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Feldman M, Maye M, Levinson S, Carter A, Blacher J, Eisenhower A. Student-teacher relationships of children with autism spectrum disorder: Distinct contributions of language domains. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2019; 89:94-104. [PMID: 30959432 PMCID: PMC6558652 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS High quality student-teacher relationships (STR) are important for children's academic and social development. We explore how individual child language domains (semantics, syntax, pragmatics), teacher years of experience, and classroom placement (general or special education) relate to STR quality for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across the school year. METHODS AND PROCEDURES 191 children with ASD (Mage = 5.6 years) completed a standardized language assessment and their teachers reported on STR quality twice during the school year. OUTCOME AND RESULTS Pragmatics, but not semantics or syntax, had a direct effect on student-teacher closeness. The association between semantics and closeness was moderated by classroom type; for students with low semantics, teacher-reported closeness was lower in general versus special education. Teachers in special versus general education classrooms reported closer relationships. More experienced teachers reported closer and less conflictual relationships. None of the three language domains were associated with student-teacher conflict. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Pragmatic and semantic language skills were associated with closer relationships. Language-focused therapies may be effective in carrying over to impact STR quality. Given the stability in relationship quality, targeted interventions should be delivered to teachers at the beginning of the school year to support positive relationship development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Feldman
- Department of Psychology, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA.
| | - Melissa Maye
- Department of Psychology, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Sarah Levinson
- Department of Psychology, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Alice Carter
- Department of Psychology, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Jan Blacher
- Department of Education, 1207 Sproul Hall, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Abbey Eisenhower
- Department of Psychology, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
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Lee KS, Chung SJ, Thomas HR, Park J, Kim SH. Exploring diagnostic validity of the autism diagnostic observation schedule-2 in South Korean toddlers and preschoolers. Autism Res 2019; 12:1356-1366. [PMID: 31112376 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to provide the initial validity of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2) Toddler Module and Module 1-2 for South Korean toddlers and preschoolers. Based on 143 children, the ASD group (n = 68) showed significantly higher ADOS-2 item and algorithm total scores as well as social affect and repetitive and restricted behaviors domain scores compared with children with nonspectrum (NS; n = 42) disorders and typically developing (TD; n = 33) children. Using lower algorithm cutoffs, sensitivities were excellent for the ASD versus NS/TD comparisons, ranging from 94% to 100% across different Modules. Specificities varied more, ranging from 82% to 100%. Internal consistency was strong with high item-total correlations (r of 0.6-0.9) and Cronbach's Alphas (all above 0.7). Results demonstrated promising, initial evidence for the validity of the ADOS-2 for South Korean toddlers and preschoolers from 1 to 4 years of age. The ADOS-2 could be implemented, with minimal adaptations, in research and clinical settings in South Korea. This study is one of the first steps toward validating the ADOS-2 in other Eastern countries that are in great need for a valid instrument for the detection of ASD. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1356-1366. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Results of this study demonstrated promising, initial evidence for the validity of a gold standard measure for the diagnosis of autism, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2), for South Korean toddlers and preschoolers. The ADOS-2 could be implemented, with minimal adaptations, in research and clinical settings in South Korea. This study is one of the first steps toward validating the ADOS-2 in other Eastern countries that are in great need of a valid instrument for the detection of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Sook Lee
- Department of Rehabilitation, Hanshin University, Osan, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk Jin Chung
- Sewon Infant & Child Development Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hannah R Thomas
- Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, Weill Cornell Medicine, White Plains, New York
| | - Jinah Park
- Sewon Infant & Child Development Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - So Hyun Kim
- Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, Weill Cornell Medicine, White Plains, New York
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Responsive Parenting and Prospective Social Skills Development in Early School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:3203-3217. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04039-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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54
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Knutsen J, Crossman M, Perrin J, Shui A, Kuhlthau K. Sex differences in restricted repetitive behaviors and interests in children with autism spectrum disorder: An Autism Treatment Network study. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2019. [PMID: 30047281 PMCID: PMC6348057 DOI: 10.1177/1362361318786490 10.1177/1362361318786490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Compared to the social communication domain, considerably less is known about the cause, development, and impact of restricted, repetitive behaviors interests and activities in children with autism spectrum disorder, including possible sex differences. This study examined sex differences in clinically identified (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) restricted and repetitive behavior symptoms using the largest known sample (N = 1024) of age-matched and intelligence quotient-matched female and male children with autism spectrum disorder. More similarities than differences were observed; however, younger higher functioning and older lower functioning females presented reduced rates on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule restricted and repetitive behavior subcategory unusually repetitive/excessive, stereotyped behaviors compared to similar males. These findings identify key restricted and repetitive behavior similarities and differences among young females and males with autism spectrum disorder and emphasize the need for a deeper understanding of the female autism phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Knutsen
- Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA,Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Morgan Crossman
- Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA,Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - James Perrin
- Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA,Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Amy Shui
- Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA
| | - Karen Kuhlthau
- Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA,Harvard Medical School, USA
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Anxiety and Interpretation of Ambiguity in Autistic Children, Typical Children and Their Mothers. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:1035-1047. [PMID: 30406913 PMCID: PMC6394784 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3781-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety is highly prevalent in autistic children. Yet interpretation biases implicated in anxiety in non-autistic individuals have received little research attention in this group. Twenty-two autistic children and 25 typical children completed an ambiguous scenarios interview and questionnaire-based measures of anxiety. A subsample of mothers completed parent-report and adult relevant versions of the interview and anxiety questionnaires. Autistic children self-reported similar interpretations of ambiguous scenarios, and similar levels of anxiety, to their typical peers. In contrast, mothers of autistic children reported greater levels of anxiety, and more negative interpretations of ambiguous scenarios in both their children and themselves, relative to mothers of typical children. These data highlight the importance of including autistic children’s self-reports when measuring and treating anxiety.
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Medda JE, Cholemkery H, Freitag CM. Sensitivity and Specificity of the ADOS-2 Algorithm in a Large German Sample. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:750-761. [PMID: 30238180 PMCID: PMC6373322 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3750-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to establish diagnostic validity of the new algorithm of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale, the ADOS-2, to differentiate between ASD and other clinically relevant psychiatric and developmental disorders in a large German sample. Validity of ADOS and ADOS-2 diagnostic algorithms was established in 826 individuals (n = 455 autism, n = 216 autism spectrum, n = 155 non-ASD patients) by receiver operating curves. Confidence intervals overlapped largely for ADOS and ADOS-2 algorithms, confirming diagnostic validity of both algorithms. Adding information of the Social Communication Questionnaire and the Social Responsiveness Scale resulted in slightly improved classification rates for autism in Module 4. We thus replicated previous findings of the diagnostic validity of the ADOS-2 algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane E Medda
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Autism Research and Intervention Centre of Excellence, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Hannah Cholemkery
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Autism Research and Intervention Centre of Excellence, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christine M Freitag
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Autism Research and Intervention Centre of Excellence, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Kang E, Gadow KD, Lerner MD. Atypical Communication Characteristics, Differential Diagnosis, and the Autism Spectrum Disorder Phenotype in Youth. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY 2019; 49:251-263. [DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2018.1539912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erin Kang
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE An estimated 40%-80% of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have sleep problems. The Simons Simplex Collection Sleep Interview (SSCSI) is a parent-report questionnaire assessing bedtime and nighttime sleep problems and daytime function. The present study evaluated the factorial model of the SSCSI that best characterizes children aged 4-18 years with ASD. METHODS Exploratory factor analysis was performed using principal component analysis and promax rotation, beginning with 16 items and ending with 10 items. RESULTS Exploratory factor analysis concluded with ten dichotomous items, plus ageand regular sleep duration, in three factors: nighttime problems, daytime problems, andsleep duration problems. The analysis was performed on the full sample, and onprepubertal (4-8-years), pubertal (9-13-years), and postpubertal (14-18-years) subgroups. CONCLUSION Further refinement, including confirmatory factor analysis, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity testing, is needed.
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Delbruck E, Yang M, Yassine A, Grossman ED. Functional connectivity in ASD: Atypical pathways in brain networks supporting action observation and joint attention. Brain Res 2018; 1706:157-165. [PMID: 30392771 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by impaired social communication, including attending to and interpreting social cues, initiating and responding to joint attention, and engaging in abstract social cognitive reasoning. Current studies emphasize a underconnectivity in ASD, particularly for brain systems that support abstract social reasoning and introspective thought. Here, we evaluate intrinsic connectivity in children with ASD, targeting brain systems that support the developmental precursors to social reasoning, namely perception of social cues and joint attention. Using resting state fMRI made available through the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE), we compute functional connectivity within and between nodes in the action observation, attention and social cognitive networks in children and adolescents with ASD. We also compare connectivity strength to observational assessments that explicitly evaluate severity of ASD on two distinct subdomains using the ADOS-Revised schedule: social affective (SA) and restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRB). Compared to age-matched controls, children with ASD have decreased functional connectivity in a number of connections in the action observation network, particularly in the lateral occipital cortex (LOTC) and fusiform gyrus (FG). Distinct patterns of connections were also correlated with symptom severity on the two subdomains of the ADOS. ADOS-SA severity most strongly correlated with connectivity to the left TPJ, while ADOS-RRB severity correlated with connectivity to the dMPFC. We conclude that atypical connectivity in the action observation system may underlie some of the more complex deficits in social cognitive systems in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elita Delbruck
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of California, Irvine, United States
| | - Melody Yang
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of California, Irvine, United States
| | - Ahmed Yassine
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of California, Irvine, United States
| | - Emily D Grossman
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of California, Irvine, United States.
