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Feng Y, Huang X, Zhao W, Ming Y, Zhou Y, Feng R, Xiao J, Shan X, Kang X, Duan X, Chen H. Association among internalizing problems, white matter integrity, and social difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 135:111109. [PMID: 39074528 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social difficulties and often accompanied by internalizing and externalizing problems, which are frequently overlooked. Here, we examined and compared fractional anisotropy (FA) between 79 children with ASD (aged 4-7.8 years) and 70 age-, gender-, and handedness- matched typically developing controls (TDCs, aged 3-7.2 years). We aimed to explore the relationship among social difficulties, internalizing and externalizing problems, and brain structural foundation (characterized by white matter integrity). Compared with the TDCs, the children with ASD exhibited more severe internalizing and externalizing problems, which were positively correlated with social difficulties. Reduced FA values were observed in specific white matter tracts that integrate a fronto-temporal-occipital circuit. In particular, the FA values within this circuit were negatively correlated with internalizing problems and SRS-TOTAL scores. Mediation analysis revealed that internalizing problems mediated the relationship between the FA values in the left middle longitudinal fasciculus (L-MdLF) and corpus callosum forceps major (CCM) and social difficulties in children with ASD. These findings contribute to our understanding of social difficulties, internalizing and externalizing problems, and white matter integrity in children with ASD and highlight internalizing problems as a mediator between social difficulties and white matter integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Feng
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China; MOE Key Lab for Neuro information, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Xinyue Huang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China; MOE Key Lab for Neuro information, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Weixin Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China; MOE Key Lab for Neuro information, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Yating Ming
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China; MOE Key Lab for Neuro information, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Yuanyue Zhou
- Department of Medical Psychology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, Hainan, PR China
| | - Rui Feng
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China; MOE Key Lab for Neuro information, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Jinming Xiao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China; MOE Key Lab for Neuro information, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Xiaolong Shan
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China; MOE Key Lab for Neuro information, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Xiaodong Kang
- Child Rehabilitation Unit, Affiliated Sichuan Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, Sichuan, Bayi Rehabilitation Center, Chengdu 611135, PR China
| | - Xujun Duan
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China; MOE Key Lab for Neuro information, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China.
| | - Huafu Chen
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China; MOE Key Lab for Neuro information, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China.
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Sepehri Bonab H, Ebrahimi Sani S, Behzadnia B. The Impact of Virtual Reality Intervention on Emotion Regulation and Executive Functions in Autistic Children. Games Health J 2024. [PMID: 39109573 DOI: 10.1089/g4h.2023.0240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Autistic children may encounter difficulties in managing emotions and executive functions (EFs), which can contribute to mental and health challenges. Recognizing physical activities as a potential strategy for enhancing emotion regulation (ER), this study aims to investigate the efficacy of a virtual reality (VR)-based physical exercise program in improving ER and EFs among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Materials and Methods: Forty boys diagnosed with ASD, aged 7 to 10 years, were randomly assigned to two groups: a VR intervention group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). The intervention group participated in a VR program, while the control group solely concentrated on engaging in sedentary and inactive video gaming. EFs were evaluated through the utilization of both the flanker task and the Wisconsin card sorting task, both administered initially at baseline and subsequently after an 8-week interval. In addition, the parents of the children completed the Emotion Regulation Checklist to evaluate their ER skills. Results: According to the results, a significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of EFs and the ability to regulate emotion (P < 0.05). The intervention group demonstrated a notable improvement in ER skills and exhibited superior executive functioning abilities compared with the control group. Conclusion: It appears that VR exercises can serve as a preliminary trial to enhance EFs and ER in children with autism. In addition, they may prove effective as complementary interventions to traditional educational strategies in preventing future challenges associated with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Sepehri Bonab
- Assistant Professor of Motor Behavior, Department of Physical Education, Payame Noor University (PNU), P.O. Box 19395-4697, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Behzad Behzadnia
- Assistant Professor of Motor Behavior, Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Tabriz, Iran
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Stewart SL, Semovski V, Lapshina N. Adolescent Inpatient Mental Health Admissions: An Exploration of Interpersonal Polyvictimization, Family Dysfunction, Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviours. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2024; 55:963-974. [PMID: 36315373 PMCID: PMC11245427 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-022-01450-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The mental health system is impacted by extreme delays in the provision of care, even in the face of suicidal behaviour. The failure to address mental health issues in a timely fashion result in a dependence on acute mental health services. Improvement to the mental health care system is impacted by the paucity of information surrounding client profiles admitted to inpatient settings. Using archival data from 10,865 adolescents 12-18 years of age (Mage = 14.87, SDage = 1.77), this study aimed to examine the characteristics of adolescents admitted to psychiatric inpatient services in Ontario, Canada. Multivariate binary logistic regression revealed that adolescents reporting interpersonal polyvictimization, greater family dysfunction and higher risk of suicide and self-harm had a greater likelihood of an inpatient mental health admission. The interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health assessment can be used for care planning and early intervention to support adolescents and their families before suicide risk is imminent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon L Stewart
- Faculty of Education, The University of Western Ontario, 1137 Western Road, N6G 1G7, London, ON, Canada
| | - Valbona Semovski
- Faculty of Education, The University of Western Ontario, 1137 Western Road, N6G 1G7, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Natalia Lapshina
- Faculty of Education, The University of Western Ontario, 1137 Western Road, N6G 1G7, London, ON, Canada
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All K, Chawarska K, Macari SL. Early executive functioning predicts externalizing problems in neurodiverse preschoolers. Autism Res 2024; 17:1053-1065. [PMID: 38476104 PMCID: PMC11251695 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit externalizing problems, which have been linked with increased anxiety and depression, peer rejection, and parental stress. Identification of early predictors of externalizing behaviors in autism will facilitate identification of vulnerable children and implementation of early preventative interventions. There is ample evidence that executive functioning, social functioning, and temperament are predictive of later externalizing problems in general populations, but less is known about these relations in ASD and other neurodiverse populations, particularly in the early preschool years. To address this gap, we assessed the relations between executive functioning, social functioning, and temperament at age 3 and externalizing problems at age 5 in a sample of neurodiverse children with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders and delays. Analyses revealed that severity of early executive functioning impairment predicted increased externalizing problems. Severity of social autism symptoms moderated this relationship such that the effect of executive functioning on externalizing problems decreased as autism symptoms increased. These findings suggest that executive functioning is an important target for identifying and developing interventions for vulnerable children and underscore the necessity of considering severity of autism symptoms when researching the development of externalizing problems in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine All
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Katarzyna Chawarska
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Suzanne L Macari
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Long EE, Carpenter LA, Klein J, Bradley CC, Ros-Demarize R. Does Parental Mental Health Moderate the Association between Parenting Stress and Child Externalizing Behaviors Among Autistic Children? Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2024:10.1007/s10578-024-01691-5. [PMID: 38514487 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-024-01691-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Parents of autistic children experience significant parenting stress, which is prospectively associated with increases in child externalizing behaviors. However, family factors that place specific families at risk for experiencing the negative impacts of parenting stress on child externalizing behaviors have not been identified. The present study examined whether parental mental health moderates the association between parenting stress and child externalizing behaviors. Parents of 501 autistic children (Mage=5.16yrs) completed the Parenting Stress Index and Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory. Parents reported whether they had ever been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Parenting stress, parental internalizing diagnosis, and parental externalizing diagnosis all independently predicted child externalizing behavior. However, parenting stress did not interact with any category of parental mental health diagnoses to predict child externalizing. Results implicate high levels of parenting stress as a risk factor for increased child behavior problems among autistic children across parental mental health statuses. Interventions aimed at reducing parenting stress may improve parent outcomes and prevent the development of child externalizing behaviors among families of autistic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Long
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Psychology and Developmental Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
| | - Laura A Carpenter
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jordan Klein
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Catherine C Bradley
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Rosmary Ros-Demarize
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Gentles SJ, Ng-Cordell EC, Hunsche MC, McVey AJ, Bednar ED, DeGroote MG, Chen YJ, Duku E, Kerns CM, Banfield L, Szatmari P, Georgiades S. Trajectory research in children with an autism diagnosis: A scoping review. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024; 28:540-564. [PMID: 37194194 PMCID: PMC10913344 DOI: 10.1177/13623613231170280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT The types of outcomes studied in children on the autism spectrum include clinical characteristics, such as social functioning, communication, language, or autism symptoms. Research that measures these outcomes at multiple timepoints is useful to improve our understanding of what to expect as children develop. In trajectory studies, researchers assess outcomes at three or more timepoints. This method has advantages over two-timepoint studies because it allows researchers to describe changes in the speed of development, such as accelerations, plateaus, or slowdowns. We identified and reviewed 103 published trajectory studies in children (to age 18 years) with an autism diagnosis. Importantly, we did not include studies of treatments or their effects, nor did we summarize the results of studies. Instead, this review summarizes the characteristics of the available published research, including the methods used, the many different outcomes that have been studied over time and the ages over which they have been studied. This summary may be of interest to autistic people and caregivers (parents) who want to know about the existence of research that provides answers about what to expect during an autistic child's development. We have recommended that future trajectory research efforts try to make up for the lack of studies from low- and middle-income countries; that more attention is given to the following outcomes that are meaningful to caregivers and autistic people; and to try to fill in the age gaps where more outcome-specific data are needed.
