1. Chen YL, Genova HM, Marchetta CM, Botticello AL. Racial and Ethnic Differences in Occupational Therapy Service Access in the Initial Five Years Following Autism Diagnosis. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2026: 1-19.

AIM: Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) require timely access to occupational therapy (OT) to support their developmental and functional needs, yet children of minority races and ethnicities may experience barriers to accessing care. This study aimed to assess racial and ethnic differences in OT access during the initial five years post-ASD diagnosis. METHODS: This retrospective study utilized electronic health records from a large pediatric health system encompassing 13 outpatient sites in the Northeastern United States. Data on OT access from 2014 to 2019 (the most recent five-year period uninterrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic), comorbid diagnoses, and social determinants of health were collected. RESULTS: The sample comprised 1181 children diagnosed with ASD in 2014 (diagnosis age: M = 5.0 years, SD = 3.2). No differences in odds of OT receipt were found between racial/ethnic groups. However, children of minority race/ethnicity had lower OT intensity, with Hispanic, Black, and Asian and Pacific Islander children receiving 0.6 (95% CI = [0.44, 0.82]), 0.54 [0.36, 0.81], and 0.55 [0.32, 0.96] times the number of OT visits received by non-Hispanic White children over five years post-diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Children of minority race/ethnicity may receive lower OT intensity, suggesting potential barriers in continued access to therapy following ASD diagnosis.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

2. Chien YL, Hsieh MH, Hsieh YH, Tseng YL. Altered spectral patterns of aperiodic electroencephalography in autism. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2026.

AIM: The altered ratio of neural excitation (E) and inhibition (I) has been proposed to the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Previous studies suggested a lower E/I ratio in autistic individuals compared to non-autistic comparisons (NACs) in specific brain regions. Whether the E/I imbalance was present in ASD in adolescence and adulthood and how the ratio correlated with clinical manifestations are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the E/I ratio in autistic adolescents and adults by using resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) signals. METHODS: The study recruited 63 autistic adolescents and adults, and 53 NAC. EEG was recorded while participants were asked to stare at the cross mark on the monitor and close their eyes for 3 min each. We used fitting oscillations and one-over-F function to separate periodic and aperiodic components, then fitting the curve to a linear line. RESULTS: Autistic participants exhibited a flatter spectrum power slope and a smaller offset compared to NAC. Group differences existed in the relationship between slope and Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) scores, with higher AQ total scores correlated with lower aperiodic exponent in ASD. In ASD, a lower aperiodic exponent was significantly correlated with greater difficulty in mindreading, low registration, and working memory difficulty. CONCLUSIONS: The slope of the aperiodic component in ASD was flatter across frontal and posterior regions, supporting that the ASD group may have an E/I imbalance. Besides, the slope might be associated with overall autistic severity, empathy, sensory characteristics, and real-world working memory difficulties that warrants further investigation.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

3. Cook A, Boddy A. The impact of specialist resource centres on autistic pupils’ experience of mainstream school. Autism. 2026: 13623613261426099.

This study investigated how autistic pupils’ psychological, social and educational outcomes differed in contrasting mainstream provisions. Using a three-year longitudinal quasi-experimental design, outcomes were compared across three placements: placement in a specialist resource centre, mainstream placement in specialist resource centre host schools, and placement in mainstream schools without a specialist resource centre. Autistic pupils (N = 119, aged 11-14) and matched non-autistic peers (N = 119) completed surveys and schools provided attainment, attendance, and exclusion data. Placement type showed no main effects on psychosocial outcomes in mixed analyses of variance, indicating limited evidence for differential change by placement alone, but hierarchical regressions indicated that specialist resource centre placement was statistically associated with higher academic attainment and stronger school belonging than mainstream schools without a specialist resource centre, and greater perceived teacher support than mainstream placement in specialist resource centre host schools. Attendance disparities for specialist resource centre pupils were smaller than national averages for autistic pupils, though attendance remained below whole-school averages. Perceived peer and teacher support were most strongly associated with positive outcomes across models, highlighting relational inclusion as a potential mechanism. Findings underscore the value of positive relationships in fostering belonging, reducing disparities, and promoting well-being for autistic pupils. Overall, specialist resource centre approaches may be associated with academic and belonging advantages, while relational inclusion appears central to positive outcomes.Lay abstractThis study explored how support through specialist resource centres can help autistic pupils in mainstream secondary schools. Specialist resource centres are supportive spaces within regular schools that offer extra help, trained staff who understand autism, and a calm environment, while also keeping pupils included in the wider school community. Although national policies aim to make schools more inclusive, many autistic pupils still face challenges such as anxiety, social challenges and school absence. This study followed 119 autistic pupils aged 11-14 across seven schools for three years. It compared three groups: pupils in specialist resource centres, autistic pupils in the same schools but not placed in the Centres and autistic pupils in mainstream schools without a Centre. Comparisons were also made with non-autistic pupils from the same schools. The study found that specialist resource centre placement was linked to better academic progress for pupils in this sample and a stronger sense of belonging than other placements. Even so, placement on its own did not lead to clear differences in most areas of well-being, and some results were based on smaller samples, so they should be treated carefully. Specialist resource centre pupils also felt more supported by teachers, and they reported higher levels of happiness and fewer peer problems than non-autistic peers. However, because this information was gathered at one point in time, the findings do not prove that placement caused these differences, though they leave open the possibility that placement may have had an impact. Pupils in specialist resource centre placements appeared to have better attendance than autistic pupils nationally, although attendance was still not as high as whole-school averages. The most important factor linked to positive outcomes was feeling supported by teachers and classmates. These results suggest specialist resource centres may offer the greatest benefits within mainstream schools, when they help pupils build supportive peer and teacher relationships.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

