventions used, effectiveness, and satisfaction levels. Data were analysed via descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent sample t-tests. RESULTS: The results revealed that developmental approaches were the most commonly used and participants expressed a high level of satisfaction with the interventions. Educational and healthcare professionals emphasized the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. The study also found no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of interventions between the two cities. CONCLUSIONS: The research highlights the need for a comprehensive and tailored approach to support individuals with ASD and provides valuable insights for organizations, policymakers, and professionals to improve the provision of effective interventions, It also focuses on the significance of involving caregivers in the treatment process. Further research is recommended to explore other regions’ interventions and evaluate the long-term outcomes of different treatment approaches.

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15. Tan C, Zhou H, Yang M, Li C, Chen H, He L, Yang T, Chen J, Zhang J, Li T. The discriminate value of event-related potentials in executive function of ADHD and comorbidity of ADHD and ASD. Sci Rep;2025 (Mar 21);15(1):9802.

Purpose The study aimed to assess the value of event-related potentials (ERP) of executive functions in distinguishing between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ADHD combined with autism spectrum disorder (ADHD&ASD). Methods This retrospective analysis included 204 participants divided into three groups: ADHD&ASD (64/204), ADHD (70/204), and typical development (TD) (70/204). Neuropsychological tests, including the Digit Span Test, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), Trail Making Test at its Chinese equivalent version, the Shape Trail Test (STT), and the Stroop Color Word Interference Test, were compared across groups. ERP measures, such as latency and amplitude at the frontal zone (Fz), central zone (Cz), and parietal zone (Pz), along with reaction times and target stimulus hits using an oddball paradigm, were analyzed. Post-hoc analyses and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves identified key indicators for distinguishing ADHD from ADHD&ASD. Results Significant differences were found in ERP and BRIEF indicators (P < 0.001), as well as selected TMT and Stroop parameters (P < 0.05) across the groups. The ADHD&ASD group exhibited notably higher Fz, Cz, and Pz latencies, interference times, and reaction times compared to the ADHD group (P < 0.05). With the exception of word meaning interference time, the area under ROC curves (AUC) of the remaining five indicators exceeds 0.8. Particularly noteworthy is the combined ROC curve of Fz latency and average reaction time, which demonstrated a sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 88.68%, 97.14%, and 0.938 (95%CI: 0.885-0.990, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion ERP measurements using oddball paradigms hold strong potential for distinguishing ADHD from ADHD&ASD, enabling the development of more targeted treatment approaches through precise neurophysiological markers.

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16. Triatmojo NN, Putri VYS, Rahimah AF, Damanik GRE, Wardhana KK. A Tale of Triumph: Overcoming Challenges in Surgical ASD Closure for a Patient with Warm AIHA. Cardiovasc Hematol Disord Drug Targets;2025 (Mar 20)

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare disorder in hematology, with an incidence of 1-3 per 100,000 per year. The current data available on open-heart procedures in patients with AIHA is limited. Despite presenting periprocedural challenges, multidisciplinary efforts enabled the successful performance of surgical atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in a patient with warm-reactive AIHA. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old woman with a large elliptical ASD was planned for surgical closure. The patient has never received a blood transfusion or experienced any previous hematological issues. During the surgical preparation, the patient’s immunoglobulin G Coombs test result was positive for the presence of immunoglobulin G. The patient was diagnosed with a remission state of warm AIHA. A challenge arose when surgical ASD closure needed a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which increased the risk of hemolysis. The patient also needed to be hypothermic to reduce metabolism, which may interact with the pathophysiology of AIHA. Several approaches were taken, and the procedure was conducted successfully without noteworthy obstacles. CONCLUSION: A successful surgical ASD closure was performed in a patient with complete remission of warm-reactive AIHA. Considering the different hemolytic mechanisms between CPB and AIHA, determining whether AIHA is cold or warm reactive is crucial for managing temperature in the heart-lung machine. Several approaches, such as utilizing a roller pump, a heparin-coated circuit, and administering steroids, can be implemented to prevent hemolysis.

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17. Truscott L, Simpson K, Malone SA. Physiotherapists Identify Movement Difficulties in Autistic Children Using Subjective and Objective Measures: An Observational Study. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr;2025 (Mar 20):1-17.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the assessment practices and identification of movement difficulties in autistic children aged 12 months to 6 years by physiotherapists in Australia. METHODS: Registered physiotherapists providing services to autistic children ages 12 months – 6 years completed a survey. The survey was distributed via closed physiotherapy social media (Facebook) pages in Australia from March to June 2022. The survey included 8 items on strategies/approaches to assessment, 47 items on measurement, and 23 items on movement difficulties. RESULTS: 85 physiotherapists completed the survey. Findings indicated that parent reports, observations, and movement analyses were the most commonly used assessment strategies employed 100% of time, followed by musculoskeletal assessments (80%) and standardized assessments (50%). Of standardized assessments used, Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) was used most, by over 69% of physiotherapists, with multiple versions of five other standardized assessments used by over 52% of physiotherapists, namely Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Neurological Sensory Motor Developmental Assessment, Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire and Test of Gross Motor Development. A range of movement difficulties were frequently identified in developmental delays (86% of time), gross motor (85%), coordination (82%), motor planning (81%), and hypotonia (80%). CONCLUSIONS: Physiotherapists in Australia use a variety of methods to examine movement difficulties in young autistic children, suggesting that this frequently occurs prior to autism diagnosis.

