Search Results (32)

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by atypical behavioural and cognitive diversity, yet the neural underpinnings linking brain activity and individual presentations remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the relationship between resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signal complexity and intelligence (full-scale intelligence quotient (FIQ); verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ); and performance intelligence quotient (PIQ)) in male adults with ASD (n = 14) and matched neurotypical controls (n = 15). Methods: We used three complexity-based metrics: Hurst exponent (H), fuzzy approximate entropy (fApEn), and fuzzy sample entropy (fSampEn) to characterise resting-state fMRI signal dynamics, and correlated these measures with standardised intelligence scores. Results: Using a whole-brain measure, ASD participants showed significant negative correlations between PIQ and both fApEn and fSampEn, suggesting that increased neural irregularity may relate to reduced cognitive–perceptual performance in autistic individuals. No significant associations between entropy (fApEn and fSampEn) and PIQ were found in the control group. Group differences in brain–behaviour associations were confirmed through formal interaction testing using Fisher’s r-to-z transformation, which showed significantly stronger correlations in the ASD group. Complementary regression analyses with interaction terms further demonstrated that the entropy (fApEn and fSampEn) and PIQ relationship was significantly moderated by group, reinforcing evidence for autism-specific neural mechanisms underlying cognitive function. Conclusions: These findings provide insight into how cognitive functions in autism may not only reflect deficits but also an alternative neural strategy, suggesting that distinct temporal patterns may be associated with intelligence in ASD. These preliminary findings could inform clinical practice and influence health and social care policies, particularly in autism diagnosis and personalised support planning. Full article

Background: Recent research has examined the associations between autistic traits and the well-being of students. This research has also included measures of ADHD and mental health. Methods: To understand the association and interaction of well-being and mental health with autistic traits (AQ) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits, a survey was given to 578 secondary school students. The survey used the well-being process questionnaire (WPQ), the autism spectrum quotient, the ADHD self-report scale, and the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). Results: The analysis conducted using SPSS showed that there was a significant correlation between anxiety, depression, AQ, and ADHD. Anxiety and depression were also significantly correlated with all well-being and SDQ variables. The regression analysis, including psychosocial predictors of well-being, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and AQ, showed that anxiety and depression were strongly associated with well-being outcomes. In contrast, AQ and ADHD were associated with hyperactivity, peer problems, and reduced prosocial behaviour. The associations between anxiety, depression, and well-being outcomes were stronger than with either AQ or ADHD. Conclusions: This study extends previous research from university samples to a secondary school sample. This shows the importance of investigating associations between subclinical traits and psychological symptoms in early adolescence, as this will lead to better-informed prevention and early intervention strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diagnosing ASD in adults presents unique challenges, and there are currently no specific biomarkers for this condition. Most existing studies on the gut microbiota in ASD are conducted in children; however, the composition of the gut microbiota in children differs significantly from that of adults. This study aimed to study the gut microbiota of young adults with high-functioning ASD. Methods: Using metagenomic sequencing, we evaluated the gut microbiota in 45 adults with high-functioning ASD and 45 matched healthy controls. Results: Adjusting for sociodemographic information, dietary habits, and clinical data, we observed a distinct microbiota profile of adults with ASD in comparison to controls, with the intensity of autistic traits strongly correlating to microbial diversity (correlation coefficient = −0.351, p-value < 0.001). Despite a similar dietary pattern, the ASD group exhibited more gastrointestinal symptoms than the healthy controls. An internally validated machine-learning predictive model that combines the Autism Spectrum Quotient questionnaire score of individuals with their microbial features could achieve an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.955 in diagnosing ASD in adults. Conclusions: This study evaluates the gut microbiota in adult ASD and highlights its potential as a non-invasive biomarker to enhance the diagnosis of ASD in this population group. Full article