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Bennett T, Drmic I, Gross J, Jambon M, Kimber M, Zaidman-Zait A, Andrews K, Frei J, Duku E, Georgiades S, Gonzalez A, Janus M, Lipman E, Pires P, Prime H, Roncadin C, Salt M, Shine R. The Family-Check-Up® Autism Implementation Research (FAIR) Study: protocol for a study evaluating the effectiveness and implementation of a family-centered intervention within a Canadian autism service setting. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1309154. [PMID: 38292388 PMCID: PMC10826514 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1309154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Prevalence rates of emotional and behavior problems (EBP) in autistic children and youth are high (40-70%), and often cause severe and chronic impairment. Furthermore, autistic children are also more likely to experience family "social-ecological" adversity compared to neurotypically developing peers, including social isolation, child maltreatment, caregiver mental illness, and socioeconomic risk. These family stressors increase the risk of co-occurring EBP among autistic children and can often impede access to evidence-based care, thus amplifying long-term health inequities for autistic children and their caregivers. In the current autism services landscape, there are few scalable, evidence-based programs that adequately address these needs. The Family Check-Up (FCU®) is a brief, strength-based, and tailored family-centered intervention that supports positive parenting and explicitly assesses the social determinants of child and family mental health within an ecological framework. Studies have demonstrated long-term positive child and caregiver outcomes in other populations, but the FCU® has not been evaluated in families of autistic children and youth. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate FCU® implementation within an established, publicly funded Autism Program in Ontario, Canada, with delivery by autism therapists, to demonstrate sustainable effectiveness within real-world settings. Methods In this study, we outline the protocol for a hybrid implementation-effectiveness approach with two key components: (1) A parallel-arm randomized controlled trial of N = 80 autistic children/youth (ages 6-17 years) and high levels of EBP and their caregivers. Primary and secondary outcomes include child EBP, and caregiver well-being and parenting. (2) A mixed methods implementation study, to describe facilitators and barriers to implementation of the FCU® within an autism service setting. Discussion Scalable, ecologically focused family-centered interventions offer promise as key components of a public health framework aimed at reducing mental health inequities among autistic children, youth, and their caregivers. Results of this study will inform further program refinement and scale-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Bennett
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre Hamilton Health Sciences/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Irene Drmic
- Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre Hamilton Health Sciences/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Julie Gross
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Marc Jambon
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Melissa Kimber
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - K. Andrews
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Julia Frei
- Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre Hamilton Health Sciences/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - E. Duku
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Stelios Georgiades
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Andrea Gonzalez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Magdalena Janus
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - E. Lipman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Paulo Pires
- Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre Hamilton Health Sciences/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Heather Prime
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Caroline Roncadin
- Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre Hamilton Health Sciences/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Mackenzie Salt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca Shine
- Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre Hamilton Health Sciences/McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Wright N, Courchesne V, Pickles A, Bedford R, Duku E, Kerns CM, Bennett T, Georgiades S, Hill J, Richard A, Sharp H, Smith IM, Vaillancourt T, Zaidman-Zait A, Zwaigenbaum L, Szatmari P, Elsabbagh M. A longitudinal comparison of emotional, behavioral and attention problems in autistic and typically developing children. Psychol Med 2023; 53:7707-7719. [PMID: 37381780 PMCID: PMC10755241 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723001599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health problems are elevated in autistic individuals but there is limited evidence on the developmental course of problems across childhood. We compare the level and growth of anxious-depressed, behavioral and attention problems in an autistic and typically developing (TD) cohort. METHODS Latent growth curve models were applied to repeated parent-report Child Behavior Checklist data from age 2-10 years in an inception cohort of autistic children (Pathways, N = 397; 84% boys) and a general population TD cohort (Wirral Child Health and Development Study; WCHADS; N = 884, 49% boys). Percentile plots were generated to quantify the differences between autistic and TD children. RESULTS Autistic children showed elevated levels of mental health problems, but this was substantially reduced by accounting for IQ and sex differences between the autistic and TD samples. There was small differences in growth patterns; anxious-depressed problems were particularly elevated at preschool and attention problems at late childhood. Higher family income predicted lower base-level on all three dimensions, but steeper increase of anxious-depressed problems. Higher IQ predicted lower level of attention problems and faster decline over childhood. Female sex predicted higher level of anxious-depressed and faster decline in behavioral problems. Social-affect autism symptom severity predicted elevated level of attention problems. Autistic girls' problems were particularly elevated relative to their same-sex non-autistic peers. CONCLUSIONS Autistic children, and especially girls, show elevated mental health problems compared to TD children and there are some differences in predictors. Assessment of mental health should be integrated into clinical practice for autistic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Wright
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - V. Courchesne
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - A. Pickles
- Department of Biostatistics & Health Informatics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - R. Bedford
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - E. Duku
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - C. M. Kerns
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | | | - J. Hill
- School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - A. Richard
- IWK Health Centre, Autism Research Centre, Halifax, Canada
| | - H. Sharp
- Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - I. M. Smith
- Dalhousie University and IWK Health, Halifax, Canada
| | | | | | | | - P. Szatmari
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - M. Elsabbagh
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Pathways Team
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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9
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Levy RS, Fipp-Rosenfield HL, Lee JP, Grauzer JM, Roberts MY. Understanding Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors in Autistic Toddlers. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2023; 32:2908-2921. [PMID: 37748023 PMCID: PMC10721242 DOI: 10.1044/2023_ajslp-23-00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The majority of autistic toddlers present with clinically significant levels of internalizing or externalizing behaviors. Despite the prevalence of internalizing and externalizing behaviors in caseloads, the overwhelming majority of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have not received specialized instruction in how to support children with these behaviors. The purpose of this study was to identify which child and caregiver characteristics are most associated with internalizing and externalizing behaviors in autistic toddlers in order to consider how SLPs may tailor their treatment to better support the individual needs of autistic children. METHOD Participants included 109 mothers and their autistic children between 18 and 48 months of age. This study was a secondary analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial. Participants' baseline data included a variety of child (i.e., expressive language, receptive language, restricted and repetitive behavior [RRB], and nonverbal cognition) and caregiver (i.e., self-efficacy and responsiveness) characteristics. Seemingly unrelated regressions were conducted to determine which characteristics were associated with internalizing and externalizing behaviors in autistic toddlers. RESULTS Higher RRB scores were associated with both higher internalizing and externalizing behavior scores. A lower nonverbal cognition score was also associated with higher internalizing behavior scores but to a lesser extent than RRB. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that SLPs may support internalizing and externalizing behaviors in autistic children by taking RRBs and nonverbal cognition into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S. Levy
