1. Almathkour A, Steinbrenner J, Nowell S, Boyd B. Developing a Clinically Practical Tool to Evaluate Directed Caregiver Communication in Early Intervention: A Pilot Study of the Tool’s Reliability and Validity. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2026; 35(5): 2378-86.

PURPOSE: Early intervention (EI) relies heavily on directed caregiver communication (DCC), yet most clinical tools focus primarily on the child. This pilot study examined the reliability and validity of the Directed Caregiver Communication Assessment Tool (DCC-AT), which was developed by the authors to describe caregiver communication during naturalistic caregiver-child interactions. METHOD: This study used secondary data from the Early Communication Indicator for Autism (ECI-A), a naturalistic, 6-min play-based assessment during caregiver-child interaction. Participants included 10 autistic and 10 non-autistic children, all 36 months of age or younger, with test-retest videos for the autistic group resulting in 30 ECI-A videos. Coders used the DCC-AT to assess the types and frequencies of DCC strategies across four primary categories using partial interval coding. RESULT: Analyses showed that the DCC-AT captured observed variation in DCC and demonstrated strong interrater reliability. Compared to caregivers of non-autistic children, caregivers of autistic children used fewer interactive strategies that built directly on the child’s communication and more redirect strategies that shifted the child’s attention. Across groups, higher child communication was associated with higher levels of caregivers’ interactive strategies. Within the autistic group, lower child communication scores were associated with greater use of directive strategies. CONCLUSIONS: The DCC-AT begins to address a gap in EI by providing a structured way to describe DCC during naturalistic interactions. Findings offer preliminary support of interrater reliability and highlight the context-sensitive nature of DCC. Future work will expand the sample and refine the tool and examine its use in supporting caregiver coaching.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

2. Bogenschutz M, Broda M, Lineberry S, Dinora P, Prohn S, West A. Self-Advocacy Activities and Voting Participation in Matched Samples of Americans with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Intellect Dev Disabil. 2026; 64(5): 364-73.

Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) vote at rates below those of the total U.S. population. Self-advocacy may hold a key toward increasing voting opportunity. We used data from two sources, merged at the individual level and aggregated over five years to construct statistically equivalent groups of adults with IDD who had and had not participated in self-advocacy activities to see how their voting opportunity differed. People with IDD who participated in self-advocacy activities were 12.7% more likely to have had the opportunity to vote than similar people who had not engaged in self-advocacy activities. This suggests that systemic investments to enhance self-advocacy may assist people with IDD to become a more visible and powerful voting block.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

3. Brys I, van Esch L, Demurie E, Roeyers H, Steyaert J, Van de Vyver H, Zink I, Warreyn P, Noens I. Associations Between Parenting Stress, Parenting Behaviours and Language Abilities in Autistic Preschoolers: A Study with Mothers and Fathers. Autism Dev Lang Impair. 2026; 11: 23969415261483567.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Research shows that language abilities in autism are highly heterogeneous and that parents play a crucial role in children’s development. However, the bidirectional relationships between parenting stress, parenting behaviours and children’s language abilities in autism remain under-researched. Furthermore, fathers are often excluded from autism parenting research. This study therefore aimed (1) to compare mothers and fathers with respect to the levels of self-reported parenting stress and behaviours and (2) to examine associations between parenting stress, parenting behaviours and children’s language abilities, as well as whether these associations differ between mothers and fathers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 92 autistic children aged 2-6 with their mothers and fathers. Parenting stress and parenting behaviours were measured with self-report questionnaires. Children’s receptive and expressive language abilities were measured using a combination of standardised tests, which were chosen depending on the children’s age, abilities and community language (i.e., Dutch or French). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare mothers and fathers. Zero-order and partial Spearman correlations were adopted to examine associations among variables, and Fisher’s r-to-z transformations compared the strength of associations between maternal and paternal correlations. RESULTS: Mothers reported higher scores on parenting stress and several positive parenting behaviours (i.e., positive parenting, supervision, rules, rewarding, stimulating the development and adapting the environment) than fathers. No significant differences were found in the amount of autonomy support, discipline and indulging. In mothers, multiple parenting behaviours (i.e., autonomy support, supervision, discipline and stimulating the development) were significantly correlated with children’s language abilities, although these associations weakened when controlling for children’s non-verbal cognitive abilities. In fathers, only supervision correlated significantly with children’s language abilities. Mothers showed no significant associations between self-reported parenting stress and behaviours. In fathers, however, higher parenting stress was linked to lower positive parenting, rewarding and stimulating the development and to higher discipline and indulging. Paternal stress was also related to lower receptive language abilities, a pattern not observed in mothers. CONCLUSIONS: More differences than similarities emerged in parenting experiences and practices between mothers and fathers. Mothers reported more parenting stress and positive parenting practices compared to fathers, whereas no differences were found for negative parenting practices. Gender differences also appeared in the associations between parenting stress, parenting behaviours and child’s language abilities. More specifically, maternal parenting behaviours were more strongly related to children’s language abilities than paternal parenting behaviours. Importantly, these associations weakened after controlling for children’s cognition, suggesting a complex interplay between these variables to be further researched. Parenting stress was related to both parenting behaviours and children’s language abilities only in fathers, and not in mothers. IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest the importance of including both mothers and fathers in autism parenting research and clinical practice. They encourage future longitudinal and intervention studies to further examine the interrelations between parenting stress, parenting behaviours and children’s language development, while also considering the role of child characteristics that may influence these associations, in order to inform parent-mediated language interventions.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

4. Chadha M, Lindor E, Millard O, Moss S, Rinehart N. AllPlay Dance autism: protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a community-based dance programme for children with autism. BMJ Open. 2026; 16(9): e122285.