The present study compared two sentence–picture-matching tests in Greek, namely the Syntactic Proficiency Test and the sentence comprehension subtest of the Diagnostic Verbal Intelligence Quotient (DVIQ) battery, to assess complex sentence comprehension in 29 Greek-speaking children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Crucially, the DVIQ test included more foils and visual details than the Syntactic Proficiency Test. The study had three aims: (1) to examine sentence comprehension performance across various syntactically complex structures (passives, clitic pronouns, subject, and object relative clauses) and identify comprehension asymmetries among these types; (2) to investigate task effects on syntactic comprehension accuracy by comparing performance across the two tests; and (3) to examine differences in error types across tasks. Results showed that autistic children were significantly less accurate in their comprehension performance of passives and clitics in the DVIQ compared to the Syntactic Proficiency Test, with no difference in accuracy observed for subject or object relative clauses, which were consistently high and low, respectively, across both tests. Error patterns also differed across the two tests. More specifically, thematic role reversals in passives were more frequent in the DVIQ than the Syntactic Proficiency Test. The overall findings suggest that the DVIQ’s enhanced perceptual complexity may have affected children’s accuracy in their comprehension of passives and clitics, while object relatives were less affected by task effects because of their high structural complexity. The study highlights how visual complexity and foil count can impact syntactic comprehension in autistic children and underscores the importance of task design in assessing syntactic skills in ASD. Full article

Background: Currently, there is a need for approaches to understand and manage the multidimensional autism spectrum and quantify its heterogeneity. The diagnosis is based on behaviors observed in two key dimensions, social communication and repetitive, restricted behaviors, alongside the identification of required support levels. However, it is now recognized that additional modifiers, such as language abilities, IQ, and comorbidities, are essential for a more comprehensive assessment of the complex clinical presentations and clinical trajectories in autistic individuals. Different approaches have been used to identify autism subgroups based on the genetic and clinical heterogeneity, recognizing the importance of autistic behaviors and the assessment of modifiers. While valuable, these methods are limited in their ability to evaluate a specific individual in relation to a normative reference sample of autistic individuals. A quantitative score based on axes of phenotypic variability could be useful to compare individuals, evaluate the homogeneity of subgroups, and follow trajectories of an individual or a specific group. Here we propose an approach by (i) combining measures of phenotype variability that contribute to clinical presentation and could impact different trajectories in autistic persons and (ii) using it with normative modeling to assess the clinical heterogeneity of a specific individual. Methods: Using phenotypic data available in a comprehensive reference sample, the Simons Simplex Collection (n = 2744 individuals), we performed principal component analysis (PCA) to find components of phenotypic variability. Features that contribute to clinical heterogeneity and could impact trajectories in autistic people were assessed by the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Cognitive assessment was estimated by the Total Intelligence Quotient (IQ). Results: Three PCs embedded 72% of the normative sample variance. PCA-projected dimensions supported normative modeling where a multivariate normal distribution was used to calculate percentiles. A Multidimensional General Functionality Score (MGFS) to evaluate new prospective single subjects was developed based on percentiles. Conclusions: Our approach proposes a basis for comparing individuals, or one individual at two or more times and evaluating homogeneity in phenotypic clinical presentation and possibly guides research sample selection for clinical trials. Full article

