scholarly journals Autism as a Global Challenge: Examining the Increased Childhood Prevalence of Autism

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Hinbest ◽  
Linda Chmiliar

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a spectrum of conditions that are generally characterized by language deficits, restricted interests, social communication impairments, motor deficits, and repetitive behaviours. This paper examined the increased childhood prevalence of autism globally by analyzing studies conducted in specific countries through three underlying research aims. The aims are to determine the prevalence and diagnostic criteria of ASD within countries, to find out the international explanations for the increased prevalence of ASD, and to establish the extent of epidemiological consistencies between countries. Although the findings generally paint a picture of an increased ASD prevalence, researchers fail to agree on the reasons for this. Several countries that do not report this increase attribute the inconsistency to a lack of reliable studies. Further research is necessary to establish the link between cultural behaviours and beliefs to the prevalence rates, and also to provide a substantiated and definitive etiology of ASD.

2013 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 1824-1836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shula Chiat ◽  
Penny Roy

Purpose In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate hypotheses that early sociocognition will predict later social communication and early phonology will predict later morphosyntax in clinically referred preschoolers. Method Participants were 108 children ages 9–11 years who had been referred to clinical services with concerns about language at age 2½–3½ years. Predictors at Time 1 (T1) were measures of sociocognition, word/nonword repetition, and receptive language. Outcome measures at Time 3 (T3) included a social communication questionnaire completed by parents and tests of nonword repetition, morphosyntax, and receptive language. Results Group- and case-level analyses revealed early sociocognition to be the strongest predictor of social communication problems, which by T3 affected almost one third of the sample. At the group level, early phonology, which was a significant problem for the majority of children at T1, was a weak predictor of morphosyntax at T3. However, at the case level the majority of children with poor morphosyntax and nonword repetition at outcome had had very low repetition scores at T1. Conclusions In early language referrals, it is important to identify and address sociocognitive problems, a considerable risk for later social communication and autism spectrum disorders. The majority of early-referred children had phonological problems, often severe, but these require further investigation to determine their longer term significance for language.


Author(s):  
OJS Admin

Sensory issues and Repetitive Behaviors are the key features of Autism Disorder Syndrome (ASD). This is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by social communication impairments and the occurrence ofrestricted and repeated behavioral habits and desires, including irregular responses to sensory stimuli.


2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhiannon Luyster ◽  
Jennifer Richler ◽  
Susan Risi ◽  
Wan-Ling Hsu ◽  
Geraldine Dawson ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 3939-3946
Author(s):  
Sevginar Ibryamova ◽  
◽  
Veselin Petkov ◽  
Tsveteslava Ignatova-Ivanova ◽  
Georgi Kolev ◽  
...  

Autism is a complex disorder without a specific diagnosis, so the disease is defined by its specific characteristics described in the literature as cognitive defects, social, communication and behavioral problems, repetitive behaviors, unusual sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, restricted interests, and self stimulation. There are many models in the literature explaining the biology of autism, which are based on genetics, immunity, various environmental factors and diet. There is a lot of literature data that people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) often have gastrointestinal problems that also affect their behavior. ASD suffer developmental disabilities from an early age, which can be both physical and psychological. Often people suffer these problems even throughout their lives. This review aims to provide basic information on definitions, historical data, diagnostic methods, behavioral etiology, gastrointestinal and social problems in adults and children with ASD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-186
Author(s):  
Clare Allely

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address the need for increased understanding, awareness and recognition of the autism female phenotype in terms of repetitive behaviours and restricted interests (RBRIs). Design/methodology/approach A systematic PRISMA review was conducted. The main aim of the present systematic review is to identify studies which have investigated RBRIs in females with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or the differences in RBRIs between males and females with ASD. Findings In sum, 19 relevant articles were identified: 5 studies found no significant evidence to support the notion of sex differences in RRBIs in ASD; 1 study did not report any differences in RRBIs between males and females with ASD; 12 studies found evidence that males with ASD had significantly more RRBIs compared to females with ASD; and, lastly, 1 study found that girls with ASD have features of RRBIs which are exhibited more compared to boys with ASD. Research limitations/implications There is a real lack of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the female phenotype of ASD, and such lack of knowledge has a detrimental impact on the identification of autistic females and a lack of identification can have negative consequence. This is important to address in future research as it is well established that the earlier the diagnosis, the better the outcomes, due to the timely access to appropriate interventions. Practical implications The RBRIs exhibited in autistic females are not sufficiently captured by most currently diagnostic instruments. Clinicians are less likely to identify the RBRIs in females as they tend not to be the typical repetitive behaviours commonly associated with ASD. It has been recommended that clinicians consider “females as a whole” in terms of their clinical presentation and look for any indication of RBRIs, even repetitive interests which appear clinically innocuous. Originality/value There is relatively little research investigating RBRIs in autistic women and girls. There is a real need to highlight the importance of understanding and recognising how RBRIs can differ between males and females with ASD.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 773-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Ravizza ◽  
Marjorie Solomon ◽  
Richard B. Ivry ◽  
Cameron S. Carter

AbstractRestricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are hallmark symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs); however, it has proven difficult to understand the mechanisms underlying these behaviors. One hypothesis suggests that RRBs are the result of a core deficit in attention. Alternatively, abnormalities of the motor system may constitute the central mechanism underlying RRBs, given motor deficits observed in ASDs. In this experiment, we investigated the etiology of RRBs and the relationship between attention and motor deficits. Movement impairments (a) may be indirectly related to attention deficits, (b) may result from a shared compromised process, or (c) may be independent. Twenty-two adolescents with ASD and 20 typically developing participants performed a spatial attention task. Movement impairments were assessed with a rhythmic tapping task. Attentional orienting and motor control were found to be related and supported the hypothesis that these impairments in ASD arise from a shared process. In contrast, measures of attention switching and motor control were found to be independent. Stereotyped behaviors, as assessed by parental ratings, were related more to the degree of motor impairment than to deficits of attention. These results suggest that both attentional orienting deficits and stereotyped RRBs are related to a compromised motor system.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 869-888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Bortolato ◽  
Sean C. Godar ◽  
Loai Alzghoul ◽  
Junlin Zhang ◽  
Ryan D. Darling ◽  
...  

Abstract Converging lines of evidence show that a sizable subset of autism-spectrum disorders (ASDs) is characterized by increased blood levels of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), yet the mechanistic link between these two phenomena remains unclear. The enzymatic degradation of brain 5-HT is mainly mediated by monoamine oxidase (MAO)A and, in the absence of this enzyme, by its cognate isoenzyme MAOB. MAOA and A/B knockout (KO) mice display high 5-HT levels, particularly during early developmental stages. Here we show that both mutant lines exhibit numerous behavioural hallmarks of ASDs, such as social and communication impairments, perseverative and stereotypical responses, behavioural inflexibility, as well as subtle tactile and motor deficits. Furthermore, both MAOA and A/B KO mice displayed neuropathological alterations reminiscent of typical ASD features, including reduced thickness of the corpus callosum, increased dendritic arborization of pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and disrupted microarchitecture of the cerebellum. The severity of repetitive responses and neuropathological aberrances was generally greater in MAOA/B KO animals. These findings suggest that the neurochemical imbalances induced by MAOA deficiency (either by itself or in conjunction with lack of MAOB) may result in an array of abnormalities similar to those observed in ASDs. Thus, MAOA and A/B KO mice may afford valuable models to help elucidate the neurobiological bases of these disorders and related neurodevelopmental problems.


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