Autism Spectrum Disorder People Research Articles

Potential similarities in gut microbiota composition between autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical siblings: Insights from a comprehensive meta-analysis.

Previous studies have explored the differences in gut microbiota (GM) between individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and neurotypical controls. However, factors such as diet, lifestyle, and environmental exposure influence GM, leading to significant variability, even among neurotypical individuals. Comparing the GM of ASD individuals with neurotypical siblings, who share similar genes and living conditions, may offer better insights into the GM mechanisms associated with ASD. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the GM composition in ASD by comparing it to that of neurotypical siblings, potentially identifying microbiota that influence ASD. We explored electronic databases up to July 2024, including EBSCOhost, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus. Meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4 assessed the relative abundance (RA) of gut bacteria from 8 phyla and 4 genera in ASD individuals and neurotypical siblings. Eight studies were included, involving 248 people with ASD and 197 neurotypical siblings. Significant but unstable differences were observed in the RA of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Fusobacteria. No significant differences were found in the RA of Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Tenericutes, or Bacteroides, Roseburia, Sutterella, Bifidobacterium. GM composition in ASD individuals closely resembles that of neurotypical siblings, with only a few unstable differences. This suggests that other crucial bacteria or certain interacting environmental factors play a role. Further studies are needed to gather stronger evidence to uncover the differences in GM and their mechanisms in ASD people.

Altered intra- and inter-network connectivity in autism spectrum disorder.

A neurodevelopmental illness termed as the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is described by social interaction impairments. Previous studies employing resting-state functional imaging (rs-fMRI) identified both hyperconnectivity and hypoconnectivity patterns in ASD people. However, specific patterns of connectivity within and between networks linked to ASD remain largely unexplored. We utilized a meticulously selected subset of high-quality data, comprising 45 individuals diagnosed with ASD and 47 HCs, obtained from the ABIDE dataset. The pre-processed rs-fMRI time series signals were partitioned into ninety regions of interest. We focused on eight intrinsic connectivity networks and further performed intra- and inter-network analysis. Finally, support vector machine was used to discriminate ASD from HC. Through different sparsities, ASD exhibited significantly decreased intra-network connectivity within default mode network and dorsal attention network, increased connectivity between limbic network and subcortical network, and decreased connectivity between default mode network and limbic network. Using the classifier trained on altered intra- and inter-network connectivity, multivariate pattern analyses classified the ASD from HC with 71.74% accuracy, 70.21% specificity and 75.56% sensitivity in 10% sparsity of functional connectivity. ASD showed characteristic reorganization of the brain networks and this provided new insight into the underlying process of the functional connectome dysfunction in ASD.

Concurrent Gender Dysphoria/Incongruence and Autism Spectrum Disorder, a literature review

IntroductionSeveral studies have found that ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and GD (Gender Dysphoria by DSM-V)/GI (Gender Incongruence by ICD-11) tend to co-occur, and in recent years the interest and publications on this comorbidity has increased rapidly.ObjectivesTo review the prevalence of ASD in individual with a diagnosis of GD/GI.To better tailor and improve care offered in the National Health Service (NHS) Gender Identity Clinics (GICs) throughout the UK.MethodsSystematic literature review was conducted via Pub Med, MEDLINE and PsycINFO by the author, for all English-language articles published between 2018 and 2023, containing keywords as ASD, GD (Gender Dysphoria), GI (Gender Incongruence), transgender, autistic traits, autism, gender diversity, gender variance.ResultsRate of people with ASD appear to be higher in people accessing Gender Identity Clinics (GICs) than in the general population. Results from this literature review show increased prevalence of GD and GI in ASD population.ConclusionsThis comorbidity has highlighted the importance of better tailor transgender healthcare services for people with neurodevelopmental conditions and neurodiversity, to avoid delay in ASD individuals accessing care and gender affirming medical treatments. Services should strive to provide an effective and equitable service. It is also important to better identify potential barriers for ASD people in accessing gender care. Literature also shows the people with ASD have more difficulties in communicating and describing their gender narrative and to express their wishes for gender treatments. Symptoms including problems in communications and social skills, obsession and rigidity can also impact their assessment of GD/GI in gender identity services. Some studies showed that for individuals who have concurrent ASD and GD/GI, assessment in GICs may be extended to better review their wishes for gender identity and for gender affirming treatment. Further research is needed to better investigate and understand factors explaining the relationship between ASD and gender diversity. There is still limited research in the real life experiences of gender diverse and autistic people. There is also a need to improve Gender reassignment protocol nationally to better care for individual with ASD and GD/GI throughout GICs in the UK.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The Physiology of Cognition in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Current and Future Challenges.