Background: LEGO^®-based therapy is a social development protocol that uses LEGO^® activities to support the development of a wide range of interaction skills, enhancing prosocial behaviors and mitigating the challenges associated with mental health difficulties and behavioral issues commonly observed in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Objectives: This study aimed to explore the effects of LEGO^®-based therapy on the social behavior and mental health of children with ASD, comparing stimulation mediated by expert and stimulation mediated by non-autistic peers. This study was approved by the Ethical Committee at Mackenzie Presbyterian University, ensuring adherence to ethical standards throughout the research process. Methods: This study involved 18 children with ASD, levels 1 or 2, with an intelligence quotient (IQ) above 70, and three typically developing peers, intelligence quotient (IQ) above 80, aged between 5 and 8 years old, of both sexes. Participants were randomized into three groups for stimulation (stimulation mediated by expert, by a non-autistic peer and control group). The measures were the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (parent and teacher versions), the Inventory of Difficulties in Executive Functions, Regulation, and Aversion to Delay—Child Version, the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire, the Autism Behavior Checklist, and the Autistic Behavior Inventory. Results: After 14 sessions of 45 min in school settings, the participants of both groups (mediated by experts and non-autistic children) showed significant gains on social behavior. A statistically significant difference was observed between baseline sessions and probes (χ² (5) = 25.905, p < 0.001). These gains were maintained in both follow-up points, 30 and 90 days after the completion of the stimulation sessions. Additionally, maladaptive behavior showed a significant decline when compared pre- and post-intervention. These improvements were sustained during follow-up assessments at 30 and 90 days. Conclusions: The results suggest that a structured intervention combined with peer-mediated stimulation may be an effective method for promoting adaptive and prosocial behaviors in children with ASD. Full article

Background/Objectives: The diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is undergoing significant revisions, impacting prevalence estimates in the general population. Moreover, the rise of a dimensional perspective on psychopathology has broadened our understanding of autism, recognizing that subthreshold autistic features extend throughout the general population. However, there remains a limited understanding of the prevalence of ASD traits in individuals with psychiatric disorders, particularly in young adults, who are at an age where several mental health conditions emerge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ASD traits in a sample of young adults (18–24 years old) attending a generalized mental health outpatient clinic. Methods: A total of 259 young adult patients completed the self-report screening questionnaires Autism Quotient (AQ) and Ritvo Autism and Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R). Results: A total of 16.2% of our sample scored above the cut-off in both scales; this percentage decreased to 13.13% when restricting the RAADS-R cut-off to >119, as suggested for clinical samples. The association with sociodemographic features is discussed. Conclusions: We argue that screening for autistic traits should be integrated into the assessment of young adults presenting with nonspecific psychiatric symptoms or psychological distress. Although there is ongoing debate over the use of self-report screening tools, a positive result on both the AQ and RAADS-R should prompt clinicians to pursue a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation using structured or semi-structured interviews. Full article

Background: Some individuals have a normal audiogram but have listening difficulties (LiD). As many studies have investigated the relationship between listening and developmental disorders, the traits of developmental disorders might explain the symptoms of LiD. In this study, we examined the traits of developmental disorders of adults with LiD to help clarify the cause of LiD symptoms. Methods: In total, 60 adults with LiD and 57 adults without LiD were included. Participants completed a questionnaire for the autism spectrum quotient (AQ) test, the Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Rating Scale (A-ADHD), the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (SP), and the severity of subjective LiD in daily life. Results: Before analysis, we excluded participants with LiD who were already diagnosed or met the criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or ADHD, and the results of the remaining 30 participants (50.0%) with LiD were analyzed. Adults with LiD showed higher scores than those without LiD in the AQ. Attention switching in the AQ and attention ability in the A-ADHD scale were correlated with the severity of LiD symptoms in everyday life. The AQ scores were also significantly correlated with subscales of the SP. Conclusions: Adults with LiD showed greater autistic traits than those without LiD; therefore, LiD symptoms are possibly related to autistic symptoms. Furthermore, adults with LiD might have attention disorder traits of both ASD and ADHD and sensory processing problems. These findings suggest that the attention problems in adults with LiD noted in previous studies might be related to these traits of developmental disorders. Full article

