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Eigsti IM. The Autism Constellation and Neurodiversity: Long-Term and Adult Outcomes in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Pediatr Clin North Am 2024; 71:327-341. [PMID: 38423724 PMCID: PMC10914322 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2024.01.003] [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] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Research on autistic adults suggests significant heterogeneity in outcomes. A significant proportion of individuals struggle with intellectual disability and limited communication skills. Of the 67% who have age-appropriate cognitive skills, around half are expected to attain a college education, and 25% are likely to hold a full-time job. Outcomes have been improving over time, in part because of earlier diagnosis and earlier intervention. Indeed, an estimated 10% to 20% are expected to lose all symptoms of autism by adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge-Marie Eigsti
- Connecticut Autism and Language Lab (CALL), University of Connecticut; Cognitive Neuroscience of Communication T32 Training Program; Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences; Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Unit 1020, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
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Eigsti IM, Fein D, Larson C. Editorial Perspective: Another look at 'optimal outcome' in autism spectrum disorder. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2023; 64:332-334. [PMID: 35772988 PMCID: PMC10600574 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
This paper addresses the hypothesis that autism spectrum disorder features follow multiple long-term developmental trajectories, including an absence of symptoms that were present in childhood, by the time of adolescence. In early work on this topic, this circumstance was called an 'optimal outcome'. To better reflect the reality of multiple excellent outcomes regardless of whether autism spectrum disorder features are present or absent, including autonomy, daily living skills, communication skills, and relationships and employment/activities outside the home, the terminology 'loss of autism diagnosis' (LAD) has been proposed as a substitute. The paper also contextualizes an LAD outcome within research, practice and advocacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge-Marie Eigsti
- University of Connecticut; Department of Psychological Sciences; 406 Babbidge Road; Storrs, CT 06269; USA
- CT Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Deborah Fein
- University of Connecticut; Department of Psychological Sciences; 406 Babbidge Road; Storrs, CT 06269; USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Caroline Larson
- University of Connecticut; Department of Psychological Sciences; 406 Babbidge Road; Storrs, CT 06269; USA
- CT Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Storrs, CT, USA
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Larson C, Rivera-Figueroa K, Thomas HR, Fein D, Stevens MC, Eigsti IM. Structural language impairment in Autism Spectrum Disorder versus Loss of Autism Diagnosis: Behavioral and neural characteristics. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 34:103043. [PMID: 35567947 PMCID: PMC9112023 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
This study probed for structural language impairment using behavioral and functional neuroimaging methods in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and those diagnosed with ASD in childhood who no longer meet criteria for ASD, referred to as Loss of Autism Diagnosis (LAD1). Participants were drawn from Fein et al. (2013): ASD (n = 35), LAD (n = 31), and Neurotypical (NT; n = 34). Criteria for structural language impairment were: Scores ≤ 82 on Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-4 (CELF) Core Language, an omnibus measure of language; and scores ≤ 7 on CELF Recalling Sentences, a clinical marker of structural language impairment. Task-based fMRI examined lateralization of significantly activated language-related brain regions in groups with structural language impairment (LI2) versus normal-range language (LN3), collapsed across ASD, LAD1, and NT status. Results showed no ASD versus LAD group differences in the proportion of participants with structural language impairment according to either metric (Recalling Sentences or Core Language). Functional MRI results indicated greater left hemisphere lateralization within significantly activated regions in the LI2 group. Structural language abilities were not meaningfully associated with either social abilities or lifetime ADHD symptoms in LI2 subgroups, further suggesting the presence of structural language impairment. Findings indicate the presence of persistent structural language difficulty even in the absence of ASD symptoms in some individuals within the LAD1 group and unique patterns of language-related neural specialization for language function in LI2 relative to LN3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Larson
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA,CT Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Storrs, CT, USA,Corresponding author at: Department of Psychological Sciences, Unit 1020, 406 Babbidge Rd, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
| | | | - Hannah R. Thomas
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Deborah Fein
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Michael C. Stevens
