PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Autism Spectrum Disorder”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Autism spectrum disorders: update of evaluation and treatment.

Autistic spectrum disorders are a group of neurodevelopmental conditions that are increasingly capturing the attention of clinicians and investigators. New insights from genetics and neuropathophysiology of autism will increasingly inform treatment. Presently, individualized treatment approaches typically include a mix of behavioral and, occasionally, pharmacotherapeutic strategies. Concerning the latter, exquisite sensitivity to medication is not uncommon in some children with autism.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed2007

Differentiating between autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities in children who failed a screening instrument for ASD.

This study compared behavioral presentation of toddlers with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and toddlers with global developmental delay (DD) or developmental language disorder (DLD) who display some characteristics of ASD using the diagnostic algorithm items from the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Generic (ADOS), the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT). To date, 195 children have failed the M-CHAT and have been diagnosed with ASD, DD or DLD. Children with ASD had prominent and consistent impairments in socialization skills, especially joint attention skills and were more impaired in some aspects of communication, play, and sensory processing. Children with ASD and children with DD/DLD shared common features, but certain behavioral markers differentiated the two groups.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMed2007

[Frankfurt group social communication and interaction skills training for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders].

OBJECTIVE: Despite the recognition of the need for group-based training programmes for children and adolescents with autistic disorders, there are only very few specific German-speaking training programmes available. Since 2003, a structured group training programme on social skills for children and adolescents with high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome has been developed and conducted at our department. The training programme focuses on the main deficits of those disorders. Thus, the primary goal is to improve communication and interaction skills. METHOD: Participants are children and adolescents without significant cognitive and language delays. Principles of intervention include structured formats, combination of theoretical and practical elements, predictable rules, consideration of individual difficulties, and sequential and progressive learning. Techniques range from structured games, the training of affect recognition, group activities, role play, team discussions, and feedback to homework using a newly designed manual on our group-based social skill training programme and curriculum. Generally, three groups of 5-7 participants each and of different age range (children, adolescents) meet weekly/biweekly for 1-1.5 hours (excluding the holidays). Two trainers--who change during the programme--carry out each of the sessions. Trainers meet regularly with the parents to discuss experiences and to provide details of the programme. RESULTS: Acceptance by and satisfaction with the programme are high among participants, as is the mutual recognition of and tolerance of their respective problems. Both feedback from parents and trainers' clinical impressions indicate distinct improvement of verbalization and contact abilities. Participants seem to benefit particularly from role play. CONCLUSIONS: Qualtitative measures (impressions of the participants, their parents and their trainers with regard to change in behaviour skills) suggest mounting interaction, communication, and problem-solving skills during the group treatment. An ongoing pilot evaluation also includes measurements of effects in everyday settings. Depending on the results, the training subsequently could be conducted and evaluated in groups with both pervasive developmental, as well as other psychiatric disorders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Autism spectrum disorders in children with normal intellectual levels: associated impairments and subgroups.

In order to define potential subgroups pertaining to the spectrum of 'high-functioning' pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) the medical and psychiatric records of 101 children with PDD were reviewed. Ninety-one children had a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, nine had a PDD not otherwise specified, and one had 'high-functioning' autism. Mean age of the children (71 males, 30 females) was 9 years 8 months (age range 5 to 12 years). Apart from the core dysfunctions of the PDD, i.e. deficient social interaction, communication and repertoires, and restricted interests, 95% had attentional problems, 75% had motor difficulties, 86% had problems with regulation of activity level, and 50% had impulsiveness. About three-quarters had symptoms compatible with mild or severe attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or had deficits in attention, motor control, and perception (DAMP), indicating a considerable overlap between these disorders and high-functioning PDD in children of normal or near-normal intelligence. A combination of affective dysregulation, thought disturbance, and severely restricted social interaction, referred to as a multiple complex developmental disorder (MCDD; a condition possibly related to schizoaffective disorder), was recorded in about 8% of the children. Seventeen percent had another major medical diagnosis or medical syndrome, which highlights the importance of completing a neurological assessment of all children with PDDs.

Asperger Syndrome↗
PubMed2001

Antiepileptic drugs: affective use in autism spectrum disorders.

Antiepileptic drugs are widely administered to individuals with autistic spectrum disorders. There are several reasons for the use of antiepileptic drugs in autistic spectrum disorders, including the high incidence of epilepsy in these individuals, the anecdotal reports suggesting an improvement of communication and behavior in autistic subjects with epileptic discharges, and the increased awareness that some disruptive behaviors may be manifestations of an associated affective disorder. In this study, data on the current use of antiepileptic drugs in the treatment of autism, and on the association of affective disorders with epilepsy and autism, are reviewed. The evidence supporting the hypothesis that there may be a subgroup of autistic children with epilepsy and affective disorders that preferentially respond to antiepileptic drugs is still very preliminary, and further investigations with double-blind controlled studies are needed. Although the role of antiepileptic drugs at the present time is not established, there is evidence that autism, epilepsy, and affective disorders commonly co-occur, and that they may share a common neurochemical substrate, which is the common target of the psychotropic mechanism of action of different antiepileptic drugs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Agreement among four diagnostic instruments for autism spectrum disorders in toddlers.

Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) can be difficult to diagnose in toddlers. This study compared diagnostic measures (ADOS-G, ADI-R, CARS, and clinical judgment using DSM-IV criteria) applied to toddlers. Results indicated that the ADOS-G, CARS, and clinical judgment agreed with each other but not with the ADI-R. Many of the children classified with ASD by the other measures were not classified with autism by the ADI-R because they did not display enough repetitive behaviors and stereotyped interests. These results indicate that young children with ASD may not display repetitive behaviors and stereotyped interests, and for toddlers, the ADI-R would have a higher sensitivity if revised to include a diagnosis of PDD-NOS, for which the requirement of repetitive behaviors is less stringent.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMed2003

Preschool children with autism spectrum disorders in Taiwan: follow-up of cognitive assessment to early school age.

In this study, we longitudinally followed into childhood a cohort of preschool children, initially diagnosed as autistic or non-autistic with developmental delay, to evaluate the stability of cognitive assessments performed during the preschool period. The consistency in group means and intra-individual stability of developmental quotients (DQ) and non-verbal intelligence quotients (IQs) were compared for these two groups, which were matched by chronological age, initial non-verbal IQ/DQs, initial test given, and length of follow-up interval. The case group comprised 16 autistic children with average age at initial assessment of 3 years 8 months. The control group comprised 16 non-autistic developmental delayed children with average age at initial assessment of 3 years 11 months. Mean DQ/non-verbal IQ at initial assessment was 73.9+/-23.9 for the case group and 80.3+/-23.2 for the control group. ANOVA yielded no significant effect of time or time x diagnosis interaction (F=0.183, P=0.675). The absolute difference in scores and group means were equivalent for both groups of children, with no difference in patterns of change. Correlations between DQ/non-verbal IQs at initial assessment and follow-up were significant and high for the two groups (autistic group: r=0.87; control: r=0.77). Intellectual functioning can be a valid measure in Taiwanese preschool children with autism, and has an equivalent meaning for children with autism and for non-autistic children with developmental delay. Though the follow-up period is too short for definite prognostic conclusions to be drawn, we think that non-verbal intelligence should be an essential assessment for preschool oriental autistic children so that sound expectation and treatment plan can be made.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMed2005

Down syndrome and comorbid autism-spectrum disorder: characterization using the aberrant behavior checklist.

To report on the cognitive and behavioral attributes of 61 children with Down syndrome (DS) and autistic-spectrum disorder (ASD) according to DSM-IV criteria; to determine the utility of the aberrant behavior checklist (ABC) to characterize these subjects for research purposes; and to test the hypothesis that subjects with DS + ASD could be distinguished from their typical DS peers using the ABC. Cross-sectional design. Cases with DS + ASD (N = 61), comparison group of DS + stereotypy movement disorder (SMD) (N = 26) and typical DS controls without behavior problems (N = 44) were ascertained and enrolled sequentially upon presentation to a DS clinic at an academic medical center over a 10-year period from 1991 to 2001. All subjects underwent neurodevelopmental and medical evaluation, and standardized cognitive testing. The parents provided responses to standardized behavioral questionnaires. Cognitive function (IQ) differed markedly across the three groups. The Lethary and Stereotypy subscales of the ABC were highly significant (P < 0.001) in distinguishing the three groups from one another. Within the ASD group differences were apparent by DSM-IV type on the Lethargy subscale, which reached significance, ANOVA (F = 0.002) and t-test (Autism > PDD, P = 0.005; PDD < CDD, P = 0.002). Using a multivariate regression model, the ABC scales alone explained 62% of variance of ASD outcome; addition of demographic variables explained up to 68% of the variance. There is good correlation between DSM-IV criteria for autism and subscales scores on the ABC in subjects with DS. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using the ABC to characterize the neurobehavioral phenotype of a cohort of children with trisomy 21 and ASD for ongoing research purposes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Parent-mediated early intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND: Recent estimates concerning the prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder are much higher than those reported 30 years ago, with at least 1 in 400 children affected. This group of children and families have important service needs. The involvement of parents in implementing intervention strategies designed to help their autistic children has long been accepted as helpful. The potential benefits are increased skills and reduced stress for parents as well as children. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to determine the extent to which parent-mediated early intervention has been shown to be effective in the treatment of children aged 1 year to 6 years 11 months with autistic spectrum disorder. In particular, it aimed to assess the effectiveness of such interventions in terms of the benefits for both children and their parents. SEARCH STRATEGY: A range of psychological, educational and biomedical databases were searched. Bibliographies and reference lists of key articles were searched, field experts were contacted and key journals were hand searched. SELECTION CRITERIA: Only randomised or quasi-randomised studies were included. Study interventions had a significant focus on parent-implemented early intervention, compared to a group of children who received no treatment, a waiting list group or a different form of intervention. There was at least one objective, child related outcome measure. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Appraisal of the methodological quality of included studies was carried out independently by two reviewers. Differences between the included studies in terms of the type of intervention, the comparison groups used and the outcome measures were too great to allow for direct comparison. MAIN RESULTS: The results of this review are based on data from two studies. Two significant results were found to favour parent training in one study: child language and maternal knowledge of autism. In the other, intensive intervention (involving parents, but primarily delivered by professionals) was associated with better child outcomes on direct measurement than were found for parent-mediated early intervention, but no differences were found in relation to measures of parent and teacher perceptions of skills and behaviours. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: This review has little to offer in the way of implications for practice: there were only two studies, the numbers of participants included were small, and the two studies could not be compared directly to one another. In terms of research, randomised controlled trials involving large samples need to be carried out, involving both short and long-term outcome information and full economic evaluations. Research in this area is hampered by barriers to randomisation, such as availability of equivalent services.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMed2005