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Diagnostic accuracy of the ADOS and ADOS-2 in clinical practice. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2018; 27:1193-1207. [PMID: 29560529 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-018-1143-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule is a semi-structured, standardized assessment tool for individuals with suspected autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and is deemed to be part of the gold standard for diagnostic evaluation. Good diagnostic accuracy and interpersonal objectivity have been demonstrated for the ADOS in research setting. The question arises whether this is also true for daily clinical practice and whether diagnostic accuracy depends on specialized experience in the diagnostic evaluation. The present study explores the diagnostic accuracy of the original and the revised version of the ADOS for Modules 1 through 4. Thus, seven cases of ADOS executions were recorded and coded by a group of experts of specialized outpatient clinics for ASD. In an extensive consensus process, including video analysis of every minute of the ADOS executions, a "gold standard" coding for every case was defined. The videos of the ADOS administration were presented to a large group of clinicians (from daily clinical routine care) and their codings (n = 189) were obtained and analysed. Variance of coding and congruence with the expert coding were determined. High variance was found in the codings. The accuracy of the coding depends on the experience of the coder with the ADOS as well as on characteristics of the cases and the quality of the administration of the ADOS. Specialization in the diagnostic of ASD has to be claimed. Specialized outpatient clinics for ASD are required which guarantee a qualified diagnostic/differential diagnostic and case management with the aim of demand-oriented supply of individual cases.
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Knutsen J, Crossman M, Perrin J, Shui A, Kuhlthau K. Sex differences in restricted repetitive behaviors and interests in children with autism spectrum disorder: An Autism Treatment Network study. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2018; 23:858-868. [PMID: 30047281 DOI: 10.1177/1362361318786490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Compared to the social communication domain, considerably less is known about the cause, development, and impact of restricted, repetitive behaviors interests and activities in children with autism spectrum disorder, including possible sex differences. This study examined sex differences in clinically identified (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) restricted and repetitive behavior symptoms using the largest known sample (N = 1024) of age-matched and intelligence quotient-matched female and male children with autism spectrum disorder. More similarities than differences were observed; however, younger higher functioning and older lower functioning females presented reduced rates on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule restricted and repetitive behavior subcategory unusually repetitive/excessive, stereotyped behaviors compared to similar males. These findings identify key restricted and repetitive behavior similarities and differences among young females and males with autism spectrum disorder and emphasize the need for a deeper understanding of the female autism phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Knutsen
- 1 Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA
- 2 Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Morgan Crossman
- 1 Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA
- 2 Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - James Perrin
- 1 Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA
- 2 Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Amy Shui
- 1 Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA
| | - Karen Kuhlthau
- 1 Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA
- 2 Harvard Medical School, USA
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Randall M, Egberts KJ, Samtani A, Scholten RJPM, Hooft L, Livingstone N, Sterling‐Levis K, Woolfenden S, Williams K. Diagnostic tests for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preschool children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018; 7:CD009044. [PMID: 30075057 PMCID: PMC6513463 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd009044.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a behaviourally diagnosed condition. It is defined by impairments in social communication or the presence of restricted or repetitive behaviours, or both. Diagnosis is made according to existing classification systems. In recent years, especially following publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-5; APA 2013), children are given the diagnosis of ASD, rather than subclassifications of the spectrum such as autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, or pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specified. Tests to diagnose ASD have been developed using parent or carer interview, child observation, or a combination of both. OBJECTIVES Primary objectives1. To identify which diagnostic tools, including updated versions, most accurately diagnose ASD in preschool children when compared with multi-disciplinary team clinical judgement.2. To identify how the best of the interview tools compare with CARS, then how CARS compares with ADOS.a. Which ASD diagnostic tool - among ADOS, ADI-R, CARS, DISCO, GARS, and 3di - has the best diagnostic test accuracy?b. Is the diagnostic test accuracy of any one test sufficient for that test to be suitable as a sole assessment tool for preschool children?c. Is there any combination of tests that, if offered in sequence, would provide suitable diagnostic test accuracy and enhance test efficiency?d. If data are available, does the combination of an interview tool with a structured observation test have better diagnostic test accuracy (i.e. fewer false-positives and fewer false-negatives) than either test alone?As only one interview tool was identified, we modified the first three aims to a single aim (Differences between protocol and review): This Review evaluated diagnostic tests in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Specificity is the most important factor for diagnosis; however, both sensitivity and specificity are of interest in this Review because there is an inherent trade-off between these two factors.Secondary objectives1. To determine whether any diagnostic test has greater diagnostic test accuracy for age-specific subgroups within the preschool age range. SEARCH METHODS In July 2016, we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, 10 other databases, and the reference lists of all included publications. SELECTION CRITERIA Publications had to: 1. report diagnostic test accuracy for any of the following six included diagnostic tools: Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R), Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS), Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorder (DISCO), Developmental, Dimensional, and Diagnostic Interview (3di), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Generic (ADOS), and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS); 2. include children of preschool age (under six years of age) suspected of having an ASD; and 3. have a multi-disciplinary assessment, or similar, as the reference standard.Eligible studies included cohort, cross-sectional, randomised test accuracy, and case-control studies. The target condition was ASD. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed all studies for inclusion and extracted data using standardised forms. A third review author settled disagreements. We assessed methodological quality using the QUADAS-2 instrument (Quality Assessment of Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy - Revised). We conducted separate univariate random-effects logistical regressions for sensitivity and specificity for CARS and ADI-R. We conducted meta-analyses of pairs of sensitivity and specificity using bivariate random-effects methods for ADOS. MAIN RESULTS In this Review, we included 21 sets of analyses reporting different tools or cohorts of children from 13 publications, many with high risk of bias or potential conflicts of interest or a combination of both. Overall, the prevalence of ASD for children in the included analyses was 74%.For versions and modules of ADOS, there were 12 analyses with 1625 children. Sensitivity of ADOS ranged from 0.76 to 0.98, and specificity ranged from 0.20 to 1.00. The summary sensitivity was 0.94 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.89 to 0.97), and the summary specificity was 0.80 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.88).For CARS, there were four analyses with 641 children. Sensitivity of CARS ranged from 0.66 to 0.89, and specificity ranged from 0.21 to 1.00. The summary sensitivity for CARS was 0.80 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.91), and the summary specificity was 0.88 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.96).For ADI-R, there were five analyses with 634 children. Sensitivity for ADI-R ranged from 0.19 to 0.75, and specificity ranged from 0.63 to 1.00. The summary sensitivity for the ADI-R was 0.52 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.71), and the summary specificity was 0.84 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.95).Studies that compared tests were few and too small to allow clear conclusions.In two studies that included analyses for both ADI-R and ADOS, tests scored similarly for sensitivity, but ADOS scored higher for specificity. In two studies that included analyses for ADI-R, ADOS, and CARS, ADOS had the highest sensitivity and CARS the highest specificity.In one study that explored individual and additive sensitivity and specificity of ADOS and ADI-R, combining the two tests did not increase the sensitivity nor the specificity of ADOS used alone.Performance for all tests was lower when we excluded studies at high risk of bias. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We observed substantial variation in sensitivity and specificity of all tests, which was likely attributable to methodological differences and variations in the clinical characteristics of populations recruited.When we compared summary statistics for ADOS, CARS, and ADI-R, we found that ADOS was most sensitive. All tools performed similarly for specificity. In lower prevalence populations, the risk of falsely identifying children who do not have ASD would be higher.Now available are new versions of tools that require diagnostic test accuracy assessment, ideally in clinically relevant situations, with methods at low risk of bias and in children of varying abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Randall
- The Royal Children's HospitalDepartment of Occupational Therapy50 Flemington RoadParkvilleVictoriaAustralia3052
- The University of MelbourneDepartment of PaediatricsParkvilleAustralia
| | | | - Aarti Samtani
- UNSW SydneyUNSW MedicineHigh StreetKensingtonNew South WalesAustralia2052
| | - Rob JPM Scholten
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care / University Medical Center UtrechtCochrane NetherlandsRoom Str. 6.126P.O. Box 85500UtrechtNetherlands3508 GA
| | - Lotty Hooft
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care / University Medical Center UtrechtCochrane NetherlandsRoom Str. 6.126P.O. Box 85500UtrechtNetherlands3508 GA
| | - Nuala Livingstone
- CochraneEditorial & Methods DepartmentSt Albans House57‐59 HaymarketLondonUKSW1Y 4QX
| | - Katy Sterling‐Levis
- University of New South Wales & Sydney Children's HospitalSchool of Women's and Children's HealthRandwickNSWAustralia
| | - Susan Woolfenden
- Sydney Children's Hospital NetworkHigh StreetRandwickNSWAustralia2031
- UNSW SydneySchool of Women's & Children's Health, UNSW MedicineHigh StreetKensingtonNew South WalesAustralia2052
| | - Katrina Williams
- The University of MelbourneDepartment of PaediatricsParkvilleAustralia
- The Royal Children's HospitalDepartment of Neurodevelopment and Disability50 Flemington RdParkvilleVictoriaAustralia3052
- Murdoch Children's Research InstituteParkvilleAustralia
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63
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McIntyre NS, Solari EJ, Gonzales JE, Solomon M, Lerro LE, Novotny S, Oswald TM, Mundy PC. The Scope and Nature of Reading Comprehension Impairments in School-Aged Children with Higher-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2018. [PMID: 28624962 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3209-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This study of 8-16-year-olds was designed to test the hypothesis that reading comprehension impairments are part of the social communication phenotype for many higher-functioning students with autism spectrum disorder (HFASD). Students with HFASD (n = 81) were compared to those with high attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptomatology (ADHD; n = 39), or typical development (TD; n = 44), on a comprehensive battery of oral language, word recognition, and reading comprehension measures. Results indicated that students with HFASD performed significantly lower on the majority of the reading and language tasks as compared to TD and ADHD groups. Structural equation models suggested that greater ASD symptomatology was related to poorer reading comprehension outcomes; further analyses suggested that this relation was mediated by oral language skills.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily J Solari