INTRODUCTION: Motor skills are integral to numerous developmental domains throughout infancy and childhood. In autism, motor impairments are prevalent and pervasive, often appearing before core symptoms. These motor difficulties have a cascading effect on a child’s broader physical and psychological health, including social, cognitive, emotional and behavioural functioning. Accordingly, researchers are increasingly interested in interventions that improve motor functioning, as these may have a downstream effect on broader developmental domains. One intervention that could address motor difficulties is the AllPlay Dance programme, which provides inclusive dance classes to children in community settings, with pilot data demonstrating acceptability and feasibility among parents and their children with autism and cerebral palsy. This pragmatic randomised controlled trial (pRCT) is thus designed to evaluate whether the AllPlay Dance programme creates the conditions for motor, cognitive and social abilities to thrive in children with autism. METHOD AND ANALYSIS: This pRCT intends to enrol 70 families of children with autism, aged 7-12 years, living in Victoria, Australia. We will also enrol up to 60 participants with previous dance experience, called buddies, to support the participation of our dancers with autism. We will use our clinical, research, university and community networks to recruit participants. Interested families will complete an online screening survey, followed by questionnaires that parents complete and assessments of the motor functioning in the children. Interested buddies will also complete an online screening survey followed by a baseline questionnaire. Families will be randomly allocated to the intervention group or the treatment-as-usual waitlist control group. The intervention group will attend 9 weeks of community-based dance classes led by disability and dance experts and supported by buddies. The primary outcome is change in motor functioning, as assessed through performance-based measures, with parent reports providing complementary information about everyday motor functioning. Secondary outcomes include improvements in the executive, social, emotional and behavioural functioning of the children, as well as decreases in the stress of parents. We will also evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of this programme, as well as whether families decide to enrol and engage with other dance programmes in the community following the intervention. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has received approval from the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee and the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee. Findings will be disseminated through a PhD thesis, peer-reviewed publications, presentations at scientific conferences and reports to participants, community organisations and the wider community. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR); ACTRN12625000600448; registered on 11 June 2025; https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=389672.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

5. Du Y, Yang J, Zhao X, Wang S, Yuan Y, Wei J, Liu J, Chen H, Liu J, Zhou Z, Li D, Yan X, Ye T, Wang S. Fenton‑Engineered Sporopollenin With In Vivo Interfacial Targeting for Gut Microenvironment‑Synergized Clearance of 4‑Ethylphenol, an Autism‑Related Metabolite. Adv Healthc Mater. 2026: e71689.

Targeted clearance of gut‑derived hydrophobic metabolites such as 4‑ethylphenol (4‑EP) offers a potential therapeutic route for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) via the gut-brain axis. However, 4‑EP tends to accumulate at dietary lipid-water interfaces, which are poorly accessible to conventional oral adsorbents that rely on passive diffusion. To address this issue, we engineered Fenton‑modified sporopollenin microparticles (Ft‑SFs) for active interfacial targeting. Ft‑SFs exhibit superhydrophobicity (contact angle 152.8°) that enables spontaneous anchoring at oil-water interfaces, and a hierarchical porous structure that facilitates high‑capacity capture. In simulated intestinal fluid, Ft‑SFs synergize with bile salts and trypsin to achieve an adsorption capacity of 117.86 mg g(-) (1) and a removal efficiency of 94.35%. In vivo fluorescence imaging confirmed intestinal targeting and prolonged retention (69.42% ex vivo adhesion at 4 h), together with favorable biocompatibility. These findings demonstrate that Ft-SFs represent a promising oral adsorbent for 4‑EP clearance, and the interfacial targeting strategy provides a feasible approach for removing gut‑derived metabolites.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

6. Gormley J, Fiala M, Weis E, Light J. The Impact of Hospitals on Language Learning: A Case Study of a 3-Year-Old Boy With Developmental Delay Who Needed Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2026; 35(5): 1912-27.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot study was to describe the language learning contexts experienced by a young child with global developmental delays and limited speech during an inpatient stay. METHOD: An observational case study was completed to describe the language learning contexts during the inpatient stay of a 3-year-old child with global developmental delay. Six health care providers participated and interacted with him during the 16-hr observational period over two consecutive days. Interactions were video-recorded and coded, and researcher memos were used to describe environmental variables. RESULTS: During the observation period, the child interacted with at least one adult partner for a total of 6 hr. During the remaining 10 hr, he did not have human contact. His stay was characterized by extended periods without adult interaction interspersed with concentrated periods of linguistic input by providers during activities related to medical procedures, mealtimes, daily care, and therapy sessions. Providers were generally unfamiliar with his signals, preferences, and routine. They demonstrated general responsiveness during caregiving activities and positive affect during most interactions but responded inconsistently to his unique presymbolic communication signals. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that characteristics associated with the hospital experience-extended periods without adult interaction, limited access to familiar communication partners, and inconsistent responses to nonsymbolic communication-may constrain language learning opportunities for children with limited speech. These results underscore the need for developmentally appropriate strategies (e.g., adult interaction, consistent routines, augmentative and alternative communication access) to support communication access and optimize language outcomes in hospitals. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.32942690.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

