1. Alanazi AS, Alqazlan S, Alanazi R, Benlaria H. Explainable AI for early developmental disability detection: a neuro-fuzzy approach. Front Public Health. 2026; 14: 1691449.

BACKGROUND: Developmental disabilities affect approximately 1 in 6 children aged 3-17 years. The diagnostic process typically spans 2-3 years and disproportionately affects underserved populations. Traditional machine learning approaches for screening have demonstrated promising accuracy but often lack the transparency required for clinical acceptance. METHODS: We developed and validated an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) using a longitudinal observational dataset of 5,000 children aged 1-6 years from 12 early childhood centers (4,311 typically developing; 689 with developmental disabilities, prevalence 13.8%). The ANFIS model implemented Gaussian membership functions and Sugeno fuzzy inference, incorporating age-adjusted ratios and cross-domain interaction features. Model performance was evaluated using standard binary classification metrics and five-fold stratified cross-validation. RESULTS: All four assessment domains differed significantly between diagnostic groups (p < 0.001): Cognitive Scores (60.86 ± 14.51 vs. 51.58 ± 17.09), Behavioral Scores (55.82 ± 9.38 vs. 49.64 ± 11.21), Motor Skills (51.08 ± 7.79 vs. 45.08 ± 8.00), and Social Interaction (51.20 ± 11.66 vs. 42.13 ± 11.19). Family history was present in 85.6% of diagnosed children vs. 45.0% of typically developing children (p < 0.001). The ANFIS model achieved 96.0% accuracy, 87.5% sensitivity, 97.6% specificity, and AUC = 0.925 on a held-out test set of 100 cases. Five-fold cross-validation yielded a mean accuracy of 89.2% ± 3.4% (95% CI: [85.8, 92.6%]). Cognitive_Social_Ratio was the most influential diagnostic indicator. CONCLUSION: The ANFIS approach demonstrates a clinically relevant balance between diagnostic accuracy and interpretability, positioning it as a viable clinical decision-support tool. Larger external validation studies across diverse populations are required before widespread implementation.

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2. Antolí A, Chía L. Telehealth diagnostic assessment for autism and developmental language disorders: A systematic review. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2026; 267: 107156.

Significant delays in diagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders have driven interest in telehealth assessments as a viable alternative. This systematic review evaluates telehealth diagnostic tools for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental language disorder (DLD) in children, focusing on psychometric properties compared to traditional in-person assessments. Additionally, given the high phenotypic overlap between these disorders, this review aims to identify telehealth tools for differential diagnoses between ASD and DLD. A comprehensive search in PubMed and Web of Science identified 18 studies: 12 for ASD and 6 for DLD. Findings confirm telehealth assessments as valid and reliable, aligning closely with traditional methods. However, no telehealth tools were identified to effectively differentiate between ASD and DLD in children, highlighting the need for further research.

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3. Baarkoh C, Nkrumah AA, Bawah RK, Suglo S. Navigating through the care of children with autism spectrum disorder: parents’ lived experiences in a Ghanaian Regional Hospital. BMJ Paediatr Open. 2026; 10(1).

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder marked by difficulties in social interaction, communication impairments and repetitive behaviours. Depending on the degree of the illness and each person’s particular strengths and problems, autism can have a variety of effects on both individuals and families. Caring for a child with autism is complex and demanding, placing considerable emotional and social burdens on parents. AIM: This study explored the lived experiences of parents caring for children living with autism spectrum disorder at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital. METHOD: An explorative qualitative research approach was employed in this study. A purposive sampling technique was used to interview 10 parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Data were collected with an interview guide and analysed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: The findings of this study underscore the profound emotional, social, psychological and financial challenges faced by parents caring for children with autism. Many participants reported experiences of stigma, spiritual accusations and marital difficulties associated with caregiving. Despite these adversities, parents demonstrated resilience by adopting various coping strategies, including behavioural and lifestyle adaptations, reliance on faith and spiritual support and importantly, consciously disregarding negative societal attitudes. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive and coordinated support systems, including psychological counselling, marital therapy and rehabilitation support services, to assist parents in navigating the complex challenges of caring for children with autism spectrum disorder. Implementing such interventions has the potential to reduce parental burden, mitigate stigma and enhance the overall well-being of both children with autism and their caregivers.

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4. Bonifacio MA, Vinella A, Pafundi M, Margari L, Mariggiò MA. Genetic Susceptibility to Autism Spectrum Disorders: Folate Pathway Polymorphisms, Mediterranean Diet and Evolutionary Insights. J Mol Neurosci. 2026; 76(2).

