Pregistered movie-fMRI analyses reveal altered visual feature encoding in autism in pSTS

Our goals were to: 1) examine the occurrence of behavioral and emotional symptoms in children on the autism spectrum in a large national sample, stratifying by sex, and 2) evaluate whether children with increased autism-related social communication deficits also experience more behavioral and emotional problems. Participants (n = 7,998) were from 37 cohorts from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program. Cross-sectional information on demographic factors, parent-report of an ASD diagnosis by clinician, Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) scores, and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scores were obtained for children aged 2.5-18years by surveys. We examined mean differences in CBCL Total Problems and DSM-oriented subscale scores by autism diagnosis and by child sex. Analyses using logistic regression were conducted to examine whether autism was associated with higher CBCL scores. We further examined if these relationships differed by child age category (< 6years, 6-11years, 12 + years). The relationships between SRS score and CBCL total and subscale scores were examined using quantile regression models, with analyses adjusted for child sex and age. In ECHO, 553 youth were reported by a parent to have a clinician diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (432 [78%] boys and 121 [22%] girls). Youth on the spectrum had higher mean CBCL raw scores on Total Problems and all DSM-oriented subscales compared to those not on the spectrum (all p < 0.0001). Analyses adjusted for sex and stratified by age group indicated that higher odds of autism diagnosis were associated with total, depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) scales in the top 30% of the CBCL score distribution. Autistic girls were more likely to have parent-reported depression and anxiety compared to autistic boys. In quantile regression analyses, we observed evidence of stronger associations between SRS and CBCL for those in higher quantiles of CBCL total problems scale score (beta representing 1-unit change in SRS associated with 1-unit increase in CBCL total problems scale score), among children in the 70-90th percentile (β = 1.60, p < 0.01), or top 10th percentile (β = 2.43, p < 0.01) of the CBCL total problems scale score distribution. Similar findings were seen for the DSM-oriented depression, anxiety, and ADHD subscales. Results from this large national sample suggest increased behavioral and emotional problems among autistic children compared to non-autistic children throughout early life. Among children on the spectrum thismay warrant increased monitoring for co-occurring behavioral and emotional problems.

Along with the core characteristics of the condition, autistic individuals commonly experience motor coordination difficulties, potentially related to a reduced cortical connectivity. Being the largest human commissure, the corpus callosum (CC) plays an essential role in interhemispheric connectivity and has been often involved among autistic atypicalities. This study aimed to investigate the volumes of corpus callosum subregions in a group of drug-naïve, autistic children and to explore its possible associations with both core features and motor coordination skills. Thirty-five autistic children (2.5-12 years) were compared with a group of 35 closely IQ-matched, non-autistic peers. CC was identified and segmented into five subregions using Freesurfer. Callosal volumes were compared between the two groups and correlated with parental ratings of core autistic features as assessed by the Social Responsiveness Scale and with motor features as assessed by the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire. Associations between CC volume and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule scores were also explored in autistic participants. Autistic children showed a reduced volume of the central segment of the CC, in the context of a comparable CC total volume. This reduction appeared to be correlated with symptoms of restricted and repetitive behaviours in autistic children, and to parental ratings of autistic mannerisms and motor skills across participants. These findings expand the current knowledge about the neural mechanisms underlying autism, suggesting that the reduced connectivity through the CC might have implications for both core and motor features of autistic individuals.Lay SummaryDifferences in brain development have been widely outlined in autism. Exploring brain scans of 35 autistic and non-autistic children aged 2.5-12 years and closely matched for cognitive functioning, we found that the central part of the corpus callosum was smaller for the autistic group. This reduction was associated with the level of restricted and repetitive behaviours in autistic children, and to parental ratings of autistic mannerisms and motor coordination skills across participants. This work offers new empirical evidence that interhemispheric connectivity is atypical in autism and that the corpus callosum can be involved in the manifestation of both core and motor characteristics of autistic children.