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
| | - Hannah L. Fipp-Rosenfield
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
| | - Jordan P. Lee
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
| | - Jeffrey M. Grauzer
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
| | - Megan Y. Roberts
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
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10
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Tsiplova K, Ungar WJ. Why it is so challenging to perform economic evaluations of interventions in autism and what to do about it. Autism Res 2023; 16:2061-2070. [PMID: 37606004 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Economic evaluation is used to determine the optimal provision of services and programs under budget constraints and to inform public and private payer funding decisions. To maximize value-for-money in the design and delivery of programs and services for persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it's essential to generate high-quality economic evidence to inform budget allocation. There is a paucity however, of economic evaluations of interventions for ASD. This is due in part to challenges in conducting economic evaluations in this population and the lack of guidance on suitable approaches. These challenges are related to the inherent heterogeneity of the autistic population; establishing short- and long-term effectiveness; measurement of costs and the availability of valid instruments for collecting economic data; the appropriateness of outcomes for use in economic evaluation; and achieving statistical power. This commentary addresses a lack of awareness and needed guidance on these issues by discussing the challenges and providing recommendations for how economic evaluations in ASD could be improved to generate high-quality evidence for program funding decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Tsiplova
- Program of Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Wendy J Ungar
- Program of Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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11
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Adams D, Dargue N, Paynter J. Longitudinal studies of challenging behaviours in autistic children and adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev 2023; 104:102320. [PMID: 37515997 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Autistic children and adults are at increased risk of showing behaviours that may be described as challenging, however, little is known about whether or how these behaviours may change over time. Given the profound impact that challenging behaviour can have on both the autistic individual and their support network, it is critical that the trajectory of challenging behaviours be better understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis identified and synthesised observational longitudinal studies of challenging behaviour in autistic individuals. Fifty-six studies were included in the systematic review, and the effect sizes of 37 independent samples arising from 34 of these reports were examined through meta-analysis. Crucially, across the 37 samples, scores on the measures of challenging behaviour reduced by a small, yet significant, extent over time. Although age of the sample at baseline assessment did not moderate the effect, the time between the baseline assessment and final follow-up and age at final follow-up both moderated the magnitude of the effect, with challenging behaviour scores reducing to a larger extent in (a) studies with longer intervals between baseline and final follow-up and (b) studies with older samples at follow-up. The results from the current systematic review and meta-analysis have both theoretical and practical implications for understanding challenging behaviour over time in autistic individuals. Avenues for future research are also highlighted that may allow better understanding, and therefore support of, challenging behaviour in autistic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Adams
- Autism Centre of Excellence, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia; Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia.
| | - Nicole Dargue
- Autism Centre of Excellence, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia; Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia
| | - Jessica Paynter
- Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia; School of Applied Psychology and Hopkins Centre, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
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12
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Jasim S, Perry A. Repetitive and restricted behaviors and interests in autism spectrum disorder: relation to individual characteristics and mental health problems. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:356. [PMID: 37221460 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04766-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although repetitive and restricted behaviors and interests (RRBIs) may interfere with well-being and functioning in autistic individuals, research on their relation to sex, age, cognitive level, and mental health problems remains unclear. Much of the research to date has used broad categorizations rather than specific categorizations of RRBIs to examine the difference in RRBIs between individuals. The purpose of this study was to explore, in different groups of individuals, the presence of specific RRBI subtypes, and to examine the association of specific RRBI subtypes with symptoms of internalizing and externalizing behaviors. METHODS Secondary data analyses were conducted using the Simons Simplex Collection dataset, which included 2,758 participants (aged 4 to 18). Families of autistic children completed the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) and the Child Behavior Checklist. RESULTS Across all RBS-R subtypes, results revealed no sex differences. Older children showed higher rates of Ritualistic/Sameness behaviors than younger children and adolescents, whereas younger and older children showed more Stereotypy than adolescents. Additionally, lower cognitive level groups showed higher rates of RBS-R subtypes except for Ritualistic/Sameness. After controlling for age and cognitive level, RBS-R subtypes accounted for a substantial amount of variance in internalizing and externalizing behaviors (23% and 25%, respectively). Specifically, Ritualistic/Sameness and Self-Injurious Behavior both predicted internalizing and externalizing behaviors, whereas Stereotypy only predicted internalizing behavior. CONCLUSIONS These findings have key clinical implications that emphasize not only the consideration of sex, age, and cognitive level, but also specific RRBIs and co-occurring mental health problems, when assessing for ASD and designing individualized interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Jasim
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Adrienne Perry
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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13
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Inconsistencies between Subjective Reports of Cognitive Difficulties and Performance on Cognitive Tests are Associated with Elevated Internalising and Externalising Symptoms in Children with Learning-related Problems. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2022; 50:1557-1572. [PMID: 35838930 PMCID: PMC9653343 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-022-00930-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Children with learning difficulties are commonly assumed to have underlying cognitive deficits by health and educational professionals. However, not all children referred for psycho-educational assessment will be found to have deficits when their abilities are measured by performance on cognitive tasks. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of this inconsistent cognitive profile (ICP) in a transdiagnostic sample of children referred by health and education service providers for problems related to attention, learning and memory (N = 715). A second aim was to explore whether elevated mental health problems were associated with ICPs. Findings suggest that approximately half of this sample could be characterised as having an ICP. Cognitive difficulties, whether identified by parent ratings or task performance, were associated with elevated internalising and externalising difficulties. Crucially, a larger discrepancy between a parent's actual ratings of a child's cognitive difficulties and the ratings that would be predicted based on the child's performance on cognitive tasks was associated greater internalising and externalising difficulties for measures of working memory, and greater externalising difficulties for measures of attention. These findings suggest that subjective cognitive difficulties occurring in the absence of any task-based performance deficits may be a functional problem arising from mental health problems.