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that influences an individual’s cognitive functions and social interaction. While most studies have focused on children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD, elevated levels of autistic traits in subclinical populations may also influence individuals’ daily functioning. Autistic traits are also linked to the Big Five personality. In particular, neuroticism (emotion instability) has been shown to be positively associated with autistic traits, which may contribute to behavioral symptoms of autistic traits. The present study aimed to investigate the association between autistic symptoms and sensorimotor processing among a subclinical population. One hundred young adults (M_age = 20.32 years; SD = 3.69 years; 69 female) completed a choice reaction time (RT) task, and their behavioral performance was analyzed using the ex-Gaussian modeling. The Autism Quotient (AQ) and the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) were used to assess autistic traits and neuroticism, respectively. The mediation analysis was conducted to examine the behavioral mechanism through which autistic traits influence sensorimotor processing. The results showed that the AQ score was negatively correlated with RT and positively correlated with neuroticism score. Importantly, the mediation analysis indicated an indirect effect, suggesting that neuroticism mediates the association between the AQ score and RT. The findings indicated a possible mechanism of the association between autistic traits and sensorimotor responses and suggested that neuroticism should be included as an intervention target for ASD. The present study contributes to the research on autistic traits and has practical implications for future intervention programs to improve daily functioning among individuals with ASD. Full article

This article examines empirical associations between qualities of the imagination, mental imagery, and cognitive abilities with special reference to autism. This study is the first to explore the empirical relationships between autistic-like traits and tests of imagery differences. Imaginative impairments and distinctive sensory characteristics in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) should be reflected in their interactions with mental imagery. However, the relationship between ASD and imaging traits remains unclear. Based on the hypothesis that the degree of autistic-like traits is reflected in imagery traits, this study examined how the individual Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) relates to imagery ability in 250 college students. Two vividness tests and one imagery-type test were used to assess imagery ability. Scores in each imagery test were compared between the high-scoring group classified by the AQ and the rest of the participants and between the low-scoring group classified by the AQ and the other participants. This study also directly compared imagery test scores between the high- and low-scoring groups. In terms of the total AQ score, the high-scoring group exhibited lower visualization scores. Regarding AQ subscales, “imagination” had the most extensive relationship with imagery traits, with the high-scoring group (unimaginative) showing lower imagery vividness across various modalities as well as lower visualization and verbalization scores. This was followed by the “attention to detail” subscale, on which the high-scoring group (attentive to detail) showed higher vividness of visual imagery. The results of the low-scoring group exhibited, on the whole, opposite imagery tendencies to the high-scoring group. The results indicate that autistic-like traits are associated with qualities of the imagination and especially mental imagery ability. Full article

The aim of the study is to investigate the association of alexithymia with Internet addiction and autism spectrum disorders among adolescents and young adults. The links between alexithymia, ASD and other mental disorders are still a largely unexplored topic in psychiatry. An intriguing question is to what extent alexithymia can be a component of the clinical picture of ASD, and to what extent it is an independent phenomenon often co-occurring with ASD. The study group consisted of young Poles aged 11 to 35 (n = 229), including women (n = 167; 73%), men (n = 53; 23%) and non-binary people (n = 9; 4%). The following questionnaires were used in the Polish validated version as screening tools and shared online: AQ (Autism Quotient), TAS-20 (Toronto Alexithymia Scale), IAT (Internet Addiction Test). Among the subjects, 15 people admitted that they had received an official diagnosis of ASD, while 26 people showed a significantly increased severity of autistic traits on the AQ questionnaire. People with ASD who also exhibit alexithymia features are certainly more prone to problematic use of the Internet. In contrast, such a risk in people with ASD without alexithymia is comparable to the general population. Full article

Research on autism and ADHD continues to increase, as does the research on well-being and mental health. There is a growing need to understand what factors impact mental health and well-being, and the question arises as to what factors impact mental health and well-being in autism and ADHD. The existing literature focuses on two different aspects when it comes to the well-being and mental health of autism in students. One aspect focuses on mental health and well-being in diagnosed neurodivergent individuals, and the other aspect focuses on associations between autistic and ADHD traits and mental health and well-being. In order to understand the impact on mental health in autism, an online survey using the Qualtrics platform was given to a sample of 430 university students. The survey used the well-being process questionnaire, the autism spectrum quotient, the ADHD self-report scale, and the strengths and difficulties questionnaire. The results showed significant correlations between anxiety, depression, and autistic and ADHD traits (all correlations > 0.2). These variables were also correlated with the well-being and SDQ outcomes and well-being predictors (all correlations > 0.2). The regression analyses showed significant associations between well-being outcomes and predictor variables and anxiety and depression, whereas the effects of autistic and ADHD traits were restricted to the SDQ outcomes (hyperactivity, conduct, and peer problems). Regression analyses were also conducted to determine whether a variable formed by combining autistic traits, ADHD, anxiety, and depression scores was a significant predictor of well-being and SDQ outcomes. The combined variable was associated with all outcome variables except the prosocial variable. This study provides the basis for further research for understanding the interaction between well-being, mental health, autism, and ADHD. Full article

