1. Aljunied M, Frederickson N. {{Does central coherence relate to the cognitive performance of children with autism in dynamic assessments?}}. {Autism};2011 (Jun 29)
Central coherence refers to an in-built propensity to form meaningful links over a wide range of stimuli and to generalize over as wide a range of contexts as possible. In children with autism this ability is diminished, and the impact of central coherence deficits in children with autism have previously been observed using static measures of learning, such as reading comprehension test performance. In this study, the relationship between central coherence and more dynamic indicators of learning are investigated. The responses of 52 children with autism (mean age 9:10 years) on a test of central coherence and a dynamic assessment task were analysed. All the children showed significant improvements in dynamic assessment test scores after mediation; however, among those with below average nonverbal intelligence scores, weak central coherence was significantly associated with smaller gains in performance after teaching. Implications for the validity of dynamic assessments for children with autism are discussed.
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2. Damiano C, Churches O, Ring H, Baron-Cohen S. {{The development of perceptual expertise for faces and objects in autism spectrum conditions}}. {Autism Res};2011 (Jun 27)
Previous research indicates that individuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) do not develop face expertise to the same extent as typical individuals. Yet it remains unclear whether this atypicality is specific to faces or related to more pervasive perceptual or cognitive deficits involved in the actual process of gaining expertise. To address this question, we examined the extent to which adults with ASC were capable of developing expertise with non-face objects. To become experts, all participants completed a 2-week training program with novel objects, known as Greebles. Level of expertise was assessed throughout training by measuring the ability to identify Greebles on an individual level. The perceptual strategies acquired as a result of expertise were measured through an inversion effect task completed before and after training, in which performance with upright Greebles and faces was compared to performance with inverted Greebles and faces. After expertise training, it was found that individuals in both the ASC and the typical group successfully achieved expertise and showed an enhanced Greeble inversion effect as a result of training. The development of an inversion effect with Greebles suggests that individuals with ASC may employ the same processing strategies as the typical group. Although exploratory, these findings have implications for understanding the nature of the face processing deficit in ASC as well as offering potential insights into face processing interventions for individuals with ASC. Autism Res 2011, 4:xxx-xxx. (c) 2011 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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3. Dittlinger LH, Lerman DC. {{Further analysis of picture interference when teaching word recognition to children with autism}}. {J Appl Behav Anal};2011 (Summer);44(2):341-349.
Previous research indicates that pairing pictures with associated words when teaching sight-word reading may hinder acquisition (e.g., Didden, Prinsen, & Sigafoos, 2000; Singh & Solman, 1990; Solman & Singh, 1992). The purpose of the current study was to determine whether this phenomenon was due to a previously learned association between the spoken word and picture (i.e., blocking) or due to the mere presence of a picture as an extrastimulus prompt (i.e., overshadowing). Three participants were taught to recognize words that were presented alone or paired with pictures that the participants either could or could not identify prior to training. All participants learned the words more quickly when they were presented alone rather than with pictures, regardless of their prior learning history with respect to pictures representing the words. This finding is consistent with the phenomenon of overshadowing. Nonetheless, consistent with blocking, all participants also acquired the words presented alone more quickly if they could not identify the associated pictures prior to training. Together, these findings have important implications for using prompts when teaching skills to individuals with developmental disabilities.
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4. Gourdine RM, Baffour TD, Teasley M. {{Autism and the african american community}}. {Soc Work Public Health};2011 (Jun 22);26(4):454-470.
It is estimated that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect 1 in 500 live births per year. However, due to varying techniques for diagnosis and treatment, the disability remains the subject of debate. African Americans tend to suffer disproportionate rates of disability and disease when compared to other racial and ethnic groups due to access to preventative and curative care. However, evidence demonstrates that although rates of diagnosis for autism occur at the same rates in all racial groups, diagnosis in African American children occurs later than in White children. As a result, African American children may require longer and more intensive intervention. This article examines the etiology of autism, diagnosis, and treatment strategies and its impact on African American families. A case method approach is utilized to describe the impact of autism on an African American family. Implications for future research and professional practice and policy are discussed. Understanding autism is important as it relates to the human genome.