7. Jansson S, Wewer MD, Burisch J, Fox MP, Benros ME, Rask CU, Wewer V, Malham M. Association of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism with inflammatory bowel disease activity. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism on the disease activity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in pediatric and young patients. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with IBD between the ages of 6 and 24 years were identified in Danish nationwide registries 1996-2022. Cumulative incidences for severe disease activity (defined as advanced therapies, oral corticosteroids, IBD-related surgery and hospitalization) were estimated and compared between patients with IBD with and without ADHD/autism. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each of the severe events. RESULTS: A total of 785 patients with IBD and ADHD/autism and 6729 patients with IBD only were included. ADHD and autism were associated with a higher cumulative incidence of severe disease activity (10-year cumulative incidence: 36.2% vs. 33.7%). When investigating each severe event, ADHD and autism were associated with a higher risk of receiving advanced IBD therapies (aHR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0-1.3). Patients with ulcerative colitis and ADHD/autism had a higher risk for colectomy (aHR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0-1.8), especially those diagnosed with IBD before 18 years of age (aHR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.6). CONCLUSIONS: ADHD and autism were associated with more severe IBD disease activity in pediatric and young patients. Although mainly smaller effects were observed, the findings may inform targeted efforts for patients with ADHD/autism and IBD to reduce the likelihood of severe disease activity.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

8. Kalkan S, Eryaman MY. When the ground shakes: Psychosocial impacts of earthquakes on children with autism and a call for neuro-inclusive disaster response. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2026; 270: 107770.

BACKGROUND: Natural disasters pose disproportionate challenges for children with autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring intellectual disability (ASD + ID), whose sensory sensitivities and reliance on routines heighten vulnerability in crisis situations. OBJECTIVE: This qualitative study examines the psychosocial impacts of the February 6, 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye, focusing on children with ASD + ID and their families across the preparedness, response, and recovery phases of disaster management. METHOD: Data were collected through focus group interviews with 28 parents residing in the three most severely affected provinces (Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, and Adıyaman) and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis in NVivo 14. RESULTS: The findings reveal substantial gaps in disaster preparedness, emergency shelter conditions that failed to accommodate sensory needs, and the collapse of essential support services, all of which intensified psychological distress for both children and caregivers. Behavioral regression, heightened anxiety, and sleep disturbances were among the most frequently reported outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The trauma experienced by children with ASD + ID cannot be explained solely by earthquake exposure; it is closely linked to structural deficiencies in disaster response systems. The risk of diagnostic shadowing, whereby trauma responses are misattributed to pre-existing disability, poses a significant clinical concern. Findings support the urgent integration of disability-inclusive, sensory-informed approaches into national disaster management frameworks.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

9. Kamiya T, Habata K, Cheong Y, Shiotsu D, Makino T, Kowada K, Sanada R, Omori IM, Ide S, Okazawa H, Jung M, Kosaka H. Atypical sensory traits and changes in white matter microstructures connected to the amygdala and hippocampus of the autistic brain. J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2026.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by atypical sensory traits. The amygdala and hippocampus have been implicated in ASD, but how sensory traits relate to white matter pathways connected to these regions remains unclear. We therefore examined whether sensory traits are associated with microstructural properties of amygdala- and hippocampus-connected white matter in adults with ASD. We included 40 adults with ASD and 83 typically developing (TD) adults (all aged ≥ 18 years). Participants completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) and underwent diffusion tensor imaging. Diffusion metrics were computed for bilateral amygdala-connected white matter (AWM) and hippocampus-connected white matter (HWM). The ASD group showed lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in both AWM and HWM than the TD group. In the ASD group, sensation-seeking scores revealed a nominal positive association with FA in the right AWM, although this association did not survive FDR correction. In the TD group, sensation-seeking scores were negatively associated with FA in the right HWM. Fisher r-to-z tests with FDR correction indicated significant group differences in the associations between sensation seeking and FA of the right AWM and right HWM. White matter microstructure in pathways connected to the amygdala and hippocampus showed group differences in FA and in how FA related to sensation seeking. These findings suggest that atypical sensory traits in ASD may be linked to microstructural differences in amygdala- and hippocampus-connected pathways.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

10. Karasavva V, Mikami AY. Autism and ADHD social media short-form video content: A systematic review protocol. PLoS One. 2026; 21(9): e0357837.

