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Shivakumar PG, Bishop S, Lord C, Narayanan S. Phone duration modeling for speaker age estimation in children. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 152:3000. [PMID: 36456280 DOI: 10.1121/10.0015198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Automatic inference of paralinguistic information from speech, such as age, is an important area of research with many technological applications. Speaker age estimation can help with age-appropriate curation of information content and personalized interactive experiences. However, automatic speaker age estimation in children is challenging due to the paucity of speech data representing the developmental spectrum, and the large signal variability including within a given age group. Most prior approaches in child speaker age estimation adopt methods directly drawn from research on adult speech. In this paper, we propose a novel technique that exploits temporal variability present in children's speech for estimation of children's age. We focus on phone durations as biomarker of children's age. Phone duration distributions are derived by forced-aligning children's speech with transcripts. Regression models are trained to predict speaker age among children studying in kindergarten up to grade 10. Experiments on two children's speech datasets are used to demonstrate the robustness and portability of proposed features over multiple domains of varying signal conditions. Phonemes contributing most to estimation of children speaker age are analyzed and presented. Experimental results suggest phone durations contain important development-related information of children. The proposed features are also suited for application under low data scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashanth Gurunath Shivakumar
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
| | - Somer Bishop
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
| | - Catherine Lord
- Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Shrikanth Narayanan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
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Hudock RL, Esler AN. Clinical considerations when conducting diagnostic evaluations to identify autism spectrum disorder in young children. Clin Neuropsychol 2022; 36:921-942. [DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2022.2025907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah L. Hudock
- Division of Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Amy N. Esler
- Division of Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Harris HK, Lee C, Sideridis GD, Barbaresi WJ, Harstad E. Identifying Subgroups of Toddlers with DSM-5 Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Core Symptoms. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 51:4471-4485. [PMID: 33507459 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-04879-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify subgroups of toddlers with DSM-5 ASD based on core ASD symptoms using a person-based analytical framework. This is a retrospective study of 500 toddlers (mean age 26 months, 79% male) with DSM-5 ASD. Data were analyzed using latent class analyses in which profiles were formed based on ASD symptomatology. Social communication (SC) symptoms favored a three-class solution, while restricted/repetitive behaviors (RRBs) favored a two-class solution. Classes with higher consistency of SC deficits were younger, with lower developmental functioning. The class with more RRBs was older, with higher functioning. If confirmed in other populations, these classes may more precisely characterize subgroups within the heterogeneous group of toddlers at time of ASD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly K Harris
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Massachusetts and Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Fegan 10, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Collin Lee
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Massachusetts and Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Fegan 10, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Georgios D Sideridis
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Massachusetts and Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Fegan 10, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - William J Barbaresi
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Massachusetts and Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Fegan 10, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Elizabeth Harstad
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Massachusetts and Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Fegan 10, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Grzadzinski R, Janvier D, Kim SH. Recent Developments in Treatment Outcome Measures for Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Semin Pediatr Neurol 2020; 34:100806. [PMID: 32446440 PMCID: PMC7248125 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2020.100806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Significant advancements have been made in early intervention programs for children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, measuring treatment response for children with ASD is difficult due to the heterogeneity of changes in symptoms, which can be subtle, especially over a short period of time. Here we outline the challenge of evaluating treatment response with currently available measures as well as newly developed or refined measures that may be useful in clinical trials for young children with ASD. Continued development of treatment outcome measures will help the field identify and compare efficacious interventions and tailor treatments for children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Grzadzinski
- University of North Carolina, Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, Chapel Hill, NC.
