1. Nauman J. Narrative Review of a Link Between Proposed Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD) and Reports of Motor Stereotypy in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2025 (2025/03/01);12(1):1-7.

Motor stereotypy is a type of repetitive motor behavior frequently occurring in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Individuals with maladaptive daydreaming (MD) report repetitive motor behavior associated with addictive and immersive daydreaming. Many autistic self-advocates report symptoms of MD. Motor stereotypy in ASD is associated with lower cognitive and adaptive functioning; yet, research has not thoroughly examined the relationship between MD and ASD. The purpose of this commentary is to briefly summarize the potential overlap between ASD and MD and highlight similarities and differences between the two. This author concludes there is reason to believe MD symptoms are common in ASD and require further understanding for proper treatment and intervention.

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2. Muniz Junior J, Muniz PC, Pinto TM, Schwartzman JS, de Macedo EC. Etiopathogenic Theories in Savant Syndrome: Scoping Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2025 (2025/03/01);12(1):8-22.

This study aimed to review the scientific literature on etiopathogenic factors of savant syndrome associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Searches were performed in the following databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Embase, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Latin America and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information, and Google Scholar, as well as gray literature and indirect search. A total of 42 studies were included in the present review, and the etiopathogenic theories of each study were assessed. Despite more than 100 years of reports on savant syndrome, most studies on this topic still comprise subjective opinions or qualitative analysis. In the last 3 decades, we found more structured studies with relevant methodology. There are still large gaps in knowledge regarding the concept, etiopathogenic theories, and psychometric assessment of savant syndrome associated with ASD, which indicates the need for future research.

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3. Ducarre LM. Informing Conceptual Issues Related to Autistic Children’s Right to Education Through a Literature Review of Their Lived Experience. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2025 (2025/03/01);12(1):23-39.

This paper aims at reviewing autistic children’s lived educational experience to inform ongoing legal and conceptual debates about their right to education. The results showed that autistic children display a great diversity of educational needs and preferences, which should be met with personalized solutions respectful of their individual and collective identity. Mainstream inclusion, while sometimes positive, also appeared at times to hinder the delivery of a quality and inclusive education, if nothing else due to sensory issues and overwhelming anxiety. This underlines the necessity to adopt a more neurodiverse interpretation of the notions of quality and inclusive education, in order to preserve and develop diverse and proper educational offers for each and every autistic child.

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4. Keates N, Waldock KE. Autistic People, Gelotophobia, Gelotophilia and Katagelasticism: a Narrative Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2025 (2025/03/01);12(1):40-49.

Gelotophobia (fear of being laughed at) is an under-researched phenomenon in autistic people, yet can have a significant impact on autistic people’s quality of life. A narrative review was undertaken to explore if gelotophobia and being autistic are related and what is currently known in the academic literature regarding gelotophilia (joy of being laughed at) and katagelasticism (excessively enjoying laughing at other) in autistic people. Only five studies were found, and the small evidence base describes autistic people as more likely to be gelotophobes. Most studies used theory of mind as an explanation for gelotophobia in autistic people; however, the lack of focus on other relevant theories is highlighted and discussed, providing additional avenues for future research.

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5. Satu P, Minna L, Satu S. Immersive VR Assessment and Intervention Research of Individuals with Neurodevelopmental Disorders Is Dominated by ASD and ADHD: a Scoping Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2025 (2025/03/01);12(1):50-68.

In this scoping review on 34 studies, we examined the use of immersive virtual reality (IVR) in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). IVR was mostly used in connection with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for assessment of and intervention in social skills, and in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for assessment of executive performance. Diagnostic measures varied or were not available, and the level of evidence was generally observational/descriptive. Furthermore, few studies reported on feasibility and user experience and even fewer on human guidance and the generalization of intervention to everyday life. Our results suggest that human guidance during and after immersive VR may be crucial for generalization of skills. More research on IVR in other NDDs is needed.

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6. Guo D, Ju R, Dai J, Zhang H. Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring Exposed to Maternal Gestational Diabetes: a Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2025 (2025/03/01);12(1):69-79.

The association between maternal diabetes and risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring was not completely consistent. We performed an updated and systematic review and meta-analysis with relevant studies published until 6 August 2020. We included 17 publications, describing 15 studies, including 1,751,537 participants. Exposure to maternal diabetes in utero was correlated to an increased risk of ASD (effect estimate 1.30 [95% CI: 1.16–1.46]). Offspring exposure to maternal diabetes with antidiabetic medication has a heightened risk of ASD by 48% than offspring with a non-diabetic mother, and 42% than offspring with diabetic mother not receiving medical treatment. Exposure to maternal diabetes in utero increases the risk of ASD in offspring, especially exposure to maternal diabetes with antidiabetic medication.

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7. López-Bouzas N, del Moral-Pérez ME. Gamified Environments and Serious Games for Students With Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Review of Research. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2025 (2025/03/01);12(1):80-92.

The aim of this study is to review the available research (N = 70) derived from the use of Gamified Environments and Serious Games with people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), identifying: authorship, nationality, publication period, topic, and design of the investigation. After that, the advantages and limitations observed are identified. Results indicate that most of them are focused on the design and testing of prototypes, (mostly) linked to the increase of social and emotional skills. The revision highlights that the game’s mechanics and dynamics (feedback, rewards, missions, etc.) involve students from motivation. There is unanimous agreement to emphasize the positive impact of these resources to increment self-control, self-conscience, autonomy, and empathy.

