1. Abbeduto L, Klusek J, Taylor JL, Thurman AJ. Planning for the Transition to Adulthood: Parent Perspectives on the Planning Process and Experiences of Young Adults with Fragile X Syndrome. Adv Neurodev Disord;2026 (Apr 10)

OBJECTIVES: Relatively few young adults with fragile X syndrome (FXS) meet the normative expectations of adulthood, although there is heterogeneity in this regard. The present study examined the preparation for the transition to adulthood experienced by young adults with FXS and their parents. METHODS: Thirty-nine young adults with FXS and their primary caregiving parents participated. Those with FXS were in their last year of, or had recently left, high school or a formal transition program. Parents completed surveys about the formal transition planning process. We examined the role of the young adults’ adaptive behavior skills in transition planning. RESULTS: Among other things, parents of young adults with more advanced adaptive skills had higher expectations regarding the latter’s employment capabilities, although employment preparation did not differ for the two subgroups of young adults. Parents were generally satisfied with their own involvement in transition planning, except as regards employment where they wanted more input. The social networks of participants with FXS, especially those with less developed adaptive skills, were limited. CONCLUSIONS: Transition planning for individuals with FXS should be designed with greater attention to matching employment and social experiences to the young adult’s ability and to soliciting parental input about employment.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

2. Abdole L, Reynard HL, Ince HY, Palffy A, Jackson J, Ghaziuddin N. Successful bilateral electroconvulsive therapy for catatonia presenting with novel climbing behavior in an adolescent with CACNA1A pathogenic variant and autism spectrum disorder: a case report. Front Psychiatry;2026;17:1782341.

Pathogenic gene variants are relatively common in patients with neurodevelopment disorders comorbid with catatonia. In this report, we describe diagnosis and the treatment of catatonia in a 16-year-old boy with a CACNA1A pathogenic variant (which is associated with deficit in neuronal communication and neurotransmitter release). This case describes an adolescent with a CACNA1A pathogenic variant and autism spectrum disorder who develops catatonia and was safely and successfully treated with bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Additionally, we describe a unique presenting symptom of climbing behaviors that was contextualized as a symptom of catatonia and discuss psychopharmacological interventions. To monitor treatment response, we utilized observational data collected by a behavior analyst, as well as physician and parent report via Busch-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale and Catatonia Impact Scale respectively. All three reports showed significant improvement in catatonic symptoms following treatment with ECT. The overall aim is to improve the management of catatonia in rare genetic disorders, demonstrate effective use of ECT in cases with this pathogenic variant, and provide guidance to clinicians and hope for patients and families struggling with this comorbidity.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

3. Acharya A, Kumar V, Lee KY, Babik MS, Goswami G, Boateng KA, Cyphersmith AJ, Rhodes JS, Tsai NP. Reversing Pathophysiology in Fragile X Syndrome Mice by Promoting PGC-1α and Mitochondrial Functions. bioRxiv;2026 (Apr 15)

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading cause of intellectual disabilities and autism, but a disease-modifying strategy remains unavailable. Recent studies have suggested reduced mitochondrial functions in FXS. However, the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial defects and their impact on FXS pathophysiology remain largely unclear. Here, we reveal a reduction in the mitochondrial master regulator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) in the mouse model of FXS, the Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice. We show that this impairment is caused by the inactivity of the transcription factor cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) in Fmr1 KO mice. Using the small molecule ZLN005, which induces AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)- and CREB-dependent elevation of PGC-1α in Fmr1 KO mice, we observed significantly increased mitochondrial functions and dynamics in cultured neurons in vitro and in the hippocampus in vivo. Furthermore, ZLN005 elicited a wide range of beneficial effects in Fmr1 KO mice, including enhanced inhibitory synaptic transmission, reduced circuit hyperexcitability, improved hippocampal synaptic plasticity, reduced cortical gamma-band oscillations, and improved interhemispheric coherence. Most importantly, we observed improved cognition and reduced autism-like behaviors in ZLN005-treated Fmr1 KO mice. Together, our findings identify AMPK-CREB signaling and PGC-1α as promising and selective therapeutic targets for FXS and reveal the broad impact of restoring PGC-1α on FXS pathophysiology. ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY: Promoting PGC-1α Reverses FXS Pathophysiology.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

4. Almousa LA, Alshwaiyat NM, JZ AL, Alagal RI, Alsemari MA, AlFaris NA. Prevalence of Malnutrition Among School-Aged Children With and Without Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Food Sci Nutr;2026 (May);14:e71816.

Globally, millions of children live with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), which can raise the risk of malnutrition in children. Data from Saudi Arabia on school-aged children with IDD remain limited. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among school-aged children with and without IDD in Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was conducted during August-December of 2024 at the Child Development Center at University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. School-aged children (5-17 years) with clinician-diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome (DS), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or cerebral palsy (CP) and age-matched children without IDD were recruited. Weight and height were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. WHO Growth Reference 2007 (5-19 years) was used to generate BMI-for-age z-scores (BAZ) and height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) using WHO AnthroPlus; weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ) were computed only for children aged ≤ 10 years. Malnutrition was defined as undernutrition (thinness and/or stunting and/or underweight) and/or overnutrition (overweight and/or obesity). A total of 168 children participated (IDD, n = 68; non-IDD, n = 100). Overall malnutrition prevalence was similar in children with and without IDD (47% vs. 48%; risk ratio [RR] 0.98, 95% CI 0.71-1.36; p = 0.905). Overnutrition was more common than undernutrition in both groups (IDD: 29% overnutrition vs. 25% undernutrition; non-IDD: 32% vs. 28%). Although overall prevalence was comparable, marked heterogeneity was observed across IDD subtypes (malnutrition: DS 90%, ADHD 50%, CP 48%, ASD 24%; χ (2) (3) = 12.02, p = 0.007; FDR-adjusted q = 0.022). Concurrent stunting and overweight/obesity (individual-level double burden) was observed in 12% of non-IDD children and 7% of children with IDD. In conclusion, nearly half of this hospital-based sample of Saudi school-aged children had evidence of malnutrition, with overnutrition exceeding undernutrition. While overall malnutrition prevalence did not differ between children with and without IDD, the distribution across IDD subtypes was clinically meaningful. Routine growth monitoring and targeted nutrition support are needed in both clinical and school settings.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

5. Amanzai H, Stafford A, Wang BQ, Guruge S, Catallo C, Nishi S, Walton N, Borges A, Sediq M, Joy P. Bridging the Gap: Barriers to Access Autism Support for Immigrant and Refugee Communities in Canada and the United States. J Transcult Nurs;2026 (Apr 27):10436596261441556.

OBJECTIVE: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects one in 50 children in Canada and one in 31 children in the United States. This scoping review aimed to identify barriers immigrant families encounter when accessing ASD services. METHOD: Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute framework, databases including CINAHL, Nursing & Allied Health Premium, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed studies published within the past 10 years. A total of 12 studies examining immigrant parents’ experiences accessing ASD services through health or education systems were included. RESULTS: Immigrant families reported barriers across cultural, systemic, and structural domains. Several studies also identified facilitators, such as bilingual providers and community-based support networks, which improved service access and trust. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that immigrant families experience multiple, overlapping barriers that delay diagnosis and intervention. Addressing culturally responsive care, interpreter access, and service coordination is essential to improving equitable access to ASD services in Canada and the United States.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

6. Bagadood NH, Muathen SH. Parental Acceptance and Its Network Relations With Stigma, Parenting Competence and Stress in Families of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Network Approach. Clin Psychol Psychother;2026 (May-Jun);33(3):e70279.

Parents of children with clinically diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience high levels of parenting stress, reduced confidence in their caregiving abilities and internalized (affiliate) stigma, all of which can impede acceptance of the diagnosis and engagement with support services. Understanding how these factors interrelate is essential for designing effective interventions. This study evaluated a culturally adapted family counselling programme for Saudi parents of children with clinically confirmed ASD. It used network analysis to examine the connections among parental acceptance, parenting competence, affiliate stigma and parenting stress. A total of 240 parents of children with formal clinical ASD diagnoses participated, with 120 parents receiving a 12-session group counselling programme over 6 weeks and 120 parents assigned to a waitlist control group. Parents completed validated Arabic measures assessing acceptance and understanding of their child’s diagnosis, parenting competence (efficacy and satisfaction), affiliate stigma (cognitive, affective, behavioural) and parenting stress at baseline and post-intervention. Network analysis at baseline identified parental acceptance as the most central node, positively linked with understanding and competence and negatively associated with stress and stigma. Following the intervention, parents in the counselling group demonstrated significant improvements in acceptance, understanding and expectations, along with reductions in maladaptive beliefs and affiliate stigma across all domains. Parenting satisfaction increased substantially, efficacy improved modestly and parenting stress decreased, highlighting the programme’s effectiveness in alleviating caregiver burden. These findings indicate that parental acceptance may serve as a key leverage point for supporting families after an ASD diagnosis and that structured, culturally sensitive counselling can simultaneously enhance parental competence and reduce psychological distress. Network-informed approaches can guide clinicians in targeting central processes, optimizing outcomes and promoting family resilience. Overall, early, focused family counselling provides parents of clinically diagnosed children with ASD the skills, confidence and support necessary to adapt effectively, improving both caregiver well-being and family functioning within the Saudi cultural context.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