4. Crespo MD, Vaillancourt SM, Goldstein EA, Broderick MR, Neske GT, Kuhlman SJ. Open-Source Platform for Adjustable Training Regimes in Freely Moving and Head-Fixed Mice. eNeuro. 2026; 13(3).

Molecular tools available for rodent research enable detailed interrogation of the neural cell types and circuits that give rise to perception and decision-making during complex behaviors. To take full advantage of these molecular tools and successfully define causal relationships between neural function and overt actions during learning, there is a need for low-cost behavioral platforms with inherent flexibility in the implementation of task details. We present a behavioral platform capable of executing both head-fixed and freely moving task designs. The platform incorporates a user-interactive GUI that allows parameters to be adjusted online, during an acquisition session. Task metrics and performance indicators are acquired and organized into a standardized output, enabling single users to quickly master data analysis across a variety of task designs. To demonstrate the flexibility of the platform, mice of either sex were trained in two discrimination tasks: a head-fixed two-choice task as well as a freely moving operant conditioning task. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the platform can be used to show that mice harboring a mutation associated with autism spectrum disorder are able to perform a basic visual discrimination task in freely moving conditions. The presented work demonstrates the integration of multiple external devices to record task-related variables in a synchronized manner. As a result, the platform provides a valuable tool for affordable and reproducible investigation of behavioral decision-making as well as the neural basis underlying cognitive processes in health and disease.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

5. Fielding S. FDA approves leucovorin-but not for autism, despite Trump hype. Bmj. 2026; 392: s485.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

6. Hertweck CH, Carter CA, McDaniel SS, Llorach P, Tilton HE, Kodali A, Christoffel DJ, Walsh JJ. Repeated Stress Escalates Aggression and Activity in Fronto-Limbic Regions in Cntnap2(-)/(-) Mice. Genes Brain Behav. 2026; 25(2): e70048.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social impairments and stereotyped behavior, with some individuals exhibiting heightened aggression in response to stress. This stress induced aggression (SIA) can severely impact quality of life, yet its underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the behavioral phenotypes and neural activity that result as a consequence of stress in Cntnap2(-/-):TRAP2(+/-):Ai14(+/-) mice. Deletion of the CNTNAP2 gene leads to a highly penetrant syndromic form of ASD, and the targeted recombination in active populations (TRAP) system allows for permanent access to neuronal populations activated during a specific experience, such as stress and aggression. We implemented a behavioral paradigm consisting of a baseline resident intruder assay, with either a single day or four consecutive days of restraint stress, followed by a posttest resident intruder assay in Cntnap2(-/-):TRAP2(+/-):Ai14(+/-) and control mice. While a single day of restraint stress failed to induce changes in aggressive behavior in either genotype, 4 days of restraint stress significantly escalated aggression and reduced latency to attack selectively in Cntnap2(-/-) mice. Using TRAP-based labeling, we observed increased neuronal activity in the lateral septum, lateral habenula, lateral hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens, and prelimbic cortex of Cntnap2(-/-) mice. Interestingly, time aggressive and aggressive events were positively correlated with activity in the lateral septum, lateral habenula, and infralimbic cortex. These findings suggest that repeated stress engages specific fronto-striatal and limbic regions in Cntnap2(-/-) mice and provide insight into the neural substrates of maladaptive SIA, offering a foundation for targeted therapeutic strategies.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

7. Kong E, Jiang Y, Crain M, Bao W, Levato L, Shih W, Kasari C, Shire S. Vocabulary of Autistic Preschool Children With Limited Language: Alignment With Early Word Inventories. Autism Res. 2026: e70216.

