scholarly journals Gaming Disorder in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alayna Murray ◽  
Arlene Mannion ◽  
June L. Chen ◽  
Geraldine Leader
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Peer Attachment ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Gaming Disorder ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Small Effect Size

AbstractGaming disorder (GD) is a clinical addiction to video or internet games. This study investigated whether GD symptoms are heightened in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in comparison to a control group, and explored predictors of GD in 230 adults with ASD and 272 controls. The relationship between GD and gelotophobia was examined. Measures included the Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test, GELOPH < 15 >, Autism Spectrum Quotient-10 items, Inventory of Parent and Peer attachment, Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, Social Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ) and the NEO-FFI-3. Individuals in the ASD group showed significantly higher symptoms of GD. Peer-attachment, emotional regulation and extraversion significantly predicted GD scores. Gelotophobia and GD were related to each other with a small effect size.

scholarly journals Speech-in-noise recognition and the relation to vocal pitch perception in adults with autism spectrum disorder and typical development

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Schelinski ◽  
Katharina von Kriegstein
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
High Functioning Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Pitch Perception ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Vocal Pitch

We tested the ability to recognise speech-in-noise and its relation to the ability to discriminate vocal pitch in adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developed adults (matched pairwise on age, sex, and IQ). Typically developed individuals understood speech in higher noise levels as compared to the ASD group. Within the control group but not within the ASD group, better speech-in-noise recognition abilities were significantly correlated with better vocal pitch discrimination abilities. Our results show that speech-in-noise recognition is restricted in people with ASD. We speculate that perceptual impairments such as difficulties in vocal pitch perception might be relevant in explaining these difficulties in ASD.

scholarly journals Experiences of Dental Care and Dental Anxiety in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
My Blomqvist ◽  
Göran Dahllöf ◽  
Susanne Bejerot
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Dental Treatment ◽  
Dental Anxiety ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Experienced Pain ◽  
Adults With Asd

Dental anxiety is associated with previous distressing dental experiences, such as lack of understanding of the dentist intentions, perceptions of uncontrollability and experiences of pain during dental treatment. People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are impaired in building flexible predictions and expectations, which is very much needed during a dental visit. The aims of the study were to investigate if people with ASD have more negative dental experiences and a higher level of dental anxiety compared to a matched control group. Forty-seven adults with ASD and of normal intellectual performance, and 69 age- and sex-matched typically developing controls completed questionnaires on previous dental experiences and dental anxiety, the Dental Anxiety Scale, and the Dental Beliefs Survey. The ASD group experienced pain during dental treatments more often than the controls and 22% had repeatedly experienced being forced to dental treatment they were not prepared for, compared to 3% of the controls. A higher level of dental anxiety was reported by the ASD group. Dental treatment and methods for supporting the communication with patients with ASD need to be developed, in order to reduce the negative dental experiences and dental anxiety in people with ASD.

scholarly journals Minor Physical Anomalies in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Healthy Controls

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Manouilenko ◽  
Jonna M. Eriksson ◽  
Mats B. Humble ◽  
Susanne Bejerot
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Minor Physical Anomalies ◽  
Adults With Asd

Minor Physical Anomalies (MPAs) are subtle abnormalities of the head, face, and limbs, without significant cosmetic or functional impact to the individual. They are assumed to represent external markers of developmental deviations during foetal life. MPAs have been suggested to indicate severity in mental illness and constitute external markers for atypical brain development. Higher frequencies of MPAs can be found in children with autism. The aims of the present study were to examine the prevalence and patterns of MPAs in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to investigate whether MPAs are associated with symptom severity and overall functioning. Fifty adults with ASD and intelligence within the normal range and 53 healthy controls were examined with the Waldrop scale, an instrument for assessing MPAs. Face and feet were photographed enabling blinded assessment. Significant differences between the ASD and the control group were found on the MPA total scores, and also in the craniofacial region scores. Moreover, the shape of the ears was associated with autistic traits, in the ASD group. High MPA total scores were associated with poorer functioning. The findings suggest a link between MPAs, autistic traits, and level of functioning. Assessment of MPAs may assist in the diagnostic procedure of psychiatric disorders.

scholarly journals Thalamocortical connectivity is associated with autism symptoms in high-functioning adults with autism and typically developing adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafi Ayub ◽  
Kevin L. Sun ◽  
Ryan E. Flores ◽  
Vicky T. Lam ◽  
Booil Jo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Autism Symptoms ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
High Functioning ◽  
The Right

