1. Barton-Hulsey A, Sevcik RA, Romski M. {{The Relationship Between Speech, Language, and Phonological Awareness in Preschool-Age Children With Developmental Disabilities}}. {American journal of speech-language pathology}. 2018: 1-17.
Purpose: A number of intrinsic factors, including expressive speech skills, have been suggested to place children with developmental disabilities at risk for limited development of reading skills. This study examines the relationship between these factors, speech ability, and children’s phonological awareness skills. Method: A nonexperimental study design was used to examine the relationship between intrinsic skills of speech, language, print, and letter-sound knowledge to phonological awareness in 42 children with developmental disabilities between the ages of 48 and 69 months. Hierarchical multiple regression was done to determine if speech ability accounted for a unique amount of variance in phonological awareness skill beyond what would be expected by developmental skills inclusive of receptive language and print and letter-sound knowledge. Results: A range of skill in all areas of direct assessment was found. Children with limited speech were found to have emerging skills in print knowledge, letter-sound knowledge, and phonological awareness. Speech ability did not predict a significant amount of variance in phonological awareness beyond what would be expected by developmental skills of receptive language and print and letter-sound knowledge. Conclusion: Children with limited speech ability were found to have receptive language and letter-sound knowledge that supported the development of phonological awareness skills. This study provides implications for practitioners and researchers concerning the factors related to early reading development in children with limited speech ability and developmental disabilities.
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2. Fabio RA, Gangemi A, Capri T, Budden S, Falzone A. {{Neurophysiological and cognitive effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in three girls with Rett Syndrome with chronic language impairments}}. {Res Dev Disabil}. 2018; 76: 76-87.
BACKGROUND: this study was based on both neurophysiological decelerated activity and communication deficits in Rett Syndrome (RTT). AIMS: the aim was to examine the neurophysiological and cognitive effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in three girls with RTT with chronic language impairments. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: we proposed an integrated intervention: tDCS and cognitive empowerment applied to language in order to enhance speech production (new functional sounds and new words). Because maximal gains usually are achieved when tDCS is coupled with behavioral training, we applied tDCS stimulation on Broca’s area together with linguistic training. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: the results indicated a general enhancement in language abilities (an increase in the number of vowel/consonant sounds and words and the production and comprehension through discrimination), motor coordination (functional movements), and neurophysiological parameters (an increase in the frequency and power of alpha, beta and theta bands). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: we assume that tDCS stimulation combined with the cognitive empowerment applied to language can significantly influence a chronic impairment even in genetic syndromes. Our results provide data that support the role of tDCS in fostering brain plasticity and in particular in empowering speech production and comprehension in girls with RTT.
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3. Howsmon DP, Adams JB, Kruger U, Geis E, Gehn E, Hahn J. {{Erythrocyte fatty acid profiles in children are not predictive of autism spectrum disorder status: a case control study}}. {Biomarker research}. 2018; 6: 12.
Biomarkers promise biomolecular explanations as well as reliable diagnostics, stratification, and treatment strategies that have the potential to help mitigate the effects of disorders. While no reliable biomarker has yet been found for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fatty acids have been investigated as potential biomarkers because of their association with brain development and neural functions. However, the ability of fatty acids to classify individuals with ASD from age/gender-matched neurotypical (NEU) peers has largely been ignored in favor of investigating population-level differences. Contrary to existing work, this classification task between ASD and NEU cohorts is the main focus of this work. The data presented herein suggest that fatty acids do not allow for classification at the individual level.
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4. Kose LK, Fox L, Storch EA. {{Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Comorbid Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Review of the Research}}. {Journal of developmental and physical disabilities}. 2018; 30(1): 69-87.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are highly comorbid, precipitating an urgent need to identify evidence-based practices that might be used to address this comorbidity exclusively. The aim of this study was to conduct a review of intervention research and clinical reports to examine the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with individuals who have comorbid ASD and OCD. Based on the pre-determined review inclusion criteria, 11 studies were included in the review: three randomized control trials (RCT), one case controlled study, two single subject experimental designs, and five case studies. These studies offer promising data on the use of CBT interventions for individuals with ASD and comorbid OCD as well as for individuals with OCD and comorbid ASD when standard CBT protocol is enhanced with modifications such as parental involvement, increased use of visuals, personalized treatment metaphors, self-monitoring, positive reinforcement, and use of clear language and instructions. Limitations and implications for future research and practice are discussed.
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5. Lindly O, Thorburn S, Zuckerman K. {{Use and Nondisclosure of Complementary Health Approaches Among US Children with Developmental Disabilities}}. {J Dev Behav Pediatr}. 2018; 39(3): 217-27.