| | - Denisse Janvier
- Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, White Plains, NY
| | - So Hyun Kim
- Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, White Plains, NY
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Eklöf E, Mårtensson GE, ådén U, Padilla N. Reduced structural brain asymmetry during neonatal life is potentially related to autism spectrum disorders in children born extremely preterm. Autism Res 2019; 12:1334-1343. [DOI: 10.1002/aur.2169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Eklöf
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Gustaf E. Mårtensson
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Ulrika ådén
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Department of NeonatologyKarolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - Nelly Padilla
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
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Kwon S, Sung IY, Ko EJ, Kim HS. Effects of Therapeutic Horseback Riding on Cognition and Language in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder or Intellectual Disability: A Preliminary Study. Ann Rehabil Med 2019; 43:279-288. [PMID: 31311249 PMCID: PMC6637059 DOI: 10.5535/arm.2019.43.3.279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate if therapeutic horseback riding (THR) can improve language and cognitive function in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disability (ID). Methods We conducted a prospective case-control study on children diagnosed with ASD or ID. Eighteen and 11 children were enrolled for THR and control groups, respectively. For 8 weeks, those in the THR group underwent conventional therapy plus 30 minutes of THR per week while controls only received conventional therapy. Participants’ language (using Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test [REVT] and Preschool Receptive-Expressive Language Scale [PRES]) and cognitive abilities (using Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children [K-ABC] and the cognitive domain of Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II [BSID-II]) were assessed at baseline and at 8 weeks after treatment. Results There was no baseline difference between the two groups. In the THR group, there were statistically significant improvements in most domains after THR including receptive and expressive language and cognition compared to those before THR. In the control group, however, only receptive vocabulary ability assessed by REVT and cognitive function assessed by BSID-II showed improvements after conventional therapy. However, there were no statistically significant differences in language or cognitive abilities between the two groups at 8 weeks after treatment. Conclusion These results suggest that THR might improve language and cognitive abilities. Although the mechanisms and pathways involved in such improvements are currently unclear based on our findings, THR might have potential to optimize language and cognitive abilities of children with ASD and ID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Kwon
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - In Young Sung
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Jae Ko
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Han Seon Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Ulsan City E Hospital, Ulsan, Korea
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Torras-Mañá M, Gómez-Morales A, González-Gimeno I, Fornieles-Deu A, Brun-Gasca C. Assessment of cognition and language in the early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder: usefulness of the Bayley Scales of infant and toddler development, third edition. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH : JIDR 2016; 60:502-511. [PMID: 27120991 PMCID: PMC4850753 DOI: 10.1111/jir.12291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to test the usefulness of the Cognitive and Language scales Bayley-III in the early assessment of cognitive and language functions in the context of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. This paper focuses on the application of the Bayley-III and studies the predictive value of the test result in children with ASD with different levels of verbal ability. METHOD A sample of 135 children (121 boys, 14 girls) with a confirmed ASD diagnosis at age 4 years were assessed with the Bayley-III before 42 months of age (m = 36.49, s = 4.46) and later with other rating scales of different psychological and psycholinguistic functions as part of a longitudinal study [McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) (n = 48, 90% boys), Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) (n = 38, 87% boys) or Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA) (n = 44, 89% boys)]. Age assessment in months: MSCA (m = 48.80, s = 3.33), K-ABC (m = 51.80, s = 7.17) and ITPA (m = 54.48, s = 3.34). RESULTS Lower scores on the cognitive and language Bayley-III scales before 3.5 years of age predicted lower cognitive and oral language levels at 4 years of age. A significant correlation was found between the Cognitive Bayley-III Scale and the General Cognitive MSCA Scale, and with the Compound K-ABC Mental Processing. An association between the nonverbal cognitive level and oral language level acquired at 4 years of age was found. CONCLUSIONS The Bayley-III is a useful instrument in cognitive and language assessment of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Torras-Mañá
- Centre for Child Development and Early Intervention (CDIAP Parc Taulí), Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Health and Clinical Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Gómez-Morales
- Centre for Child Development and Early Intervention (CDIAP Parc Taulí), Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain
| | - I González-Gimeno
- Centre for Child Development and Early Intervention (CDIAP Parc Taulí), Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Fornieles-Deu
- Department of Psychobiology and Health Sciences Methodology, Serra Húnter fellow, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Brun-Gasca
- Centre for Child Development and Early Intervention (CDIAP Parc Taulí), Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Health and Clinical Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
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