There is a critical need to understand the early vocabulary of young children with autism who have limited language, defined in this study as producing fewer than 20 different spontaneous and functional spoken or augmented words, to better inform educational targets and vocabulary selection for spoken as well as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions, particularly given the lack of evaluation tools designed for children with limited language. The spontaneous words and gestures produced by 66 preschoolers with autism (ages 3.5-5) during a natural language sample are compared with words in two early vocabulary tools including the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories (MCDI) and a list of core words compiled from research studies of early AAC vocabulary. Participants’ expressive words and gestures were coded from the transcripts of 20-min natural language samples. Forty-nine children (74.24%) used spoken words, gestures, or a combination of both, with six children (9.09%) communicating using a speech-generating device (SGD). Spoken words were primarily used for commenting, while gestures, especially pointing, were used for requesting. Although more than half of the unique words expressed by the children during the natural language sample overlapped with those in the MCDI, only 32% of unique words expressed by the children overlapped with Laubscher’s and Light’s core word lists, suggesting that young children with autism who have limited language may use more fringe words related to their personal interests or experiences. The study’s limitations as well as implications for vocabulary selection for AAC systems and intervention goals are discussed. This study explores the words and gestures that preschoolers with autism who have limited language spontaneously used during a play‐based interaction with an unfamiliar assessor and compared the words to known lists of first English words that develop in young children. Over 74% of children used some spoken words or gestures to comment or request while few (9.09%) used a high‐tech device (tablet with software) to communicate. Although there was substantial overlap between the words used by the preschoolers and the word lists, the preschoolers used a variety of words tied to their personal interests and social contexts that were not captured by these lists. These insights provide considerations for educators, researchers, tool designers, and caregivers to select language targets for intervention and to set up high and low‐tech augmentative and alternative communication systems for young children with autism. eng.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

8. Kwak N, Park W, Kim YR, Oh J. Research trends in dietary behaviors and nutrition education among individuals with developmental disabilities in Korea: a scoping review (2015-2025). Korean J Community Nutr. 2026; 31(1): 1-20.

OBJECTIVES: We mapped trends in studies on dietary behaviors, nutritional status, and nutrition-related education among individuals with developmental disabilities in Korea over the past decade to identify research gaps and inform future research and policy development. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted using three major Korean academic databases (RISS, KISS, and DBpia). Studies published between 2015 and September 2025 were identified using combinations of keywords related to developmental disabilities, dietary behavior, nutrition, and health-related interventions. Eligible studies included empirical studies and secondary research (e.g., systematic or scoping reviews) conducted in Korea that focused on dietary behaviors, nutrition, health promotion, or nutrition-related education for individuals with developmental disabilities. Thirty-six studies met our inclusion criteria and were analyzed based on study design, study population, disability type, research topic, and publication period. RESULTS: Observational quantitative, qualitative, intervention-based experimental, and evidence synthesis accounted for 27.8%, 13.9%, 22.2%, and 36.1% of all included studies, respectively. Children and adolescents (27.8%) and adults (25.0%) were the most frequently studied populations, with limited studies focusing on professionals or teachers. Most studies targeted individuals with developmental disabilities as a combined group (61.1%), followed by those specifically targeting autism spectrum disorder. Research topics included dietary behaviors and nutritional status, nutrition-related education and interventions, health promotion, and medical or clinical issues, with many small-scale and shortterm intervention studies. CONCLUSION: Although research on dietary and nutrition-related issues among individuals with developmental disabilities in Korea has expanded in scope and methodology, significant limitations remain. Future research should adopt longitudinal and community-based approaches, incorporate diverse populations, and strengthen policy-oriented nutrition support systems to promote sustainable health and quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

9. Magnuson JE, King LS, Feldman JI, Clark SM, Pulliam G, Dunham-Carr K, Golden A, Kaysılı BK, Humphreys KL, Woynaroski TG. Parenting Stress and Stressful Life Events Among Caregivers of Toddler Siblings of Autistic and Non-Autistic Children. Autism Res. 2026: e70217.