- School of Education, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Joseph E Gonzales
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, USA
| | - Marjorie Solomon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, Imaging Research Center, University of California, Davis, USA
| | | | - Stephanie Novotny
- Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis, USA.,Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, Institute of Living, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Tasha M Oswald
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, Imaging Research Center, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Peter C Mundy
- School of Education, University of California, Davis, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, Imaging Research Center, University of California, Davis, USA
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64
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Bener A, Khattab AO, Bhugra D, Hoffmann GF. Iron and vitamin D levels among autism spectrum disorders children. Ann Afr Med 2018; 16:186-191. [PMID: 29063903 PMCID: PMC5676409 DOI: 10.4103/aam.aam_17_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate iron deficiency anemia and Vitamin D deficiency among autism children and to assess the importance of risk factors (determinants). Subjects and Methods: This was a case–control study conducted among children suffering from autism at the Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar. A total of 308 cases and equal number of controls were enrolled. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic was the instrument used for diagnosis of Autism. Results: The mean age (±standard deviation, in years) for autistic versus control children was 5.39 ± 1.66 versus 5.62 ± 1.81, respectively. The mean value of serum iron levels in autistic children was severely reduced and significantly lower than in control children (74.13 ± 21.61 μg/dL with a median 74 in autistic children 87.59 ± 23.36 μg/dL in controls) (P = 0.003). Similarly, the study revealed that Vitamin D deficiency was considerably more common among autistic children (18.79 ± 8.35 ng/mL) as compared to healthy children (22.18 ± 9.00 ng/mL) (P = 0.004). Finally, mean values of hemoglobin, ferritin, magnesium; potassium, calcium; phosphorous; glucose, alkaline phosphate, hematocrit, white blood cell, and mean corpuscular volume were all statistically significantly higher in healthy control children as compared to autistic children (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum iron deficiency, serum calcium levels, serum Vitamin D levels; ferritin, reduced physical activity; child order, body mass index percentiles, and parental consanguinity can all be considered strong predictors and major factors associated with autism spectrum disorders. Conclusion: This study suggests that deficiency of iron and Vitamin D as well as anemia were more common in autistic compared to control children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulbari Bener
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Evidence for Population Health Unit, School of Epidemiology and Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, England, UK
| | - Azhar O Khattab
- Department of Pediatrics, Rumailah and Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation; Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
| | - Dinesh Bhugra
- Institute of Psychiatry, Section of Cultural Psychiatry, King's College London, London, England, UK
| | - Georg F Hoffmann
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
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Zou M, Sun C, Wang J, Kang J, Xu Z, Ma Y, Chen L, Zhang X, Xia W, Wu L. Factors influencing the severity of behavioral phenotype in autism spectrum disorders: Implications for research. Psychiatry Res 2018; 261:290-297. [PMID: 29329050 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.12.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 11/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The phenotypic heterogeneity of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) presents particular research challenges in the assessment of symptom severity, while the standardized Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scores present a severity metric, namely calibrated severity scores (CSS) that are relatively impervious to individual characteristics. To date, no studies have examined the convergent validity of CSS in Chinese sample populations. The present study investigated the validity of the ADOS-CSS using a sample of 321 children aged 2-18 years with ASD, and developed upon existing literature examining the influence of non-ASD-specific characteristics on other types of measures including Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS). As expected, the findings revealed that the CSS were less influenced than ADOS-RAW scores by the demographic and developmental-level variables. Moreover, compared to the ADOS-CSS, the ADI-R, SRS and VABS were still strongly correlated with confounding factors, such as chronological age, intelligence quotients, and language-level. The results of this study corroborate the utilization of CSS as a more valid indicator of ASD severity than raw scores from ADOS and other instruments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyang Zou
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Caihong Sun
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Jing Kang
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Zhanbin Xu
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Yongjuan Ma
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Child Health Care, Dalian Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Dalian 116033, China
| | - Xinxi Zhang
- Department of Child Health Care, Yangzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yangzhou 225002, China
| | - Wei Xia
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Lijie Wu
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
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66
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A Comparative Analysis of the ADOS-G and ADOS-2 Algorithms: Preliminary Findings. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 48:2078-2089. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3475-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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67
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Grimm RP, Solari EJ, McIntyre NS, Zajic M, Mundy PC. Comparing growth in linguistic comprehension and reading comprehension in school-aged children with autism versus typically developing children. Autism Res 2017; 11:624-635. [DOI: 10.1002/aur.1914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan P. Grimm
- Reading and Academic Development Center, University of California; Davis
| | - Emily J. Solari
- MIND Institute, Reading and Academic Development Center, University of California; Davis
| | - Nancy S. McIntyre
- Reading and Academic Development Center, University of California; Davis
| | - Matthew Zajic
- Reading and Academic Development Center, University of California; Davis
| | - Peter C. Mundy
- MIND Institute, Reading and Academic Development Center, University of California; Davis
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68
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Chojnicka I, Pisula E. Adaptation and Validation of the ADOS-2, Polish Version. Front Psychol 2017; 8:1916. [PMID: 29163293 PMCID: PMC5681938 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is one of the most popular instruments used world-widely in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Unfortunately, there are only a few studies of the psychometric properties of non-English language versions of this instrument and none of the adaptation of its second edition (ADOS-2). The objective of this study was to verify the psychometric properties of the Polish version of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2-PL). The authors recruited 401 participants: 193 with ASDs (ASD group) and 78 with non-spectrum disorders, plus 130 typically developing participants (control group). ADOS-2-PL was found to have high interrater reliability, internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a good fit of the Polish data to the two-factor model of ADOS-2. As no significant differences were found between participants with childhood autism and other ASDs, only one cut-off was established for Modules 1-4. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of ADOS-2-PL are high: sensitivity was over 90% (only for the "Older with some words" algorithm in the Toddler Module the sensitivity was 71% and "Aged 5 years or older" algorithm in Module 2 sensitivity was 84%), specificity was above 80% (with the exception of the Module 4 and Module 2 "Aged 5 years or older" algorithm where it was above 70%). The results support the use of ADOS-2-PL in clinical practice and scientific research. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports to date about adaptations of ADOS-2 and the psychometric properties of non-English language versions. As such, this constitutes the first attempt at adapting ADOS-2, and its results could be of interest for researchers outside of Poland.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ewa Pisula
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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69
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Mundy P, Novotny S, Swain-Lerro L, McIntyre N, Zajic M, Oswald T. Joint-Attention and the Social Phenotype of School-Aged Children with ASD. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47:1423-1435. [PMID: 28229349 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3061-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The validity of joint attention assessment in school-aged children with ASD is unclear (Lord, Jones, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 53(5):490-509, 2012). This study examined the feasibility and validity of a parent-report measure of joint attention related behaviors in verbal children and adolescents with ASD. Fifty-two children with ASD and 34 controls were assessed with the Childhood Joint Attention Rating Scale (C-JARS). The C-JARS exhibited internally consistency, α = 0.88, and one factor explained 49% of the scale variance. Factor scores correctly identified between 88 and 94% of the children with ASD and 62-82% of controls. These scores were correlated with the ADOS-2, but not other parent-report symptom measures. The C-JARS appears to assess a unique dimension of the social-phenotype of children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Mundy
- UC Davis School of Education, University of California (UC) Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- MIND Institute, UC Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Stephanie Novotny
- Institute of Living, Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Lindsey Swain-Lerro
- UC Davis School of Education, University of California (UC) Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Nancy McIntyre
- UC Davis School of Education, University of California (UC) Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Matt Zajic
- UC Davis School of Education, University of California (UC) Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Tasha Oswald
- MIND Institute, UC Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
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70
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Abstract
Prosaccade and antisaccade errors in the context of social and nonsocial stimuli were investigated in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 19) a matched control sample (n = 19), and a small sample of youth with obsessive compulsive disorder (n = 9). Groups did not differ in error rates in the prosaccade condition for any stimulus category. In the antisaccade condition, the ASD group demonstrated more errors than the control group for nonsocial stimuli related to circumscribed interests, but not for other nonsocial stimuli or for social stimuli. Additionally, antisaccade error rates were predictive of core ASD symptom severity. Results indicate that the cognitive control of visual attention in ASD is impaired specifically in the context of nonsocial stimuli related to circumscribed interests.