7. Bailey L, Tse JD, Chandra A, Sudat S, Hansra R. Agitation in Nonverbal Patients With Autism: The Role of Sensory Evaluation in Diagnosis and Management. Clin Case Rep;2026 (May);14:e71939.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition often associated with communication barriers, sensory sensitivities, and behavioral challenges, including agitation. Identifying the underlying causes of acute agitation in nonverbal individuals with ASD can be difficult, leading to diagnostic delays and unnecessary medical interventions. We present a case of a 36-year-old nonverbal male with ASD who was admitted for severe agitation, self-injurious behaviors, and increased aggression towards family members. His medical history included epilepsy, hypertension, and prior otitis media with tympanostomy tubes. Initial evaluations, including CT imaging and laboratory tests, were unremarkable. Despite escalation of psychiatric medications, including haloperidol and ziprasidone, along with dexmedetomidine infusion and physical restraints, his agitation persisted. Given his history of ear infections, further examination revealed cerumen impaction in his right ear. Following ear lavage, the patient’s behavior significantly improved, agitation resolved, and he was safely discharged home. This case underscores the importance of a thorough diagnostic approach when evaluating agitation in individuals with ASD, particularly those with communication limitations. Sensory disturbances, such as cerumen impaction, may be overlooked contributors to distress. Additionally, maintaining a familiar environment and involving caregivers played a crucial role in the patient’s stabilization. While pharmacologic and physical interventions were initially necessary for patient and provider safety, restraints may have exacerbated distress. This highlights the need for alternative strategies, including early sensory evaluations, behavioral interventions, and specialized ASD-friendly healthcare protocols. Agitation in ASD patients requires a multidisciplinary approach that considers sensory, medical, and environmental factors. Healthcare providers should remain vigilant for treatable conditions like cerumen impaction and prioritize nonpharmacologic interventions to minimize distress and improve patient outcomes. Incorporating a sensory-first bedside check, including an ear exam, can prevent unnecessary escalation and reduce restraint exposure.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

8. Bishop L, Blake M, Nikahd M, Hyer JM, Patterson BW, Wolf BJ, Hand BN. Falls and Fall-Related Injuries and Hospitalizations in Autistic Older Adults: A Medicare Data Study. Autism;2026 (Apr 27):13623613261433988.

Fall-related injuries are a major public health issue for older adults, contributing to mortality, morbidity, decreased functional ability, loss of independence, and increased healthcare costs. Autistic older adults may be at greater risk for falls due to motor coordination difficulties and antipsychotic medication use. This cohort study used multivariable logistic regression to compare the odds of falling and negative binomial regression to compare the rate of fall-related injuries. Data from Medicare Standard Analytical Files (2013-2021) for autistic and non-autistic older adults aged 65+ were analyzed. The sample included 13,732 autistic and 25,497 matched non-autistic older adults. Our dependent variables were (1) falls, (2) unique fall-related injuries, and (3) fall-related hospitalizations. Overall, 47.4% of autistic older adults had a fall compared to 31.5% of non-autistic older adults. Autistic older adults also had more fall-related injuries and hospitalizations. Accounting for duration of observation, autistic older adults had significantly higher odds of any fall (odds ratio = 1.99; 95% confidence interval = 1.89-2.08), rate of fall-related injuries (incidence rate ratio = 1.93; 95% confidence interval = 1.86-2.01), and rate of fall-related hospitalizations (incidence rate ratio = 1.43; 95% confidence interval = 1.35-1.51) than non-autistic older adults. These findings highlight the need for targeted fall prevention strategies for autistic older adults to reduce morbidity and mortality.Lay AbstractFalls are a big problem for older adults, often causing injuries and making it hard for them to live independently. Autistic older adults might be at higher risk of falling because of movement difficulties. However, no one has studied how often autistic older adults fall. Our study looked at the difference in fall rates, injuries, and hospitalizations between autistic and non-autistic older adults. We used Medicare data from 2013 to 2021 and included people aged 65 and older. We had 13,732 autistic older adults and 25,497 non-autistic older adults in our study. We matched them based on factors like sex, race, and health status to make sure the comparison was fair. We found that almost half (47.4%) of autistic older adults had a fall, compared to only 31.5% of non-autistic older adults. Autistic older adults also had more injuries and hospitalizations from falls. They had about double the likelihood of falling than non-autistic older adults. The rates of injuries and hospitalizations from falls were more about double for autistic older adults compared to non-autistic older adults. These results suggest that we need special programs to help prevent falls and support the health of autistic older adults.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

9. Blanco-Martínez N, Carballo-Afonso R, Estévez-Agudo J, Ayán-Pérez C, Diz-Gómez JC. Physical Fitness Profiles Among Children and Adolescents With ADHD and ASD: A Comparison With Typically Developing Peers. Autism Res;2026 (Apr 26):e70261.

Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often present physical and motor challenges that may compromise health, yet direct comparisons between these neurodevelopmental conditions and typically developing (TD) peers remain limited. This study aimed to examine the physical fitness profiles of these three groups. A total of 1537 school-aged participants were recruited from mainstream educational settings. The assessment included selected tests from the EUROFIT battery and body mass index (BMI). Composite indices of physical fitness and motor coordination were computed using age- and sex-adjusted Z-scores. Both the ADHD (n = 80) and ASD (n = 36) groups showed significantly lower cardiorespiratory fitness, balance, and upper-body coordination compared with TD peers (n = 1413). Lower-body muscular strength was reduced only in the ASD group, which also performed worse than the ADHD group. Flexibility and BMI distributions did not differ significantly across groups. Plate Tapping and Flamingo Balance test indices were markedly lower in both clinical groups relative to TD peers. Children and adolescents with ADHD and ASD had lower physical fitness than TD peers. Direct comparisons between ADHD and ASD revealed generally similar profiles, except for lower muscular strength in ASD. These findings highlight the need for early screening and tailored interventions to support healthier developmental trajectories and enhance functional outcomes in neurodevelopmental populations. Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience physical and coordination difficulties compared with their typically developing peers. In this school‐based study, both groups showed lower cardiorespiratory fitness, balance, and coordination, while children with ASD also had reduced leg strength. These findings highlight the importance of early identification and school‐based physical activity programs to support health, daily functioning, and long‐term well‐being in neurodevelopmental populations. eng

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

10. Chen L, Zhong Z, Jiang W. The Approximate Number System and Mathematical Abilities in Chinese Preschoolers With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Intell;2026 (Apr 21);14(4)

Mathematical abilities are critical for the developmental outcomes of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, little is known about these abilities and their association with the approximate number system (ANS) in preschoolers with ASD beyond Western samples, including Chinese children. This cross-sectional study examined whether formal and informal mathematical abilities differed between children with and without ASD and assessed the extent to which these abilities were associated with ANS acuity. Participants included 47 children with ASD and 47 typically developing (TD) children aged 3-7 years. All children were assessed on measures of formal and informal mathematical abilities, ANS acuity, and non-verbal IQ. No significant group differences in mathematical abilities were found among children aged 3-5 years. However, among children aged 6-7 years, the ASD group showed significantly lower performance in mathematical abilities compared to their TD peers. ANS acuity was significantly correlated with both formal and informal mathematical abilities in the ASD group, but only with informal mathematical abilities in the TD group. Furthermore, ANS acuity accounted for 5.4% of the unique variance in formal mathematical abilities specifically within the ASD group. The patterns of mathematical abilities and their relationship with ANS acuity differ between preschoolers with and without ASD. These findings suggest a differential association between ANS and formal mathematics learning in children with ASD, highlighting implications for the design of early numeracy interventions.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

11. Daniels E, Caldwell J, Stober K. Associations of Person-Centred Planning and Service Coordination With Health Outcomes of Adults With Developmental Disabilities. J Intellect Disabil Res;2026 (Apr 27)

BACKGROUND: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience significant health and healthcare disparities. Home and community-based services (HCBS) are crucial for the health and well-being of adults with IDD, and national regulations mandate person-centred planning (PCP) for all HCBS service administration. Despite these requirements, limited evidence exists on how PCP impacts health outcomes. This study examines the association of PCP and health outcomes, unmet healthcare needs and preventative care access. METHODS: This study uses 2021-2023 National Core Indicators for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (NCI-IDD) In-Person Survey data from 36 states, with an analytical sample of 12 022 adults with IDD. Three composite measures were constructed to capture distinct self-reported dimensions on the person-centredness of the planning meeting, service plan and service coordination. Each measure was dichotomised to distinguish dimensions that were not fully person-centred (0) from those that were (1). Dependent variables include seven items on health outcomes, unmet healthcare needs and preventative care. Modified Poisson multivariate regression models examined the association of PCP and health and healthcare outcomes via adjusted relative risk estimates. RESULTS: People with fully person-centred planning meetings and service coordination were less likely to have unmet needs in finding doctors (0.79, p = 0.018; 0.74, p = 0.037) and managing medications (0.72, p = 0.004; 0.74, p = 0.031). Fully person-centred service coordination was associated with lower unmet mental health needs (0.75, p = 0.025), better self-reported health (0.84, p = 0.019) and lower chance of emergency room visits (0.89, p = 0.019). Service coordination consistently showed the largest protective influence against unmet needs and adverse health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes new evidence that PCP, and particularly person-centred service coordination, is associated with better health and healthcare outcomes for people with IDD. These findings are crucial for addressing IDD health disparities and offer insights for state compliance with national quality measurement requirements for PCP.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

12. Edwards LA, Gillespie S, Johnson LM, Pileggi ML, Jones W, Klin A. Latent trajectories of early social communication development are associated with autism diagnosis and language outcomes. Front Child Adolesc Psychiatry;2026;5:1723743.