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent a complex medical and social issue with a multifactorial etiology, often correlated with the host genetic background, particularly with the folate metabolic pathway. This study aimed to investigate the association between MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) and MTRR (A66G) polymorphisms and ASD susceptibility in an Apulian cohort. We analyzed 73 patients diagnosed with ASD and 84 healthy controls recruited at the University Hospital Policlinico, Bari. Genotyping was performed using a Real-time/FRET method. Statistical analysis evaluated genotypic/allelic distributions and haplotype frequencies. While single genotype distributions did not differ significantly between groups, the MTHFR 677T allele frequency was significantly higher in controls (50%) compared to the ASD group (37.67%; p = 0.038), suggesting a potential protective role. Haplotype analysis identified the C-C-G combination as a significant risk factor for ASD (OR = 3.60; p = 0.019). In silico analysis confirmed that the C677T polymorphism (A222V) significantly destabilizes the MTHFR protein structure, in agreement with previous findings. Our findings suggest that an unknown evolutionary advantage may explain the circulation of the MTHFR 677T allele in the general Apulian population, supported by the high folate intake peculiar to the Mediterranean diet. The enzymatic alterations caused by the C-C-G haplotype, selected by the ASD Apulian group, are herein detrimental for folate metabolism.

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5. Booalizadeh P, Salahshourifar I, Rabbani B, Rezvani M, Ashrafi MR, Mahdieh N. MECP2 Variant Spectrum and Genotype-Phenotype Correlations in Iranian Rett Syndrome Patients: Identification of a Novel Frameshift Mutation. J Mol Neurosci. 2026; 76(2).

Background rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder primarily affecting females, predominantly caused by pathogenic variants in the MECP2 gene. This study investigates the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of RTT in Iran, a population characterized by high genetic diversity and consanguinity. Methods twenty-five Iranian RTT patients (24 females, 1 male; aged 2-17 years), including 11 newly diagnosed and 14 previously reported cases, were analyzed. Clinical evaluation, pedigree analysis, and bidirectional sequencing of all MECP2 coding exons (NM_004992.3) were performed. Variant pathogenicity was assessed using ACMG criteria and in silico tools (MutationTaster, VarSome, Franklin). Structural impact of the novel variant was modeled using RoseTTAFold. Results a novel frameshift variant, c.1268_1269insGGGCACTC; p. Leu424GlyfsTer61, was identified in exon 4 and classified as likely pathogenic. Fifteen distinct MECP2 variants were detected, with 87% pathogenic/likely pathogenic; exon 4 emerged as a mutational hotspot. All patients showed psychomotor regression, loss of purposeful hand use, and communication impairment. Common features included locomotion difficulties (96%), microcephaly (64%), seizures (60%), and abnormal EEG (64%). Truncating variants (nonsense/frameshift) correlated with severe phenotypes (e.g., quadriplegia, feeding difficulties), though statistical significance was limited by sample size (Fisher’s exact test, p = 1.00). Conclusions this study reveals a distinct MECP2 mutation profile in Iranian RTT patients, including a novel pathogenic variant, and highlights genotype-phenotype associations influenced by regional genetic factors. Targeted MECP2 exon 4 sequencing is recommended for efficient diagnosis. These findings support the development of personalized diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in high-consanguinity populations and lay the foundation for future genomic and functional studies in Iran.

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6. DeMonte KH, Lugo-Neris MJ, Perry BJ. Assessing School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists’ Perspectives on Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices for Autistic Students. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch. 2026: 1-26.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine current school-based speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs’) perspectives on neurodiversity-affirming (ND-affirming) practices for autistic students and how their current clinical practices align with ND-affirming practices. METHOD: A total of 150 school-based SLPs completed an original online survey in its entirety. The survey contained 5-point Likert scale items (ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree) as well as multiple-choice questions. Survey items were used to determine school-based SLP beliefs in the purpose of speech-language therapy services for autistic students and their perspectives on ND-affirming practices for this population. RESULTS: Although almost 92% of participants reported awareness of the neurodiversity movement, a majority of participants (54%) reported a lack of confidence in writing goals and providing therapy to autistic students in an ND-affirming way. Participants reported social media as the most popular source of information related to the neurodiversity movement. When presented with goal areas and therapy approaches that were either ND-affirming or based on the medical model of disability, only 2% of participants responded to all of the goal area statements in a way that aligned with ND-affirming practices, and just under 3% of participants responded to all of the therapy approach statements in a way that aligned with ND-affirming practices. CONCLUSIONS: Based on participant responses to statements related to the practical implementation of ND-affirming practices, most school-based SLPs did not demonstrate alignment with goal writing and treatment approaches that are ND-affirming. This suggests that school-based SLPs may benefit from further education on ND-affirming practices in order to successfully implement these strategies in their workplaces.

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7. Johnson EJ, Pallerla H, Suhas P, Regan S. Residential setting and individual predictors of emergency room use in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A secondary analysis of the national core indicators. Disabil Health J. 2026: 102088.

