Michelle Coelho Ferreira Lotito, Ana Clara Tapajos Pinto, Leticia Carolina Alves, Mainara Alves Barbosa, Dennis Carvalho Ferreira, Maristela Barbosa Portela, Antônio Ferreira Pereira, Claudia Maria Tavares-Silva, Giuseppe Pastura, Gloria Fernanda Barbosa de Araújo Castro
{"title":"Autism Spectrum Disorder: Sleep Characteristics in Children and Adolescents, and Their Relationship with Probable Sleep Bruxism, Anxiety, and Cortisol and Melatonin Levels-A Cross-Sectional Study of Children in Brazil.","authors":"Michelle Coelho Ferreira Lotito, Ana Clara Tapajos Pinto, Leticia Carolina Alves, Mainara Alves Barbosa, Dennis Carvalho Ferreira, Maristela Barbosa Portela, Antônio Ferreira Pereira, Claudia Maria Tavares-Silva, Giuseppe Pastura, Gloria Fernanda Barbosa de Araújo Castro","doi":"10.1007/s10803-025-06925-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06925-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study described the sleep characteristics (SC) of children/adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and examined their association with medication use, support level, chronotype, probable sleep bruxism (PSB), anxiety, salivary levels of cortisol (SalC) and melatonin (SalM). Methods: Following anamnesis and dental examination, anxiety was assessed using the SCARED questionnaire. The SCs were determined by two age-appropriate questionnaires, and the percentage of negative SCs (%Neg) was recorded. Saliva samples were collected to measure SalC and SalM levels. The sample comprised 85 ASD patients aged 2-16 years, of whom 80%, 50.6% were classified as support level 2, 83.5% used medication, 84.7% had an afternoon chronotype, 72.9% presented PSB, and 48.2%, anxiety. The mean %Neg was significantly higher in patients using medication (49.29 ± 15.88; p = 0.03) and those requiring more support (level 1: 41.57 ± 14.45; level 2: 50.78 ± 15.54; level 3: 55.11 ± 23.44; p = 0.019). Patients with anxiety showed a higher %Neg (51.31 ± 16.33) than those without anxiety (43.65 ± 15.79). The mean SalC and SalM levels were 13.29 ± 13.39 and 299.91 ± 241.77, respectively.. In children aged 2-6 years, one rhythmicity SC and two separation-related SCs were associated with SalC (p < 0.05); lower SalM levels were found in patients who \"slept alone\" (p = 0.02). In older patients, \"moving while sleeping\" was associated with lower SalC (p = 0.05), and three additional SCs were linked to reduced SalM levels (p < 0.05). The presence of negative SCs in ASD patients was more common in those taking medication, requiring more support, and presenting anxiety. Furthermore, SalC and SalM levels were associated with specific SCs, especially among individuals aged (7-16).</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144608413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Impact of ADHD Coexistence on Internet Addiction Symptoms in Children with ASD: Effects of Family- and School-Related Factors and Sex Differences.","authors":"Hiroyuki Kawabe, Sayaka Kawakami, Azusa Fujita, Junichi Yamamura, Atsushi Senju, Kenji J Tsuchiya, Tomoko Nishimura","doi":"10.1007/s10803-025-06937-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06937-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144583995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Experiences of Autistic People in Police Custody: The Need for Adjustments to Improve Participation in the Custody Process.","authors":"C A Holloway-George, N Munro, J Jackson, D Ropar","doi":"10.1007/s10803-025-06952-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06952-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to understand what influences autistic people's experiences of police custody and how their participation in the custody process may be affected. In addition, the study aimed to understand what strategies may mitigate any potential difficulties autistic people have in police custody. Twelve autistic people were interviewed about their experiences of being detained in police custody as suspects and their views on how to improve support in this setting. Participants described how the combined impact of not being able to understand their arrest and detention as suspects and having to cope with the demands associated with being detained in the custody environment, adversely affected their participation in the custody process. They referred to experiencing a desire to escape police custody which influenced the how they made key decisions and engaged in the police interview. Because of these negative experiences and potential consequences, participants also discussed the importance of making adjustments in order to mitigate the potential impact on their participation in the custody process. The findings illustrate how the overall experiences of autistic people are influenced by the combination of the difficulties experienced by autistic people understanding their arrest and detention, being able to cope with the custody environment and the detrimental impact this can have on their participation in the custody process. They also demonstrate the importance of making adjustments to support their participation in the custody process.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144583994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Asal Tiznobeik, Michaela DuBay, Hooshang Dadgar, Hadi Zarafshan, Ghazal Shariatpanahi
{"title":"Translation, Cultural Adaption, and Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of \"First Year Inventory,\" an Autism Screening Tool.","authors":"Asal Tiznobeik, Michaela DuBay, Hooshang Dadgar, Hadi Zarafshan, Ghazal Shariatpanahi","doi":"10.1007/s10803-025-06954-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06954-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with challenges in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Early diagnosis is vital for effective interventions. In low- and middle-income countries like Iran, reliable screening tools for ASD are scarce. This study aims to translate, culturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the \"First Year Inventory, version 2\" (FYI) for use in Iran. The FYI was translated into Persian using the Watson and DuBay (2019) method. A panel of ten experts assessed its validity. Based on their feedback, necessary cultural and linguistic adjustments were made. A pre-test was conducted with parents of typically developing infants, and psychometric properties such as test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and criterion validity were evaluated. The study translated and culturally adapted the FYI for screening ASD in 12-month-old infants. Data from 110 participants showed good psychometric properties, with excellent discriminative ability in distinguishing ASD from typically developing infants and children with developmental delays. The adaptation of FYI addressed linguistic, cultural, and technical challenges, confirming its applicability in Iran. The tool showed strong validity and reliability in distinguishing ASD. However, cultural nuances in the social-communication domain highlighted the need for further refinement. Future research should focus on larger samples and integrate FYI with other diagnostic tools for improved screening accuracy.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144583998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Reda Ebrahim Mohamed El-Ashram, Ohud Abdulrahman Aldaghmi, Sanaa Mostafa Mohammed