RATIONALE: Social media platforms have made information about mental health more accessible than ever, with over 60% of young adults using social media as a primary information source. Content about neurodiversity issues, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is highly popular online. Researchers and mental health professionals have expressed concerns over the lack of vetting and potential spread of misinformation on social media. To date, there has been no synthesis of the literature examining the scientific accuracy of short-form video content about ADHD and ASD, and the downstream impacts of this content. OBJECTIVES: 1) Describe the popularity and characteristics of ADHD and ASD short-form video content, 2) Evaluate the extent to which it follows clinical guidelines, 3) Explore its impacts on stigma, treatment- and diagnosis-seeking, and symptom perceptions. METHODS: This protocol is designed in accordance with the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. PsycINFO, PubMed, and SCOPUS will be used for the literature search. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods peer-reviewed research published in English by June 1, 2026, will be considered. Once duplicate studies are removed, pairs of independent reviewers will determine eligibility first through the review of titles and abstracts and then full text review. Descriptive and thematic analysis methods will be used to analyze extracted data. CONCLUSION: Findings from this work can provide a better understanding of the social media content about ADHD and ASD and the ways it may impact viewers. PRE-REGISTRATION: A protocol of this systematic literature review will be registered with Open Science Framework Registries.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

11. Li J, Tang B, Gong C, Shao B. Mid-to-late pregnancy: A critical window for the protective effect of green space against autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Environ Pollut. 2026; 409: 129118.

INTRODUCTION: Green space exposure during pregnancy and the early postnatal period is associated with lower autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk. However, averaged exposure studies may miss time-specific sensitive windows spanning prenatal to early postnatal periods. Whether PM2.5 mediates or modifies this relationship remains unclear. This study aimed to identify critical windows of green space exposure and examine PM2.5’s role. METHODS: A 1:3 matched case-control study was conducted, including 207 children with ASD and 621 healthy controls individually matched by age and sex. Participants were recruited from a tertiary maternal and child health hospital in central China. Monthly residential normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), a satellite-derived metric of vegetation greenness, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels from 10 months before to 3 months after birth were estimated for each participant based on maternal residential addresses. A distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to quantify the association between monthly NDVI exposure and ASD risk and to detect critical windows for the protective effects of green space. Product terms were incorporated into conditional logistic regression models to test multiplicative interactions between NDVI and PM2.5. The bootstrap method was used to evaluate mediating effects, and Bonferroni correction was applied to account for multiple testing. RESULTS: Children with ASD had consistently lower monthly NDVI values than controls across all 14 months (from 10 months before birth to 3 months after birth; all FDR-adjusted P values < 0.01). A critical window was identified from 6 months to 1 month before birth (lags -6 to -1), during which higher NDVI was associated with lower odds of ASD. For this window, each interquartile range (IQR) increase in window-averaged NDVI was associated with a 46.6% reduction in the odds of ASD (OR = 0.534, 95% CI: 0.415-0.688). No significant multiplicative interaction between NDVI and PM2.5 was observed for any month (all P > 0.05 after correction), and mediation analyses revealed no evidence of mediation by PM2.5. CONCLUSIONS: Green space exposure during mid-to-late pregnancy (corresponding to 6 to 1 month before birth for term births) is associated with substantially lower odds of ASD, independent of PM2.5. These findings suggest that prenatal care providers should consider advising pregnant women to increase green space contact during mid-to-late pregnancy. The identification of this temporally specific window also supports urban planning efforts to prioritize green space preservation in residential areas with high concentrations of pregnant women.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

12. Li JZ, Yang F, Chege M, Moir V, Shafai F, Montenegro J, Dodgson N, Moradkhani L, Stow M, Ho TWW, Abraham AE, Gateman E, Schulz SE, Stevenson RA. Testing the relationships between facial emotion recognition, levels of Autistic traits, and eye gaze patterns. Front Hum Neurosci. 2026; 20: 1824976.

Individuals with high levels of Autistic traits often experience challenges in interpreting others’ emotions, potentially stemming from atypical patterns of visual attention to facial cues. This study investigates whether levels of Autistic traits in a non-clinical sample are associated with overall emotion recognition accuracy, differential attention to facial areas of interest (eyes, mouth, and other regions), and emotion-specific recognition impairments. Eighty-one participants were presented with videos of actors displaying the six basic emotions (anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise) at high and low intensities while eye movements were recorded. Levels of Autistic traits were quantified using a composite score derived from well-validated questionnaires. Overall, higher levels of Autistic traits correlated with weaker emotion recognition performance (r = -0.30, p = 0.006). Attention to the mouth was positively correlated with emotion recognition accuracy (r = 0.27, p = 0.014), but not to the eyes. Notably, levels of Autistic traits did not correlate with gaze patterns to either mouth or eye regions, a null finding that differs from established literature on eye avoidance patterns in Autistic populations. Levels of Autistic traits were selectively associated with recognition of negative emotions of anger, disgust, and fear, but not happiness. These findings confirm the relationship between Autistic traits and emotion recognition difficulties in the broader population, as well as the importance of attention to emotionally salient facial features in emotion recognition. However, our hypothesis that eye-gaze patterns would mediate the relationship between autistic traits and emotion recognition difficulties was not supported.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

13. Liu S, Wang Z, Wang Y, Yang Y. Identifying shared and personalized brain functional connectivity subspace across neuropsychiatric disorders. J Neural Eng. 2026; 23(5).