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71
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Neil L, Green D, Pellicano E. The Psychometric Properties of a New Measure of Sensory Behaviors in Autistic Children. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47:1261-1268. [PMID: 28213836 PMCID: PMC5357300 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-3018-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Unusual reactions to sensory input became part of the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder in the DSM-5. Measures accurately assessing these symptoms are important for clinical decisions. This study examined the reliability and validity of the Sensory Behavior Questionnaire, a parent-report scale designed to assess frequency and impact of sensory behaviors in autistic children. The scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency and concurrent validity, and was a better predictor of autistic symptoms than the Short Sensory Profile within a group of 66 school-age autistic children. The scale also successfully discriminated between autistic and typical children of similar age and ability. The Sensory Behavior Questionnaire has potential as a measure of sensory behaviors in children on the autism spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Neil
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL Institute of Education, University College London, 55-59 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0NU, UK
| | - Dido Green
- Centre for Rehabilitation, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Elizabeth Pellicano
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL Institute of Education, University College London, 55-59 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0NU, UK. .,School of Psychology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
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72
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Progress in medical branches that has taken place since the first child with Goldenhare syndrome (GS) had been described in 1952 by Maurice Goldenhar, facilitated better understanding of this congenital defect. It also gave new perspectives and the opportunity to achieve satisfactory treatment results, mainly due to development of surgical techniques. DATA SOURCES Based on the literature and own experience, we discussed the phenotype of presentation of GS, ethiopathogenesis, genetic counselling and treatment with particular emphasis on surgery correction of hemifacial microsomia. RESULTS The spectrum of GS abnormalities ranges from mild to severe ones and include patients with barely noticeable facial asymmetry to very pronounced facial defect with more or less severe abnormalities of internal organs and/or skeleton. It is characterized most commonly by impaired development of eyes, ears, lips, tongue, palate, mandible, maxilla, zygomatic and orbital structures and deformations of the teeth structures. Ethiopathogenesis is multifactorial and dependent on genetic and environmental factors but there are still many unknowns about the syndrome which should be revealed. CONCLUSIONS Patients with GS due to a large variety of abnormalities and different severity of symptoms pose a challenge for clinicians. All of this necessitate an individual approach to each single patient and involvement a team of specialists in treatment planning. It is a complex, long-lasting, multidisciplinary process and should be divided into stages, according to patient's age, as well as the extent and severity of observed abnormalities. Neonatologists and pediatricians are involved in care of these patients from the onset.
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73
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Caplan B, Feldman M, Eisenhower A, Blacher J. Student-Teacher Relationships for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Risk and Protective Factors. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 46:3653-3666. [PMID: 27638649 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-2915-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The quality of early student-teacher relationships (STRs) has been shown to predict children's school adjustment, and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at risk for poor quality STRs. The present study examined 162 children with ASD (ages 4-7) and their teachers to evaluate student, teacher, and classroom characteristics that predicted concurrent and prospective STR quality across one school year. Child oppositional behavior, autism severity and teacher degree predicted changes in student-teacher conflict over a 1-year period, while child social skills and IQ positively predicted change in student-teacher closeness. Teacher preparedness, trainings in ASD, and classroom setting were unrelated to STR quality. Implications for intervention are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Caplan
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951580, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1580, USA.
| | - Melanie Feldman
- Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, 02125, USA
| | - Abbey Eisenhower
- Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, 02125, USA
| | - Jan Blacher
- Department of Education, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
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74
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Duifhuis EA, den Boer JC, Doornbos A, Buitelaar JK, Oosterling IJ, Klip H. The Effect of Pivotal Response Treatment in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Non-randomized Study with a Blinded Outcome Measure. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47:231-242. [PMID: 27815645 PMCID: PMC5309302 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-2916-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of this quasi-experimental trial was to investigate the effect of Pivotal response treatment (PRT) versus treatment as usual (TAU) on autism symptoms. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), aged 3–8 years, received either PRT (n = 11) or TAU (n = 13). Primary outcome measure was the total score on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule at pre- and posttreatment. Additionally, general problem behavior and parental stress levels were measured. Children in the PRT condition improved on the primary outcome measure compared to the TAU group with a small effect size [partial η2 = 0.22 (95 % CI 0.00–0.46)]. Neither group demonstrated significant changes in the secondary outcomes. This study suggests that PRT may improve autism symptoms in children with ASD over TAU.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Duifhuis
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Postbus 68, 6710 BB, Ede, The Netherlands.
| | - J C den Boer
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Postbus 68, 6710 BB, Ede, The Netherlands
| | - A Doornbos
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Vriezenveenseweg 213, 6700 AP, Almelo, The Netherlands
| | - J K Buitelaar
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Reinier Postlaan 12, 6525 GC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101 (204), 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - I J Oosterling
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Reinier Postlaan 12, 6525 GC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - H Klip
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Reinier Postlaan 12, 6525 GC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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75
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Visser JC, Rommelse NNJ, Lappenschaar M, Servatius-Oosterling IJ, Greven CU, Buitelaar JK. Variation in the Early Trajectories of Autism Symptoms Is Related to the Development of Language, Cognition, and Behavior Problems. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2017; 56:659-668. [PMID: 28735695 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2017.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to model more homogeneous subgroups within autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on early trajectories of core symptoms; and to further characterize these subgroups in terms of trajectories of language, cognition, co-occurring (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]-related) traits and clinical outcome diagnosis. METHOD Children (N = 203) referred for possible ASD at ages 1 to 4 years were assessed at three time points at intervals ranging from 9 months to 3 years. Assessments included standardized measures for ASD (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule [ADOS]), language (ADOS-language item), nonverbal IQ (NV-IQ; different tests adequate to chronological/mental age), and parent-reported behavioral problems (Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment, Child Behavior Checklist). RESULTS Latent-class growth curve analysis with ADOS total scores led to the identification of three main stable and two small improving groups: a severe-stable group (19.5% of sample)-the only group without considerable language improvement-showed persistent low NV-IQ and marked increase in attention problems over time; a moderate-stable group (21.7%) with below-average increasing NV-IQ; and a mild-stable group (48%) with stable-average NV-IQ and the highest scores on ADHD-related traits, whose ASD outcome diagnoses increased despite stable-low ASD scores. Two groups (each 5.4%) improved: one moved from severe to moderate ASD scores, and the other moved from moderate to mild/nonspectrum scores. Both of these groups improved on language, NV-IQ, and ADHD-related traits. CONCLUSION Results support the high stability of ASD symptoms into various severity levels, but also highlight the significant contribution of non-ASD domains in defining and explaining the different ASD trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janne C Visser
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Nanda N J Rommelse
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Nijmegen
| | | | | | - Corina U Greven
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, and King's College London, Medical Research Council Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London
| | - Jan K Buitelaar
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Nijmegen
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76
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Torres EB, Mistry S, Caballero C, Whyatt CP. Stochastic Signatures of Involuntary Head Micro-movements Can Be Used to Classify Females of ABIDE into Different Subtypes of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Integr Neurosci 2017. [PMID: 28638324 PMCID: PMC5461345 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2017.00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The approximate 5:1 male to female ratio in clinical detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) prevents research from characterizing the female phenotype. Current open access repositories [such as those in the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE I-II)] contain large numbers of females to help begin providing a new characterization of females on the autistic spectrum. Here we introduce new methods to integrate data in a scale-free manner from continuous biophysical rhythms of the nervous systems and discrete (ordinal) observational scores. Methods: New data-types derived from image-based involuntary head motions and personalized statistical platform were combined with a data-driven approach to unveil sub-groups within the female cohort. Further, to help refine the clinical DSM-based ASD vs. Asperger's Syndrome (AS) criteria, distributional analyses of ordinal score data from Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)-based criteria were used on both the female and male phenotypes. Results: Separate clusters were automatically uncovered in the female cohort corresponding to differential levels of severity. Specifically, the AS-subgroup emerged as the most severely affected with an excess level of noise and randomness in the involuntary head micro-movements. Extending the methods to characterize males of ABIDE revealed ASD-males to be more affected than AS-males. A thorough study of ADOS-2 and ADOS-G scores provided confounding results regarding the ASD vs. AS male comparison, whereby the ADOS-2 rendered the AS-phenotype worse off than the ASD-phenotype, while ADOS-G flipped the results. Females with AS scored higher on severity than ASD-females in all ADOS test versions and their scores provided evidence for significantly higher severity than males. However, the statistical landscapes underlying female and male scores appeared disparate. As such, further interpretation of the ADOS data seems problematic, rather suggesting the critical need to develop an entirely new metric to measure social behavior in females. Conclusions: According to the outcome of objective, data-driven analyses and subjective clinical observation, these results support the proposition that the female phenotype is different. Consequently the “social behavioral male ruler” will continue to mask the female autistic phenotype. It is our proposition that new observational behavioral tests ought to contain normative scales, be statistically sound and combined with objective data-driven approaches to better characterize the females across the human lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth B Torres