{"title":"Perceptions of Special Education Professionals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Regarding the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder.","authors":"Reda Ebrahim Mohamed El-Ashram, Ohud Abdulrahman Aldaghmi, Sanaa Mostafa Mohammed","doi":"10.1007/s10803-025-06947-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06947-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis often presents challenges due to its complexity and reliance on subjective clinical assessments, potentially leading to delays in identification and intervention. Artificial intelligence (AI) holds significant promise for transforming healthcare, including the potential to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness of ASD diagnosis. This study investigated the perspectives of 423 specialists in special education across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on the requirements and challenges associated with integrating AI technologies into the ASD diagnostic process. Utilizing a descriptive survey methodology and a authors-developed questionnaire, we explored specialists' perceptions of AI implementation's financial, human, and regulatory aspects. According to our research, financial, human, and regulatory resources are seen to be crucial for a successful AI integration. However, a major barrier identified was the lack of awareness among specialists regarding the potential benefits and applications of AI in ASD diagnosis. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, including strategic investment in training programs, infrastructure development, and awareness campaigns, to facilitate the seamless integration of AI into the ASD diagnostic landscape in KSA. By addressing these requirements and challenges, we can pave the way for more accurate, efficient, and timely ASD diagnosis, ultimately resulting in better results for families and people with ASD.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144583996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kristin Walker, Jacquelyn A Gates, Sydney Boateng, Alan Gerber, Ava Gurba, Lauren Moskowitz, Matthew D Lerner
{"title":"Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Autism Providers' ACEs Inquiries.","authors":"Kristin Walker, Jacquelyn A Gates, Sydney Boateng, Alan Gerber, Ava Gurba, Lauren Moskowitz, Matthew D Lerner","doi":"10.1007/s10803-025-06948-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06948-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Autistic individuals experience Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including neglect, abuse, and financial stress, at above-average rates. However, little is known regarding the factors influencing whether autism community-based providers conduct ACEs inquiries in their practice. Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic status (SES) group disparities persist in healthcare and may exist in providers' ACEs inquiries. Whether autism community-based providers inquire about ACEs differently between racial, ethnic, and SES groups has not been studied. Understanding potential variations in inquiry rates is crucial, as inquiring can lead to the identification of ACEs and service provision. To investigate whether community providers' ACEs inquiries differ, we surveyed providers (N = 567) serving autistic individuals ages 7-22 years. Logistic regression using generalized estimating equations estimated the association between racial, ethnic, and SES groups providers reported serving and frequency of ACEs inquiries. Considering overall inquiries (i.e., if providers ever inquired) obscured significant specific inquiry discrepancies (i.e., variation in eight ACEs inquiries by groups served). Specific inquiries models revealed that providers serving Black, Native American, high, and low SES individuals reported higher odds of inquiring about various ACEs. In contrast, providers serving Asian individuals reported inquiring less about particular ACEs. The specific characteristics of the population served by providers may influence their ACEs inquiries. Further investigations are needed to reveal factors underlying gaps in ACEs inquiries across groups and narrow such disparities.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144583997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Empowering Fathers: Effectiveness of Brief PRT Training for Bilingual Families of Libyan American Children with Autism to Enhance Communication Skills.","authors":"Hesham Abda, Francie Murry","doi":"10.1007/s10803-025-06945-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06945-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parent-mediated interventions are becoming essential in addressing the communication challenges faced by children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study evaluated the effectiveness of a brief, structured 6-h father training program in Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) for increasing social functional utterances (SFUs) in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study explored whether bilingual fathers (Arabic and English) could implement PRT motivational techniques with fidelity and how these techniques influenced their children's communication outcomes.A single-case multiple baseline design was employed with three father-child dyads. Fathers received structured PRT training and applied learned motivational strategies during interactive play sessions at home over an 8-week period. Father fidelity and child SFU frequency were assessed using systematic observation and interobserver agreement measures. All fathers demonstrated increased fidelity in implementing PRT motivational techniques (ranging from 12.77 to 19.14 instances per session). Correspondingly, children exhibited significant improvements in SFUs, with increases from baseline to intervention sessions (ranging from 3.55 to 6.5 SFUs per session). Social validity measures indicated high parental satisfaction, with fathers reporting enhanced engagement and improved parent-child interactions. Findings support the efficacy of brief father training in PRT for improving child social communication skills. The study underscores the importance of father-mediated interventions and highlights cultural considerations in PRT implementation. Future research should explore the long-term impact of brief PRT training across diverse populations and intervention settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144583993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shlomit Tsafrir, Ran Barzilay, Doron Gothelf, Michal Begin