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18. Tsegaye M, Menbere F, Godie Y, Birhanu D. Preschool and primary school teachers’ attitude towards inclusive education for students with autism spectrum disorders in Ethiopian public schools: multicenter cross-sectional study. BMC Neurol;2025 (Mar 21);25(1):123.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily impacting social communication and behavior. The prevalence of ASD has been rapidly increasing, leading to a corresponding rise in the number of children with ASD attending mainstream schools. Preschool and primary school teachers have a vital role in identifying and supporting these children. However, the extent of teachers’ Attitudes towards including children with ASD in their classrooms remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitude towards including children with autism spectrum disorders in their classrooms, and the associated factors among preschool and primary school teachers in public schools in Addis Ababa. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Data from preschool and primary school teachers were collected using a self-administered questionnaire between September 2023 and December 2023. The collected data were analyzed utilizing SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were employed to summarize the findings, while bivariate binary logistic regression was utilized to examine associations between variables. RESULTS: The study findings revealed that from a total sample of 416 teachers, only 35.5% of teachers had adequate knowledge, and the mean attitude score was 3.4, indicating a slight positive inclination towards inclusive education. Furthermore, teachers who have previous experience with students with special needs are six times more likely to have a positive attitude towards inclusive education (AOR = 6, 95% CI = 1.05-40.7). Teachers with a positive attitude towards including students in regular classes were 72% more likely to have adequate knowledge (AOR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.1-0.6). Teachers with a positive attitude towards including students in regular classes were 72% more likely to have adequate knowledge (AOR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.1-0.6). Conversely, teachers who identify behavioral and emotional problems of autistic children as a challenge are 94% less likely to have a positive attitude towards inclusive education (AOR = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.05-0.7). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The findings of this study indicate that teachers displayed a generally positive attitude towards ASD. This highlights the need for increased emphasis on educational interventions aimed at enhancing attitudes towards ASD further.

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19. Wang Y, Li Z, Ye Y, Li Y, Wei R, Gan K, Qian Y, Xu L, Kong Y, Guan L, Fang H, Jiao G, Ke X. HD-tDCS effects on social impairment in autism spectrum disorder with sensory processing abnormalities: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep;2025 (Mar 21);15(1):9772.

This study examined the effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) on social impairment in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), focusing on those with and without sensory processing abnormalities. A randomized double-blind sham-controlled trial involved 72 children with ASD, divided into three groups based on sensory integration status. A post-hoc analysis of 51 children aged 4-8 years who received true HD-tDCS was conducted, categorizing them into hypo-tactile, hyper-tactile, and typical tactile sensitivity groups. Therapeutic efficacy was compared across these groups. (1) The randomized cntrolled Trial: The typical sensory integration group showed significant improvements in social awareness (t = 5.032, p < 0.000) and autistic mannerisms (t = 3.085, p = 0.004) compared to the sensory integration dysfunction group. (2)The result of the post-hoc analysis: The hypo-tactile and typical tactile sensitivity groups exhibited notable improvements in social awareness, cognition, communication, autistic mannerisms, and total SRS scores. In contrast, the hyper-tactile group only had a significant reduction in social communication (t = 2.385, p = 0.022) post-intervention. HD-tDCS effectively improved social impairment symptoms in children with ASD, particularly those with typical sensory integration and either typical or hypo-tactile responsiveness.

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20. Whiteley P, Carr K, Shattock P, Hooper M, Stott C, Hardy K, Marlow B. From autism to the plural ‘autisms’: evidence from differing aetiologies, developmental trajectories and symptom intensity combinations. Br J Psychiatry;2025 (Mar 21):1-7.

Autism spectrum disorder is defined by the presence of sustained problems in areas of social cognition and social understanding alongside repetitive and/or restricted patterns of behaviour. Behavioural presentations and developmental trajectories in autism are highly heterogeneous. For most, characteristics variably continue across the lifespan, and, for many, they overlap with numerous overrepresented comorbid combinations spanning behavioural, psychiatric and somatic domains. The current autism diagnostic systems (DSM-5, ICD-11) reflect this heterogeneity, focusing on discerning different assistance needs and symptom severity combinations. An emerging view on the pluralisation of autism – ‘the autisms’ – based on different severity levels and different developmental trajectories is gaining popularity, bolstered by the introduction of the grouping ‘profound autism’ and observations of non-persistence of autism for some. We advance the case for expanding the definition of the plural autisms based also on the numerous different aetiological routes that can lead to autism. Various genetic conditions, susceptibility to infectious agents, non-infectious environmental exposures and immune-mediated occurrences have all been observed to culminate in a diagnosis of autism. As a triad, aetiology, presentation intensity and developmental trajectory offer new ways to classify the autisms, with potentially important implications for research and practice.

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21. Yang X, Lory C, Huang Y. Effects of a smartphone-based picture activity schedule on self-checkout skills of students with autism spectrum disorder. J Appl Behav Anal;2025 (Mar 21)

With the widespread use of mobile and self-service technology in everyday living, acquiring independent living skills associated with the use of current technology (e.g., self-checkout, mobile payment) is increasingly important for successful community integration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of a picture activity schedule presented on a smartphone to teach self-checkout skills in a natural community setting to three secondary school students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A concurrent multiple-baseline-across-participants design was used to determine the functional relation between the smartphone-based picture activity schedule intervention and increase in self-checkout skills. Maintenance and treatment extension outcomes were also assessed. The results showed that the intervention was effective in improving self-checkout skills for students with ASD and demonstrated positive maintenance and treatment extension outcomes. This study suggests that a smartphone-based activity schedule has the potential to serve as a minimally intrusive and nonstigmatizing support for students with ASD.

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