1. Correction to: Ertugliflozin improves animal behaviours associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in a BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J mouse model of autism. Brain Commun;2026;8(3):fcag213.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcag083.].

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2. Alak G. Perspective of Turkish society toward autistic individuals: Personal experiences, knowledge, and interaction comfort. PLoS One;2026;21(6):e0351244.

Despite increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autistic individuals, factors shaping social interactions involving autistic individuals in the general population remain relatively underexplored. This study examined the interrelationships among personal experience, knowledge, and interaction comfort toward autistic individuals among Turkish adults and explored demographic differences. A total of 507 participants (aged 18+) were recruited using snowball sampling, and data were collected via an online survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive, comparative, and correlational analyses, followed by regression-based mediation and moderated mediation models (PROCESS macro). Participants primarily reported indirect experiences with autistic individuals, and both knowledge levels and interaction comfort were relatively high, with significant differences across several demographic characteristics. Interaction comfort was lower in social than in professional settings and varied according to levels of support needs. Knowledge mediated the relationship between personal experience and interaction comfort. The indirect effect was significant only at higher levels of interaction quality. These findings highlight the role of knowledge and interaction quality in shaping interaction comfort and suggest the importance of interventions that promote meaningful and informed interactions. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

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3. Alnajjar HA, Hantira NY, Aljadani J, Almoteri M, Arous M, Alamari M, Albogami M, Alola GA, Alzahrani R, Almotiri R, Wasli L, Bajbair D. Autism stigma, knowledge, attitude, and quality of life predictors among autistic children’s caregivers. Front Psychol;2026;17:1762237.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition and a common challenge in early childhood, affecting approximately one in every hundred children globally. This study assessed the knowledge, stigma, attitudes, and quality of life (QoL) of caregivers of autistic children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive design was conducted from January to March 2024 at Bagedo Dr. Erfan Hospital and Jeddah Autism Center for Day Care, involving 210 caregivers selected through simple random sampling. Data collection tools included assessments of caregivers’ sociodemographic and child characteristics, stigma, attitudes, and QoL. RESULTS: Over half of the caregivers had poor knowledge, and two-thirds exhibited negative attitudes toward autism, with a moderate level of overall stigma among caregivers. Additionally, more than three-quarters reported inadequate QoL. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a statistically significant model (F = 7.233, p < 0.001), explaining 24.7% of the variance in QoL. Caregiver stigma was the strongest negative predictor (β = -0.401, p < 0.001), while higher caregiver knowledge significantly improved QoL (β = 0.253, p < 0.001). Having a female child was associated with lower QoL, whereas higher birth order predicted better QoL. CONCLUSION: Caregivers of autistic children demonstrated poor QoL, significantly associated with stigma, knowledge, and selected child characteristics. Reducing stigma and enhancing caregiver knowledge are critical to improving QoL. RECOMMENDATIONS: Public awareness initiatives are essential to reduce stigma and improve the well-being of caregivers of autistic children.

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4. De Laet H, Nijhof AD, Wiersema JR. Inferring Thoughts by and of Individuals With and Without Autism: An Empathic Accuracy Study. Autism;2026 (Jun 8):13623613261451897.