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers UniversityPiscataway, NJ, United States.,Computer Science Department and Rutgers Center for Cognitive Science, Center for Biomedical Imaging and ModelingNew Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Sejal Mistry
- Department of Biomathematics, Rutgers UniversityPiscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Carla Caballero
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers UniversityPiscataway, NJ, United States.,Computer Science Department and Rutgers Center for Cognitive Science, Center for Biomedical Imaging and ModelingNew Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Caroline P Whyatt
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers UniversityPiscataway, NJ, United States.,Computer Science Department and Rutgers Center for Cognitive Science, Center for Biomedical Imaging and ModelingNew Brunswick, NJ, United States
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77
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Harrison AJ, Long KA, Tommet DC, Jones RN. Examining the Role of Race, Ethnicity, and Gender on Social and Behavioral Ratings Within the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47:2770-2782. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3176-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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78
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Aman MG, Findling RL, Hardan AY, Hendren RL, Melmed RD, Kehinde-Nelson O, Hsu HA, Trugman JM, Palmer RH, Graham SM, Gage AT, Perhach JL, Katz E. Safety and Efficacy of Memantine in Children with Autism: Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study and Open-Label Extension. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2017; 27:403-412. [PMID: 26978327 PMCID: PMC5510039 DOI: 10.1089/cap.2015.0146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Abnormal glutamatergic neurotransmission is implicated in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of the glutamatergic N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist memantine (once-daily extended-release [ER]) were investigated in children with autism in a randomized, placebo-controlled, 12 week trial and a 48 week open-label extension. METHODS A total of 121 children 6-12 years of age with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR)-defined autistic disorder were randomized (1:1) to placebo or memantine ER for 12 weeks; 104 children entered the subsequent extension trial. Maximum memantine doses were determined by body weight and ranged from 3 to 15 mg/day. RESULTS There was one serious adverse event (SAE) (affective disorder, with memantine) in the 12 week study and one SAE (lobar pneumonia) in the 48 week extension; both were deemed unrelated to treatment. Other AEs were considered mild or moderate and most were deemed not related to treatment. No clinically significant changes occurred in clinical laboratory values, vital signs, or electrocardiogram (ECG). There was no significant between-group difference on the primary efficacy outcome of caregiver/parent ratings on the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), although an improvement over baseline at Week 12 was observed in both groups. A trend for improvement at the end of the 48 week extension was observed. No improvements in the active group were observed on any of the secondary end-points, with one communication measure showing significant worsening with memantine compared with placebo (p = 0.02) after 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS This trial did not demonstrate clinical efficacy of memantine ER in autism; however, the tolerability and safety data were reassuring. Our results could inform future trial design in this population and may facilitate the investigation of memantine ER for other clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert L. Findling
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Antonio Y. Hardan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Robert L. Hendren
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Raun D. Melmed
- Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, Phoenix, Arizona
| | | | - Hai-An Hsu
- Forest Research Institute, (now Allergan) Jersey City, New Jersey
| | - Joel M. Trugman
- Forest Research Institute, (now Allergan) Jersey City, New Jersey
| | - Robert H. Palmer
- Forest Research Institute, (now Allergan) Jersey City, New Jersey
| | | | - Allyson T. Gage
- Forest Research Institute, (now Allergan) Jersey City, New Jersey
| | - James L. Perhach
- Forest Research Institute, (now Allergan) Jersey City, New Jersey
| | - Ephraim Katz
- Forest Research Institute, (now Allergan) Jersey City, New Jersey
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79
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Kamp-Becker I, Langmann A, Stehr T, Custodis K, Poustka L, Becker K. Zur Validität der deutschen Fassung der ADOS-2 unter Berücksichtigung von Geschlechtseffekten. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR KINDER-UND JUGENDPSYCHIATRIE UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE 2017; 45:193-207. [DOI: 10.1024/1422-4917/a000492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Die deutschsprachige Version der Diagnostischen Beobachtungsskala für Autistische Störungen – 2 (ADOS-2) ist eine Revision der standardisierten Verhaltensbeobachtung für Personen mit dem Verdacht auf Vorliegen einer Autismus-Spektrum-Störung (ASS). Die Studie untersucht die diagnostische Güte der originalen und revidierten Algorithmen für die Module 1 bis 3. Methodik: An einer großen Inanspruchnahmepopulation (N = 1080, Alter 1.7–20.5 Jahre) wurde die Unterscheidungsfähigkeit der ADOS-2 zu relevanten Differenzialdiagnosen untersucht. Außerdem wurden Vergleiche bezüglich der diagnostischen Güte für beide Geschlechter getrennt vorgenommen. Ergebnisse: Der revidierte Algorithmus weist eine verbesserte Sensitivität (84.9 %) bei jedoch leicht reduzierter Spezifität (85.7 %) auf. Verbesserungen der ADOS-2 betreffen vor allem Fälle von frühkindlichem Autismus und die korrekte Klassifizierung von Mädchen. Der Einschluss von repetitiven, stereotypen Verhaltensweisen in den Algorithmus erhöht die korrekte Klassifikation in den Modulen 2 und 3. Für jüngere Kinder im Modul 1 ist dies jedoch nicht der Fall. Es zeigt sich darüber hinaus eine geringere Differenzierungsfähigkeit zu internalisierenden Störungen und Störungen des Sozialverhaltens. Schlussfolgerungen: Eine gute diagnostische Güte der ADOS-2 wurde vor allem für Kinder mit durchschnittlichen kognitiven Fähigkeiten gefunden. Die Ergebnisse sprechen für eine gute Anwendbarkeit der ADOS-2 für klinische Populationen. Voraussetzung ist jedoch eine sorgfältige und breite Diagnostik durch erfahrene Untersucher. Schlüsselwörter: ADOS, Diagnostik von Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen, Sensitivität, Spezifität
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Kamp-Becker
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Marburg und Philipps-Universität Marburg
| | - Anika Langmann
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Marburg und Philipps-Universität Marburg
| | - Thomas Stehr
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Marburg und Philipps-Universität Marburg
| | - Katharina Custodis
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Marburg und Philipps-Universität Marburg
| | - Luise Poustka
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit, Mannheim
- Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Medizinische Universität Wien
| | - Katja Becker
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Marburg und Philipps-Universität Marburg
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Stickley A, Tachibana Y, Hashimoto K, Haraguchi H, Miyake A, Morokuma S, Nitta H, Oda M, Ohya Y, Senju A, Takahashi H, Yamagata T, Kamio Y. Assessment of Autistic Traits in Children Aged 2 to 4½ Years With the Preschool Version of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-P): Findings from Japan. Autism Res 2017; 10:852-865. [PMID: 28256099 PMCID: PMC6586029 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The recent development and use of autism measures for the general population has led to a growing body of evidence which suggests that autistic traits are distributed along a continuum. However, as most existing autism measures were designed for use in children older than age 4, to date, little is known about the autistic continuum in children younger than age 4. As autistic symptoms are evident in the first few years, to address this research gap, the current study tested the preschool version of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS‐P) in children aged 2 to 4½ years in clinical (N = 74, average age 40 months, 26–51 months) and community settings (N = 357, average age 39 months, 25–50 months) in Japan. Using information obtained from different raters (mothers, other caregivers, and teachers) it was found that the scale demonstrated a good degree of internal consistency, inter‐rater reliability and test‐retest reliability, and a satisfactory degree of convergent validity for the clinical sample when compared with scores from diagnostic “gold standard” autism measures. Receiver operating characteristic analyses and the group comparisons also showed that the SRS‐P total score discriminated well between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and those without ASD. Importantly, this scale could identify autistic symptoms or traits distributed continually across the child population at this age irrespective of the presence of an ASD diagnosis. These findings suggest that the SRS‐P might be a sensitive instrument for case identification including subthreshold ASD, as well as a potentially useful research tool for exploring ASD endophenotypes. Autism Res 2017, 10: 852–865. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Stickley
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Human Ecology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Stockholm Centre for Health and Social Change (SCOHOST), Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Yoshiyuki Tachibana
- Division of Infant and Toddler Mental Health, Department of Psychosocial Medicine, National Medical Centre for Children and Mothers, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiji Hashimoto
- Division of Rehabilitation Medicine and Developmental Evaluation Centre, National Centre for Child Health and Development (NCCHD), Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Haraguchi
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsuko Miyake
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiichi Morokuma
- Research Center for Environment and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nitta
- National Centre for the Japan Environment and Children's Study, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Masako Oda
- Faculty of Life Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Ohya
- Division of Allergy, Department of Medical Sciences, National Center for Child Health and Development (NCCHD), Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayako Senju
- Japan Environment and Children's Study UOEH Subunit Center, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Takahashi
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yoko Kamio
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
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81
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McCue LM, Flick LH, Twyman KA, Xian H. Gastrointestinal dysfunctions as a risk factor for sleep disorders in children with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder: A retrospective cohort study. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2017; 21:1010-1020. [PMID: 28954536 DOI: 10.1177/1362361316667061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Sleep disorders often co-occur with autism spectrum disorder. They further exacerbate autism spectrum disorder symptoms and interfere with children's and parental quality of life. This study examines whether gastrointestinal dysfunctions increase the odds of having sleep disorders in 610 children with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder, aged 2-18 years, from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange research program. The adjusted odds ratio for sleep disorder among those with gastrointestinal dysfunctions compared to those without was 1.74 (95% confidence interval: 1.22-2.48). In addition, the odds of having multiple sleep disorder symptoms among children with gastrointestinal dysfunctions, adjusted for age, gender, behavioral problems, bed wetting, current and past supplements, and current and past medications for autism spectrum disorder symptoms were 1.75 (95% confidence interval: 1.10-2.79) compared to children without gastrointestinal dysfunctions. Early detection and treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunctions in autism spectrum disorder may be means to reduce prevalence and severity of sleep problems and improve quality of life and developmental outcomes in this population.
