1. Alsayed SK, Starkweather AR, Orlando AM. Effectiveness of Training Programs for Caregivers of Children With Autism: A Systematic Review. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv;2026 (Mar 23):1-10.

PURPOSE: To synthesize current research that evaluated caregiver training programs for children with autism. METHOD: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement was followed to conduct this systematic review. A literature search was performed using MeSH terms in the following databases: PubMed (n = 239), PsycINFO (n = 31), CINAHL (n = 390), and Scopus (n = 5,336). After screening and quality assessment review, data from a total of 24 articles were extracted for inclusion in the literature synthesis. RESULTS: Of 24 studies reviewed, 22 reported a positive impact on caregiver knowledge, children’s behavior, and social communication skills despite variation in training modalities and duration. CONCLUSION: Caregiver training programs that integrated individualized instruction using applied behavioral analysis were found to be most effective in improving caregiver knowledge and skills, child behavior, and communication skills. Psychiatric-mental health nurses may use these findings to coordinate training programs or inform caregivers about this resource.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

2. Booij J, Geurts HM, Schalbroeck R. Interpretation of DAT SPECT Findings in Young Autistic Adults. Autism Res;2026 (Mar 23):e70234.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

3. Chen X, Xia Y, Zhang M, Xie Y, Chen S, Hou F. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Nursing Intervention in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Its Effects on Developmental Quotient and Serum Neurotransmitters. J Multidiscip Healthc;2026;19:587415.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and potential biological effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with rehabilitation nursing in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: This retrospective controlled study included 90 children with ASD admitted between January 2023 and January 2025. Participants were divided into a control group (rehabilitation nursing only, n = 45) and an observation group (TMS combined with rehabilitation nursing, n = 45). Outcomes included Developmental Quotient assessed by the Gesell Developmental Schedules, autism-related behaviors assessed by the Autism Behavior Checklist, symptom severity assessed by the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist, quality of life assessed by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and serum neurotransmitter levels [glutamate (Glu) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)]. RESULTS: After intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in developmental quotient and quality of life, along with reductions in autism-related behaviors and symptom severity (all P < 0.05). Improvements were consistently greater in the observation group compared with the control group. In addition, serum Glu and GABA levels increased significantly after intervention in both groups, with a greater magnitude of change observed in the observation group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TMS combined with rehabilitation nursing may effectively promote developmental progress, alleviate behavioral symptoms, and improve quality of life in children with ASD, accompanied by increased serum Glu and GABA levels. These findings suggest that TMS may serve as a promising adjunctive intervention. Further multicenter randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up are warranted to confirm efficacy, optimize stimulation parameters, and explore underlying mechanisms.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

4. Crunkhorn S. Exon skipping to treat Rett syndrome. Nat Rev Drug Discov;2026 (Mar 23)

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

5. Edwards E, Porter N, Handley-Stone R, Hingley-Jones H, Reynolds G. The Experiences of Autistic Healthcare Students in a Clinical Learning Environment: A Scoping Review. Autism;2026 (Mar 23):13623613261427125.

Autism is increasingly understood from a neurodiversity-affirmative perspective recognising the unique contributions of autistic individuals. Despite this shift, the specific experiences of autistic healthcare students in clinical placements remain underexplored. This scoping review aims to map existing literature on this topic, identifying both barriers and enablers to learning in clinical environments. Using Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, with methodological updates, a comprehensive search was conducted across databases including CINAHL, Medline, APA PsychInfo, Education Research Complete PubMed, Google Scholar, ProQuest and grey literature. Studies were included if they focused on the perspectives of autistic undergraduate healthcare students in clinical practice. Six studies met the inclusion criteria, which were synthesised into four overarching analytical categories: autistic profiles, sensory environments, disclosure and support and belonging and inclusion. Students reported strengths including empathy and attention to detail, alongside challenges like sensory sensitivities and social communication difficulties. Disclosure experiences varied, and a strong sense of belonging was linked to improved mental health and academic success. This review highlights the urgent need for inclusive educational practices, including tailored support, autism training for educators and a culture of acceptance. It also reveals a significant gap in the literature, underscoring the need for further research in this area.Lay AbstractThis study explores what it is like to be an autistic student training in healthcare, particularly during clinical placements. While we know autistic people are entering higher education and healthcare professions, there is still very little research about their specific experiences in clinical learning environments. These placements are a key part of training for careers like nursing, midwifery and medicine, but they can be especially challenging for autistic students. To better understand this, a scoping review was carried out. This means the researcher searched for and reviewed existing studies and articles on the topic. Only six relevant articles were found, all written in the UK, and were based on personal experiences shared by autistic students themselves. The review grouped findings into four main areas: the unique strengths and challenges of autistic students, the impact of sensory environments, the difficulties around disclosing an autism diagnosis and the importance of feeling included and supported. The findings show that while autistic students bring valuable qualities to healthcare, like empathy and attention to detail, they often face barriers such as sensory overload, stigma and a lack of tailored support. Many students feel they must mask their autism to fit in, which can affect their mental health and sense of belonging. This study highlights the urgent need for more inclusive and supportive clinical learning environments. It calls for better training for educators and supervisors, more awareness of autism and practical changes to help autistic students thrive. More research is needed to fully understand and support this group of students.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