Brief report: relations between prosodic performance and communication and socialization ratings in high functioning speakers with autism spectrum disorders.

Shriberg et al. [Shriberg, L. et al. (2001). Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research, 44, 1097-1115] described prosody-voice features of 30 high functioning speakers with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to age-matched control speakers. The present study reports additional information on the speakers with ASD, including associations among prosody-voice variables and ratings of communication social abilities. Results suggest that the inappropriate sentential stress and hypernasality previously identified in some of these speakers is related to communication/sociability ratings. These findings and associated trends are interpreted to indicate important links between prosodic performance and social and communicative competence. They suggest the need for careful assessment of inappropriate prosody and voice features in speakers with ASD, and for effective intervention programs aimed at reducing the stigmatization of individuals with these conditions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The PDD-MRS: an instrument for identification of autism spectrum disorders in persons with mental retardation.

The Scale of Pervasive Developmental Disorder in Mentally Retarded Persons (PDD-MRS) is described. The PDD-MRS is a simple classification and screening instrument devised for identification of autistic disorders (of the entire spectrum) in persons with mental retardation from mild to profound levels, age-range 2-55 years. The norms of the scale are based on the research protocols of 1230 Dutch persons with mental retardation. The scale's sensitivity for the entire normative sample was found to be 92.4%; calculated separately for persons at all levels of mentally retarded functioning, male and female persons, speaking and non-speaking persons and five age categories, the sensitivity figures range between 87.0 and 100.0%. The specificity of the scale is also 92.4%; for the aforementioned subgroups separately, the specificity figures range between 84.6 and 95.5%. Roughly similar values for sensitivity and specificity were found when using the scale with severely visually impaired/blind persons; severely hearing-impaired/deaf persons; persons with Down syndrome; male persons with fragile X syndrome. The original version of the PDD-MRS dates from 1990; since then the scale has been widely used in the Netherlands and Belgium. The PDD-MRS should be regarded as a useful instrument for identifying PDD in persons with mental retardation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2007

Developmental correlates of different types of motor imitation in young children with autism spectrum disorders.

This study used a concurrent correlational design to examine associations between three types of motor imitation with objects and three proposed correlates in 32 two- and three-year-old children diagnosed with ASD. Attention-following and fine motor ability were significant, unique correlates of imitation in an observational learning context. Attention-following was a significant correlate of imitation in a direct elicitation context. Social reciprocity was a significant correlate of imitation in an interactive play context. These associations were observed after controlling for general developmental level. Results support previous findings that motor imitation may not reflect a unitary construct for children with ASD and that different skills may underlie the performance of different types of motor imitation. Implications for interventions targeting motor imitation are discussed.

Attention↗
PubMed2007

Varying language register according to listener needs in speakers with autism spectrum disorder.

The ability to adjust language register, or style, according to listener needs was assessed in 38 high-functioning children and adolescents with ASD. Participants were asked to explain the process of going to a restaurant to a series of listeners who varied in linguistic competence. Results showed that participants with ASD spontaneously simplified their language based on a listener's appearance and a brief introduction, but were not as adept at that adjustment as matched controls. Further stylistic adjustments were produced following increasingly specific prompts.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2006

Effects of different attentional cues on responding to joint attention in younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders.

We compared responding to joint attention (RJA) in younger siblings of children with ASD (SIBS-ASD; n = 46) and younger siblings of children developing typically (SIBS-TD; n = 35). Children were tested between 12 and 23 months of age in a situation in which an experimenter directed the child's attention to one of 8 targets. Each child responded to 10 different combinations of verbal and nonverbal cues containing varying levels of attention-specifying information. SIBS-ASD had significantly lower overall RJA scores than SIBS-TD. Moderately redundant cues were most difficult for SIBS-ASD relative to SIBS-TD; adding a point to moderately redundant cues improved RJA for SIBS-ASD, bringing them to a level of RJA commensurate with SIBS-TD.

Attention↗