1. Amat AZ, Tauseef M, Adiani D, Weitlauf AS, Sarkar N. VIRTUES: A Virtual Reality Multimodal Sensing Platform for Quantifying and Supporting Cross-Neurotype Collaboration. Sensors (Basel);2026 (May 6);26(9)

Effective workplace collaboration is essential for productivity and creativity, yet achieving the necessary mutual understanding can be challenging, particularly involving individuals from different neurotypes. This work evaluates VIRTUES, a Virtual Reality (VR) platform designed to foster mutual understanding and collaborative behaviors between autistic and neurotypical individuals. VIRTUES integrates multimodal sensing (eye tracking, interaction logs, and transcribed speech) to objectively quantify five defined dimensions of collaboration while providing real-time, context-aware support through an embedded rule-based feedback mechanism. A user study involving 12 autistic-neurotypical pairs demonstrates that VIRTUES can assess and support collaborative efforts across different neurotypes. Through synchronized sensing data, we identified that Information Pooling serves as a critical driving factor for successful collaborative performance. These preliminary findings suggest that VIRTUES provides a foundation for exploring inclusive teamwork and may inform the design of future interventions to support neurodiverse social-technical skill acquisition.

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2. Bachir M, Ziani M, Zerrouki K, Nemar F, Allem R, Meziane MA. Environmental Risk Factors, Toxic Metals, and Essential Elements in Urine Samples of Algerian Children with Severe Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurotypical Children. Biol Trace Elem Res;2026 (May 6)

This study investigates urinary levels of aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb), along with essential elements (manganese (Mn), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn)), in Algerian children with severe ASD, and explores associations with environmental risk factors. This case-control study involved 100 children with ASD and 80 neurotypical children. All participants were subjected to measurements of Al, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, Se and Zn levels in urine, and to an investigation about possible environmental risk factors. The mean levels of Cd, Pb, Cu and Mn in the ASD group were significantly higher than those in the neurotypical group (p = 0.02, 0.01, 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). However, levels of urinary As, Al, Se and Zn were considerably lower in children with ASD group than those in the neurotypical group (p = 0.001, 0.003, 0.03 and 0.002 respectively). The most associated environmental risk factors were nearby gasoline station (AOR = 7.6, 95% CI: 2.5-24.3 and AOR = 6.5, 95% CI: 2.1-20.3, respectively) and sea food consumption (AOR = 12.3, 95% CI: 3.82-38.02 and AOR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.25-4.94, respectively). A rich cereal diet during pregnancy (AOR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.03-0.2) and infancy (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.07-0.31) may play a protective role. Similarly, iron and multivitamin supplementation during pregnancy (AOR = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.02-0.15), as well as fruit and vegetable consumption in infancy (AOR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.09-0.51), are also associated with a possible protective effect. Environmental exposure to toxic metals at key developmental stages and essential elements imbalance is associated with ASD.

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3. Charalampopoulou M, Beauchamp A, Anagnostou E, Jachyra P. Socio-Demographic Associations and Frequencies of Physical Activity Participation of Autistic Adolescents Reported by Parents in Ontario, Canada. J Autism Dev Disord;2026 (May 6)

PURPOSE: This study explored socio-demographic associations and physical activity (PA) participation of autistic adolescents reported by parents. Parents also reported the patterns and frequencies of PA participation, as there is a limited understanding of the activities they engage in Ontario, Canada. There is a need for this research as autistic adolescents are less likely to participate in PA. Studying socio-demographic characteristics and understanding the activities adolescents engage in can inform policies and practice to support participation. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was mailed to parents of 525 autistic adolescents aged 12-19 years about PA participation for the preceding year. Parents provided data about free play and organized PA activities of adolescents (n = 306; 63.7% male; M(age) = 15.1 years), and demographic information. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the relationships between PA scores, activities reported and the six demographic variables. The relationship between the sedentary scores, tallied frequency scores and number of activities was also assessed using linear regression. RESULTS: Overall, 85% of autistic adolescents participated in at least one of the 18 free play activities. Sex, number of siblings, and income were associated with PA participation. Sedentary behaviour was negatively associated with activity frequency and parental education level. Sedentary behaviour was positively associated with income level. CONCLUSION: Ensuring PA reflects socio-demographic characteristics and local priorities is critical to support participation and well-being. Tailoring programs and policies for autistic females, siblings and parent mediated interventions are areas in need of further development to support autistic adolescents in PA.