OBJECTIVES: Many US children use complementary health approaches (CHAs), including some modalities that may be ineffective, unsafe, and/or costly. Yet, little is known about the prevalence and correlates of CHA use among children with developmental disabilities (DDs), as well as parent nondisclosure of CHAs used for children with DDs to health care providers. We, therefore, aimed to profile the use and nondisclosure of CHAs among US children with DDs. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey, which included the most recent Child Complementary and Alternative Medicine Supplement. The study sample was comprised of 2141 children with DDs aged 4 to 17 years. RESULTS: Nearly one-quarter (23%) of US children with DDs used CHAs. Among those with a personal health provider, 42% of parents did not disclose some or all CHAs used to the child’s provider. The adjusted odds ratios of using CHAs were greater among those with female sex, higher household income, residences not in the South, difficulty accessing care, or comorbid conditions. CHA was most commonly used because « it is natural. » Nondisclosure was associated with female sex, older age, having no functional limitations, less conventional services use, and use of fewer CHAs. The most common reason for nondisclosure was that the child’s provider did not ask. CONCLUSION: Complementary health approach use is prevalent among US children with DDs, and nondisclosure is likely among those who use CHAs. Future intervention targeting education and communication about CHAs for parents of children with DDs and their health care providers may promote disclosure.
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6. Martin LA, Iceberg E, Allaf G. {{Consistent hypersocial behavior in mice carrying a deletion of Gtf2i but no evidence of hyposocial behavior with Gtf2i duplication: Implications for Williams-Beuren syndrome and autism spectrum disorder}}. {Brain and behavior}. 2018; 8(1): e00895.
Introduction: Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a developmental disorder caused by hemizygous deletion of human chromosome 7q11.23. Hypersocial behavior is one symptom of WBS and contrasts with hyposociality observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Interestingly, duplications of 7q11.23 have been associated with ASD. The social phenotype of WBS has been linked to GTF2I or general transcription factor IIi (TFII-I). Duplication of GTF2I has also been associated with ASD. Methods: We compared mice having either a deletion (Gtf2i(+/-) ) or duplication (Gtf2i(+/dup) ) of Gtf2i to wild-type (Gtf2i(+/+) ) littermate controls in a series of behavioral tasks including open-field activity monitoring, olfactory probes, a social choice task, social transmission of food preference, habituation-dishabituation, and operant social motivation paradigms. Results: In open-field observations, Gtf2i(+/-) and Gtf2i(+/dup) mice demonstrated normal activity and thigmotaxis, and surprisingly, each strain showed a significant preference for a stimulus mouse that was not observed in Gtf2i(+/+) siblings. Both Gtf2i(+/-) and Gtf2i(+/dup) mice demonstrated normal olfaction in buried food probes, but the Gtf2i(+/-) mice spent significantly more time investigating urine scent versus water, which was not observed in the other strains. Gtf2i(+/-) mice also spent significantly more time in nose-to-nose contact compared to Gtf2i(+/+) siblings during the open-field encounter of the social transmission of food preference task. In operant tasks of social motivation, Gtf2i(+/-) mice made significantly more presses for social rewards than Gtf2i(+/+) siblings, while there was no difference in presses for the Gtf2i(+/dup) mice. Discussion: Results were remarkably consistent across testing paradigms supporting a role for GTF2i in the hypersocial phenotype of WBS and more broadly in the regulation of social behavior. Support was not observed for the role of GTF2i in ASD.
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7. Muscatelli F, Desarmenien MG, Matarazzo V, Grinevich V. {{Erratum to: Oxytocin Signaling in the Early Life of Mammals: Link to Neurodevelopmental Disorders Associated with ASD}}. {Current topics in behavioral neurosciences}. 2018.
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8. Qasem H, Al-Ayadhi L, Bjorklund G, Chirumbolo S, El-Ansary A. {{Impaired lipid metabolism markers to assess the risk of neuroinflammation in autism spectrum disorder}}. {Metabolic brain disease}. 2018.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifactorial disorder caused by an interaction between environmental risk factors and a genetic background. It is characterized by impairment in communication, social interaction, repetitive behavior, and sensory processing. The etiology of ASD is still not fully understood, and the role of neuroinflammation in autism behaviors needs to be further investigated. The aim of the present study was to test the possible association between prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), prostaglandin PGE2 EP2 receptors and nuclear kappa B (NF-kappaB) and the severity of cognitive disorders, social impairment, and sensory dysfunction. PGE2, COX-2, mPGES-1, PGE2-EP2 receptors and NF-kappaB as biochemical parameters related to neuroinflammation were determined in the plasma of 47 Saudi male patients with ASD, categorized as mild to moderate and severe as indicated by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) or the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) or the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) and compared to 46 neurotypical controls. The data indicated that ASD patients have remarkably higher levels of the measured parameters compared to neurotypical controls, except for EP2 receptors that showed an opposite trend. While the measured parameter did not correlate with the severity of social and cognitive dysfunction, PGE2, COX-2, and mPGES-1 were remarkably associated with the dysfunction in sensory processing. NF-kappaB was significantly increased in relation to age. Based on the discussed data, the positive correlation between PGE2, COX-2, and mPGES-1 confirm the role of PGE2 pathway and neuroinflammation in the etiology of ASD, and the possibility of using PGE2, COX-2 and mPGES-1 as biomarkers of autism severity. NF-kappaB as inflammatory inducer showed an elevated level in plasma of ASD individuals. Receiver operating characteristic analysis together with predictiveness diagrams proved that the measured parameters could be used as predictive biomarkers of biochemical correlates to ASD.