BACKGROUND: As support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have increasingly moved out of institutions and into the community, adults with IDD receiving state Developmental Disability system services live in different residential settings. This includes living independently, in a family member’s home, a foster care/host home, group living settings, intermediate care facilities, or other institutional type settings. OBJECTIVE: This study’s objective is to identify difference in emergency room visits among individuals with IDD receiving state services living in varied residential settings and additional individual characteristics contributing to these differences. METHODS: Data from the 2021-2022 National Core Indicators (NCI) In Person Survey (IPS) was analyzed using a series of logistic regressions. The survey was administered by trained interviewers to a random sample of adults receiving services in participating states. Responses are given through a combination of self-report and by-proxy. RESULTS: The likelihood of having an ER visit varied based on residential setting, with individuals living in their own/family home being less likely to have an ER visit (p < 0.001) compared to individuals living in a group residential setting (3-15 individuals) (21.8% vs 30.4%, p < 0.05). Age, overall health status, length of time at current residence, and certain medical and physical health conditions were additionally found to have a significant association with ER use. CONCLUSION: An individual's residential setting and other complex individual level factors likely contribute to the likelihood of ER use. Future policy efforts and research should focus on the community-based factors leading to increased likelihood of requiring emergency care of individuals with IDD to inform preventive practices.

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8. Johnson KR, Annis IE, Thomas KC. Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Home Health Use Among People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Measuring Their Association With Neighborhood Racial Segregation. Am J Occup Ther. 2026; 80(4).

IMPORTANCE: Black people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) report poor health and lower service use compared with their White counterparts. Structural racism, neighborhood segregation in particular, has been identified as a potential barrier to equitable service use, but empirical investigations remain limited. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between race/ethnicity and neighborhood-level segregation on the use of outpatient occupational therapy and physical therapy and home health services among people with IDD. DESIGN: A secondary data analysis, using weighted two-level logistic regression models, of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2013-2020) and census tract data from the American Community Survey. RESULTS: Sixteen percent of individuals with IDD reported use of outpatient occupational therapy and physical therapy, and 23% reported use of home health services. Race and neighborhood segregation were not significantly associated with service use; however, age and Medicaid coverage showed significant associations with both occupational therapy and physical therapy and home health care use. Individuals ages 0 to 3 yr were more likely to receive services than older cohorts, highlighting age-related disparities. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The findings suggest that although racial disparities were not evident in this data set, structural and age-related factors still shape service utilization. Occupational therapy scholars need larger and more nuanced data sets of people with IDD to better map associations between race and neighborhood segregation and its impact on service use along the health care pipeline. Plain-Language Summary: In this article, we introduce a novel application of neighborhood-level racial segregation measures to assess structural racism in health care access among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). By integrating data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and American Community Survey, we provide preliminary evidence on service utilization patterns for outpatient occupational therapy and physical therapy and home health care, highlighting age-related disparities and the need for more nuanced data sets. The findings underscore the importance of contextualizing service use within structural determinants and offer direction for occupational therapy practitioners and health services researchers to refine equity-driven methodologies and advocacy strategies, ensuring that all people with IDD can access the home and community-based supports they need to participate in daily life. Positionality Statement: The research team was led by Khalilah R. Johnson, an occupational scientist and occupational therapy practitioner who identifies as Black and female and has an extensive history working with Black people with IDD in participatory action research and practice. Izabela Annis, the team’s statistician and programmer, uses European ethnic classification and identifies as Slavic. In her work, she uses rigorous and comprehensive statistical methods to measure and analyze the complex effects of structural racism on health and social outcomes. Kathleen C. Thomas is a White woman whose family experience of serious mental illness shapes her understanding of stigma and its structural impacts. This lens informs her commitment to research and mentoring that focuses on reducing disparities experienced by people with mental illness and by communities marginalized by disability, poverty, rurality, and racism.

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9. Kawasaki Y, Shinomiya M, Mishima T, Ino T, Ishida R, Sakai K, Mizuno K, Takayanagi M, Hamamoto Y, Honda H, Niwa SI. Calendar Calculation Savant Syndrome in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Cognitive Function Measured by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. J Autism Dev Disord. 2026.

PURPOSE: This study addressed gaps in prior research on savant syndrome (SS) by restricting participation to individuals with diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD), where SS frequently co-occurs, and focusing on a specific subtype: savant syndrome in calendar calculation (SSC). The primary objectives were to determine the prevalence, intellectual profile, and developmental trajectory of SSC and compare these characteristics with those in savant syndrome in art (SSA), savant syndrome in music (SSM), and non-savant individuals (NSS) with ASD. METHODS: SSC was identified using broad classification criteria. Intellectual functioning and Wechsler Intelligence Scale indices were compared across the four groups (SSC, SSA, and SSM, and NSS). For SSC, accuracy rates and reaction times on a calendar calculation task were assessed in relation to Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) and subtest scores. RESULTS: SSC was most frequently observed among individuals with mild intellectual disability. Some participants lost calendar calculation skills over time. Wechsler test findings showed significantly lower FSIQ in SSC than in NSS. By subtest, SSC scored highest on Digit Span, SSA and SSM on Block Design, and NSS on Similarities. All SS groups scored lowest on Comprehension, whereas NSS scored lowest on Coding. In the calendar calculation task, accuracy correlated with Digit Span scores and the discrepancy between Digit Span and Comprehension, while reaction time correlated inversely with FSIQ. CONCLUSION: Exceptional calendar calculation abilities in ASD were linked to a cognitive profile marked by superior memory (auditory working memory and long term memory) but weak Comprehension.