Social communication, or a child’s ability to interact with others using verbal and nonverbal cues, is a strong predictor of later language development and lifelong outcomes in individuals on the autism spectrum. Interventions that target social communication skills would benefit from careful analysis of the emergence of these skills from their developmental onset. The current study assessed social communication in 801 infants and toddlers using the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (CSBS) at 12, 15, 18, and 24 months of age. Standard social, speech, and symbolic composite scores were modelled in parallel using latent class analysis and growth mixture modeling, to identify distinct classes of children based on social communication trajectories. Class membership was then associated with sex and diagnostic outcome, and associations between 24-month language and social communication trajectory class membership were examined. Secondarily, associations between school age social disability outcomes and early trajectory class membership were examined in a subsample for whom follow-up measures were collected. Two classes of social and symbolic composite trajectories, and 3 classes of speech trajectories were identified. Classes were strongly associated with sex and diagnosis, as well as 24-month language outcomes, controlling for diagnosis and maternal education. Associations between class membership and school age social disability were not robust to controls for diagnosis and maternal education. Across all domains, differences present at 12 months of age persisted or increased through 24 months. Our findings indicate specific trajectories of social communication development which may benefit from interventions targeting social communication skills from around the first birthday. Such interventions would also promote positive development of both receptive and expressive language abilities. Our findings also demonstrate complexity and heterogeneity in development across the breadth of social communication skills, as well as within diagnostic categories. Early assessment of social communication skills-and interventions or educational services aimed at supporting positive development in potentially vulnerable domains-may thus prove beneficial for children before diagnosis, and/or regardless of familial or other likelihood for autism or other developmental delays and disorders.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

13. Gandhi T, Lee CC. Molecular Mechanisms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cells;2026 (Apr 14);15(8)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior […].

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

14. Gele A, Duale HA. Perceptions of autism and experiences of stigma among Somali and Eritrean immigrant parents in Norway: a qualitative study. Front Child Adolesc Psychiatry;2026;5:1688576.

BACKGROUND: Autism is a major public health problem among immigrants, with immigrants from Somalia and Eritrea having one of the highest prevalence of autism in Norway. This study explored knowledge of autism and the experiences of stigma and discrimination among Somali and Eritrean parents of children with autism. METHODS: An in-depth interview was used to collect data from 15 Somali and Eritrean parents of children with autism. We used a pilot-tested semi-structured interview-guide. A mixed of convenience and snowball sampling was used to recruit participants who 1) identified as an Eritrean or Somali immigrant, 2) identified as a parent of a child with autism, and 3) were 18 years and older. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated, and cleaned for errors. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the data using Nvivo-14 software. RESULTS: The findings showed that Somali and Eritrean parents had relatively good knowledge of the risk factors for and treatment of autism. Some parents had feeling that the MMR vaccine was behind the autism of their children. Similarly, five of the parents reported that bone marrow from camels can help alleviate the symptoms of autism. Widespread stigma, judgment and blaming of parents and children with autism were reported. This was attributed to a lack of knowledge about autism among Somali and Eritrean communities in Norway. CONCLUSION: Community-based initiatives that engage key stakeholders including civil society organizations, can help to address misconceptions about autism. Furthermore, national and community-owned mass media should produce programs in which individuals with ASD and their families share their experiences and struggles and health professionals provide accurate information about the disorder while promoting inclusion and acceptance.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

15. Gondi CS, Gnanamony M, Gondi TP, Nersesyan L, Demirkhanyan L. Psychedelics and Autism Therapy: A Review of Current Research and Future Directions. Curr Issues Mol Biol;2026 (Apr 18);48(4)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong condition marked by challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Current treatments, primarily behavioral therapies, often fail to address the core symptoms. Recent research has explored the potential of psychedelics, such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA, as a new therapeutic approach. While these substances primarily modulate the serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptor, their therapeutic effects also involve interactions with other serotonergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic pathways, collectively promoting neuroplasticity-the brain’s ability to change and adapt. The specific receptors’ activation leads to structural and functional changes in the brain that can enhance social behavior and emotional regulation. Studies show that psychedelics may reduce symptoms of conditions like treatment-resistant depression and PTSD, highlighting their therapeutic potential. For ASD specifically, psychedelics may improve psychological flexibility, reduce distress, and enhance social interaction. While promising, the use of these substances requires careful consideration. Psychedelics can induce intense experiences and altered states of consciousness, necessitating strict monitoring and support during therapy. Ethical guidelines, including informed consent, are crucial, especially for vulnerable populations. In conclusion, psychedelics hold significant promise for treating ASD and other psychiatric disorders by promoting neuroplasticity and modulating complex signaling pathways. Continued research and clinical trials, conducted with strong ethical oversight, are essential to realizing their full therapeutic potential.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

16. Guiducci L, Laghi L, Dellarosa N, Mastromarino P, Prosperi M, Muratori F, Calderoni S. Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Gut Microbiota and Fecal Metabolome in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial in Preschoolers. Metabolites;2026 (Apr 13);16(4)

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Recently, a randomized clinical trial evaluated whether a six-month probiotic administration could reduce symptom severity in preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), with (GI) or without (NGI) gastrointestinal symptoms. Significant positive changes were observed only in NGI children. A second explorative study on children prior to intervention identified a fecal metabolome fingerprint associated with ASD severity. Building on these findings, the present study aimed to assess whether metabolomics could monitor changes in ASD severity following probiotic administration using a subset of samples from the same trial. Second, this study aimed to identify fecal metabolites to be monitored in children to predict whether their autism severity may decrease after probiotic or placebo treatment. METHODS: Evaluations of the fecal metabolome and microbiota could be completed on 57 children before and after a double-blind administration of a probiotic mixture or a placebo. RESULTS: In NGI children the probiotic was found to influence the concentration of the amino acids aspartate, leucine, tryptophan, and valine, together with nicotinate and the short chain fatty acids acetate, butyrate, isobutyrate, and propionate. Lactobacilli and Sutterella showed significant changes in response to probiotic administration (p < 0.05). Acetate, 4-hydroxyphenyl, galactose, proline, and tyramine were identified as key fecal metabolites for prediction purposes. CONCLUSIONS: The present exploratory analysis, despite the small sample size, suggests that fecal metabolomics may provide a useful approach for monitoring and potentially for predicting changes in ASD severity following probiotics administration.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

17. Hu W, Liu Q, Fu X, Chen Y. Correction: Comparative effectiveness of PROMPT-based language training vs. structured home-based training for language and speech delay in children with autism spectrum disorder. Front Pediatr;2026;14:1843094.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fped.2026.1726236.].

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

18. Iaquinta T, Pullano L, Commodari E, Foti F. Learning by Social Interactions: Insights into Observational Learning in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Brain Sci;2026 (Mar 26);16(4)

Background/Objectives: Observational learning allows people to acquire new skills by observing the actions of others embedded in their social environment. From childhood, observational learning is a central process in human cognitive development, playing a crucial role in the acquisition of complex skills. Children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit deficits in what are considered prerequisites for observational learning to occur (i.e., attending, imitation, delayed imitation, consequence discrimination). Considering this, the present review examined the literature on the complex and timely question of whether individuals with ASD can learn by observation, while accounting for the social versus non-social nature/content of the tasks. Methods: This work was a narrative review aimed at providing an overview of published studies in which observational learning was analyzed in individuals with ASD. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for this review. Results: The core findings indicate that individuals with ASD may be able to learn by observing others, especially when taught the prerequisites for observational learning. Furthermore, the findings indicate that observation may be an effective way to expand the typically restricted and circumscribed interests of children with ASD and to increase emotion recognition skills. Conclusions: Overall, these findings have significant educational, clinical, social, and economic implications, supporting the use of observational learning strategies for both social and non-social skills to reduce reliance on expensive one-on-one teaching and to address some of the core deficits of ASD.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

19. Jones J, Sharma D, Chu KY, Roberts E, Cockrell D. Evaluating Undergraduate Dental Curricula on Oral Health Care for Autistic Persons in Australia and New Zealand-A Cross-Sectional Study. Dent J (Basel);2026 (Apr 15);14(4)

