1. {{Evidence-based social communication interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder}}. {Br Dent J};2018 (Aug 24);225(4):313.
Adapting communication styles is important.
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2. Androschuk A, He RX, Weber S, Rosenfelt C, Bolduc FV. {{Stress Odorant Sensory Response Dysfunction in Drosophila Fragile X Syndrome Mutants}}. {Front Mol Neurosci};2018;11:242.
Sensory processing dysfunction (SPD) is present in most patients with intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Silencing expression of the Fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene leads to Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common single gene cause of ID and ASD. Drosophila have a highly conserved FMR1 ortholog, dfmr1. dfmr1 mutants display cognitive and social defects reminiscent of symptoms seen in individuals with FXS. We utilized a robust behavioral assay for sensory processing of the Drosophila stress odorant (dSO) to gain a better understanding of the molecular basis of SPD in FXS. Here, we show that dfmr1 mutant flies present significant defects in dSO response. We found that dfmr1 expression in mushroom bodies is required for dSO processing. We also show that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling via PKA is activated after exposure to dSO and that several drugs regulating both cAMP and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels significantly improved defects in dSO processing in dfmr1 mutant flies.
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3. Baptista J, Sampaio A, Fachada I, Osorio A, Mesquita AR, Garayzabal E, Duque F, Oliveira G, Soares I. {{Maternal Interactive Behaviours in Parenting Children with Williams Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Relations with Emotional/Behavioural Problems}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2018 (Aug 24)
This study compared maternal responsiveness to children with two neurodevelopmental disorders sharing different but, in some cases, overlapping social phenotypes-Williams syndrome (WS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-and explored the relations between maternal responsiveness and child emotional/behavioural problems (EBP). The sample included 16 pre-schoolers with WS and 43 with ASD, and their mothers. Responsiveness was assessed during a mother-child interaction task. Mothers completed the CBCL 1(1/2)-5, providing a measure of EBP. No significant differences emerged between groups, and most dyads were characterized by less responsive behaviours. Maternal responsiveness proved related to child developmental age, but not with EBP. These results provide further insight into the rearing environment of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, highlighting the need for early relationship-based interventions.
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4. Baron-Mendoza I, Garcia O, Calvo-Ochoa E, Rebollar-Garcia JO, Garzon-Cortes D, Haro R, Gonzalez-Arenas A. {{Alterations in neuronal cytoskeletal and astrocytic proteins content in the brain of the autistic-like mouse strain C58/J}}. {Neurosci Lett};2018 (Aug 24);682:32-38.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopment disorder characterized by deficient social interaction, impaired communication as well as repetitive behaviors. ASD subjects present connectivity and neuroplasticity disturbances associated with morphological alterations in axons, dendrites, and dendritic spines. Given that the neuronal cytoskeleton and astrocytes have an essential role in regulating several mechanisms of neural plasticity, the aim of this work was to study alterations in the content of neuronal cytoskeletal components actin and tubulin and their associated proteins, as well as astrocytic proteins GFAP and TSP-1 in the brain of a C58/J mouse model of ASD. We determined the expression and regulatory phosphorylation state of cytoskeletal components in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum of C58/J mice by means of Western blotting. Our results show that autistic-like mice present: 1) region-dependent altered expression and phosphorylation patterns of Tau isoforms, associated with anomalous microtubule depolymerization; 2) reduced MAP2A content in prefrontal cortex; 3) region-dependent changes in cofilin expression and phosphorylation, associated with abnormal actin filament depolymerizing dynamics; 4) diminished synaptopodin levels in the hippocampus; and 5) reduced content of the astrocyte-secreted protein TSP-1 in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Our work demonstrates changes in the expression and phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins as well as in TSP-1 in the brain of the autistic-like mice C58/J, shedding light in one of the possible molecular mechanisms underpinning neuroplasticity alterations in the ASD brain and laying the foundation for future investigations in this topic.