6. Fang Z, Zhao X. Prodromal behavioral markers and developmental trajectories of autism spectrum disorder in infancy: a narrative review. Front Pediatr;2026;14:1788230.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication deficits and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Despite the rising global prevalence, a significant gap remains between the biological onset of the disorder and the average age of clinical diagnosis (3-5 years). This « diagnostic lag » hinders access to early intervention during the critical window of neuroplasticity. Here, we synthesize recent evidence regarding behavioral markers in the prodromal phase (0-12 months) and the symptom consolidation phase (12-24 months), with a specific focus on the heterogeneity of developmental trajectories. Unlike static disease models, ASD manifests through dynamic « developmental cascades. » During the prodromal phase, non-specific signs-such as motor delays, attentional disengagement, and sensory regulatory issues-often precede overt social deficits. By the second year, these early vulnerabilities cascade into core symptoms, including the loss of joint attention, diminished response to name, and the emergence of restricted and repetitive behaviors. We further distinguish between « early-onset » and « regressive » patterns. Ultimately, by integrating empirical evidence with emerging digital phenotyping, we advocate shifting the clinical paradigm from « waiting for diagnosis » to « monitoring developmental trajectories, » thereby optimizing early identification strategies to improve long-term outcomes for affected children and their families.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

7. Forby L, Pazhoohi F, Kingstone A. Autistic Traits and Mind Wandering: A Correlational Study of Themes, Intentionality, and Temporal Focus. Psychol Rep;2026 (Mar 23):332941261436725.

There is abundant research on the nature and content of mind wandering (MW) in neurotypical individuals, yet little research in these areas on individuals high in autistic traits. The current study explored the relationship between autistic traits and several aspects of MW: themes, intentionality, temporal dimensions, and attitudes towards MW. A total of 1,477 participants completed measures of autistic traits, MW, and stress. Autistic trait level was positively correlated with the MW theme of guilt and fear of failure (GFF), spontaneous MW (MW-S), poor attentional control (PAC), and stress, and negatively correlated with appreciation for MW’s benefits. Participants were then divided into two groups based on their autistic trait level. Those scoring six and above on the AQ-10 were placed in the « high » group, and those scoring five and below in the « low » group. Significant group differences emerged for GFF, MW-S, PAC, stress, and appreciation of MW. These results add to a small but growing body of research exploring the internal experiences of individuals high in autistic traits and how their MW patterns may relate to common challenges associated with autism. However, because all participants were neurotypical university students, the findings may not generalize to Autistic individuals or to more diverse samples. Taken together, these results suggest that MW content and frequency offer insight into challenges with sustained attention, daily stress, and anxious thought patterns. Future research should explore whether encouraging the benefits of MW (i.e., creativity, planning, and mood regulation) could support skill development and emotional well-being in individuals high in autistic traits.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

8. Fosse C, Mann L, Veazie M, Vartanian B, Gosnell ES, Webb J, Lee JY. Policy Levers to Support the Transition From Pediatric to Adult Dental Care for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. J Public Health Dent;2026 (Mar);86 Suppl 1:88-95.