Introduction: Persons diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) require adaptations to dental care that many undergraduate programmes may not explicitly treat. This cross-sectional pilot study assessed the extent of ASD-related content in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) dental and oral health curricula and explored Oral Health Therapy students’ knowledge and self-efficacy. Methods: Online surveys of academic staff across ANZ programmes and Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy students at the University of Newcastle were conducted. Quantitative data was summarised descriptively, and free text responses underwent thematic analysis. Results: Fifteen educator responses (8% of 178 invitees) suggest limited ASD-specific teaching and minimal use of simulation-based education. Among 38 student responses (from one institution), knowledge was generally foundational, but misconceptions persisted and no respondents reported high confidence in providing oral health care for Autistic patients. Interest in further training was high. Conclusions: Within the constraints of low response rates and a single institution student sample, these preliminary findings suggest opportunities to strengthen Autism-related teaching, particularly sensory adaptations, communication strategies, and experiential learning. Inferences should be considered exploratory and hypothesis generating. Limitations: Low educator responses and potential response bias due to limited external validity from a single student cohort.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

20. Kang N, Yang Z, Petrick LM, Rahman MM, Pavlovic N, Lurmann FW, Martinez MP, Yu X, Chow T, Eckel SP, Schwartz J, Chen JC, McConnell R, Xiang AH, Chen Z. Newborn metabolomics linking prenatal air pollution exposure and autism spectrum disorder risk in children. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol;2026 (Apr 27)

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a major cause of childhood disability, and prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) and traffic-related nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) has been associated with increased ASD risk. However, the biological mechanisms linking these exposures to ASD remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To identify neonatal metabolic pathways associated with prenatal exposure to PM₂.₅ and non-freeway NOₓ and their relevance to ASD risk using untargeted metabolomics. METHODS: We conducted a matched case-control study of 50 children diagnosed with ASD before age five and 50 controls, matched on birth year, sex, race/ethnicity, and medical center, from births at Kaiser Permanente Southern California (2007-2009). Prenatal PM₂.₅ and non-freeway NOₓ exposures were estimated using high-resolution spatial models based on residential histories. Metabolomic profiling was performed on newborn dried blood spots using a dual-platform LC-MS workflow: HILIC chromatography with positive ESI and C18 reversed-phase chromatography with negative ESI. We used conditional logistic and linear regression adjusted for matching factors and key child and maternal covariates to evaluate associations among metabolomic features, ASD, and prenatal air pollution. Pathway enrichment analyses were conducted using mummichog and MetaboAnalyst. RESULTS: Aspartate and asparagine metabolism was significantly associated with ASD (p = 0.01), and with exposure to PM₂.₅ during the first trimester and entire pregnancy (p < 0.001), and non-freeway NOₓ (p = 0.003). Glutamate, nitrogen, and sialic acid metabolism pathways were also commonly associated with both ASD and air pollution. Key metabolites-including L-asparagine, GABA (4-aminobutanoate), succinate semialdehyde, and L-glutamine-were implicated in these pathways, suggesting a link to oxidative stress and inflammation. SIGNIFICANCE: This study reveals dysregulated neonatal amino acid metabolism as a potential mechanism 49 connecting prenatal air pollution exposure to increased ASD risk. High-resolution 50 metabolomics in newborns can provide critical insights into early-life environmental 51 influences on neurodevelopment and inform future etiological research on ASD. IMPACT STATEMENT: This study demonstrates that prenatal exposure to air pollution-specifically PM₂.₅ and non-freeway traffic-related NOₓ-is associated with dysregulated neonatal amino acid metabolism detectable in newborn blood. Using untargeted metabolomics, we identified shared pathways linking these exposures and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly those related to oxidative stress and inflammation. These findings suggest a potential biological mechanism connecting environmental exposures in utero with later neurodevelopmental outcomes. Our results highlight the value of newborn metabolomics as a tool for early biomarker discovery and underscore the importance of reducing prenatal air pollution exposure to support healthy brain development.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

21. Kim Y, Lee S, Kim SE, Kim Y, Ju X, Lee Y, Zhang T, Kim J, Choi S, Heo JY, Chung W, Park J. Enhanced Sensitivity and Altered EEG Patterns During General Anesthesia in BTBR Mice, a Model of Autism. Brain Sci;2026 (Apr 1);16(4)

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Alterations in excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance, involving both inhibitory and excitatory signaling, have been implicated in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Volatile anesthetics, including sevoflurane, act on multiple molecular and network targets, and anesthetic sensitivity may therefore differ in ASD. This study investigated whether sevoflurane sensitivity is altered in BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice, a widely used mouse model of ASD. METHODS: Sevoflurane sensitivity was compared between BTBR mice and C57BL/6J (B6) control mice using behavioral and electroencephalographic (EEG) analyses. The minimum alveolar concentration required to abolish nociceptive responses (MACsevo) and the sevoflurane concentration associated with recovery of the righting reflex (RRsevo) were measured. Dose-dependent EEG changes, including burst suppression and theta power distribution, were also evaluated. RESULTS: MACsevo did not differ significantly between BTBR and B6 mice. However, RRsevo was significantly lower in BTBR mice (1.10 ± 0.10%) compared with B6 mice (1.65 ± 0.13%; p < 0.001). EEG analyses demonstrated that burst suppression occurred at lower sevoflurane concentrations in BTBR mice (2.0%) than in B6 mice (2.4%). In addition, topographical mapping revealed distinct theta power dynamics between the two strains during anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: BTBR mice exhibit increased sensitivity to sevoflurane during emergence from anesthesia and show distinct EEG patterns compared with control mice. These findings suggest altered anesthetic responsiveness in a mouse model of ASD and support the possibility that network-level neurophysiological differences may influence anesthetic responses. Further studies are needed to clarify whether similar alterations are present across other ASD models and human ASD populations.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

22. Louw N, Schnell S, Molatoli M, Smit I, Kerr R, Devriendt K, Lumaka A, Krause A, Carstens N, Lombard Z. Confirmation of Exome Sequencing Results Using Sanger Sequencing-Considerations in a Low-Resource Setting. Mol Genet Genomic Med;2026 (May);14(5):e70224.

BACKGROUND: Exome sequencing (ES) is now widely accepted as an appropriate first-tier diagnostic test for developmental disorders (DD). International guidelines recommend that in diagnostic settings, ES findings be validated with an orthogonal method, such as Sanger sequencing, before reporting. However, more recent guidance recognizes that confirmatory testing for variants meeting strict quality criteria is redundant. Weighing up the cost to benefit ratio of this practice is crucial in settings where ES is not routinely implemented. The Deciphering Developmental Disorders in Africa (DDD-Africa) study aims to enable equitable implementation of genomic medicine in low-resourced settings, focusing on using ES in resolving DD in Africa. METHODS: We performed confirmatory Sanger sequencing for the first 64 probands (70 variants) that underwent ES in which a variant of interest was identified. Strict quality parameters were key to diminishing the observation of false-positive variants. RESULTS: All high confidence variants identified by ES (n = 38) were confirmed using Sanger sequencing and low confidence variants (n = 32) were confirmed as false-positive. CONCLUSION: Confirming ES results with an orthogonal approach like Sanger sequencing is unnecessary in a resource-limited setting when robust, context-informed quality thresholds are applied. This recommendation removes significant barriers to the implementation of genomic medicine and allows for accelerated genomic access globally.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

23. Makin L, Allen K, Tchanturia K. Time to notice neurodiversity in eating disorder services: a three-year real-world analysis of autism, ADHD, and AuDHD. Front Psychiatry;2026;17:1787957.

INTRODUCTION: Autism and ADHD frequently co-occur and each of them are overrepresented in clinical eating disorder (ED) services, where they are associated with longer treatment, poorer treatment experiences, and worse clinical outcomes. Separately, Autistic and ADHD patients with EDs present with greater ED psychopathology, anxiety, and depression. Autistic patients also present with poorer quality of life, increased suicide attempts, and greater functional difficulties. However, no study has directly compared patients with EDs who are both Autistic and ADHD (AuDHD) with Autistic-only, ADHD-only, or neurotypical patients. METHOD: This cross-sectional, observational study compared ED psychopathology (EDE-Q), psychological distress (CORE10), and work and social functioning (WSAS) across adult ED patients reporting suspected or known Autism, ADHD, both, or neither. No formal hypotheses were pre-specified. Data were three-years of routinely collected intake information from a specialist adult ED service. Patients were classified as Autistic or ADHD if they reported a diagnosis/suspicion at intake, or, for ADHD, if they reported ADHD medication. RESULTS: Of 1,252 patients, 32 (2.6%) were classified as AuDHD, 45 (3.5%) as Autistic-only, and 81 (6.5%) as ADHD-only. Group differences were small but consistent. EDE-Q scores were highest in the ADHD-only group and lowest in the Neither group ((M = 4.24 vs M = 3.85, f=0.07). CORE10 and WSAS scores were highest in AuDHD and lowest in Neither (M = 24.16 vs M = 20.1, f=0.12; M = 26.56 vs M = 20.06, f=0.16). DISCUSSION: Autistic and/or ADHD patients with EDs showed greater psychological distress, and poorer functioning, particularly when both were present. ADHD was particularly linked to increased ED psychopathology. Screening for neurodivergence in ED services may support person-centred care and improve outcomes.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