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5. Bo J, Pang Y, Dong L, Xing Y, Xiang Y, Zhang M, Wright M, Shen B. {{Brief Report: Does Social Functioning Moderate the Motor Outcomes of a Physical Activity Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders-A Pilot Study}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2018 (Aug 22)
Several recent studies revealed that physical activity programs that focus on fundamental motor skills could enhance both motor and social performance. The purpose of this pilot was to explore whether the social impairment of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) moderated the motor outcomes of a physical activity program. Nine children with ASD attended a 2-week program that adopted the Classroom Pivotal Response Teaching. Significant improvements on motor skills were found in all participants. Furthermore, children with more social impairment demonstrated greater motor improvement in comparison to those with less social problems. Findings suggest the importance of social factors on the outcomes of physical activity programs and the interplays between social and motor domains in ASD interventions.
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6. Chaidez V, Fernandez YGE, Wang LW, Angkustsiri K, Krakowiak P, Hertz-Picciotto I, Hansen RL. {{Comparison of maternal beliefs about causes of autism spectrum disorder and association with utilization of services and treatments}}. {Child Care Health Dev};2018 (Aug 22)
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe parental perceptions of the causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in an ethnically diverse sample and explore whether these perceptions relate to treatment choices. METHODS: The sample consisted of White (n = 224), Hispanic (n = 85), and Asian (n = 21) mothers of a child with ASD. A mixed methods approach was used in this secondary analysis focusing on parental perceptions about the causes of ASD and the relationship of these to utilization of services and treatment. RESULTS: Environmental and genetic factors were most often believed to be the cause or one of the causes of ASD by mothers across all ethnic groups studied. Asian mothers were more likely to cite multiple causes. Environmental causes were associated with receiving 20 or more hours of autism-related services per week, whereas belief in environmental exposures and vaccines and medications as causes were associated with complementary-alternative medicine (CAM) use. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that ethnic differences in autism causal beliefs and treatment choices may exist. Future research should be conducted to specifically confirm the findings, to understand parental motivation behind their service and treatment choices, and to gain more insight into the types, usage, and sources of CAM treatments. Clinicians can use parental autism causal beliefs in discussions about treatment recommendations.
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7. Ciernia AV, Yasui DH, Pride MC, Durbin-Johnson B, Noronha A, Chang A, Knotts T, Rutkowsky J, Ramsey JJ, Crawley JN, LaSalle JM. {{MeCP2 isoform e1 mutant mice recapitulate motor and metabolic phenotypes of Rett syndrome}}. {Hum Mol Genet};2018 (Aug 21)
Mutations in the X-linked gene MECP2 cause the majority of Rett syndrome (RTT) cases. Two differentially spliced isoforms of exons 1 and 2 (MeCP2-e1 and MeCP2-e2) contribute to the diverse functions of MeCP2, but only mutations in exon 1, not exon 2, are observed in RTT. We previously described an isoform-specific MeCP2-e1 deficient male mouse model of a human RTT mutation that lacks MeCP2-e1 while preserving expression of MeCP2-e2. However, RTT patients are heterozygous females that exhibit delayed and progressive symptom onset beginning in late infancy, including neurologic as well as metabolic, immune, respiratory, and gastrointestinal phenotypes. Consequently, we conducted a longitudinal assessment of symptom development in MeCP2-e1 mutant females and males. A delayed and progressive onset of motor impairments was observed in both female and male MeCP2-e1 mutant mice, including hind limb clasping and motor deficits in gait and balance. Because these motor impairments were significantly impacted by age-dependent increases in body weight, we also investigated metabolic phenotypes at an early stage of disease progression. Both male and female MeCP2-e1 mutants exhibited significantly increased body fat compared to sex-matched wildtype littermates prior to weight differences. Mecp2e1-/y males exhibited significant metabolic phenotypes of hypoactivity, decreased energy expenditure, increased respiratory exchange ratio (RER), but decreased food intake compared to wildtype. Untargeted analysis of lipid metabolites demonstrated a distinguishable profile in MeCP2-e1 female mutant liver characterized by increased triglycerides. Together these results demonstrate that MeCP2-e1 mutation in mice of both sexes recapitulate early and progressive metabolic and motor phenotypes of human RTT.