To investigate the secretagogin (SCGN) plasma levels in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to age and gender-matched healthy control, and its association with cognitive and social behaviors by using childhood autism rating scale (CARS) and social responsiveness scale (SRS). Case-control study. Autism Research and Treatment Center, Al-Amodi Autism Research Chair, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 2015 to May 2016. SCGN levels were determined in the plasma of thirty-seven (37) autistic children using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), categorized as mild-moderate and severe as indicated by their CARS scores and compared with thirty (30) age and gender-matched control samples. Correlation between SCGN levels and different cognitive and social behavior scales (CARS and SRS) was determined by Spearman's correlation coefficient (r). The results indicated that autistic children (n=37) had significantly (p= 0.005) lower plasma level of SCGN {45.7 (26.2) ng/ml [median (IQR)]} than those of healthy controls {n=30, 70.8 (48.6) ng/ml [median (IQR)]}. Children with severe (n=28, 76%) as well as mild to moderate autism (n=09, 24%) also exhibited significantly lower SCGN levels {47.5 (27) ng/ml [median (IQR)], p =0.014} and {45.7 (16.6) ng/ml [median (IQR)], p = 0.02)}, respectively than healthy controls {n=30, 70.8 (48.6) ng/ml [median (IQR)]}. However, there was no significant difference between the SCGN levels of children with mild to moderate and severe autism (p = 0.66). Spearman's correlation coefficient (r) was used to determine the relationships between SCGN levels and different variables (CARS, SRS). However, the results showed no significant correlation between SCGN and these scales. (CARS, r=-0.03, p=0.86; SRS, r=0.21, p=0.20). The low SCGN plasma levels in children with ASD probably indicate that SCGN might be implicated in the pathogenesis of autism. However, these data should be treated with caution until further investigations are performed using larger sample sizes to determine whether the decrease in plasma SCGN levels is a mere consequence of autism or it plays a pathogenic role in the disease.

Given inconsistent evidence on preconception or prenatal tobacco use and offspring autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this study assessed associations of maternal smoking with ASD and ASD‐related traits. Among 72 cohorts in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes consortium, 11 had ASD diagnosis and prenatal tobaccosmoking (n = 8648). and 7 had Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) scores of ASD traits (n = 2399). Cohorts had diagnoses alone (6), traits alone (2), or both (5). Diagnoses drew from parent/caregiver report, review of records, or standardized instruments. Regression models estimated smoking‐related odds ratios (ORs) for diagnoses and standardized mean differences for SRS scores. Cohort‐specific ORs were meta‐analyzed. Overall, maternal smoking was unassociated with child ASD (adjusted OR, 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72–1.61). However, heterogeneity across studies was strong: preterm cohorts showed reduced ASD risk for exposed children. After excluding preterm cohorts (biased by restrictions on causal intermediate and exposure opportunity) and small cohorts (very few ASD cases in either smoking category), the adjusted OR for ASD from maternal smoking was 1.44 (95% CI, 1.02–2.03). Children of smoking (versus non‐smoking) mothers had more ASD traits (SRS T‐score + 2.37 points, 95% CI, 0.73–4.01 points), with results homogeneous across cohorts. Maternal preconception/prenatal smoking was consistently associated with quantitative ASD traits and modestly associated with ASD diagnosis among sufficiently powered United States cohorts of non‐preterm children. Limitations resulting from self‐reported smoking and unmeasured confounders preclude definitive conclusions. Nevertheless, counseling on potential and known risks to the child from maternal smoking is warranted for pregnant women and pregnancy planners.Lay SummaryEvidence on the association between maternal prenatal smoking and the child's risk for autism spectrum disorder has been conflicting, with some studies reporting harmful effects, and others finding reduced risks. Our analysis of children in the ECHO consortium found that maternal prenatal tobacco smoking is consistently associated with an increase in autism‐related symptoms in the general population and modestly associated with elevated risk for a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder when looking at a combined analysis from multiple studies that each included both pre‐ and full‐term births. However, this study is not proof of a causal connection. Future studies to clarify the role of smoking in autism‐like behaviors or autism diagnoses should collect more reliable data on smoking and measure other exposures or lifestyle factors that might have confounded our results.

