1. Cordina A, Todorov L, Guetta M, Pham-Scottez A, Ambar Akkaoui M. Management of patients with autism spectrum disorder in psychiatric emergency: a single-centre retrospective study. BMJ Open;2026 (Mar 24);16(3):e113611.

INTRODUCTION: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and is frequently associated with psychiatric and somatic comorbidities. As a result, individuals with ASD use emergency departments more frequently than the general population. However, the core features of ASD pose specific challenges in emergency department care, particularly for adult patients and emergency staff frequently report limited training in this area. While paediatric presentations of ASD in the emergency department are well documented, the international literature on adults remains limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: we conducted a single-centre retrospective study including all patients aged 15 years and older with a diagnosis of ASD who attended the Centre Psychiatrique d’Orientation et d’Accueil (CPOA), GHU Paris (Groupe Hospitalo-Universitaire) between 12 January 2016 and 31 December 2023. The objectives were to estimate the prevalence of ASD in this psychiatric emergency setting and to describe the patients’ socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, mode of arrival, reasons for consultation and referral following the emergency visit. RESULTS: Among 69 447 patients who attended the CPOA during this period, 484 (0.7%) had a diagnosis of ASD. This population was predominantly male (71.9%), with a mean age of 25.1 years. The most frequent reasons for consultation were hetero-aggressive behaviour (37.0%) and anxiety (31.0%). Overall, 39.2% of patients were hospitalised, including 17.3% involuntarily, and 6.2% required physical restraint. The number of consultations involving patients with ASD increased significantly between 2016-2023. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study provides a clearer understanding of the clinical and organisational challenges associated with the management of adult patients with ASD in psychiatric emergency departments. Although this study was descriptive and did not assess specific interventions, the observed patterns, in line with previous literature, suggest that adopted care strategies may help better address the needs of this population.

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

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3. Doppler E, Rockenstein E, Ubhi K, Inglis C, Mante M, Adame A, Crews L, Hitzl M, Moessler H, Masliah E. Retraction Note: Neurotrophic effects of Cerebrolysin in the Mecp2(308/Y) transgenic model of Rett syndrome. Acta Neuropathol;2026 (Mar 24);151(1)

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4. 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.

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5. Erdoğan MA, Koyu A, Oyar E, Güneş B, Şirin C, Uyanıkgil Y, Erbaş O. Tamoxifen as a Therapeutic Intervention for Neurobehavioral Deficits in a Propionic Acid-Induced Autism Model via Anti-inflammatory Mechanisms. Neurochem Res;2026 (Mar 24);51(2)

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6. Evenepoel M, Daniels N, Moerkerke M, Prinsen J, Steyaert J, Boets B, Joossens M, Alaerts K. The role of the oxytocinergic system in oral microbiome composition in children with autism: evidence from a randomized controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin. Transl Psychiatry;2026 (Mar 24)

Atypical oxytocinergic functioning and altered microbiome compositions have both been implicated in autism, with growing evidence of interactions between these systems. However, how exogenous oxytocin influences the oral microbiome remains largely unexplored. This exploratory study examined for the first time how oral microbiome alterations link to oxytocinergic signalling in school-aged autistic (n = 80) and non-autistic children (n = 40). Additionally, we investigated the effect of four-weeks of intranasal oxytocin administration in autistic children on oral microbiome compositions immediately post-treatment (T1) and at four-weeks follow-up (T2). At baseline, lower endogenous salivary oxytocin levels were linked to greater microbial evenness and diversity, with twelve genera showing significant associations with oxytocin levels. In autistic children, four weeks of oxytocin administration was associated with significant increases in the abundances of Centipeda immediately post-treatment (T0-T1), alongside decreases in Moraxella (T0-T1), and subsequent reductions in Rothia observed at the four-week follow-up (T1-T2). Particularly, the genus Moraxella emerged as relevant, as lower baseline abundance was associated with higher endogenous oxytocin levels, and a stronger oxytocin-induced downregulation of its abundance correlated with greater increases in endogenous oxytocin levels, accompanied by hypomethylation of the oxytocin receptor gene. All results persisted after adjusting for nutrition and dental care. This exploratory study provides initial evidence for a role of the oxytocinergic system in shaping the oral microbiome in autistic children. These results may facilitate the integration of oral microbiome profiling into autism diagnostic criteria and stimulate future studies on the use of oxytocin as a therapeutic option targeting oral microbiome alterations.