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14
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Sacrey LAR, Zwaigenbaum L, Bryson SE, Brian JA, Smith IM, Garon N, Vaillancourt T, Roncadin C. Temperament in Infancy Predicts Internalizing and Externalizing Problem Behavior at Age 5 in Children With an Increased Likelihood of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychol 2022; 13:816041. [PMID: 35519644 PMCID: PMC9062223 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.816041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Differences in temperament have been linked to later mental health. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have an increased likelihood of experiencing such problems, including anxiety, depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder; yet, relations between early temperament and later mental health are not well understood. In this paper, we assess the relationship between temperament in infancy and internalizing and externalizing behavior at age 5, in 178 children at an increased likelihood of being diagnosed with ASD (i.e., younger siblings of children with ASD). Temperament was assessed using the parent-reported Infant Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ) at 6 and 12 months of age and the Toddler Behavior Assessment Questionnaire-Revised (TBAQ-R) at 24 months of age. Mental health problems were assessed using the parent-reported Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) at age 5. The data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regressions, with individual temperament subscale scores as single predictor variables (Subscale Score) or temperament profiles using confirmatory factor analyses (Person-Centered Profile) in the first block, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule total severity scores at age 3 in the second block, and expressive and receptive language scores (from Mullen Scales of Early Learning) at age 3 in the third block for each model. Three main findings were: (1) 4 of 6 IBQ subscales at both 6 and 12 months significantly predicted internalizing and externalizing problems at age 5; (2) 9 and 8 of 13 TBAQ-R subscales at 24 months significantly predicted internalizing and externalizing problems, respectively, at age 5; and (3) a "sticky attention" temperament profile significantly predicted internalizing problems, whereas a "low-focused" profile significantly predicted externalizing problems, both at age 5. The results of this study support the supposition that temperament is a trans-diagnostic risk factor for later mental health conditions. Exploring temperament profiles and trajectories may illuminate early avenues for prevention in siblings of children with ASD who are at an increased likelihood of experiencing mental health problems, regardless of ASD diagnostic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori-Ann R. Sacrey
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Autism Research Centre, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Autism Research Centre, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Susan E. Bryson
- Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Jessica A. Brian
- Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Isabel M. Smith
- Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Nancy Garon
- Department of Psychology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, Canada
| | | | - Caroline Roncadin
- McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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15
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Calderoni S. Sex/gender differences in children with autism spectrum disorder: A brief overview on epidemiology, symptom profile, and neuroanatomy. J Neurosci Res 2022; 101:739-750. [PMID: 35043482 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions whose shared core features are impairments in social interaction and communication as well as restricted patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. The significant and consistent male preponderance in ASD prevalence has historically affected the scientific knowledge of autism in females as regards, inter alia, the clinical presentation, the genetic architecture, and the structural brain underpinnings. Indeed, females with ASD are under-investigated as samples recruited for clinical research typically reflect the strong male bias of the disorder. In the last years, the study of the various aspects of sex/gender (s/g) differences in ASD is gaining increased clinical and research interest resulting in a growing number of investigations on this topic. Here, I review and discuss evidence emerged from epidemiological, clinical, and neuroimaging studies in the last decade focusing on s/g differences in children with ASD. These studies are the prerequisites for the development of assessment and treatment practices which take into consideration s/g differences in ASD. Ultimately, a better understanding of s/g differences aims at improving healthcare for both ASD males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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16
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Patterson JW, Armstrong V, Duku E, Richard A, Franchini M, Brian J, Zwaigenbaum L, Bryson SE, Sacrey LAR, Roncadin C, Smith IM. Early trajectories of motor skills in infant siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2021; 15:481-492. [PMID: 34826349 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Delays in motor development are not considered a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Yet, recent studies of infant siblings of children with ASD suggest that early delays in motor skills may be associated with later delays in developmental areas considered to be core features of an ASD diagnosis. While these studies demonstrate the longitudinal association between core features and motor delays observed at single time points, there is considerable interest in studying the trajectories of motor development over the first 3 years of life. To accomplish this, we investigated early trajectories of motor development in a cohort of 499 infant siblings of children with ASD and 176 children with no family history of ASD. Data for the current study were drawn from the prospective, multi-site, Canadian Infant Sibling Study. We evaluated trajectories of fine and gross motor development over the first 3 years using group-based trajectory modeling. Our results show that membership for both fine and gross motor trajectory groups was related to expressive language skills, receptive language skills, ASD symptom severity scores, and diagnostic classification at age 3. These results provide evidence that the trajectory of a child's early motor development may have important prognostic implications in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eric Duku
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Annie Richard
- Autism Research Centre, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Canada
| | | | - Jessica Brian
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Autism Research Center, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Susan E Bryson
- Department of Pediatrics, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Lori-Ann R Sacrey
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Autism Research Center, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Caroline Roncadin
- McMaster Children's Hospital Autism Program, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Isabel M Smith
- Autism Research Centre, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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17
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Holmes J, Mareva S, Bennett MP, Black MJ, Guy J. Higher-order dimensions of psychopathology in a neurodevelopmental transdiagnostic sample. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 130:909-922. [PMID: 34843293 PMCID: PMC8628482 DOI: 10.1037/abn0000710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Hierarchical dimensional models of psychopathology derived for adult and child community populations offer more informative and efficient methods for assessing and treating symptoms of mental ill health than traditional diagnostic approaches. It is not yet clear how many dimensions should be included in models for youth with neurodevelopmental conditions. The aim of this study was to delineate the hierarchical dimensional structure of psychopathology in a transdiagnostic sample of children and adolescents with learning-related problems, and to test the concurrent predictive value of the model for clinically, socially, and educationally relevant outcomes. A sample of N = 403 participants from the Centre for Attention Learning and Memory (CALM) cohort were included. Hierarchical factor analysis delineated dimensions of psychopathology from ratings on the Conner's Parent Rating Short Form, the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. A hierarchical structure with a general p factor at the apex, broad internalizing and broad externalizing spectra below, and three more specific factors (specific internalizing, social maladjustment, and neurodevelopmental) emerged. The p factor predicted all concurrently measured social, clinical, and educational outcomes, but the other dimensions provided incremental predictive value. The neurodevelopmental dimension, which captured symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and executive function and emerged from the higher-order externalizing factor, was the strongest predictor of learning. This suggests that in struggling learners, cognitive and affective behaviors may interact to influence learning outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joni Holmes
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge
| | - Silvana Mareva
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge
| | - Marc P Bennett
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge
| | - Melissa J Black
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge
| | - Jacalyn Guy
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge
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18
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Ding N, Gao H, Jiang J, Zhai M, Shao H, Fu L, Li C, Ren Y, Li Y, Feng M, Cui X, Qiu N, Jin P, Ke X. The characteristics and factors of the internalizing and externalizing behaviours of children at high risk for autism spectrum disorder. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:523. [PMID: 34686160 PMCID: PMC8532264 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03479-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The behavioral characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not only affected by their disease, but also by their parenting environment. HR-ASD has the risk of developing internalization and externalization problems. How the early development of these behavioral problems is affected by parent-child interaction is worth exploring. We tested whether parent-child interactions and parenting characteristics were associated with behavioural problems during the infant periods. METHODS This study collected data from 91 infants at high risk for ASD and 68 matched typically developing (TD) infants, about their internalizing and externalizing behavioural problems and engagement states (i.e. positive, negative, and parent-child interactions), using free play paradigm. Parent measures were assessed using the Broad Autism Phenotypic Questionnaire (BAPQ) and Parenting Stress Index Short Form (PSI-SF) questionnaire. The core symptoms of ASD were assessed using the the Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule (ADOS). RESULTS During free play, infants in the HR-ASD group showed more internalizing (P < 0.001) and externalizing (P < 0.05) behaviours and less positive engagement (P < 0.01) than the TD group. In the regression analysis, we found that parenting stress had an impact on the infants' externalizing behaviours (△R2 = 0.215). Parent negative engagement had an impact on the infants' internalizing behaviours (△R2 = 0.451). CONCLUSIONS The present study revealed that children at high risk for ASD exhibited more severe internalizing and externalizing behavioural problems than TD group. The parent negative engagement is associated with behavioural problems. The findings on the contribution of parents' factors to behavioural problems suggests that the parenting stress and parent-child interactions are important factors for mitigating behavioural problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ding
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Huiyun Gao
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Jiying Jiang
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Mengyao Zhai
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Huan Shao
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Linyan Fu
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Chunyan Li
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yanling Ren
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yu Li
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Min Feng
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Xiwen Cui
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Nana Qiu
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Peiying Jin
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Xiaoyan Ke
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing, 210029, China.
