Autism Spectrum Disorder in Down Syndrome: Definition of the Cutoff Point for the Autism Screening Questionnaire Screening Instrument

Reading for meaning is one of the most important activities in school and everyday life. The simple view of reading (SVR) has been used as a framework for studies of reading comprehension in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). These tend to show difficulties in reading comprehension despite better developed reading accuracy. Reading comprehension difficulties are influenced by poor oral language. These difficulties are common in individuals with DS and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but they have never been compared directly. Moreover, the components of reading for comprehension have rarely been investigated in these populations: a better understanding of the nature of reading comprehension difficulties may inform both theory and practice. The aim of this study was to determine whether reading comprehension in the two populations is accounted for by the same component skills and to what extent the reading profile of the two atypical groups differs from that of typically developing children (TD). Fifteen individuals with DS (mean age = 22 years 4 months, SD = 5 years 2 months), 21 with ASD (mean age = 13 years 2 months, SD = 1 year 6 months), and 42 TD children (mean age = 8 years 1 month, SD = 7 months) participated and were assessed on measures of receptive vocabulary, text reading and listening comprehension, oral language comprehension, and reading accuracy. The results showed similar levels in word reading accuracy and in receptive vocabulary in all three groups. By contrast, individuals with DS and ASD showed poorer non-word reading and reading accuracy in context than TD children. Both atypical groups showed poorer listening and reading text comprehension compared to TD children. Reading for comprehension, investigated through a homograph reading accuracy task, showed a different pattern for individuals with DS with respect to the other two groups: they were less sensitive to meaning while reading. According to the SVR, the current results confirm that the two atypical groups have similar profiles that overlap with that of poor comprehenders in which poor oral language comprehension constrains reading for comprehension.

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Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes in Autism Spectrum Disorder

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17030944 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 944 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nicola Alessio ◽

Anna Lisa Brigida ◽

Gianfranco Peluso ◽

Nicola Antonucci ◽

Umberto Galderisi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Cell Communication ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Molecular Action ◽

Definition Of ◽

Inflammatory Molecules ◽

Therapeutic Activities

Neurodevelopmental lifelong pathologies defined by problems with social interaction, communication capacity and presence of repetitive/stereotyped clusters of behavior and interests are grouped under the definition of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD prevalence is still increasing, indicating the need to identify specific biomarkers and novel pharmacotherapies. Neuroinflammation and neuro-immune cross-talk dysregulation are specific hallmarks of ASD, offering the possibility of treating these disorders by stem cell therapy. Indeed, cellular strategies have been postulated, proposed and applied to ASD. However, less is known about the molecular action mechanisms of stem cells. As a possibility, the positive and restorative effects mediated by stem cells could be due to their paracrine activity, by which stem cells produce and release several ameliorative and anti-inflammatory molecules. Among the secreted complex tools, exosomes are sub-organelles, enriched by RNA and proteins, that provide cell-to-cell communication. Exosomes could be the mediators of many stem cell-associated therapeutic activities. This review article describes the potential role of exosomes in alleviating ASD symptoms.

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Co-occurring Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Cognitive, Adaptive, and Behavioral Characteristics

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders ◽

10.1007/s10803-021-05016-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kathryn R. Bradbury ◽

Emily I. Anderberg ◽

Lark Huang-Storms ◽

Iulia Vasile ◽

Rachel K. Greene ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Down Syndrome ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Behavioral Characteristics

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Sensory Abnormality and Quantitative Autism Traits in Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder in an Epidemiological Population

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders ◽

10.1007/s10803-019-04237-0 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 180-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

K. Jussila ◽

M. Junttila ◽

M. Kielinen ◽

H. Ebeling ◽

L. Joskitt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

General Population ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Screening Questionnaire ◽

Sensory Abnormalities ◽

Autism Traits ◽

Parental Questionnaire ◽

Sensory Abnormality ◽

Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire

Abstract Sensory abnormalities (SAs) are recognized features in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and a relationship between SAs and ASD traits is also suggested in general population. Our aims were to estimate the prevalence of SAs in three different settings, and to study the association between SAs and quantitative autism traits (QAT) using the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) and a parental questionnaire. In an epidemiological population of 8-year-old children (n = 4397), the prevalence of SAs was 8.3%, in an ASD sample (n = 28), 53.6%, and in a non-ASD sample (n = 4369), 8.0%, respectively. Tactile and auditory hypersensitivity predicted an ASD diagnosis. The ASSQ was able to differentiate children with and without SA. In conclusion, QAT level and SAs were associated in all study samples.

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Dance, functioning and quality of life in children with Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder dance, functioning and quality of life in Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/13591045211061795 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 135910452110617

Author(s):

Evanilza T. Adorno ◽

Daiany C de J. Dos Santos ◽

Beatriz M. DeJesus ◽

Adrielle A. Passos ◽

Lavínia Teixeira-Machado

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Down Syndrome ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Functional Independence Measure ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Children With Down Syndrome

This study investigated dance practice in psychosocial and functional aspects, and quality of life in children with Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. Children with DS and ASD, between 3 and 12 years old, attended a dance program during 16 sessions/lessons, lasting 60 min, twice a week, in suitable place. Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Childhood Autism Rating Scale SF-36 quality of life survey, and Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Inquiry (KAP Inquiry) were applied before and after dance classes. Eleven participants concluded the study. Functional independence changes were observed in relation to self-care, sphincter control, locomotion, and communication domains. Children’ “quality of life” reported by parents showed changes in functional capacity, vitality, mental health, physical and social aspects, and general state of health domains. These findings suggest that regular dance practice can underlie psychosocial adjustments in children with DS and ASD.

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