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7. Gallo M, Gugliandolo MC, De Salvo E, Cuzzocrea F, Larcan R. Mindful Parenting in Mothers of Children in Childhood and Adolescence With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Identifying Possible Antecedents. J Autism Dev Disord;2026 (Mar 24)

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8. Gong K, Xie Z, Zhang P, Xu J, Huang J, Li X, Huang L. Limosilactobacillus reuteri LR-99 Modulates Gut Microbiota and Core Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Single-arm Pilot Study. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins;2026 (Mar 24)

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9. Jamadagni P, Dai Y, Liu Y, Weinschutz Mendes H, Pruitt A, Khan S, Yang L, Huang TC, Huang X, Deans PJM, Balafkan N, Zhao D, Xu G, Liu Y, Li N, Wu W, Fitzpatrick SE, Neelakantan U, Chen T, Szialta C, Jin DS, Lacadie CM, Umlauf S, Papademetris X, Surovtseva YV, Brennand KJ, Wang Z, Hoffman EJ. Pharmaco-behavioral profiling identifies suppressors of autism gene-associated phenotypes in zebrafish. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A;2026 (Mar 24);123(12):e2518846123.

Pharmaco-behavioral screens in scalable in vivo systems have critical advantages for drug discovery relevant to large-effect autism spectrum disorder (ASD) genes. Here, we establish a database and open-source website of the behavioral signatures of 520 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs using high-throughput assays of basic sensory processing and arousal behaviors in larval zebrafish. By leveraging the behavioral profiles of 9 large-effect ASD gene mutants, we identify enrichment of pharmacological mechanisms that anticorrelate with subgroups of ASD genes with shared behavioral phenotypes. Screening of anticorrelating drugs in mutants of two ASD genes, SCN2A and DYRK1A, uncovers compounds that suppress mutant behavioral phenotypes. We identify estropipate, an estrogen receptor agonist, and paclitaxel, a microtubule inhibitor, as the top suppressors in scn1lab and dyrk1a mutants, respectively, and levocarnitine (LEVO), a mitochondrial modulator and carnitine supplement, as a top suppressor of both mutant behavioral phenotypes. Finally, we find that LEVO rescues regional brain activity deficits and dysregulated lipid metabolic pathways in mutants, as well as signaling deficits in human pluripotent stem cell-derived glutamatergic neurons carrying mutations in SCN2A and DYRK1A, demonstrating conservation of drug rescue across systems. Therefore, our study establishes a pharmaco-behavioral resource for precision medicine-based drug discovery, illuminating targets relevant to large-effect ASD genes.

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10. Kara JA, Vaughn TB, Gandhi T, Lee CC. Binaural Processing Deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Audiol Res;2026 (Feb 27);16(2)

The central auditory system integrates signals received from both ears to derive information about the spatial and spectral features of the emitting sound source. This binaural processing of acoustic information is critical for both communication and environmental awareness. However, these binaural computations may become disrupted in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), potentially leading to difficulties with speech perception, sound attention, and sensory hypersensitivity. Here, we present a narrative review of the emerging evidence regarding binaural processing deficits in ASD. These deficits include elevated thresholds for interaural time and level differences and reduced sound localization accuracy. In addition, physiological data suggests that these behavioral traits correspond with abnormal activity in central auditory structures. Molecular and cellular alterations to central auditory circuits may underlie these behavioral and physiological features, which could arise from both genetic and environmental factors. Overall, binaural processing alterations in ASD remain under-studied, with a need for future studies to identify neural circuit-level mechanisms and potential interventions.