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4. Chen S, Wang BX, Cheung JC, Zhou F, Hong Y, Li B, Chan A, Tang TPY, Li B, Chen Z, Wen C. Lab perceptual training and robot-assisted training in improving speech prosody of autistic children. NPJ Sci Learn;2026 (May 6)

Children with autism spectrum disorder are known to exhibit both social and language difficulties. Speech prosody is known to be easily noticeable, which has been shown to have far-reaching influences in the academic and social life of autistic individuals. This study examined two training programs on the speech prosody of autistic children, who tend to avoid social speech signals. The first program is a lab perceptual training program without social interaction, while the second utilizes a social robot to provide training with controlled, simulated social interaction. Ninety-two children in total were recruited with sixty-nine participants formally diagnosed with ASD and twenty-three children were typically developing children without any language or speech disorder. Our results showed that both lab perceptual training and robot-assisted training with simulated social interactions led to improvement in the use of speech prosody by autistic children. Although social interaction is considered critical in language acquisition for typical population, autistic individuals tend not to prefer social speech signals, which is hypothesized to lead to their social and language deficits. This study hence proposes two successful alternative ways to facilitate their learning of language through lab perceptual training and simulated human-robot interaction.

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5. Cvitanovic M, Steinberg J, Seay-Morrison T, Hui F, Young A, Respicio K, Margetts B, Digre S, Vega C, Taylor S, Clarke L, Walls SC, Rosas LG, Barton KS, Tabor HK. The Mental Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Qualitative Study. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil;2026 (May);39(3):e70240.

BACKGROUND: While COVID-19 had a devastating impact on mental health worldwide, little is known about its effects on adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We used a community-based participatory approach to study this population’s mental health experiences. METHODS: Six focus groups were conducted: four with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (n = 21) and two with caregivers (n = 13). Conventional content analysis and thematic network analysis were utilised. RESULTS: We identified cascading impacts of the pandemic on the mental health of this population. Sub-themes included: (1) environmental effects, (2) emotional effects and (3) physical and behavioural effects of COVID-19. Five modifying factors were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic, while specific in its restrictions and timing, illustrated and exacerbated unmet mental health needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These results suggest opportunities for empirical research and policy development, relevant for future emergencies and ongoing medical and non-medical support of this population.

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6. Elster N, Parsi K, Caplan A. Laundering Public Health: Using Autism to Revive Eugenics. Am J Bioeth;2026 (May 6):1-3.

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7. Gilmore D, Johnson E, Wang L, Keeton C, Rivendale A, Havercamp SM, Weaver LL, Adams I, Hand BN. Use of emergency medical services by adults with developmental disabilities receiving integrated or usual care. Disabil Health J;2026 (May 6):102079.

BACKGROUND: Adults with developmental disabilities (DD) frequently utilize the emergency department (ED) and are hospitalized for psychiatric emergencies. Community healthcare models like integrated care where primary care and mental health services are co-located may better meet the needs of adults with DD and reduce use of emergency services. OBJECTIVE: To determine odds of all-cause, psychiatric, and non-psychiatric ED use and hospitalization among adults with DD receiving integrated care relative to usual care. METHODS: We analyzed inpatient and outpatient encounters in the electronic health record from 2022 to 2023 from an integrated and usual care clinic. Adults with DD were identified using ICD-10 codes, and HCUP Clinical Classification Software was used to identify psychiatric hospitalizations and psychiatric ED visits. Logistic regression was used to determine odds of study outcomes among patients receiving integrated versus usual care, controlling for demographic characteristics. RESULTS: N = 6706 adults with DD were included. Relative to usual care, individuals receiving integrated care had 50% lower odds of all-cause ED use (OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.44 – 0.57), and 38% lower odds of all-cause hospitalization (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.52 – 0.74). Odds of psychiatric ED use and hospitalization were 72% (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.17 – 0.44) and 65% (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.19 – 0.65) lower for adults with DD receiving integrated care. CONCLUSIONS: Integrated care was associated with lower odds of ED use and hospitalization for adults with DD and may be a promising model of service delivery. Future longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the effect of integrated care on use of emergency services for this population.

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8. Harris HK, Weitzman C. Recent Advances in Optimizing Care for Autistic Patients in Healthcare Settings. Acad Pediatr;2026 (May 6):103337.

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9. Hu Y, Wu Y, Wei M, Ma J, Lin J, Chen G, Li Q, Zhang J, Wang R, Zhu Y, Chen Q, Peng B, Zou Y, Zhang B, Zhou W, Lu Z. SHANK3 mutations disrupt olfactory valence coding across species, with cortical amygdala mechanisms identified in mice. Sci Adv;2026 (May 8);12(19):eaea3775.

Mutations in SHANK3 are a leading monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often associated with profound sensory abnormalities. However, the impact of SHANK3 deficiency on olfactory processing and the underlying neural mechanisms remains unclear. Here, we identify a cross-species disruption of olfactory valence perception in individuals with SHANK3 mutations and in Shank3 mutant mice. Patients carrying SHANK3 mutations exhibited impaired valence-oriented sniffing and electroencephalography (EEG) responses, whereas Shank3B(-/-) mice displayed blunted behavioral responses to both attractive and aversive odors. In mice, these behavioral deficits were associated with attenuated odor-evoked calcium signals and reduced excitatory synaptic transmission in the cortical amygdala (CoA), a key node for olfactory valence processing. Acute CoA-specific Shank3 deletion recapitulated these deficits, whereas targeted restoration of CoA Shank3 expression rescued odor-induced appetitive and aversive behaviors. Our findings reveal a conserved function for SHANK3 in encoding olfactory valence and identify CoA dysfunction as a circuit mechanism in mice.

