Towards voice based prediction and analysis of emotions in ASD children

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Poornima Sukumaran ◽  
Kousalya Govardhanan
Keyword(s):  
Source Parameters ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Behavioral State ◽  
Multi Layer Perceptron ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients ◽  
Basic Emotions ◽  
The People ◽  
Mlp Classifier ◽  
Voice Processing

Voice processing has proven to be an eminent way of recognizing the various emotions of the people. The objective of this research is to identify the presence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to analyze the emotions of autistic children through their voices. The presented automated voice-based system can detect and classify seven basic emotions (anger, disgust, neutral, happiness, calmness, fear and sadness) expressed by children through source parameters associated with their voices. Various prime voice features such as Mel-frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) and Spectrogram are extracted and utilized to train a Multi-layer Perceptron (MLP) Classifier to identify possible emotions exhibited by the children thereby assessing their behavioral state. This proposed work therefore helps in the examination of emotions in autistic children that can be used to assess the kind of training and care required to enhance their lifestyle.

Development of Neural Structure and Function in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Potential Implications for Learning Language

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 1783-1797
Author(s):  
Kelly L. Coburn ◽  
Diane L. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Language Development ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Language Intervention ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Neural Structure ◽  
Complex Information ◽  
And Function

Purpose Neurodevelopmental processes that begin during gestation and continue throughout childhood typically support language development. Understanding these processes can help us to understand the disruptions to language that occur in neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method For this tutorial, we conducted a focused literature review on typical postnatal brain development and structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetoencephalography, and electroencephalography studies of the neurodevelopmental differences that occur in ASD. We then integrated this knowledge with the literature on evidence-based speech-language intervention practices for autistic children. Results In ASD, structural differences include altered patterns of cortical growth and myelination. Functional differences occur at all brain levels, from lateralization of cortical functions to the rhythmic activations of single neurons. Neuronal oscillations, in particular, could help explain disrupted language development by elucidating the timing differences that contribute to altered functional connectivity, complex information processing, and speech parsing. Findings related to implicit statistical learning, explicit task learning, multisensory integration, and reinforcement in ASD are also discussed. Conclusions Consideration of the neural differences in autistic children provides additional scientific support for current recommended language intervention practices. Recommendations consistent with these neurological findings include the use of short, simple utterances; repetition of syntactic structures using varied vocabulary; pause time; visual supports; and individualized sensory modifications.

scholarly journals How Technology Applied to Music-Therapy and Sound-Based Activities Addresses Motor and Social Skills in Autistic Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Grazia Ragone ◽  
Judith Good ◽  
Kate Howland
Keyword(s):  
Social Skills ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Interaction Design ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Motor Functioning ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
Spectrum Condition

Autism affects how people perceive and make sense of the world around them. Autism is a spectrum condition which impacts people in different ways. Also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is characterized by challenges in the domains of social, cognitive and motor functioning, which differ in severity. Previous research suggests that music can have cognitive, psychosocial, behavioural, and motor benefits in this population. We systematically review the use of technology in Music-therapy and related sound-based activities to improve the motor and social skills of children. In May 2020 we conducted a systematic search on Music-therapy and musical activities for autistic children in research databases including Science Direct, APA PsycNet, Cochrane, IEE and Web of Science, to collect relevant studies. We initially collected 5179 papers of which only 27 studies were identified as suitable for the scope of this review. In the paper, we analyse and describe key characteristics of each project. We then highlight the commonalities, strengths and limitations of existing work, and identify implications for future interaction design.

Assessment of 25 Hydroxy Cholecalceferol Level in Autistic Children; is there a role for it in Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Alfred Youssef Nakhla ◽  
Eman Ahmed Zaky ◽  
Enas Samir Nabeh ◽  
Asmaa Wafeeq Abd El Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Laboratory Evaluation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Serum Vitamin D ◽  
Group I ◽  
Egyptian Children ◽  
Therapeutic Doses

Abstract Background Autism is a group of neurodevelopmental disabilities with various genetic and environmental risk factors. Vitamin D is an important neurosteroid hormone which can affect brain development and function, but research on its use in treating autism has been limited. Objectives The current study aimed at assessing the level of 25 OH vit D3level in a group of autistic infants and children compared to controls and correlating it with the severity of autistic manifestations and evaluation of the role of therapeutic doses of vitamin D on the severity of autistic manifestations. Methodology Thirty autistic Egyptian children (group I) and 30 clinically healthy age and sex matched controls were enrolled (group II). Therapeutic doses of vitamin D were given for autistic children who showed insufficient levels of 25 OH cholecalceferol for a period of 4-6 weeks followed by maintenance doses for another 6 weeks. Psychometric and laboratory evaluation for this group was done thrice: at the onset of study, at 6 week after enrollment in the study, and at 12 weeks after that enrollment. Results Serum vitamin D level was substantially reduced in patients with ASD in comparison to control group, and on the other hand, 25 (OH) vitamin D level was significantly negatively correlated with ATEC score and Total CARS score. Autistic children who received vitamin D3 treatment had significant improvement of CARS and ATEC scores. Conclusion vitamin D supplementation significantly improved the outcome of enrolled autistic children. It is recommended to follow up our studied sample to check the consolidation of improvement for how long it will be needed.