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families and caregivers are faced with navigating two very different delivery and financing systems in dentistry: one during childhood and the other-often very disjointed-in adulthood. Even in states that offer Medicaid dental coverage for adults, the services are often substantially reduced, and the provider base to find a dentist is drastically diminished. Pediatric dentists encounter difficulty finding colleagues willing to take on the care of their patients with IDD as they reach adulthood. As a nation, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of children with disabilities via Medicaid’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit. By not establishing this bar of coverage through adulthood, U.S. policy limits the return on investment of EPSDT not only fiscally, but more importantly, in the health and quality of life of people with IDD as they progress into adulthood. Here we review policy prospects in disability services and dental care that could improve the transition experience and outcomes for patients, families, and providers. Within the disabilities realm, policies related to Home and Community Based Services, Long-Term Services and Supports, Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans, HEADs UP Act, and EPSDT extension for IDD are considered. Dental policy opportunities explored relate to code development for transition implementation, quality measurement, and building upon existing clinical support tools for transition implementation. We assess the variety of stakeholder support and other inputs necessary and describe opportunities and challenges with our current day political environment.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

9. Ghoshal R, Vinayagamoorthy G, Ghosh S. Eye Movements and Visual Perception in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus;2026 (Mar 23):1-9.

PURPOSE: To quantify eye movements and visual perception of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to compare the same parameters with children with typical development (TD). The association between eye movements and visual perception among study children was also evaluated. METHODS: Children with ASD who were verbal and children with TD as age-matched controls were recruited. All children underwent a developmental eye movement (DEM) test and Motor-Free Visual Perception Test-4 (MVPT-4) following standard protocol. RESULTS: Ninety-one children (ASD group = 54, TD group = 37) were evaluated. In the DEM test, mean scores of horizontal and vertical saccades (HT, VT) were significantly (P < .001) extended in children with ASD (mean HT = 262.22 ± 101.152 seconds, mean VT = 121.66 ± 39.72 seconds) compared to children with TD (mean HT = 80.316 ± 32.73 seconds, mean VT = 55.08 ± 16.95 seconds). The majority (88.84%) of children with ASD showed type IV error, indicating both oculomotor and automaticity disorders. Average MVPT-4 scores along with MVPT-4 domain scores were significantly lower (P < .05) in the ASD group. Although a multiple regression model with age, HT, VT, and DEM ratio could explain 71% of the variation in the visual perception score of the TD group, 42% of the variation in the same was explained in the ASD group. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports a significantly increased duration of saccades and impaired visual perception scores among children with ASD compared to those with TD. Although a strong association between MVPT-4 and DEM scores was observed in the TD group, DEM scores failed to associate strongly with visual perception scores in the ASD group.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

10. Hedroj Z, Rey CN, Passage M, O’Neill P. Teaching children with autism to challenge lies while playing board games. J Appl Behav Anal;2026 (Apr);59(2):e70059.

Children with autism may have difficulties identifying and responding to lies, which can leave them vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation. Ranick et al. (2013) described efficacious procedures for teaching children with autism to identify deceptive statements. We replicated Ranick et al. with procedural modifications that included incorporating naturalistic differential reinforcement baselines, evaluating for faulty stimulus control, and including naturalistic probes in training. The treatment package consisted of multiple-exemplar training while the investigator and the participant played board games. Three boys between the ages of 6 and 9 years, diagnosed with autism, were presented with five trained deceptive statements and five probe deceptive statements. All three participants learned to challenge deceptive statements and distinguish them from nondeceptive statements, and all three maintained the skill after 1 month and generalized to novel deceivers.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

11. Huang Y, Hu X, Zhou H, Tang Y, Long T. Bioinformatics analysis of de novo missense variants in Kinesin Family Member 1A (KIF1A) in autism spectrum disorder: a case report and literature review. Am J Transl Res;2026;18(2):1195-1205.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorder influenced by both rare and common genetic variants. Among the genes implicated, Kinesin Family Member 1A (KIF1A), which encodes a neuronal kinesin motor protein, has emerged as a potential contributor to ASD pathogenesis. In this case report and literature review, we describe a comorbidity-free ASD proband carrying a novel de novo KIF1A missense variant (c.A664C, p.N222H) and evaluate its pathogenic potential through comprehensive bioinformatics analyses. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were performed in a family trio, and gene expression profiling was conducted using the Human Brain Transcriptome (HBT) database to examine spatiotemporal KIF1A expression during neurodevelopment. The structural and functional impact of four KIF1A variants, including the novel one, was analyzed using PredictProtein, SWISS-MODEL, and PyMOL. KIF1A was found to be highly expressed during embryonic brain development and to stabilize postnatally, indicating an essential role in neuronal maturation. Structural modeling demonstrated that all four variants disrupted the secondary and tertiary conformations of the KIF1A protein, altering key hydrogen-bonding patterns and potentially impairing adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase)-driven vesicular transport along microtubules. The absence of comorbidities in the proband further supports a direct association between KIF1A dysfunction and ASD-related behavioral phenotypes. Although functional validation could not be performed, these bioinformatics findings highlight KIF1A as a plausible ASD risk gene and underscore the importance of integrating rare variant analysis with polygenic context in understanding ASD genetics.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