Pragmatic language markers of autism diagnosis and severity

Background/objectives: The prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder has been increasing rapidly in the world population and the cause of this increase is unknown. Autistic spectrum disorder is an important cause of social, communication and specific learning difficulties in children. Assortative mating may increase the genetic burden leading to manifestation of polygenic diseases affecting mental health in the offspring. Correlation of scores in the social responsiveness scale (SRS), which is used to quantify autistic spectrum disorder features, between spouses, has been used as indicator of phenotypic assortative mating. We investigated whether assortative mating is involved in increased severity of autism spectrum disorder in the offspring. Methods: All studies reporting on investigation of assortative mating in relationship to autistic spectrum disorder were included. Information sources were PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. Results were synthesized by entering correlation analyses of results of the SRS conducted in spouses in a meta-analysis. A sub-group analysis was performed comparing spouses with offspring with diagnosed autistic spectrum disorder to spouses without. Prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders in children in countries with and without predominant assortative mating was compared. Results: A total of 14 investigations of assortative mating including 9914 spouse pairs were included. In total, 8 studies (4641 spouse pairs) reported intra-class correlation (ICC) or Spearman's correlation coefficients between spouses' SRS scores. There was a significant correlation of SRS scores in studies using ICC or Spearman's correlation with a pooled coefficient = 0.37. Spouse pairs (n = 401) with offspring diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder had a pooled ICC coefficient which was 0.278 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.46), significantly lower than spouse pairs without (n = 1525): 0.40 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.46). Higher scores in SRS of both spouses were associated with higher scores and more autism diagnoses in offspring. Pooled prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder in children in countries where assortative mating is most common was 63.1 per 10,000 of population and in countries without it was significantly lower with 14.1 per 10,000 of population. Conclusions: There is evidence of assortative mating according to social responsiveness scale score which correlates significantly in spouse pairs with and without children with autistic spectrum disorder. In countries where assortative mating is predominant, a higher prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in children is found compared to countries without.

BackgroundThe cerebellum contains more than 50% of all neurons in the brain and is involved in a broad range of cognitive functions, including social communication and social cognition. Inconsistent atypicalities in the cerebellum have been reported in individuals with autism compared to controls suggesting the limits of categorical case control comparisons. Alternatively, investigating how clinical dimensions are related to neuroanatomical features, in line with the Research Domain Criteria approach, might be more relevant. We hypothesized that the volume of the “cognitive” lobules of the cerebellum would be associated with social difficulties.MethodsWe analyzed structural MRI data from a large pediatric and transdiagnostic sample (Healthy Brain Network). We performed cerebellar parcellation with a well-validated automated segmentation pipeline (CERES). We studied how social communication abilities—assessed with the social component of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS)—were associated with the cerebellar structure, using linear mixed models and canonical correlation analysis.ResultsIn 850 children and teenagers (mean age 10.8 ± 3 years; range 5–18 years), we found a significant association between the cerebellum, IQ and social communication performance in our canonical correlation model.LimitationsCerebellar parcellation relies on anatomical boundaries, which does not overlap with functional anatomy. The SRS was originally designed to identify social impairments associated with autism spectrum disorders.ConclusionOur results unravel a complex relationship between cerebellar structure, social performance and IQ and provide support for the involvement of the cerebellum in social and cognitive processes.

BackgroundParents of children with autism have higher rates of broad autism phenotype (BAP) features than parents of typically developing children (TDC) in Western countries. This study was designed to examine the rate of BAP features in parents of children with autism and the relationship between parental BAP and the social impairment of their children in a Chinese sample.MethodsA total of 299 families with autistic children and 274 families with TDC participated in this study. Parents were assessed using the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ), which includes self-report, informant-report, and best-estimate versions. Children were assessed using the Chinese version of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS).ResultsParents of children with autism were significantly more likely to have BAP features than were parents of TDC; mothers and fathers in families with autistic children had various BAP features. The total scores of the informant and best-estimate BAPQ versions for fathers were significantly associated with their children’s SRS total scores in the autism group, whereas the total scores of the three BAPQ versions for mothers were significantly associated with their children’s SRS total scores in the TDC group. In the autism group, the total SRS scores of children with “BAP present” parents (informant and best-estimate) were higher than the total SRS scores of children with“BAP absent” parents. In the TDC group, the total SRS scores of children with “BAP present” parents were higher than the total SRS scores of children with“BAP absent” parents (best-estimate).ConclusionsParents of autistic children were found to have higher rates of BAP than parents of TDC in a sample of Chinese parents. The BAP features of parents are associated with their children’s social functioning in both autism families and TDC families, but the patterns of the associations are different.