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10. Kawasaki Y, Suzuki Y, Miyazaki K, Suzuki N, Hoshina M, Ise Y, Suzuki Y, Morita H, Go H. Gender-related differences in characteristics and treatment response between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder Japanese children with and without autism spectrum disorder: a single-center retrospective study. Brain Dev. 2026; 48(4): 104548.

AIM: Patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as those with comorbid autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often experience intellectual developmental challenges, social immaturity and social difficulties. However, there have been few detailed reports on the gender differences in these factors among Japanese children. To compare gender-based differences in characteristics and treatment responsiveness between ADHD children without ASD and those with ASD, we undertook a clinical survey of ADHD children. METHODS: Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of ASD and by gender; ASD-based groups were further subdivided by gender, and the gender-based groups were further subdivided by ASD status. We compared patient background, including body mass index (BMI), ADHD characteristics, intelligence quotient (IQ), and treatment response between these groups. RESULTS: Age at first examination and social intelligence quotient (SQ) were significantly lower in the male patients than in the female patients. ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) scores for hyperactivity disorder and total before treatment and ADHD-RS scores for hyperactivity disorder at the most recent follow-up in the male patients were higher than those in the female patients. In male patients, the initial IQ and SQ of the ASD-comorbidity group were lower than those of the ADHD-only group, but there were no significant differences in each ADHD-RS score, or BMI-standard deviation score. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that male with ADHD tend to have stronger hyperactivity and impulsivity, with such hyperactivity and impulsivity persisting despite treatment and requiring adequate long-term management.

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11. Khamis EM, Al-Natour M. Early Intervention and Social Decision-Making Skills in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Insights from Jordan. J Autism Dev Disord. 2026.

BACKGROUND: Early intervention (EI) is considered important for social and adaptive outcomes in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet evidence from Jordan is limited. In this study, social decision-making competencies include self-control, social awareness, group participation, and decision-making/social problem-solving. Adaptive outcomes refer to mothers’ descriptions of everyday functional changes in real-life settings. METHODS: Mothers of children and adolescents with ASD in Jordan (n = 119) completed structured questionnaires rating these competencies and related behaviors. EI history was based on mothers’ reports of prior structured EI services. Quantitative comparisons were conducted between an EI-history group and a no-EI group, stratified by age (6-12; 13-16) and pooled (6-16). A subsample completed in-depth interviews to contextualize questionnaire patterns; qualitative data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis within an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. RESULTS: In pooled analyses (6-16), the EI-history group showed higher scores across all three dimensions: Self-Control (adjusted p = 0.015), Social Awareness/Group Participation (adjusted p < 0.001), and Decision-Making/Social Problem-Solving (adjusted p = 0.002). In children aged 6-12, all three dimensions were higher in the EI-history group: Self-Control (adjusted p = 0.012), Social Awareness/Group Participation (adjusted p < 0.001), and Decision-Making/Social Problem-Solving (adjusted p < 0.001). Among adolescents aged 13-16, no domain differences were detected. Interviews were broadly consistent with these patterns, describing perceived everyday gains mainly in younger children. CONCLUSION: Mother-reported ratings varied by EI history for selected competencies and by age. Findings support the importance of improving access to EI in Jordan, and structured follow-up supports may be needed into adolescence.

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12. Khusenova N, Madjidova Y, Usmanov S, Ziyakhodjaeva L, Rixsiyeva G, Yunusova R, Mohammad T. Biochemical Predictors in the Blood Serum of Children with TORCH Encephalopathy and Autism. J Mol Neurosci. 2026; 76(2).

TORCH-associated encephalopathy in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is accompanied by a pronounced neurometabolic syndrome characterized by neuronal damage, mitochondrial energy deficiency, and disturbances in methylation processes. In the present study, children with ASD and confirmed TORCH-related central nervous system injury demonstrated significantly elevated serum levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), lactate, ammonia, and homocysteine, reflecting neuronal injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic dysregulation. These alterations were more pronounced than in children with idiopathic autism and in healthy controls, suggesting a possible contribution of infection-related neuroinflammatory mechanisms to ASD pathology. The combined assessment of NSE, lactate, ammonia, and homocysteine represents a biologically relevant set of biochemical predictors for TORCH-induced encephalopathy in children with ASD. Elevated levels of these markers were closely associated with the severity of cognitive, emotional, and adaptive impairments, as well as with more severe clinical forms of autism. Thus, an integrated biochemical profiling approach may serve as a valuable basis for early risk stratification, differential diagnosis, and the development of personalized metabolic and neuroprotective therapeutic strategies in children with autism associated with TORCH infections.