Cognitive impairment is among the most challenging characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although ASD is one of the common neurodevelopmental disorders, we are still behind in diagnosing and treating cognitive impairment in ASD. Cognitive impairment in ASD varies, meaning it could be at the sensory perception level to cognitive processing, learning, and memory. There are no diagnostic criteria for cognitive impairment that are specific to ASD. The leading causes of cognitive impairment in ASD could be neurological, immune, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Immune dysfunction might lead to neuroinflammation, affecting neural connectivity, glutamate/gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) balance, and plasticity. The gut-brain axes are essential in the developing brain. Special retinal changes have recently been detected in ASD, which need clinical investigation to find their possible role in early diagnosis. Early intervention is crucial for ASD cognitive dysfunction. Due to the heterogeneity of the disease, the clinical manifestation of ASD makes it difficult for clinicians to develop gold-standard diagnostic and therapeutic criteria. We suggest a triad for diagnosis, which includes clinical tests for immune and gastrointestinal dysfunction biomarkers, clinical examination for the retina, and an objective neurocognitive evaluation for ASD, and to develop a treatment strategy involving these three aspects. Developing clear treatment criteria for cognitive impairment for ASD would improve the quality of life of ASD people and their caregivers and would delay or prevent dementia-related disorders in ASD people.

The Perception of the Utility of Social Media by Caregivers of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders during a Period of Home Quarantine

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of social media offered a possible way to address the difficulties of social relationships for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as a way to ease the problems of their caregivers. To gather information on the feasibility of this solution, we conducted an online questionnaire about the first lockdown period in Italy (March–May 2020) with 29 caregivers of ASD individuals. The questionnaire investigated their living conditions, the way time was spent during isolation, the availability of technological equipment, the perceived level of anxiety and the perceived utility of social media. The results showed that the difficulties of using social media had not been overcome, even at this time of greatest need. However, caregivers who take care of ASD people with high levels of anxiety perceived social media as more useful. This result invites further reflection on how to implement social media effectively for people with ASD.

On the Evaluation of Engagement in Immersive Applications When Users Are on the Autism Spectrum.

New generation wearable devices allow for the development of interactive environments tailored for Virtual Reality (VR)- and Augmented Reality (AR)-based treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Experts agree on their potential; however, there is lack of consensus on how to perform trials and the need arises for evaluation frameworks, methods, and techniques appropriate for the ASD population. In this paper, we report on a study conducted with high-functioning ASD people in the 21-23 age range, with the objectives of (1) evaluating the engagement of two headsets offering distinct immersive experiences, (2) reasoning on the interpretation of engagement factors in the case of ASD people, and (3) translating results into general guidelines for the development of VR/AR-based ASD treatment. To this aim, we (1) designed two engagement evaluation frameworks based on behavioral observation measures, (2) set up two packages of reference immersive scenarios, (3) defined the association between metrics and scenarios, and (4) administered the scenarios in distinct sessions for the investigated headsets. Results show that the immersive experiences are engaging and that the apparent lack of success of some evaluation factors can become potential advantages within the framework of VR/AR-based ASD treatment design.

Prevalence of motor tests in autism spectrum disorder people

In autism spectrum disorder, studies have in social communication, in their interest, education and social/educational inclusion with children and adolescents with aspects studied for this even larger audience is very scarce, observing a gap in the literature regarding this population. This work aims through a bibliographic survey to describe the tests that are being used in autism, as their advantages and objectives, are shown as evidence of study among them. The research was carried out in the Bireme and Pubmed databases with the descriptors “assessing motor autism”, “assessing motor skill performance and autism” and “assessing the development of physical fitness and autism”. the search resulted in 846 studies, after excluding duplicates, 823 articles remained. After reading the titles and abstracts, 703 studies were excluded and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 articles were included in this review. have similarities with each other, such as some ages and some tests such as: delineating the trail, basting a cord that is manual dexterity, grabbing and dribbling a ball and very similar tests such as walking under a line, jumping on one foot only in displacement, among others. We conclude that the tests available in the market are expensive for professionals and that each one evaluates more a specific skill for gaps in the estimates.