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82
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Neil L, Olsson NC, Pellicano E. The Relationship Between Intolerance of Uncertainty, Sensory Sensitivities, and Anxiety in Autistic and Typically Developing Children. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 46:1962-1973. [PMID: 26864157 PMCID: PMC4860201 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-2721-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Guided by a recent theory that proposes fundamental differences in how autistic individuals deal with uncertainty, we investigated the extent to which the cognitive construct ‘intolerance of uncertainty’ and anxiety were related to parental reports of sensory sensitivities in 64 autistic and 85 typically developing children aged 6–14 years. Intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety explained approximately half the variance in autistic children’s sensory sensitivities, but only around a fifth of the variance in typical children’s sensory sensitivities. In children with autism only, intolerance of uncertainty remained a significant predictor of children’s sensory sensitivities once the effects of anxiety were adjusted for. Our results suggest intolerance of uncertainty is a relevant construct to sensory sensitivities in children with and without autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Neil
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL Institute of Education, University College London, 55-59 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0NU, UK.
| | - Nora Choque Olsson
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Karolinska Institutet (KIND), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elizabeth Pellicano
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL Institute of Education, University College London, 55-59 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0NU, UK.,School of Psychology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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83
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Martin GE, Barstein J, Hornickel J, Matherly S, Durante G, Losh M. Signaling of noncomprehension in communication breakdowns in fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder. JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS 2017; 65:22-34. [PMID: 28161297 PMCID: PMC5340195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The ability to indicate a failure to understand a message is a critical pragmatic (social) language skill for managing communication breakdowns and supporting successful communicative exchanges. The current study examined the ability to signal noncomprehension across different types of confusing message conditions in children and adolescents with fragile X syndrome (FXS), Down syndrome (DS), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and typical development (TD). Controlling for nonverbal mental age and receptive vocabulary skills, youth with comorbid FXS and ASD and those with DS were less likely than TD controls to signal noncomprehension of confusing messages. Youth with FXS without ASD and those with idiopathic ASD did not differ from controls. No sex differences were detected in any group. Findings contribute to current knowledge of pragmatic profiles in different forms of genetically-based neurodevelopmental disorders associated with intellectual disability, and the role of sex in the expression of such profiles. LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon completion of this article, readers will have learned about: (1) the social-communicative profiles of youth with FXS, DS, and ASD, (2) the importance of signaling noncomprehension in response to a confusing message, and (3) the similarities and differences in noncomprehension signaling in youth with FXS (with and without ASD), DS, idiopathic ASD, and TD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary E Martin
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, St. John's University, Staten Island, NY, USA.
| | - Jamie Barstein
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Jane Hornickel
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Sara Matherly
- Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Genna Durante
- Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Molly Losh
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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84
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Unruh KE, Sasson NJ, Shafer RL, Whitten A, Miller SJ, Turner-Brown L, Bodfish JW. Social Orienting and Attention Is Influenced by the Presence of Competing Nonsocial Information in Adolescents with Autism. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:586. [PMID: 28066169 PMCID: PMC5179566 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Our experiences with the world play a critical role in neural and behavioral development. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) spend a disproportionate amount of time seeking out, attending to, and engaging with aspects of their environment that are largely nonsocial in nature. In this study we adapted an established method for eliciting and quantifying aspects of visual choice behavior related to preference to test the hypothesis that preference for nonsocial sources of stimulation diminishes orientation and attention to social sources of stimulation in children with ASD. Method: Preferential viewing tasks can serve as objective measures of preference, with a greater proportion of viewing time to one item indicative of increased preference. The current task used gaze-tracking technology to examine patterns of visual orientation and attention to stimulus pairs that varied in social (faces) and nonsocial content (high autism interest or low autism interest). Participants included both adolescents diagnosed with ASD and typically developing; groups were matched on IQ and gender. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that individuals with ASD had a significantly greater latency to first fixate on social images when this image was paired with a high autism interest image, compared to a low autism interest image pairing. Participants with ASD showed greater total look time to objects, while typically developing participants preferred to look at faces. Groups also differed in number and average duration of fixations to social and object images. In the ASD group only, a measure of nonsocial interest was associated with reduced preference for social images when paired with high autism interest images. Conclusions: In ASD, the presence of nonsocial sources of stimulation can significantly increase the latency of look time to social sources of information. These results suggest that atypicalities in social motivation in ASD may be context-dependent, with a greater degree of plasticity than is assumed by existing social motivation accounts of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E. Unruh
- Vanderbilt Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN, USA
| | - Noah J. Sasson
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, TX, USA
| | - Robin L. Shafer
- Vanderbilt Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN, USA
| | - Allison Whitten
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, TN, USA
| | - Stephanie J. Miller
- Sheps Center for Health Services Research, Carolina Institute for Developmental DisabilitiesChapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lauren Turner-Brown
- Sheps Center for Health Services Research, Carolina Institute for Developmental DisabilitiesChapel Hill, NC, USA
- TEACCH Autism Program, UNC School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillCarrboro, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of MedicineChapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - James W. Bodfish
- Vanderbilt Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN, USA
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, TN, USA
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85
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Pijl MKJ, Rommelse NNJ, Hendriks M, De Korte MWP, Buitelaar JK, Oosterling IJ. Does the Brief Observation of Social Communication Change help moving forward in measuring change in early autism intervention studies? AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2016; 22:216-226. [DOI: 10.1177/1362361316669235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The field of early autism research is in dire need of outcome measures that adequately reflect subtle changes in core autistic behaviors. This article compares the ability of a newly developed measure, the Brief Observation of Social Communication Change (BOSCC), and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) to detect changes in core symptoms of autism in 44 toddlers. The results provide encouraging evidence for the Brief Observation of Social Communication Change as a candidate outcome measure, as reflected in sufficient inter- and intra-rater reliability, independency from other child characteristics, and sensitivity to capture change. Although the Brief Observation of Social Communication Change did not evidently outperform the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule on any of these quality criteria, the instrument may be better able to capture subtle, individual changes in core autistic symptoms. The promising findings warrant further study of this new instrument.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam KJ Pijl
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nanda NJ Rommelse
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Monica Hendriks
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Manon WP De Korte
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan K Buitelaar
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Iris J Oosterling
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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86
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McCue LM, Flick LH, Twyman KA, Xian H, Conturo TE. Prevalence of non-febrile seizures in children with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder and their unaffected siblings: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Neurol 2016; 16:245. [PMID: 27894273 PMCID: PMC5126876 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-016-0764-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized not only by deficits in communication and social interactions but also a high rate of co-occurring disorders, including metabolic abnormalities, gastrointestinal and sleep disorders, and seizures. Seizures, when present, interfere with cognitive development and are associated with a higher mortality rate in the ASD population. Methods To determine the relative prevalence of non-febrile seizures in children with idiopathic ASD from multiplex and simplex families compared with the unaffected siblings in a cohort of 610 children with idiopathic ASD and their 160 unaffected siblings, participating in the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange project, the secondary analysis was performed comparing the life-time prevalence of non-febrile seizures. Statistical models to account for non-independence of observations, inherent with the data from multiplex families, were used in assessing potential confounding effects of age, gender, and history of febrile seizures on odds of having non-febrile seizures. Results The life-time prevalence of non-febrile seizures was 8.2% among children with ASD and 2.5% among their unaffected siblings. In a logistic regression analysis that adjusted for familial clustering, children with ASD had 5.27 (95%CI: 1.51–18.35) times higher odds of having non-febrile seizures compared to their unaffected siblings. In this comparison, age, presence of gastrointestinal dysfunction, and history of febrile seizures were significantly associated with the prevalence of non-febrile seizures. Conclusion Children with idiopathic ASD are significantly more likely to have non-febrile seizures than their unaffected siblings, suggesting that non-febrile seizures may be ASD-specific. Further studies are needed to determine modifiable risk factors for non-febrile seizures in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena M McCue
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 660 Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Louise H Flick
- Epidemiology Department, Saint Louis University, College for Public Health and Social Justice, 3545 Lafayette Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Kimberly A Twyman
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1465 S Grand Blvd., St Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Hong Xian
- Department of Biostatistics, Saint Louis University, College for Public Health and Social Justice, 3545 Lafayette Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Thomas E Conturo
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4525 Scott Ave., St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
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87
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Torres EB, Denisova K. Motor noise is rich signal in autism research and pharmacological treatments. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37422. [PMID: 27869148 PMCID: PMC5116649 DOI: 10.1038/srep37422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The human body is in constant motion, from every breath that we take, to every visibly purposeful action that we perform. Remaining completely still on command is a major achievement as involuntary fluctuations in our motions are difficult to keep under control. Here we examine the noise-to-signal ratio of micro-movements present in time-series of head motions extracted from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans in 1048 participants. These included individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and healthy-controls in shared data from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) and the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD-200) databases. We find excess noise and randomness in the ASD cases, suggesting an uncertain motor-feedback signal. A power-law emerged describing an orderly relation between the dispersion and shape of the probability distribution functions best describing the stochastic properties under consideration with respect to intelligence quotient (IQ-scores). In ASD, deleterious patterns of noise are consistently exacerbated with the presence of secondary (comorbid) neuropsychiatric diagnoses, lower verbal and performance intelligence, and autism severity. Importantly, such patterns in ASD are present whether or not the participant takes psychotropic medication. These data unambiguously establish specific noise-to-signal levels of head micro-movements as a biologically informed core feature of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- E B Torres