Objective.Neuropsychiatric disorders exhibit complex functional connectivity (FC) alterations, yet disentangling transdiagnostic mechanisms from disorder-specific network perturbations remains challenging due to clinical heterogeneity and multisite data confounds.Approach.We aggregated large-scale resting-state fMRI data from 1923 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and site-matched controls from the REST-meta-MDD, ABIDE, and ADHD-200 consortia. We applied the established common orthogonal basis extraction algorithm to decompose individual FC matrices into shared and personalized subspaces following site-level normalization.Main results.We validated that shared subspaces captured robust pathological signatures capable of distinguishing patients from independent healthy controls from the human connectome project. A hierarchical analysis of these shared subspaces revealed a transdiagnostic core defined by widespread default mode network decoupling alongside divergent subcortical connectivity patterns: hyper-connectivity in MDD but hypo-connectivity in ASD and ADHD. Despite these conserved commonalities, we demonstrated a functional dissociation in clinical utility: personalized subspaces exhibited significantly higher utility for precision characterization, achieving superior performance in predicting individual symptom severity and in discriminating between diagnostic groups (macro-F1: 77.6%)- tasks where shared features lacked sufficient specificity.Significance.These findings provide evidence consistent with a hierarchical neurobiological architecture wherein shared subspaces map conserved vulnerabilities, while personalized subspaces capture the heterogeneity underlying diagnostic distinctions and individual symptom expression. This work supports the value of modeling personalized neural signatures to advance precision psychiatry.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

14. Maruani A, Delclaud E, Bruzeau P, Delorme R, Tabet AC, Vantalon V, Levy J, Ellul P. Clinical and Genetic Factors Associated With Regression in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism Res. 2026: e70367.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition with complex genetic and environmental underpinnings. A clinically significant subset of children with ASD experience developmental regression ((reg)ASD), characterized by the acute loss of previously acquired skills. The mechanisms, predictors, and molecular basis of (reg)ASD remain poorly understood. We retrospectively and prospectively analyzed a cohort of 505 children diagnosed with ASD at the Center of Excellence for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (Paris, France) between 2017 and 2023. Clinical, neurodevelopmental, and genetic data were collected, including detailed developmental histories, standardized diagnostic assessments (ADI-R, ADOS-2, VABS), and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). Statistical analyses included classification tree algorithms and principal component analysis to identify clinical predictors of regression, and gene ontology enrichment to explore molecular pathways. Developmental regression was detected in 74 children (15%). Prior to regression, (reg)ASD children exhibited more favorable neurodevelopmental profiles, including lower rates of prematurity, higher birth weight and height, and earlier acquisition of first words, compared with nonregressive ASD (non-(reg)ASD) peers. However, after regression, (reg)ASD children had significantly more severe neurodevelopmental impairments across cognitive, adaptive, and social domains (p < 0.001). Routine clinical variables did not reliably predict the onset of regression. CMA revealed that (reg)ASD is associated with distinct genetic deletions enriched in immune, inflammatory (particularly Type I interferon), oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and synaptic pathways, with minimal overlap with non-(reg)ASD genetic profiles. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that (reg)ASD may represent a distinct clinical and molecular subgroup within ASD. The molecular signatures identified in (reg)ASD suggest involvement of immune and synaptic pathways, highlighting the need for further targeted research to clarify their potential therapeutic implications for this subgroup.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

15. Miller SL, Bourke-Taylor H, Dixon K, Luo J, Upreti R. Transgender and gender diverse autistic adults’ experiences undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy as prescribed. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2026.

OBJECTIVE: Recent evidence suggests the prevalence of autistic adults accessing gender-affirming care, including gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), is high. Although best practice guidelines recognise the impact of autistic traits, guidance to support GAHT adherence as prescribed in these patients is lacking. DESIGN AND METHODS: Hence, two studies were configured within a state-wide Gender Endocrinology clinic at an Australian tertiary hospital: Study A, an online survey of autistic transgender and gender diverse (TGD) and non-autistic adults undergoing GAHT; and Study B, a convergent mixed-methods study, explored autistic TGD adults’ experiences of GAHT adherence. Study A (n = 112), consisted of participants with a formal ASD diagnosis (n = 35), self-identifying autistic (n = 46), and non-autistic (n = 31). Study B included semi-structured interviews (n = 6) and the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile. Data were analysed thematically and results triangulated with AASP results. RESULTS: Results indicated that autistic TGD participants experienced more difficulty adhering to GAHT due to sensory processing differences and executive function challenges. Participants’ sensory, executive function, healthcare and social experiences whilst undergoing GAHT were explored. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight that autistic adults accessing gender endocrinology settings may experience greater challenges adhering to GAHT as prescribed. Identified strategies to promote GAHT adherence included reflecting upon previous sensory experiences, establishing a consistent routine, incorporating administration into personal care routines, involving others in appointments, and peer support. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: A high prevalence of autistic adults are accessing gender endocrinology services for gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). In clinical practice, the intersection of autism and gender incongruence can pose unique GAHT adherence challenges as a result of autistic traits. However, there is a paucity of detailed, nuanced exploration of these challenges, meaning current clinical guidance typically remains generic in nature. Our research provides preliminary evidence of the specific nature of increased challenges with GAHT adherence and tolerability amongst autistic transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults. Qualitative findings provide insight into the strategies used by autistic TGD adults to promote GAHT adherence. These findings can be utilised to support endocrinologists, other clinicians, and autistic adults undergoing GAHT to promote optimal patient outcomes.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

16. Moretti MP, Torrecilla M, Benavidez N, Gómez JAM. Autism-related behaviors in early childhood with histories of maltreatment and alternative care: Autism or trauma?. Child Abuse Negl. 2026; 181: 108317.