The Contribution of Machine Learning and Eye-Tracking Technology in Autism Spectrum Disorder Research: A Systematic Review

Early and objective autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessment, as well as early intervention are particularly important and may have long term benefits in the lives of ASD people. ASD assessment relies on subjective rather on objective criteria, whereas advances in research point to up-to-date procedures for early ASD assessment comprising eye-tracking technology, machine learning, as well as other assessment tools. This systematic review, the first to our knowledge of its kind, provides a comprehensive discussion of 30 studies irrespective of the stimuli/tasks and dataset used, the algorithms applied, the eye-tracking tools utilised and their goals. Evidence indicates that the combination of machine learning and eye-tracking technology could be considered a promising tool in autism research regarding early and objective diagnosis. Limitations and suggestions for future research are also presented.

Features of Mobile Apps for People with Autism in a Post COVID-19 Scenario: Current Status and Recommendations for Apps Using AI.

The new ‘normal’ defined during the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to re-assess how people with special needs thrive in these unprecedented conditions, such as those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These changing/challenging conditions have instigated us to revisit the usage of telehealth services to improve the quality of life for people with ASD. This study aims to identify mobile applications that suit the needs of such individuals. This work focuses on identifying features of a number of highly-rated mobile applications (apps) that are designed to assist people with ASD, specifically those features that use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. In this study, 250 mobile apps have been retrieved using keywords such as autism, autism AI, and autistic. Among 250 apps, 46 were identified after filtering out irrelevant apps based on defined elimination criteria such as ASD common users, medical staff, and non-medically trained people interacting with people with ASD. In order to review common functionalities and features, 25 apps were downloaded and analysed based on eye tracking, facial expression analysis, use of 3D cartoons, haptic feedback, engaging interface, text-to-speech, use of Applied Behaviour Analysis therapy, Augmentative and Alternative Communication techniques, among others were also deconstructed. As a result, software developers and healthcare professionals can consider the identified features in designing future support tools for autistic people. This study hypothesises that by studying these current features, further recommendations of how existing applications for ASD people could be enhanced using AI for (1) progress tracking, (2) personalised content delivery, (3) automated reasoning, (4) image recognition, and (5) Natural Language Processing (NLP). This paper follows the PRISMA methodology, which involves a set of recommendations for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Autism Spectrum Disorder from the Womb to Adulthood: Suggestions for a Paradigm Shift.

The wide spectrum of unique needs and strengths of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a challenge for the worldwide healthcare system. With the plethora of information from research, a common thread is required to conceptualize an exhaustive pathogenetic paradigm. The epidemiological and clinical findings in ASD cannot be explained by the traditional linear genetic model, hence the need to move towards a more fluid conception, integrating genetics, environment, and epigenetics as a whole. The embryo-fetal period and the first two years of life (the so-called ‘First 1000 Days’) are the crucial time window for neurodevelopment. In particular, the interplay and the vicious loop between immune activation, gut dysbiosis, and mitochondrial impairment/oxidative stress significantly affects neurodevelopment during pregnancy and undermines the health of ASD people throughout life. Consequently, the most effective intervention in ASD is expected by primary prevention aimed at pregnancy and at early control of the main effector molecular pathways. We will reason here on a comprehensive and exhaustive pathogenetic paradigm in ASD, viewed not just as a theoretical issue, but as a tool to provide suggestions for effective preventive strategies and personalized, dynamic (from womb to adulthood), systemic, and interdisciplinary healthcare approach.

