Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders最新文献

Despite a known male dominance (4:1) in autism diagnoses, there remains a lack of clarity surrounding sex/gender differences in the social communication skills and behaviors of autistic children/adolescents. While research supports the importance of interventions for social-communication skill development in autistic children/adolescents, a review of the literature in the context of intervention application based on sex/gender differences has not occurred. The aim of this review is to provide a synthesis of available literature investigating sex/gender differences in the social communication skills and social skills of autistic children/adolescents. Results indicate preliminary support for sex/gender differences in social behaviors and social-communication skill and behavior development, which may support adaptations to adolescent social skills interventions. There is no evidence supporting adaptations to early interventions.

Purpose

Self-restraint, purposeful restriction of one’s own bodily movements is observed in individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions. Case studies and cross-sectional investigations have reported that self-restraint co-occurs with self-injurious behaviour; however, small sample sizes limit understanding of prevalence and function. We aimed to synthesise the existing literature and estimate the pooled prevalence of self-restraint in autistic individuals and/or individuals with intellectual disability, and the pooled effect size with self-injury.

Methods

Six databases were systematically searched in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Results

A total of 21,567 papers were retrieved, with 15 samples from 13 records included in the analyses. The pooled prevalence estimate of self-restraint in individuals with autism and/or intellectual disability was 39%, 95% CI [26.25, 51.59]. Age and presence of autism significantly increased prevalence rates. Pooled prevalence estimates were consistent across gender, presence of intellectual disability, and type of measurement of self-restraint. Meta-analyses of 31 topographies of self-restraint revealed ‘holds or squeezes objects’ and ‘holding onto others, holding onto others’ clothing’ were the most prevalent behaviours amongst those who self-restrained (both 32%). The least prevalent behaviour was ‘chooses mechanical restraint’ (1%). Pooled prevalence estimates of self-restraint in individuals known to self-injure were 34%, 95% CI [21.36, 46.97], and 13%, 95% CI [5.01, 21.43], in individuals who did not self-injure. Self-restraint and self-injurious behaviour were positively correlated, r = 0.21, 95% CI [0.14, 0.27], K = 13.

Conclusions

Findings highlight that on average, over one third of individuals with autism and/or intellectual disability show self-restraint. Clinical and theoretical implications of findings are discussed.

Abstract

This systematic review explores lived experiences of grief in the context of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), considering mental health impacts and how these experiences are expressed/understood. Reviewing qualitative research and grey literature centred on lived experience, 39 articles were identified through a systematic search of 8 databases and 1 page-ranked search engine. The articles were critically appraised, and results synthesised using thematic analysis and meta-synthesis. Four main themes and an overarching theme, titled Recognise the Unrecognised, emerged: Hidden Grief, Supported and Included, Understanding My Loss, and The Double Taboo of Death and Disability. The results indicate that grief often goes unrecognised in individuals with NDDs, especially following non-death losses. The implications of these findings and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Autonomic activity has been identified as “atypical” in autistic relative to nonautistic individuals. In nonautistic individuals, atypical autonomic activity is associated with anxiety symptoms. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess whether atypical autonomic activity in autistic individuals is explained by the presence of anxiety symptoms. Specifically, we systematically reviewed studies investigating the association between cardiac indicators of autonomic activity (e.g., heart rate variability, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, heart rate response) and anxiety symptoms in autistic individuals. The systematic review identified 36 potential articles for inclusion (32 via databases and registers; 4 via hand searching), yielding 26 described in the qualitative review and 10 articles included in the meta-analysis or quantitative review (that were also included in the qualitative review). Results of the random effects meta-analysis revealed a significant association between respiratory sinus arrythmia collected at rest or baseline and anxiety symptoms (r = -.20).

Abstract

Executive functions are neurocognitive processes involved in regulating thought and action. It is unknown whether youth diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have similar executive functioning. This review aimed to synthesize the literature directly comparing executive functioning in youth with ASD, ADHD, and their comorbidity (ASD + ADHD). In the 58 included articles, ADHD and ASD exemplified impaired response inhibition, working memory, and attention compared to controls. There is little support that ASD + ADHD showed the combined deficits of the ASD and the ADHD groups, and these three groups cannot be easily identified based on EF executive function profiles alone. Further standardization of tasks and performance metrics are necessary to facilitate future evidence synthesis.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted greatly the mental health of children. We performed a systematic review to better understand the impact of the pandemic on children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across different SEND categories. Following PRISMA guidelines, of 1699 search results, 66 studies were included in our analysis as they met our inclusion criteria concerning: a) children with SEND; b) focus on COVID-19; c) longitudinal or cross-sectional design; d) quantitative or qualitative measures; and e) mental health or well-being outcomes. Our review suggests that there was a typically negative impact on mental health and well-being for children with SEND, yet experiences varied on the basis of individual differences, rather than category of SEND. Findings highlight the need for interventions and policy implementations to improve the everyday mental well-being of this population.

Sensory processing atypicalities have been demonstrated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Thermoception, a component of the somatosensory system crucial for survival, can benefit from an overview of the state-of-art in ASD. In this work, a PROSPERO registered (CRD42023412663) systematic review on thermoception in ASD is presented, following PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Our search encompassed databases including Pubmed, Scopus, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar (n = 1261). Included articles (n = 9) were written in English, experimental, peer-reviewed documents on thermoception in autism. As the ASD group shows hypo- (n = 3) or hypersensitivity (n = 2) or no discernible difference at times (n = 8) to either warm and/or cold innocuous stimuli, definitive conclusions are difficult to draw. Nevertheless, these aggregated results build cumulative knowledge and guide future research regarding the evaluation of thermoception in autistic individuals which could further increase their quality of life.

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents lifelong neurodevelopmental challenges and is diagnosed in early childhood. ASD is complex, has multiple causes, and is characterized by communication difficulties, impaired social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. Unfortunately, there are no specific biomarkers for diagnosis or effective treatments yet. However, nanomedicine offers promise for treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders conditions, including ASD. Nanomaterials can cross the blood–brain barrier, target specific cells, disseminate in brain tissue, and serve as carriers for therapeutics. This review emphasizes the importance and potential of nanomedicine, current pharmacological treatments for ASD, challenges in drug development, and recent medical approaches based on nanotechnology to overcome the blood brain barrier and deliver CNS therapeutics. Neurobiological research for future nanomedicine applications will also be highlighted.