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19
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Stewart SL, Lapshina N, Semovski V. Interpersonal polyvictimization: Addressing the care planning needs of traumatized children and youth. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 114:104956. [PMID: 33582403 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.104956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to maltreatment has a detrimental impact on both physical and mental health. However, research on the relationship between polyvictimization and care planning needs is scarce. OBJECTIVES This study investigated the associations between interpersonal polyvictimization and care planning needs for children and youth, controlling for sex and age differences. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS The sample included 18,701 children and youth (Mage = 12.33, SDage = 3.53) between 4 and 18 years. Participants were recruited from over 58 mental health agencies, facilities, and schools in Ontario, Canada between November 2012 and February 2020. METHODS Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to investigate polyvictimization, sex and age groups, as predictors on care planning outcomes. Significant interaction effects were further examined using simple effects analyses. RESULTS Children and youth experiencing polyvictimization, compared to those who did not, were more likely to report attachment difficulties, lack of informal support, interpersonal conflict, substance use and harm to self or others. In addition, the relationship between polyvictimization and attachment and interpersonal conflict care planning was moderated by sex. CONCLUSIONS Findings emphasize the importance of focusing on interpersonal polyvictimization and sex differences when developing treatment plans for a variety of care planning needs. Mental health practitioners could utilize the study findings to guide their clinical practices and ensure effective services are provided to those seeking mental health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon L Stewart
- The University of Western Ontario, 1137 Western Road, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natalia Lapshina
- The University of Western Ontario, 1137 Western Road, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Valbona Semovski
- The University of Western Ontario, 1137 Western Road, London, Ontario, Canada.
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20
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Baribeau DA, Vigod S, Pullenayegum E, Kerns CM, Mirenda P, Smith IM, Vaillancourt T, Volden J, Waddell C, Zwaigenbaum L, Bennett T, Duku E, Elsabbagh M, Georgiades S, Ungar WJ, Zaidman Zait A, Szatmari P. Co-occurring trajectories of anxiety and insistence on sameness behaviour in autism spectrum disorder. Br J Psychiatry 2021; 218:20-27. [PMID: 32641181 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2020.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have increased susceptibility to anxiety disorders. Variation in a common ASD symptom, insistence on sameness behaviour, may predict future anxiety symptoms. AIMS To describe the joint heterogeneous longitudinal trajectories of insistence on sameness and anxiety in children with ASD and to characterise subgroups at higher risk for anxiety. METHOD In a longitudinal ASD cohort (n = 421), insistence on sameness behaviour was measured using the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised at approximately ages 3, 6 and 11 years. Anxiety was quantified at 8 time points between ages 3 and 11 years using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) (parent report). Clusters of participants following similar trajectories were identified using group-based and joint trajectory modelling. RESULTS Three insistence on sameness trajectories were identified: (a) 'low-stable' (41.7% of participants), (b) 'moderate-increasing' (52.0%) and (c) 'high-peaking' (i.e. increasing then stabilising/decreasing behaviour) (6.3%). Four anxiety trajectories were identified: (a) 'low-increasing' (51.0%), (b) 'moderate-decreasing' (16.2%), (c) 'moderate-increasing' (19.6%) and (d) 'high-stable' (13.1%). Of those assigned to the 'high-peaking' insistence on sameness trajectory, 95% jointly followed an anxiety trajectory that surpassed the threshold for clinical concern (T-score >65) by middle childhood (anxiety trajectories 3 or 4). Insistence on sameness and anxiety trajectories were similar in severity and direction for 64% of the sample; for 36%, incongruous patterns were seen (e.g. decreasing anxiety and increasing insistence on sameness). CONCLUSIONS The concurrent assessment of insistence on sameness behaviour and anxiety in ASD may help in understanding current symptom profiles and anticipating future trajectories. High preschool insistence on sameness in particular may be associated with elevated current or future anxiety symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simone Vigod
- Department of Psychiatry, Women's College Hospital; and Women's College Research Institute; and Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Eleanor Pullenayegum
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute; and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Connor M Kerns
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Pat Mirenda
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and Special Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Isabel M Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University; and Autism Research Centre, Dalhousie University and IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Canada
| | | | - Joanne Volden
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Charlotte Waddell
- Children's Health Policy Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta; and Autism Research Centre, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Teresa Bennett
- Offord Centre for Child Studies; and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Eric Duku
- Offord Centre for Child Studies; and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Mayada Elsabbagh
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Stelios Georgiades
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University; and Offord Centre for Child Studies, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Wendy J Ungar
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute; and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Anat Zaidman Zait
- Department of School Counseling and Special Education, Constantiner School of Education, Tel Aviv University, Israel; and School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Peter Szatmari
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; and The Hospital for Sick Children; and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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21
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Shulman C, Rice CE, Morrier MJ, Esler A. The Role of Diagnostic Instruments in Dual and Differential Diagnosis in Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan. Psychiatr Clin North Am 2020; 43:605-628. [PMID: 33126998 DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The heterogeneity inherent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) makes the identification and diagnosis of ASD complex. We survey a large number of diagnostic tools, including screeners and tools designed for in-depth assessment. We also discuss the challenges presented by overlapping symptomatology between ASD and other disorders and the need to determine whether a diagnosis of ASD or another diagnosis best explains the individual's symptoms. We conclude with a call to action for the next steps necessary for meeting the diagnostic challenges presented here to improve the diagnostic process and to help understand each individual's particular ASD profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory Shulman
- The Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, 91905, Israel.
| | - Catherine E Rice
- Emory Autism Center, 1551 Shoup Court, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Michael J Morrier
- Emory Autism Center, 1551 Shoup Court, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Amy Esler
- Division of Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota 2540 Riverside Ave S., RPB 550, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
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22
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Katsuki D, Yamashita H, Yamane K, Kanba S, Yoshida K. Clinical Subtypes in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder According to Their Child Behavior Checklist Profile. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2020; 51:969-977. [PMID: 32166459 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-020-00977-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This study sought to identify subgroups of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) defined by specific patterns of emotional and behavioral symptoms according to the parent-rated Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Our clinical sample comprised 314 children (aged 4 to 15 years) diagnosed with ADHD according to the DSM-5. In addition, comorbid psychiatric disorders, general functioning, and medication status were assessed. Cluster analysis was performed on the CBCL syndrome subscales and yielded a solution with four distinct subgroups. The "High internalizing/externalizing" group displayed an overlap between internalizing and externalizing problems in the CBCL profile. In addition, the "High internalizing/externalizing" group revealed a high rate of comorbid autism spectrum disorder and elevated autistic traits. The "Inattention and internalizing" group revealed a high rate of the predominantly inattentive presentation according to ADHD specifier from the DSM-5. The "Aggression and externalizing" group revealed a high rate of comorbid oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder. The "Less psychopathology" group scored low on all syndrome scales. Children with ADHD were subdivided into four distinct subgroups characterized by psychopathological patterns, with and without internalizing and externalizing problems. The overlap between internalizing and externalizing problems may be mediated with emotional dysregulation and associated neurobiological bases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Katsuki
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. .,Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka, 8128582, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Yamashita
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kenichi Yamane
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shigenobu Kanba
- Japan Depression Center, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka, 8128582, Japan
| | - Keiko Yoshida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka, 8128582, Japan.,Iris Psychiatric Clinic, Fukuoka, Japan
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23
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Mallise CA, Lane AE, Woolard AJ, Whalen OM, Murphy VE, Karayanidis F, Campbell LE. The temperament features associated with autism spectrum disorder in childhood: A systematic review. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2020; 104:103711. [PMID: 32599501 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Temperament is an important construct that shapes child development. Temperament is suggested to present differently in different groups, such as children with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, it is not known whether there are specific temperament features associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). AIM This systematic review aimed to synthesise extant literature to determine whether there are temperament features associated with ASD in infancy, toddlerhood and childhood. METHODS AND PROCEDURES Following the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews, we searched PsycINFO, CINAHL, Academic Search Ultimate and ProQuest for all available articles from database conception until January 2020. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal checklists were used to assess the methodological quality of included articles. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS Twenty-six articles met the selection criteria: (1) reported on the temperament of children (0-12 years of age) diagnosed with ASD, (2) peer-reviewed; and (3) published in English. Articles varied in overall methodological quality. Infants later diagnosed with ASD were found to more frequently be described as having 'easy' temperament features in early infancy, compared to typically developing infants and infants with developmental concerns but not ASD. Once diagnosed, children with ASD were reported to, as a group, display more negative affect, less extraversion and less effortful control than typically developing children. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The literature suggests that more challenging temperament features are associated with ASD in childhood, but less is known about within group variability. Overall, this review highlights the need for further investigation into the variability of temperament in children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly A Mallise
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia; Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, University of Newcastle, Australia
| | - Alison E Lane
- Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, University of Newcastle, Australia; School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Alix J Woolard
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia; Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, University of Newcastle, Australia
| | - Olivia M Whalen
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia; Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, University of Newcastle, Australia
| | - Vanessa E Murphy
- Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, University of Newcastle, Australia; VIVA (Viruses, Infections/Immunity, Vaccines and Asthma) Research Group, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Frini Karayanidis
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Australia
| | - Linda E Campbell
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia; Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, University of Newcastle, Australia.
