Current Interventions of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children
A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Child Neurology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 4068
Special Issue Editor
Interests: autism spectrum disorder; neurodevelopment and genetics; neuro-epidemiology; rehabilitation; infectious diseases; research methodology and mathematical models
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleague,
The etiology and pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are still a matter of speculation. ASD continues to be defined by observing behaviors and asking questions to caregivers. Nonetheless, developments in the understanding of gene–environment interactions are opening new research outlooks, which might eventually lead to a leap forward in the comprehension and treatment of ASD. For example, different genetic variants and gene networks associated with ASD seem to converge on a relatively limited number of biological pathways. However, even if the genetic component is substantial, the co-presence of several pre- and post-natal environmental factors is also being considered. The extensive variability of ASD is likely to be related to an interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. If knowledge of the causes and treatment of ASD is not yet compelling, it might be due to the reasons that gene–environment interactions have been poorly understood until now, and that decennial trends have been approached with unsuitable epidemiological instruments. Nevertheless, we now know that early behavioral interventions are critical for improving long-term outcomes, even if treatments for core symptoms of ASD are still lacking. Translating molecular and neurobiological knowledge into individualized interventions represents a key challenge for autism research.
Dr. Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- phenotypes
- seizures
- macrocephaly
- genetic variants
- gene–environment interactions
- biological pathways
- syndromic ASD
- early behavioral interventions
- developmental trajectories