12. Jerritta S, Sindhu N. RQA-based identification of emotions from electrocargiogram signals for emotion regulation in children with autism spectrum disorder. Health Inf Sci Syst;2026 (Dec);14(1):47.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have difficulties in expressing and regulating their emotions resulting in meltdowns and outbursts that make it difficult for parents, medical practitioners and caretakers. This research aims to recognize the unexpressed positive and negative emotional states of children with ASD using electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. Emotional ECG data is obtained from 25 children with ASD using a personalized emotion elicitation protocol, catered to the emotional need of the child. Emotional data was also obtained from 25 typically developed children using a generic protocol. The ECG data was pre-processed and features were extracted using Recurrent Quantification Analysis (RQA) algorithms. The influence of the various features on emotion recognition is analysed. Classification results indicate 97.9% and 87.9% respectively in identifying the positive and negative emotional states in children with ASD. The better correlation of RQA based ECG features with emotions for children with ASD paves way for RQA and similar nonlinear methods to be explored further for better identification of emotional states.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

13. Komatsu H, Onoguchi G, Sato Y, Utsumi Y, Takahama M, Sora K, Shiozawa Y, Onouchi Y, Ono T, Kanahara N, Tomita H. Autistic symptomatology within the schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A narrative review of cognitive and social correlates and treatment implications. Schizophr Res Cogn;2026 (Jun);45:100427.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are classified as distinct disorders; however, growing evidence suggests that they share genetic, neurobiological, and symptomatic features. Individuals with ASD have a higher risk of developing schizophrenia, and autistic symptoms frequently co-occur with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD). Recently, a growing number of studies have been focusing on the association between autistic symptoms and clinical outcomes in patients with SSD, shifting the focus from categorical distinctions or overlaps between ASD and SSD to dimensional approaches. This narrative review examines the role of autistic symptoms in individuals with SSD, focusing on cognitive function, social functioning, psychosocial outcomes, neuroimaging findings, and treatment responsiveness. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to identify studies on autistic symptoms in SSD. RESULTS: Autistic symptoms in SSD are associated with cognitive deficits, and social functioning tends to be impaired in individuals with stronger autistic symptoms. Limited studies have suggested that autistic symptoms may influence treatment response in schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that autistic symptoms in SSD may manifest in three distinct patterns based on the severity of pre-onset autistic symptoms. Future studies should clarify whether these symptoms represent a distinct SSD subtype or share common neurodevelopmental mechanisms with ASD.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

14. Kremsmayer T, Blakey R, Hidrogo H, Mata-Machado N. Gabapentin may promote language development in a pediatric patient with autism spectrum disorder: a case report. Front Child Adolesc Psychiatry;2026;5:1685978.

At this time, there is no report of how gabapentin may promote language development in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experiencing neuropathic pain. A clinically significant increase in expressed vocabulary, around 10 words when gabapentin was prescribed to around 150 words at the 6-month follow-up, was observed in a child with ASD. This was likely due to improved symptoms of neuropathic pain, which could have allowed the patient to more effectively focus on language acquisition. Given that speech therapy had failed for years at that time to improve the patient’s vocabulary and had been discontinued prior to and during the observed increase in expressive vocabulary, it was hypothesized a more direct neural effects of gabapentin could have contributed to the increase in verbal fluency. For instance, one could hypothesize that an increase in tonic, inhibitory conductance in neurons and increased stabilization of the neuronal membrane potential could negate atypical oscillatory activity observed in patients with ASD, thereby allowing for more effective learning processing. Neurodevelopmental outcomes following this reduction of atypical oscillatory activity may be mediated by thought differentiation, or cognitive defusion. Rather than cognitive defusion being an instructed state of mind as it is in psychotherapy research, it may be increased resolution to perception that is interoceptive awareness with large language models (LLMs) in neurodevelopment of the psychophysics of the neural effect, with clinical implications for the treatment of ASD.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

15. Krijnen LJ, Scheeren AM, Asselt AV, Begeer S, Plak RD. Why the Term ‘Virtual Autism’ Warrants Caution. Autism;2026 (Mar 23):13623613261434478.