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10. Jiang J, Yang L, Wang B, Hua R, Wu D. Association between serum cytokine and neuron-specific enolase levels and the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. IBRO Neurosci Rep;2026 (Jun);20:688-693.

BACKGROUND: Investigating alterations in blood cytokine and brain enzyme levels in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is crucial for understanding its complex pathogenesis. METHOD: Between January 2021 and December 2024, all children diagnosed with ASD at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University who met the inclusion criteria were consecutively enrolled. Among them, 26 presented with typical features and 15 with atypical features. A control group of 24 age- and sex-matched healthy children was recruited from unrelated families. Serum levels of cytokines (IL-2R, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, and their associations with the core symptoms of ASD were analyzed. RESULTS: The ASD and control group showed statistically significant differences in serum IL-2R (P = 0.0097) and NSE (P < 0.0001) levels. In subgroup analyses, the typical and atypical ASD groups differed significantly in serum IL-2R levels (P = 0.0003), whereas the difference in NSE between subgroups was not significant after correction for multiple comparisons (P = 0.0437, q = 0.0874). Higher serum IL-2R levels were associated with more severe symptoms in children with ASD (CARS (P = 0.000), ABC (P = 0.000)). The correlation between TNF-α and ABC was of borderline significance (P = 0.030, q = 0.050). Higher serum NSE levels were associated with more severe symptoms (CARS (P = 0.048)). Serum NSE was a risk factor for ASD (P = 0.017). Serum NSE (P < 0.001), IL-2R (P = 0.014), and TNF-α (P < 0.001) had significant diagnostic value for ASD. The combined measurement of serum NSE + IL-2R + TNF-α (P < 0.001), NSE + IL-2R (P < 0.001), NSE + TNF-α (P < 0.001), and IL-2R + TNF-α (P < 0.001) also showed significant diagnostic value. CONCLUSION: In this cross-sectional study, serum cytokines (IL-2R, TNF-α) and NSE were found to be associated with ASD. The combination of NSE with cytokines such as IL-2R and TNF-α may may be associated with distinct clinical features in children with ASD.

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11. Lathikakumari AM, Kesavadas C, Thomas B, Sundaram S. Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy: A Promising Tool for Brain Function Mapping in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neurol India;2026 (May 1);74(3):383-390.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder of the brain characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication and stereotyped behaviors. Key brain regions involved in social functioning that are often impaired in individuals with ASD include the mesial prefrontal cortex, amygdala, superior temporal sulcus (STS), temporoparietal junction, and temporal pole. Additionally, areas such as the inferior frontal gyrus and inferior parietal lobule, which are part of the mirror neuron system, as well as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), associated with executive function, are also implicated. Various brain imaging techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography, and magnetoencephalography have indicated dysfunctional brain connectivity in individuals with autism. fMRI is a commonly used imaging method for studying brain connectivity patterns in those with autism; however, its effectiveness can be hindered by technical challenges and the difficulty of obtaining high-quality images in the awake state in these individuals. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a relatively new technique that has been explored to understand hemodynamic brain responses and connectivity in autism. Over the past decade, numerous studies have utilized fNIRS to examine individuals with ASD, including infants, children, and adults, both at rest and during various tasks. In this review article, we first outline the fundamental principles and technology behind fNIRS, along with its advantages and limitations, followed by the fNIRS studies conducted on children with ASD during resting states, as well as during various tasks such as joint attention, emotion recognition, and language processing.

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12. Li X, Qiang R, Wang L, Liu Y, Zhou X, Wang R. [Genetic analysis of a boy with congenital variant Rett syndrome due to a novel variant of FOXG1 gene and literature review]. Zhonghua Yi Xue Yi Chuan Xue Za Zhi;2026 (May 10);43(5):372-378.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical manifestations and genetic etiology of a boy with congenital variant Rett syndrome (RTT). METHODS: A boy presented at the Medical Genetics Center of Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital in June 2023 due to « mental retardation » was selected as the study subject. Clinical data including history of birth, growth and development, and clinical manifestations were collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the boy and his parents. Following extraction of genomic DNA, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was carried out. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. Pathogenicity of the variant was rated based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Previous literature on male RTT caused by FOXG1 gene variants was retrieved from databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, PubMed, and the phenotypes of the included cases were summarized. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: 21 -036). RESULTS: The patient, a 6-year-old male, presented with microcephaly, mental retardation, and so forth. WES revealed that he has harbored a heterozygous c.761A>G (p.Tyr254Cys) variant of the FOXG1 gene. The variant was unreported previously. Sanger sequencing verified that the variant was de novo in origin. Based on the ACMG guidelines, the variant was classified as pathogenic (PM1+PS2_Moderate+PP2+PP3_Strong+PM2_Supporting). In total seven relevant articles were retrieved. Together with our case, a total of 10 male RTT patients were included for the analysis of clinical manifestations and genetic etiology. CONCLUSION: The heterozygous c.761A>G (p.Tyr254Cys) variant of the FOXG1 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of male RTT in this patient. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of the FOXG1 gene and facilitated understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlation of congenital variant RTT.

