scholarly journals Neural oscillation coupling selectively predicts speech reception in young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyue Wang ◽  
Jaime Fernando Delgado Saa ◽  
Silvia Marchesotti ◽  
Nada Kojovic ◽  
Holger Franz Sperdin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Dual Process ◽  
Beta Activity ◽  
Speech Comprehension ◽  
Speech Reception ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Very Young Children

Communication difficulties in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involve a speech reception deficit, whose biological causes are not yet identified. This deficit could denote atypical neuronal ensemble activity, as reflected by neural oscillations. Atypical cross-frequency oscillation coupling in particular could disrupt the possibility to jointly track and predict dynamic acoustic stimuli, a dual process that is essential for speech comprehension. Whether such oscillation anomalies can already be found in very young children with ASD, and with what specificity they relate to individual language reception capacity is unknown. In this study, neural activity was collected using EEG in 64 very young children with and without ASD (mean age 3) while they were exposed to naturalistic-continuous speech via an age-appropriate cartoon. EEG power typically associated with phrase-level chunking (delta, 1-3Hz), phonemic encoding (low-gamma, 25-35Hz) and top-down control (beta, 12-20Hz) was markedly reduced in ASD relative to typically developing (TD) children. Speech neural-tracking by delta and theta oscillations was also weaker in ASD than TD children. Critically, children with ASD exhibited slightly atypical theta/gamma coupling (PAC) involving a higher-than-normal gamma frequency, and markedly atypical beta/gamma PAC. Even though many oscillation features were atypical in our sample of 31 very young children with ASD, the beta/gamma coupling anomaly was the single best predictor of individual speech reception difficulties. These findings suggest that early interventions targeting the normalization of low-gamma and low-beta activity, might help young children with ASD to engage more in oral interactions.

Parent-Implemented Trial-Based Functional Analysis for Young Children With ASD

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Gerow ◽  
Mandy Rispoli ◽  
Emily Gregori ◽  
Lisa Sanchez
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Functional Analysis ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Challenging Behavior ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Function Based Intervention ◽  
Multiple Probe

There is growing support for the use of trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) in applied settings. The purpose of the present study was to assess the accuracy and social validity of parent-implemented TBFAs. The participants were three young children (ages 3–7 years old) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their mothers. Each mother implemented the TBFA with coaching from a behavior consultant. Following the TBFA, parent-implemented function-based interventions were evaluated using a multiple-probe across parent–child dyads design. Child challenging behavior decreased and communication increased following the implementation of the function-based intervention. TBFAs required approximately 5 to 7 hr of consultant time, and each mother rated the TBFA as socially valid. The results of this study indicate parent-implemented TBFAs may be an accurate and socially valid method to evaluate the function of challenging behavior in homes. The discussion includes implications for practice and directions for future research.

Evaluating response to group CBT in young children with autism spectrum disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deanna Swain ◽  
Haley G. Murphy ◽  
Tyler A. Hassenfeldt ◽  
Jill Lorenzi ◽  
Angela Scarpa
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Treatment Responder ◽  
Group Cbt

AbstractMany children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit difficulties with negative affect. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been successfully adapted for individuals with ASD to treat these difficulties. In a wait-list control study, for example, group analyses showed promising results for young children with ASD using a developmentally adapted group CBT approach. This report examined response to group CBT in terms of individual-level change in young children with ASD. Eighteen children with ASD, aged 5–7 years, and their respective parents participated in treatment. Parents completed pre- and post-treatment measures of negative affect and related behaviours. Treatment responders and non-responders were grouped based on significant treatment outcomes as assessed by statistically significant change for lability/negativity and 20% decrease in intensity, duration or frequency of emotional outbursts. Results indicated that 67% of children met criteria as a treatment responder, showing meaningful improvement in at least two outcome measures. No significant group differences emerged for initial characteristics before treatment. Wilcoxon signed rank tests determined pre-/post-treatment change in parental confidence for each treatment responder group. Results indicated statistically significant increase for the treatment responder group in parent-reported confidence in their own ability and in their child's ability to manage the child's anger and anxiety, but these results were not significant for the treatment non-responder group. Results provide additional evidence that CBT can significantly decrease expressions of anger/anxiety in children with ASD as young as 5 years, yet also suggest need for further improvement.

scholarly journals Anomalies in uncinate fasciculus development and social defects in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Li ◽  
Zhengbing Zhou ◽  
Chen Chang ◽  
Lu Qian ◽  
Chunyan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Deficits ◽  
Uncinate Fasciculus ◽  
Social Deficit ◽  
Children With Asd

Abstract Background Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have social interaction deficits and difficulties in emotional regulation. The neural substrates for these socio-affective deficits are not yet clear, but one potential candidate is maldevelopment of the uncinate fasciculus (UF), a white matter tract thought to be involved in socio-affective processing. However, the developmental trajectory of the UF in young children with social interaction deficits has not been examined. The present study was designed to describe the developmental growth trajectory of the UF and the relationships between UF development and social deficits in ASD. Methods Eigenvalues of the UF were measured by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-based tractography in 37 children with ASD and 27 matched 2–3-year-old subjects with developmental delay (DD) at baseline (time 1) and at 2-year follow-up (time 2). Growth rates of the UF were compared between groups and associations with social deficit scores according to the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) analyzed by Pearson’s correlations. Results At time 1, axial diffusivity (AD) of the left UF was significantly larger in the ASD group than the DD group. At time 2, left UF fractional anisotropy (FA) was significantly higher and radial diffusivity (RD) significantly lower in the ASD group than the DD group. The rate of UF growth during this 2-year interval was faster in children with ASD than DD. Significant negative correlations were found between the rise in ADI-R social deficit measures and both right UF RD and left UF mean diffusivity (MD). Conclusions Young children with ASD demonstrate UF overgrowth during the 2-year development period between 2 and 3 and 4–5 years of age, and this white matter abnormality is directly associated with the progression of social deficits. Trial registration World Health Organization class I registered international clinical trial platform, ChiCTR-ROC-17012877.