The term virtual autism has recently been used to describe autism-like behaviors in young children following prolonged exposure to screens. The use of the word autism in this context raises conceptual and ethical concerns by reinforcing outdated ideas about parental blame, misrepresenting the nature of autism as we currently understand it, and causing misunderstanding about autism among the general public. We call for more precise and responsible language and advocate for an alternative term that better reflects the environmental basis of the phenomenon, such as screen-related developmental delay.Lay AbstractThe term virtual autism has been used to describe autistic-like behaviors in young children that result from spending a lot of time using screens. Using the word autism in this context can cause confusion. It may lead people to wrongly believe that autism is caused by screen use and bring back outdated ideas that blame parents. We argue that this term can be misleading for parents, teachers, and the general public. Instead, we suggest using a clearer term like screen-related developmental delay to better reflect the environmental causes of these behaviors.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

16. Lee H, Ko K, Kim S, Lee G, Kim S, Lee J, Song DY, Bong G, Han JH, Lee J, Kim YR, Lee Y, Kim E, Børglum AD, Grove J, Kim SH, Sun W, Yoo HJ, An JY. Co-occurrence of rare variants implicates gene pairs in cytoskeletal pathways and is associated with increased severity in autism spectrum disorder. Genome Biol;2026 (Mar 23)

BACKGROUND: The genetic basis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is complicated by high heritability and substantial heterogeneity, in which de novo variants and polygenic burden from common variants have not been comprehensively elucidated. Increasing evidence indicates that aggregates of rare variants can exert additive or synergistic effects that modulate disease risk. Using an approach that considers variant co-occurrence, we aim to detect the contribution of rare variants with modest effect in ASD. RESULTS: We analyze large-scale genomic data from individuals of East-Asian and European ancestry and identify disrupted gene pairs affected by co-occurring rare deleterious variants. Candidate genes comprising disrupted gene pairs are enriched in cytoskeletal pathways, and those involving cytoskeletal genes are highly co-expressed in neural precursor cells. Phenotype analysis reveals that affected males with co-occurring rare variants in disrupted gene pairs exhibit increased symptom severity, a pattern not observed in females. Unaffected parents harboring these variants display elevated autistic traits, suggesting potential impacts beyond diagnosed individuals. CONCLUSIONS: This study employs large-scale, multi-ancestry genomic datasets to identify gene pairs affected by the co-occurrence of rare variants and assess their biological and clinical impact. Our findings highlight the significance of rare variants with modest effects in ASD and offer insights into the complex mechanisms underlying ASD.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

17. Ma H, Xu Q, Dong S, Guo M, Liu H, Wang T, Wang M, Wang Y, Wu S. Elevation of H(2)S Underlies Social Deficits in Environmental Factor Double-Hit Autism Model. Neurosci Bull;2026 (Mar 23)

The underlying mechanism for the environmental factor-induced autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains largely unclear. Considering the recent reports that mitochondria-associated amino acid metabolism contributes to ASD development, we explored the roles of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), a gaseous product of sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism, in the social deficits of ASD mice induced by the environmental factor double-hit (DH). We detected synaptic and mitochondrial dysfunction, elevation of H(2)S, dysregulation of sulfur-containing metabolites, and upregulation of cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) in the anterior cingulate cortex of DH mice. Inhibiting mitochondrial function induced H(2)S accumulation in wild-type neurons, whereas introducing healthy mitochondria suppressed H(2)S levels in DH neurons. Knocking down CBS or restricting sulfur intake significantly ameliorated synaptic dysfunction, social impairments, and anxiety-like behaviors in DH mice. Similar H(2)S accumulation was detected in human DH neurons and ASD patients. Our data demonstrated a role of H(2)S overload in the social dysfunction of environmental factor-induced ASD.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

18. Ma J, Qin J, Jiang H, Che Y, Li H, Ma D, Zhu J. REM Sleep Abnormalities in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res;2026 (Mar 23):e70222.