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13. Lin D, Chen Z, Wang Y, Qian Q, Ou P, Guo J. Prenatal maternal psychological distress and the risk of autism spectrum disorders in offspring: results from a meta-analysis of observational studies. Front Psychol;2026;17:1682620.

INTRODUCTION: Psychological distress, such as stress, depression or anxiety, is a prevalent mental health concern during pregnancy. However, data on the association between prenatal maternal psychological distress and the risk of autism or autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in their offspring have not been synthesized systematically. We performed a meta-analysis to explore this issue and provide evidence regarding maternal mental health screening and ASD prevention. METHODS: Six electronic databases were systematically searched up to June 2025. English-language full-text observational studies were included, with no geographic or race restrictions. Studies that quantitatively assessed the association between maternal psychological distress during pregnancy and the risk of ASD in offspring were eligible for inclusion. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analyses were assessed. RESULTS: Among 484 full-text records screened, 22 studies were eligible. Data analysis demonstrated that offspring of mothers with prenatal psychological distress have a 72% higher likelihood of being diagnosed with ASD or autism after the age of two (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.50-1.97, p < 0.01) compared to those of mothers without distress. This association was observed across different study designs and ASD diagnostic ascertainment methods, although effect estimates varied. Substantial between-study heterogeneity was observed (I (2) = 87.90%), largely attributable to differences in study design, ASD ascertainment and distress assessment rather than psychological distress subtype. CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis, prenatal maternal psychological distress was associated with an increased likelihood of an ASD diagnosis in offspring. Across the included studies, effect estimates were generally similar for stress, depression, and anxiety, despite substantial heterogeneity in study design and exposure assessment. This consistency suggests that elevated ASD risk is not confined to a single diagnostic category of maternal distress. At the same time, the findings should be interpreted considering the variability in how psychological distress was measured and controlled for across studies. Taken together, the results indicate that maternal psychological distress during pregnancy warrants attention in epidemiological research and routine antenatal care, without implying that specific psychiatric subtypes can be clearly distinguished in terms of offspring ASD risk. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251119825, PROSPERO: CRD420251119825.

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14. Lopes MAS, Reis HL, Simionatto APR, Santos MCP, Bieger BB, de Souza CD, Vieira ML. Parenting and Mental Health in Caregivers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review. Psychol Rep;2026 (May 6):332941261450507.

This scoping review aimed to map and analyze the scientific evidence on the relationship between mental health and parenting among caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and BVS databases, following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A total of 24 empirical studies published between 2013 and 2024 were included, predominantly employing quantitative methodologies. The findings reveal that caregivers’ mental health, commonly assessed through symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, is associated with less functional parenting practices, reduced engagement with their children, and an increase in externalizing behaviors among the children. Mediating factors such as social support, self-stigma, and parenting styles were identified as influencing this relationship either positively or negatively. The literature still lacks studies that address mental health through positive constructs and that apply qualitative methods. The lack of standardization across studies hinders data comparison and the development of more robust integrative analyses. It is concluded that parental mental health plays a central role in parenting quality within the context of ASD and is essential for designing more effective and family-sensitive interventions. This review offers insights to advance both research and professional practices focused on the comprehensive care of atypical families.

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15. Madzimbe P, Maart S, Dambi J, Corten L. Father and Sibling Involvement in Home Rehabilitation: Longitudinal Effects on Infant Development and Maternal Wellbeing in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Child Care Health Dev;2026 (May);52(3):e70292.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether extending home-based rehabilitation beyond the mother-only model to include fathers and siblings is associated with improved developmental outcomes in infants with neuro-developmental delay (NDD) and maternal wellbeing in an urban low-resource setting. METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted at two public neuro-developmental clinics in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Infants aged 3-6 months (N = 481) and their mothers were followed for 3 months across three naturally occurring caregiver participation groups: mother-only, mother-father and mother-father-sibling. Developmental outcomes were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III), and maternal wellbeing was measured using Global Quality of Life (QoL) and Mental Health Check-In Visual Analogue Scales. Group differences were analysed using ANCOVA, repeated-measures ANCOVA and multiple linear regression adjusting for baseline scores. RESULTS: Infants in the mother-father-sibling group demonstrated significantly higher baseline-adjusted BSID-III cognitive scores at 3 months than the mother-only group (p < 0.05), with the largest effect observed in this group. Changes in language, motor, socioemotional, and adaptive domains followed the same direction but showed smaller and less consistent effects, with limited pairwise significance after adjustment. Maternal mental health improved significantly over time across groups, while QoL showed small but statistically significant gains only on repeated-measures analysis. CONCLUSION: Involving fathers and siblings in home-based rehabilitation was associated with selective cognitive gains in infants and better maternal mental health over 3 months. These findings provide preliminary support for the integration of father- and sibling-inclusive, family-centred rehabilitation models for paediatric neurorehabilitation in similar low- and middle-income settings.