Generalized zero-shot learning (GZSL) requires a classifier trained on seen classes that can recognize objects from both seen and unseen classes. Due to the absence of unseen training samples, the classifier tends to bias towards seen classes. To mitigate this problem, feature generation based models are proposed to synthesize visual features for unseen classes. However, these features are generated in the visual feature space which lacks of discriminative ability. Therefore, some methods turn to find a better embedding space for the classifier training. They emphasize the inter-class relationships of seen classes, leading the embedding space overfitted to seen classes and unfriendly to unseen classes. Instead, in this paper, we propose an Intra-Class Compactness Enhancement method (ICCE) for GZSL. Our ICCE promotes intra-class compactness with inter-class separability on both seen and unseen classes in the embedding space and visual feature space. By promoting the intra-class relationships but the inter-class structures, we can distinguish different classes with better generalization. Specifically, we propose a Self-Distillation Embedding (SDE) module and a Semantic-Visual Contrastive Generation (SVCG) module. The former promotes intra-class compactness in the embedding space, while the latter accomplishes it in the visual feature space. The experiments demonstrate that our ICCE outperforms the state-of-the-art methods on four datasets and achieves competitive results on the remaining dataset.

The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) is currently being used in clinical and genetic studies of autism as both a screener and as a quantitative measure of autistic traits. Our article (Hus, Bishop, Gotham, Huerta & Lord, 2013) assessed the influence of non-specific factors on SRS scores to aid researchers in their interpretations of these scores. In their commentary, Constantino and Frazier (2013) argue that the strong influence of behavior problems on the SRS represents the overlap between neuropsychiatric syndromes, and that behavioral symptoms reflected in SRS scores 'might actually be caused by the autistic syndrome' (p. 1). They cite evidence for substantial overlap in genetic associations between ASD, ADHD, and other child psychiatric disorders. Our concern, however, is that if scores on a measure do not distinguish between general behavior problems and autism symptoms, questions about overlap cannot even begin to be answered. Moreover, what was not noted in the commentary was the fact that we found equally large effects of behavior problems and smaller effects of social competence on SRS scores in typical siblings, who did not have ASD. It is widely recognized that children with ASD have varying levels of general behavior problems, and that many have comorbid conditions, such as ADHD, language delay and intellectual disability (Lundström et al., 2011; Simonoff et al., 2008). However, for researchers seeking to identify causal or risk-related genetic influences, behavioral measures not confounded by these other behaviors are needed to draw conclusions that a particular finding is contributing to specific risk for ASD. Similarly, for researchers who want to evaluate associations between particular regions of the brain and core autism symptoms or social competence, evidence that measures such as the SRS are strongly influenced by general behavior problems would seem to present a problem in identifying the specificity of that region. Thus, our goal in Hus et al. (2013) was to determine the influences of non-specific factors known to affect scores on other ASD measures (Charman et al., 2007) to provide more informed interpretations of SRS scores. Given the SRS's widespread use in genetic and neurobiological research, we hoped that we could increase the degree to which the SRS measured social competence and ASD symptoms, and thereby extend its utility in drawing associations between behavioral phenotypes and underlying biology. In a previous study, we found this approach was useful in improving the validity of scores on the autism diagnostic observation scale (ADOS). After the introduction of the ADOS, we learned that expressive language level and age (e.g., de Bildt et al., 2004) strongly influenced raw ADOS totals. Through expressive language and age-based algorithms (Gotham, Risi, Pickles & Lord, 2007) and the introduction of severity scores calibrated by the same dimensions, we were able to improve the degree to which the ADOS domain scores represent autism severity within the context of a clinical observation. The calibrated severity scores in the ADOS (Gotham, Pickles & Lord, 2009; Hus, Gotham & Lord, 2012) allow researchers to expand the boundaries of constructs of social-communication deficits and repetitive behaviors and quantify difficulties across an interval scale, rather than simply providing categorical cut-offs – contributing to the need for dimensional measures highlighted by Constantino and Frazier (2013). We approached the current analysis of the SRS from the same point of view. The SRS is particularly valuable because it provides a range of scores even within a typical population. We wondered if we could better understand what child factors could be controlled to make the SRS a more specific measure of social competence. Recently, Duku et al. (2012) took on a similar task with the SRS, resulting in selection of a subset of 30 items intended to measure social impairments in preschool children, but which still correlated with the CBCL internalizing and externalizing scales, r = 0.65–0.68. We started by looking for how the SRS related to the social domain of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, a parent report measure widely used as a measure of social competence (Gillespie-Lynch et al., 2012; Klin et al., 2007). We chose social competence because the SRS is commonly referred to as a quantitative measure of social reciprocity that provides scores that can describe both very competent social skills, as well as the full range of social impairments (see Constantino & Gruber, 2012). As shown in the Hus et al. (2013) article, SRS scores are related to Vineland social domain scores and to current ADI scores, but hardly more than they are to CBCL scores in children with ASD (see Tables 3 & S1). In typical siblings, the SRS was most strongly related to the CBCL, with less strong, but significant relationships to developmental level and social competence. Further analyses, not discussed in the commentary, suggested that the effects of behavior problems were not explained by an influence of behavior problems on social competence in either the children with ASD or their typical siblings (see the online supplement in Hus et al., 2013). In our search for how to better use SRS scores as a measure of social competence or ASD severity, we also considered the effects of factors that we know influence scores on other autism instruments (e.g., the ADOS) including language level, age, and IQ. Based on clinical experience that there are items on the SRS that parents of less verbally able or more intellectually disabled children often find difficult to answer, we felt it was particularly important to explore how language level and IQ affected SRS scores. After carrying out these analyses and submitting the original article, we were asked by reviewers to analyze other instruments. We did in fact go on to carry out similar analyses for the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R; Hus & Lord, 2012) and were able to show that ADI-R scores were also strongly related to age and language level. Because these relationships were predictable and easily quantifiable, ADI-R totals and domain scores could potentially be calibrated, as we have performed for the ADOS, to provide better measures of domain severity (Hus & Lord, 2012). For the SRS, such a calibration is less straightforward. Behavior problems, age, language level and IQ should all be considered before interpreting scores as a quantitative measure of social competence or ASD. While this is not impossible to do, it means that, as it stands, individuals who receive high-SRS scores may encompass both those with significant ASD symptoms (irrespective of behavior problems), as well as those with high levels of behavior problems (but who may have relatively strong social skills; see Hus et al.(2013), Figure 1). This is not a question of boundaries, but one of precision of measurement. Measurement factors are recognized as important throughout neurobiology (e.g., Zhu et al., 2009); as mental health researchers, we need to advocate for giving equal weight to measurement issues in describing behavior. Parent factors are widely acknowledged as limitations to using questionnaires over interviews or observational measures. For example, a recent study by Bennett et al. (2012) demonstrated strong effects of maternal depression on the SRS, with a weaker effect on the ADI-R and no effect on the ADOS. We need more studies about the properties of all the ASD measures and we need study from research groups independent of those of us who authored the instruments. Improving measurement is a source of advancement in science; we need to support this endeavor and to support transparency in this approach. Researchers and clinicians are well aware of the enormous variability in ASD. It is logical that measures of ASD symptoms will need to take into account individual differences (e.g., language level, IQ, etc.). To not do this, is to miss an opportunity to understand how best to conceptualize and assess different dimensions of severity in ASD. S.B., K.G., & C.L. receive royalties for the ADOS-2. C.L. also receives royalties for the ADI-R. Profits from the original study were donated to charity – details of funding for that study and individual researchers are available in the Acknowledgement section of Hus et al. (2013). Vanessa Hus, 530 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1043, USA; Email: vhus@umich.edu

BackgroundFecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) may be helpful in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as rebalancing the gut microbiome has been shown to potentially improve behavioral symptoms in children with ASD.MethodsThis systematic review was conducted to assess the effect of FMT for children with ASD. The Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for articles published from inception to October 6, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the identified records and undertook data extraction.ResultsThe search identified a total of five studies: two prospective open-label studies, two retrospective observational studies, and a case report; however, no randomized controlled trial was identified. All five studies reported a significant post-FMT-treatment improvement in neuropsychological assessment of ASD. The two prospective open-label studies suggested that the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) score, and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) score at the posttreatment assessment decreased from the baseline (Wilcoxon signed-rank test; all p < 0.01]). The two retrospective observational studies suggested that FMT helped to improve the ASD symptoms. One observational study reported that the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) score and ABC score of the constipation group decreased from the baseline after the second course assessment (CARS [baseline: mean 35.25 ± standard deviation 4.36, second course: 32.5 ± 3.1, p = 0.015]; ABC [baseline: 56.21 ± 16.08, second course: 46.54 ± 16.54, p = 0.046]). Another observational study found that both ABC and CARS scores decreased as the number of FMT courses increased, and significant differences were found at the end of each course as compared with the baseline.ConclusionCompared with the baseline, FMT significantly improved symptoms of autism in children with ASD in observational studies. However, rigorously designed randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to establish the safety and efficacy of FMT as a treatment for ASD.