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Department of Computer Science, Rutgers University, and Rutgers University Center for Cognitive Science, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, USA
| | - K Denisova
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Division of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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88
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Harrison AJ, Lu Z(L, McLean RL, Sheinkopf SJ. Cognitive and adaptive correlates of an ADOS-derived joint attention composite. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2016; 29-30:66-78. [PMID: 28168003 PMCID: PMC5291343 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Joint attention skills have been shown to predict language outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Less is known about the relationship between joint attention (JA) abilities in children with ASD and cognitive and adaptive abilities. In the current study, a subset of items from the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), designed to quantify JA abilities, were used to investigate social attention among an unusually large cross-sectional sample of children with ASD (n = 1061). An examination of the association between JA and a range of functional correlates (cognitive and adaptive) revealed JA was significantly related to verbal (VIQ) and non-verbal (NVIQ) cognitive ability as well as all domains of adaptive functioning (socialization, communication, and daily living skills). Additional analyses examined the degree to which the relation between adaptive abilities (socialization, communication, and daily living skills) and JA was maintained after taking into account the potentially mediating role of verbal and nonverbal cognitive ability. Results revealed that VIQ fully mediated the relation between JA and adaptive functioning, whereas the relation between these adaptive variables and JA was only partially mediated by NVIQ. Moderation analyses were also conducted to examine how verbal and non-verbal cognitive ability and gender impacted the relation between JA and adaptive functioning. In line with research showing a relation between language and JA, this indicates that while JA is significantly related to functional outcomes, this appears to be mediated specifically through a verbal cognitive pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rebecca L. McLean
- New England Pediatric Institute of Neurodevelopment, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket, RI, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University Medical School, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Stephen J. Sheinkopf
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University Medical School, Providence, RI, United States
- Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
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89
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Manning C, Kilner J, Neil L, Karaminis T, Pellicano E. Children on the autism spectrum update their behaviour in response to a volatile environment. Dev Sci 2016; 20. [PMID: 27496590 PMCID: PMC5600083 DOI: 10.1111/desc.12435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Typical adults can track reward probabilities across trials to estimate the volatility of the environment and use this information to modify their learning rate (Behrens et al., 2007). In a stable environment, it is advantageous to take account of outcomes over many trials, whereas in a volatile environment, recent experience should be more strongly weighted than distant experience. Recent predictive coding accounts of autism propose that autistic individuals will demonstrate atypical updating of their behaviour in response to the statistics of the reward environment. To rigorously test this hypothesis, we administered a developmentally appropriate version of Behrens et al.'s (2007) task to 34 cognitively able children on the autism spectrum aged between 6 and 14 years, 32 age- and ability-matched typically developing children and 19 typical adults. Participants were required to choose between a green and a blue pirate chest, each associated with a randomly determined reward value between 0 and 100 points, with a combined total of 100 points. On each trial, the reward was given for one stimulus only. In the stable condition, the ratio of the blue or green response being rewarded was fixed at 75:25. In the volatile condition, the ratio alternated between 80:20 and 20:80 every 20 trials. We estimated the learning rate for each participant by fitting a delta rule model and compared this rate across conditions and groups. All groups increased their learning rate in the volatile condition compared to the stable condition. Unexpectedly, there was no effect of group and no interaction between group and condition. Thus, autistic children used information about the statistics of the reward environment to guide their decisions to a similar extent as typically developing children and adults. These results help constrain predictive coding accounts of autism by demonstrating that autism is not characterized by uniform differences in the weighting of prediction error.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James Kilner
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK
| | - Louise Neil
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL Institute of Education, University College London, UK
| | - Themelis Karaminis
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL Institute of Education, University College London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Pellicano
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL Institute of Education, University College London, UK.,School of Psychology, University of Western Australia, Australia
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90
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Zander E, Willfors C, Berggren S, Choque-Olsson N, Coco C, Elmund A, Moretti ÅH, Holm A, Jifält I, Kosieradzki R, Linder J, Nordin V, Olafsdottir K, Poltrago L, Bölte S. The objectivity of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) in naturalistic clinical settings. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2016; 25:769-80. [PMID: 26584575 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-015-0793-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is a first-choice diagnostic tool in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Excellent interpersonal objectivity (interrater reliability) has been demonstrated for the ADOS under optimal conditions, i.e., within groups of highly trained "research reliable" examiners in research setting. We investigated the spontaneous interrater reliability among clinically trained ADOS users across multiple sites in clinical routine. Forty videotaped administrations of the ADOS modules 1-4 were rated by five different raters each from a pool of in total 15 raters affiliated to 13 different clinical sites. G(q,k) coefficients (analogous to intraclass correlations), kappas (ĸ) and percent agreement (PA) were calculated. The median interrater reliability for items across the four modules was G(q,k) = .74-.83, with the single ADOS items ranging from .23 to .94. G(q,k) for total scores was .85-.92. For diagnostic classification (ASD/non-spectrum), PA was 64-82 % and Fleiss' ĸ .19-.55. Objectivity was lower for pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified and non-spectrum diagnoses as compared to autism. Interrater reliabilities of the ADOS items and domain totals among clinical users across multiple sites were in the same range as previously reported for research reliable users, while the one for diagnostic classification was lower. Differences in sample characteristics, rater skills and statistics compared with previous studies are discussed. Findings endorse the objectivity of the ADOS in naturalistic clinical settings, but also pinpoint its limitations and the need and value of adequate and continuous rater training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Zander
- Pediatric Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Karolinska Institutet, Gävlegatan 22B, 113 30, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry Unit South East, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Charlotte Willfors
- Pediatric Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Karolinska Institutet, Gävlegatan 22B, 113 30, Stockholm, Sweden.,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Steve Berggren
- Pediatric Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Karolinska Institutet, Gävlegatan 22B, 113 30, Stockholm, Sweden.,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nora Choque-Olsson
- Pediatric Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Karolinska Institutet, Gävlegatan 22B, 113 30, Stockholm, Sweden.,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden.,BUP Södertälje, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm County Council, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Christina Coco
- Pediatric Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Karolinska Institutet, Gävlegatan 22B, 113 30, Stockholm, Sweden.,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden.,Neuropediatric Unit, Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Elmund
- PRIMA Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm, Sweden.,Citypsykologhus, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Åsa Hedfors Moretti
- BUP Sollentuna, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm County Council, Sollentuna, Sweden
| | - Anette Holm
- Astrid Lindgrens Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm County Council, Solna, Sweden
| | - Ida Jifält
- Astrid Lindgrens Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm County Council, Huddinge, Sweden.,Pupil Health Unit, Tiohundra, Norrtälje, Sweden
| | - Renata Kosieradzki
- BUP Malmö, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden.,Pupil Health Unit, Resource Team for Learning Disabled, City of Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jenny Linder
- Södra Älvsborg Hospital (SÄS), Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Region Västra Götaland, Borås, Sweden
| | - Viviann Nordin
- Neuropediatric Unit, Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Olafsdottir
- BUP Lund, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lina Poltrago
- PRIMA Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Bölte
- Pediatric Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Karolinska Institutet, Gävlegatan 22B, 113 30, Stockholm, Sweden.,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
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91
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Disentangling the initiation from the response in joint attention: an eye-tracking study in toddlers with autism spectrum disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e808. [PMID: 27187230 PMCID: PMC5070062 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Joint attention (JA), whose deficit is an early risk marker for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), has two dimensions: (1) responding to JA and (2) initiating JA. Eye-tracking technology has largely been used to investigate responding JA, but rarely to study initiating JA especially in young children with ASD. The aim of this study was to describe the differences in the visual patterns of toddlers with ASD and those with typical development (TD) during both responding JA and initiating JA tasks. Eye-tracking technology was used to monitor the gaze of 17 children with ASD and 15 age-matched children with TD during the presentation of short video sequences involving one responding JA and two initiating JA tasks (initiating JA-1 and initiating JA-2). Gaze accuracy, transitions and fixations were analyzed. No differences were found in the responding JA task between children with ASD and those with TD, whereas, in the initiating JA tasks, different patterns of fixation and transitions were shown between the groups. These results suggest that children with ASD and those with TD show different visual patterns when they are expected to initiate joint attention but not when they respond to joint attention. We hypothesized that differences in transitions and fixations are linked to ASD impairments in visual disengagement from face, in global scanning of the scene and in the ability to anticipate object's action.
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92
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Functional Connectivity of the Caudal Anterior Cingulate Cortex Is Decreased in Autism. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151879. [PMID: 26985666 PMCID: PMC4795711 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is frequently reported to have functionally distinct sub-regions that play key roles in different intrinsic networks. However, the contribution of the ACC, which is connected to several cortical areas and the limbic system, to autism is not clearly understood, although it may be involved in dysfunctions across several distinct but related functional domains. By comparing resting-state fMRI data from persons with autism and healthy controls, we sought to identify the abnormalities in the functional connectivity (FC) of ACC sub-regions in autism. The analyses found autism-related reductions in FC between the left caudal ACC and the right rolandic operculum, insula, postcentral gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, and the middle temporal gyrus. The FC (z-scores) between the left caudal ACC and the right insula was negatively correlated with the Stereotyped Behaviors and Restricted Interests scores of the autism group. These findings suggest that the caudal ACC is recruited selectively in the pathomechanism of autism.