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center at the Institute of Living, Hartford, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Inge-Marie Eigsti
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA,CT Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Storrs, CT, USA
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Hus Y, Segal O. Challenges Surrounding the Diagnosis of Autism in Children. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2021; 17:3509-3529. [PMID: 34898983 PMCID: PMC8654688 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s282569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive thematic review aims to highlight and familiarize readers with the challenges and pitfalls encountered in differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children to facilitate the process of accurate identification by stakeholders. Accordingly, articles that best answer our questions and highlight our concerns were chosen from well-established publishers with prime peer reviewed journals. Included are studies showing alternate views of the issues so as to point readers to other possibilities. ASD, a complex dynamic biological-neurodevelopmental disorder, is underscored by its heterogeneous symptomology, severity, and phenotypes - all characterized by social communication deficits and presence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviours (RRBs), the core symptoms in ASD. Language and intellectual capacities do not form ASD core symptoms although vary considerably. Accurate identification is challenging as ASD is often enmeshed with other neurodevelopmental disorders, and medical comorbidities, a situation now recognized as the rule rather than the exception in child psychiatry and developmental medicine. ASD is a disorder with varying performance and severity of symptoms over time, including unexpected loss of early skills, and lost diagnosis in some children following treatment. The review reiterates the urgency in accurate diagnosis in face of the rapid rise in ASD prevalence globally, and risk-increase in delayed or denied treatment with undesirable life-long consequences for most of the affected children. In addition, a call for change is advised to circumvent the ethical dilemma posed by the present "deficit model" in ASD diagnosis. Here, ASD prevalence is presented first, followed by emphasis on importance of accurate early diagnosis, and challenges in its accomplishment due to flaws in diagnostic instruments and other contributing factors. Next follow the required criteria for accurate identification, and its difficulties attributed to comorbid conditions, gender differences, and socio-economic and cultural influences. The conclusion includes future directions and a take away message.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette Hus
- Cyprus University of Technology, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Theralab Research Collaborator, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Osnat Segal
- Tel Aviv University, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Department of Communication Disorders, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Frye RE, Rossignol DA, Scahill L, McDougle CJ, Huberman H, Quadros EV. Treatment of Folate Metabolism Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2020; 35:100835. [PMID: 32892962 PMCID: PMC7477301 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2020.100835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder that currently has no approved medical therapy to address core symptoms or underling pathophysiological processes. Several compounds are under development that address both underlying pathophysiological abnormalities and core ASD symptoms. This article reviews one of these treatments, d,l-leucovorin calcium (also known as folinic acid) for treatment of folate pathway abnormalities in children with ASD. Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that is essential for normal neurodevelopment and abnormalities in the folate and related pathways have been identified in children with ASD. One of these abnormalities involves a partial blockage in the ability of folate to be transported into the brain utilizing the primary transport mechanism, the folate receptor alpha. Autoantibodies which interfere with the function of the folate receptor alpha called folate receptor alpha autoantibodies have been identified in 58%-76% of children with ASD and independent studies have demonstrated that blood titers of these autoantibodies correlate with folate levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. Most significantly, case-series, open-label, and single and double-blind placebo-controlled studies suggest that d,l-leucovorin, a reduced folate that can bypass the blockage at the folate receptor alpha by using the reduced folate carrier, an alternate pathway, can substantially improve particular symptoms in children with ASD, especially those positive for folate receptor alpha autoantibodies. This article reviews the current evidence for treating core and associated symptoms and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in children with ASD with d,l-leucovorin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E. Frye
- Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ
| | | | - Lawrence Scahill
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University and Marcus Autism Center, Atlanta, GA
| | - Christopher J. McDougle
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA and Lurie Center for Autism, Lexington, MA
| | - Harris Huberman