While prevailing theories suggest social interaction difficulties are inherent to autism, the theory of the double empathy problem (DEP) proposes these difficulties arise from a mismatch between different neurotypes. The theory predicts more challenging communication between individuals with and without autism, but better communication among individuals with autism. While individuals with autism indeed report better communication, experimental studies testing the theory are largely lacking. In this study, 106 adults (55 with autism) completed an empathic accuracy task in which they watched video clips of an interaction between an individual with and without autism and inferred the individuals’ thoughts. Contrary to our hypothesis, adults with autism were not better at estimating the thoughts of other adults with autism. Instead, they were generally less accurate than adults without autism. Individuals with autism were also perceived as more difficult to estimate. In conclusion, this study did not find support for the DEP theory. Further research is needed to understand the reported ease of communication among individuals with autism.Lay abstractAutism is associated with social interaction and communication difficulties. Whereas most previous theories have attributed these difficulties to an inherent deficit in individuals with autism, the theory of the double empathy problem (DEP) argues that they may be the result of a mismatch between people with different communication styles. Although the experiences of individuals with autism strongly support this theory, little is known about how accurate or efficient communication is between individuals with autism. In this study, a total of 106 adults, both with and without autism, watched videos featuring individuals with and without autism, who were filmed while they got to know each other. Afterwards, those filmed individuals rewatched their own videos and indicated the thoughts they had during the interactions. The accuracy was determined by comparing the inferred thoughts to the actual thoughts reported by the individuals in the videos. Contrary to expectations, individuals with autism were not more accurate at inferring the thoughts of other individuals with autism. Instead, individuals without autism were generally more accurate in estimating thoughts than individuals with autism. In addition, individuals with autism were experienced as more difficult to read. The results of this study did not provide evidence for the DEP theory. More research is needed to understand why individuals with autism experience better communication with others with autism.

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5. Duong DL, Tran Luu DA, Le VA, Nguyen TD, Vu MT, Tran Thi MH, To Thi BD, Pham Le HL, Luong MH. Cross-cultural adaptation of Caregiver oral health knowledge questionnaire and its association with oral health status among Vietnamese children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Public Health Res;2026 (Apr);15(2):22799036261457517.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face oral health challenges and depend heavily on caregivers for daily oral care. In Vietnam, evidence linking caregivers’ oral health knowledge to children’s oral health remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to cross-culturally adapt and validate a caregiver oral health knowledge questionnaire for Vietnamese use and investigate its association with oral health status among children and adolescents with ASD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire on caregivers’ oral health knowledge was validated through a pilot study using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and exploratory factor analysis. A cross-sectional study included 170 children and adolescents with ASD and their caregivers. Participants received oral examinations assessing dmft/DMFT, and DI-S. Group differences were analyzed using nonparametric tests. Multivariable negative binomial regression models were applied for dmft and DMFT, and linear regression for DI-S. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The questionnaire demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.73) and mainly unidimensional structure. Higher caregiver knowledge was significantly associated with better oral hygiene (p < 0.001), no association with dmft, and inconsistent associations with DMFT. Age was strongly associated with DMFT (p < 0.001). Household income was the only sociodemographic factor significantly associated with outcomes. CONCLUSION: A caregiver oral health knowledge questionnaire underwent cross-cultural adaptation and validation for use in Vietnam. Greater caregiver oral health knowledge and higher income were associated with better oral hygiene in children and adolescents with ASD, highlighting the relevance of caregiver and socioeconomic factors in oral health research for this population.

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6. Hossain MK, Pranto MNI, Phillips M, Pasa MK. Understanding parent and community perspectives of sexual victimization, perpetration, and protection of adolescent girls with developmental disabilities: A qualitative study. Child Abuse Negl;2026 (Jun 8);178:108160.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent girls with developmental disabilities face disproportionately high risks of sexual abuse, often compounded by underreporting, social silence, and limited access to justice. In Bangladesh, where cultural norms and caregiving structures, and socioeconomic inequalities shape vulnerability, the perspectives of parents and community members remain underexplored in understanding the dynamics of victimization, perpetration, and protection. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore how parents and community members in urban northwestern Bangladesh perceive the sexual abuse of adolescent girls with developmental disabilities, with particular attention to pathways of vulnerability, perpetration, and protective responses. METHODS: A qualitative design was employed using purposive sampling to conduct in-depth interviews with parents of victims and diverse community members in Rajshahi city. Semi-structured, open-ended questions were developed for each group. Data were analyzed thematically to synthesize patterns across narratives while preserving contextual depth. RESULTS: Participants described vulnerability as context-amplified rather than inherent arising from communication and comprehension limitations intersecting with caregiver workload, economic precarity, and stigma. Perpetration was commonly linked to relational proximity (relatives, neighbors, family acquaintances) and power asymmetries, with informal settlements and perceived impunity undermining accountability. Families reported thin and uneven reporting pathways, limited disability-sensitive responses, and social pressure that concentrates responsibility on mothers and discourages disclosure. Protective mechanisms emphasized vigilant caregiving, predictable routines, empathy from neighbors/teachers, and accessible, trustworthy legal and social support. Parents voiced high emotional burden and a desire for practical guidance, while community members highlighted system-level gaps that could be addressed through clearer safeguarding roles and low-friction referral options. CONCLUSION: This study provides parent and community perspectives on how sexual abuse risk is co-produced at micro (caregiving), meso (community), and macro (legal/social protection) levels in Bangladesh context. Culturally responsive, disability-inclusive safeguarding should pair near-child supports with credible and accessible reporting and justice mechanisms to reduce opportunities for abuse and improve timely response.

