Altered Temporospatial Variability of Dynamic Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuation in Children with Autism Spectrum DisorderGuo, Xiaonan; Wang, Xueting; Zhou, Rongjuan; Cui, Dong; Liu, Junfeng; Gao, Le
2024 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
doi: 10.1007/s10803-024-06661-3
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with altered brain activity. However, little is known about the integrated temporospatial variation of dynamic spontaneous brain activity in ASD. In the present study, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were analyzed for 105 ASD and 102 demographically-matched typically developmental controls (TC) children obtained from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange database. Using the sliding-window approach, temporal, spatial, and temporospatial variability of dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (tvALFF, svALFF, and tsvALFF) were calculated for each participant. Group-comparisons were further performed at global, network, and brain region levels to quantify differences between ASD and TC groups. The relationship between temporospatial dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation variation alterations and clinical symptoms of ASD was finally explored by a support vector regression model. Relative to TC, we found enhanced tvALFF in visual network (Vis), somatomotor network (SMT), and salience/ventral attention network (SVA) of ASD, and weakened tvALFF in dorsal attention network (DAN) of ASD. Besides, ASD showed decreased svALFF in Vis, SVA, and limbic network (Limbic), and increased svALFF in DAN and default mode network (DMN). Elevated tsvALFF was found in the Vis, SMT, and DMN of ASD. More importantly, the altered tsvALFF from the DMN can predict the symptom severity of ASD. These findings demonstrate altered temporospatial dynamics of the spontaneous brain activity in ASD and provide novel insights into the neural mechanism underlying ASD.
Gender Diversity, Gender Dysphoria/Incongruence, and the Intersection with Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Updated Scoping ReviewRea, Hannah M.; Øien, Roald A.; Webb, Sara Jane; Bansal, Shivam; Strang, John F.; Nordahl-Hansen, Anders
2024 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
doi: 10.1007/s10803-024-06650-6pmid: 39630339
In several ways, 2018 represents a global pivot point in research and care related to the intersection of gender diversity and autism, reflected by the increase in the number of studies on the intersection and broadening of topics. We conducted a scoping review of the literature published between September 2018 and January 2024 to summarize recent research in the field. We compared and contrasted research trends post September 2018 to research that was summarized in previous scoping reviews (Nordahl-Hansen et al. in J Autism Develop Disord 49:1745–1748, 2019; Øien et al. J Autism Develop Disord 48(12):4028–4037, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3843-z). We also summarized systematic reviews and meta-analyses published after 2018. Compared to previous reviews, we included more comprehensive search terms to focus on gender diversity broadly, rather than just gender dysphoria or gender identity disorder, and we included more detailed coding categories to uniquely identify shifts and continuities in research priorities over time. A total of 99 empirical research studies were published after August 2018 (the end of the search in the previous review) and through January 2024 on autism, gender diversity, and related topics were reviewed. There has been growth in the quantity and quality of studies on the intersection of autism and gender diversity, although methodological improvements are still needed and described in the current review. Future research should include more collaborations with stakeholders to set research priorities that are reflective of the communities being described.
Facing Change and Uncertainty: Lessons Learned from Autistic Children and their Families During the COVID-19 PandemicMgaieth, Farah; Palmer, Melanie; Charman, Tony; Simonoff, Emily
2024 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
doi: 10.1007/s10803-024-06656-0pmid: 39623169
The COVID-19 pandemic presented a great challenge for individuals around the globe, and particularly for vulnerable populations such as autistic children. This qualitative study explored the experience of autistic children (both verbal and minimally verbal) and their families during the pandemic in August-October 2020 through the lens of 18 parents recruited from an opportunistic follow-up of a randomized controlled trial. Findings revealed that the pandemic was detrimental to the mental health of most parents. School closures, disrupted routines and concerns of the virus were believed by parents to be particularly responsible for increased in their child’s behaviour that challenges and anxiety, resulting in changes in acquired skills and development of tics for some. However, other parents reported that increased one-to-one interaction with their child improved their social interaction and communication. Additionally, families felt more able to cope with the situation when supported by their partner, support services and schools. The findings highlight the challenges and benefits experienced by families with an autistic child during the pandemic. They provide valuable insights into potential areas that warrant attention when preparing for future emergencies. Enhancing our ability to respond to the needs of autistic children and their families, and establishing policies that can support their well-being should be prioritised to effectively address future challenges.
