Predictors of Mental Health in Chinese Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The aim of this study was to explore the influence of parental intolerance of Uncertainty (IU), sensory sensitivity (SS) and Broader Autism Phenotype (BAP), as well as the severity of their children’s autism symptoms and co-morbid symptoms, on the mental health of Chinese parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One hundred and twenty-two parents (86.9% mothers; M _age = 35.64 years, SD?=?4.21) of children with ASD took part. Regression and mediation analyses showed that children’s internalizing difficulties, parental BAP and IU had a direct effect, and SS had an indirect effect through IU, on parental mental health. We did not find a significant relationship between parental mental health and children’s ASD severity. Our findings emphasise the need to focus on parental traits when considering their well-being and mental health, and have implications for the design of evidence-based services to support the needs of parents.     

State-Level Trends in the Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from 2000 to 2012: A Reanalysis of Findings from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Network

Since 2000, the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Network (ADDM) has published detailed prevalence estimates for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among 8 year-olds, which are widely interpreted as the U.S. national prevalence of ASD. Although differences in state-level ASD prevalence has been reported, state-level heterogeneity has not been explored systematically. We analyzed state-level estimates and trends in ASD prevalence from 2000 to 2012 using secondary data from bi-annual ADDM reports. Heterogeneity among state-level ASD prevalence estimates were apparent in 2000 and grew between 2000 and 2012. Findings highlight the need for greater understanding of how children with ASD are identified by the medical and educational systems, which has significant implications for the state-level resources required to effectively manage ASD.     

Driving Behaviour Profile of Drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The symptomatology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can make driving risky, but little is known about the on-road driving behaviour of individuals with ASD. This study assessed and compared the on-road driving performance of drivers with and without ASD, and explored how the symptomatology of ASD hinders or facilitates on-road driving performance. Sixteen drivers with ASD and 21 typically-developed drivers participated in the study. Drivers with ASD underperformed in vehicle manoeuvring, especially at left-turns, right-turns and pedestrian crossings. However, drivers with ASD outperformed the TD group in aspects related to rule-following such as using the indicator at roundabouts and checking for cross-traffic when approaching intersections. Drivers with ASD in the current study presented with a range of capabilities and weaknesses during driving.     

Communication Deficits and the Motor System: Exploring Patterns of Associations in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have notable difficulties in motor, speech and language domains. The connection between motor skills (oral-motor, manual-motor) and speech and language deficits reported in other developmental disorders raises important questions about a potential relationship between motor skills and speech-language deficits in ASD. To this end, we examined data from children with ASD (n?=?1781), 2–17 years of age, enrolled in the Autism Speaks—Autism Treatment Network (AS-ATN) registry who completed a multidisciplinary evaluation that included diagnostic, physical, cognitive and behavioral assessments as part of a routine standard of care protocol. After adjusting for age, non-verbal IQ, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication use, and muscle tone, separate multiple linear regression analyses revealed significant positive associations of fine motor skills (FM) with both expressive language (EL) and receptive language (RL) skills in an impaired FM subgroup; in contrast, the impaired gross motor (GM) subgroup showed no association with EL but a significant negative association with RL. Similar analyses between motor skills and interpersonal relationships across the sample found both GM skills and FM skills to be associated with social interactions. These results suggest potential differences in the contributions of fine versus gross motor skills to autistic profiles and may provide another lens with which to view communication differences across the autism spectrum for use in treatment interventions.     

Implicit and explicit motor learning: Application to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Aims and objectivesThis study aims to determine whether children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are capable of learning a motor skill both implicitly and explicitly.MethodsIn the present study, 30 boys with ASD, aged 7–11 with IQ average of 81.2, were compared with 32 typical IQ- and age-matched boys on their performance on a serial reaction time task (SRTT). Children were grouped by ASD and typical children and by implicit and explicit learning groups for the SRTT.ResultsImplicit motor learning occurred in both children with ASD (p = .02) and typical children (p = .01). There were no significant differences between groups (p = .39). However, explicit motor learning was only observed in typical children (p = .01) not children with ASD (p = .40). There was a significant difference between groups for explicit learning (p = .01).DiscussionThe results of our study showed that implicit motor learning is not affected in children with ASD. Implications for implicit and explicit learning are applied to the CO-OP approach of motor learning with children with ASD.     

Brief Report: Predictors of School Refusal Due to Bullying in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk for bullying victimization....     

Predictors of handwriting in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

During writing, perceptual, motor, and cognitive processes interact. This study explored the predictive value of several factors on handwriting quality as well as on speed in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our results showed that, in this population, age, gender, and visual-motor integration significantly predicted handwriting quality, whereas age, reading abilities, and fine motor coordination had an impact on handwriting speed. These results indicate that, although reading abilities are often overlooked, handwriting remediation in children with ASD should tackle reading skills as well.     