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8. Curtiss SL, Ebata AT. {{The Nature of Family Meals: A New Vision of Families of Children with Autism}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2018 (Aug 22)
Families with children on the autism spectrum are often viewed in terms of their deficits rather than their strengths. Family meals are portrayed as sources of stress and struggle for parents and children. In this study, we take a resilience perspective to challenge underlying assumptions and get a more accurate picture of the nature of shared family meals. In-depth interviews were conducted and mealtimes were video recorded with 16 families for this thematic analysis. We identified four themes as being particularly salient to the mealtime experience: (1) schools and homework, (2) managing eating, (3) chores, and (4) intimate conversations. Our results elucidate the context of mealtimes as a site where parents struggle, yet negotiate, the challenges of everyday family life.
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9. DeFilippis M. {{Depression in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {Children (Basel)};2018 (Aug 21);5(9)
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a high rate of psychiatric comorbidity. The prevalence of comorbid depression seems to correlate with higher functioning forms of ASD and increasing age. Adolescence is a time when youth struggle with identity and interpersonal relationships, and a diagnosis of ASD further complicates this process. Adolescents with ASD may be more aware of the social communication deficits that come with the diagnosis than children with ASD, and it is theorized that higher functioning adolescents may experience this more acutely. While this may be true, the lack of reliable rating and diagnostic scales for depression in individuals with ASD makes it difficult to accurately measure rates of depression among individuals with more severe verbal deficits. While some research has focused on the prevalence of comorbid depression in children and adolescents with ASD and on the associated risk factors, there is very little evidence guiding treatment, including no empirical studies on psychopharmacology for depression in this population. Available evidence exists only in psychosocial approaches to treatment at this time and is mostly limited to adult studies. Current evidence will be presented in this review, including prevalence rates of depression in youth with ASD, various risk and protective factors, the use of diagnostic rating scales, and treatment studies. The lack of evidence supporting various treatment approaches will be highlighted, including challenges specific to the treatment of depression in ASD, which are not addressed in the current treatment studies in typically developing youth with depression.
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10. Du RY, Yiu CKY, King NM. {{Oral Health Behaviours of Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Barriers to Dental Care}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2018 (Aug 22)
This study compared oral health behaviours and barriers to dental care among preschool children with and without ASD, and evaluated dental knowledge and attitudes of their parents. 257 preschoolers with ASD and an age- and gender-matched control sample were recruited. Children with ASD had less frequently performed tooth-brushing and used toothpaste, but more often required parental assistance in tooth-brushing (p < .05). Barriers to dental care were more frequently reported among children with ASD (p < .001). Parents of children with ASD had higher scores in dental knowledge and attitudes than those without ASD. Differences in oral health behaviours and barriers to dental care existed between preschool children with and without ASD. Parents of children with ASD had better dental knowledge and attitudes. Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)
11. Duenas AD, Plavnick JB, Bak MYS. {{Effects of Joint Video Modeling on Unscripted Play Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2018 (Aug 22)
Preschool aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have marked deficits in pretend play that impede interactions with typically developing peers in inclusive early childhood settings. This study aimed to teach three young children with ASD to engage in pretend play behaviors with their peers. A multiple probe across participants experimental design was used to evaluate the effects of joint video modeling on scripted and unscripted verbalizations and scripted and unscripted play actions of children with ASD. The participants showed improvement on unscripted verbalizations during pretend play with typically developing peers in an inclusive early childhood setting.