Sleep disturbances are common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the sleep pattern changes including rapid eye movement (REM) sleep for ASD in pediatric populations remain unknown. Using polysomnography (PSG) data from the National Children’s Hospital (NCH) Sleep Databank, we identified 193 children with ASD and matched them with 193 Non-ASD controls. We found children with ASD showed reduced REM sleep proportion (17.8% ± 6.4% vs. 19.1% ± 7.0%; p = 0.049) and duration (71.5 [49.5-91.0] min vs. 81.5 [52.5-98.0] min; p = 0.036), prolonged REM latency (134.5 [94.0-181.5] min vs. 116.0 [82.0-157.0] min; p = 0.009), and increased 1st REM duration (13.0 [7.0-19.0] min vs. 10.5 [6.0-16.5] min; p = 0.024) compared with Non-ASD peers. They also showed higher 1st REM proportion (18.8 [11.0-31.3] vs. 15.7 [8.3-25.4]; p = 0.003), particularly in children aged 3-5 years and 6-8 years. Using these REM features, the XGBoost machine learning model was achieved to be the best predictive performance. SHAP analysis further showed that decreased REM sleep duration, increased 1st REM proportion or duration, and prolonged REM latency were discriminative features for children with ASD. These findings suggest that REM sleep abnormalities are common in young patients with ASD but its contribution to the disease’s severity and/or development needs to be explored further. Children with ASD get less REM sleep. Their first REM episode starts later but makes up a larger share. These REM features may be predictive markers for ASD. eng

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

19. Mossa KM, Lundwall RA, South M. Anxiety symptoms and self-reported executive functioning in transgender and gender nonconforming adults: associations with autistic traits and depression. Front Psychol;2026;17:1603606.

BACKGROUND: Between 4.8 and 26% of adults presenting to gender dysphoria clinics have autism. Both autistic people and transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people have higher rates of mental health conditions including anxiety and depression and more difficulties with executive functioning, all of which impact quality of life. METHODS: We characterized relationships among mental health, gender nonconformity, and autism in a sample of 54 TGNC individuals, 44.4% of whom were autistic (29.6% formally diagnosed and 14.8% self-identified). We analyzed traits continuously (using the Autism Spectrum Quotient). RESULTS: Anxiety was the strongest predictor of executive functioning scores, while the contributions of depression symptoms and autistic traits did not rise to the level of statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that clinicians can support TGNC autistic people by helping them with their mental health, particularly with managing their anxiety.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

20. Pidcock J, Dallison A, Rehman N. Experiences of parents of autistic children and young people in accessing healthcare: a literature review. Nurs Child Young People;2026 (Mar 23)

Autistic children and young people may be more likely than their peers to access healthcare services, but little is known about their experiences of healthcare as the literature tends to focus on the experiences of autistic adults and the views of healthcare professionals. The literature review detailed in this article aimed to gather evidence on the experiences of autistic children or young people and their parents in accessing healthcare services. Following a database search and screening, seven articles were selected for review. None of the studies captured children’s experiences but the findings offer some insight into parents’ views. Four main themes emerged from the data analysis: importance of the healthcare professional; relationship between families and staff; impact on parents; and healthcare services and environment. These themes encompass the need for: effective relationships between staff and parents to ensure the provision of family-centred care; further education among professionals in caring for autistic children and young people to enhance their experiences of healthcare; and greater flexibility in healthcare services to accommodate the needs of autistic children and young people and their families.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

21. Quinton AMG, Ali D, Danese A, Happé F, Rumball F. The Assessment and Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Autistic People: A Systematic Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord;2026;13(1):110-144.

Adverse life events and mental health conditions are unfortunately common amongst autistic adults and children; this may present a vulnerability to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This systematic review provides an update of Rumball’s (Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 6, 294-324, 2019) systematic review of PTSD in autistic individuals and identifies 18 new studies published from 2017 to 2022, reflecting increased research interest in PTSD in autistic populations. Included literature suggests that autistic adults and children experience more severe PTSD symptoms compared to their non-autistic peers, with at least comparable rates of occurrence. We provide a comprehensive overview of this emerging field and identify the need for future research to validate PTSD symptom assessment tools and treatment strategies and investigate unique manifestations of trauma-related symptoms in autistic individuals.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

22. Shen Y, Wang L, Zhang H, Meng P, Tang V, Rozelle S, Zheng S, Zhu B, Shao J. Revisiting Home Environment in the Digital Age: Empirical Comparison of FCI Subscales With Screen Use in Rural China. Child Care Health Dev;2026 (Mar);52(2):e70262.