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11. Kemp E, Sansone I, Black C, Crasta JE. Effectiveness of Aquatic Occupational Therapy to Support Water Competency of Children on the Autism Spectrum. Am J Occup Ther;2026 (May 1);80(3)

IMPORTANCE: There is a critical need for therapeutic water competency (water safety and swim skills) interventions tailored to meet the needs of children on the autism spectrum, a group that is at high risk for drowning. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of AquOTic on caregiver- and therapist-based water competency goals for children on the autism spectrum. DESIGN: Pre-post cohort design based on a larger randomized controlled trial. SETTING: County Board of Developmental Disabilities therapy pool. PARTICIPANTS: Children on the autism spectrum (N = 37; 28 boys) ages 5 to 9 yr were recruited from the local community. INTERVENTION: AquOTic is a manualized 10-wk occupational therapy-based water competency intervention for children on the autism spectrum. AquOTic incorporates evidence-based therapeutic techniques and embeds individualized therapy (interventionist-child dyads) in a group environment. OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) were completed at baseline and post intervention. RESULTS: Children showed significantly higher GAS T scores and COPM Performance and Satisfaction scores post-AquOTic compared with baseline (effect size d = 2.1-2.3). All goals mapped onto the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (4th ed.), with motor skills emerging as the most common category for both caregiver- and therapist-derived goals, followed by safety awareness in the aquatic environment and sensory functions. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Children on the autism spectrum demonstrated improved caregiver- and therapist-based water competency goals following the AquOTic intervention. Plain-Language Summary: This study examined the effect of AquOTic, an occupational therapy-based intervention, on parent/caregiver- and therapist-based goals related to water safety and swim skills among children on the autism spectrum. Caregivers identified goals for their children, and therapists developed goals that guided the intervention. After completing the 10-wk intervention, children showed improvements in both caregiver perceptions of their performance and satisfaction with goals set as well as therapist-rated goals. Our results highlight the value and effectiveness of an occupational therapy-based water competency intervention to improve water competency among children on the autism spectrum.

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12. 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.

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13. 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.

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14. Liu J, Lu Q, Singh V, Choi S, Cross EA, Hong JS. Optimizing Accuracy of Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 in Very Young Children With Modifying the Effect of Global Developmental Delay. Autism Res;2026 (Mar 24):e70233.

The current study investigated 1144 toddlers and preschoolers (ASD + GDD n = 592; ASD only n = 249; GDD only n = 89; no ASD or GDD n = 214) with the toddler module (38.6%), Module 1 (57.5%), and Module 2 (3.9%) as well as Mullen Scales of Early Learning. The calibrated severity score (CSS) was used to compare severity across modules. The study sample was stratified by GDD (Visual Reception Developmental Quotient < 75), and each stratum was investigated with descriptive statistics, ROC curves, and test statistics to identify the optimal cut-off CSS to differentiate ASD and non-ASD. ROC analysis indicated that the CSS scores showed excellent discrimination for ASD status for both the GDD (AUC = 0.86) and no GDD (AUC = 0.95) strata. In the no-GDD stratum, an ADOS-2 CSS of 5 was determined to be the optimal cut-off. In the GDD stratum, an ADOS-2 CSS of 6 was determined to be the optimal cutoff. While non-spectrum/little-to-no concern and autism/moderate-to-severe concern showed very high predictive accuracy for diagnostic outcomes, the autism spectrum/mild-to-moderate concern lacked clear diagnostic directionality, regardless of GDD status. This is the first study with a large sample of toddlers and preschoolers exploring optimal ADOS-2 CSS cut-off when stratified by GDD. The current study with 1144 toddlers and preschoolers indicated that ADOS‐2 excellently differentiated ASD versus no ASD. The optimal calibrated severity scores were different for children without cognitive delay versus children with cognitive delay, 5 and 6, respectively. Non‐spectrum/little‐to‐no concern and Autism/moderate‐to‐severe concern showed very high predictive accuracy for diagnosis, but the autism spectrum/mild‐to‐moderate concern lacked clear diagnostic directionality, regardless of cognitive delay. eng

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15. Martín-Díaz P, Carratalá-Tejada M, Navarro-López V, Fernández-González P, Cuesta-Gómez A. Static and dynamic balance in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder compared with typically developing peers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Pediatr;2026 (Mar 24);185(4)

Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often present motor difficulties, particularly in postural control, which can affect their autonomy and participation in daily activities. Despite growing interest in balance assessment, there is no comprehensive synthesis comparing balance performance in ASD using both observational and instrumental methods. To compare the static and dynamic balance of children and adolescents with ASD versus typically developing (TD) peers, and to identify the tools most used to assess balance in this population. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Six electronic databases were searched to November 2025. Inclusion criteria focused on studies assessing static or dynamic balance in children aged 6-18 with ASD, using validated observational or instrumental tools, and including a TD group. Data extraction, methodological quality assessment, risk‑of‑bias evaluation, and GRADE assessment were performed independently by two reviewers, with discrepancies resolved by discussion or by a third reviewer. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using random-effects models, established a priori to account for expected clinical heterogeneity. A total of 34 studies were included in the descriptive synthesis and 16 in the meta-analyses, encompassing 1278 participants (612 ASD, 666 TD). Observational tools (e.g., MABC-2, BOT-2) revealed significantly poorer balance in ASD participants ((SMD = -0.66; 95% CI: -1.07 to -0.25; p = 0.002). Force platform assessments demonstrated larger differences across postural sway measures: mediolateral displacement (stable surface: eyes open SMD = 0.83, eyes closed SMD = 0.56), anteroposterior displacement (stable surface: eyes open SMD = 0.97, eyes closed SMD = 0.27), COM displacement area (SMD = 1.15-7.72 depending on condition), and COM velocity (SMD = 1.00-3.23 depending on condition). Heterogeneity ranged from moderate to very high (I(2) = 0-98%). Sensitivity analyses indicated that some effect estimates, particularly for COM displacement area, were influenced by individual studies. The overall certainty of evidence was low to very low according to GRADE. CONCLUSION: Children with ASD may exhibit poorer static and dynamic balance compared to TD peers using both observational and instrumental assessments. Further high-quality studies are needed to strengthen the evidence base and enhance ecological validity in real-world settings. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience balance problems that affect daily functioning and participation. • Earlier reviews have described postural control in ASD but have not examined in depth the instruments used for its assessment. WHAT IS NEW: • This review provides a systematic overview of the clinical and biomechanical tools applied to evaluate balance in ASD. • It also compares the performance of children across different assessment methods, offering practical guidance for clinicians and educators when selecting appropriate measures.

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16. Müller AK, Luckhardt C, Freitag CM, Bast N. Locus coeruleus modulation of neurophysiological sensory selectivity differs in autism and other mental health conditions. Transl Psychiatry;2026 (Mar 24)

Sensory symptoms are common in autism and may result from differences in sensory processing. The locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system modulates sensory processing by increasing selectivity to salience. To specify this mechanism, we manipulated LC-NE activity and explored sensory selectivity in autistic and non-autistic adolescents. We assessed pupillometry and electroencephalography (EEG) in 52 autistic adolescents (ASD), 55 healthy controls (CON), and 43 adolescents with other mental health conditions (MHC) during a passive auditory oddball task. A handgrip exercise manipulated LC-NE activity. Baseline pupil size (BPS) and stimulus-evoked pupillary response (SEPR) measured LC-NE tonic and phasic activity, respectively. Sensory selectivity was estimated with mismatch negativity (MMN) as change detection and P3a as bottom-up attention. Oddballs versus standards elicited increased SEPR, MMN amplitude, and longer MMN and P3a latencies. Increased P3a amplitude was more consistent in ASD. Across oddballs and standards, the manipulation transiently increased MMN and P3a amplitudes. A manipulation-induced BPS increase was specific to ASD and MHC. Pupillometric measures (BPS, SEPR) modulated sensory selectivity measures (MMN, P3a) differently between clinical groups (ASD, MHC) and CON. Findings indicate an altered orienting response to sensory stimuli in autism. The manipulation did not increase sensory selectivity but temporarily enhanced sensory reactivity to all stimuli with an arousal upregulation in both clinical groups. LC-NE activity was differentially related to sensory selectivity in autism and other mental health conditions. The tonic upregulation is discussed as increased stress susceptibility across autism and other mental health conditions.

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17. Phung N, Greben R, Fernandes N, Chopra N. Autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring schizophrenia. Cmaj;2026 (Mar 22);198(11):E411.

