1. Allen ML, Craig E. {{Brief Report: Imaginative Drawing in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Learning Disabilities}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2015 (Sep 24)
Here we examine imaginative drawing abilities in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and learning disabilities (LD) under several conditions: spontaneous production, with use of a template, and combining two real entities to form an ‘unreal’ entity. Sixteen children in each group, matched on mental and chronological age, were asked to draw a number of ‘impossible’ pictures of humans and dogs. Children with ASD were impaired in spontaneous drawings and included fewer impossible features than children with LD, but there was no difference when a template was provided. An autism-specific deficit was revealed in the task involving combining entities. Results suggest that children with ASD do not have a general imaginative deficit; impairment is instead related to planning demands.
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2. Aresti-Bartolome N, Garcia-Zapirain B. {{Cognitive rehabilitation system for children with autism spectrum disorder using serious games: A pilot study}}. {Biomed Mater Eng};2015 (Aug 17);26 Suppl 1:S811-824.
This paper studies and assesses how rehabilitation activities and supervised computer games incorporated into a system aimed at people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be used to work on the areas affected by ASD at any time and in any place. This research specifically assesses the areas that affect communication and interaction between people with ASD and professionals. In order to do this, a group of 20 children diagnosed with ASD of between 3 and 8 years old (clinical group) was used, together with a group of 20 children of between 3 and 8 years old with a neurotypical development, which served as a control group. During the tests, response time and visual interaction with the session leader were evaluated. Despite the fact that the clinical group spent more time (M = 21.08 sec) than the control group (M = 4.52) to interact leader, eye contact predominated in the interaction. As a result of the pilot study, the system obtained could help in cognitive rehabilitation.
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3. Gal E, Selanikyo E, Erez AB, Katz N. {{Integration in the Vocational World: How Does It Affect Quality of Life and Subjective Well-Being of Young Adults with ASD}}. {Int J Environ Res Public Health};2015 (Sep);12(9):10820-10832.
This study aimed to assess whether the perception of quality of life (QOL) and subjective well-being (SWB) of young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is affected by participation in a comprehensive program. Participants included 25 young adults with ASD who participated in the « Roim Rachok Program » (RRP), where they were trained to become aerial photography interpreters. Following the training period, they served in a designated army unit where they practiced their newly acquired profession. The participants filled out two questionnaires, (a) Quality of Life (QOL-Q) and (b) Personal Well-being Index (PWI), at three points of the intervention: (a) before the course, (b) at the end of the course, and (c) six months after integrating in the designated army unit. Wilcoxon signed ranks tests were used to assess the differences between the reported QOL and SWB at the three points of time. The results suggest that there were no significant differences at the end of the course, compared to its beginning. However, there were significantly improved perception of QOL and SWB during the period between the end of the course and six months after starting work. The results of this study highlight the importance of tailored vocational programs that are adapted to the unique needs and strengths of individuals with ASD.
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4. Jahan A, Rezina-Parvin SZ, Bugum D. {{Familial, Social and Environmental Risk Factors in Autism: A Case-Control Study}}. {Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull};2014 (Dec);40(3):113-117.
This case-control study was done to identify the correlation between the familial, social and environmental risk factors and autism. This hospital and specialized centre based study done from January 2002 to November, 2004. Thirty two children from the autism group and 14 children from the control group were enrolled. Mean age were 3.75 yrs. and 2.83 yrs. respectively. Significant proportion of children were in the highest birth orders, 68.8% in autism and 78.6% in the control group. Full-term children were 96.9% and 92.9% respectively. 53.1% children in the autism and 57.1% in the normal speech delay group were born by cesarean sections. Higher education of parents in autism group was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Too much watching TV, inadequate opportunity to mix with peers and inadequate interactive relationship with the family members in the early childhood were significantly (p = 0.001) related to the development of autism.
5. Jou RJ, Reed HE, Kaiser MD, Voos AC, Volkmar FR, Pelphrey KA. {{White Matter Abnormalities in Autism and Unaffected Siblings}}. {J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci};2015 (Sep 25):appineuropsych15050109.