AbstractAlterations in sensorimotor functions are common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Such aberrations suggest the involvement of the thalamus due to its key role in modulating sensorimotor signaling in the cortex. Although previous research has linked atypical thalamocortical connectivity with ASD, investigations of this association in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder (HFASD) are lacking. Here, for the first time, we investigated the resting-state functional connectivity of the thalamus, medial prefrontal, posterior cingulate, and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortices and its association with symptom severity in two matched cohorts of HFASD. The principal cohort consisted of 23 HFASD (mean[SD] 27.1[8.9] years, 39.1% female) and 20 age- and sex-matched typically developing controls (25.1[7.2] years, 30.0% female). The secondary cohort was a subset of the ABIDE database consisting of 58 HFASD (25.4[7.8] years, 37.9% female) and 51 typically developing controls (24.4[6.7] years, 39.2% female). Using seed-based connectivity analysis, between-group differences were revealed as hyperconnectivity in HFASD in the principal cohort between the right thalamus and bilateral precentral/postcentral gyri and between the right thalamus and the right superior parietal lobule. The former was associated with autism-spectrum quotient in a sex-specific manner, and was further validated in the secondary ABIDE cohort. Altogether, we present converging evidence for thalamocortical hyperconnectivity in HFASD that is associated with symptom severity. Our results fill an important knowledge gap regarding atypical thalamocortical connectivity in HFASD, previously only reported in younger cohorts.

Saccadic eye movements in adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiziana Zalla ◽  
Magali Seassau ◽  
Fabienne Cazalis ◽  
Doriane Gras ◽  
Marion Leboyer
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Eye Movements ◽  
Autistic Spectrum Disorder ◽  
High Functioning Autism ◽  
Saccadic Eye Movements ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Autistic Spectrum

In this study, we examined the accuracy and dynamics of visually guided saccades in 20 adults with autism spectrum disorder, as compared to 20 typically developed adults using the Step/Overlap/Gap paradigms. Performances in participants with autistic spectrum disorder were characterized by preserved Gap/Overlap effect, but reduced gain and peak velocity, as well as a greater trial-to-trial variability in task performance, as compared to the control group. While visual orienting and attentional engagement were relatively preserved in individuals with autistic spectrum disorder, overall these findings provide evidence that abnormal oculomotor behavior in autistic spectrum disorder reflects an altered sensorimotor control due to cerebellar abnormalities, rather than a deficit in the volitional control of eye movements. This study contributes to a growing body of evidence implicating this structure in the physiopathology of autism.

scholarly journals The extreme male brain revisited: gender coherence in adults with autism spectrum disorder

2012 ◽  
Vol 201 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Bejerot ◽  
Jonna M. Eriksson ◽  
Sabina Bonde ◽  
Kjell Carlström ◽  
Mats B. Humble ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Facial Features ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Extreme Male Brain

BackgroundThe ‘extreme male brain’ theory suggests that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an extreme variant of male intelligence. However, somewhat paradoxically, many individuals with ASD display androgynous physical features regardless of gender.AimsTo assess physical measures, supposedly related to androgen influence, in adults with and without ASD.MethodSerum hormone levels, anthropometry, the ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length (2D:4D) and psychiatric symptomatology were measured in 50 adults with high-functioning ASD and age- and gender-matched neurotypical controls. Photographs of face and body, as well as voice recordings, were obtained and assessed with respect to gender coherence, blindly and independently, by eight assessors.ResultsWomen with ASD had higher total and bioactive testosterone levels, less feminine facial features and a larger head circumference than female controls. Men in the ASD group were assessed as having less masculine body characteristics and voice quality, and displayed higher (i.e. less masculine) 2D:4D ratios, but similar testosterone levels to controls. Androgynous facial features correlated strongly and positively with autistic traits measured with the Autism-Spectrum Quotient in the total sample. In males and females with ASD dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate did not decrease with age, in contrast to the control group.ConclusionsWomen with ASD had elevated testosterone levels and several masculinised characteristics compared with controls, whereas men with ASD displayed several feminised characteristics. Our findings suggest that ASD, rather than being characterised by masculinisation in both genders, may constitute a gender defiant disorder.

Neurobiological mechanisms of social cognition treatment in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (14) ◽  
pp. 2374-2384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Rosenblau ◽  
Garret O'Connell ◽  
Hauke R. Heekeren ◽  
Isabel Dziobek
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Computer Training ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Adults With Asd

AbstractBackgroundThe promise of precision medicine for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) hinges on developing neuroscience-informed individualized interventions. Taking an important step in this direction, we investigated neuroplasticity in response to an ecologically-valid, computer-based social-cognitive training (SCOTT).MethodsIn an active control group design, 48 adults with ASD were randomly assigned to a 3-month SCOTT or non-social computer training. Participants completed behavioral tasks, a functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging session before and after the training period.ResultsThe SCOTT group showed social-cognitive improvements on close and distant generalization tasks. The improvements scaled with reductions in functional activity and increases in cortical thickness in prefrontal regions.ConclusionIn sum, we provide evidence for the sensitivity of neuroscientific methods to reflect training-induced social-cognitive improvements in adults with ASD. These results encourage the use of neuroimaging data to describe and quantify treatment-related changes more broadly.

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