BACKGROUND: Early childhood maltreatment can disrupt development and trigger dissociative defensive mechanisms that may manifest in behaviors resembling Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – atypical social interaction, communication difficulties, and stereotyped behaviors – described as quasi-autistic patterns. In institutional settings characterized by severe emotional deprivation, similar presentations have been reported as institutional autism. Although these behaviors are documented, the factors associated with ASD-related behaviors following maltreatment and alternative care remain insufficiently understood. OBJECTIVE: This study examined parent-reported ASD-related behaviors in adopted children with histories of maltreatment and alternative care and evaluated the effects of sex, type and duration of alternative care, age at adoption, and time spent in the adoptive family. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: 108 Argentine parents of children aged 18-30 months participated across three groups: biological parents of non-maltreated children without histories of alternative care (Group 1, n = 35), adoptive parents of children with maltreatment histories who experienced foster-family care (Group 2, n = 39), and adoptive parents of children with maltreatment histories who experienced institutional care (Group 3, n = 34). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Parents completed the Argentine adaptation of the M-CHAT at a single time point. RESULTS: Group 3 exhibited significantly higher ASD-related behavior scores than Groups 1 and 2, with no significant differences between Groups 1 and 2. In hierarchical multiple regression, institutional care history, male sex, and older age at adoption were independently associated with higher ASD-related behavior scores (F(3,69) = 21.34; p < .001; R(2) = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that elevated ASD-related behaviors following maltreatment and alternative care may reflect overlapping trauma-related, developmental, and ASD-related features. The higher scores observed among children with histories of institutional care should be interpreted cautiously, as pre-placement adversity was not assessed and may have differed between groups.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

17. Norman AO, Scaramella C, Biezonski D, Hector RD, Varallo A, Sahni A, Farooq N, Burstein SR, Benito J, Razak KA, Selfridge J, Cobb S, Ethell IM. Neonatal expression of human FMRP isoform corrects cortical deficits and improves behavior in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids. 2026; 37(3): 102981.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by CGG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene and the resulting loss of fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein (FMRP). Gene therapy using recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) to restore FMRP expression, particularly in the brain, is a promising therapeutic strategy targeting the underlying cause of FXS. We examined the impact of AAV serotype 9 (AAV9)-mediated expression of a brain-abundant human FMRP isoform (isoform 7) driven by a fragment of the human FMR1 promoter on circuit and behavioral dysfunctions in the male Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse, FXS model. Following intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of AAV9-NG276 into neonatal KO mice at a low (1e11 vg/animal) or high (3e11 vg/animal) dose, we assessed cortical phenotypes using electroencephalography (EEG) recordings and behavioral testing. High-dose AAV9-NG276 normalized baseline gamma power, improved sound-evoked responses, and reduced background neural activity. Analysis of behavioral deficits in adult KO mice showed that high-dose neonatal AAV9-NG276 delivery normalized exploratory behaviors, social preference, and probabilistic reversal learning. Thus, early AAV-mediated delivery of human FMR1 isoform 7 ameliorates cortical dysfunction and behavioral deficits in a murine FXS model and suggests that widespread cortical biodistribution is required for therapeutic benefit.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

18. Prahl A, Fraze K, Kannan A, Grauzer J, Sturdivant RX. Functional Reading Activities to Motivate and Empower: Maintenance of Reading Outcomes for Young Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Following a Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2026; 35(5): 2337-50.

PURPOSE: This study examined whether the effects of Functional Reading Activities to Motivate and Empower (FRAME), a functional, strategy-based reading comprehension intervention for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs), were maintained 6 months following the completion of the intervention and explored participants’ perceptions of the intervention’s feasibility, relevance, and perceived impact. METHOD: Participants were 44 young adults with IDDs (ages 18-26 years) who participated in a previously reported randomized controlled trial (FRAME participants: n = 23; controls: n = 21). Trial outcomes were assessed via telepractice at pretest, posttest, and 6-month follow-up. Six-month maintenance analyses focused on outcomes that demonstrated significant posttest group differences: use of (a) reading comprehension strategies (proximal) and (b) reading comprehension questions (distal). Participant perceptions (social validity) were collected post-intervention from FRAME participants using a structured interview protocol with closed- and open-ended items. RESULTS: At the 6-month follow-up, FRAME participants demonstrated sustained but reduced improvements in strategy use relative to controls (p = .040). Between-groups differences were not maintained for reading comprehension questions (p = .091). Participants reported high acceptability and perceived relevance of FRAME, with qualitative themes reflecting perceived improvements in comprehension, self-improvement, and increased independence. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that FRAME supports sustainable gains in reading comprehension strategy use and is perceived as meaningful and feasible for young adults with IDDs, although additional supports may be needed to promote sustained improvements in distal comprehension outcomes. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.33307218.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

19. Ramirez-Pulido G, Xu T, Chavez S, Adepoju O. Telemedicine Use Amongst US Children and Young Adults With Autism: Utilization, Costs and Common Conditions. Health Serv Insights. 2026; 19: 11786329261487536.