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9. Sabatino DiCriscio A, Troiani V. {{The Broader Autism Phenotype and Visual Perception in Children}}. {J Autism Dev Disord}. 2018.
Atypical visual perception has increasingly been described in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and linked to quantitative, autism-like features that are present in children and adults without ASD. We investigated whether individual differences in visual processing skills were related to quantitative measures of autism traits in a pediatric sample with a range of clinical features. Visual processing was comprehensively characterized using the test of visual perceptual skills (TVPS), a standardized test of visual perception with seven subtests that capture a range of visual processing abilities. The TVPS Figure Ground (TVPS-FG) subtest requires an individual to disembed a smaller figure from a larger scene. TVPS-FG subtest scores were positively correlated with children’s autism features as measured by a parental report of the Broader Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAP-Q). The correlation with BAP-Q was specific to the TVPS-FG subtest, as the other TVPS subtest scores were not significantly related to the BAP-Q. This adds to the growing body of research documenting that atypical visual processing is associated with the autism phenotype and highlights the importance of capturing quantitative traits in heterogeneous developmental brain disorders.
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10. Salisbury LA, Nyce JD, Hannum CD, Sheldrick RC, Perrin EC. {{Sensitivity and Specificity of 2 Autism Screeners Among Referred Children Between 16 and 48 Months of Age}}. {J Dev Behav Pediatr}. 2018; 39(3): 254-8.
OBJECTIVE: Autism screening is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at ages 18 and 24 months. Popular screening tests have been validated for the age range of 16 to 30 months. However, only a minority of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are identified by age 3 years, and many are not identified until after they enter school. Thus, we aimed to measure the sensitivity and specificity of 2 available screening tests for ASDs in children older than 30 months. METHODS: We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of 2 ASD screening tools administered to parents of children who were referred to a developmental clinic between the ages of 16 and 48 months: the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) and the Parent’s Observations of Social Interactions (POSI), which is a component of a comprehensive screening instrument called, the Survey of Well-being of Young Children. RESULTS: Both the M-CHAT and the POSI had acceptable sensitivity (>/=75%) among children across the age range studied. Their specificity was limited by the fact that the study was conducted in a developmental referral clinic. CONCLUSION: Two readily available screening tools, the POSI and the M-CHAT, have acceptable sensitivity in evaluating risk for autism in children at least to age 48 months. Further research should investigate their sensitivity and specificity when used in primary care settings.
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11. Sayorwan W, Phianchana N, Permpoonputtana K, Siripornpanich V. {{A Study of the Correlation between VEP and Clinical Severity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {Autism research and treatment}. 2018; 2018: 5093016.
Visual evoked potential (VEP) is a technique used to assess the brain’s electrical response to visual stimuli. The aims of this study were to examine neural transmission within the visual pathway through VEP testing in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and compare it to age-matched controls, as well as search for a correlation between the VEP parameters and the symptoms of ASD. Participants were composed of ASD children (9 males) and typically developing children (8 males and 4 females), aged between 3 and 5 years. Checkerboards were chosen as the pattern-reversal VEP. The clinical severity of ASD was assessed using the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales 2nd edition (VABS-II). Our findings demonstrated that children with ASD had significantly longer N145 latency compared to the controls. A longer N145 latency correlated with a higher score of ATEC within the sensory/cognitive awareness subdomain. In addition, a slower N145 response was also associated with a lower VABS-II score within the socialization domain. The correlation between longer VEP latency and abnormal behaviors in children with ASD suggests a delayed neural communication within other neural circuits, apart from the visual pathway. These lines of evidence support the possibility of using VEP, along with clinical parameters, for the assessment of ASD severity.
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12. Zhao M, Chen S. {{The Effects of Structured Physical Activity Program on Social Interaction and Communication for Children with Autism}}. {BioMed research international}. 2018; 2018: 1825046.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of structured physical activity program on social interaction and communication of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Fifty children with ASD from a special school were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. 25 children with ASD were placed in the experimental group, and the other 25 children as the control group participated in regular physical activity. A total of forty-one participants completed the study. A 12-week structured physical activity program was implemented with a total of 24 exercise sessions targeting social interaction and communication of children with ASD, and a quasi-experimental design was used for this study. Data were collected using quantitative and qualitative instruments. SSIS and ABLLS-R results showed that an overall improvement in social skills and social interaction for the experimental group across interim and posttests, F = 8.425, p = 0.001 (p < 0.005), and significant improvements appeared in communication, cooperation, social interaction, and self-control subdomains (p < 0.005). Conversely, no statistically significant differences were found in the control group (p > 0.005). The study concluded that the special structured physical activity program positively influenced social interaction and communication skills of children with ASD, especially in social skills, communication, prompt response, and frequency of expression.
