Trends in The Use of Virtual Reality in Autistic Children and Adults: A Bibliometric Analysis on Web of Science

Studies of families ascertained through a single autistic proband suggest that the genetic liability for autism may be expressed in nonautistic relatives in a phenotype that is milder but qualitatively similar to the defining features of autism. The objective of this study was to examine behaviors that may define this broader phenotype in relatives ascertained through two autistic siblings. The authors used a semistructured family history interview to compare the rates of social and communication deficits and stereotyped behaviors in relatives ascertained through two autistic siblings (families with multiple-incidence autism; 25 families) with the rates in relatives of Down syndrome probands (30 families). Higher rates of social and communication deficits and stereotyped behaviors were found in the relatives in the families with multiple-incidence autism. These data suggest that further studies should be undertaken to delineate the boundaries of the broader autism phenotype and that this broader phenotype should be included in some future genetic analyses of this disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions, characterized by early-onset difficulties in social communication as well as repetitive and unusually restricted behaviors and interests. The treatment of ASD is based primarily on psychoeducational and behavioral interventions. Since the effectiveness of available treatments for ASD is limited, many families search for alternative therapies, such as the gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet. Despite the popularity of the GFCF diet as a supplementary treatment in children with ASD, several rigorous evaluations have failed to confirm its effectiveness. The majority of the available studies examining the efficacy of the GFCF diet are seriously flawed and allow no firm conclusions. The available evidence regarding the effectiveness of the GFCF diet in the treatment of childhood ASD is very weak and cannot be considered promising. The GFCF diet should be used only if an allergy or intolerance to nutritional gluten or casein has been established. The identification of a hypothetical diet-related ASD phenotype may help in selecting children who could benefit from a GFCF dietary intervention. An important consideration is that potentially ineffective therapies may imply considerable opportunity costs, with other possibly more effective treatment approaches remaining unutilized.

Special Report: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Inflexible Thinking—Affecting Patients Across the Lifespan

Increased intracranial very low frequency pulsation power in central brain regions of high-functioning young adults with autism spectrum disorder.

Effectively serving students with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) requires professionals to possess specialized knowledge, skills, and understanding. When students with ASDs are from culturally or linguistically diverse (CLD) families, the professionals assessing and providing services to the students need the additional dimension of how cultural and linguistic differences may affect identification, assessment, and treatment strategies.

Behavioral phenotypes and neurobiological mechanisms in the Shank1 mouse model for autism spectrum disorder: A translational perspective

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent difficulties in social communication and social interaction, coupled with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or interest. Research indicates that aggression rates may be higher in individuals with ASD compared to those with other developmental disabilities. Aggression is associated with negative outcomes for children with ASD and their caregivers, including decreased quality of life, increased stress levels, and reduced availability of educational and social support. Therapeutic strategies including functional behavioral assessment, reinforcement strategies, and functional communication training may have a significant impact in reducing the frequency and intensity of aggressive behavior in individuals with ASD. Pharmacologic treatments, particularly the use of second-generation antipsychotics, may also be of some benefit in reducing aggression in individuals with ASD. With the ever-increasing rate of ASD diagnosis, development of effective therapeutic and pharmacologic methods for preventing and treating aggression are essential to improving outcomes in this disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is clinically characterized by social communication difficulties as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. In addition, children with ASD are more likely to experience anxiety compared with their peers who do not have ASD. Recent studies suggest that atypical amygdala structure, a brain region involved in emotions, may be related to anxiety in children with ASD. However, the amygdala is a complex structure composed of heterogeneous subnuclei, and few studies to date have focused on how amygdala subnuclei relate to in anxiety in this population. The current sample consisted of 95 children with ASD and 139 non-autistic children, who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and assessments for anxiety. The amygdala volumes were automatically segmented. Results indicated that children with ASD had elevated anxiety scores relative to peers without ASD. Larger basal volumes predicted greater anxiety in children with ASD, and this association was not seen in non-autistic children. Findings converge with previous literature suggesting ASD children suffer from higher levels of anxiety than non-autistic children, which may have important implications in treatment and interventions. Our results suggest that volumetric estimation of amygdala's subregions in MRI may reveal specific anxiety-related associations in children with ASD.

Answers to Your DSM-5 Questions

COVID-19 and Autism Research: Perspectives from Around the Globe.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent difficulties in social communication and interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Growing evidence suggests that play, physical activity (PA), and exercise may contribute to improvements in behavioral regulation and social functioning in individuals with ASD. However, findings across studies remain heterogeneous with respect to intervention type, intensity, and targeted outcomes, making it challenging to draw unified conclusions. This narrative review aimed to synthesize and discuss existing literatures on play-based, PA, and exercise interventions targeting behavioral and social outcomes in individuals with ASD. Overall, the literature indicated that PA and exercise programs-particularly those incorporating social interaction, task-oriented play, or group-based formats-were associated with meaningful improvements in both sociobehavioral domains. Potential mechanisms underlying these effects included enhanced executive functioning, improved self-regulation, neurobiological adaptations, and increased opportunities for social learning. Nevertheless, variability in study design, outcome measures, and methodological quality limits the generalizability of findings. Future research should prioritize well-designed trials with standardized outcome measures and clearly defined intervention parameters to strengthen the evidence base and inform clinical and educational practice.

Personalized Medicine in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Integrating Epigenomics, Microbiome Research and Early Diagnostics.

Early Signs

Foreword

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Three Case Studies