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Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management
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Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2026 | Viewed by 7234

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Marios Adamou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
Interests: ADHD; neurodevelopmental disorders; autism; AI in mental health; service development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are organizing a Special Issue on adult Autism, specifically focusing on the clinical pathway from pre-diagnosis, and referral to diagnostic and support approaches.

Adult Autism, although long recognised, has gained increasing attention in recent years due to advancements in understanding and awareness. Areas of focus have included neuropsychology, biological markers, genetic markers, neuroanatomy, and neuroimaging, contributing to a deeper understanding of Autism across the lifespan.

Globally, there seems to be increased demand for assessments and support services for Autism, accompanied by developments in diagnostic and intervention methods. In addition to refining the conceptualisation of Autism as it applies to different populations, there is growing interest in how Autism manifests in specific medical groups, such as adults with co-occurring mental health conditions or physical health issues. The overlap between Autism and other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders remains an area of ongoing research.

In this context, technology has emerged as a significant tool in Autism diagnostics, with innovations such as AI-driven assessments and wearable devices showing promise. The pace of technological advancement in this field is notable, offering potential improvements in the accuracy and accessibility of Autism diagnostics.

Regarding support approaches, various therapeutic models have been studied, ranging from pharmacological interventions to psychological and other supportive methods aimed at achieving a more comprehensive approach to care beyond traditional medication.

This Special Issue is designed to collect articles focusing on new populations where Autism may be under-recognised, new diagnostic approaches, and innovative support and intervention strategies. It welcomes contributions from diverse disciplines that can add to this important discussion.

Prof. Dr. Marios Adamou
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • adult autism (including autism spectrum disorders)
  • neurodevelopmental disorders
  • clinical diagnostics
  • digital diagnostics
  • artificial intelligence
  • multimodal treatments

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 860 KB  
Article
Diagnosing ASD in Children Aged 6–18: Gender Differences and the Diagnostic Process
by Shahar Gindi, Hagit Nagar-Shimoni, Efrat Zilbershot Fink, Asi Fares, Noy Oppenheim and Yael Leitner
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(2), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15020803 - 19 Jan 2026
Viewed by 895
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Diagnosing ASD becomes more difficult with age, especially in girls. This study explores developmental factors and diagnostic tools that affect ASD diagnoses after age six. The study also integrates the neurodiversity paradigm to evaluate how diagnostic tools like the ADOS-2 and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Diagnosing ASD becomes more difficult with age, especially in girls. This study explores developmental factors and diagnostic tools that affect ASD diagnoses after age six. The study also integrates the neurodiversity paradigm to evaluate how diagnostic tools like the ADOS-2 and Social Attribution Test (SAT) capture the heterogeneous presentation of ASD across genders. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from 91 children (73 boys, 18 girls) assessed for ASD between ages 6–18. Multivariate Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were employed to identify independent predictors of diagnosis, controlling for age, gender, and language difficulties. Results: Notable gender differences emerged: boys showed more atypical development and restricted interests, while girls showed higher sensory sensitivity. Multivariate analysis confirmed that Social Affect (SA), age of initial concern, and the absence of structural language difficulties significantly impacted diagnosis likelihood. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the need for gender-sensitive criteria and implicit measures like the SAT to identify “masking” phenotypes. It emphasizes current tool limitations, the risk of diagnostic overshadowing, and the importance of longitudinal studies with comprehensive assessments to better capture ASD diversity, especially in social and language skills. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management)
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9 pages, 703 KB  
Article
Enhancing Adult Autism Diagnostic Pathways: The Role of Clinical Triage in Efficient Service Provision
by Marios Adamou, Sarah L. Jones, Tim Fullen, Bronwen Alty, Jennifer Ward and Joanne Nixon Mills
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(9), 2933; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14092933 - 24 Apr 2025
Viewed by 4091
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition affecting 1.1% of adults. The increasing incidence of ASD has led to pressurised diagnostic services. Objective: We aimed to determine the number needed to harm (NNH) of criteria-informed triage assessment in [...] Read more.
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition affecting 1.1% of adults. The increasing incidence of ASD has led to pressurised diagnostic services. Objective: We aimed to determine the number needed to harm (NNH) of criteria-informed triage assessment in an adult autism diagnostic service in the UK. Methods: The study was conducted at a specialist adult Autism Service in West Yorkshire, UK, from November 2021 to August 2022. All eligible referrals were accepted, with criteria requiring service users to be over 18 years old and without an intellectual disability. The evaluation consisted of 60 cases. Results: None of the evaluation cases resulted in a clinical diagnosis of ASD, yielding an infinite number needed to harm (NNH), demonstrating that every case benefited from the triage process without significant risk of harm. Conclusions: Triage enables services to gather comprehensive information about individual presentations and clinical needs, facilitating informed decision-making and better service utilisation. The evaluation demonstrates the safety and effectiveness of the triage process, with directions for further research discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management)
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Other

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15 pages, 548 KB  
Systematic Review
Vitamin D and Omega-3 Supplementation for Emotional and Behavioral Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review
by Marta Berni, Giulia Mutti, Raffaella Tancredi, Filippo Muratori and Sara Calderoni
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(2), 745; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15020745 - 16 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1316
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Emotional dysregulation (ED) is emerging as a major contributor to functional impairment in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although effective behavioral interventions exist, pharmacological treatments remain constrained by side effects and variable tolerability. Given their neurobiological roles that include neurotransmission, inflammation, and neuroplasticity, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Emotional dysregulation (ED) is emerging as a major contributor to functional impairment in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although effective behavioral interventions exist, pharmacological treatments remain constrained by side effects and variable tolerability. Given their neurobiological roles that include neurotransmission, inflammation, and neuroplasticity, vitamin D and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been identified as promising candidates for modulating emotional and behavioral dysregulation. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combined vitamin D and omega-3 supplementation in improving emotional and behavioral regulation in individuals with ASD. Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Included studies were English peer-reviewed studies involving participants with ASD that assessed combined vitamin D and omega-3 suppleupplementation with outcomes related to emotional or behavioral dysregulation. The search was restricted to 2015–2025 to ensure inclusion of recent, methodologically consistent studies and to minimize heterogeneity in diagnostic criteria and supplementation protocols. Results: Of 649 records initially screened, 3 studies met inclusion criteria: one randomized controlled trial, one observational study, and one case report, involving participants ranging from early childhood to young adulthood. Across studies, combined supplementation was associated with improvements in irritability, hyperactivity, agitation, and self-injurious behaviors. These clinical effects were accompanied by specific biochemical changes, including reductions in the AA/EPA ratio, increases in serum 25(OH)D and omega-3 indices, and decreased urinary levels of HVA and VMA. Conclusions: This review indicates that co-supplementation with vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids may exert preliminary beneficial effects on emotional and behavioral dysregulation in individuals with ASD, potentially through anti-inflammatory and neuroregulatory mechanisms. However, the available evidence remains limited due to a small number of studies, their modest sample size, and methodological heterogeneity. Further, biomarker-driven randomized studies are needed to confirm efficacy and delineate optimal dosing strategies for application in clinics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management)
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