Screen Time and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Risk, Usage, and AddictionYuan, Guojing; Zhu, Zhihui; Guo, Haiyun; Yang, Huayu; Zhang, Jianghui; Zhang, Kexin; Zhang, Xueqing; Lu, Xiaoyan; Du, Jun; Shi, Haiyan; Jin, Guifang; Hao, Jiahu; Sun, Ying; Su, Puyu; Zhang, Zhihua
2024 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
doi: 10.1007/s10803-024-06665-zpmid: 39627647
The relationship between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and screen time (ST) has been extensively studied; but the evidence remains inconsistent, and a comprehensive quantitative synthesis of this association is lacking. This study aims to provide a robust quantitative assessment of the relationship between ASD and ST by consolidating and analyzing available evidence to offer a more precise understanding of this complex association. This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 statement, and applied a quality assessment tool for quantitative studies to identity best available evidence. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus, covering literature published from January 1, 2006 to June 12, 2024. In total, 30 studies involving 356,666 participants met the inclusion criteria. The findings revealed a significant association between screen exposure in preschool children and the development of ASD, with a longer duration of screen exposure correlating with an increased likelihood of being diagnosed with autism. Furthermore, autistic people tend to have longer daily screen use and are at a higher risk of screen addiction compared to non-autistic individuals. These findings emphasize the importance of limiting ST for preschoolers and autistic people. However, the level of evidence supporting these conclusions is very low. Future studies should focus on controlling for confounding factors, using more objective measures, and further investigate the relationship between screen engagement styles (active or passive), screen use patterns (screen devices and content), and ASD.
Emotional and Behavioral Impacts of the February 6, 2023 Earthquake on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Evaluation from the Parental PerspectiveŞimşek, Bıradost Boran; Keskin, Gülseren; Yıldız, İsmail; Ekşi, Ali
2024 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
doi: 10.1007/s10803-024-06673-zpmid: 39641817
PurposeEarthquakes have serious psychosocial and emotional effects on children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents. The limited number of studies investigating the earthquake experience of children with ASD and their parents indicates a need to improve existing research in this area. The aim of this study was to assess parents’ experiences with their children after the earthquake and their reactions to the earthquake.MethodsThis study was subjected to analysis via both phenomenological and thematic analysis methods on the basis of the results of semistructured interviews with the parents of 21 children with ASD who were receiving their education in special education and rehabilitation centers.ResultsTwo principal themes were discerned: the first theme, entitled Post-Eartquake Responses in Children and the second, entitled Parents’ Earthquake Experiences and Coping Strategies, were identified. Earthquakes had a significant effect on children’s bodily, behavioural and emotional responses. In addition, parents were compelled to devise a range of coping strategies to manage their emotional responses to the earthquake and to facilitate their children’s access to constrained educational opportunities and adapt to evolving social dynamics.ConclusionIn disaster situations, access to multidisciplinary support programs for children diagnosed with ASD and their families is highly important. These programs, designed through collaboration across various fields of expertise, can offer comprehensive solutions to the emotional, social, and physical challenges faced by children and their families.