Play and Communication in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca G. Lieberman ◽  
Paul Yoder
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Intentional Communication ◽  
Object Play ◽  
Children With Asd

The association between object play and intentional communication was examined in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Meta-analysis of concurrent and longitudinal correlational studies revealed significant associations between object play and intentional communication in young children with ASD. One well-conducted and internally valid, randomized, controlled trial suggests a bidirectional causal relationship between object play and intentional communication. Further experiments are needed to replicate these findings and test a play-as-stronger-cause hypothesis. Findings of the review have implications for development and implementation of effective interventions for young children with ASD when communication is the target and play serves as the context for intervention strategies. One model for conceptualization of treatment is proposed.

scholarly journals Young children with autism spectrum disorder use predictive eye movements in action observation

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terje Falck-Ytter
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Eye Movements ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Human Agent ◽  
Children With Asd

Does a dysfunction in the mirror neuron system (MNS) underlie the social symptoms defining autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? Research suggests that the MNS matches observed actions to motor plans for similar actions, and that these motor plans include directions for predictive eye movements when observing goal-directed actions. Thus, one important question is whether children with ASD use predictive eye movements in action observation. Young children with ASD as well as typically developing children and adults were shown videos in which an actor performed object-directed actions (human agent condition). Children with ASD were also shown control videos showing objects moving by themselves (self-propelled condition). Gaze was measured using a corneal reflection technique. Children with ASD and typically developing individuals used strikingly similar goal-directed eye movements when observing others’ actions in the human agent condition. Gaze was reactive in the self-propelled condition, suggesting that prediction is linked to seeing a hand–object interaction. This study does not support the view that ASD is characterized by a global dysfunction in the MNS.

scholarly journals The Early Screening for Autism and Communication Disorders: Field-testing an autism-specific screening tool for children 12 to 36 months of age

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110125
Author(s):  
Amy M Wetherby ◽  
Whitney Guthrie ◽  
Jessica L Hooker ◽  
Abigail Delehanty ◽  
Taylor N Day ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Early Screening ◽  
Very Young Children

There is a critical need for validated screening tools for autism spectrum disorder in very young children so families can access tailored intervention services as early as possible. Few screeners exist for children between the recommended screening ages of 18–24 months. This study examined the utility of a new autism-specific parent-report screening tool, the Early Screening for Autism and Communication Disorders for children 12–36 months. Field-testing was conducted from five sites with 471 children screened for communication delays in primary care or referred for familial risk or concern for autism spectrum disorder. The Early Screening for Autism and Communication Disorders was evaluated in three age groups: 12–17, 18–23, and 24–36 months. A best-estimate diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay, or typical development was made. Receiver operating characteristic curves were examined for all 46 items and the 30 items that best discriminated autism spectrum disorder from the non-spectrum groups. Area under the curve estimates for the total were greater than 0.90 across age groups. Cutoffs were established for each age group with sensitivity between 0.86 and 0.92 and specificity between 0.74 and 0.85. Results provide preliminary support for the validity of the Early Screening for Autism and Communication Disorders as an autism-specific screener in children 12–36 months with elevated risk of communication delay or autism spectrum disorder. Lay abstract There is a critical need for accurate screening tools for autism spectrum disorder in very young children so families can access tailored intervention services as early as possible. However, there are few screeners designed for children 18–24 months. Developing screeners that pick up on the signs of autism spectrum disorder in very young children has proved even more challenging. In this study, we examined a new autism-specific parent-report screening tool, the Early Screening for Autism and Communication Disorders for children between 12 and 36 months of age. Field-testing was done in five sites with 471 children screened for communication delays in primary care or referred for familial risk or concern for autism spectrum disorder. The Early Screening for Autism and Communication Disorders was tested in three age groups: 12–17, 18–23, and 24–36 months. A best-estimate diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay, or typical development was made. Analyses examined all 46 items and identified 30 items that best discriminated autism spectrum disorder from the non-spectrum groups. Cutoffs were established for each age group with good sensitivity and specificity. Results provide preliminary support for the accuracy of the Early Screening for Autism and Communication Disorders as an autism-specific screener in children 12–36 months with elevated risk of communication delay or autism spectrum disorder.

scholarly journals Cognitive Skills of Young Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the BSID-III

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Long ◽  
Matthew J. Gurka ◽  
James Blackman
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Infant Development ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Language Outcomes ◽  
Children With Asd

Objective. The purpose of the study was to compare the cognitive skills of young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to same-aged peers referred for possible developmental delays or behavioral concerns using theBayley Scales of Infant Development-Third Edition.Method. A retrospective chart review was conducted of 147 children ages 16 to 38 months who were referred to a diagnostic clinic for developmental evaluation. Children with ASD were compared to those without ASD with respect to cognition and language outcomes, both overall and by age.Results. While language skills in children with ASD were more significantly delayed than language skills in children without ASD, there was less discrepancy in the cognitive skills of children with and without ASD.Conclusion. Formal cognitive assessment of children with ASD can provide guidance for developmental expectations and educational programming. Cognitive skills of children with ASD may be underappreciated.

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