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13. Kim YJ, Kim HB, Lim HM, Choi Y, Woo RS. Impaired Neuregulin 1 Processing is Associated with Synaptic and Behavioral Abnormalities in a Prenatal Valproic Acid Model of Autism. Int J Biol Sci. 2026; 22(10): 5595-614.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted/repetitive behaviors, yet the molecular mechanisms by which prenatal environmental insults lead to circuit dysfunction remain incompletely understood. Neuregulin 1 (NRG1)-ErbB4 signaling is a key regulator of synaptic development and excitation-inhibition (E/I) balance, but whether altered NRG1 processing contributes to ASD-related phenotypes remains unclear. Here, using a prenatal valproic acid (VPA) rat model, we examined the relationship between NRG1 processing, synaptic integrity, and behavioral outcomes. Prenatal VPA exposure reduced cleaved NRG1 protein without altering Nrg1 transcript levels and was accompanied by decreased expression of the NRG1 sheddases ADAM10, ADAM17, and BACE1. These alterations were accompanied by attenuated ErbB4-AKT/ERK1/2 signaling, reduced synaptic scaffolding proteins, and impaired dendritic spine maturation in the hippocampus. Behaviorally, VPA-exposed offspring exhibited abnormalities across multiple ASD-relevant domains. Recombinant NRG1β1 administration during adolescence improved repetitive behaviors in both sexes, whereas deficits and rescue effects in social and sensorimotor domains were primarily observed in males. As robust social deficits were not evident in females, subsequent molecular and synaptic analyses were conducted in male hippocampus, where NRG1 restored ErbB4 signaling, synaptic organization, and spine maturity without affecting locomotor activity. Collectively, these findings indicate that altered NRG1 processing is associated with synaptic and behavioral abnormalities in the VPA model. Enhancement of NRG1-ErbB4 signaling modulates these phenotypes, supporting a functionally relevant role of this pathway in ASD-related neurodevelopmental alterations.

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14. Lodge D, Vinter LP, Lennon H, Lan W. « I Feel Like They Were Made in a Very Neurotypical World »: Autistic Adult Experiences and Perceptions of Social Rules, Instruction, and Laws. J Autism Dev Disord. 2026.

PURPOSE: Autistic individuals account for over one million people in the UK, and many more autistic individuals exist worldwide. This research employed an idiographic qualitative methodology to explore the perceptions and lived experiences of five autistic individuals as they navigate social rules, instructions, and criminal laws. METHODS: Qualitative interviews with participants were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. RESULTS: Analysis identified two group experiential themes: (i) Navigating the world with a different cognitive style, and (ii) Misrepresentation, ambiguity and the need for a ‘why’. These themes indicate how autistic individuals experience social rules differently from non-autistic individuals. Specifically, themes illuminated how autistic people experience a social world governed by rules, norms and expectations, with some consideration towards criminal laws, that are not designed or communicated in ways that match their cognitive style. CONCLUSION: Findings underscore the importance of greater recognition and accommodation of autistic individuals’ perspectives, as well as their involvement in the construction, communication, and application of social rules. Recommendations for reforming existing systems and providing additional support for autistic individuals are discussed.

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15. Nürnberg D, Altgassen M. Does Ongoing Task Load Influence Prospective Remembering in Autism Spectrum Disorders?. Autism Res. 2026: e70285.

Prospective memory (PM) refers to the cognitive ability to remember to carry out intended actions in the future. The present study investigated PM performance in autistic and non-autistic adults as well as the impact of the cognitive load of the ongoing task on PM performance. A total of 50 autistic individuals and 51 age- and non-verbal ability-matched non-autistic individuals completed an event-based PM task, which was embedded into an ongoing n-back task. The cognitive load of the n-back task was varied (2- vs. 3-back for low versus high cognitive load). Results showed that autistic participants did not differ from non-autistic participants in their PM performance. The cognitive load of the ongoing task had no impact on event-based PM performance in both groups. This is the first study to investigate the impact of ongoing task load on event-based PM performance in autistic adults. The results support the neurodiversity perspective of ASD as a highly heterogeneous population which is not necessarily characterized by reduced PM performance. We investigated prospective memory (PM), the ability to remember what you want to do in the future as well as the impact of the difficulty of the ongoing task (the task that you are doing at the same time as the PM task) on autistic and non‐autistic participants. Autistic participants did not differ from non‐autistic participants in their PM performance. The difficulty of the ongoing task did not influence PM performance. Results demonstrate that autistic individuals have unique characteristics and strengths. eng.