scholarly journals Design of Immersive Virtual Reality System to Improve Communication Skills in Individuals with Autism

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (05) ◽  
pp. 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osama Halabi ◽  
Samir Abou El-Seoud ◽  
Jihad Alja'am ◽  
Hena Alpona ◽  
Moza Al-Hemadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Social Performance ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Immersive Virtual Reality ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Natural Interaction ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Communications Skills ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Communication Impairments

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) regularly experience situations in which they need to give answers but do not know how to respond; for example, questions related to everyday life activities that are asked by strangers. Research geared at utilizing technology to mend social and communication impairments in children with autism is actively underway. Immersive virtual reality (VR) is a relatively recent technology that has the potential of being an effective therapeutic tool for developing various skills in autistic children. This paper presents an interactive scenario-based VR system developed to improve the communications skills of autistic children. The system utilizes speech recognition to provide natural interaction and role-play and turn-taking to evaluate and verify the effectiveness of the immersive environment on the social performance of autistic children. In experiments conducted, participants showed more improved performance with a computer augmented virtual environment (CAVE) than with a head mounted display (HMD) or a normal desktop. The results indicate that immersive VR could be more satisfactory and motivational than desktop for children with ASD.

scholarly journals Developing iPad Application based on Video Modeling to Enhance Self-Protection Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Jeddah

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Afnan Maatouk Al - Talhi
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Video Modeling ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
The Self ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Self Protection ◽  
Experimental Group

The current study aimed to develop a mobile application based on video modeling to improve and enhance self-protection skills for children with autism. Semi-experimental design of the two groups was adopted: the control, which received the self-protection skills in the traditional way, while these skills was provided to the experimental group through the application based on video modeling. The research sample was consisted of 16 students who met the criteria. The researcher was applied the self-protection skills scale on the sample. After the experiment was applied for five weeks, the data were analyzed statistically. The results showed the effectiveness of the application in the development of self-protection skills for autistic children. The researcher recommended the use of the preferences of children with autism and the use of applications that based on video modeling in their education.

scholarly journals Alterations of the endocannabinoid system and its therapeutic potential in autism spectrum disorder

Open Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingyang Zou ◽  
Yu Liu ◽  
Shu Xie ◽  
Luxi Wang ◽  
Dexin Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Animal Model ◽  
Social Preference ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Hydrolytic Enzyme ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Novel Approach

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disabilities, the aetiology of which remains elusive. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system modulates neurotransmission and neuronal plasticity. Evidence points to the involvement of this neuromodulatory system in the pathophysiology of ASD. We investigated whether there is a disruption to the eCB system in ASD and whether pharmacological modulation of the eCB system might offer therapeutic potential. We examined three major components of the eCB system—endogenous cannabinoids, their receptors and associated enzymes—in ASD children as well as in the valproic acid (VPA) induced animal model in autism. Furthermore, we specifically increased 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) levels by administering JZL184, a selective inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase which is the hydrolytic enzyme for 2-AG, to examine ASD-like behaviours in VPA-induced rats. Results showed that autistic children and VPA-induced rats exhibited reduced eCB content, increased degradation of enzymes and upregulation of CBRs. We found that repetitive and stereotypical behaviours, hyperactivity, sociability, social preference and cognitive functioning improved after acute and chronic JZL184 treatment. The major efficacy of JZL184 was observed after administration of a dosage regimen of 3 mg kg −1 , which affected both the eCB system and ASD-like behaviours. In conclusion, a reduced eCB signalling was observed in autistic children and in the ASD animal model, and boosting 2-AG could ameliorate ASD-like phenotypes in animals. Collectively, the results suggested a novel approach to ASD treatment.

scholarly journals Daily oscillation of the excitation/inhibition ratio is disrupted in two mouse models of autism

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Bridi ◽  
Nancy Luo ◽  
Grace Kim ◽  
Caroline O'Ferrall ◽  
Ruchit Oatel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Models ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Behavioral State ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Sleep Timing ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Daily Oscillation

