Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders – 9-2 – June 2022
1. Dargue N, Adams D, Simpson K. Can Characteristics of the Physical Environment Impact Engagement in Learning Activities in Children with Autism? A Systematic Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2022 (2022/06/01);9(2):143-159.
Physical aspects of the environment (e.g. lighting, background noise) can impact engagement with tasks in individuals with autism, particularly within education settings. However, whether modifying the aspects of the physical environment improves engagement with tasks has received little attention. This systematic review is the first to explore the impact of modifications to the design of the physical environment on task engagement in individuals with autism. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Most included studies (n = 8) were single-subject experimental designs that investigated different environmental modifications (e.g. lighting, background noise, or seating), limiting the generalisability of results. To better determine whether physical environmental modifications benefit task engagement in individuals with autism, more high-quality evidence is required. Such evidence includes more quality single-subject designs focused on the same manipulation to better inform future controlled experiments and randomised controlled trials.
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2. Bailey B, Bryant L, Hemsley B. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality for Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Communication Disability and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: a Systematic Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2022 (2022/06/01);9(2):160-183.
This review investigated virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR) communication interventions for children, adolescents, and adults with communication disability and neurodevelopmental disorders, as well the feasibility of these technologies. A search of five scientific databases yielded 5385 potentially relevant records of which 69 met inclusion criteria. Studies reported on a wide range of VR/AR devices, platforms, and applications for people with autism spectrum disorder, communication disorders, and intellectual disability. Some VR/AR systems hosted effective communication interventions; however, participant outcomes varied across the included studies. Most participants with neurodevelopmental disorders and their supporters were able to access learning experiences using VR/AR and few adverse effects were reported. Directions for future research are discussed.
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3. Tse VWS, Lei J, Crabtree J, Mandy W, Stott J. Characteristics of Older Autistic Adults: a Systematic Review of Literature. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2022 (2022/06/01);9(2):184-207.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects individuals across their lifetime, though the effects of ageing in older adulthood are poorly understood to date. This systematic review assessed six characteristics in older autistic adults (cognitive functioning, co-occurring difficulties, autism symptom severity, social integration, adaptive functioning, language processing). A total of 41 studies met inclusion criteria, 16 of which included autistic adults with intellectual disability, and three were longitudinal in nature. Findings show differing effects of ageing across the six domains. Factors contributing to discrepancies such as age and IQ differences, methodology and healthy survivor effect are discussed. The need for more longitudinal studies to investigate changes across developmental stages alongside other limitations, future directions and clinical implications are discussed.
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4. Pacia C, Holloway J, Gunning C, Lee H. A Systematic Review of Family-Mediated Social Communication Interventions for Young Children with Autism. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2022 (2022/06/01);9(2):208-234.
Social communication deficits are a core symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present paper reviews 54 studies evaluating social communication interventions delivered by parents and siblings to children with ASD under 6 years old. Fifty studies evaluated parent-mediated intervention, and four studies evaluated sibling-mediated intervention. Fourteen studies evaluated interventions using telehealth. Treatment effects and research strength were variable across studies. Treatment modality, setting, and dosage had inconclusive impact on treatment effect. Parent-implemented intervention packages, Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), and Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement & Regulation (JASPER), qualified as established evidence-based practice for this population. Most studies reported successful generalization of skills for some, but not all, children. Telehealth and sibling-mediated intervention are promising areas of further research and clinical practice.
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5. Orm S, Vatne T, Tomeny TS, Fjermestad K. Empathy and Prosocial Behavior in Siblings of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2022 (2022/06/01);9(2):235-248.
Siblings of children with ASD have, as a group, more autistic traits than typically developing individuals. A high prevalence of autistic traits may (or may not) include lower scores on measures of empathy and prosocial behavior compared with typically developing individuals. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of studies of empathy and prosocial behavior in siblings of individuals with ASD. We conducted a comprehensive literature search of studies published until March 2020. We identified 16 studies with a total of 1066 siblings that met inclusion criteria. Based on the review, we conclude that the current literature suggests that siblings of individuals with ASD exhibit normative empathic abilities and prosocial behavior.
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6. Speyer R, Chen Y-W, Kim J-H, Wilkes-Gillan S, Nordahl-Hansen AJ, Wu HC, Cordier R. Non-pharmacological Interventions for Adults with Autism: a Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2022 (2022/06/01);9(2):249-279.
To determine the effects of non-pharmacological randomised controlled trials in adults with autism, a systematic review was conducted across five electronic databases. A total of 3865 abstracts were retrieved, of which 41 articles met all inclusion criteria: randomised controlled trial; non-pharmacological intervention; adults with autism; and English publication. Twenty included studies had strong methodological quality ratings. No meta-analysis could be performed due to heterogeneity between studies. Articles reported on interventions for (1) social functioning and language skills, (2) vocational rehabilitation outcomes, (3) cognitive skills training, and (4) independent living skills. Social functioning was the most studied intervention. PEERS for young adults and Project SEARCH plus ASD support interventions had the strongest evidence. Emerging evidence suggests non-pharmacological interventions could be effective.
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7. Lanyi J, Flynn C, Mannion A, Maher L, Naughton K, Leader G. Abdominal Pain in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2022 (2022/06/01);9(2):280-289.
The aim of this study was to review the existing literature on abdominal pain in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Systematic search of four databases (PsycINFO, ERIC, PubMed, MEDLINE) identified 13 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Articles were analyzed for common themes, including the prevalence of abdominal pain and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, associations between abdominal pain/GI symptoms and behavioral and emotional concerns, associations between abdominal pain/GI symptoms, and other comorbid disorders and treatment options based on gut bacteria, diet, and probiotics. Reasons for varying prevalence rates, persistence of symptoms over time, comorbidities, and different treatment options are discussed. Clinical implications and recommendations for future research are also discussed.
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8. Woolard A, Lane AE, Campbell LE, Whalen OM, Swaab L, Karayanidis F, Barker D, Murphy V, Benders T. Infant and Child-Directed Speech Used with Infants and Children at Risk or Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Scoping Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;2022 (2022/06/01);9(2):290-306.
Infants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (autism) have difficulty engaging in social communication and interactions with others and often experience language impairment. The use of infant-directed speech (IDS), which is the speech register used when interacting with infants, is associated with infant language and socio-communicative development. The aim of this study was twofold; the first aim was to scope the literature to determine if evidence exists for differences between the IDS caregivers use to infants at high-risk or those later diagnosed with autism, and the IDS typically spoken to neurotypical infants. The second aim was to investigate if any IDS characteristics used by caregivers of high-risk or diagnosed infant populations predicted language development. Twenty-six studies were included and provided evidence that high-risk and later diagnosed infants are exposed to similar amounts of IDS as their neurotypical peers. There is evidence, however, that the IDS used with high-risk and later diagnosed infants may comprise shorter utterances, more action-directing content, fewer questions, more attention bids, and more follow-in commenting. There is also evidence that more attention bids and follow-in commenting used to infants at high risk or those later diagnosed with autism were associated with better language abilities longitudinally.