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24
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The Role of Diagnostic Instruments in Dual and Differential Diagnosis in Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2020; 29:275-299. [PMID: 32169263 DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The heterogeneity inherent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) makes the identification and diagnosis of ASD complex. We survey a large number of diagnostic tools, including screeners and tools designed for in-depth assessment. We also discuss the challenges presented by overlapping symptomatology between ASD and other disorders and the need to determine whether a diagnosis of ASD or another diagnosis best explains the individual's symptoms. We conclude with a call to action for the next steps necessary for meeting the diagnostic challenges presented here to improve the diagnostic process and to help understand each individual's particular ASD profile.
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25
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Vaidya CJ, You X, Mostofsky S, Pereira F, Berl MM, Kenworthy L. Data-driven identification of subtypes of executive function across typical development, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorders. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2020; 61:51-61. [PMID: 31509248 PMCID: PMC6906253 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impairment of executive function (EF), the goal-directed regulation of thoughts, actions, and emotions, drives negative outcomes and is common across neurodevelopmental disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A primary challenge to its amelioration is heterogeneity in symptom expression within and across disorders. Parsing this heterogeneity is necessary to attain diagnostic precision, a goal of the NIMH Research Domain Criteria Initiative. We aimed to identify transdiagnostic subtypes of EF that span the normal to impaired spectrum and establish their predictive and neurobiological validity. METHODS Community detection was applied to clinical parent-report measures in 8-14-year-old children with and without ADHD and ASD from two independent cohorts (discovery N = 320; replication N = 692) to identify subgroups with distinct behavioral profiles. Support vector machine (SVM) classification was used to predict subgroup membership of unseen cases. Preliminary neurobiological validation was obtained with existing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data on a subsample (N = 84) by testing hypotheses about sensitivity of EF subgroups versus DSM categories. RESULTS We observed three transdiagnostic EF subtypes characterized by behavioral profiles that were defined by relative weakness in: (a) flexibility and emotion regulation; (b) inhibition; and (c) working memory, organization, and planning. The same tripartite structure was also present in the typically developing children. SVM trained on the discovery sample and tested on the replication sample classified subgroup membership with 77.0% accuracy. Split-half SVM classification on the combined sample (N = 1,012) yielded 88.9% accuracy (this SVM is available for public use). As hypothesized, frontal-parietal engagement was better distinguished by EF subtype than DSM diagnosis and the subgroup characterized with inflexibility failed to modulate right IPL activation in response to increased executive demands. CONCLUSIONS The observed transdiagnostic subtypes refine current diagnostic nosology and augment clinical decision-making for personalizing treatment of executive dysfunction in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandan J. Vaidya
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington DC 20057,Children’s Research Institute, Children’s National Health System, Washington DC 20010
| | - Xiaozhen You
- Children’s Research Institute, Children’s National Health System, Washington DC 20010
| | - Stewart Mostofsky
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Francisco Pereira
- Machine Learning Team, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Madison M. Berl
- Children’s Research Institute, Children’s National Health System, Washington DC 20010
| | - Lauren Kenworthy
- Children’s Research Institute, Children’s National Health System, Washington DC 20010
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26
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Briot K, Jean F, Jouni A, Geoffray MM, Ly-Le Moal M, Umbricht D, Chatham C, Murtagh L, Delorme R, Bouvard M, Leboyer M, Amestoy A. Social Anxiety in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders Contribute to Impairments in Social Communication and Social Motivation. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:710. [PMID: 32793002 PMCID: PMC7393242 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recognition of symptoms of Social anxiety (SA) may be difficult among individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) because of overlap between social anxiety and autistic symptomatology. The main aim of our study was thus to explore the association between symptoms of social anxiety and clinical characteristics of ASD in order to identify individuals experiencing concomitant ASD and social anxiety disorder. We also described the prevalence of SA in a sample of children and adolescents with ASD. METHOD 79 children and adolescents with ASD (with and without intellectual disability) and 28-matched control participants were recruited in two French Expert Centers for ASD, coordinated by the Fundation FondaMental. Psychiatric comorbidities, anxiety disorders and depression were screened with standard tools (Liebowitz social anxiety scale, Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scale) and correlated to autistic features and social skills assessed with the social responsiveness scale 2 (SRS-2) and the repetitive behavior scale (RBS-R). We performed bivariate analysis between the social anxiety level and the scores measured with different clinical scales. We then adjusted the observed relationships with the alterations of SRS-2 and RBS-R scores. RESULTS After adjustment, the level of social anxiety appeared as significantly associated with alterations in social reciprocity and particularly with the SRS-2 "social communication" and "social motivation" sub-scores, but not with RBS-R score. CONCLUSIONS We confirm previous reports showing that individuals with ASD are at high risk for specific anxiety disorders. In particular, high levels of impairments in social motivation and social communication (SRS-2) are indicative of comorbid disorders namely, social anxiety and ASD. Our findings clearly inform diagnostic assessment in ASD and stress the need to take comorbid anxiety disorders into consideration to improve treatment of ASD. To further clarify the impact of social anxiety on social competences and socio-adaptive handicap, longitudinal studies and cluster analysis will be needed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellen Briot
- University of Bordeaux, Medical Sciences Department, Bordeaux, France.,Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Bordeaux, France
| | - François Jean
- Centre Hospitalier Dr Jean Eric Techer, Pôle de Psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, Calais, France
| | - Ali Jouni
- Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Bordeaux, France
| | - Marie-Maude Geoffray
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre Hospitalier le Vinatier, Bron, France
| | - Myriam Ly-Le Moal
- Institut Roche, Tour Horizons- Bureau 18M3, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Daniel Umbricht
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christopher Chatham
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lorraine Murtagh
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Richard Delorme
- Fondation FondaMental, Créteil, France.,Institut Pasteur, Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions Unit, Paris, France.,Université Paris Est Créteil, AP-HP, DMU IMPACT, Psychiatry and Addictology Department, Mondor University Hospital, Créteil, France
| | - Manuel Bouvard
- University of Bordeaux, Medical Sciences Department, Bordeaux, France.,Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Bordeaux, France.,Fondation FondaMental, Créteil, France.,Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, INCIA UMR 5287, Bordeaux, France
| | - Marion Leboyer
- Fondation FondaMental, Créteil, France.,Université Paris Est Créteil, AP-HP, DMU IMPACT, Psychiatry and Addictology Department, Mondor University Hospital, Créteil, France.,INSERM, U955, IMRB, Laboratoire de NeuroPsychiatrie translationnelle, Créteil, France
| | - Anouck Amestoy
- University of Bordeaux, Medical Sciences Department, Bordeaux, France.,Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Bordeaux, France.,Fondation FondaMental, Créteil, France.,Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, INCIA UMR 5287, Bordeaux, France
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27
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Li B, Bos MGN, Stockmann L, Rieffe C. Emotional functioning and the development of internalizing and externalizing problems in young boys with and without autism spectrum disorder. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2020; 24:200-210. [PMID: 31549858 PMCID: PMC6927076 DOI: 10.1177/1362361319874644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder are at risk of developing internalizing and externalizing problems. However, information on early development of behavior problems and the contributing role of emotional functioning in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder is scarce. This study collected data of boys with and without autism spectrum disorder (N = 156; age: 2-6 years) over three consecutive years (three waves), about their internalizing and externalizing symptoms and emotional functioning (i.e. emotion control, recognition, and vocabulary), using parent-report questionnaires. No age effect was found on internalizing or externalizing problems for boys with and without autism spectrum disorder. Boys with autism spectrum disorder displayed more behavior problems than their typically developing peers and showed lower levels of emotional functioning. Better emotion control and improved emotion recognition were associated with a decrease in problem behaviors for boys with and without autism spectrum disorder, whereas improved emotion vocabulary was uniquely related to a decrease in externalizing problems in boys with autism spectrum disorder. Our findings suggest that boys with and without autism spectrum disorder showed similar developmental courses of internalizing and externalizing problems. However, lower levels of emotional functioning were already more pronounced in boys with autism spectrum disorder at a young age. This contributes to higher levels of behavior problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boya Li
- Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke GN Bos
- Leiden University, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, The Netherlands
| | | | - Carolien Rieffe
- Leiden University, The Netherlands
- Foundation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child, The Netherlands
- University College London, UK
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28
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Gaining Insights into Aggressive Behaviour in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Latent Profile Analysis. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:4209-4218. [PMID: 31292900 PMCID: PMC6751274 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04129-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Aggressive behaviour is a significant issue for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet our understanding is limited compared to aggression in typically developing populations. This study examined behavioural, adaptive and cognitive data provided by the Simons Simplex Collection (N = 2184) to identify behavioural subgroups in children and adolescents with ASD using latent profile analysis. Results showed five subgroups that differed with regards to behavioural severity, IQ and adaptive behaviour. In two profiles with higher aggression, individuals had greater comorbid anxiety symptoms and attentional deficits and also differed in adaptive behaviour and IQ. These results identify potentially important avenues for research in aggressive behaviour in ASD.