BACKGROUND: Early childhood development (ECD) is critical for lifelong outcomes, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The home environment plays a vital role, with high-quality caregiving practices such as reading, storytelling and interactive play strongly linked to developmental outcomes. The family care indicator (FCI) scale, although widely used to assess caregiving quality, may be outdated due to shifts from traditional print materials to digital media in recent years. This study explores how home environment components, especially reading materials and screen usage, affect ECD in rural China and why the FCI may need to be revised in the near future. METHODS: Data were collected from 581 children aged 6-24 months in rural Zhejiang Province in 2024. Child development outcomes were measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Third Edition, and the home environment was assessed via the FCI, supplemented by questions on caregiver and child screen use and caregivers’ self-efficacy in accessing online parenting resources. RESULTS: Results show that 40% of children exhibited cognitive delays and 42% language delays, whereas 74% of households lacked magazines or newspapers, and nearly half of caregivers never read books at home. Children were exposed to screens for an average of 22 min per day (SD = 45). The FCI reading material subscale was not significantly associated with developmental outcomes, but when caregivers used educational screen content together with their children, it was positively associated with language development (p < 0.05) and cognitive development (p < 0.10). Caregivers' own screen use for parenting knowledge showed no significant association, likely due to low self-efficacy in navigating online resources. CONCLUSION: Traditional FCI items on books and newspapers have limited predictive value, whereas educationally oriented screen use appears beneficial, suggesting the FCI should be updated to reflect evolving caregiving practices in the digital age.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

23. Shi J, Cheng Y, Wei Y, Shi Y, Jiang Z. Effect of diet intervention on symptoms in autism spectrum disorder: An umbrella review. Res Dev Disabil;2026 (Mar 21);171:105270.

The study systematically evaluated the efficacy of dietary interventions in improving clinical symptoms of ASD through umbrella review methodology. A total of 15 meta-analyses were included, covering 118 clinical studies with a total of 5033 ASD patients, with an age range of 1.5-45 years for individuals with ASD. Primary interventions included gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diets, probiotics, Vitamin D, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). We found that dietary interventions significantly improved overall symptoms (SMD = -0.26, 95% CI [-0.33, -0.18]), communication (SMD = -0.16, 95% CI [-0.30, -0.01]), social interaction (SMD = -0.18, 95% CI [-0.33, -0.02]), and hyperactivity (SMD = -0.20, 95% CI [-0.39, -0.02]). Vitamin D showed the most significant effect on overall symptoms of ASD (SMD = -0.45). However, dietary intervention did not show significant improvement in four outcomes: stereotypical behaviour, irritability, lethargy, and inappropriate speech. Future large-scale multicentre RCTs are needed to explore the neurobiological mechanisms and safety of dietary intervention, with a focus on monitoring changes in objective indicators such as gut microbiota and blood biochemical markers.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

24. Tsou YT, Kovács LV, Louloumari A, Stockmann L, Blijd-Hoogewys EMA, Koutamanis A, Rieffe C. School-Based Interventions for Increasing Autistic Pupils’ Social Inclusion in Mainstream Schools: A Systematic Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord;2026;13(1):45-68.

School-based interventions for socially including autistic pupils in mainstream schools were systematically reviewed. Included interventions targeted at least one level of the school environment: the autistic children, the peers, the staff, and/or the physical environment, and assessed autistic pupils’ quantity and/or quality of social participation as outcome measures. Findings from 56 studies showed increased accessibility of school activities to autistic pupils, but the reciprocity and friendship between the autistic pupils and the peers were not necessarily improved. Moreover, limited interventions were available for modifying the physical environment. A more holistic strategy that moves the focus from individual children’s social skills to the larger context surrounding children, should be considered for a better inclusion of autistic children in school routine.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

25. Yoon SH, Hunt RF. Uncoupling memory impairments from autism-associated behaviors in Chd2 deficient mice. Mol Psychiatry;2026 (Mar 23)