BACKGROUND: The management of autism and other comorbidities among children and young adults places a substantial economic and logistical burden on families. Telemedicine offers potential benefits for children and young adults with autism by improving access to care, reducing costs, and supporting families in managing ongoing treatment needs, all highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. While telemedicine has shown positive benefits in neurotypical pediatric populations, limited evidence supports and describes the use of telemedicine for children with autism. OBJECTIVE: This study examined children and young adults with autism and assessed the association between telemedicine services and annual combined out-of-pocket (OOP) medical costs among children and young adults with autism. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data from the U.S. nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) were analyzed. Independent variables included demographics, medical conditions, utilization patterns, and healthcare expenditures. A weighted log-linear regression model estimated combined medical OOP costs, and a binary weighted logistic regression examined factors associated with telemedicine use. DATA: The study cohort included 189 children and young adults with autism aged 1-21 years from 2020 to 2023. RESULTS: Among them, 62 (32.8%) used telemedicine. By 2023, telemedicine utilization among children and young adults with exceeded those who did not use telemedicine. Telemedicine utilization did not have a significant effect on OOP costs (EXP(β) = 1.30, p = 0.17). Insurance type showed a strong effect, with individuals without Medicaid having much higher odds of incurring OOP costs than those with Medicaid (EXP(β) = 15.91, p < 0.001). Black or African American children had significantly lower odds of telemedicine use compared to non-Hispanic White children (Exp(β) = 0.17, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Telemedicine use was not significantly associated with combined OOP medical costs among children and young adults with autism. However, differences were observed in telemedicine use and OOP costs.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

20. Ramme A, Winter R, Jarzebska N, Ögel F, Richter MJ, Vojtechova I, Winter C, Petrasek T, Waltereit R, Bernhardt N. Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Improves Social Behavior Alongside Neuroplastic Changes in a Tsc2(+/-) Rat Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res. 2026: e70368.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by altered synaptic connectivity and network organization, resulting in profound impairments in social communication and interaction. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) represents a promising approach to modulate maladaptive plasticity associated with ASD; however, mechanistic evidence from preclinical models remains limited. Here, we investigated whether repeated anodal tDCS targeting the medial prefrontal cortex modulates ASD-relevant social behavioral deficits in a rodent model. Male Tsc2(+/-) rats with induced developmental status epilepticus (DSE) and wild-type (WT) littermate controls received repeated anodal tDCS (200 μA for 20 min, twice daily) for 12 consecutive days. Social behavior profiles were evaluated at baseline and at 2- and 5 weeks following treatment. In addition, postmortem analyses investigated neuroplasticity-related markers and monoaminergic neurotransmitter levels. tDCS selectively modulated social behavioral deficits in Tsc2(+/-) DSE rats. Specifically, tDCS in Tsc2(+/-) DSE rats caused a sustained reduction in social avoidance and transient improvements in social exploration, while social approach behavior improved but did not return to WT levels, and social recognition impairments remained unaffected. In addition, tDCS restored abnormal serotonin levels in brain regions involved in social behavior, suggesting a potential contribution of serotonergic mechanisms to the observed behavioral effects. Our results demonstrate that improvements in some domains of ASD-relevant social deficits following tDCS persist for weeks beyond the stimulation period, possibly through neuroplastic modulation of serotonergic neurotransmission. Together, these results provide mechanistic insights into how noninvasive brain stimulation may modulate specific components of social dysfunction and highlight the importance of considering the multidimensional nature of ASD-related behaviors when evaluating therapeutic interventions.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

21. Smith JR, Bonnee M, Marler S, Lim S, Fuchs DC, Tamargo R, Baldwin I, Maley C, VanHaverbeck A, Hamilton C, Adegoke T, Xu H, Liu J, Williams ZJ, Wilson JE, Luccarelli J. Electroconvulsive Therapy for Catatonia in Autistic and Non-Autistic Patients: An Observational Study on Course, Efficacy, Aggression, and Self-Injury Outcomes. Autism Res. 2026: e70362.