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16. Rios-Vega L, Rising K, Freedman B, Fields M, DeCamp LR, Martinsen E, Ramos J, Arroyo J, Schaaf RC. Integrating Stakeholder Voices to Improve Occupational Therapy Research for Minoritized Autistic Hispanic and Latino Communities. Am J Occup Ther. 2026; 80(4).

IMPORTANCE: Stakeholder voices advance client-centered, culturally responsive occupational therapy research. OBJECTIVE: To describe how engagement of culturally diverse, multilingual, and multidisciplinary stakeholders shaped a project aimed at culturally adapting an evidence-based autism intervention. DESIGN: A mixed-methods design was used to evaluate stakeholder engagement. Quantitative data were used to measure engagement frequency and quality, and qualitative data captured stakeholders’ experiences. SETTING: Engagement activities conducted online and in person at a local community setting. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five stakeholders-7 parents or caregivers of autistic children, 3 autistic adults, 4 occupational therapy practitioners, 2 psychologists, 3 medical doctors, 3 cultural experts, and 3 teachers-were recruited through snowball sampling. METHOD: Stakeholders engaged in activities designed to support a project that evaluates two methods of engagement and completes the cultural adaptation of an evidence-based intervention. Activities were guided by the foundational expectations for partnerships as outlined by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The Stakeholder-Centric Engagement Evaluation measured engagement on a Likert scale ranging from 1 (never/poor) to 5 (always/excellent) for how often and how well engagement occurred. Qualitative data were collected using open questions in the survey. RESULTS: Engagement frequency (M = 4.45, SD = 0.24) and quality (M = 4.29, SD = 0.23) were highly rated. Open-ended responses indicated that stakeholders were satisfied with their engagement and interested in additional capacity-building; their feedback shaped the main project in areas including recruitment, retention, data monitoring, and dissemination. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Stakeholders rated their research experiences highly. Engagement is vital to integrating lived experiences and cultural context into occupational therapy, advancing health equity through culturally responsive, client-centered care. Plain-Language Summary: The main project aimed to culturally adapt an evidence-based occupational therapy intervention for Hispanic and Latino autistic children and compare two methods of engagement. Hispanic and Latino families often face barriers accessing culturally and linguistically appropriate services and being included in research. This work was needed to ensure interventions are relevant, equitable, and supportive of their needs. The voices of those impacted by this work were included to guide the research process. We engaged 25 people-including parents, autistic adults, occupational therapy practitioners, psychologists, teachers, and cultural experts-to work closely with the research team. They supported the team through advisory boards and helped shape the project in important ways, such as improving how families are invited to join and how information is shared. Meetings were held mostly on Zoom, with some held in person. We measured how often and how meaningfully stakeholders were involved, and both were rated very highly. This shows that strong partnerships are possible and valuable. Listening to community voices can help ensure that research is more relevant, respectful, and effective. Projects such as this can make occupational therapy more accessible for children and families from different cultural and language backgrounds, ultimately improving health equity and quality of care. Positionality Statement: We use the terms Hispanic and Latino throughout this article to support inclusivity. The term Hispanic typically refers to people with Spanish ancestry or Spanish as a primary language; however, it is sometimes viewed as problematic because of its association with Spanish colonization. In contrast, Latino refers to people from Latin America, including the Caribbean. Given the variation in individual and community preferences, we acknowledge the complexity of these identities (Martínez & Gonzalez, 2021). Furthermore, we implement the identity-first terminology for autistic persons on the basis of their preference for using such language (Taboas et al., 2023). The first author, Lady Rios-Vega, identifies as a Latina. She is an occupational therapy practitioner and researcher who has served minoritized families. We acknowledge that her perspectives may influence how data are presented. In addition, the diverse backgrounds and experiences of all contributing authors shape our work, guiding us to pursue our objectives with a strong focus on equity and inclusivity. The senior author, Roseann Schaaf, identifies as a White woman from a middle-class background. She is an occupational therapy practitioner and an experienced autism researcher. She acknowledges the potential impact of her privileged positionality in studying the experiences of marginalized communities, and she is committed to mitigating any biases that may arise from her own perspective.

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17. Ullah MZ, Fulin L, Yu D. Resting-state EEG functional connectivity predicts autistic traits in typically developing individuals. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging. 2026; 361: 112253.