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5. Guenole F, Baleyte JM. {{Melatonin for sleep-disturbed children with autism spectrum disorders: can we really speak of a substitution treatment?}}. {Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry};2011 (Jun 29)
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6. Khanna R, Madhavan SS, Smith MJ, Tworek C, Patrick JH, Becker-Cottrill B. {{Psychometric properties of the Caregiver Strain Questionnaire (CGSQ) among caregivers of children with autism}}. {Autism};2011 (Jun 29)
The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the Caregiver Strain Questionnaire (CGSQ) among caregivers of children with autism. The CGSQ was originally developed to assess burden experienced by parents of children and adolescents with serious emotional and behavioral disorders. Study data was collected from 304 primary caregivers ofchildren with autism using a cross-sectional survey design. We tested the one-, two-, and three-factor CGSQ model. Though the three-factor CGSQ model fit better than the one- and two-factor model, it was still short of an acceptable fit. Minor modifications were made to the three-factor model by correlating error terms. The modified three-factor CGSQ model with correlated error indicated reasonable fit with the data. The 21-item CGSQ had good convergent validity, as indicated by the correlation of its three subscales with constructs including mental health-related quality of life, maladaptive coping, social support, family functioning, and care recipient level of functional impairment and extent of behavioral problems, respectively. The internal consistency reliability of the instrument was also good, and there were no floor and ceiling effects. The CGSQ was found to be a reliable and valid instrument to assess burden among caregivers of children with autism.
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7. Lukose R, Schmidt E, Wolski TP, Jr., Murawski NJ, Kulesza RJ, Jr. {{Malformation of the superior olivary complex in an animal model of autism}}. {Brain Res};2011 (Jun 29);1398:102-112.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social difficulties, impaired communication skills and repetitive behavioral patterns. Additionally, there is evidence that auditory deficits are a common feature of the autism spectrum disorders. Despite the prevalence of autism, the neurobiology of this disorder is poorly understood. However, abnormalities in neuronal morphology, cell number and connectivity have been described throughout the autistic brain. Indeed, we have demonstrated significant dysmorphology in the superior olivary complex (SOC), a collection of auditory brainstem nuclei, in the autistic brain. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) in humans has been associated with autism and in rodents prenatal VPA exposure produces many neuroanatomical and behavioral deficits associated with autism. Thus, in an effort to devise an animal model of the autistic auditory brainstem, we have investigated neuronal number and morphology in animals prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA). In VPA exposed rats, we find significantly fewer neurons and significant alterations in neuronal morphology. Thus, prenatal VPA exposure in rats appears to produce similar dysmorphology as we have reported in the autistic human brain.
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8. Marzullo-Kerth D, Reeve SA, Reeve KF, Townsend DB. {{Using multiple-exemplar training to teach a generalized repertoire of sharing to children with autism}}. {J Appl Behav Anal};2011 (Summer);44(2):279-294.
The current study examined the utility of multiple-exemplar training to teach children with autism to share. Stimuli from 3 of 4 categories were trained using a treatment package of video modeling, prompting, and reinforcement. Offers to share increased for all 3 children following the introduction of treatment, with evidence of skill maintenance. In addition, within-stimulus-category generalization of sharing was evident for all participants, although only 1 participant demonstrated across-category generalization of sharing. Offers to share occurred in a novel setting, with familiar and novel stimuli, and in the presence of novel adults and peers for all participants during posttreatment probes.
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9. Mordre M, Groholt B, Knudsen AK, Sponheim E, Mykletun A, Myhre AM. {{Is Long-Term Prognosis for Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified Different from Prognosis for Autistic Disorder? Findings from a 30-Year Follow-Up Study}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Jun 29)
We followed 74 children with autistic disorder (AD) and 39 children with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD NOS) for 17-38 years in a record linkage study. Rates of disability pension award, marital status, criminality and mortality were compared between groups. Disability pension award was the only outcome measure that differed significantly between the AD and PDD NOS groups (89% vs. 72%, p < 0.05). The lower rate of disability pension award in the PDD NOS group was predicted by better psychosocial functioning. The lack of substantial differences in prognosis between the groups supports a dimensional description of autism spectrum disorder, in line with proposed DSM-V revision.
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10. Reyes JR, Vollmer TR, Hall A. {{Replications and extensions in arousal assessment for sex offenders with developmental disabilities}}. {J Appl Behav Anal};2011 (Summer);44(2):369-373.
Three adult male sex offenders with developmental disabilities participated in phallometric assessments that involved repeated measures of arousal when exposed to various stimuli. Arousal assessment outcomes were similar to those obtained by Reyes et al. (2006). Additional data-analysis methods provided further information about sexual preferences, thus replicating and extending previous research. The results provide preliminary data for establishing a preference gradient by age. Implications for the use of repeated measures and preference gradients in arousal assessments are discussed.
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11. Roge B, Mullet E. {{Blame and Forgiveness Judgements Among Children, Adolescents and Adults With Autism}}. {Autism};2011 (Jun 29)
We compared the capacity of children, adolescents and adults with and without autism to use (a) intent and severity of consequences information for attributing blame to an offender, and (b) intent and apologies information for inferring willingness to forgive. Participants were presented with two sets of six scenarios obtained by combination of intent and severity (or apology) information, and instructed to indicate appropriate levels of blame (or willingness to forgive). In the blame condition, persons with autism were able to consistently use intent information but not to the same degree as their comparison counterparts. In the forgiveness condition, intent was not taken into account for judging by persons with autism, irrespective of their age.