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12. Esnafoglu E. {{Levels of peripheral Neuregulin 1 are increased in non-medicated autism spectrum disorder patients}}. {J Clin Neurosci};2018 (Aug 24)
Though schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are separate diseases, they have some common clinical manifestations and common pathogenic mechanisms. Numerous genes are associated with these conditions. Among these genes, Neuregulin-1 forms a risk for schizophrenia and some studies have shown polymorphism of this gene accompanies schizophrenia. NRG1 has a wide variety of functions, including neuronal migration, axon guidance, synaptic transmission, oligodendroglial maturation, and neurite outgrowth. To date, NRG1 levels have not been researched in ASD patients and considering the neurodevelopmental effects of NRG1, this study aimed to research the peripheral NRG1 levels in ASD patients. The study compared 32 ASD patients and 32 healthy controls. Serum NRG-1 levels were measured with ELISA. In ASD patients (mean+/-SD, 10.80+/-4.78ng/ml), the NRG1 levels were found to be statistically significantly high compared to the health control group (mean+/-SD, 6.92+/-4.91ng/ml) (p=0.004). According to the results we obtained, NRG1 was shown to play a possible role in ASD pathogenesis. There is a need for advanced studies on the possible role of NRG1 in ASD patients. This study is significant as it is the first study to measure peripheral NRG1 in ASD patients.
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13. Fitch A, Valadez A, Ganea PA, Carter AS, Kaldy Z. {{Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder Can Use Language to Update Their Expectations About the World}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2018 (Aug 22)
This study examined if two-year-olds with ASD can update mental representations on the basis of verbal input. In an eye-tracking study, toddlers with ASD and typically-developing nonverbal age-matched controls were exposed to visual or verbal information about a change in a recently encoded scene, followed by an outcome that was either congruent or incongruent with that information. Findings revealed that both groups looked longer at incongruent outcomes, regardless of information modality, and despite the fact that toddlers with ASD had significantly lower measured verbal abilities than TD toddlers. This demonstrates that, although there is heterogeneity on the individual level, young toddlers with ASD can succeed in updating their mental representations on the basis of verbal input in a low-demand task.
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14. Jao Keehn RJ, Nair S, Pueschel EB, Linke AC, Fishman I, Muller RA. {{Atypical Local and Distal Patterns of Occipito-frontal Functional Connectivity are Related to Symptom Severity in Autism}}. {Cereb Cortex};2018 (Aug 23)
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are increasingly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by sociocommunicative impairments. Growing consensus indicates that neurobehavioral abnormalities require explanation in terms of interconnected networks. Despite theoretical speculations about increased local and reduced distal connectivity, links between local and distal functional connectivity have not been systematically investigated in ASDs. Specifically, it remains open whether hypothesized local overconnectivity may reflect isolated versus overly integrative processing. Resting state functional MRI data from 57 children and adolescents with ASDs and 51 typically developing (TD) participants were included. In regional homogeneity (ReHo) analyses, pericalcarine visual cortex was found be locally overconnected (ASD > TD). Using this region as seed in whole-brain analyses, we observed overconnectivity in distal regions, specifically middle frontal gyri, for an ASD subgroup identified through k-means clustering. While in this subgroup local occipital to distal frontal overconnectivity was associated with greater symptom severity, a second subgroup showed the opposite pattern of connectivity and symptom severity correlations. Our findings suggest that increased local connectivity in ASDs is region-specific and may be partially associated with more integrative long-distance connectivity. Results also highlight the need to test for subtypes, as differential patterns of brain-behavior links were observed in two distinct subgroups of our ASD cohort.