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18. Reynolds S, Estrada K, Feder H, Jenkins B, Medina M, Miller A, Robinson AM, Sabo RT, Brooke AM. Improving Access to Community Occupations via Rideshare: A Pilot Study With Autistic Adults. Am J Occup Ther;2026 (May 1);80(3)

IMPORTANCE: Adults with autism often face barriers to community access for work and leisure, yet few programs address transportation independence and safety. This study evaluated the Safe Rideshare Program (SRP), designed to teach autistic adults to use rideshare services. OBJECTIVE: To assess acceptability, appropriateness, and the potential impact of the SRP and to evaluate changes in rideshare use for community access over a 2-mo follow-up period. DESIGN: A one-group, pretest-posttest study. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen autistic adults. INTERVENTION: The SRP consisted of five virtual training modules completed synchronously with project trainers via Zoom, followed by eight ride-along sessions using either Uber or Lyft rideshare services. OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Intervention acceptability was rated by participants using the Acceptability of Intervention Measure. Appropriateness of the intervention was assessed by trainers using the Intervention Appropriateness Measure. A 30-item Rideshare Independence Checklist was used to assess independence and safety using rideshare services. RESULTS: Of the 13 enrolled participants, 12 completed the program with strong acceptability and appropriateness ratings (≥75% threshold was met). Independence and safety significantly improved during the intervention, and at the 2-mo follow-up, 8 participants reported increased independent rides (p = .011). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The SRP demonstrated preliminary acceptability and appropriateness, as well as the potential to improve transportation independence, safety, and community access for autistic adults. Plain-Language Summary: Many autistic adults face challenges accessing their communities for work, shopping, or social activities because of transportation barriers. Learning how to use rideshare services, such as Uber or Lyft, can help address this issue, but few programs are designed to teach these skills safely and effectively. To fill this gap, our team developed the Safe Rideshare Program (SRP) and tested its usefulness. Thirteen autistic adults, ages 18 to 24 yr, participated in this study. Most participants completed the entire program and gave it high ratings for being easy to follow and helpful. Trainers who worked with the participants also reported that the program was useful. By the end of the training, participants showed significant improvements in their ability to use rideshare services independently and safely. Two months after finishing the program, many participants continued to use rideshare services. On the basis of our preliminary findings, we believe that the SRP shows promise in helping autistic adults overcome transportation barriers and gain more independence. With improved access to transportation, participants were able to engage in more community activities, which can improve their quality of life and open up new opportunities for engagement.

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19. Rodrigues JJ, Villamar MF, Ayub N, Ayoub M, Tetreault J, Roth J. Physician Perception and Education Impact on Neurologic Treatment of People With Developmental Disabilities. J Child Neurol;2026 (Mar 24):8830738261430143.

BackgroundPhysicians’ attitudes toward individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) may be detrimental, with potential for misdiagnosis, mistreatment, avoidance of health care, and higher rates of illness.ObjectiveTo explore physician attitudes, education, and clinical management of neurologic conditions in individuals with DD.MethodsA 20-question online survey was administered to physicians among diverse specialties and years in practice to assess experience, education, attitudes, and clinical behavior in case-based scenario questions about management of neurologic conditions in individuals with vs without DD.ResultsAmong 67 survey participants, 52% of physicians reported that medical schools inadequately prepared them to work with populations with DD. Case-based scenarios demonstrated higher variability/uncertainty of management in DD vs non-DD cases (P < .05).ConclusionsPhysicians reported lower self-perceived education, higher uncertainty, and variability of practice when treating individuals with vs without DD.

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20. Russell LA, Tinker SC, Shaw KA, Maenner MJ, Dirienzo M, Kirby AV, Howerton EM, Vanegas SB, Lopez M. Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Severity Levels From the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) in the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. J Autism Dev Disord;2026 (Mar 24)

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21. Shokoohi M, Ghamin K, Ghaderi M, Bamarinejad F, Homayouni Baker A, Danafar N, Zafarshamspour S. The emerging role of gene therapy in autism spectrum disorder. Discov Ment Health;2026 (Mar 24)