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7. Huang W, Wang S, Zhang Y, Gao M, Zhong N, Hao C, Janak LP, Wang L, Meng S, Zhao W, Zeng S. Streptococcus mutans exacerbates gut microbiota dysbiosis in SHANK3 (-/-) autism model mice via the oral-gut axis. J Oral Microbiol;2026;18(1):2681259.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis, yet the impact of oral pathobiont translocation via the oral-gut axis remains unclear. This study investigated how Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), a primary cariogenic pathogen, influences gut microbial structure and function in an ASD mouse model. METHODS: SHANK3 knockout (SHANK3(-/-)) and wild-type (WT) mice were divided into four groups: WT control, WT S. mutans-gavaged (WT-S.m), SHANK3(-/-) control, and SHANK3(-/-) S. mutans-gavaged (SHANK3-S.m). Mice were gavaged with S. mutans UA159 twice weekly for five weeks, followed by fecal metagenomic sequencing (n = 6 per group). RESULTS: S. mutans translocated to the gut in both gavaged groups but did not achieve enhanced colonization in SHANK3(-/-) mice. S. mutans gavage significantly altered the gut microbiota structure in both WT and SHANK3(-/-) mice. In the ASD model, S. mutans gavage led to a significant enrichment of potential pathobionts (e.g. Duncaniella dubosii, Muribaculum gordoncarteri) and a decrease in beneficial bacteria (e.g. Bacteroides caecimuris, Bacteroides faecium). LEfSe analysis identified Parascardovia denticolens and Bacteroides heparinolyticus as specific biomarkers for the SHANK3-S.m group. Microbial networks showed reduced stability in SHANK3-S.m mice, with Enterocloster bolteae as a key node. Functional analysis revealed suppressed butanoate metabolism and enhanced neuroinflammation-related pathways. CONCLUSION: Although S. mutans colonized only transiently, it provoked exacerbated ecological instability and pro-inflammatory metabolic alterations in ASD model mice, underscoring the role of the oral-gut-brain axis in ASD.

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8. Marciniec K, Szczypińska Z, Pawlak A. The relationship between autism and gender dysphoria, and their co-occurrence with transgender identity: research conditions and implications. Postep Psychiatr Neurol;2026 (Jun);35(2):126-131.

PURPOSE: To discuss the relationship between autism and gender dysphoria (GD), and their co-occurrence with transgender identity, and to raise awareness of the specific needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in gender-confirming clinics. PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and EBSCO databases were reviewed. Only peer-reviewed English-language articles were considered eligible. Priority was given to meta-analyses and original articles presenting quantitative results published within the last five years; For some unreplicated studies this period was extended. The databases were searched using the keywords: « ASD » and « GD », « autism spectrum » and « transgender », « autism spectrum » and « gender dysphoria ». VIEWS: An increasing number of studies show that ASD is overrepresented in people with GD as well as in gender-affirming secondary care clinics. This trend is observed in both young people and adults. People with overlapping diagnoses face higher anxiety, depression, risk of self-harm and the feeling of being a minority within a minority. Sensory disorders from ASD may cause difficulties in achieving gender congruence, while social communication deficits may delay the diagnosis of transgenderism. CONCLUSIONS: Transgenderism is more common among the ASD population than among neurotypical individuals. The reasons for this correlation are unclear, but they may be found in the theory of mind, extreme male brain theory, cerebral cortex structure, and cognitive inflexibility. Practitioners need training to uphold the dignity and autonomy of patients with comorbid transgender and autism spectrum diagnoses, enabling shared decision-making in treatment process and in co-defining the goals of therapy.

