Anxiety and Worries of Individuals with Down Syndrome During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study in the UK

The present study explored the effects of the pandemic on individuals with Down Syndrome (n= 67) compared to other SEND diagnoses (n= 48) and their Typically Developing Siblings (n= 56). In total, 115 caregivers reported on their own anxiety and worries as well as of their children. Anxiety levels for individuals with Down syndrome appeared to be lower compared to other SEND populations and to Typically Developing Siblings. In terms of worries, individuals with Down Syndrome worried more about social-related worries but worried less about family- related aspects compared to the other groups. In sum, individuals with Down Syndrome might show less anxiety but still worried more about specific aspects related to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their lives.

MicroRNA Expression Profiles in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Role for miR-181 in Immunomodulation

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of molecular pathways in psychiatric disease. Here, we examine differential miRNAs expression in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) derived from 10 individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and compare them to seven typically developing unrelated age- and gender-matched controls and 10 typically developing siblings. Small RNAseq analysis identified miRNAs, and selected miRNAs were validated using quantitative real-time polymerase reaction (qRT-PCR). KEGG analysis identified target pathways, and selected predicted mRNAs were validated using qRT-PCR. Results: Small RNAseq analysis identified that multiple miRNAs differentiated ASD from unrelated controls and ASD from typically developing siblings, with only one, hsa-miR-451a_R-1, being in common. Verification with qRT-PCR showed that miR-320a differentiated ASD from both sibling and unrelated controls and that several members of the miR-181 family differentiated ASD from unrelated controls. Differential expression of AKT2, AKT3, TNF α and CamKinase II predicted by KEGG analysis was verified by qRT-PCR. Expression of CamKinase II βwas found to be correlated with the severity of stereotyped behavior of the ASD participants. Conclusions: This study provides insight into the mechanisms regulating molecular pathways in individuals with ASD and identifies differentiated regulated genes involved in both the central nervous system and the immune system.

A systematic review of the experience of being a sibling of a child with an autism spectrum disorder

Difficulties associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders can cause considerable impact on personal, familial, social, educational and occupational functioning. Living with a child who has an Autism Spectrum Disorder can therefore pose a challenge to family members, including typically developing siblings. However, it is only in recent years that the experience of typically developing siblings has become a focal point. A systematic review using keywords across six databases was undertaken to summarise qualitative studies that focused on the experience of being a sibling of a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria and a thematic synthesis was completed. The synthesis found that having a sibling who has an Autism Spectrum Disorder can impact typically developing sibling’s self-identity and personal development in a number of ways. Similarly, interactions with the sibling who has Autism Spectrum Disorders and with other individuals can evoke a myriad of experiences that can both benefit and challenge typically developing siblings. The ability of typically developing siblings to cope with adverse experiences needs to remain a focus. This synthesis concludes that further research is needed to identify which methods are the most effective in supporting typically developing siblings of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Depressive symptoms of autism spectrum disorder children’s siblings in Greece: Associations with parental anxiety and social support

Previous research has shown elevated levels of depressive symptoms in typically developing siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders. The current study investigates for associations between the depressive symptoms of school-aged typically developing siblings of children with autism and parental mental health, perceived social support as well as demographic factors. Eighty-five Greek typically developing siblings of autistic children and their parents provided information concerning children’s depressive symptoms (assessed with the Children’s Depression Inventory), demographics, parent mental health status (assessed with the General Health Questionnaire-28), and perceived social support (assessed with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support). Typically developing siblings showed higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to normative data. The hierarchical multiple regressions performed showed that typically developing siblings’ depressive symptoms were significantly associated with parental anxiety and perceived social support from the family. Of note, parental anxiety remained associated with typically developing siblings’ depressive symptoms independent of perceived social support. These findings demonstrate a direct link between typically developing siblings’ psychopathological symptoms and those of their parents and highlight the need for family-centered interventions, not limited to providing social support. Lay abstract Typically developing siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders are often found to exhibit elevated levels of stress and depressive symptoms compared to siblings of typically developing children or siblings of children with other disabilities. Besides the behavioral problems of the child with autism and certain demographic characteristics that have been recognized as factors associated with typically developing siblings’ psychological distress, the role of parental mental health and the social support from the family has not been studied sufficiently. The goal of this study is to assess depressive symptoms in 85 Greek school-aged typically developing siblings of children with autism and to investigate for any associations between siblings’ depressive symptoms on one hand and demographics, parental mental health, and perceived social support on the other hand. It was found that typically developing siblings had higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to children from a general population sample. In addition, parental anxiety and social support from the family as perceived by the parents themselves were identified as independently associated with typically developing siblings’ depressive symptoms. Of note, perceived social support failed to attenuate the association between parental anxiety and siblings’ depressive symptoms. These results highlight the importance of assessing both parental and typically developing siblings’ psychological state to implement interventions addressed to the needs of all family members.