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15. Maurin T, Melancia F, Jarjat M, Castro L, Costa L, Delhaye S, Khayachi A, Castagnola S, Mota E, Di Giorgio A, Servadio M, Drozd M, Poupon G, Schiavi S, Sardone L, Azoulay S, Ciranna L, Martin S, Vincent P, Trezza V, Bardoni B. {{Involvement of Phosphodiesterase 2A Activity in the Pathophysiology of Fragile X Syndrome}}. {Cereb Cortex};2018 (Aug 23)
The fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is an RNA-binding protein involved in translational regulation of mRNAs that play key roles in synaptic morphology and plasticity. The functional absence of FMRP causes the fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and the most common monogenic cause of autism. No effective treatment is available for FXS. We recently identified the Phosphodiesterase 2A (Pde2a) mRNA as a prominent target of FMRP. PDE2A enzymatic activity is increased in the brain of Fmr1-KO mice, a recognized model of FXS, leading to decreased levels of cAMP and cGMP. Here, we pharmacologically inhibited PDE2A in Fmr1-KO mice and observed a rescue both of the maturity of dendritic spines and of the exaggerated hippocampal mGluR-dependent long-term depression. Remarkably, PDE2A blockade rescued the social and communicative deficits of both mouse and rat Fmr1-KO animals. Importantly, chronic inhibition of PDE2A in newborn Fmr1-KO mice followed by a washout interval, resulted in the rescue of the altered social behavior observed in adolescent mice. Altogether, these results reveal the key role of PDE2A in the physiopathology of FXS and suggest that its pharmacological inhibition represents a novel therapeutic approach for FXS.
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16. Palande S, Jose V, Zielinski B, Anderson J, Fletcher PT, Wang B. {{Revisiting Abnormalities in Brain Network Architecture Underlying Autism Using Topology-Inspired Statistical Inference}}. {Connectomics Neuroimaging (2017)};2017 (Sep);10511:98-107.
A large body of evidence relates autism with abnormal structural and functional brain connectivity. Structural covariance MRI (scMRI) is a technique that maps brain regions with covarying gray matter density across subjects. It provides a way to probe the anatomical structures underlying intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) through the analysis of the gray matter signal covariance. In this paper, we apply topological data analysis in conjunction with scMRI to explore network-specific differences in the gray matter structure in subjects with autism versus age-, gender- and IQ-matched controls. Specifically, we investigate topological differences in gray matter structures captured by structural covariance networks (SCNs) derived from three ICNs strongly implicated in autism, namely, the salience network (SN), the default mode network (DMN) and the executive control network (ECN). By combining topological data analysis with statistical inference, our results provide evidence of statistically significant network-specific structural abnormalities in autism, from SCNs derived from SN and ECN. These differences in brain architecture are consistent with direct structural analysis using scMRI (Zielinski et al. 2012).
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17. Poisson A, Chatron N, Labalme A, Till M, Broussolle E, Sanlaville D, Demily C, Lesca G. {{Regressive Autism Spectrum Disorder Expands the Phenotype of BSCL2/Seipin-Associated Neurodegeneration}}. {Biol Psychiatry};2018 (Aug 24)
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18. Preckel K, Kanske P. {{Amygdala and oxytocin functioning as keys to understanding and treating autism: Commentary on an RDoC based approach}}. {Neurosci Biobehav Rev};2018 (Aug 24);94:45-48.
The recent review by Hennessey, Andari and Rainnie (2018) utilizes the proposed Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) to classify amygdala functions and relate them to autism symptomatology. This approach has the potential to challenge the overarching autism diagnosis by furthering our knowledge of the mechanisms giving rise to autism psychopathology and generate novel treatment options. The purpose of this commentary is to provide additional information on a number of points raised in the review. Thus, (1) we discuss the issue of amygdala and brain overgrowth in children with autism and relate it to developmental oxytocin changes, (2) examine potential mechanisms that underlie amygdala overgrowth and dysfunction of the oxytocin system, (3) zoom in on the sexually dimorphic characteristics of the amygdala and potential parallels with the oxytocin system and (4) discuss how the interplay of oxytocin and vasopressin may explain the partially inconsistent findings of their effects on amygdala functioning.