{"title":"Longitudinal Analysis of Children Referred for ASD Evaluation: Exploring Outcomes for Individuals Without Confirmed ASD Diagnoses.","authors":"Shlomit Tsafrir, Ran Barzilay, Doron Gothelf, Michal Begin","doi":"10.1007/s10803-025-06935-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06935-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is complex due to overlapping conditions and frequent comorbidities. This study aimed to explore the clinical and developmental outcomes of children referred for ASD evaluation but not diagnosed with ASD, describing the long-term diagnostic and treatment patterns in this population. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 37 children (aged 1-13 years) evaluated for ASD at a regional clinic between 2011 and 2017 but not diagnosed with ASD (non-ASD group). A control group of 32 children consecutively diagnosed with ASD during the same period was included. Electronic medical records of both groups were reviewed 2-9 years post-assessment, focusing on diagnostic changes, service utilization, and treatment patterns. Both groups exhibited significant impairments and high service utilization at follow-up. ADHD was commonly diagnosed in both groups, while specific learning disorders (SLD) were more prevalent in the non-ASD group. Notably, approximately 20% of children in the non-ASD group received an ASD diagnosis at follow-up. Most children received psychopharmacological treatment, with stimulants being the most prescribed. Combination treatments were less common in the non-ASD group. Children referred for ASD evaluation but not initially diagnosed with ASD often experience substantial impairments and comorbidities, particularly ADHD and SLD. They require ongoing, multifaceted care. These findings underscore the need for long-term monitoring and tailored interventions for this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144575505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Group Interpersonal Synchrony Increases Prosocial Behavior in Young Autistic Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Tamar Dvir, Cochavit Elefant, Tal-Chen Rabinowitch","doi":"10.1007/s10803-025-06949-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06949-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dance movement therapists use interventions in which participants share synchronous movement to enhance well-being and increase social skills among autistic individuals. However, there is limited research about the effects of synchronized interventions on interpersonal and intrapersonal outcomes of autistic individuals. This field study evaluated the immediate and long-term impacts of a movement-based synchronized group intervention on prosocial behavior, social cohesion, and work-related stress among young autistic adults. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate two movement-based group intervention conditions: synchronous and non-synchronous. Fifty-four young adults, aged 18-22, enrolled in an innovative program integrating young autistic adults into the Israeli army workforce. One-hour-long movement-based intervention sessions took place once a week for six to seven weeks, and data was collected at three time points: before and after the intervention period, and 17 weeks after it ended. Results suggest that the synchronized intervention may be more effective than the non-synchronized intervention in enhancing cooperative behavior after 17 weeks and fostering social closeness with familiar peers post-intervention. However, the synchronized intervention may not be more effective in reducing work-related stress. A holistic approach is discussed, which integrates synchronized and non-synchronized movement-based group interventions for young autistic individuals transitioning into work environments.Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT05846308; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05846308 ).</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144564831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thi Loan Khanh, Anh Thi Lan Mai, Thuy Linh Duong, Lan Anh Nguyen
{"title":"Factors Associated with Stigma Among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disability in Vietnam.","authors":"Thi Loan Khanh, Anh Thi Lan Mai, Thuy Linh Duong, Lan Anh Nguyen","doi":"10.1007/s10803-025-06942-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06942-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parents of children with autism spectrum disability frequently encounter significant stigma. There has not been any research identifying all three types of stigma -perceived, self, and enacted-, especially none involving Vietnamese parents, nor exploring the experience of stigma due to language and cultural differences. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to identify factors associated with stigma among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in Hanoi, Vietnam. Using a stratified sampling method, the study collected data from 846 parents at the National Children's Hospital and five special education centers for children with disabilities in Hanoi between February and October 2023 through structured self-administered questionnaires. The study identified several factors that influence the three types of stigma experienced by parents of children with ASD. Among parent-related factors, hours of sleep and marital status were significantly linked to all three stigma types, while parental age and economic status affected one or two types of stigma. Child-related factors such as age, disability duration, and disability levels were associated with all three stigma types, whereas health insurance schooling and gender were linked to one or two types. Additionally, distressed behaviours, social support, and caregiver burden were significant predictors of all three types of stigma, with caregiver burden emerging as the strongest predictor overall (β = 0.34, 0.42 and 0.31 respectively, p < 0.001). This study can assist in identifying populations at risk and suggests that healthcare professionals should provide effective personalized care and early interventions to reduce stigma for parents of children with ASD.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144553673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}