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9. Pelton M, Newell V, French B, Wadman R, Townsend E, Cassidy S. Exploring Patterns of Self-Harm in Autistic Adults Using the Card Sort Task for Self-Harm. Autism;2026 (Jun 8):13623613261447926.

Autistic adults self-harm more often than non-autistic adults, but there are no tools to assess patterns of self-harm in autistic people. This study aimed to (1) review the accessibility of a novel visual task – the Card Sort Task for Self-Harm (CaTS) – to explore self-harm with autistic adults and (2) to pilot the CaTS to identify proximal and distal contributing factors leading to self-harm and experiences following self-harm. First, autistic adults (n = 5) with lived experience of self-harm reviewed the CaTS for clarity and accessibility. Second, we undertook a pilot administration of the CaTS and used sequence analysis to explore significant transitions between factors before and after self-harm. Participants (n = 29, autistic or possibly autistic, female = 82%, mean age = 41.62) selected, on average, 42 cards to describe self-harm. Most frequently selected cards described agitation (n = 25), mental pain (n = 22) and depression (n = 22), while most infrequently collected cards included being in a gang and talking to a teacher (n = 0). Agitation and acting on impulse preceded self-harm. Feeling better, worse, exhausted and hopeless followed self-harm. Improving emotion regulation and meeting autistic communication needs could reduce the transition to self-harm. The CaTS offers a systematic approach to explore self-harm in autistic adults.Lay AbstractWhy did we do this study?Autistic adults self-harm more often than people who are not autistic. This is particularly worrying because self-harm is something that can contribute to suicide. We know that autistic people feel that their experience of self-harm is not well understood by other people, such as doctors.What did we want to know?We wanted to know if the card sort task for self-harm (called the CaTS for short) is a useful way to explore self-harm with autistic adults.What did we do?First, we worked with five autistic adults to make sure the CaTS is clear and works for autistic people. Second, we invited autistic and non-autistic adults to do the CaTS. To do the CATS, someone chooses the cards that are relevant to their experience and puts them on a timeline to explain what self-harm is like for them.What did we find?We found that (1) the CaTS is helpful and accessible to explore self-harm with autistic adults and (2) the CaTS uncovered patterns of self-harm. Twenty-nine U.K.-based autistic adults did the CaTS: most were female (82%, average age was around 42). Participants picked, on average, 42 cards to describe self-harm. The cards that were chosen most often described agitation, mental pain and depression. The cards that were chosen least described being in a gang and talking to a teacher. The order of the cards suggested that people felt agitated and acted impulsively before self-harm. After self-harm, they felt better, worse and hopeless. We found that it is safe and feasible to do the CaTS with autistic people. Support could consider how best to support people who are impulsive and how to prevent people accessing the means to hurt themselves.

