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.

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.

Feasibility of the stress and anger management program on children with high functioning autism spectrum disorder in a sample population from Karachi

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S360-S360
Author(s):  
B. Tauseef ◽  
Z. Zadeh ◽  
B. Fatima
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Anger Management ◽  
High Functioning Autism ◽  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Waitlist Control Group

IntroductionResearch shows that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, struggle with emotional competence as compared to their typically developing counterparts. This leads to internalizing (stress) and externalizing (anger management) problems in the affected population. The stress and anger management program (STAMP) designed by Scarpa et al. is a manualized treatment protocol with good clinical efficacy.ObjectiveThe objective of the present study is to test the feasibility and suitability of STAMP as a systematized treatment protocol in Karachi and to enable the sample population, to become emotionally competent.AimThe aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of STAMP on the reduction of symptoms in the sample population.MethodTen children with high functioning autism spectrum disorder will be selected from various institutes in Karachi, and randomized to experimental and waitlist control group after pre-intervention assessment. Upon completion of the intervention with the experimental group, the waitlist control group will be offered the intervention. Both the groups will be assessed, immediately after the intervention, followed by a one-month follow up assessment.ResultsIt is expected that STAMP will significantly reduce the incidence of problem behaviours as measured by the standardized assessment questionnaires from the manual; as well as significantly reduce the severity of scores on the internalizing and externalizing components of the strength and difficulties questionnaire, in the experimental group as compared to the control group.ConclusionIt is expected that the results of the present study could be utilized to train mental health professionals in Karachi for systematized treatment of ASD and related problems.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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 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.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Inference Generation Strategy Intervention for Adults With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 461-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. Murza ◽  
Chad Nye ◽  
Jamie B. Schwartz ◽  
Barbara J. Ehren ◽  
Debbie L. Hahs-Vaughn
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
High Functioning Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Inference Generation ◽  
High Functioning ◽  
Social Inference ◽  
Metacognitive Ability

PurposeThe present intervention study investigated the efficacy of the ACT & Check Strategy intervention to improve inference generation when reading, metacognitive ability, general reading comprehension, and social inference ability in adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HF-ASD).MethodTwenty-five adults with HF-ASD were randomly assigned to either a treatment or a control group. Treatment sessions were conducted in 1-hr sessions, twice a week, for a total of 6 weeks. Treatment focused on explicit instruction of components of inference generation, categories of inferences, and increasingly independent strategy use.ResultsThe treatment group demonstrated significantly superior performance on 1 of 2 measures of inference generation in reading and 1 measure of metacognitive ability compared with the control group. Significant differences between groups were not found on measures of reading comprehension or social inference ability.ConclusionThese findings suggest that the ACT & Check Strategy was effective in improving participants' ability to generate inferences in reading and certain metacognitive abilities, but the skills do not appear to generalize to other social communication contexts, such as social inference generation. This research provides a measure of support for explicitly teaching inference generation to address a reading inference deficit in adults with HF-ASD.

scholarly journals A preliminary study of schema therapy for young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: a single-arm, uncontrolled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fumiyo Oshima ◽  
Tomokazu Murata ◽  
Toshiyuki Ohtani ◽  
Mikuko Seto ◽  
Eiji Shimizu
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
High Functioning Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Schema Therapy ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
High Functioning

Abstract Objective Psychological problems associated with isolation and mistrust are common among young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Schema therapy (ST) has recently been shown to be effective against chronic personality problems of various mental disorders, including personality disorders. This pilot clinical trial aimed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of ST in young adults with high-functioning ASD. Results Following the intervention, a significant reduction in early maladaptive schemas and improvements in quality of life and social adjustment were observed. ST may be feasible and is applicable to young adults with HF-ASD. Trial registration UMIN000014535; registered on July 11, 2014

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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