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19. Ptomey LT, Washburn RA, Mayo MS, Greene JL, Lee RH, Szabo-Reed AN, Honas JJ, Sherman JR, Donnelly JE. {{Remote delivery of weight management for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Rationale and design for a 24month randomized trial}}. {Contemp Clin Trials};2018 (Aug 24);73:16-26.
Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) represent an underserved segment of the US population with a high prevalence of obesity and limited options for weight management. Previous research has demonstrated clinically meaningful weight loss of 7% of total body weight in in adults with IDD using an enhanced Stop Light Diet (eSLD) in combination with monthly at-home face-to-face (FTF) behavioral sessions, and a recommendation for increased physical activity. However, the time and cost associated with FTF delivery (travel + sessions) limits the potential for scaling and implementation and suggests the need for the evaluation of less costly and burdensome strategies for intervention delivery. Therefore, we will conduct a 24-mo. randomized trial to compare a weight management intervention (6 mos. weight loss, 12 mos. maintenance, 6 mos. no-contact follow-up) delivered to 120 overweight/obese adults with IDD in their home, either remotely (RD) using video conferencing on a tablet computer, or during FTF visits. Our primary aim is whether RD is non-inferior to FTF for weight loss (0-6 mos.). Secondarily, we will compare the RD and FTF groups on mean weight loss, the proportion of participants who achieve clinically meaningful weight loss, and changes in quality of life across 24months. We will also conduct cost analysis, cost-effectiveness, and contingent valuation analyses to compare the RD and FTF groups.
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20. Rasmussen L, Pratt N, Roughead E, Moffat A. {{Prevalence of Psychotropic Medicine Use in Australian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Drug Utilization Study Based on Children Enrolled in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2018 (Aug 22)
Based on data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children linked with pharmacy dispensing data from the Australian Government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, we calculated the 1-year prevalence of psychotropic medicine supply in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as reported by parents in 2014. The majority of children and adolescents with ASD in Australia were not treated with psychotropic medicine. One-third had claims for at least one psychotropic medication, most commonly medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and antidepressants. Antipsychotics were supplied to less than one in twenty children and approximately one in ten adolescents. In line with findings from North America, psychotropic medicine was more often supplied to children and adolescents with ASD and comorbid ADHD.
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21. Shuffrey LC, Levinson L, Becerra A, Pak G, Moya Sepulveda D, Montgomery AK, Green HL, Froud K. {{Visually Evoked Response Differences to Contrast and Motion in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {Brain Sci};2018 (Aug 24);8(9)
High-density electroencephalography (EEG) was used to examine the utility of the P1 event-related potential (ERP) as a marker of visual motion sensitivity to luminance defined low-spatial frequency drifting gratings in 16 children with autism and 16 neurotypical children. Children with autism displayed enhanced sensitivity to large, high-contrast low-spatial frequency stimuli as indexed by significantly shorter P1 response latencies to large vs. small gratings. The current study also found that children with autism had larger amplitude responses to large gratings irrespective of contrast. A linear regression established that P1 adaptive mean amplitude for large, high-contrast sinusoidal gratings significantly predicted hyperresponsiveness item mean scores on the Sensory Experiences Questionnaire for children with autism, but not for neurotypical children. We conclude that children with autism have differences in the mechanisms that underlie low-level visual processing potentially related to altered visual spatial suppression or contrast gain control.
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22. Shum KK, Cho WK, Lam LMO, Laugeson EA, Wong WS, Law LSK. {{Learning How to Make Friends for Chinese Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Hong Kong Chinese Version of the PEERS(R) Intervention}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2018 (Aug 24)
This study examined the treatment efficacy of PEERS(R) (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) among Chinese adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Hong Kong. The original PEERS(R) manual was translated into Chinese, and cultural adjustments were made according to a survey among 209 local adolescents in the general population. 72 high-functioning adolescents with ASD were randomly assigned to a treatment or waitlist control group. The 14-week parent-assisted training significantly improved social skills knowledge and social functioning, and also reduced autistic mannerisms. Treatment outcomes were maintained for 3 months after training and replicated in the control group after delayed treatment. The present study represents one of the few randomized controlled trials on PEERS(R) conducted outside North America.