Visual Detection and Decoding Skills of Aerial Photography by Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - Despite challenges in social communication skills people with ASD often display strengths in visual processing. Aerial photography analysis is an...     

Detecting Autism Spectrum Disorder from Early Intervention Charts: Methodology and Preliminary Findings

Federal laws mandating a “single point of entry” for early intervention (EI) create a potential database for surveillance of early childhood disabilities. This study evaluated EI records for estimating rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using a chart abstraction protocol, with good interrater agreement (k = .86). Sampling 304 EI records yielded a point prevalence of (per 1,000) 8.5 (95% CI: 4.8–10.9) and a cumulative incidence of 7.4 (95% CI: 5.5–12.4). These rates are similar to recent published estimates. Additionally, the male-to-female ratio for autism, and rates of other developmental disorders were found to be consistent with current literature. These results suggest that local systems EI records may provide an excellent resource for ASD surveillance and research. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Neuroimaging in Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disorder characterized by impairment in socialization and communication. Neuroimaging research has shown abnormalities in the frontal lobes, limbic systems, and cerebella of individuals with ASD. Recently, abnormal developmental trajectories of brain growth have been reported, with increases in brain volume (in both gray and white matter) seen in younger rather than older individuals with this disorder. Despite 30 years of research, a reliable marker for ASD has not been identified. Therefore, routine neuroimaging for individuals with ASD is not recommended.     

Picture of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Research in West Africa—A Scoping Review

Research evidence is required to guide health policy and capacity development on specific health condition. Despite the high prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) worldwide, there is dearth of data in the West African sub-region to inform evidence-based policy and practice. This review aimed to describe the volume and scope of existing research evidence on ASD across countries in the West African sub-region. This is with the view of identifying gaps in research and capacity development.MethodsLiterature search was done for all original peer-reviewed research articles on ASD in each of the West African Countries using PubMed, Google Scholar, Google search, African Index Medicus and a direct search of reference list of pertinent journal articles. Publications included were peer-reviewed original articles, irrespective of their quality, carried out within the West African countries and which were available in English or translated to English. Case reports, dissertations, abstracts, publications whose primary focus was not ASD, and studies on ASD among West African populations living outside the sub-region were excluded. The methodological framework described by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) was used to synthesize and present the results.ResultsA total of 41 studies that met the inclusion criteria across 5 countries in the sub-region were identified. Five thematic areas emerged from the literature, namely; prevalence/associated factors, professional knowledge and attitude, family and social aspects of ASD, screening/diagnosis and interventions/treatment. Only 6 out of the 16 countries in the sub-region had at least one study with the bulk of the research coming from Nigeria. Research articles on the prevalence/associated factors and professional knowledge of ASD appear modest in the sub-region. A huge gap still exists in the area of epidemiology, aetiology, diagnosis and treatments/intervention.ConclusionFurther research is needed in the identified gaps in the sub-region and this cannot be done without addressing deficit in human capacity development. The results of this study will be useful in comprehensive policies and action plan development for addressing the problems of persons with ASD and capacity development in the sub-region.     

A Causal and Mediation Analysis of the Comorbidity Between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often comorbid. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships between ASD and ADHD symptoms by applying causal modeling. We used a large phenotypic data set of 417 children with ASD and/or ADHD, 562 affected and unaffected siblings, and 414 controls, to infer a structural equation model using a causal discovery algorithm. Three distinct pathways between ASD and ADHD were identified: (1) from impulsivity to difficulties with understanding social information, (2) from hyperactivity to stereotypic, repetitive behavior, (3) a pairwise pathway between inattention, difficulties with understanding social information, and verbal IQ. These findings may inform future studies on understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms behind the overlap between ASD and ADHD.     

Predictors of Psychiatric Symptoms in Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study examined mental health risk/protective factors for DSM-IV psychiatric symptoms in children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their contribution to functioning separate from ASD symptom severity. Mothers/teachers completed measures of risk/protection and social, adaptive, and school functioning in 6- to 12-year-olds with a diagnosed ASD (N = 238). Bivariate correlations and simultaneous regression analyses indicated a unique pattern of predictors for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, aggression, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Moreover, psychiatric symptoms differentially predicted social and school performance. Findings indicate that co-occurring psychiatric symptoms and their associated mental health risk/protective factors may have important clinical implications and generally support a biopsychosocial model of psychopathology in children with an ASD that appears to share many similarities with models for nonASD children.     

Parenting Stress and its Associated Components Prior to an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Diagnostic Evaluation

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show increased levels of parenting stress, but only one study has examined this association...