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22. Topaz E, Sheppes T, Segev-Becker A, Israeli G, Oren A, Lebenthal Y, Shechner T, Perl L. Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents: A National Cohort Study. Autism Res;2026 (Mar 24):e70235.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is more prevalent in transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals than in the general population, yet the specific developmental pathways within and clinical outcomes of this intersection are insufficiently understood. This study examined how ASD and sex assigned at birth (SAAB) are associated with gender-related milestones, access to gender-affirming consultation and care (GACC), and psychiatric outcomes. We reviewed electronic medical records for 786 TGD children and adolescents (aged 4-19 years) presenting to a national referral clinic between 2013 and 2025. Demographic, developmental, and psychiatric variables were analyzed across four ASD-by-SAAB groups using generalized linear models and logistic regressions, with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons (α = 0.0083). ASD was documented in 9.7% of the cohort, with referrals of autistic TGD patients increasing significantly over time. Autistic patients presented with a distinct profile, characterized by higher socioeconomic position (SEP), intellectual giftedness, non-binary gender identity, and an earlier stage of pubertal development at presentation. Crucially, while ages at gender-related milestones were largely comparable between neurotypes, autistic assigned female at birth (AFAB) adolescents were significantly less likely to initiate puberty suppression or gender-affirming hormones than their non-autistic peers. Furthermore, higher SEP was associated with earlier clinical presentation only for non-autistic youth. Autistic TGD patients exhibited a higher psychiatric burden, with an ASD diagnosis uniquely associated with elevated rates of anxiety, ADHD, and psychotropic medication use. These findings reveal a disparity between developmental synchrony and clinical access, underscoring the need for autism-informed protocols to support equitable gender-affirming care. The number of autistic transgender and gender‐diverse youth seeking gender‐affirming consultation and care has increased substantially in recent years. We found that autistic youth presenting at a national referral clinic had a distinct demographic and developmental profile, characterized by higher rates of intellectual giftedness, non‐binary gender identity, and an earlier stage of pubertal development at initial clinic presentation than their non‐autistic peers, alongside higher mental health challenges. While both groups realized they were gender diverse at similar ages, their healthcare experiences differed. Autistic youth, especially those assigned female at birth, were significantly less likely to start gender‐affirming medical care than their non‐autistic peers. We recommend that gender clinics adapt their services to better support the specific communication and mental health needs of autistic youth to ensure they receive fair and equitable care. eng

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23. Yongbo S, Xiaomeng Y, Xuhui M, Yichao C, Yenan W, Xue Z. Therapeutic Effects of Dietary Supplements on Emotion-Related Symptoms in Children and Adolescents with Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Nutr;2026 (Mar 21):101490.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is frequently accompanied by emotional symptoms such as irritability and anxiety, which significantly impact quality of life. Dietary supplements have been proposed as potential interventions, but their efficacy for emotion-related symptoms in children and adolescents with ASD remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various dietary supplements in improving emotion-related symptoms in children and adolescents with ASD, and to explore differences across supplement types. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase were searched from inception to May 15, 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating dietary supplements for emotion-related symptoms in children and adolescents with ASD were included. Primary outcomes were irritability, anxiety, and overall emotional symptoms. Data were pooled using random-effects models to calculate standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analyses were conducted by supplement type and emotion category. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0. RESULTS: 21 RCTs (22 studies) comprising 866 participants were included. Dietary supplements significantly improved irritability (SMD=-0.36, 95%CI:-0.68∼-0.05, P=0.02) and overall emotional symptoms (SMD=-0.44, 95%CI:-0.81∼-0.08, P=0.02) compared to control groups, with small to moderate effect sizes. No significant improvement was observed for anxiety (SMD=-0.15, 95%CI:-0.45∼0.14, P=0.32). Subgroup analyses by supplement type showed that vitamin supplements had had some benefits for irritability (SMD=-0.44, 95%CI:-0.79∼-0.10, P=0.01). Other supplement types showed non-significant effects. Moderate to high heterogeneity was observed across analyses (I(2)=64.42%-68.41%). Sensitivity analyses excluding high-risk bias studies confirmed robustness of findings. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplements may improve irritability and overall emotional symptoms in children and adolescents with ASD. However, evidence strength is limited by study heterogeneity, risk of bias, and small sample sizes. High-quality, large-scale RCTs are needed to confirm these findings and establish optimal intervention protocols.

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24. 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.

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