24. Mansourjozan Z, Foroughi S, Hekmatmanesh A, Amini MM, Torbati HT. Hippotherapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Executive Function and Electrophysiological Outcomes. Brain Sci;2026 (Apr 14);16(4)

Background: Hippotherapy, a sensorimotor-rich intervention proposed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is suggested to influence executive function (EF). However, the underlying electrophysiological mechanisms, particularly changes observed in resting-state Electroencephalography (EEG), remain underexplored. Methods: A total of forty-eight children with ASD, aged 9-12 years, participated in this quasi-experimental, non-randomized pre-test-post-test study. Participants were assigned to either a standardized 12-session hippotherapy program (n = 24) or a waitlist Control group (n = 24). EF was evaluated pre- and post-intervention using validated measures: the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Color-Word Test, Corsi Block-Tapping Task, and Tower of London. Resting-state EEG data (19 channels, 250 Hz) were recorded before and after the intervention and analyzed for spectral power, pairwise Pearson correlation, phase-based functional connectivity using the Phase Lag Index (PLI), and directed effective connectivity using Phase Transfer Entropy (PTE). EEG effects were tested with linear mixed models in MATLAB (fitlme), with the measured values in each ROI as the dependent variable, group and time as fixed effects, and SubjectID included as a random intercept; EF outcomes were analyzed with ANCOVA/MANCOVA, adjusting post-test scores for baseline. The assumptions of homogeneity of slopes, Levene’s test, and the Shapiro-Wilk test were examined, and the Holm-Bonferroni correction together with partial η(2) effect sizes were reported. Results: Following baseline adjustment, the hippotherapy group showed substantial and statistically significant improvements across all EF measures compared with controls partial η(2) range = 0.473-0.855; all adjusted p < 0.001; e.g., Stroop Incongruent Reaction Time (F(1,45) = 265.80, p < 0.001, ηp(2) = 0.855). EEG analyses revealed localized Group × Time interaction effects involving frontal delta power as well as selected alpha-, theta-, and beta-band connectivity measures within frontally anchored networks. In addition to these focal interaction effects, the hippotherapy group exhibited a narrower distribution of pre-post EEG changes across spectral power and connectivity metrics compared with controls, indicating greater temporal consistency in resting-state electrophysiological dynamics across sessions. Because group allocation was non-random (based on scheduling feasibility and parental preference), results should be interpreted as associations rather than causal effects. While the hippotherapy group exhibited significant EF improvements and relative stabilization in EEG spectral and connectivity metrics, particularly in frontal delta/theta/alpha/beta bands, a direct mapping between individual EEG changes and behavioral gains was not observed. Conclusions: A standardized 12-session hippotherapy program was associated with substantial improvements in EF and with relative stabilization of resting-state electrophysiological dynamics in children with ASD. However, the direct mechanistic link between these EEG and behavioral changes warrants further investigation. Larger randomized trials employing active control conditions, task-evoked electrophysiological measures, and extended longitudinal follow-up are needed to confirm efficacy, clarify mechanisms, and establish the durability of effects.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

25. Martelli ME, Colella S, Meloni R, Gigliotti F, Rosato A, Panella M, Sogos C. The Emerging Role of Explainable Artificial Intelligence in EEG-Based Autism Research: A Systematic Review. NeuroSci;2026 (Apr 1);7(2)

The increasing prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has intensified research efforts aimed at clarifying its neurobiological underpinnings. Electroencephalography (EEG) has enabled the identification of functional alterations in neuronal networks, contributing to the characterization of ASD-related brain dynamics and supporting the investigation of links between neural processes and behavioral impairments. In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods have been increasingly applied to EEG analysis, allowing the extraction of complex, high-dimensional features. However, the limited interpretability of many AI-based models represents a major barrier to their clinical translation. To address this issue, Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) approaches have emerged as promising tools to enhance model transparency and neurobiological interpretability. This systematic review examined studies explicitly applying XAI techniques to EEG or event-related potential data from individuals with ASD. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple electronic databases up to November 2025. Studies were included if they involved ASD populations, electrophysiological data, and AI-based analytical approaches with explicit explainability components. Due to substantial methodological heterogeneity, a qualitative narrative synthesis was performed. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, included articles highlighted partially overlapping electrophysiological patterns involving spectral alterations, functional connectivity, and network organization; however, some studies also revealed marked heterogeneity in study design and limited clinical characterization. Consequently, they should be interpreted with caution, as the field remains at a preliminary stage. This review outlines current trends, methodological limitations, and key gaps in XAI-driven EEG research in ASD, and discusses future directions toward clinically meaningful and interpretable neurophysiological biomarkers. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251231630).

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

26. Muscatello RA, Klemencic ME, Calvosa R, Corbett BA. Social Adaptation to Change in Peer Behavior Before and After a Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial of a Theatre-Based Intervention for Adults With Autism. J Autism Dev Disord;2026 (Apr 27)

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

27. O’Connell E, McCormack S, O’Leary C, Lynam K, Marques Reis I, Mahony A. Prevalence of Autism and Intellectual Disability Among Inpatients in Paediatric Hospitals. Ir Med J;2026 (Apr 24);119(4):70.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

28. Pang T, Zheng X, Liu JJ, Lu L, Yang L, Chang S. Transcriptomic analysis in autism spectrum disorder suggests three molecular subtypes with distinct phenotypic profiles and functional pathways. Commun Biol;2026 (Apr 27)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is highly heterogeneous. Molecular subtyping of ASD based on gene expression data will help address the biological heterogeneity of ASD. We analyze RNA-seq data from 1711 ASD samples, employing unsupervised non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) to identify subtypes, and characterize them with five categories: overall ASD symptoms, social-communication deficits, restricted-repetitive-stereotyped behaviors, cognitive-adaptive function and behavior problems. We also explore subtype-specific differentially expressed genes, functional pathways, and spatiotemporal/cell-type characteristics. NMF analysis identifies three ASD subtypes. The three subtypes exhibit different phenotypic patterns: Cluster 1 has severe restricted and repetitive behaviors, Cluster 3 mainly has social communication impairments, Cluster 2 presents milder symptoms and better cognitive function. Differential expressed genes analysis links Cluster 1 and Cluster3 to nervous system dysfunctions and morphogenesis of a branching structure, while Cluster 2 to immune system processes. The clusters also exhibit distinct gene expression patterns across brain regions, developmental stages, and cell types. Validation in two independent datasets confirms the reproducibility of the distinct clusters. This molecular subtyping reveals biologically and clinically distinct subtypes of ASD, helping to understand the atypical mechanisms underlying ASD heterogeneity. It also contributes to the development of personalized therapeutic strategies for distinct subtypes.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

29. Puttapaka SN, Admasu IA, Scott A, Sonmez G, Seika P, Rajkumar M, Valencia X, Consorti A, Hong SM, Slosberg J, Fagiolini M, Kulkarni S. Loss of enteric BDNF-TrkB signaling and VIPergic dysfunction underlie gastrointestinal dysmotility in a Mecp2-null mouse model of Rett syndrome. bioRxiv;2026 (Apr 15)

Gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility is a highly prevalent and clinically significant feature of Rett syndrome (RTT), yet its underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. Here, we investigated these mechanisms of GI dysmotility in a Mecp2-null mouse model of RTT. First, we observed that MeCP2 was expressed in murine myenteric ganglia, including in enteric neurons and that Mecp2-null males developed maturation-associated functional regression in their GI motility. In dysmotile mice, longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus tissue showed marked reductions in enteric Bdnf i soforms IV, VI, and II , whereas expression of the BDNF receptor isoforms TrkB.FL and TrkB.T1 was not significantly altered, consistent with reduced enteric BDNF-TrkB signaling. Despite impaired GI motility, Mecp2-null mice showed no significant changes in total enteric neuronal density, nitrergic neuronal abundance, or expression of Nos1, Chat , and Uchl1. In contrast, Vip expression was significantly reduced, while expression of VIP receptor genes: Vipr1 and Vipr2 was increased, indicating disrupted VIPergic signaling. Integration with publicly available enteric single-cell/nucleus datasets and targeted qRT-PCR further suggested altered inhibitory neuronal subtype composition, with reduced Vip (+) Cartpt (+) signatures and increased Nfia expression, suggesting that MeCP2 loss differentially affects distinct inhibitory neuronal subpopulations. Finally, conditional loss of TrkB.FL in neural crest-derived cells reduced Vip expression without recapitulating the full Mecp2-null VIPergic phenotype, indicating that impaired BDNF-TrkB signaling contributes to, but does not completely explain, the GI dysmotility in this model of RTT. Together, these findings identify enteric BDNF-TrkB and VIPergic dysfunction as key mechanisms underlying GI dysmotility in RTT.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

30. Saleh S, AlAli R. The Effectiveness of an Augmented Reality-Based Early Intervention Program Using Interactive Games to Enhance Eye Contact as a Nonverbal Communication Skill in Children with Autism: A Single-Case Experimental Design. J Intell;2026 (Apr 10);14(4)