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10. Pereira DA, Helmer RS, Silva MLS, Ferreira LS. Autism Spectrum Disorder and Atypical Epilepsy Presentation in KCNQ3 Mutations: Expansion of Phenotypic Spectrum With Neuroimaging Findings. Case Rep Pediatr;2026;2026:4543154.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the KCNQ3 gene are primarily associated with benign familial neonatal epilepsy; however, recent studies have expanded its phenotypic spectrum to include developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This report describes an atypical presentation of a patient with a de novo KCNQ3 mutation, manifesting as neonatal-onset epilepsy, ASD traits, and abnormal neuroimaging findings, contributing to the evolving understanding of KCNQ3-related disorders. CASE PRESENTATION: A 5-year-old boy presented with neonatal seizures that initially responded to antiepileptic therapy but subsequently relapsed with atypical, drug-resistant seizures. Neurodevelopmental assessment revealed moderate intellectual disability, ASD features, and speech delay. Brain MRI showed hippocampal asymmetry and diffuse enlargement of perivascular spaces, raising questions about potential structural correlates of genetic epilepsies. Whole-exome sequencing identified a de novo heterozygous KCNQ3 variant, absent in both parents. DISCUSSION: This case highlights the expanding phenotypic variability of KCNQ3 mutations, supporting their role in epileptic encephalopathies and neurodevelopmental disorders. While previous reports primarily associate KCNQ3 mutations with early-onset epilepsy, this case suggests a broader neurodevelopmental impact, including ASD traits and neuroimaging abnormalities, emphasizing the importance of genetic screening in complex epilepsy syndromes. Additionally, the hippocampal asymmetry and prominent perivascular spaces warrant further investigation into their relevance in KCNQ3-related disorders. CONCLUSION: This study expands the clinical and neuroimaging spectrum of KCNQ3-related epileptic encephalopathy, reinforcing its association with neurodevelopmental comorbidities. Early genetic diagnosis may guide treatment choices and provide valuable prognostic insights, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach in managing these patients.

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11. Pitt KM, Ousley C, Gibbons C, Martinez E, Kirkpatrick CE, Bubak A. Artificial Intelligence for Enhancing Emotion Expression in Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems: A Preliminary Study Including Children Both With and Without Autism. Am J Speech Lang Pathol;2026 (Jun 8):1-17.

PURPOSE: Artificial intelligence is increasingly being explored in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to support personalized and responsive communication. Integrating emotion recognition into AAC systems may help users convey emotion content in real time, enhancing social interaction and communication quality. METHOD: This preliminary study utilized DeepFace, a facial emotion recognition tool, as a starting point for integrating emotion recognition into AAC systems. Twelve neurotypical children and four children with autism, aged 8-13 years, completed two tasks: an imitated (copy) emotion condition using static images and a semispontaneous emotion-elicitation condition. Similar to existing AAC devices, each participant completed an individualized calibration procedure to help tailor the model to their facial expressions. Number scale ratings of the user experience were also collected. RESULTS: Overall, the system demonstrated promising provisional accuracy, particularly for happiness, sadness, and calm (neutrality), although performance varied across emotions, participants, and task types. User experience ratings were generally positive, suggesting satisfaction and engagement with the system, with variability observed. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the value of calibration and personalization in AAC. Future work should expand training data sets to better represent children’s facial expressions, incorporate multimodal inputs, and explore the alignment of synthetic speech output with detected emotions. Broader studies including active AAC users, diverse developmental and cultural backgrounds, and more spontaneous real-world interactions are needed. These results support the preliminary utility of DeepFace as a possible starting point for integrating emotion recognition into AAC systems, but further research is warranted. Directions for user-centered development are also discussed. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.32511465.

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12. Qahiti R, Hakami AH, Albaity A, Teklu SW. Bidirectional fractional-order dynamics of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in autism spectrum disorder featuring memory effects and inflammation thresholds. Sci Rep;2026 (Jun 8)

Conventional models of the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) overlook the long-range memory effects inherent to neuroinflammation and gut dysbiosis, leading to underestimation of symptom persistence. This study introduces a bidirectional fractional-order dynamical system with compartment-specific fractional orders [Formula: see text] to capture these memory-dependent dynamics across five interconnected compartments: dietary antigens, gut dysbiosis, gut inflammation, neuroinflammation, and behavioral symptoms. We establish existence, uniqueness, boundedness, and stability via Matignon’s criterion, derive a novel inflammation threshold parameter [Formula: see text], prove a transcritical bifurcation at [Formula: see text], perform global Sobol sensitivity analysis, and formulate a fractional optimal control problem with three realistic interventions. Principal findings reveal: (i) a transcritical bifurcation at [Formula: see text] separating healthy recovery from chronic pathology; (ii) sensitivity analysis identifies the microbiota recovery rate [Formula: see text] (elasticity [Formula: see text]) as the most potent target for preventing chronicity and the behavioral recovery rate [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) as the dominant driver of steady-state symptom severity; (iii) optimal control simulations demonstrate that triple combination therapy outperforms all double combinations, with direct behavioral intervention ([Formula: see text]) essential for minimizing symptoms; and (iv) stronger memory effects (lower α) significantly delay therapeutic recovery, confirming that ignoring memory fundamentally underestimates ASD symptom persistence.