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16. Mashayekhi F, Mokhtari S. Manipulating Physical Characteristics of Kanizsa and Ebbinghaus Illusions: Exploring Perceptual Links to Autistic Traits. Percept Mot Skills;2026 (May 6):315125261449895.

We explored how systematic manipulation of the physical characteristics of the Kanizsa and Ebbinghaus illusions influences perceptual outcomes in the general population. Additionally, we investigated whether these effects on illusion processing are influenced by individual differences in autistic traits. Eighty-five adults aged 18 to 35 years completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and participated in two illusion tasks in which the size, spacing, and direction of inducing elements were systematically manipulated. In addition to accuracy analysis, performance was assessed using the Balanced Integration Score (BIS), a metric that integrates accuracy and reaction time.Our results showed that, in the Kanizsa illusion, both the orientation of the illusory shape and the ratio of inducer size to spacing (i.e., support ratio) influenced perception. Similarly, in the Ebbinghaus illusion, both the size ratio of the two central circles (i.e., center ratio) and the relative size of the surrounding versus central circles (i.e., outer ratio) affected illusion strength. Autistic traits did not show consistent or robust modulation of the effects of physical stimulus characteristics across tasks. These findings suggest that illusion processing strength in the general population is primarily determined by stimulus geometry. Our findings suggest that predicted differences between within-object and between-object illusions with respect to autistic traits may not be evident in non-clinical samples.

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17. McCleery JP, Zitter A, Cordero L, Russell A, Cola M, Udhnani M, Tena KG, Yates Flanagan A, Turnacioglu S, Solórzano R, Miller JS, Ravindran V, Parish-Morris J. Virtual Reality Intervention to Empower Autistic People to Interact With Police: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial for Autistic Teens and Adults. J Autism Dev Disord;2026 (May 6)

PURPOSE: Interactions with police officers can be a significant source of stress and anxiety, particularly for vulnerable and/or misunderstood populations. Here, we report a parallel randomized controlled clinical trial designed to examine and compare the effects of two different intervention programs designed to support autistic individuals as they prepare to interact with police officers. METHODS: Forty-seven autistic participants, aged 12 to 60 years, were randomized to participate in either the Floreo Police Safety Module virtual reality (VR) intervention or the BeSAFE The Movie video modeling intervention. For both conditions, three 45-min intervention sessions were completed an average of 9 days apart. RESULTS: Results revealed a significant intervention type by time interaction on fidgeting behavior during live interactions with police officers, indicating a reduction from pre-training to post-training that was specific to the VR intervention condition (estimate: 0.47, SE: 0.16, t = 2.95, p = 0.005). The statistical interaction between intervention type and time was not significant for participants’ responding in accordance with expectations (p = .07) or overall behavior during live interactions with police officers (p = .23), but planned follow-up tests revealed improvements for both responding in accordance with expectations (estimate: -.21, SE: .07, t = -3.14, p = .02) and overall behavior (estimate: -.29, SE: .10, t = -3.04, p = .02) in the VR intervention condition specifically. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these findings provide empirical support for practice as a means to empower autistic people to prepare for police interactions, with evidence suggesting that practicing police interactions using VR may be especially effective for driving skill acquisition.

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18. Naranjo-Galvis CA, Zuluaga-Valencia JB, Sánchez-López JV, Zuluaga-Arroyave T, Delgado-Reyes AC, Salamanca-Duque LM. Th1-Th17 immune signature in children with autism spectrum disorder. Brain Dev;2026 (May 6);48(3):104519.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by substantial inter-individual variability in clinical presentation and underlying biology. Increasing evidence implicates immune dysregulation in ASD; however, well-defined Th1-Th17 immune signatures in pediatric populations remain incompletely characterized using rigorous analytical approaches. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study including 40 children with ASD and 25 neurotypical controls. The plasma concentrations of nine cytokines were quantified using a multiplex immunoassay. Cytokine differences were evaluated using false discovery rate correction, standardized effect size estimation, and generalized linear models adjusted for sex and age of the participants. In parallel, targeted next-generation sequencing of 236 ASD-implicated genes was performed as an exploratory approach to contextualize the immune findings within neurodevelopmental and immune-related pathways. RESULTS: Children with ASD exhibited a consistent Th1-Th17 immune signature, characterized by significantly higher plasma levels of IL-2, IL-12, and IL-17 than neurotypical controls. These differences remained robust after correction for multiple testing and covariate adjustment, with large standardized effect sizes. No group differences were observed for IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, or IL-1β, indicating a selective rather than generalized inflammatory profile. Sex-stratified analyses revealed higher IL-2 and IL-17 levels in females with ASD, suggesting a quantitative sex-related modulation of Th1-Th17 immune responses. Exploratory genetic analyses identified rare variants in genes involved in chromatin remodeling, synaptic organization, and immune-related processes, converging on pathways related to transcriptional regulation and immune signaling. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an exploratory yet analytically robust characterization of the Th1-Th17 immune signature in children with ASD. The consistency and specificity of the immune findings support their biological relevance and underscore the value of integrative immune-informed approaches to understand the biological heterogeneity in pediatric ASD.