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently exhibit marked impairments in nonverbal communication, particularly in eye contact, which serves as a foundational element for social interaction and relational development. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an early intervention program utilizing interactive games supported by Augmented Reality (AR) technology to enhance eye contact behaviors, specifically initiation and maintenance, in children with autism. Using a multiple baseline across participants single-case experimental design, four boys (aged 5-7 years) diagnosed with ASD participated in an 8-week intervention at a specialized center in Saudi Arabia. The intervention featured tablet-based, gamified AR tasks incorporating real-time visual feedback, graduated difficulty levels, and reinforcement mechanisms designed to elicit social gaze and sustained eye contact. Eye contact duration and frequency were measured during structured social interactions via systematic direct observation. The results demonstrated significant improvements across all participants, with the mean duration of eye contact increasing from a baseline of 2.0 s to 5.8 s post-intervention. Visual analysis revealed robust treatment effects, further supported by substantial Tau-U effect sizes (range = 0.89-0.96; M = 0.93). Follow-up data collected three weeks post-intervention confirmed the maintenance of gains for three of the four participants. These findings suggest that AR-based interventions provide an effective and culturally responsive approach for enhancing specific nonverbal communication behaviors among children with autism in Middle Eastern contexts. Implications for clinical practice and directions for future research are discussed.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

31. Shaw LA, Brendli Brown KR, Enayati H. Autistic people and life experiences: the role of student skills and support. Front Psychiatry;2026;17:1733550.

INTRODUCTION: Studies examining quality of life outcomes have shown that Autistic people experience lower scores across domains (e.g., physical, psychological) compared to other groups, with their lowest scores consistently reported in social functioning. However, to date, little is known about different adult life experiences that Autistic adults have beyond the typically tested outcome of living independently in the community, which may not be a desired outcome culturally for all Autistic people, particularly outcomes that could lead to improved social functioning, like being in relationships. METHODS: Survey data were collected from a nationally representative sample of 272 U.S. residents with autism. Respondents were asked about secondary school transition activities, support, and later life experiences of moving into their own home, falling in love, getting married, pregnancy, becoming a caregiver, and being arrested. RESULTS: Logistic regression results indicated goal setting and psychological empowerment were significant predictors of all adult life experience outcomes tested, and autonomy/decision-making predicted moving into one’s own home and falling in love. Social skills predicted both falling in love, getting married, and being arrested. For support, the number of people supporting the Autistic youth was related to increased odds of falling in love. DISCUSSION: While transition programs are typically focused on furthering education and employment success in later life, skills taught to students to support those outcomes also relate to a broader range of life experiences for Autistic youth and adults. Programs to support Autistic students and youth should include, at a minimum, activities that build goal setting and psychological empowerment skills in hopes that Autistic adults can experience a fulfilling life of their choosing.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

32. Shi H, Zhang L, Fang F, Zhang Y, Xu X, Gou L, Tang X, Wang H, Cui L, Song H, Shu R, Wang J, You X. Immunological characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorder and comorbid atopic dermatitis. Front Pediatr;2026;14:1759221.

OBJECTIVE: Current studies on immune dysregulation in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have not adequately accounted for the influence of common comorbidities like atopic dermatitis (AD). To address this gap, the objective of this study was to characterize the peripheral immune profile in children with both ASD and AD, and to assess whether AD comorbidity modulates the link between immune dysregulation and ASD symptoms. METHODS: This single-center cross-sectional study recruited children with ASD who attended the outpatient clinic of Peking Union Medical Hospital (PUMCH) from April 2019 to September 2025. According to whether AD was present, children were divided into an ASD without AD group and an ASD with AD group. ASD severity was evaluated using standardized rating scales, and six clinical symptoms were assessed. Immunological markers, including T and B lymphocyte subsets, immunoglobulins (Ig), complete blood count, total Ig E, and cytokines, were measured. Spearman rank correlation analysis was performed to assess associations between immune markers and ASD severity and clinical symptom scores. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore whether AD moderates the relationships between immune markers and clinical symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 72 children with ASD aged 1-11 years were included in the study. Among them, 42 were classified into the ASD without AD group and 30 into the ASD with AD group. Compared with the ASD without AD group, children in the ASD with AD group had significantly higher levels of IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgE, eosinophils (EO), and memory CD4+ T cells (CD4 + CD45RA-/CD4+), while having significantly lower levels of 45RA + CD4+ T cells, the percentage of 45RA + CD4+ T cell, naive CD4+ T cells, and the percentage of CD8 + CD38+/CD8+ T cells. Children were further divided into mild-to-moderate ASD and severe ASD groups according to their CARS scores, and the prevalence of AD did not differ statistically between them. Ordered logistic regression analysis showed that AD had interaction effects on the associations between several immune indicators, including memory T4 cells (CD4 + CD45RA-/CD4+), 45RA + CD4+ T cells, naive CD4+ T cells, and the percentage of CD8 + CD38+/CD8+ T cells, and clinical symptoms such as picky eating, agitation, sleep disturbances, mood problems, and allergies. These findings suggest that AD may influence the relationships between specific T lymphocyte subsets and clinical symptoms in children with ASD. CONCLUSIONS: Children with ASD and comorbid AD present more pronounced allergic and inflammatory phenotypes. Immune homeostasis imbalance appears to be a characteristic immunological feature in children with ASD and AD. AD may influence with T lymphocyte subset phenotype, and further influence the comorbid clinical symptoms in children with ASD.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

33. Talantseva OI, Romanova RS, Kuznetsova JE, Manasevich VA, Lind KV, Ivashchenko MA, Benoit J, Grigorenko EL. A prevalence study of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Russia. Front Psychiatry;2026;17:1790306.

INTRODUCTION: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by heterogeneity in presentation. In recent decades, ASD prevalence has risen globally, yet data from non-Western and middle-income countries, including Russia, remain scarce. Thus, Russian official statistics report a prevalence of 0.41 per 1,000 (0.041%), far below global estimates of 32.2 per 1,000 (3.2%), indicating underdiagnosis. This study provides the first population-based estimate of ASD prevalence among Russian elementary school children and examines barriers to diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: The study followed a two-phase epidemiological approach and utilized well-known instruments (SCQ, ADOS-2, ADI-R) for ASD identification. The target population included all students in grades 1-3 (n = 34,847), stratified into mainstream, special education, and resource classes. The diagnostic phase had a 25.6% participation rate. ASD prevalence was estimated using Bayesian regression correcting for screening misclassification. RESULTS: The estimated ASD prevalence was 22.2 per 1,000 children (95% CIs: 18.6-36.0), substantially exceeding what is reported based on the RF administrative data. ASD was more frequently identified in students from special education and resource classes than in general education settings. A Bayesian sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of prevalence estimates across plausible values for sensitivity and specificity. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that ASD prevalence in Russia is considerably underestimated via administrative data. Systemic barriers-including limited access to diagnostic services and stigma surrounding psychiatric labels-may hinder ASD identification. Addressing these challenges is essential for improving early detection and service provision in Russia and similar contexts.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

34. The Lancet Regional Health-Southeast A. Autism spectrum disorder: strengthening screening for optimal outcomes. Lancet Reg Health Southeast Asia;2026 (Apr);47:100771.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

35. Tonyali A. Educational quality of autism treatment videos on YouTube. Int J Dev Disabil;2026;72(3):622-630.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the educational quality and level of misinformation of the 100 most-viewed English-language YouTube videos on autism treatment notion and to compare the popularity of video groups created according to treatment recommendations. METHODS: The search terms ‘autism treatment’, ‘autism cure’, ‘autism therapy’ ‘treating autism’ and ‘treatment of autism’ were used to select 100 videos. Each video was evaluated using DISCERN and JAMAS scales. The treatment modality mentioned as the main topic in the video was classified in three groups. RESULTS: The total number of thumbs-up (likes) and thumbs-down (dislikes) and comments count for these videos were 1.291.319; 49.750 and 191.462, respectively. 36% of videos were of poor quality (average score of 1.86 points) and contained varying degrees of misinformation compared to the existing body of evidence. The mean ‘accuracy level’ of the videos was 4.15 and the average balance level was 2.02. As the level of misinformation in videos increased, there was a notable increase in the number of likes and an optimized popularity metric. The three treatment groups differed significantly in terms of the popularity-based metadata (thumbs up, thumbs down, comment count, optimized popularity metrics (MV, LV); p-values respectively; <0.001, 0.004, 0.001, 0.011, <0.001) except views (p = 0.085). CONCLUSIONS: Various concerns exist about the accuracy of the information, the presence of misleading content, and the educational quality of YouTube videos on autism. It is crucial to employ a critical approach when utilizing this information, considering the origin of the videos.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

36. Ummer-Christian R, Gussy M, Calache H. Are dental policies in Australia inclusive of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the state of Victoria? A grey literature review. Aust J Prim Health;2026 (Jun 15);32(3)