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13. Rastegarnasab F, Teimouri-Jervekani Z, Khojaste K, Soleimani A. Atrial Flutter as a Late Presentation of Scimitar Vein in an Adult With Prior ASD Repair. Clin Case Rep;2026 (Jun);14(6):e72842.

Adult patients with unexplained atrial arrhythmias and right heart dilation should prompt consideration of congenital anomalies such as scimitar vein, even decades after atrial septal defect repair. Early recognition using multi-modality imaging may prevent delayed diagnosis and progressive cardiopulmonary complications.

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14. Self J, Spassiani N. Pain assessment in children and young people with developmental disabilities: a scoping review. Nurs Child Young People;2026 (Jun 8)

Paediatric pain has been identified in the literature as being undertreated and often misdiagnosed. This article details a scoping review that aimed to identify the facilitators and barriers to using pain assessment tools for children and young people with developmental disabilities. Two themes were identified as barriers to pain assessment: inexperience of healthcare professionals; and a lack of education for healthcare professionals. Two themes were identified as facilitators of pain assessment: parental assistance and knowledge; and education and training for healthcare professionals. The scoping review identified a significant gap in research into pain assessment for children and young people with developmental disabilities, particularly those receiving care in a hospice setting. The authors also explore how improvements can be made to practice to ensure equitable healthcare delivery for this group.

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15. Shamhan ANM, Hijab MHF, Qaraqe M, Al-Thani D. Serious Game Aimed at Assessing Executive Planning Skills in Children With Autism: Cross-Sectional Design and Formative Evaluation of ShopAutiPlan. JMIR Serious Games;2026 (Jun 8);14:e90444.

BACKGROUND: Planning deficits are a common and functionally significant executive function difficulty in children with autism, affecting everyday activities such as organizing tasks, prioritizing goals, and monitoring progress. Traditional neuropsychological assessments often lack ecological validity and may not capture these skills in real-world contexts. Serious games offer promising alternatives by simulating everyday scenarios and enabling observation of planning behaviors during interactive tasks. However, most existing systems focus on training rather than theory-driven assessment, and are rarely evaluated for usability before deployment with children with autism. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to design and evaluate ShopAutiPlan, a supermarket-based serious game intended to assess executive planning skills in children with ASD by conducting a formative expert evaluation before its use in clinical or research settings. The evaluation sought to identify usability strengths and limitations, ensuring that the system aligns with planning theory and accommodates the unique needs of autistic users. METHODS: A theory-driven design approach grounded in the Hayes-Roth cognitive model of planning was used to map planning subcomponents-including goal formulation, strategy generation, sequencing, execution, and monitoring-to in-game tasks and logged behavioral metrics. A cross-sectional, formative expert-based usability evaluation was conducted using inspection and think-aloud protocols. Six domain experts (2 psychologists, 2 human-computer interaction researchers, and 2 game developers) participated in individual evaluation sessions. Usability assessment was guided by ASD-specific usability heuristics, and experts completed the System Usability Scale (SUS). SUS scores were summarized using descriptive statistics, and qualitative feedback was analyzed through deductive coding mapped to heuristic categories. RESULTS: Across experts, 45 usability issues were identified, spanning cognitive accessibility, feedback clarity, realism, and technical performance. Severity ratings varied according to disciplinary perspectives: psychologists highlighted cognitive load, sensory accessibility, and task clarity, whereas developers focused on system responsiveness, interaction consistency, and technical reliability. The overall SUS score (mean 70.4, 95% CI 45.2-95.7) exceeded the standard benchmark of 68, supporting the acceptability of the system and complementing the qualitative findings from the heuristic evaluation. Recommendations from the evaluation informed iterative refinements to interface design, interaction flow, and task representation to enhance alignment between planning constructs and user experience. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this study introduces the first shopping-based serious game specifically designed to assess executive planning skills in children with autism. Unlike many existing autism-related serious games that primarily focus on intervention or training, ShopAutiPlan adopts a theory-driven assessment-oriented design grounded in a cognitive model of planning and supported by gameplay-based behavioral measures. By integrating cognitive theory, serious game design, and interdisciplinary usability evaluation, the study proposes a structured framework for developing ecologically valid digital assessment tools that may complement conventional neuropsychological approaches in autism research and clinical practice.