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29
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Teague SJ, Newman LK, Tonge BJ, Gray KM. Attachment and child behaviour and emotional problems in autism spectrum disorder with intellectual disability. JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2019; 33:475-487. [PMID: 31746131 DOI: 10.1111/jar.12689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Behaviour and emotional problems are highly prevalent in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In typically developing children, attachment quality acts as a risk/protective factor for behavioural outcomes and adjustment, warranting investigation in children with ASD. METHOD We investigated the relationship between attachment and child behaviour and emotional problems in children with ASD and comorbid intellectual disability. Data were collected from parent-child dyads where children were diagnosed with ASD and ID (n = 28) or other developmental disabilities (n = 20). RESULTS Children with ASD had higher levels of behaviour and emotional problems and more attachment difficulties than children with other developmental disabilities. Poorer attachment quality contributed uniquely to the variance in child behaviour and emotional problems. CONCLUSIONS Interventions targeting behaviour and emotional problems in children with ASD may benefit from an attachment model which addresses the child's difficulty in using caregivers as a coregulatory agent of emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J Teague
- Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Louise K Newman
- Centre for Women's Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Bruce J Tonge
- Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Kylie M Gray
- Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
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30
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Linking social motivation with social skill: The role of emotion dysregulation in autism spectrum disorder. Dev Psychopathol 2019; 31:931-943. [PMID: 30957732 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579419000361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with pervasive social deficits as well as marked emotion dysregulation across the life span. Decreased social motivation accounts in part for social difficulties, but factors moderating its influence are not fully understood. In this paper, we (a) characterize social and emotional functioning among children and adolescents with ASD, (b) explore contributions of social motivation and emotion dysregulation to social skill, and (c) consider biological sex and intellectual functioning as moderators of these associations. In a sample of 2,079 children and adolescents with ASD from the Simons Simplex Collection, we document direct effects of social motivation, internalizing symptoms, aggression, attention problems, irritability, and self-injurious behavior on children's social skills. Furthermore, dysregulation in several domains moderated the association between social motivation and social skill, suggesting a blunting effect on social motivation in the context of emotional difficulties. Moreover, when considering only individuals with intellectual skills in the average range or higher, biological sex further moderated these associations. Findings add to our understanding of social-emotional processes in ASD, suggest emotion dysregulation as a target of intervention in the service of social skill improvements, and build on efforts to understand sources of individual difference that contribute to heterogeneity among individuals with ASD.
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31
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Montazeri F, de Bildt A, Dekker V, Anderson GM. Network Analysis of Behaviors in the Depression and Autism Realms: Inter-Relationships and Clinical Implications. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 50:1580-1595. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-03914-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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32
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Costa AP, Steffgen G, Vögele C. The role of alexithymia in parent-child interaction and in the emotional ability of children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2019; 12:458-468. [PMID: 30624024 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have more emotional difficulties than typically developing (TD) children. Of all the factors that impact children's emotional development, parents, and the way they interact with their children, are of crucial importance. The present study compared the amount of parent-child interactions among 35 dyads of parents and their children with ASD and 41 dyads of parents and their TD children, aged between 3 and 13 years, during a frustration-eliciting situation. We further examined whether children's alexithymia is linked to parent-child interactions and whether parent-child interactions are linked to children's emotional difficulties. We found that parents of children with ASD interacted significantly less with their children than parents of TD children. This reduced interaction was better explained by children's alexithymia than by children's ASD diagnosis. Finally, parent-child interaction mediated the relationship between children's ASD diagnosis and children's emotion regulation ability, as well as some aspects of children's emotional reactivity but only if not accounting for children's alexithymia levels. Our results demonstrate the determinant role children's alexithymia plays on parent-child interactions and on how these interactions are linked to children's difficulties in emotion regulation and emotional reactivity. Results are discussed in light of how parent-child interactions and the emotional ability of children with ASD can be improved by targeting children's alexithymia. Autism Res 2019, 12: 458-468 © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: In the present research, we found that parents of children with autism interact less with their children compared to parents of typically developing children. We also found that this decreased interaction is linked to children's difficulties to recognize, describe, and distinguish emotions, a triad of difficulties known as alexithymia. Furthermore, parents' interaction with their children explains emotional reactivity and emotion regulation problems in children with autism. However, if we take into consideration children's alexithymia, then parents' interaction with their children is not related to their children's emotional difficulties in reactivity and regulation. Therefore, to improve the interaction between parents and their children with autism, and the emotional development of these children, we recommend interventions that teach children with autism how to recognize, describe, and distinguish emotions in themselves and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia P Costa
- Institute for Health and Behaviour, INSIDE, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Georges Steffgen
- Institute for Health and Behaviour, INSIDE, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Claus Vögele
- Institute for Health and Behaviour, INSIDE, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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33
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Muratori F, Turi M, Prosperi M, Narzisi A, Valeri G, Guerrera S, Santocchi E, Apicella F, Lattarulo C, Calderoni S, Vicari S. Parental Perspectives on Psychiatric Comorbidity in Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorders Receiving Publicly Funded Mental Health Services. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:107. [PMID: 30914976 PMCID: PMC6422880 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
An increased prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity (PC) in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is consistently reported. While several studies have examined PC in school-aged children, adolescents and adults with ASD, investigations on PC in preschoolers are less common. In this study, we explore the prevalence and the type of PC in a sample of 989 preschoolers with ASD through the DSM-Oriented Scales (DOS) of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL 1½-5) and their possible links with the core features of ASD and cognitive functioning. Results indicated that 37.8% of the sample had at least one PC in addition to ASD; these subjects displayed significantly higher Total score (p = 0.02) and Social Affect score (p = 0.003) on the ADOS-based calibrated severity scores (CSS), as well as lower (p ≤ 0.0001) performance IQ (pIQ) compared to ASD individuals without PC. As far as the specific DOS, Affective Problems (AP) were detected in 23.4% of the whole sample, ADHD Problems (ADHD) in 17.3%, Anxiety Problems (AXP) in 16.7%, and Oppositional Problems (OP) in 7.9%. These different comorbidities were isolated in 195 subjects (Mono-comorbid group: 19.7% of the whole sample), while 179 subjects (18.1% of the whole sample) had two or more types of PC (Multi-comorbid group). One-way ANOVA revealed that subjects with multi-comorbidity have statistically significant lower pIQ and higher Total score and Social Affect score on CSS-ADOS. Specific differences for each type of comorbidity and gender differences were also discussed. Taken together, results indicate a considerable presence of PC in preschoolers with ASD that should be accurately considered during the assessment and diagnosis process in order to plan a tailored intervention based not only on core symptoms of ASD, but also on comorbid psychiatric condition since preschool age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Muratori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Turi
- Fondazione Stella Maris Mediterraneo, Potenza, Italy
| | - Margherita Prosperi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio Narzisi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Valeri
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Guerrera
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Santocchi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Apicella