PEERS® for Preschoolers (P4P) is a parent-assisted social skills program for young autistic children, which has shown benefits for child and family functioning (Park et al. in Focus Autism Other Dev Disabil 38(2):80-89, 2023; Tripathi et al. in J Autism Dev Disord 52:2610-2626, 2022; Tripathi et al. in Autism 28(2):390-402, 2024). However, investigation into predictors of P4P program response have yet to be thoroughly explored. The current study aimed to explore the impact of parenting stress and social responsiveness on program outcomes in P4P. Participants included 74 preschool-aged children with historical autism diagnoses and their parents who enrolled in the 16-week P4P program. Predictors of interest were assessed through the Parenting Stress Inventory, 4th Edition, Short Form (PSI-4 SF; Abidin, in Parenting stress index. Psychological Assessment Resources, 2012) and Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Edition (SRS-2; Constantino & Gruber, in Social responsiveness scale, second edition (SRS-2). Western Psychological Services, 2008). Results indicated significant improvements on all outcomes following P4P, including child social skills, problem behaviors, social engagement, social responsiveness, and parenting stress. Baseline parenting stress and child social responsiveness did not predict program completion. In regression models controlling for pre-scores on the respective outcomes, neither PSI-4 SF nor SRS-2 scores predicted post-scores. Overall, results are encouraging in its implication that the P4P can benefit autistic preschoolers and their parents with varying degrees of social responsiveness and parenting stress, respectively, upon entry.

Evidence suggests core autism trait consistency in older children, but development of these traits is variable in early childhood. The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) measures autism-related traits and broader autism phenotype, with two age-dependent forms in childhood (preschool, 2.5-4.5 years; school age, 4-18 years). Score consistency has been observed within forms, though reliability across forms has not been evaluated. Using data from the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program (n = 853), preschool, and school-age SRS scores were collected via maternal report when children were an average of 3.0 and 5.8 years, respectively. We compared reproducibility of SRS total scores (T-scores) and agreement above a clinically meaningful cutoff (T-scores ≥ 60) and examined predictors of discordance in cutoff scores across forms. Participant scores across forms were similar (mean difference: 3.3 points; standard deviation: 7), though preschool scores were on average lower than school-age scores. Most children (88%) were classified below the cutoff on both forms, and overall concordance was high (92%). However, discordance was higher in cohorts following younger siblings of autistic children (16%). Proportions of children with an autism diagnoses were also higher among those with discordant scores (27%) than among those with concordant scores (4%). Our findings indicate SRS scores are broadly reproducible across preschool and school-age forms, particularly for capturing broader, nonclinical traits, but also suggest that greater variability of autism-related traits in preschool-age children may reduce reliability with later school-age scores for those in the clinical range.

Autistic children (AT) are known to exhibit distinct postural control patterns compared to neurotypical (NT) children. However, identifying and interpreting these differences can be complex due to the wide range of variables used to analyse Centre of Pressure (CoP) trajectories. This study aims to elucidate the specific characteristics of postural control in AT children by identifying the most discriminative CoP variables that distinguish them from NT children. The study evaluated 24 AT and 24 NT children while they stood on a force plate for 30s under three conditions: eyes open (EO), eyes closed (EC), and the feet on a foam pad with eyes open (EOF). A total of 75 variables-including frequential, linear, and non-linear variables-were extracted from the CoP trajectory. These variables, expressed as the rate of change between the EC and EOF conditions relative to the EO condition, were compared between the AT and NT groups. A best-subsets approach was used to identify the most discriminative variables, and Pearson correlations were calculated to assess their relationship with age and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) scores. Of the 75 variables analysed, 15 showed significant differences between the AT and NT groups. The best-subsets analysis and the correlations revealed that variables such as the rate of change between the EOF and EO conditions, and the root mean square of the trembling component of the CoP trajectory, were particularly discriminative. Autistic children demonstrated a more rigid and regular CoP trajectory, particularly in the EO condition, compared to NT children. These findings suggest that AT children have greater difficulty integrating multisensory information and an increased reliance on supraspinal processes for postural control.

A Mixture of Urinary Phthalate Metabolite Concentrations During Pregnancy and Offspring Social Responsiveness Scale Scores.