The dimensional approach to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) considers ASD as the extreme of a dimension traversing through the general population, with autistic traits continuously distributed across the general population. Yet, their neurophysiological correlates in typically developing (TD) individuals remain underexplored. This study examines the associations between autistic traits, as measured by the autism spectrum quotient (AQ), and electroencephalogram (EEG) functional connectivity (FC) abnormalities in nonclinical populations. Resting-state EEG data were collected from 88 TD adults (43 males, 45 females; mean age 24.43 ± 5.61). To evaluate large-scale brain dynamics, 88 neurotypical subjects were measured across five frequency bands for FC metrics, including phase locking value (PLV), weighted phase lag index (WPLI), and phase lag index (PLI). We conducted multiple regression analyses between the AQ and FC across all EEG frequency bands, followed by Pearson correlations to examine the relationships between specific FC features and individual AQ subscales. Regression analyses revealed that the Delta/Theta band, particularly in PLV connectivity, significantly predicted autistic traits (FDR corrected p = 0.010 for both), with lower connectivity associated with greater autistic trait expression. Additionally, EEG Theta/Delta band PLV connectivity metrics revealed significant correlations with social skills and communication AQ subscales, core domains affected in ASD. Our findings demonstrate that EEG FC in low-frequency bands (Delta/Theta), specifically PLV connectivity, is associated with autistic traits in the general population, with correlation analyses revealing specific links to the social skills and communication AQ subscales. These results highlight Delta/Theta PLV connectivity as a sensitive physiological correlate of autistic trait expression in TD children.

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18. Underwood JFG, Madley-Dowd P, Dardani C, Hull L, Kwong ASF, Pearson RM, Hall J, Rai D. Childhood trauma as a mediator between autistic traits and depression: Evidence from the ALSPAC birth cohort. Psychol Med. 2026; 56: e169.

BACKGROUND: Autistic traits have been associated with greater risk of childhood trauma and adulthood psychopathology. However, the role that childhood trauma plays in the association among autism, autistic traits, and depression in adulthood is poorly understood. METHODS: We used a UK-based birth cohort with genotype and phenotype data on autism, autistic traits, childhood trauma, and depression in up to 9,659 individuals prospectively followed up until age 28 years. Using mixed-effects growth-curve models, we assessed trajectories of depression symptoms over time according to autism diagnosis, autism polygenic score and trait measures, and explored whether these differed by trauma exposure. We further investigated the association between autism/autistic traits and depression in adulthood using confounder-adjusted logistic regression models and undertook mediation analyses to investigate the relationship with childhood trauma. RESULTS: All autism variables demonstrated increased depressive symptom trajectories between ages 10 and 28 years. Social communication difficulties (SCDs) were most strongly associated with a depression diagnosis in adulthood (age 24 OR = 1.86; 95% CIs: 1.15-3.01). Trauma and autistic traits combined to further increase depression symptom scores. Mediation analyses provided evidence for direct pathways between autistic traits and increased risk of depression alongside indirect pathways through increased risk of trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Autism/autistic traits increase the odds of experiencing childhood trauma and of being diagnosed with depression at ages 18 and 24. Depressive symptom trajectories emergent in childhood persist into adulthood. The combined effect of SCDs and childhood trauma is greater than the individual exposures, suggesting worse depression symptomatology following trauma in individuals with SCDs.

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19. V MP, Babu C, Jose S, Adhikari S, Singh LS, Francis J, Parekkattil AV. Autism spectrum disorder identification using machine learning models on MRI data. Sci Rep. 2026.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects sensory processing, speech, behavior and identifying the condition at an early stage is necessary to provide the treatment. The existing diagnostic methods are mainly based on personalized subjective and time consuming. This study introduces an objective diagnostic method by analyzing technical noise signature producing the Quality Vector which is extracted from multimodal MRI data. This work leverages Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) techniques on this Quality vector for improving ASD detection. The methodology leveraged technical Quality Assessment Protocol (QAP) metrics from the ABIDE II repository, integrating structural (sMRI), functional (fMRI), and diffusion (DTI) modalities. The methodology utilized Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) for outlier removal and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction. A classification pipeline was implemented using a 1D-Residual Network (1D-ResNet), Convolutional Neural Network(CNN), SVM, kNN and a proposed Voting Ensemble (SVM, KNN, and XGBoost), validated through stratified 10-fold cross-validation. In this work, the proposed ensemble emerged as the superior model, achieving a diagnostic accuracy of 95.84%. These findings indicate that technical biomarkers derived from imaging quality metrics are highly useful for ASD detection. This research demonstrates that technical quality metrics, often dismissed as noise, contain significant diagnostic value. The Quality Vector framework provides a computationally efficient and objective tool for ASD identification. The high classification performance suggests that the biomarkers obtained from MRI have a potential future scope in research on early ASD diagnosis and detection.

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20. Yankowitz LD, Zampella CJ, Pandey J, Bartley GK, Parish-Morris J, Brodkin ES, Herrington JD, Tunç B, Schultz RT, Sariyanidi E. A transdiagnostic AI-based measure of interpersonal coordination in autism and other conditions. Mol Autism. 2026.