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Sara Calderoni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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Guerrera S, Menghini D, Napoli E, Di Vara S, Valeri G, Vicari S. Assessment of Psychopathological Comorbidities in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the Child Behavior Checklist. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:535. [PMID: 31404318 PMCID: PMC6676343 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by psychiatric and behavioral comorbidities. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) provides valid and well-established measures of emotional, behavioral, and social problems in children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to verify whether emotional, behavioral, and social problems were modulated by ASD symptom severity, cognitive development, gender, and age by analyzing the CBCL in a large group of children and adolescents with ASD. The results show that around 30% of participants with ASD exhibited internalizing problems and only 6% externalizing problems, with males exhibiting more internalizing problems than females. No correlation was found between CBCL scores and indices of ASD severity. However, higher CBCL Total Problems scores were found in older children and in children with lower cognitive abilities. The detection of behavioral and emotional problems allows children with ASD to undergo specific and individualized treatment that takes into account their psychopathological problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Guerrera
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Deny Menghini
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Napoli
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Vara
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Valeri
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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35
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Neuhaus E, Bernier RA, Tham SW, Webb SJ. Gastrointestinal and Psychiatric Symptoms Among Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:515. [PMID: 30405456 PMCID: PMC6204460 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at heightened risk of psychiatric comorbidities across the lifespan, including elevated rates of internalizing, externalizing, and self-injurious behaviors. Identification of medical comorbidities that contribute to these concerns may elucidate mechanisms through which psychiatric concerns arise, as well as offer additional avenues for intervention. Gastrointestinal (GI) conditions are of particular interest, as they are prevalent among those with ASD, may share genetic or neurobiological etiologies with the core features of ASD, and are linked with psychiatric difficulties in the general population. In this paper, we draw on data from nearly 2,800 children and adolescents with ASD within the Simons Simplex Collection to characterize the unique contributions of (1) autism symptoms, (2) psychosocial factors (child's age, sex, verbal and nonverbal IQ, adaptive behavior, race, and household income), and (3) GI concerns with respect to multiple psychiatric outcomes. Multiple regression models revealed unique contributions of ASD symptoms and multiple psychosocial factors such as verbal IQ, adaptive behavior, and family income to internalizing, externalizing, and self-injurious behavior. In general, higher levels of psychiatric symptoms were associated with more ASD symptoms, higher verbal IQ, lower adaptive behavior skills, and lower family income. Furthermore, levels of GI symptoms accounted for unique variance in psychiatric outcomes over and above these other factors, linking increased GI problems with increased psychiatric symptoms in children with ASD. Taken together, results indicate that the presence and quantity of GI symptoms should be considered when evaluating psychiatric and behavioral concerns among children with ASD, and that treatment of GI conditions may be an important component in alleviating a broad array of mental health concerns in this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Neuhaus
- Center on Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Autism Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Raphael A Bernier
- Autism Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - See Wan Tham
- Center on Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Sara J Webb
- Center on Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Tint A, Hamdani Y, Sawyer A, Desarkar P, Ameis SH, Bardikoff N, Lai MC. Wellness Efforts for Autistic Women. CURRENT DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s40474-018-0148-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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37
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Dovgan KN, Mazurek MO. Relations among activity participation, friendship, and internalizing problems in children with autism spectrum disorder. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2018; 23:750-758. [PMID: 29847998 DOI: 10.1177/1362361318775541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Social interaction difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorder can be challenging, especially during adolescence. In addition, high rates of comorbid internalizing disorders in autism spectrum disorder can lead to social isolation. With limited social activity participation, social deficits and internalizing problems in autism spectrum disorder may be related to participation, exposure, and practice with friends. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relations among friendship, activity participation, and internalizing problems. Participants included 129 children with autism spectrum disorder between the ages of 6 and 18 years. Measures of friendship, sport, hobby, and club participation, and internalizing problems were assessed. Results showed that activity participation was related to more friendships, even after controlling for intelligence quotient. This study sheds light on the impact of social engagement with peers in developing and maintaining friendships as well as managing internalizing problems.
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Solomon M, Iosif AM, Reinhardt VP, Libero L, Nordahl C, Ozonoff S, Rogers SJ, Amaral DG. What will my child's future hold? phenotypes of intellectual development in 2-8-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2018; 11:121-132. [PMID: 29076255 PMCID: PMC5961488 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1884] [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] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
We examined phenotypes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on trajectories of intellectual development from early (ages 2-3 ½) to middle (ages 5-8) childhood in a recent clinically ascertained cohort. Participants included 102 children (82 males) initially diagnosed with ASD from the Autism Phenome Project longitudinal sample. Latent class growth analysis was used to identify distinct IQ trajectories. Baseline and developmental course differences among groups were assessed using univariate techniques and repeated measures regression models, respectively. A four class model best represented the data. Using the highest posterior probability, participants were assigned to High Challenges (25.5%), Stable Low (17.6%), Changers (35.3%), and Lesser Challenges (21.6%) groups. The High Challenges and Stable Low groups exhibited persistently low IQ, although, the High Challenges group experienced declines while the Stable Low group's scores remained more constant. Changers showed IQ improvement of > 2 standard deviations. The Lesser Challenges group had IQs in the average range at both times that were about 1 standard deviation higher at T2. In summation, 75% of the participants experienced some relative improvements in intellectual and/or other areas of functioning between ages 2 and 8 years. The Changers group demonstrated the most significant IQ change that was accompanied by adaptive communication improvement and declining externalizing symptoms. Only the Lesser Challenges group showed a significant reduction in ASD symptom severity, such that by age 8, 14% of them no longer met ADOS-2 criteria for ASD. All groups showed reductions in internalizing symptoms. Intervention history was not associated with group status. Autism Res 2018, 11: 121-132. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY We examined how the IQs of children with autism spectrum disorder change between ages 2 and 8, and identified four patterns. Two groups exhibited persistently lower IQs. One group showed IQ increases of greater than 30 points with improved communicate abilities and declining disruptive behaviors. The final group had IQs in the average or better range at both time points, and 14% of them lost their diagnoses. Over half of the children experienced improved intellectual functioning between ages 2 and 8, whereas about 25% showed declines. Findings were not associated with intervention history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie Solomon
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA
- MIND Institute, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
- Imaging Research Center, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Ana-Maria Iosif
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Vanessa P. Reinhardt
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA
- MIND Institute, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Lauren Libero
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA
- MIND Institute, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Christine Nordahl
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA
- MIND Institute, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Sally Ozonoff
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA
- MIND Institute, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Sally J. Rogers
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA
- MIND Institute, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - David G. Amaral
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA
- MIND Institute, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
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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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