Certain individuals are clinically undiagnosed for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but exhibit strong ASD characteristics. This study examined the differences between a control group and a “high autistic traits” group involving individuals who scored 9 or higher on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient-16 Japanese Version, based on their sense of belonging, help-seeking style, and relationship with mental health. The participants were 608 Japanese public high school students. Of them, 129 (21.2%) and 479 (78.8%) were in the high autistic traits and control groups, respectively. A multiple regression analysis was performed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) as the dependent variable for the groups. The analysis revealed no differences between the two groups regarding grade, gender, physical illness, insomnia, or mental health status; however, they differed regarding avoidant help-seeking style and teacher acceptance. Moreover, avoidant help-seeking scores in the high autistic traits group and teacher acceptance showed a significantly positive and significantly negative association with GHQ, respectively. The results indicated that children with autistic traits internally suppress them, experiencing distress. Teachers are aware that these students seek support from them, but the students seem reluctant to ask them for help. This can negatively impact the mental health of children with high autistic traits. Full article

We developed a Dutch questionnaire called the Autistic Women’s Experience (AWE) and compared its psychometric properties to the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Whilst attenuated gender differences on the AQ have been widely replicated, this instrument may not fully capture the unique experience of autistic women. The AWE was co-developed with autistic women to include items that reflect autistic women’s experience. We investigated the AWE (49 items) and compared it with the AQ (50 items) in Dutch autistic individuals (N = 153, n = 85 women) and in the general population (N = 489, n = 246 women) aged 16+. Both the AQ and AWE had excellent internal consistency and were highly and equally predictive of autism in both women and men. Whilst there was a gender difference on the AQ among non-autistic people (men > women), there was no gender difference among autistic people, confirming all earlier studies. No gender differences were detected on the AWE overall scale, yet subtle gender differences were observed on the subscales. We conclude that the AQ is valid for both genders, but the AWE provides an additional useful perspective on the characteristics of autistic women. The AWE needs further validation in independent samples using techniques that allow for testing gender biases, as well as a confirmatory factor analysis in a larger sample. Full article

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders affecting virtually every population, regardless of their ethnic or socioeconomic background. Their pathogenesis is multifactorial, based on interactions between genetic and environmental factors. The key symptom of ASD are deficits in social communication, which are the basis of many difficulties in everyday functioning. The aim of the presented study was to analyze the clinical picture of social cognition deficits in boys with autism spectrum disorders and to relate its elements with the frequency of alleles of selected polymorphisms within the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and vasopressin receptor 1A (AVPR1A) genes. The study included 58 boys with IQ > 90, who were divided into two groups based on a confirmed or excluded ASD diagnosis based on the DSM-5 and ICD-10 criteria and then using the ADOS-2 protocol. The results indicated that polymorphism rs10877969 (T) within the AVPR1a gene was the only one to show a statistically significant association with a higher risk of autism spectrum disorders and has an impact on clinical presentation in the ADOS-2 study, primarily in terms of the social affect subscale. Polymorphisms in the OXTR gene showed no significant association with ASD risk and severity of autistic traits in the ADOS-2 study. In the group of people with ASD and those who are neurotypical, the rs53572 (A) genotype in the OXTR gene significantly increased the severity of the clinical picture of social cognition disorders in reading mind in the eyes test (RMiE) and empathy quotient (EQ) studies. Full article