BACKGROUND: Interpersonal coordination is a fundamental social behavior that has been shown to be reduced in autism, though less is known about other psychiatric conditions. An automated quantitative measure of interpersonal coordination would enhance assessment, diagnosis, and monitoring of treatment-related change in autism and other psychiatric conditions. We introduce and apply a novel AI-based measure (‘concurrence’) to quantify and compare nonverbal interpersonal coordination during naturalistic conversation in individuals with and without various psychiatric presentations. METHODS: The primary analysis included 380 12-18-year-olds with neurotypical development (NT), autism (AUT), or other psychiatric conditions (PSY), recorded during videoconference get-to-know-you conversations with a research staff member (‘partner’). Replication analyses included 72 12-18-year-olds with NT or AUT, recorded during face-to-face conversations. A self-supervised AI method (concurrence) was applied to time series data representing facial expressions and head movements of participants and their conversation partners. This yielded interpersonal coordination scores for all participant-partner dyads, which were then compared transdiagnostically. Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed using annotated subsamples from a combined sample of 609 5-52-year-olds. Convergent validity was assessed with measures of social gaze, motor imitation ability, and conversation quality; discriminant validity was assessed with IQ scores. RESULTS: In the videoconference sample, AUT demonstrated significantly lower interpersonal coordination than PSY (unadjusted Cohen’s d = 0.46, p < 0.001) and NT (d = 1.03, p < 0.001), with PSY also lower than NT (d = 0.50, p < 0.001). The AUT < NT effect was replicated in the face-to-face sample (d = 0.73, p < 0.05). The group-by-context interaction was nonsignificant (p = 0.33), suggesting group differences are robust to recording context. Convergent and discriminant validity was demonstrated through positive associations between interpersonal coordination and mutual social gaze (r(108) = 0.46, p < 0.0001), gross motor imitation ability (r(35) = 0.41, p < 0.05), and conversation quality ratings (r(364) = 0.34, p < 0.0001), but not IQ (r(367) = 0.03, p = 0.55). LIMITATIONS: Generalizability is limited by sample characteristics including cognitive and verbal ability, age, and sex. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates reduced interpersonal coordination in adolescents with autism and other psychiatric conditions (AUT

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21. Yao Y, Gu X, Huang W, Huang C, Li B, Zhou J, Li Q. Microglia-Mediated Dysfunction of PKCγ Interneurons Underlies the Mechanical Hypersensitivity in Autism. Mol Neurobiol. 2026; 63(1).

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit heightened sensitivity to innocuous mechanical stimuli, such as gentle touch or friction from clothing. However, the neural mechanisms underlying these ASD-associated tactile deficits remain unclear. In the present study, we found that the maternal immune activation (MIA) mouse model of ASD displayed marked mechanical hypersensitivity. Following innocuous mechanical stimulation to the hind paw, protein kinase C gamma (PKCγ) excitatory interneurons were activated in the spinal dorsal horn. Importantly, the activation of PKCγ interneurons contributed to mechanical hypersensitivity in MIA mice. As the density of VGAT(+) (vesicular GABA transporter) inhibitory synapses was significantly reduced in the perisomatic region of PKCγ interneurons, we found obvious activation of spinal microglia and increased microglia-mediated engulfment of inhibitory synapses in the spinal cord of MIA mice. Notably, inhibiting spinal microglia activation not only alleviated mechanical hypersensitivity but also significantly attenuated stereotyped behavior in MIA mice. Together, these results suggest that excessive microglia-mediated phagocytosis of inhibitory synapses increases PKCγ interneuron activation, thereby contributing to mechanical hypersensitivity in MIA mice. Thus, targeting spinal microglia may be a promising therapeutic strategy for alleviating tactile hypersensitivity associated with ASD.

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22. Yi YG, Yang S, Jang DH. Behavioral characteristics of individuals with Rett syndrome in Korea: A cross-sectional study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2026; 105(22): e49065.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene and characterized by developmental regression and stereotypic hand movements. We aimed to assess behavioral profiles in Korean individuals with RTT using caregiver-completed behavioral questionnaires. In this cross-sectional study, caregivers of 66 individuals with RTT completed the Korean version of the Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire (K-RSBQ, 45 items) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS, 15 items). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize K-RSBQ total and subscale scores and CARS score distributions. Correlations between age and behavioral domains were also examined. This study represents a secondary analysis of anonymized survey data from a prior Korean RSBQ validation cohort. All 66 participants were female (mean age 12.89 ± 6.20 years; median 11.95, interquartile range 7.56-16.54). The median K-RSBQ total score was 41.5 (interquartile range 32.75-51.75). The hand behavior domain showed the highest score (8.71 ± 2.50 of 12), while nighttime behaviors and walking/standing showed lower scores. No K-RSBQ domain was significantly correlated with age. Several behavioral domains showed moderate inter-domain correlations, whereas hand behaviors appeared relatively independent. Among 58 participants who completed the CARS, 24 (41.4%) had scores in the severe autism range. Korean individuals with RTT demonstrated behavioral profiles characterized by prominent stereotypic hand movements and relatively stable behavioral patterns across age groups. These findings support the use of standardized caregiver-reported tools for characterizing behavioral phenotypes in RTT.

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