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8. Farashi S, Jenabi E, Bashirian S, Fayyazi A, Rezaei M, Razjouyan K. Differences Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Individuals During Visual Information Processing—A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Focusing on Visual Event-Related Potentials. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2025 (2025/03/01);12(1):93-109.

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show deficits in the processing of visual stimuli. This systematic review summarized the differences in visual event-related potential (ERP) components among ASD and typically developing individuals. Major databases were searched for finding eligible studies that investigated differences in visual ERP components between ASD and typically developing individuals. Sixty-three eligible studies were found. Analyses showed that the mean differences were significant between ASD and typically developing subjects for N100 amplitude at the anterior brain region for non-face stimuli, N170 amplitude and latency at the posterior brain region for face processing, and P200 latency at the posterior region. Characteristics of stimuli including the emotional content, predictability, familiarity and the reactions that participants were asked to perform during visual stimuli processing were all important confounding factors. The highlighted ERP components can be used as potential biomarkers for the future ASD detection systems. ERP analyses could obtain a promising tool for investigating the impaired visual information processing in ASD.

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9. Larson C, Thomas HR, Crutcher J, Stevens MC, Eigsti I-M. Language Networks in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A systematic review of connectivity-based fMRI studies. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2025 (2025/03/01);12(1):110-137.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous condition associated with differences in functional neural connectivity relative to neurotypical (NT) peers. Language-based functional connectivity represents an ideal context in which to characterize connectivity because language is heterogeneous and linked to core features in ASD, and NT language networks are well-defined. We conducted a systematic review of language-related functional connectivity literature on individuals with ASD using PubMed, PsychInfo, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar, yielding 96 studies. Language-task studies indicated local over-connectivity within the language network and global under-connectivity of language with out-of-network regions in ASD. Resting-state studies showed mixed patterns, and connectivity was associated ASD symptomology and language skills. This evidence indicates language-task elicited local over-connectivity and global under-connectivity in ASD, but not a local versus global distinction of resting-state language-related connectivity. Associations with behavior suggest that local over-connectivity and global under-connectivity characterize ASD, and heightened language-related connectivity may support social function.

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10. Descrettes-Demey V, Demey B, Crovetto C, Simonnot A, Berquin P, Djeddi D-D, Bury V, Lahaye H, Rey N, Guilé J-M, Benarous X. Relation Between Sensory Processing Difficulties and Feeding Problems in Youths with Autistic Spectrum Disorders: a Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2025 (2025/03/01);12(1):138-150.

Sensory processing difficulties are worth exploring in youths with ASD and feeding problems considering their high frequency and therapeutic potential. To synthesize prior knowledge and discrepancies between studies, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. The quality of the 16 reviewed studies was regarded as moderate. The association between sensory processing difficulties in all modalities and problematic eating behaviors was not statistically significant. Oral sensory processing difficulties were associated with food refusal (SMD =  − 0.88, p = 0.04) and all types of problematic eating behavior (SMD =  − 1.31, p < .001), with little evidence supporting the role of atypical sensory processing in non-oral modalities. These findings highlight the importance of considering oral sensory processing performance of youths with ASD and eating complaints.

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11. Hayward SM, Flower RL. A Systematic Review to Move Australian Disability Employment Forward for Autistic People. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2025 (2025/03/01);12(1):151-162.

The current Disability Employment Service (DES) model serving autistic job seekers in Australia will end in the year 2023. The Australian Government is exploring new options for a replacement model. Aiding these efforts a systematic review of the literature examined the evidence base of effective assisted employment supports for autistic people in Australia. Using PRISMA guidelines, of 1839 search results, eight papers met inclusion criteria concerning: (a) autistic individuals, (b) assisted employment in Australia, (c) enablers to employment gain or retention, and (d) original evidence. All effective activities require providers to understand autism and the needs of autistic adults. We suggest the first steps in enhancing DES include educating providers and their staff in autism and hiring autistic employment consultants.

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12. AlQahtani O, Efstratopoulou M. The UAE and Gulf Countries’ Cultural Characteristics and Their Influence on Autism. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2025 (2025/03/01);12(1):163-167.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can affect individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and heritages. Many cultural factors may change the individuals’ ASD experience in daily life. It also impacts how autism is tackled, interpreted, and acknowledged in various communities. Cultural perceptions about ASD and other disabilities may prevent people from seeking the help they need. Factors like gender, language, religion, economic status, nationality, beliefs, and values can lead to cultural differences even within the same ethnic group. The Gulf region has unique characteristics, such as religious beliefs, cultural and traditional interpretations, and social repercussions, which might impact early ASD diagnosis and intervention. This paper aims to discuss the impact of cultural aspects of the UAE and other GCC countries on the ASD situation.

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13. AlQahtani O, Efstratopoulou M. Correction to: The UAE and Gulf Countries’ Cultural Characteristics and Their Influence on Autism. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2025 (2025/03/01);12(1):168-168.

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14. Zhang Xy, Spruyt K. Correction to: Non‑Verbal Social Skills Assessment in Rett Syndrome: a Systematic Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2025 (2025/03/01);12(1):169-170.

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