In Australia, inclusive disability legislation is in place to support people with disabilities to access health services, including dental health. Yet evidence demonstrates children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) face barriers to accessing dental services. Developing an understanding of factors that contribute to these barriers, in consideration of disability legislation, is crucial to the provision of equitable dental care for this population group. Access, the ability to obtain dental services, is conceptualised to include six domains: accessibility, availability, affordability, accommodation, acceptability, and appropriateness. To understand the extent of inclusion of children with IDD in policies that guide dental services in Victoria, Australia, a structured, systematic grey literature review on dental policies in Australia was conducted. Four search strategies were incorporated: (1) grey literature database searching via Grey Literature for Health™, (2) domain-specific Google Chrome™ search engines, (3) targeted databases identified from a list on Australian dental associations, and (4) targeted databases identified from a list on Australian disability advocacy organisations’ websites. Where relevant, to confirm the scope of the resources, author organisations were contacted. Inclusion criteria guided the screening of the documents yielding three documents issued at the national level, with none issued at the Victorian state level. The relative absence of children with IDD from inclusive dental policies suggests research, policy, and practice gaps that may inhibit equitable dental care access for this population group. The findings also present as a timely opportunity to address the identified gaps in the next iteration of the plans such as the Australian National Oral Health Plan 2026-2035.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

37. Utami NH, Putri DSK, Mubasyiroh R, Sari K, Mulyantoro DK, Julianti ED, Nazarina N, Sudikno S. Depression in mothers and early childhood development: rural-urban disparities. Rural Remote Health;2026 (Apr);26(2):10419.

INTRODUCTION: Maternal mental health is essential for early childhood development but is often neglected in public policy, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study investigates the relationship between maternal depression and early childhood developmental outcomes in Indonesia, with attention to rural-urban differences. METHODS: Using data from 36,146 children aged 36-59 months from the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Research (RISKESDAS), maternal depression was assessed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, while child development was measured using the Early Child Development Index. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between maternal depression and child developmental delays, stratified by urban and rural residence. RESULTS: The results revealed developmental delays in 10.2% of urban children and 13.1% of rural children. Children of mothers with depression had significantly higher odds of overall developmental delay (OR=1.9; 95%CI: 1.6-2.2; p<0.001). Stratified analysis showed that the odds of delay were higher in urban areas (OR=2.1; 95%CI: 1.7-2.6) than in rural areas (OR=1.7; 95%CI: 1.4-2.0). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that maternal depression is significantly associated with overall child development delays, with domain-specific associations observed particularly in the physical and literacy-numeracy domains, emphasizing the need for targeted mental health and child development interventions in both urban and rural settings.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

38. Vanneau T, Reisli S, Brittenham C, Crosse MJ, Molholm S. Reduced flexibility in predictive tuning and contextual adaptation in autism: an EEG and behavioral study. bioRxiv;2026 (Apr 17)

The brain generates predictions to prepare for upcoming events. Because the environment is not perfectly predictable, the brain also estimates the certainty of these predictions and adjusts preparatory processes accordingly. Given that autistic individuals often resist even small changes to everyday routines, we hypothesized altered tuning of prediction certainty in autism. To test this, EEG was recorded from adolescents and young autistic adults (n = 20) and from age- and IQ-matched non-autistic adults (n = 19) during a probabilistic cued target identification task during which cue validity was systematically varied across four levels: 100%, 84%, 67%, and 33%. Participants were not informed of the cue-target validity nor when it changed. We focused on two neural signatures of anticipatory readiness, contingent negative variation (CNV) and alpha-band event-related desynchronization (α-ERD), and one of cognitive updating: the P3 to targets and to invalid (e.g., a non-target in place of the target) stimuli. Across groups, preparatory activity increased as contextual certainty decreased, with larger CNV amplitudes and stronger α-ERD preceding targets in lower-probability contexts, suggesting enhanced preparatory engagement under greater uncertainty. Furthermore, larger CNV amplitudes predicted faster reaction times, indicating functionally significant anticipatory dynamics. However, modulation of both neural preparation and response times as a function of cue-target probability was significantly reduced in the autistic group. In addition, autistic participants showed diminished probability-dependent modulation of the P3b to both targets and invalid stimuli, and coupling between anticipatory activity (CNV) and subsequent updating (P3b) was observed in non-autistic participants whereas it was absent in autism. Together, these findings suggest that while predictive mechanisms are present in autism, anticipatory processes are less flexibly tuned to contextual uncertainty and less effectively linked to subsequent cognitive updating. This reduced adaptability may reflect difficulty adjusting internal predictive models to changing environmental contingencies, potentially contributing to core features of autism such as resistance to change and insistence on sameness. HIGHLIGHTS: Anticipatory brain mechanisms (CNV and alpha desynchronization) are present in autism and are behaviorally relevant, predicting faster responses.Autistic individuals exhibit reduced modulation of anticipatory CNV and alpha activity as a function of cue-target validity.P3b responses to both targets and invalid stimuli show diminished sensitivity to contextual probability in autism, consistent with altered prior updating.The link between anticipatory activity and cognitive updating (i.e., CNV to P3b) is disrupted in autism.P3a amplitude to invalid stimuli is reduced in autism, suggesting diminished engagement of violation-sensitive processes.Together, findings point to less flexible tuning of predictive mechanisms and reduced adaptation to contextual uncertainty in autism.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

39. Wadhwani D, Patel SS. Gestational hyperglycemia and autism spectrum disorder: Mechanistic pathways and emerging preventive strategies. Behav Brain Res;2026 (Apr 27);504:116099.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by deficits in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviours. The severity and presentation of symptoms vary greatly among autistic individuals. The etiology of autism is multifactorial, including metabolic, environmental, and genetic factors. Emerging evidence suggests that the maternal metabolic environment, especially gestational diabetes mellitus, has a major impact on fetal neurodevelopment and the subsequent risk of autism spectrum disorder. Epidemiological studies have found that children born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus are much more likely to be diagnosed with autism, especially if GDM is identified before 26 weeks of pregnancy. The mechanistic pathways that link maternal hyperglycemia to autism are explored in this review. These include epigenetic suppression of SOD2, impaired neuronal migration through disrupted reelin signalling, elevated oxidative stress from advanced glycation end products, gut dysbiosis and many more, caused by GDM. The cumulative effect of the above factors involves disturbances in the intrauterine environment, which results in abnormal synaptic formation, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in the developing fetal brain. This review also examines the new therapeutic strategies that can target these pathways, such as RORα agonist, SGLT-2 and DPP4 inhibitors, antioxidants and gut microbiota modification through various dietary interventions and supplementation to support the growth of beneficial microbiota. Thus, early detection and treatment of maternal metabolic disorders during pregnancy may be a promising way to lower the risk of autism in infants and enhance the neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

40. Wang L, Li H, Yang Y, Zhang B, Yu B. Genetic variants identification through whole-genome sequencing based on dried blood spots in 92 Chinese children with Autism. Hum Genomics;2026 (Apr 26)

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

41. Wang L, Liu T, Yu L, Liu Z, Che C, Yu X, Cai Z, Cao A. Plasma proteome and autism spectrum disorder: Integrative proteome-wide Mendelian randomization with clinical profiling. Neurobiol Dis;2026 (Apr 24):107416.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with incompletely elucidated underlying biological mechanisms. Circulating proteins serve as an intermediate molecular layer linking genetic variation to downstream biological processes. This study aimed to systematically investigate the causal associations between the plasma proteome and ASD risk, followed by multi-omic and clinical validation. METHOD: Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was performed to screen 1124 plasma proteins for potential causal links with ASD. Genetically prioritized proteins were further verified using Bayesian colocalization analysis, tissue expression profiling (GTEx), transcriptomic validation (GEO), and co-expression network analyses. In a retrospective cohort of 100 children with ASD, serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-2R) and brain injury markers (NSE, S100β) were measured. RESULTS: MR analysis identified 23 plasma proteins nominally associated with ASD risk. After correction for multiple testing, MR identified three proteins associated with ASD risk: MICA (OR = 0.964, protective), SERPIND1 (heparin cofactor II; OR = 0.897, protective), and MAPKAPK3 (OR = 1.046, risk-increasing). Genetically predicted MAPKAPK3 showed moderate evidence of colocalization with ASD (PP·H4 = 0.51), suggesting a shared causal variant. Multi-omic analyses indicated that MAPKAPK3 is broadly expressed in brain tissues, significantly upregulated in the ASD cortex, and tightly co-expressed with inflammation-related genes. Clinically, severe ASD was associated with elevated serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8; IL-1β level were positively correlated with the severity of ASD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Integrative evidence from genetic, transcriptomic, network, and clinical analyses supports the involvement of immune-inflammatory pathways in ASD pathogenesis. The MAPKAPK3-centered inflammatory signaling emerges as a genetically supported mechanistic axis, which prioritizing for future functional studies and biomarker development.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

42. Wang M, Guo J, Guo X. A Multi-Atlas Dynamic Connectivity Transformer Fused with 4D Spatiotemporal Modeling for Autism Spectrum Disorder Recognition. Brain Sci;2026 (Mar 30);16(4)