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19. Poll GH, Getachew S, Boone WJ, Petru J. Exploring How Social Communication Ability Is Affected by Disability, Context and Experience for Adolescents Transitioning to Adulthood. Int J Lang Commun Disord;2026 (May-Jun);61(3):e70261.

BACKGROUND: Effective social communication is adapted to the context, the setting and the people involved. It is less clear how measures of adolescent social communication ability reflect these aspects of context. Social communication ability emerges from children’s early experiences in varied contexts. Evidence is mixed on whether prior experience in the workplace, post-secondary education or independent living, is associated with social communication ability for those settings. AIMS: The purpose of the study was to empirically evaluate the associations between measures of adolescents’ social communication ability, the context of assessment, and the examinee’s prior experience in the context. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: One-hundred fifty 14-21-year-old adolescents, 59 with developmental disabilities, participated in a cross-sectional study. Researchers administered instruments to measure social communication for four post-school settings. They also collected reports of prior experience in those settings. Rasch analysis was used to derive both item difficulty and social communication ability measures. Researchers evaluated the association between experience in a context and social communication ability for that context using regression models. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Social communication measures were highly correlated across contexts. Social communication ability was associated with experience in post-secondary education, as was experience living independently for participants reporting disabilities. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The results support conceiving of social communication as the ability to adapt one’s communication to a context, an ability that is not bound to any one context. The varied findings on the association between prior experience in a context and social communication in that context can be interpreted as reflecting how difficult it is to learn the cues of that setting and generalize that learning to new situations, leading to potential differences in the amount and quality of experience required to successfully communicate in a context. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject For adolescents with communication disorders, developing social communication skills is important to their outcomes in adulthood. According to developmental models, social communication emerges from children’s experiences in varied contexts. Different contexts elicit different language, but child measures of social communication ability from different contexts are correlated. What this study adds to existing knowledge Adolescent social communication ability measures for four post-school contexts were highly correlated. Experience in the post-secondary education context was associated with greater social communication ability for all adolescents, but only adolescents with developmental disabilities benefited from independent living experience. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Assessments of social communication across multiple contexts are likely to be correlated; the choice of contexts for assessment may be motivated by the student’s goals and interests. The findings support offering programs designed to build adolescent social communication skills by providing experiences in independent living or post-secondary education.

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20. Saify M, Katusic MZ, Myers SM, Voigt RG, Nickels KC, Wirrell EC. Prevalence of autism in children with epilepsy: A population-based study. Dev Med Child Neurol;2026 (May 6)

AIMS: To compare the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children with and without epilepsy using clinical diagnoses and chart review with research-defined criteria and to examine sex ratios, age at ASD onset, and intellectual disability between groups. METHOD: The Olmsted County birth cohort included 30 490 individuals, of whom 257 (0.84%) had epilepsy diagnosed before 19 years of age. The cohort was previously screened for ASD using three case definitions: research-inclusive (ASD-R(I)), research-narrow (ASD-R(N)), and clinically diagnosed ASD (ASD-C). For those with ASD-R(I), we assessed sex, intellectual disability (IQ < 70), and age at ASD onset. Means and proportions are reported when available. RESULTS: ASD prevalence was significantly higher in participants with epilepsy across all definitions: ASD-R(I) 21.4% versus 3.2%; ASD-R(N) 14.0% versus 1.6%; and ASD-C 7.9% versus 0.7%. Children with both epilepsy and ASD-R(I) were more often female (38.2% vs 25.8%), had higher rates of intellectual disability (56.5% vs 15.4%), and met the ASD-R(I) criteria at a younger age (mean 7 years 5 months vs 8 years 8 months). INTERPRETATION: Co-occurring ASD and epilepsy are frequently associated with intellectual disability, earlier age at ASD diagnosis, and reduced male predominance.

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21. Samanta D. Correction: Disease-modifying therapies for Rett syndrome: a review for neurologists. Front Neurol;2026;17:1828621.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2026.1766679.].