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16. Sheikh M, Bilal Z, Fatima SH, Jaber Amin JH. Ecstasy (MDMA) for social anxiety in autism: a specialized application of empathogen therapy. Ann Med Surg (Lond);2026 (Jun);88(6):3829-3830.

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17. Sullivan W, Kouros CD, Fidellow J, Heidenreich A, Ekas NV. Examining relationship quality dimensions in couples raising autistic and nonautistic children. J Fam Psychol;2026 (Jun 8)

Although there is a public perception that couples raising autistic children experience lower relationship quality, the existing body of research is inconsistent and focuses almost exclusively on couple conflict and relationship satisfaction. The present study extended prior research by comparing multiple dimensions of relationship quality between couples raising a child on the autism spectrum (n = 108) and couples raising a nonautistic child (n = 109). Couples were recruited from across the United States and fathers and mothers individually reported on their relationship quality (i.e., couple conflict, communication style, relationship satisfaction, power dynamics, intimacy, and dyadic coping) and participated in a virtually observed conflict interaction. Results indicated that parents of autistic and nonautistic children were not significantly different on any measure of relationship quality. Overall, mothers reported lower relationship satisfaction compared to fathers. The results of the study highlight the importance of focusing on individual differences within parents rather than differences between parents of autistic and nonautistic children. A notable strength of the study was a diverse sample in the United States. Implications for couples therapy and relationship education are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

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18. Sung GCY, Au Yeung SL. A critique of the cited evidence linking the relationship between vaccines and autism on the United States CDC webpage. Int J Epidemiol;2026 (Apr 17);55(3)

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19. Weyland M, Maes P, Kissine M. Canonical Babbling May Differ Between Autistic and Non-Autistic Toddlers in Consonant Transition Probabilities. J Speech Lang Hear Res;2026 (Jun 8):1-13.

PURPOSE: Canonical babbling is a key stage in speech development, and atypical canonical babbling can be an early sign of speech disability. Speech onset delays and language disability are frequent in autism, but studies that focus on the rate or onset of canonical babbling report mixed findings. Quantity-based metrics can obscure qualitative differences in canonical babbling productions, such as, and more specifically, the sequential organization of syllable transitions, which may be more sensitive to early group differences. METHOD: Using at-home recordings of thirty-six 18-month-olds (autistic: n = 10, non-autistic: n = 26), we analyzed transition probabilities of consonant categories (stops, nasals, fricatives, liquids, and glides) within canonical babblings. RESULTS: In both autistic and non-autistic children, the probability of producing a consonant depends primarily on the immediately preceding one. We did not find any significant difference in the frequency of canonical babbling between autistic and non-autistic children. However, transition structures differed overall (Frobenius distance), and autistic children’s sequences were more predictable and less varied (lower Shannon entropy rate), whereas the tendency to repeat the same category (stay probability) did not differ between groups. Finally, several specific consonant transitions were numerically different, but only one (liquid to the end of the utterance) remained reliable after correction and covariate control. CONCLUSIONS: Canonical babbling at 18 months of age reflects local, first-order constraints; in autism, global organization appears more constrained, even though autistic children may babble just as much as their non-autistic peers. Our results provide promising evidence that the structure of babbling, rather than its sheer frequency or segmental diversity, distinguishes the two groups and deserves further exploration. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.32513430.

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