Catatonia occurs disproportionately in autistic individuals and may respond to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), yet prior reports suggest greater treatment burden in this population. We compared longitudinal ECT utilization, safety, and clinical outcomes between autistic and non-autistic patients with catatonia. This single-center observational cohort included 110 patients treated from May 2022 through April 2026, comprising 43 autistic and 67 non-autistic patients. Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS), Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I), Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S), and Kanner Catatonia Severity and Examination scores were recorded across acute and maintenance treatment. Because the cohorts differed in age, biologic sex, and intellectual disability, treatment burden was evaluated using covariate-adjusted, censoring-aware models with a three-level clinical-group variable comprising non-autism, autism with intellectual disability, and autism without intellectual disability. Autistic patients received more ECT sessions than non-autistic patients (median, 35 vs. 14) over longer observed treatment courses (median, 342 vs. 97 days). After adjustment, this difference reflected longer retention in maintenance ECT rather than a higher treatment rate and was concentrated among autistic patients with intellectual disability (Cox hazard ratio, 0.21). Clinical improvement was observed in both cohorts: CGI-I response occurred in 100.0% of autistic and 89.1% of non-autistic patients, BFCRS reduction of at least 50% occurred in 76.9% and 75.4%, and CGI-S improvement of at least 1 point occurred in 85.0% and 70.8%, respectively. Kanner total scores decreased significantly, and self-injury prevalence declined from 42.9% to 17.1% among autistic patients. Combativeness improved in both cohorts, and documented adverse events were uncommon. ECT was associated with substantial clinical improvement in autistic and non-autistic patients with catatonia. Autistic patients, particularly those with intellectual disability, experienced longer maintenance courses rather than more intensive treatment, underscoring the importance of sustained treatment access. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an established treatment for catatonia, a condition that can cause severe difficulties with movement, speech, and behavior. We studied 110 patients with catatonia, 43 autistic and 67 non‐autistic, who received ECT at a single center. Autistic patients received more ECT treatments over a longer period than non‐autistic patients. However, when we accounted for differences between the groups, such as age and co‐occurring intellectual disability, this reflected a need for longer ongoing (maintenance) treatment to stay well, rather than more intensive initial acute treatment. This longer maintenance course was mainly seen in autistic patients who also had intellectual disability. Importantly, ECT worked well in both groups and was associated with significant reductions in self‐injurious behavior and aggression in autistic patients, symptoms that are often resistant to other treatments. ECT was safe and well tolerated. These findings support sustained, long‐term access to ECT for autistic patients with catatonia. eng National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute of Mental Health, Axial Therapeutics, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Roche. Z.J.W. serves on the scientific advisory boards of Autism Speaks and SPARK (Simons Foundation). He holds equity in Bristol Myers Squibb, and he has received consulting fees from Roche. J.E.W. receives funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Bristol Myers Squibb, AC-Immune, and Ono Pharmaceuticals. J.L. receives funding from Harvard Medical School, the Rappaport Foundation, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research. He holds equity and has received consulting income from Revival Therapeutics Inc. and consulting fees from Soleno Therapeutics. The other author declare no conflicts of interest.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

22. Werner O, Ferchaud-Roucher V, Karakachoff M, Bourgoin P, Chauvire-Drouard A, Galy J, Cosse M, Chaffiraud M, Boivin M, Gauvard E, Egron S, Romefort B, Benbrik N, Padovani P, Prigent S, Tagorti M, Demonceaux M, Gronier CG, Laribi J, Monier A, Winer N, Gaillard Le Roux B, Flamant C, Amarger V, Moyon T, Blottière H, Forest V, Lindenbaum P, Dina C, Redon R, Barc J, Ebstein F, Schott JJ, Guerra A, Cadeau O, Roy A, Baruteau AE. Clinical and multi-omics characterisation of early neurodevelopmental disorders associated with critical congenital heart disease: the prospective cohort CATAMARAN neonatal study protocol. BMJ Open. 2026; 16(9): e116866.

INTRODUCTION: Critical congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, recognised as the most common long-term morbidity in affected children. In critical CHD, that is, CHD requiring cardiac surgery within the first 3 months of life, 30%-50% of children have lower developmental scores. Therefore, early identification of at-risk infants is crucial, yet there is no scientifically evaluated care programme in France. This study aims to evaluate early neurodevelopmental status in infants with prenatally diagnosed critical CHD and to determine how intrinsic susceptibility, prenatal and postnatal factors are functionally associated with developmental delay in this population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Caractérisation et Accompagnement des Troubles du neurodéveloppement Associés aux MAlfoRmations cArdiaques coNgénitales (CATAMARAN) is a prospective, multicentre cohort study including 150 fetuses with critical CHD and their parents across eight French tertiary CHD centres. The primary objective will be to estimate the proportion of developmental delay at 6 months using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Secondary objectives will include exploring potential prenatal, perinatal, perioperative determinants of developmental delay. Data collection will span pregnancy to 6 months of age including clinical assessments, maternal questionnaires (stress and nutrition), multimodal imaging and extensive biobanking (placenta, cord and peripheral blood, stool samples). To explore potential genetic and other multi-omic factors involved in the occurrence of a developmental delay, a case-control analysis will be conducted within the cohort. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Clinical and biological data will be collected through a secure system, with anonymised samples analysed in specialised facilities under collaborative agreements. Data confidentiality, traceability and long-term storage are ensured through controlled access and audit trails. Study results will be published and shared with families and the public through the patient association Petit Coeur de Beurre. This study received approval from a French ethics committee in November 2024 (no. 2024-A00425-42). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT06690151.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)