Associations of Autistic Traits and Autism with Incontinence and Constipation in a UK Birth CohortGyamenah, Prince; Burrows, Kimberley; Rai, Dheeraj; Joinson, Carol
2024 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
doi: 10.1007/s10803-024-06663-1pmid: 39644411
There is evidence that children with autism/autistic traits have higher risks of incontinence and constipation, but no studies have examined this in a large community-based cohort. Aim/Research question: are autistic traits and diagnosed autism prospectively associated with increased odds of incontinence and constipation in children and adolescents? This was a population-based cohort study based on data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (n = 4233–4490 at age 9 years; n = 3403–3697 at age 14). We used multivariable logistic regression to examine associations of parent-reported autistic traits (sociability, repetitive behaviours, social-communication, coherence) (at ages 3–9 years) and autism with incontinence (bedwetting, daytime-wetting, soiling) and constipation (parent-reported at age 9, self-reported at age 14). We adjusted for parity, maternal age at delivery, child’s sex and developmental level, maternal depression, and anxiety (antenatal and postnatal), and indicators of family socioeconomic status. Social-communication and speech coherence difficulties showed the strongest associations with incontinence, e.g., adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between social-communication difficulties and daytime-wetting was 2.21 (1.47–3.32) and for coherence was 2.34 (1.60–3.43). The odds of soiling were also higher in children with social-communication (OR: 1.88, 95% CI 1.28–2.75) and coherence difficulties (OR: 2.04, 95% CI 1.43–2.93). Diagnosed autism was only associated with an increase in the odds of daytime-wetting (OR: 3.18, 95% CI 1.44–7.02). At 14 years, there was less evidence of associations between autistic traits and incontinence but there was evidence of associations between autistic traits and constipation: social-communication (OR: 1.68, 95% CI 1.13–2.49), coherence difficulties (OR: 1.64, 95% CI 1.11–2.41). Early assessment and treatment of incontinence/constipation should be considered for children with autistic traits.
Patients with Autism Spectrum or Intellectual Disability in the Psychiatric Emergency Department: Findings from a 10-year Retrospective ReviewHong, Victor; Miller, Fiona; Kentopp, Shane; Reynard, Hannah; Biermann, Bernard; Beser, Can; Shamshair, Saad; Fay, Bailey; Shobassy, Ahmad; Stanley, Michelle; Weston, Cody; Ghaziuddin, Mohammad; Ghaziuddin, Neera
2024 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
doi: 10.1007/s10803-024-06658-ypmid: 39661252
PurposeThere is a dearth of information about patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disability (ID) who seek emergency psychiatric care. Given this backdrop, this retrospective study aims to explore clinical, demographic, and disposition-related information about this patient population over a 10-year period.MethodsThis study includes individuals with ASD or ID (n = 1461) and had presented to a psychiatric emergency department between 2012 and 2021. Data were extracted using a structured chart review methodology, and included demographic, clinical and visit information. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were estimated to explore associations between key variables and dispositions of interest.ResultsSample was predominantly White (77.21%), adolescent (mean age ± SD = 15.5 ± 4.3) and male (72.76%). The most common reason for their presentation was aggression towards others (36.39%). 28.27% of patients were psychiatrically hospitalized but 30% of those who needed hospitalization were discharged due to lack of inpatient bed availability.ConclusionThis study adds to the limited literature about individuals with ASD or ID seeking emergency care. The results indicate a highly acute patient population with aggression, suicidal thoughts, and self-injurious behaviors who are frequently prescribed psychotropic medications and face barriers to accessing higher levels of care.
Can a Culturally Adapted Autism Training Reduce Stigma Towards Autistic People in South Korea?Kim, So Yoon; Kim, So-Yeon; Ji, Hyunjo; Yoon, Wn-ho; Gillespie-Lynch, Kristen
2024 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
doi: 10.1007/s10803-024-06664-0pmid: 39661251
This randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness of an online autism training intervention in reducing stigma toward autistic individuals. Participants were 208 Korean undergraduate students who were blinded to group allocation, with 106 assigned to the autism training and 102 assigned to a control intervention. All participants completed an online Qualtrics survey that included a pre-test survey (perceived similarity to different minority groups), the training, and a post-test survey (perceived similarity, stigma toward autistic people, knowledge about autism, confidence in their knowledge, and open-responses question asking for descriptions of autism). We conducted independent sample t tests and a mixed-effects model to examine group-level differences, and a reliable change index (RCI) analysis to examine individual changes in the perceived similarity score. The responses to the open-ended questions were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results revealed that the experimental group reported reduced stigma toward autistic individuals, increased perceived similarity with autistic individuals, and increased confidence in their autism knowledge and demonstrated increased knowledge about autism compared to the control group. At the individual level, the RCI analysis indicated that the training was effective for a notable subset of participants (25%). At post-test, the experimental group recognized the strengths of autistic people and described autistic individuals as “people like us,” while many in the control group mentioned misconceptions about autism. Future research should employ more robust intervention designs and tailor materials for diverse target populations, including administrators, to foster systemic destigmatization.