Features of interest style in autism spectrum disorder people over Adolescence

Features of interest style in autism spectrum disorder people over Adolescence

Seeing and communicating: photography and young male adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Digital photography is deeply embedded in people’s daily lives, as camera phones and digital compact cameras are widely used in social and cultural settings. People have an increased agency and choice over what they want to photograph, where and when; many people carry their smartphones everywhere and share their images instantly via social media platforms. Within the recent scholarship on everyday photography, however, little attention has been paid to the photographic practices of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), one of many marginalized groups whose photography has not been explored. This article addresses this shortfall. Drawing on a qualitative, image-based investigation, the author turns to phenomenology to examine four young male ASD adults’ unique ways of seeing and being-in-the-world as expressed through the use of their camera. Their involvement indicates that ASD people have the potential to have a powerful voice in how society conceives of what autism is and what it means to live with ASD. A case study discussion of key research findings presents examples of the pictures taken in the sphere of participants’ everyday lives, revealing that the camera acts as an extension of experience and perception, a mediator and filter. Photography enables the four male ASD individuals’ being-in-the-world and exposes the social life of this marginalized group. The article offers a significant contribution to the field of visual communication and sensory experience.

From Kanner Austim to Asperger Syndromes, the Difficult Task to Predict Where ASD People Look at

Modelling the visual attention of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is attracting more and more interest. This consists in determining where ASD people look and in inferring the important visual features contributing to the gaze deployment. In this article, we investigate whether or not existing neurotypical as well as ASD saliency models perform well over the whole spectrum of autism. For this purpose, we propose two new eye-tracking datasets of ASD people in order to cover a large part of the autism spectrum, going from high-level functioning (e.g. Asperger) to low-level functioning (e.g. Kanner) autism. We demonstrate that current neurotypical and ASD models do not generalize well and perform well only on a small part of the spectrum. Our objective is to raise the awareness of computer scientists to the difficult task we are facing up when it comes to simulate the gaze deployment of ASD people.

Nationwide Survey of Healthcare Services for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in Italy

ObjectivesASD is a lifelong multifaceted condition with considerable impact and costs to the single patients, their family and wider society, hence emphasizing the need of tailoring services for ASD subjects and their families. In Italy, recent efforts have been made to harmonize and promote the appropriateness of interventions for ASD people. At present, scattered information on services for people with ASD is available. The aim of this study was to survey the presence and distribution of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHs) in Italy, devoting a specific focus on their capacity to provide care to ASD patients.MethodsCAMHs based on local health services, public and university hospitals, and care/research institutions, as well as private (INHS-accredited) units were invited to participate to present investigation filling in a questionnaire assessing relevant dimensions for public health, namely overall structural capacity and ASD care processes.ResultsHeterogeneity of the results among geographical macro-areas in CAMHs provision was found. Specifically, for ASD care, diagnosis and intervention strategies resulted to be unevenly distributed across the Italian territory, and the level of service integration throughout transition into adulthood resulted to be low.ConclusionsResults from this survey contribute to increase the knowledge on services provided in Italy to people with ASD, and suggest potential targets to improve ASD management. The final aim is to ensure that the conditions are in place to achieve the adequate capacity to respond to the needs of individuals affected and their families over time and across the whole country.

Prevalence and predictors of psychotropic medication use in adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder in Italy: A cross-sectional study

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of life-long neurodevelopmental conditions with a prevalence of 1.5% in developed countries. Beside core symptomatology, ASD people are frequently affected by psychiatric comorbidities and behavioral problems. To date, only risperidone and aripiprazole have been approved for the pharmacological treatment of ASD-associated irritability in children and adolescents, while no guidelines exist for adults. The present cross-sectional study examined the prevalence and predictors of psychotropic medication use in 195 autistic subjects, aged between 14 and 58, treated in two Italian tertiary care centers. 58.5% of the sample were taking at least one medication; one third of the sample were on polypharmacotherapy. Antipsychotics were prescribed to 40% of the sample. Nearly 30% of the sample were on anticonvulsants/mood stabilizers. Both antidepressants and benzodiazepines were prescribed to approximately 16% of the subjects. IQ, epilepsy and psychiatric comorbidities were regarded as independent predictors of both mono- and polypharmacotherapy, while severity of repetitive behaviors predicted only polypharmacotherapy. Our data highlighted that medications prescribed to adolescents and adults with ASD are heterogeneous and often rely only on clinicians’ experience. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of psychotropic drugs in this specific population, to promote the development of appropriate treatment guidelines.

Autistic traits in neurotypical individuals are associated with increased landmark use during navigation.