Mutations in the chromatin remodeler, CHD2, are strongly associated with moderate to severe intellectual disability, autism and epilepsy, but the direct contribution of CHD2 mutations to clinical phenotypes is poorly understood. We report developmental and sex-specific behavioral changes in mice carrying a heterozygous mutation in Chd2. Notably, Chd2 mutants display a range of abnormal behaviors including impairments in multiple forms of memory and social interaction. Memory impairments and memory-relevant transcriptional changes observed in Chd2(+/-) mice are largely recapitulated in both sexes by conditional Chd2(+/-) in adulthood. However, deficits in social behaviors and neuromodulatory system genes remain largely unaffected in conditional mutants. Reductions in interneuron density were identified throughout the brain of Chd2(+/-) mice, and the GABA(A) positive allosteric modulator, L-838,417, was effective in treating abnormal social behavior. Our results suggest a postdevelopmental role for Chd2 in memory whereas neuropsychiatric conditions may be driven by more complex circuit mechanisms involving sexually dimorphic disruptions in brain development.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

26. Zhang S, Zhang L, Li Y, Zhang Y, Su L. Predicting parental caregiving burden based on sensory processing patterns and social skills in individuals with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychiatry;2026;17:1747494.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to Predicting Parental Caregiving Burden Based on Sensory Processing Patterns and Social Skills in Individuals with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. METHOD: This correlational study recruited a convenience sample of 60 autistic children (aged 5-12 years, IQ > 80) from rehabilitation clinics. Parents completed the Zarit Burden Interview, the Sensory Profile School Companion, and the Gresham and Elliott Social Skills Rating Scale. Data were assessed using Pearson correlation as well as multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: Sensory processing patterns were positively correlated with parental burden (r = 0.52 to 0.58), while social skills were negatively correlated (r = -0.59). Regression analyses identified significant unique predictors. Sensory Sensitivity (β = 0.28, p = 0.03) and Sensory Avoiding (β = 0.31, p = 0.02) were significant positive predictors of burden. In a separate model, lower Social Skills (β = -0.42, p = 0.003) and higher Problem Behavior (β = 0.28, p = 0.02) significantly predicted greater burden, collectively explaining 41.4% of the variance. CONCLUSION: Specific sensory processing difficulties (sensitivity and avoidance) and social-behavioral factors are significant, unique predictors of parental care burden. Interventions targeting these domains may alleviate caregiver stress and improve family outcomes in autism.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

27. Zheng Q, Tian Y, Wu Y, Wang H, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Wang Y, Zhao Y, Di Y, Fan J, Qian Z, Zheng Q, Wei Z, Tian Y. Preserved autism-associated behaviors and dopaminergic neuron hyperactivity in DAT-IRES-Cre mice after valproate exposure. Behav Brain Res;2026 (Mar 20):116178.

Dopamine (DA) signaling is implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Cell-type-specific tools like DAT-IRES-Cre mice are essential for dissecting the underlying circuit mechanisms. However, as the transgenic Cre insertion may affect DA transmission, it is crucial to validate that these Cre mice recapitulate key physiological and behavioral phenotypes in established ASD models. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) is a widely used ASD model that captures gene-environment interactions in etiology, and DA system dysfunction has been reported in this model including our studies. Here, we evaluated the suitability of the DAT-IRES-Cre strain in this VPA-induced ASD model. We systematically assessed neurodevelopmental milestones, autism-associated behaviors including repetitive and social behaviors, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression, and the electrophysiological properties of DA neurons. Following prenatal VPA exposure, DAT-IRES-Cre offspring exhibited comparable neurodevelopmental delays and autism-associated behavioral deficits as those in wild-type mice. Both strains also exhibited upregulated TH expression after VPA exposure. Electrophysiological recordings further revealed similar hyperactivity of DA neurons, characterized by enhanced excitatory synaptic drive and excitability in VPA-exposed DAT-IRES-Cre and C57BL/6J wild-type offspring. Moreover, under baseline conditions, there were no significant differences were detected between saline-treated DAT-IRES-Cre and wild-type mice. In conclusion, the DAT-IRES-Cre mice could serve as a reliable tool for implementing cell-type-specific strategies to investigate DA circuit mechanisms in the VPA model of ASD.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)