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93
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Neil L, Cappagli G, Karaminis T, Jenkins R, Pellicano E. Recognizing the same face in different contexts: Testing within-person face recognition in typical development and in autism. J Exp Child Psychol 2016; 143:139-53. [PMID: 26615971 PMCID: PMC4722798 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2015.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Revised: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Unfamiliar face recognition follows a particularly protracted developmental trajectory and is more likely to be atypical in children with autism than those without autism. There is a paucity of research, however, examining the ability to recognize the same face across multiple naturally varying images. Here, we investigated within-person face recognition in children with and without autism. In Experiment 1, typically developing 6- and 7-year-olds, 8- and 9-year-olds, 10- and 11-year-olds, 12- to 14-year-olds, and adults were given 40 grayscale photographs of two distinct male identities (20 of each face taken at different ages, from different angles, and in different lighting conditions) and were asked to sort them by identity. Children mistook images of the same person as images of different people, subdividing each individual into many perceived identities. Younger children divided images into more perceived identities than adults and also made more misidentification errors (placing two different identities together in the same group) than older children and adults. In Experiment 2, we used the same procedure with 32 cognitively able children with autism. Autistic children reported a similar number of identities and made similar numbers of misidentification errors to a group of typical children of similar age and ability. Fine-grained analysis using matrices revealed marginal group differences in overall performance. We suggest that the immature performance in typical and autistic children could arise from problems extracting the perceptual commonalities from different images of the same person and building stable representations of facial identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Neil
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London WC1H 0NU, UK.
| | - Giulia Cappagli
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London WC1H 0NU, UK; Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Themelis Karaminis
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London WC1H 0NU, UK
| | - Rob Jenkins
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Elizabeth Pellicano
- Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London WC1H 0NU, UK; School of Psychology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
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94
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Scheeren AM, Koot HM, Begeer S. Social Interaction Style of Children and Adolescents with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2016; 42:2046-55. [PMID: 22294525 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-012-1451-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Qualitative differences in social interaction style exist within the autism spectrum. In this study we examined whether these differences are associated with (1) the severity of autistic symptoms and comorbid disruptive behavior problems, (2) the child's psycho-social health, and (3) executive functioning and perspective taking skills. The social interaction style of 156 children and adolescents (6-19 years) with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD) was determined with the Wing Subgroups Questionnaire. An active-but-odd social interaction style was positively associated with symptoms of autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity. Furthermore, an active-but-odd social interaction style was negatively associated with children's psycho-social health and positively with executive functioning problems. Social interaction style explains part of the heterogeneity among children with HFASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke M Scheeren
- Department of Developmental Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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95
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Brief Report: Coherent Motion Processing in Autism: Is Dot Lifetime an Important Parameter? J Autism Dev Disord 2016; 45:2252-8. [PMID: 25604585 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2365-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Contrasting reports of reduced and intact sensitivity to coherent motion in autistic individuals may be attributable to stimulus parameters. Here, we investigated whether dot lifetime contributes to elevated thresholds in children with autism. We presented a standard motion coherence task to 31 children with autism and 31 typical children, with both limited and unlimited lifetime conditions. Overall, children had higher thresholds in the limited lifetime condition than in the unlimited lifetime condition. However, children with autism were affected by this manipulation to the same extent as typical children and were equally sensitive to coherent motion. Our results suggest that dot lifetime is not a critical stimulus parameter and speak against pervasive difficulties in coherent motion perception in children with autism.
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96
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Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) Algorithms for Toddlers and Young Preschoolers: Application in a Non-US Sample of 1,104 Children. J Autism Dev Disord 2016; 45:2076-91. [PMID: 25682078 PMCID: PMC4471312 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2372-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) algorithms for toddlers and young preschoolers (Kim and Lord, J Autism Dev Disord 42(1):82-93, 2012) in a non-US sample from ten sites in nine countries (n = 1,104). The construct validity indicated a good fit of the algorithms. The diagnostic validity was lower, with satisfactorily high specificities but moderate sensitivities. Young children with clinical ASD and lower language ability were largely in the mild-to-moderate or moderate-to-severe concern ranges of the ADI-R, nearly half of the older and phrase speech ASD-group fell into the little-to-no concern range. Although broadly the findings support the toddler algorithms, further work is required to understand why they might have different properties in different samples to further inform research and clinical use.
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97
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Duvekot J, van der Ende J, Verhulst FC, Greaves-Lord K. The Screening Accuracy of the Parent and Teacher-Reported Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS): Comparison with the 3Di and ADOS. J Autism Dev Disord 2015; 45:1658-72. [PMID: 25428292 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-014-2323-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The screening accuracy of the parent and teacher-reported Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) was compared with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) classification according to (1) the Developmental, Dimensional, and Diagnostic Interview (3 Di), (2) the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), (3) both the 3 Di and ADOS, in 186 children referred to six mental health centers. The parent report showed excellent correspondence to an ASD classification according to the 3 Di and both the 3 Di and ADOS. The teacher report added significantly to the screening accuracy over and above the parent report when compared with the ADOS classification. Findings support the screening utility of the parent-reported SRS among clinically referred children and indicate that different informants may provide unique information relevant for ASD assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorieke Duvekot
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Wytemaweg 8, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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98
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Flippin M, Watson LR. Fathers' and Mothers' Verbal Responsiveness and the Language Skills of Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2015; 24:400-410. [PMID: 25836377 DOI: 10.1044/2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In this observational study, we examined the interactions of 16 young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents to investigate (a) differences in verbal responsiveness used by fathers and mothers in interactions with their children with ASD and (b) concurrent associations between the language skills of children with ASD and the verbal responsiveness of both fathers and mothers. METHOD Parent verbal responsiveness was coded from video recordings of naturalistic parent-child play sessions using interval-based coding. Child language skills were measured by the Preschool Language Scale-Fourth Edition (Zimmerman, Steiner, & Pond, 2002). RESULTS For both fathers and mothers, parent verbal responsiveness was positively associated with child language skills. Mothers' responsiveness was also significantly associated with child cognition. After controlling for child cognition, fathers' verbal responsiveness continued to be significantly related to child language skills. CONCLUSIONS Although other studies have documented associations between mothers' responsiveness and child language, this is the 1st study to document a significant concurrent association between child language skills of children with ASD and the verbal responsiveness of fathers. Findings of this study warrant the inclusion of fathers in future research on language development and intervention to better understand the potential contributions fathers may make to language growth for children with ASD over time as well as to determine whether coaching fathers to use responsive verbal strategies can improve language outcomes for children with ASD.
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99
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Flippin M, Watson LR. Fathers' and Mothers' Verbal Responsiveness and the Language Skills of Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2015; 24:400-10. [PMID: 25836377 PMCID: PMC4657522 DOI: 10.1044/2015_ajslp-13-0138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Revised: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In this observational study, we examined the interactions of 16 young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents to investigate (a) differences in verbal responsiveness used by fathers and mothers in interactions with their children with ASD and (b) concurrent associations between the language skills of children with ASD and the verbal responsiveness of both fathers and mothers. METHOD Parent verbal responsiveness was coded from video recordings of naturalistic parent-child play sessions using interval-based coding. Child language skills were measured by the Preschool Language Scale-Fourth Edition (Zimmerman, Steiner, & Pond, 2002). RESULTS For both fathers and mothers, parent verbal responsiveness was positively associated with child language skills. Mothers' responsiveness was also significantly associated with child cognition. After controlling for child cognition, fathers' verbal responsiveness continued to be significantly related to child language skills. CONCLUSIONS Although other studies have documented associations between mothers' responsiveness and child language, this is the 1st study to document a significant concurrent association between child language skills of children with ASD and the verbal responsiveness of fathers. Findings of this study warrant the inclusion of fathers in future research on language development and intervention to better understand the potential contributions fathers may make to language growth for children with ASD over time as well as to determine whether coaching fathers to use responsive verbal strategies can improve language outcomes for children with ASD.
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100
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Abstract
To judge the overall direction of a shoal of fish or a crowd of people, observers must integrate motion signals across space and time. The limits on our ability to pool motion have largely been established using the motion coherence paradigm, in which observers report the direction of coherently moving dots amid randomly moving noise dots. Poor performance by autistic individuals on this task has widely been interpreted as evidence of disrupted integrative processes. Critically, however, motion coherence thresholds are not necessarily limited only by pooling. They could also be limited by imprecision in estimating the direction of individual elements or by difficulties segregating signal from noise. Here, 33 children with autism 6-13 years of age and 33 age- and ability-matched typical children performed a more robust task reporting mean dot direction both in the presence and the absence of directional variability alongside a standard motion coherence task. Children with autism were just as sensitive to directional differences as typical children when all elements moved in the same direction (no variability). However, remarkably, children with autism were more sensitive to the average direction in the presence of directional variability, providing the first evidence of enhanced motion integration in autism. Despite this improved averaging ability, children with autism performed comparably to typical children in the motion coherence task, suggesting that their motion coherence thresholds may be limited by reduced segregation of signal from noise. Although potentially advantageous under some conditions, increased integration may lead to feelings of "sensory overload" in children with autism.
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