Background: The recognition of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been a challenge due to the heterogeneity in symptoms and complex variations in brain function. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has become instrumental in studying these disorders by accessing underlying abnormal neural activity and connectivity. Recently, deep learning approaches have shifted the analysis of brain networks by capturing spatiotemporal information from fMRI sequences. Nonetheless, most existing studies are limited by relying on a single representational scale, typically restricting analysis to either voxel-level spatiotemporal patterns or static connectivity matrices. Additionally, the dynamic reconfiguration of functional coupling and its variations across different anatomical parcellations are often ignored, which obscures neurobiologically meaningful dynamics. Methods: In this regard, we propose a multi-atlas dynamic connectivity transformer fused with 4D spatiotemporal modeling for ASD recognition (MADCT-4D). Specifically, the framework comprises two complementary branches. The 4D spatiotemporal branch encodes raw rs-fMRI volumes to learn hierarchical representations of evolving neural activity, while the dynamic-connectivity branch models time-resolved functional connectivity sequences constructed from multiple atlases, enabling the network to capture dynamic reconfiguration at the connectome level under different parcellation granularities. Moreover, we perform late fusion by combining the branch-specific decision scores with a learnable gate, allowing the model to adaptively weight voxel-level dynamics and multi-atlas connectivity evidence for each subject. Results: Extensive experiments on the publicly available ABIDE dataset demonstrate that the proposed method achieves 90.2% accuracy for ASD recognition, outperforming multiple competitive baselines. Conclusions: The proposed framework yields interpretable biomarkers based on learned dynamic connectivity patterns that are consistent with altered functional coupling in ASD.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

43. Wong O, Zheng Z, Wang M, Cao A, Chan FKL, Ng SC, Su Q. Microbiome biomarkers in autism spectrum disorder: Toward prediction, diagnosis, and prognosis. Cell Rep Med;2026 (Apr 27):102780.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous condition that lacks objective diagnostic biomarkers, often resulting in delayed intervention. Evidence increasingly links gut microbiota dysregulation to ASD pathophysiology via the microbiota-gut-brain axis, suggesting plausible translational applications. This review outlines mechanistic insights from preclinical and clinical studies to illustrate how microbial disturbances affect neurodevelopment. It examines the evolution of biomarker research from early 16S rRNA sequencing to advanced shotgun metagenomics incorporating functional integration, multi-omics, and genomic variants. Such advancements enhance diagnostic accuracy and generalizability. Although clinical causal evidence remains indirect, these microbial signatures show potential for early diagnosis, presymptomatic risk prediction, and tailored therapies. Key challenges include prospective validation in diverse cohorts, specificity testing against comorbidities, and addressing clinical heterogeneity. By summarizing methodological gaps and providing future guidance, this review aims to bridge mechanistic research and clinical practice to improve outcomes across the spectrum.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

44. Yaqi X, Shuai Z, Li J, Haifeng L, Zhiping Z. App-based analysis of multidimensional objective behavioral markers for early risk assessment of autism spectrum disorder. Asian J Psychiatr;2026 (Apr 21);120:104986.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

45. Yeung JT, Wan P, Chen W. Guanfacine as a Treatment Option for Persistent Mental Restlessness and Deliberate Self-harm Thoughts in a Patient with Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Case Report. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci;2026 (May 31);24(2):419-424.

Deliberate self-harm (DSH) in adolescents presents a significant clinical challenge, particularly when compounded by comorbidities such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We describe a case of a 16-year-old transgender Māori male with ADHD, ASD traits, BPD, and PTSD, who presented with persistent mental restlessness experienced as intrusive DSH ideation. He had limited benefit and intolerable side effects with atomoxetine but responded to guanfacine modified-release. Guanfacine modified-release (1 mg nocte) treatment coincided with a marked reduction in mental restlessness and intrusive DSH ideation. During the follow-up period, there was a decrease in acute healthcare utilisation. Then the patient self-ceased guanfacine, coinciding with a return of DSH ideation and behaviours. We hypothesise that the ADHD-related mental restlessness was associated with intrusive DSH ideation; amelioration of mental restlessness and self-harm ideation by guanfacine can be interpreted as the ‘dechallenge’ phase of a ‘challenge-dechallenge’ natural experiment. This case provides novel evidence for the potential therapeutic role of guanfacine in mitigating persistent self-harm thoughts, via modulation of mental restlessness and impulsivity. Our observation provides preliminary evidence of the potential benefit of guanfacine in treating DSH, in the context of patients with co-occurring cognitive rigidity, trauma exposure, and emotional dysregulation. This case aligns with emerging evidence for the efficacy of guanfacine for ASD and trauma-related disorders, but is the first – in the existing literature – for ADHD and trauma history in an adolescent with BPD and transgender intersectionality.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

46. Zhang M, Zhao M, Zhang Y, Gao F, Zhao Q, Wang Y, Tian P, Zhang S. Effects of improved creative play interventions on social communication, behavioral, and cognitive function in children with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Front Public Health;2026;14:1768848.

BACKGROUND: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit deficits in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and cognitive delays. Play-based interventions have shown effectiveness in the treatment of ASD. This study aims to investigate the impact of improved creative play interventions combined with routine rehabilitation on these domains in autistic children. METHODS: This single-blind randomized controlled trial enrolled 72 children aged 3-8 years with ASD. Participants were randomized to the control group (n = 36; routine rehabilitation) or intervention group (n = 36; routine rehabilitation + improved creative play intervention). Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention (week 12) using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC), Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), Childhood Autism Rating Scale-2 (CARS-2), Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2), and the Chinese version of Psychoeducational Profile-3 (C-PEP-3) to measure changes in social skills, behavior, and cognitive functioning. RESULTS: The intervention group showed greater improvements than the control group in the SRS-2 T-score (p < 0.001). No significant group × time interactions (p > 0.05) were found on aberrant behavior (ABC) or overall autism severity (CARS-2). Significant advantages in the intervention group were also observed across all four ATEC subscales and the total score (p < 0.001) compared with the control group. The improved creative play intervention group achieved significantly greater gains in fine motor, hand-eye coordination, cognitive performance, and verbal cognition domains of C-PEP-3, with particularly large differences in cognitive performance (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The improved creative play intervention combined with routine rehabilitation significantly enhances social, behavioral, and cognitive outcomes in ASD children.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

47. Zhang T, Cao Z, Li W, Lv Z. Six artificial intelligence innovation strategies applied to autism spectrum disorder research: A narrative review. Pediatr Investig;2026 (Apr);10(2):182-198.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted behaviors. Traditional assessment and intervention methods rely heavily on subjective and time-consuming approaches, which limit their clinical impact. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer transformative opportunities for ASD research and practice. This narrative review proposes six AI-driven strategies that address six core research challenges: uncovering causal mechanisms, modeling dynamic neurodevelopment, integrating multimodal data, individualized computational modeling, collaborative learning across institutions, and enhancing social training. We highlight the potential of causal inference to clarify gene-environment interactions, spatio-temporal graph neural networks to capture neurodevelopmental heterogeneity, and multimodal fusion for unified representation learning. Digital twin technologies enable personalized brain modeling and neuromodulation optimization, while social brain reverse engineering and federated learning frameworks support computational hypothesis generation and privacy-preserving collaboration, respectively. Large language models further facilitate context-aware social interventions. We also discuss key challenges-including data heterogeneity, interpretability, ethics, and clinical translation-and outline directions for building a more precise, human-centered research paradigm. This review aims to move beyond incremental tool improvements toward reconstructing scientific paradigms, thereby accelerating the effective translation of AI innovations into clinical ASD applications.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

48. Zhu J, Han X, Zhao W, Han Y. Commonalities and differences in the microbiota-metabolism-immune axis dysregulation patterns between fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. Front Pediatr;2026;14:1735468.

INTRODUCTION: Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a leading monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), provides a crucial model for elucidating ASD pathophysiology. However, comparative studies on the Microbiota-Metabolite-Immune (MMI) axis between these disorders are lacking. This study aims to identify shared and distinct MMI dysregulation patterns to uncover underlying neurobiological mechanisms and potential biomarkers. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, multi-omics analyses were performed, including 16S rRNA sequencing of gut microbiota, untargeted UPLC-MS-based serum metabolomics, and quantification of 13 serum cytokines. Statistical analyses identified differentially abundant taxa, metabolites, and cytokines between the ASD and FXS groups. RESULTS: 16S rRNA sequencing revealed distinct microbial community structures (beta-diversity) and 11 differentially abundant taxa between groups, though alpha-diversity was comparable. Untargeted metabolomics identified 152 significantly altered serum metabolites, with ASD showing upregulation of metabolites involved in caffeine metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Cytokine profiling showed significantly elevated IL-17A in FXS vs. ASD among the 13 cytokines analyzed. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that FXS and ASD share a common dysregulation framework within the MMI axis, yet exhibit distinct disease-specific patterns, supporting the value of FXS as a monogenic model for ASD. The identified differential metabolites and elevated IL-17A in FXS uncover unique underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, thereby providing potential targets for future biomarker discovery and precise interventions.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)