This study measured experiences of parenting stress and stressful life events in caregivers of families with a toddler who has either an autistic or non-autistic older sibling(s). Caregivers of toddlers (12-18 months old) with older autistic siblings (Sibs-autism; n = 58) and toddlers with older non-autistic siblings (Sibs-NA; n = 46) completed questionnaires assessing stress related to parenting their toddler and their exposure to stressful life events since their toddler’s birth. We compared levels of parenting stress and stressful life events between caregivers of Sibs-autism and Sibs-NA and examined the association between these measures. Caregivers of Sibs-autism reported significantly higher levels of parenting stress and stressful life events relative to caregivers of Sibs-NA, with small to moderate effects. Parenting stress and stressful life events were moderately correlated. Across these groups of caregivers, parenting stress and stressful life events appear to be related, but partially distinct aspects of caregiver stress. These findings highlight the importance of assessing multiple aspects of stress to better understand how stress may influence both caregiver wellbeing and the development of children with autistic siblings. In this study, we compared the stress levels of caregivers who care for toddlers with older siblings diagnosed with autism to the stress levels of parents/guardians of toddlers with older siblings who are not diagnosed with autism. We assessed perceived parenting‐related stress and obtained reports on the number of stressful life events the parents/guardians had experienced since the toddlers in the study were born. We found that parents/guardians of toddlers with older autistic siblings reported higher levels of parenting stress and more stressful life events relative to parents of toddlers without older autistic siblings. Future work should study how to best support parents/guardians who are experiencing high levels of stress. eng.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

10. Metpally AR, Reddy A. The Management of Evolving Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in a Female with Fragile X Syndrome: A Case Report. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2026; 56(2): 199-202.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by cognitive impairment, behavioral dysregulation, and emotional lability. While it is primarily known as a leading cause of inherited intellectual disability, patients with FXS may also present with complex neuropsychiatric symptoms including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, autistic features, irritability, and self-injurious behaviors as they progress through childhood and adolescence. As such, these patients require close monitoring and routine adjustment of behavioral and pharmacologic treatment. Although pharmacologic sensitivity and fluctuating clinical needs are well-documented in FXS, longitudinal management remains a clinical challenge and further complicated by variable treatment responses and frequent comorbidities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD. We present longitudinal management of a genetically confirmed female with FXS who was followed from childhood into young adulthood. Her course was characterized by early emerging ASD features, severe ADHD, anxiety, episodic irritability, skin-picking, and comorbid epilepsy. Over time, stimulant medication, adjunctive clonidine, intermittent low-dose antipsychotic use, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and antiseizure medications formed the core of treatment. Behavioral therapy, school-based supports, and caregiver training were consistently emphasized. Medication choices and dosing shifted in response to developmental stage, psychiatric symptom emergence, metabolic side-effects, neurologic comorbidity, and family preference. This case illustrates the need for continuous reassessment, metabolic and neurologic monitoring, and flexible, interdisciplinary management in patients with FXS and evolving psychiatric symptoms.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

11. Nakatsuka S, Iwata Y, Ito H, Nakano Y, Mokuno K, Handa T. Successful Dichoptic Therapy for Amblyopia in a Child Unable to Tolerate Occlusion Therapy due to Autism Spectrum Disorder. Case Rep Ophthalmol Med. 2026; 2026: 9634126.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face challenges with occlusion therapy using eye patches owing to the sensory sensitivity, rigid behaviors, and communication difficulties associated with ASD. In this study, we report the case of a child with ASD who had significant difficulty with eye patch therapy for anisometropic amblyopia and was treated with visual acuity training using Occlu-pad, a dichoptic therapy device. This treatment led to marked improvement in visual acuity and high compliance. After 3 months of home-based therapy for 30 min per day, the best corrected visual acuity in the right eye improved from logarithm of minimum angle of resolution of 0.5 to 0.0, with an average compliance rate of 92%. This case highlights the importance of flexible treatment approaches tailored to individual patient characteristics in managing amblyopia in children with ASD and also demonstrates the potential utility of dichoptic therapy using Occlu-pad.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

12. Neul JL, Benke TA, Marsh ED, Peters SU, Fu C, Merritt JK, Percy AK. Trajectory of skill acquisition, loss, and regain in females with classic Rett syndrome. J Neurodev Disord. 2026.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

13. Nimbley E, Peebles I, Loomes R, Clark E, Austin A, Duffy F. ‘That’s Not Our Pathway’: Parent and Carer Experiences of Eating Disorder Focused Family Therapy (FT-ED) for Autistic Young People With Anorexia Nervosa. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2026.