This study was conducted to identify a potential neuroendophenotype for autism using diffusion tensor imaging. Whole-brain, voxel-based analysis of fractional anisotropy was conducted in 50 children: 19 with autism, 20 unaffected siblings, and 11 controls. Relative to controls, participants with autism exhibited bilateral reductions in fractional anisotropy across association, commissure, and projection fibers. The most severely affected tracts included the uncinate fasciculus, forceps minor, and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus. Unaffected siblings also exhibited reductions in fractional anisotropy, albeit less severe with fewer affected tracts, sparing the uncinate fasciculus and forceps minor. These results suggest the presence of a neuroendophenotype for autism.
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6. Kazdoba TM, Leach PT, Crawley JN. {{Behavioral Phenotypes of Genetic Mouse Models of Autism}}. {Genes Brain Behav};2015 (Sep 25)
More than a hundred de novo single gene mutations and copy number variants have been implicated in autism, each occurring in a small subset of cases. Mutant mouse models with syntenic mutations offer research tools to gain an understanding of the role of each gene in modulating biological and behavioral phenotypes relevant to autism. Knockout, knockin and transgenic mice incorporating risk gene mutations detected in autism spectrum disorder and comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders are now widely available. At present, autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed solely by behavioral criteria. We developed a constellation of mouse behavioral assays designed to maximize face validity to the types of social deficits and repetitive behaviors that are central to an autism diagnosis. Mouse behavioral assays for associated symptoms of autism, which include cognitive inflexibility, anxiety, hyperactivity, and unusual reactivity to sensory stimuli, are frequently included in the phenotypic analyses. Over the past ten years, we and many other laboratories around the world have employed these and additional behavioral tests to phenotype a large number of mutant mouse models of autism. In this review, we highlight mouse models with mutations in genes that have been identified as risk genes for autism, which work through synaptic mechanisms and through the mTOR signaling pathway. Robust, replicated autism-relevant behavioral outcomes in a genetic mouse model lend credence to a causal role for specific gene contributions and downstream biological mechanisms in the etiology of autism.
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7. MacDonald J, Ahearn WH. {{Teaching observational learning to children with autism}}. {J Appl Behav Anal};2015 (Sep 24)
Observational learning (OL) is critical for the acquisition of social skills and may be an important skill for learning in traditional educational settings. Although OL occurs during early childhood in the typically developing population, research suggests that it may be limited in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The purpose of the present study was to develop an assessment to test for the presence of OL across a variety of tasks. If OL was deficient, we sought to teach it by training specific skills. Six participants who had been diagnosed with ASD demonstrated deficits in OL. After an initial assessment, a multiple-probe design across OL tasks showed that training produced acquisition of these skills across multiple exemplars. After training, 5 of the 6 participants engaged in OL across multiple tasks and task variations, demonstrating generalization. For 1 participant, generalization of performance did not occur across tasks but did occur within task variations.
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8. Martin R, Srivastava T, Lee J, Raj N, Koth KA, Whelan HT. {{Using hyperbaric oxygen for autism treatment: A review and discussion of literature}}. {Undersea Hyperb Med};2015 (Jul-Aug);42(4):353-359.
PURPOSE: To determine whether hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy should be used for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). METHODS: A literature search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane Library and DynaMed for studies evaluating the use of HBO2 for ASD treatment. The studies were then reviewed for the highest quality evidence. RESULTS: The evidence is weak for the use of HBO2 in ASD, with only one, likely flawed, randomized control study showing treatment benefit. CONCLUSIONS: HBO2 should not be recommended for ASD treatment until more conclusive favorable results and long-term outcomes are demonstrated from well-designed controlled trials.
9. Pan CY, Tsai CL, Chu CH, Sung MC, Ma WY, Huang CY. {{Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Health-Related Physical Fitness in Secondary School-Aged Male Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {Phys Ther};2015 (Sep 24)
BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that childhood obesity is increasing in children who are developing typically as well as in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The associations between physical activity (PA) levels and physical fitness components have not yet been objectively examined in this population but may have clinical implications for the development of secondary health complications. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare PA and physical fitness between secondary school-aged male students with ASD and typically developing (TD) peers, and assess possible interrelationships between PA and physical fitness levels in each group. DESIGN: Cross sectional study. METHODS: PA was recorded every 10 seconds by using accelerometry in 70 male students with (n = 35) and without (n = 35) ASD for up to 5 weekdays and 2 weekend days. The Brockport Physical Fitness Test was used to assess physical fitness. RESULTS: The primary findings were that (a) participants with ASD were less physically active overall and engaged in moderate-to-vigorous PA for a lower percentage of time compared with TD participants during weekdays, (b) participants with ASD had significantly lower scores on all physical fitness measures, except body composition, and (c) group-dependent relationships existed between physical fitness profiles and PA levels. LIMITATIONS: The study design limits causal inference from the results. CONCLUSION: Specific interventions for maximizing PA and physical fitness levels in secondary school-aged male students with ASD are urgently required.