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12. Schiff A, Tarbox J, Lanagan T, Farag P. {{Establishing compliance with liquid medication administration in a child with autism}}. {J Appl Behav Anal};2011 (Summer);44(2):381-385.
Children with autism often display difficulty with swallowing pills and liquid medications. In the current study, stimulus fading and positive reinforcement established compliance with liquid medication administration in a young boy with autism. The boy’s mother eventually administered liquid medication on her own.
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13. Shih CH, Chung CC, Shih CT, Chen LC. {{Enabling people with developmental disabilities to actively follow simple instructions and perform designated physical activities according to simple instructions with Nintendo Wii Balance Boards by controlling environmental stimulation}}. {Res Dev Disabil};2011 (Jun 25)
The latest researches have adopted software technology turning the Nintendo Wii Balance Board into a high performance standing location detector. This study extended Wii Balance Board functionality to assess whether two people with developmental disabilities would be able to actively perform designated physical activities according to simple instructions by controlling their favorite environmental stimulation using Nintendo Wii Balance Boards. This study was carried out according to an A-B-A-B design. Data showed that both participants significantly increased their target response (performing a designated physical activity) by activating the control system to produce their preferred environmental stimulation during the intervention phases.
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14. Tirouvanziam R, Obukhanych TV, Laval J, Aronov PA, Libove R, Banerjee AG, Parker KJ, O’Hara R, Herzenberg LA, Hardan AY. {{Distinct Plasma Profile of Polar Neutral Amino Acids, Leucine, and Glutamate in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Jun 29)
The goal of this investigation was to examine plasma amino acid (AA) levels in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD, N = 27) and neuro-typically developing controls (N = 20). We observed reduced plasma levels of most polar neutral AA and leucine in children with ASD. This AA profile conferred significant post hoc power for discriminating children with ASD from healthy children. Furthermore, statistical correlations suggested the lack of a typical decrease of glutamate and aspartate with age, and a non-typical increase of isoleucine and lysine with age in the ASD group. Findings from this limited prospective study warrant further examination of plasma AA levels in larger cross-sectional and longitudinal cohorts to adequately assess for relationships with developmental and clinical features of ASD.
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15. Totsika V, Hastings RP, Emerson E, Berridge DM, Lancaster GA. {{Behavior Problems at 5 Years of Age and Maternal Mental Health in Autism and Intellectual Disability}}. {J Abnorm Child Psychol};2011 (Jun 28)
We examined child behavior problems and maternal mental health in a British population-representative sample of 5 year-old children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), controlling for the presence of an intellectual disability (ID). Behavior problems were significantly higher in children with ASD with/out ID compared to typically developing children, but compared to children with ID only hyperactivity was significantly higher in children with ASD/ID. After controlling for ID and maternal mental health, the presence of ASD significantly increased the odds for hyperactivity, conduct problems and emotional symptoms. Negative maternal outcomes (serious mental illness, psychological distress, and physical health limitations) were not consistently elevated in ASD. The findings highlight the early age at which behavior problems emerge in ASD, and suggest that at this age , there may not be a clear disadvantage for maternal mental health associated with having a child with ASD in the family, over and above that conferred by child behavior problems.
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16. White SW, Bray BC, Ollendick TH. {{Examining Shared and Unique Aspects of Social Anxiety Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Factor Analysis}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2011 (Jun 29)
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are fairly common psychiatric conditions that impair the functioning of otherwise healthy young adults. Given that the two conditions frequently co-occur, measurement of the characteristics unique to each condition is critical. This study evaluated the structure and construct overlap of two screening measures of SAD and ASD. Results from 623 young adults indicated that separable, though highly correlated, factors can be derived from the two measures related to social anxiety and social difficulties. The ASD screening measure also taps unique factors related to restricted interests and attention to details, theory of mind deficits, and a preference for routine. Recommendations are provided for accurate screening of symptoms of both SAD and ASD.
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17. Yerys BE, Pennington BF. {{How do we establish a biological marker for a behaviorally defined disorder? Autism as a test case}}. {Autism Res};2011 (Jun 24)
We discuss the recent push to develop support vector machines and other cluster analyses as a means for biological signatures as early screens for autism. These methods not only hold great promise but also require careful consideration prior to implementation. We outline three validity tests and potential methods for addressing them. Autism Res 2011,4:xxx-xxx. (c) 2011 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