OBJECTIVE: Autistic people report poorer treatment outcomes for their eating disorder (ED) in comparison to non-autistic peers. Eating disorder focused family therapy (FT-ED) is the leading outpatient intervention for adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa (AN). The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of parents of autistic young people who have received FT-ED, and any recommended adaptations to treatment. METHOD: Parents of an autistic young person who had received FT-ED within the last 3 years were invited to take part in interviews. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Twelve parents of autistic young people with AN completed interviews and analysis generated four core themes: (1) Questioning the principles of FT-ED, (2) Navigating the FT-ED process, (3) Parental (dis)empowerment, (4) Adapting FT-ED. CONCLUSIONS: This paper is the first exploration of parents of autistic young peoples’ experience of FT-ED for AN, and it highlights possible treatment adaptations for this population. It is part of a larger body of work to consider adaptations to FT-ED, with the aim of making ED treatments more effective, accessible and acceptable for autistic young people and their families.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

14. Ricci MF, Detillieux GR, Yousefiasl S, Zwaigenbaum L, Narvey S, Yogendran M, Urquia ML. Autism and immigration background, insights from a population-based study. Paediatr Child Health. 2026; 31(2): 120-7.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between immigration and autism in Manitoba, Canada, using population-based data. METHODS: We linked Manitoba’s Rehabilitation Centre for Children clinical registry (May 2016-December 2022), the province’s primary and only publicly funded autism evaluation site for children ≤6 years, with an official immigration registry. We estimated incidence of autism and adjusted relative risks (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) across subgroups defined by child and parent immigration status. RESULTS: A total of 217,811 children aged 18 months to 6 years resided in Manitoba during the study period and met inclusion criteria. Among 2408 children diagnosed with autism, 1136 (47%) had at least one immigrant parent. Compared with Canadian-born children of nonimmigrant parents, autism risk was highest among Canadian-born children of at least one immigrant parent (aRR: 2.29; 95% CI: 2.09-2.51), followed by immigrant children of at least one immigrant parent (aRR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.42-2.09). Maternal length of stay in Canada and refugee status was not associated with autism risk. In secondary analysis examining parental contribution to likelihood of autism, compared with Canadian children of two nonimmigrant parents, likelihood of autism diagnosis was higher among children in all parental immigration categories, but highest when both the mother and the father were immigrants (aRR: 3.08, 95% CI: 2.62-3.62). CONCLUSION: Children of immigrant families in Manitoba had higher rates of autism. Additional studies are warranted to assess whether similar results occur in other Canadian jurisdictions, and to investigate possible underlying factors behind this association.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

15. Serang S, Reese AH, Edmunds SR. An autoregressive latent change score model for randomized pretest, posttest, follow-up designs. Behav Res Methods. 2026; 58(3).

Randomized pretest, posttest, follow-up designs test treatment effects, but popular approaches for analyzing them such as the ANOVA or ANCOVA models have limitations, including lower power for the former and the use of residualized change scores for the latter. Latent change score models (LCSMs) have been proposed to address these issues, but none addresses both simultaneously. We develop an autoregressive LCSM that preserves the change score interpretation without resorting to residualization and show that it performs at least as well if not better than competing alternatives using a small simulation study. We also illustrate how it compares to other approaches using data from children at high risk for autism spectrum disorders.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

16. Son J, Kim DH, Cho SH. Aortoesophageal fistula from an ingested large hand needle in a nonverbal adult with autism. Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg. 2026; 32(1): 99-102.

Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare and life-threatening condition that can result from foreign body ingestion, particularly in vulner-able populations with impaired communication, where diagnosis may be delayed. A 26-year-old male with severe autism and limited expressive ability presented to the emergency department with a two-day history of fever and melena. Two hours prior to arrival, hematemesis occurred during an attempt at oral intake. Caregivers reported behavioral changes and a deterioration in his general condition over the preceding 10 days. Diagnostic imaging revealed a large, curved metallic foreign body that had perforated the esophageal wall, traversed the prevertebral space, and appeared to penetrate the thoracic aorta with its tip, leading to mediastinitis and AEF. Despite emergency surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, the patient succumbed to sepsis and multi-organ failure within 24 hours postoperatively. This case highlights the importance of clinicians considering the possibility of an asymptomatic period following sharp metallic foreign body ingestion, which can lead to severe complications, particularly in patients with communication impairments. The asymptomatic interval can result in significant complications, including luminal erosion, rupture, or the development of a fistula with adjacent structures. Emergency physicians must suspect AEF, especially in patients with a history of foreign body ingestion, when gastrointestinal bleeding is accompanied by signs of severe infection. Timely use of computed tomography (CT) imaging is critical for confirming the diagnosis and determining the need for emergency surgical intervention. This case underscores the necessity of thor-ough evaluation in managing potentially life-threatening foreign body ingestion.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

17. St John T, Corrigan NM, Rokem A, Estes AM, Hazlett HC, Pandey J, Schultz RT, Marrus N, Zwaigenbaum L, Lee CM, Dager SR, Piven J. Longitudinal profiles of executive function in autistic and non-autistic children at high likelihood of autism. J Neurodev Disord. 2026.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)