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10. Santomauro D, Sheffield J, Sofronoff K. {{Depression in Adolescents with ASD: A Pilot RCT of a Group Intervention}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2015 (Sep 24)
Depression is a potentially life threatening affective disorder that is highly prevalent in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a cognitive behavioural intervention for depression in adolescents with ASD. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group, or wait-list control group. Although recruitment was extremely difficult, attendance was favourable and attrition was low, and participants reported being satisfied with the programme. No significant treatment effect was revealed on the Beck Depression Inventory or Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. However despite the small sample size (n = 20), there was a trending treatment effect measured by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale: Depression Subscale. Limitations and areas of future research are discussed.
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11. Schmidt L, Kirchner J, Strunz S, Brozus J, Ritter K, Roepke S, Dziobek I. {{Psychosocial Functioning and Life Satisfaction in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder Without Intellectual Impairment}}. {J Clin Psychol};2015 (Sep 25)
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at (a) comparing psychosocial functioning and life satisfaction in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and nonclinical participants and (b) identifying areas of functioning that are most predictive for life satisfaction in individuals with ASD. METHOD: A total of 43 adults with ASD without intellectual impairment (age: mean = 31, standard deviation = 10 years; 63% females) and healthy nonclinical individuals (N = 44) were surveyed. RESULTS: Individuals with ASD reported significant functional impairments and less life satisfaction compared with nonclinical individuals in many areas of life. Although impairments were prominent in domains involving interaction with other people such as understanding and communication, getting along with others, and participation in society, daily living skills (e.g., getting around, self-care, and household) were not different from nonclinical participants. Participating in society was identified as the only factor predicting life satisfaction in individuals with ASD. CONCLUSION: There is a need for interventions facilitating functioning on a broad level and support toward societal inclusion for individuals with ASD.
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12. Yang J, Hofmann J. {{Action observation and imitation in autism spectrum disorders: an ALE meta-analysis of fMRI studies}}. {Brain Imaging Behav};2015 (Sep 24)
Previous studies have shown that the mirror neuron system (MNS) plays an important role in action understanding. However, whether and how the MNS activity is different in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and typically developed (TD) individuals are still unclear. The current study used activation likelihood estimation to conduct a meta-analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging studies that investigated action observation and imitation in ASD and TD individuals. Thirteen studies were selected, and the contrasts focused on the brain effects in ASD and TD participants and the differences between the two groups. The results showed that compared with TD individuals, ASD individuals exhibited stronger effects in the anterior inferior parietal lobule, a part of the putative human MNS. In addition, the ASD group demonstrated altered effects in the occipital cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, cingulate cortex, and insula. These results suggest that ASD individuals demonstrate dysfunction of the MNS during action observation and imitation. Furthermore, brain regions involved in visual processing, executive function, and social cognitive function might also show dysfunction during action task performance.
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13. Zamora I, Williams ME, Higareda M, Wheeler BY, Levitt P. {{Brief Report: Recruitment and Retention of Minority Children for Autism Research}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2015 (Sep 24)
Given the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in health research (Heiat et al. in Arch Int Med 162(15):1-17, 2002; Kelly et al. in J Nat Med Assoc 97:777-783, 2005; United States Department of Health and Human Services. Monitoring adherence to the NIH policy on the inclusion of women and minorities as subjects in clinical research. http://orwh.od.nih.gov/research/inclusion/reports.asp , 2013), this study evaluated promising strategies to effectively recruit Latinos into genetic research on autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The study included 97 children, aged 5-17 years, with ASD; 82.5 % of the participants were identified as Latino/Hispanic. Traditional and culture-specific recruitment and retention strategies were compared between the Latino and non-Latino groups. Culture-specific, parent-centered approaches were found to be successful in engaging and retaining Latino participants for research involving genetic testing.