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22. Sevincok D, Isik CM, Ozbek MM, Ozbay HC, Ozturk M. Sleep Disturbances and Behavioural Phenotypes in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comparative Study With Typically Developing Peers. Int J Dev Neurosci;2026 (May);86(3):e70138.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between different types of sleep problems and specific behavioural difficulties in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), compared with typically developing children (TDC). METHOD: We compared 40 children and adolescents with ASD and normal intellectual functioning with 50 TDC using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale-Revised Short (CPRS-RS) and the Repetitive Behaviour Scale-Revised (RBS-R). RESULTS: Participants with ASD had significantly higher scores on CPRS-RS inattention, hyperactivity and stereotyped, self-injurious, compulsive, routine, sameness and restricted behaviours, in addition to higher RBS-R scores. The ASD group also scored higher on the SDSC initiating and maintaining sleep subscale. Correlation analyses demonstrated significant associations between repetitive behaviours and multiple domains of sleep disturbances in the ASD group, whereas no significant correlations remained after Bonferroni correction in the TDC group. Regression analyses revealed that sleep breathing problems were associated with RBS-R Total (β = 0.590, p = 0.001); arousal/waking with compulsive behaviours (β = 0.394, p = 0.014); and sameness behaviours with both timing (β = 0.542, p = 0.012) and overall sleep problems (β = 0.516, p = 0.002) in the ASD group. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, sameness behaviours, compulsive behaviours and total RBS-R scores were significantly associated with several sleep problems in children and adolescents with ASD. These findings add to the literature demonstrating robust associations between specific types of sleep problems and particular behavioural difficulties in this population.

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23. Sürmen S, Sürmen MG, Beler M, Ünal İ, Cansız D, Emekli-Alturfan E. Proteomic profiling of valproic acid-treated zebrafish embryos highlights dysregulation in energy and purine metabolism, and microtubule dynamics: Implications for autism spectrum disorder. Biochim Biophys Acta Proteins Proteom;2026 (May 6);1874(4):141148.

Valproate (VPA), a widely used anticonvulsant, is also employed to establish experimental autism spectrum disorder (ASD) models. This study aims to elucidate mechanisms underlying VPA’s effects in ASD by analyzing proteomic profiles and oxidant-antioxidant dynamics in zebrafish embryos, uncovering the cellular pathways driving these changes. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to two concentrations of VPA (10 μM and 25 μM) for 72 h post-fertilization (hpf), and LC-MS/MS analyses were performed. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were subjected to bioinformatic analysis to identify associated cellular pathways, and their biological significance was evaluated. Oxidant-antioxidant parameters and locomotor activities were determined. High-dose induced more pronounced proteomic changes, while most of the identified proteins in both groups, including key metabolic enzymes such as adenylate kinase 1 (Ak1), adenosine monophosphate deaminase 1 (Ampd1), pyruvate kinase (Pkmb) and creatine kinase (Ck), exhibited a dose-dependent decrease. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that these alterations were primarily associated with purine metabolism, energy metabolism, and microtubule dynamics. In addition, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and glutathione S-transferase, increased in a dose-dependent manner, whereas superoxide dismutase decreased. Decreased average speed, distance swam, and explored areas were found in both VPA treated groups, reflecting early sensorimotor dysfunction. Our findings demonstrate that VPA induces dose-dependent proteomic alterations in zebrafish embryos, with metabolic pathways and cytoskeletal dynamics being particularly affected. Extent of molecular disruptions appears to correlate with VPA concentration, suggesting potential implications for energy homeostasis and cellular structure. Understanding these effects could provide valuable insights into the developmental toxicity mechanisms of VPA and its broader biological significance.

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24. Tahmasebi G, Adcock KS, Engineer CT. Variability-dominated auditory cortical dysfunction and targeted VNS modulation in a Mecp2(+/-) model of Rett syndrome. Exp Neurol;2026 (May 6);403:115811.

OBJECTIVE: Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the X-linked transcriptional regulator MECP2, which causes widespread abnormalities in cortical network activity and sensory processing. In rodent models, Mecp2(+/-) rats recapitulate key clinical features of Rett syndrome, including disrupted auditory cortical responses and impaired spike timing fidelity. Given its potential to normalize abnormal cortical activity, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may offer a promising therapeutic approach. This study examined auditory local field potential (LFP) responses in Mecp2(+/-) rats and assesses the modulatory effects of VNS. METHODS: Auditory cortical LFPs were recorded in response to speech, noise, and tone stimuli in Mecp2(+/-) rats, VNS-treated Mecp2(+/-) rats, and wild-type littermates. LFP component latency, amplitude, trial-to-trial variability, and oscillatory band power were quantitatively analyzed across groups. RESULTS: Mecp2(+/-) rats were characterized by delayed and weakened LFP responses, widespread increases in trial-to-trial variability of latency, amplitude, and power, and stimulus-dependent changes in spectral power, with the most pronounced abnormalities for speech, followed by tones and then noise. VNS partially normalized these abnormalities by improving speech-evoked latency and variability and reducing noise-evoked power variability. However, tone-evoked responses were largely unchanged with VNS, indicating a selective rescue of specific components and stimulus classes rather than a global restoration of auditory function. These findings demonstrate robust auditory cortical processing deficits in a preclinical model of Rett syndrome and highlight the potential of VNS to partially restore cortical function. The results support further development of targeted neuromodulatory interventions to ameliorate sensory processing abnormalities in Rett syndrome.