Randomized controlled trial of a sibling support group: Mental health outcomes for siblings of children with autism

Typically developing siblings of a child with autism spectrum disorder may be at increased risk of mental health difficulties. A support group is one approach to improve mental health outcomes for typically developing siblings. During support groups, typically developing siblings discuss their feelings, learn coping strategies and problem-solving skills, and develop a peer network. We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing a support group to an attention-only social control group. Some areas of mental health improved. Autism spectrum disorder symptom severity in the sibling with autism spectrum disorder moderated effects. Findings suggest continuing to examine what areas of mental health and adjustment are improved with support groups and subgroups of typically developing siblings for whom support groups might be particularly effective. Lay abstract Typically developing siblings of a child with autism spectrum disorder may show mental health difficulties. A support group is one approach to help typically developing siblings. During support groups, typically developing siblings discuss their feelings, learn coping strategies and problem-solving skills, and develop a peer network. We compared a support group to participation in a similar group without a focus on the sibling with autism spectrum disorder. Some areas of mental health improved. Improvements were also impacted by autism spectrum disorder symptom severity in the sibling with autism spectrum disorder. Findings suggest continuing to examine how support groups can help typically developing siblings and for which siblings support groups might be particularly effective.

Contextual determinants of parental reflective functioning: Children with autism versus their typically developing siblings

Parental reflective functioning is defined as holding in mind one’s child’s thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and intentions and reflecting on how these mental states may be affecting the child’s behavior. Although parental reflective functioning is often treated as a stable feature of the parent, there is growing appreciation that it may be shaped by the context in which the parent is operating. In this study, we examined parental reflective functioning using the Parental Developmental Interview when parents were talking about their interactions with their child with autism versus the child’s typically developing siblings. Our sample included 30 parents who had a child between the ages of 3 and 18 years with a clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and at least one typically developing child. Findings indicated that parents exhibited significantly higher reflective functioning when interacting with their child with autism spectrum disorder versus the typically developing siblings, and the difference was moderated by parental self-efficacy. The evidence for a disparity in parental reflective functioning between children with autism spectrum disorder and their typically developing siblings (especially for parents with low parental self-efficacy) warrants further investigations that might lead to the development of effective interventions. Lay Abstract In this study, we examined parental reflective functioning using the Parental Developmental Interview when parents were talking about their interactions with their child with autism versus the child’s typically developing siblings. Our sample included 30 parents who had a child between the ages of 3 and 18 years with a clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and at least one typically developing child. Findings indicated that parents exhibited significantly higher reflective functioning when interacting with their child with autism spectrum disorder versus the typically developing siblings, and the difference was moderated by parental self-efficacy.

Children’s Development as Context

Chapter 4 considers how educators’ perspectives and practices may be affected by the broad developmental changes experienced by the children they educate. Over the past few years, there has been an increasing interest in the importance of understanding the experiences of children with disabilities. This chapter summarizes available literature, conducted almost exclusively in Western cultural contexts, on the experiences of children with disabilities and their typically developing siblings and peers focusing on disability, stigmatization, and the cultural self. Then it considers related socialization practices by adults in East Asian countries and the U.S.