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23. Van de Cruys S, Vanmarcke S, Steyaert J, Wagemans J. {{Intact perceptual bias in autism contradicts the decreased normalization model}}. {Sci Rep};2018 (Aug 22);8(1):12559.
One recent, promising account of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) situates the cause of the disorder in an atypicality in basic neural information processing, more specifically in how activity of one neuron is modulated by neighboring neurons. The canonical neural computation that implements such contextual influence is called divisive (or suppressive) normalization. The account proposes that this normalization is reduced in ASD. We tested one fundamental prediction of this model for low-level perception, namely that individuals with ASD would show reduced cross-orientation suppression (leading to an illusory tilt perception). 11 young adults with an ASD diagnosis and 12 age-, gender-, and IQ-matched control participants performed a psychophysical orientation perception task with compound grating stimuli. Illusory tilt perception did not differ significantly between groups, indicating typical divisive normalization in individuals with ASD. In fact, all individuals with ASD showed a considerable orientation bias. There was also no correlation between illusory tilt perception and autistic traits as measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale. These results provide clear evidence against the decreased divisive normalization model of ASD in low-level perception, where divisive normalization is best characterized. We evaluate the broader existing evidence for this model and propose ways to salvage and refine the model.
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24. Wilson SA, Peterson CC. {{Medical care experiences of children with autism and their parents: A scoping review}}. {Child Care Health Dev};2018 (Aug 22)
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families may benefit from the provision of additional supports in health care settings, particularly when preparing for and attending medical appointments. This review examined literature that describes experiences in medical care settings from the perspective of patients under age 18 with ASD and their caregivers. A scoping review was conducted to examine the experiences of children with ASD and their families in medical care settings. Twenty-nine studies meeting inclusion criteria were identified and reviewed. The review indicated a number of challenges (e.g., parent-reported problems in parent-provider communication and overwhelming environments) as well as factors that facilitate positive experiences (e.g., providing positive reinforcement and explaining exam steps) during medical appointments. Children with ASD and their families are faced with many challenges while receiving care in medical settings. The present review identified many challenges families face, as well as facilitators of positive experiences. Understanding the unique experiences of patients with ASD and their parents will help to improve experiences in medical care settings for children, caregivers, and health care providers.
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25. Yoo GE, Kim SJ. {{Dyadic Drum Playing and Social Skills: Implications for Rhythm-Mediated Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder}}. {J Music Ther};2018 (Aug 20)
Current perspectives on social skills development of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) emphasize the interplay between motor and social skills. Given the evidence supporting this relationship, studies are needed to explore the potential benefit of rhythmic behaviors to improve social skills in children with ASD. The purpose of this two-part study was to confirm the relationship between dyadic drum playing and social skills and to further develop a rhythm-mediated music therapy intervention for improving the social skills of children with ASD. In Study 1, we conducted a factor analysis to examine whether dyadic drum playing was related to social skills in 42 children with typical development and 10 children with high-functioning ASD. In Study 2, we conducted a preliminary pilot of a rhythm-mediated music therapy intervention with eight children with ASD and measured changes in social skills (e.g., imitation and engagement in joint action with others) and dyadic drum playing behaviors. Study 1 findings included identification of four factors related to dyadic drum playing. The presence of rhythmic cueing and tempo adjustment correlated with social skills, providing a strong rationale for the use of dyadic drum playing to address social skills. In Study 2, participants showed decreased asynchrony when tapping with a partner at adjusted tempi after the rhythm-mediated intervention. Furthermore, participants showed greater engagement in joint action following the intervention. This study supports potential benefit of the rhythm-mediated intervention using dyadic drum playing and provides preliminary evidence strengthening its use in the social domain for individuals with ASD.
