Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders最新文献

{"title":"Cognitive Empathy, Affective Empathy and Empirical Research on the Double Empathy Problem: A Critical Methodology Review.","authors":"Sam Fellowes","doi":"10.1007/s10803-026-07315-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-026-07315-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The double empathy problem posits that autistic people and non-autistic people both lack empathy with the other side rather than the lack of empathy solely residing in one side. There have been empirical studies which lend support for the double empathy problem. I show that these studies are largely not engaging with cognitive nor affective empathy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty different papers are assessed on measurement made, set-up of the interaction employed and duration of the interaction to establish whether the evidence those studies generate is applicable to cognitive and affective empathy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Firstly the experimental measures in these studies are largely not making measurements that would detect cognitive or affective empathy. Secondly, many use setups which do not encourage or are not conducive towards cognitive or affective empathy occurring. Thirdly, many involve a short period of interaction for cognitive or affective empathy to occur.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These studies are largely not generating data about whether the double empathy problem is applicable to cognitive or affective empathy. Which aspects of empathy the evidence supporting the double empathy problem is related to is considered and suggestions are made for how future studies on the double empathy problem could target cognitive and affective empathy.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147838201","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":"Long-Term Stability of IQ Scores for Children With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Stable Global IQ But Unstable Index, Subtest, and Profile IQ Scores.","authors":"Kevin G Stephenson, Megan Norris, Soo Youn Kim, Nicholas C C Russell, Ann Levine, Caroline Murphy, Eric A Youngstrom, Eric M Butter","doi":"10.1007/s10803-026-07352-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-026-07352-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Intelligence testing is an important tool for clinicians to help in diagnosis and treatment planning for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Although interpreting IQ profiles is a common clinical practice, there are concerns regarding the validity and reliability of such scores. Previous research has shown relatively stable global measures of IQ, but less stable scores within index or subtest score. More research is needed to better understand the long-term stability of IQ scores within autistic and other neurodevelopmental populations who may have more instability in their scores over time.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We tested the long-term stability of IQ scores using the same test over time (Stanford-Binet, Fifth Edition; SB-5) in a large clinical sample of 650 youth with autism (n = 236) or other neurodevelopmental disabilities (n = 414), over a period of 4 months to 11 years. In addition to IQ scores, we also tested consistency of scatter scores, overall profiles, and strengths and weaknesses using linear mixed effects models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results indicated overall consistency of FSIQ scores (ICC = 0.86), slightly less stability for VIQ and NVIQ, and low stability for abbreviated IQ as well as index and subtest scores. The consistency of cognitive profiles, scatter scores, and strengths and weaknesses was poor. Younger age was the best predictor of higher FSIQ instability.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Long-term stability of IQ in neurodevelopmental disabilities appears similar to results from other studies with different clinical and nonclinical groups. Implications and recommendations are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147838171","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":"Concurrent Assessment of Neurotrophic Factors and HPA-Axis Hormones in Early Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorder.","authors":"Hurşit Ferahkaya, Ayşegül Tuğba Hira Selen, Şeyma Tezer, Ömer Faruk Akça, Abdullah Akkuş, İbrahim Kılınç, Fatma Coşkun","doi":"10.1007/s10803-026-07355-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-026-07355-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Neurotrophic pathways and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation have been implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet peripheral findings-particularly in early childhood-remain inconsistent. We examined peripheral neurotrophic factors and HPA-axis hormones in medication-naïve young children with ASD and evaluated their associations with clinical severity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study included 45 medication-naïve children with ASD (18-72 months) and 52 age-matched healthy controls. ASD diagnosis was established per DSM-5, supported by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). Morning samples (08:30-09:30) were assayed for serum BDNF, GDNF, NT-3, VEGF, cortisol, and plasma ACTH. Group comparisons used ANCOVA adjusted for age, sex, and BMI-for-age z score (BAZ), with Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction. Within-ASD associations were tested using covariate-adjusted partial Spearman correlations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>BDNF was significantly lower in ASD than controls and remained significant after covariate adjustment and FDR correction. No between-group differences were observed for GDNF, NT-3, VEGF, ACTH, or cortisol. Within the ASD group, lower BDNF correlated with higher CARS total scores and higher ABC relating, social and self-help, and total scores. No significant correlations were found between neurotrophic factors and ACTH/cortisol.