- Departments of Pediatrics, State University of New York – Downstate, Brooklyn, NY
| | - Edward V. Quadros
- Departments of Medicine, State University of New York – Downstate, Brooklyn, NY
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A study exploring the autism awareness of students attending the department of pre-school teacher education of a public University in Istanbul, Turkey. MARMARA MEDICAL JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.5472/marumj.741719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Folinic acid improves verbal communication in children with autism and language impairment: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:247-256. [PMID: 27752075 PMCID: PMC5794882 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We sought to determine whether high-dose folinic acid improves verbal communication in children with non-syndromic autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and language impairment in a double-blind placebo control setting. Forty-eight children (mean age 7 years 4 months; 82% male) with ASD and language impairment were randomized to receive 12 weeks of high-dose folinic acid (2 mg kg-1 per day, maximum 50 mg per day; n=23) or placebo (n=25). Children were subtyped by glutathione and folate receptor-α autoantibody (FRAA) status. Improvement in verbal communication, as measured by a ability-appropriate standardized instrument, was significantly greater in participants receiving folinic acid as compared with those receiving placebo, resulting in an effect of 5.7 (1.0,10.4) standardized points with a medium-to-large effect size (Cohen's d=0.70). FRAA status was predictive of response to treatment. For FRAA-positive participants, improvement in verbal communication was significantly greater in those receiving folinic acid as compared with those receiving placebo, resulting in an effect of 7.3 (1.4,13.2) standardized points with a large effect size (Cohen's d=0.91), indicating that folinic acid treatment may be more efficacious in children with ASD who are FRAA positive. Improvements in subscales of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, the Autism Symptom Questionnaire and the Behavioral Assessment System for Children were significantly greater in the folinic acid group as compared with the placebo group. There was no significant difference in adverse effects between treatment groups. Thus, in this small trial of children with non-syndromic ASD and language impairment, treatment with high-dose folinic acid for 12 weeks resulted in improvement in verbal communication as compared with placebo, particularly in those participants who were positive for FRAAs.
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Resilience and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Applying Developmental Psychopathology to Optimal Outcome. REVIEW JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s40489-017-0106-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Port RG, Edgar JC, Ku M, Bloy L, Murray R, Blaskey L, Levy SE, Roberts TPL. Maturation of auditory neural processes in autism spectrum disorder - A longitudinal MEG study. Neuroimage Clin 2016; 11:566-577. [PMID: 27158589 PMCID: PMC4844592 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2016.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 03/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show atypical brain activity, perhaps due to delayed maturation. Previous studies examining the maturation of auditory electrophysiological activity have been limited due to their use of cross-sectional designs. The present study took a first step in examining magnetoencephalography (MEG) evidence of abnormal auditory response maturation in ASD via the use of a longitudinal design. METHODS Initially recruited for a previous study, 27 children with ASD and nine typically developing (TD) children, aged 6- to 11-years-old, were re-recruited two to five years later. At both timepoints, MEG data were obtained while participants passively listened to sinusoidal pure-tones. Bilateral primary/secondary auditory cortex time domain (100 ms evoked response latency (M100)) and spectrotemporal measures (gamma-band power and inter-trial coherence (ITC)) were examined. MEG measures were also qualitatively examined for five children who exhibited "optimal outcome", participants who were initially on spectrum, but no longer met diagnostic criteria at follow-up. RESULTS M100 latencies were delayed in ASD versus TD at the initial exam (~ 19 ms) and at follow-up (~ 18 ms). At both exams, M100 latencies were associated with clinical ASD severity. In addition, gamma-band evoked power and ITC were reduced in ASD versus TD. M100 latency and gamma-band maturation rates did not differ between ASD and TD. Of note, the cohort of five children that demonstrated "optimal outcome" additionally exhibited M100 latency and gamma-band activity mean values in-between TD and ASD at both timepoints. Though justifying only qualitative interpretation, these "optimal outcome" related data are presented here to motivate future studies. CONCLUSIONS Children with ASD showed perturbed auditory cortex neural activity, as evidenced by M100 latency delays as well as reduced transient gamma-band activity. Despite evidence for maturation of these responses in ASD, the neural abnormalities in ASD persisted across time. Of note, data from the five children whom demonstrated "optimal outcome" qualitatively suggest that such clinical improvements may be associated with auditory brain responses intermediate between TD and ASD. These "optimal outcome" related results are not statistically significant though, likely due to the low sample size of this cohort, and to be expected as a result of the relatively low proportion of "optimal outcome" in the ASD population. Thus, further investigations with larger cohorts are needed to determine if the above auditory response phenotypes have prognostic utility, predictive of clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell G Port
- Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J Christopher Edgar
- Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Matthew Ku
- Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Luke Bloy
- Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca Murray
- Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lisa Blaskey
- Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Susan E Levy
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Timothy P L Roberts
- Lurie Family Foundations MEG Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Zappella M, Einspieler C, Bartl-Pokorny KD, Krieber M, Coleman M, Bölte S, Marschik PB. What do home videos tell us about early motor and socio-communicative behaviours in children with autistic features during the second year of life--An exploratory study. Early Hum Dev 2015; 91:569-75. [PMID: 26246137 PMCID: PMC5951277 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Revised: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the first half year of life of individuals later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). There is even a complete lack of observations on the first 6 months of life of individuals with transient autistic behaviours who improved in their socio-communicative functions in the pre-school age. AIM To compare early development of individuals with transient autistic behaviours and those later diagnosed with ASD. STUDY DESIGN Exploratory study; retrospective home video analysis. SUBJECTS 18 males, videoed between birth and the age of 6 months (ten individuals later diagnosed with ASD; eight individuals who lost their autistic behaviours after the age of 3 and achieved age-adequate communicative abilities, albeit often accompanied by tics and attention deficit). METHOD The detailed video analysis focused on general movements (GMs), the concurrent motor repertoire, eye contact, responsive smiling, and pre-speech vocalisations. RESULTS Abnormal GMs were observed more frequently in infants later diagnosed with ASD, whereas all but one infant with transient autistic behaviours had normal GMs (p<0.05). Eye contact and responsive smiling were inconspicuous for all individuals. Cooing was not observable in six individuals across both groups. CONCLUSIONS GMs might be one of the markers which could assist the earlier identification of ASD. We recommend implementing the GM assessment in prospective studies on ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christa Einspieler
- Research Unit iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Institute of Physiology, Center for Physiological Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Katrin D Bartl-Pokorny
- Research Unit iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Institute of Physiology, Center for Physiological Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Magdalena Krieber
- Research Unit iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Institute of Physiology, Center for Physiological Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Mary Coleman
- Foundation for Autism Research, Inc., New York, NY, USA
| | - Sven Bölte
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Department of Women's & Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter B Marschik
- Research Unit iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Institute of Physiology, Center for Physiological Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Department of Women's & Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Dillenburger K, Jordan JA, McKerr L, Keenan M. The Millennium child with autism: early childhood trajectories for health, education and economic wellbeing. Dev Neurorehabil 2015; 18:37-46. [PMID: 25289682 DOI: 10.3109/17518423.2014.964378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Most of what we know about children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is based on post-diagnostic, retrospective, self-select studies. Oftentimes, there is no direct comparison between trajectories of children with ASD and children without ASD. METHODS To circumvent both of these problems, the present secondary data analysis utilised a large-scale longitudinal general population survey of children born in the year 2000 (i.e. the Millennium Cohort Study; MCS; n = 18,522). Bi-annual MCS data were available from five data sweeps (children aged 9 months to 11 years of age). RESULTS Pre-diagnostic data showed early health problems differentiated children later diagnosed with autism from non-diagnosed peers. Prevalence was much higher than previously estimated (3.5% for 11-year olds). Post-diagnosis, trajectories deteriorated significantly for the children with ASD and their families in relation to education, health and economic wellbeing. CONCLUSION These findings raise many issues for service delivery and the rights of persons with disabilities and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karola Dillenburger
- Centre for Behaviour Analysis, School of Education, Queen's University Belfast , Belfast , UK and
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