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder involving sensory processing abnormalities. Alterations to the balance between excitation and inhibition (E/I ratio) are postulated to underlie behavioral phenotypes in ASD patients and mouse models. However, in primary visual cortex (V1) of wild type mice, the E/I ratio is not a fixed value, but rather oscillates across the 24h day. Therefore, we hypothesized that the E/I oscillation, rather than the overall E/I ratio, may be disrupted in ASD mouse models. To this end, we measured the E/I ratio in Fmr1 KO and BTBR mice, models of syndromic and idiopathic ASD, respectively. We found that the E/I ratio is dysregulated in both models, but in different ways: the oscillation is flattened in Fmr1 KO and phase-shifted in BTBR mice. These phenotypes cannot be explained by altered sleep timing, which was largely normal in both lines. Furthermore, we found that E/I dysregulation occurs due to alterations in both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in both models. These findings provide a crucial perspective on the E/I ratio in ASD, suggesting that ASD phenotypes may be produced by a mismatch of E/I to the appropriate behavioral state, rather than alterations to overall E/I levels per se.

scholarly journals Psychological Stress Among Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down Syndrome in the City of Kufra

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-41
Author(s):  
Mansour Mohammed Ali Bopaeda
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Psychological Stress ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Children With Down Syndrome ◽  
Level Of Significance ◽  
The City

Having a baby is a huge responsibility. It often happens that mothers, especially when they are having their first baby, feel stressed and incompetent in their role as mothers even as their children normally grows. The purpose of this article is to identify the general features of psychological stress among mothers of autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome and to identify the differences and relationship in psychological stress between mothers of autism and down syndrome. In this study participated a group of mothers with children who have autism (n = 44) and mothers of children with Down syndrome (n = 44). The findings made proved that the general features of psychological stress are high Among mothers of autistic children, while it was low among mothers of Down syndrome, there were also statistically significant differences in the level of psychological stress between mothers of autism and Down syndrome, and a correlation was found between mothers of autism and Down syndrome at the level of significance (0.01).

scholarly journals Hyperhomocysteinemia among Omani autistic children: a case-control study.

2011 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanat Ali ◽  
Mostafa I Waly ◽  
Yahya M Al-Farsi ◽  
Musthafa M Essa ◽  
Marwan M Al-Sharbati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Control Study ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Fasting Serum ◽  
Serum Homocysteine ◽  
Vitamin B 12 ◽  
Control Study

High serum homocysteine (Hcy) level is regarded as an indicator for impairment of folate-dependent methionine cycle and is associated with oxidative stress. In a case control study, we evaluated eighty 3-5 years old Omani children (40 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and 40 their age and gender matched controls) for their fasting serum homocysteine levels as a biomarker of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Serum folate and vitamin B(12) status were also evaluated. The serum homocysteine was measured using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) technique whereas folate and vitamin B(12) were measured using an automated random access immune-assay system. The results indicated that mean serum Hcy levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in autistic children (20.1 ± 3.3 µmol/L) as compared to controls (9.64 ± 2.1 µmol/L). Significantly (P < 0.05) lower serum folate (1.8 ± 0.4 µg/L) and vitamin B(12) (191.1 ± 0.9 pg/mL) levels were observed in autistic children as compared to controls (6.1 ± 0.6 µg/L and 288.9 ± 1.3 pg/mL, respectively). The levels of homocysteine in autistic children were also much higher as compared to normal reference values (5-15 µmol/L). The results suggest that high fasting serum homocysteine and low folate and vitamin B(12) levels could be used as clinical biomarkers for an early diagnosis and management of ASD.

Effect of physical therapy on 7- to 10-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder: A retrospective study in a university day hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-404
Author(s):  
Jokthan Guivarch ◽  
Elisabeth Jouve ◽  
Elodie Avenel ◽  
François Poinso ◽  
Laura Conforti-Roussel
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Motor Impairment ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
The Body ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Dance Movement ◽  
Cascading Effect

More than half of children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suffer from motor impairment. In a retrospective study, the authors investigated the effect of a body-mediated workshop with dance movement therapy (DMT) on the motor skills and social skills of children with ASD by comparing 10 autistic children aged 7 to 10 years who benefited from DMT with 10 autistic children in a control group. Scores on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale were compared. The body-mediated workshop had significant benefits for motricity, especially manual dexterity, and for relational skills. A body-mediated workshop may have a multimodal effect and requires transmodal training. Regarding the mechanisms that explain the benefits and the cascading effect, the roles of imitation and multimodal connections are important.

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