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In medication-naïve children with ASD aged 18-72 months, peripheral BDNF is reduced and relates to symptom severity and adaptive/social difficulties, whereas other neurotrophic factors and basal HPA-axis hormones do not differ from controls. Longitudinal studies incorporating standardized sampling and diurnal/stress-reactivity indices are needed to clarify developmental dynamics and clinical implications.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147838238","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":"Relationship of the Persistent Primitive Reflexes to Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Autistic and Typically Developing Children.","authors":"Marwa A Alsaman, Reem H M Elghity","doi":"10.1007/s10803-026-07348-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-026-07348-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Currently, there is growing evidence that persistent primitive reflexes (PPRs) may be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). PPRs can disturb motor development and negatively affect children's emotional regulation and social behavior. Therefore, they may be associated with clinical variables involved in ASD such as emotional-behavioral factors. Given this, the current study sought to explore the relationship between PPRs and emotional and behavioral problems involved in ASD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The present study investigated seven primitive reflexes in 30 autistic children and 30 typically developing (TD) children, analyzing the relationship between PPRs and emotional and behavioral problems related to ASD.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings of the study showed that compared to the TD group, children with ASD had higher levels of reflexes' retention. In addition, the results indicated that various PPRs were related to several emotional and behavioral problems in autistic children.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings highlight the importance of the examination of PPRs as a screening tool for children. Comprehensive investigation of PPRs, particularly in children with ASD, may contribute to a more accurate assessment of problems and higher effectiveness of possible intervention programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147838163","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":"IQ Profiles in Bilingual Children With Developmental Language Disorder: The Role of Maternal Education.","authors":"Eleni Peristeri, Silvia Silleresi, Ianthi Maria Tsimpli","doi":"10.1007/s10803-026-07346-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-026-07346-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The intellectual profile of monolingual children with Developmental Language Disorder is typically characterized by below-average verbal IQ (VIQ) and average Performance IQ (hence, PIQ) scores. Our knowledge of IQ functioning in bilingual children with Developmental Language Disorder is still very limited. Furthermore, previous research in IQ functioning in children with Developmental Language Disorder has not addressed maternal education as a possible alternative exploratory variable affecting children's performance in IQ tests. Here, we aimed to investigate if intellectual functioning of children with Developmental Language Disorder is affected by bilingualism, and whether this relation is affected by the children's socioeconomic characteristics, including maternal and parental education, and family income.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We focused on IQ profile comparisons between 125 bilingual children and 109 monolingual children with Developmental Language Disorder.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found that the bilingual children exhibited 'normalized' performance in those VIQ tests that tapped into metalinguistic knowledge and social understanding. The bilingual children were also more likely to exhibit average skills across PIQ tests. Finally, we found that the positive effect of bilingualism on children's IQ was only observed for the children whose mothers had a low educational level.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The overall findings hold implications for the broader understanding of intellectual functioning in bilingual neurodiverse populations, also highlighting the unique role of maternal education in studying children's cognitive development.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147838157","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":"Virtual Reality Intervention to Empower Autistic People to Interact With Police: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial for Autistic Teens and Adults.","authors":"Joseph P McCleery, Ashley Zitter, Lucero Cordero, Alison Russell, Meredith Cola, Manisha Udhnani, Kimberly G Tena, Ashlee Yates Flanagan, Sinan Turnacioglu, Rita Solórzano, Judith S Miller, Vijay Ravindran, Julia Parish-Morris","doi":"10.1007/s10803-026-07339-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-026-07339-8","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147838292","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":"Socio-Demographic Associations and Frequencies of Physical Activity Participation of Autistic Adolescents Reported by Parents in Ontario, Canada.","authors":"Marina Charalampopoulou, Antoine Beauchamp, Evdokia Anagnostou, Patrick Jachyra","doi":"10.1007/s10803-026-07334-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-026-07334-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study explored socio-demographic associations and physical activity (PA) participation of autistic adolescents reported by parents. Parents also reported the patterns and frequencies of PA participation, as there is a limited understanding of the activities they engage in Ontario, Canada. There is a need for this research as autistic adolescents are less likely to participate in PA. Studying socio-demographic characteristics and understanding the activities adolescents engage in can inform policies and practice to support participation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was mailed to parents of 525 autistic adolescents aged 12-19 years about PA participation for the preceding year. Parents provided data about free play and organized PA activities of adolescents (n = 306; 63.7% male; M_age = 15.1 years), and demographic information. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the relationships between PA scores, activities reported and the six demographic variables. The relationship between the sedentary scores, tallied frequency scores and number of activities was also assessed using linear regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 85% of autistic adolescents participated in at least one of the 18 free play activities. Sex, number of siblings, and income were associated with PA participation. Sedentary behaviour was negatively associated with activity frequency and parental education level. Sedentary behaviour was positively associated with income level.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Ensuring PA reflects socio-demographic characteristics and local priorities is critical to support participation and well-being. Tailoring programs and policies for autistic females, siblings and parent mediated interventions are areas in need of further development to support autistic adolescents in PA.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147838213","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":"Correction: Autism Screening Using Parent's Observations of Social Interactions (POSI) in High-Risk Infants.","authors":"Lydia Vielmetti, Aarabhi Rajagopal, Robin Manus, Sharon Veis, Raye-Ann deRegnier","doi":"10.1007/s10803-026-07320-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-026-07320-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147838235","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":"Prevalence of Co-occurring Mental, Neurodevelopmental and Neurological Conditions in Medicaid Beneficiaries With Autism.","authors":"Carolyn DiGuiseppi, Caleb Ing, Ashley Blanchard, Matthew T Russell, Guohua Li","doi":"10.1007/s10803-026-07324-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-026-07324-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>As more children with autism enter adulthood, updated data on co-occurring conditions throughout the lifespan are needed. We examined mental, neurodevelopmental and neurological (MNN) conditions among people with and without autism overall and by demographics.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using Medicaid claims data for beneficiaries aged ≥ 1 year enrolled during 2020, we identified autism and MNN diagnoses using ICD-10 codes. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) in beneficiaries with versus without autism were calculated using log-binomial models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 993,965 beneficiaries with autism, attention-deficit-hyperactivity and conduct disorders (ADHD/CD, 30.5%), intellectual disabilities (ID, 20.4%), and anxiety disorders (19.3%) were most common. Prevalence of every condition except ADHD/CD increased with age and was higher in females. For most conditions, prevalence was lowest in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Hispanic individuals. Every condition except alcohol/drug use disorders was significantly more prevalent in those with autism; aPRs ranged from 1.8 (depression) to 21.2 (ID). APRs were higher in middle and older ages for neurodevelopmental conditions, in children and adolescents for mental and neurological conditions, and in women for neurodevelopmental and neurological conditions. AI/AN beneficiaries had the highest aPRs for nearly all conditions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Among publicly-insured individuals, MNN conditions were more common in beneficiaries with than without autism across the lifespan, in both sexes and across racial/ethnic groups. Demographic variation may reflect underdiagnosis of autism in previous generations and females, respectively, and less access to mental health services in some racial/ethnic groups. Screening for ADHD and mental health disorders in youth and adults with autism may improve health outcomes. Screening for ADHD and mental health disorders in youth and adults with autism may improve health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147838160","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":"A Telehealth Diagnostic Tool for Autistic Children With Phrased and Fluent Speech: Comparison to In-person Diagnosis.","authors":"Katherine K Meltzoff, Cameron Alexander, Amy Hoffman, Jan Blacher","doi":"10.1007/s10803-026-07325-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-026-07325-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Given the existing barriers to timely ASD diagnosis and the potential of telehealth to mitigate these barriers, it is critical to create and validate telehealth autism diagnostic instruments. Existing instruments largely focus on children under 3 and/or those with minimal verbal speech. We created and investigated the accuracy and validity for two novel instruments: Tele-ASD-KIDS, phrased speech (TAK-PS), and Tele-ASD-KIDS, fluent speech (TAK-FS) alongside an existing measure for minimally verbal children -the Tele-ASD-PEDS (TAP).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We assessed 39 children for autism in a university-based free clinic, both in-person and using telehealth, with blinded assessment teams- TAP (n = 10; M = 47.5 months), TAK-PS (n = 7, M = 74 months), TAK-FS (n = 22, M = 102.77 months). Data were analyzed for diagnostic accuracy and social validity for each telehealth instrument separately.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our findings suggest that the TAK-PS is highly accurate, whereas the TAK-FS is accurate for some children but not others. Older children, those with behaviors unrelated to ASD that may affect social-communication abilities, and those with ADHD appear least likely to benefit from telehealth diagnostic assessments. For social validity, caregivers were largely satisfied with both TAK versions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The TAK-PS and TAK-FS are, to our knowledge, the first telehealth diagnostic measures for ASD in children with phrased or fluent speech that have been systematically compared to in-person assessments using blinded clinical teams and randomized assessment order. Although the initial accuracy and validity of these measures are promising, more research on these measures is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147815425","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}