People adopt two distinct learning strategies during navigation. "Spatial learners" navigate by building a cognitive map using environmental landmarks, and display more grey matter in the hippocampus. Conversely, "response learners" memorize a series of rigid turns to navigate and display more grey matter in the caudate nucleus of the striatum. Evidence has linked these two structures with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autistic traits in non-clinical populations. Both people with ASD and neurotypical people with higher levels of autistic traits have been shown to display more grey matter in the hippocampus and less functional activity in the caudate nucleus. We therefore tested 56 healthy participants who completed the Autism Quotient (AQ) Scale and the 4-on-8 Virtual Maze (4/8 VM), which determines the reliance on landmarks during navigation. We found that people who relied on landmarks during navigation also displayed significantly higher scores on the AQ Scale. Because spatial strategies are associated with increased attention to environmental landmark use and are supported by the hippocampus, our results provide a potential behavioral mechanism linking higher autistic traits (e.g., increased attention to detail and increased sensory processes) to increased hippocampal grey matter.

Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Future Improvements

The Broad autism phenotype (BAP) refers to a set of subclinical behavioural characteristics qualitatively similar to those presented in Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The BAP questionnaire (BAPQ) has been widely used to assess the BAP both in relatives of ASD people and within the general population. The current study presents the first Spanish version of the BAPQ (BAPQ-SP) and analyses its psychometric properties, including validity evidences based on the BAPQ scores relationship with other variables. Our results only support the use of the Aloof and Rigid sub-scales to assess this phenotype, whereas Pragmatic Language sub-scale seems to be the main source of misfit. This research represents a first step in the study of the BAP features in the Spanish population.

Executive Functions and Adaptive Behaviour in Autism Spectrum Disorders with and without Intellectual Disability.

Executive functions (EF) in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been often investigated, although results seem to be rather inconsistent. The first aim of this study was to detect which EF components are common to the ASD continuum (from high- to low-functioning ASD) and identify a possible EF profile for ASD people. Planning, mental flexibility, inhibition of response, generativity, and ecologic EF were investigated. This study was extended not only to high-functioning ASD, but also to ASD with intellectual disability (ID). The second aim was to find EF aspects correlating with adaptive skills in ASD. A total of 61 children participated in the study (27 ASD with and without ID and 34 controls). Results highlight an executive profile characterised by impaired flexibility and deficient planning; these deficits are associated with decreased adaptive ability, particularly socialization, and a deficient shifting in ecologic conditions. These features are present in all ASD subgroups with and without ID; for this reason, they might be assumed as being specific features in ASD.

Challenges in Requirements Engineering for Mobile Applications for Disabled –Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a brain development disorder caused due to abnormal functioning of brain impacting development activities. Different traditional techniques and methods have been used to communicate with ASD person. Researchers and developers have come up with different innovative ideas to aid ASD patients to communicate with others. As ASD people do not communicate properly so requirement engineers face challenges while gathering requirements from them. This paper focuses on the challenges faced during the requirement elicitation process. As challenges are discussed we have proposed a solution to overcome these problems. 

P03-425 - Electrodermal activity in response to a set of mental tasks in caregivers of persons with autism spectrum disorders

IntroductionAnalysing reactivity to laboratory stressor in lab is a valid model for understanding how people act in real-life situations. Electrodermal activity is a good index of emotionality, which has not been analysed in caregivers of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).Objectives and aimsThis work aims to compare the response of electrodermal activity to mental stress between caregivers of ASDs people and controls, as the former could show a different response due to their particular situation characterised by a state of continuous alert.MethodsParents of both genders of people with (n = 44) or without (n = 42) ASDs carried out a set of different mental tasks. Skin Conductance Level (SCL) was continuously registered before, during, and after the tasks. Skin Conductance Responses (SCR) were obtained from SCL levels using Acqknowledge software.ResultsFor SCL, a significant effect of “gender” and of “period x group” and “period x group x gender” interactions was observed. SCL was higher in men than in women and in controls when compared to caregivers. Controls presented more SCL Reactivity than caregivers, being these results were replicated in men (who also showed worse recovery in controls) but not in women. In caregivers, men showed lower SCR Reactivity than women.ConclusionsCaregivers of ASDs showed a lower electrodermal reactivity to mental stress than controls, and this effect was stronger in men. These results could reflect a lower reactivity to stressful situations in caregivers and, consequently, a loss of the adaptative potential of the stress response in this population.