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25. Vielmetti L, Rajagopal A, Manus R, Veis S, deRegnier RA. Correction: Autism Screening Using Parent’s Observations of Social Interactions (POSI) in High-Risk Infants. J Autism Dev Disord;2026 (May 6)

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26. Xuan X, Zhao X, Guo H. [Clinical and genetic characterization of two Chinese children with Diencephalo-mesencephalic junction dysplasia syndrome type 1 due to compound heterozygous variants of PCDH12 gene]. Zhonghua Yi Xue Yi Chuan Xue Za Zhi;2026 (May 10);43(5):356-362.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic etiology of two pediatric patients presenting with developmental delay and microcephaly. METHODS: Two patients diagnosed with developmental delay and microcephaly at the Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University in February 2023 and March 2024 were enrolled. Peripheral blood samples were collected from both children and their parents. Genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Suspected variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. Pathogenicity of the identified variants was assessed according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Structural visualization of the variant proteins was performed using PyMOL software. A literature review was conducted to summarize reports on PCDH12 gene variants associated with Diencephalic-mesencephalic junction dysplasia syndrome type 1 (DMJDS1). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Ethics No.: 202402022-1). RESULTS: Patient 1 was a 5-year and 9-month-old female with congenital microcephaly, global developmental delay, distinctive facial features, intellectual disability, gait instability, and ataxia. Brain MRI indicated cerebral dysgenesis. WES revealed compound heterozygous PCDH12 variants: paternal c.522_525delGTCT (p.S175Pfs*22) and maternal c.244G>T (p.E82*). Both variants were classified as pathogenic according to ACMG guidelines. Patient 2 was a 7-day-old male. Prenatal ultrasound showed microcephaly, and fetal MRI revealed a thin corpus callosum. Postnatally, he exhibited primary microcephaly, global developmental delay, and brain MRI findings included widened lateral ventricles, thin corpus callosum, and abnormal morphology of the bilateral cerebral peduncles. WES identified compound heterozygous PCDH12 variants: maternal c.522_525delGTCT (p.S175Pfs*22) and paternal c.466delC (p.L156Wfs*42). The c.466delC variant was classified as pathogenic. Based on the clinical phenotypes and genetic findings, both patients were diagnosed with DMJDS1. PyMOL analysis indicated that all three PCDH12 variants result in protein truncation. A review of 12 published articles identified 44 reported DMJDS1 cases (including the 2 cases in this study) associated with 19 distinct PCDH12 variants, of which only one previous case involved compound heterozygosity; all others were homozygous. CONCLUSION: Compound heterozygous variants in the PCDH12 gene are likely the genetic cause of microcephaly and developmental delay in these two patients. The c.244G>T and c.466delC variants are novel, thereby expanding the mutational spectrum of the PCDH12 gene.

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27. Yüksel B, Dogan M, Kara K, Kaya Kara O. Comparative accuracy of sleep disturbance questionnaires in children with autism spectrum disorder: a receiver operating characteristic study. BMJ Paediatr Open;2026 (May 6);10(1)

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the comparative effectiveness of various sleep and wakefulness scales used in children and their usefulness for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: The study was conducted at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Health Sciences Research and Training Hospital, Antalya, Türkiye, which serves as a regional referral centre for children and adolescents with developmental and behavioural disorders. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 230 children participated in the study, including 155 children diagnosed with ASD and 75 typically developing peers, aged between 4 and 18 years. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Sleep-wake disorders were assessed using five questionnaires: the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (ESS-CHAD), Paediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS), Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) and Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC). These tools evaluated sleep patterns, daytime sleepiness, and sleep-related behavioural problems based on caregiver reports. RESULTS: The mean age of children with ASD and the typically developing peer group was 9.0±3.69 years and 9.07±4.25 years respectively. The CSHQ, ESS-CHAD, PDSS, PSQ and SDSC all demonstrated discriminant validity and internal consistency in the assessment of sleep-wake disorders in children with ASD (p<0.05, Cronbach's alpha >0.60). The CSHQ and SDSC showed similar levels of diagnostic accuracy in detecting sleep disorders. The PSQ had a high positive predictive value, the PDSS demonstrated a high negative predictive value and the ESS-CHAD showed a high level of agreement. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of tools such as the CSHQ, ESS-CHAD, PDSS, PSQ and SDSC may be useful for assessing sleep-wake disorders in children with ASD.

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