TOPIC

Autism spectrum research

Everything we have read on autism spectrum. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

2,764 PAPERS · PAGE 35 OF 56 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPSurvey2023Screening for Autism Spectrum Condition Through Inner City Homeless Services in the Republic of Ireland.Journal of autism and developmental disordersKeyworkers screening homeless adults in Dublin found 3% had likely autism and 9% had possible traits, much higher than the general population. These clients faced more self-neglect and medication non-adherence. Screening by staff observation is not a diagnosis, but it highlights a critical gap in recognizing autism in homeless services.
• SLPCohort2023Examining Treatment Outcomes Across Contexts: How Do Child Baseline Characteristics Impact Measurement of Treatment Response?Journal of autism and developmental disordersBaseline age and IQ predicted social communication improvement in toddlers with autism, but not restricted behaviors. Scores from parent-child play and clinician interactions matched for social outcomes but diverged for repetitive behaviors, suggesting the context of assessment changes how a child's progress is measured.
• OTSLPCase-Control2023Discrimination and Harassment Experiences of Autistic College Students and Their Neurotypical Peers: Risk and Protective Factors.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic college students did not report more discrimination or harassment than their non-autistic peers. However, participating in campus groups was linked to higher rates of negative experiences, especially for autistic students. Strong faculty support and academic problem-solving skills were associated with fewer incidents for everyone.
• SLPPilot2023PEERS® for Preschoolers preliminary outcomes and predictors of treatment response.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMost children showed improved social skills after a caregiver-mediated group intervention, but gains were not sustained for half at follow-up. Fewer showed reduced behavioral difficulties, and those gains generally disappeared. The study lacked a control group, so maturation cannot be ruled out.
• SLPOther2023Content Analysis of Abstracts Published in Autism Journals in 2021: The year in Review.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMental health was the most common autism research topic in 2021, with 221 articles. Social communication and social skills followed. This maps abstract counts, not treatment effects.
• SLPCase-Control2023Disentangling Language Disorder and Bilingualism in Children with Developmental Language Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from Writing.Journal of autism and developmental disordersBilingual children with ASD misplaced stress marks and punctuation far more often than peers with DLD, who instead omitted them and made more spelling errors. Vocabulary size predicted spelling accuracy in both groups, while Greek exposure predicted punctuation use.
• SLPOther2024Associations Among Sex, Cognitive Ability, and Autism Symptoms in Individuals with Down Syndrome.Journal of autism and developmental disordersNo clear difference in autism classification or symptom severity between males and females with Down syndrome. In females, verbal and nonverbal cognitive scores were related to autism severity; in males, they were not.
• SLPQualitative2023"They Were Saying That I Was a Typical Chinese Mum" : Chinese Parents' Experiences of Parent-Teacher Partnerships for Their Autistic Children.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChinese parents of autistic children in Australia described teachers as caring but hard to trust. They wanted frank updates, honest negative information, and ways to see how their child was doing at school.
• SLPOther2023Investigating the Influence of Autism Spectrum Traits on Face Processing Mechanisms in Developmental Prosopagnosia.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdults with developmental prosopagnosia and high autism traits show the same face recognition and perception deficits as those with low traits. The high-trait group had worse emotion recognition from eyes and different brain activity in social processing regions, but their core face blindness profile was not distinct.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Social-Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Emotion Perception in Daily Life and in a Formal Assessment Context.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with ASD, ADHD, and DLD showed similar delays in emotion discrimination and high rates of behavioural problems. Poor voice tone discrimination was linked to having no friends, affecting 32% of the clinical group. These difficulties appeared regardless of specific diagnosis.
• SLPCase-Control2023Individual Differences in Multisensory Attention Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Predict Language and Symptom Severity: Evidence from the Multisensory Attention Assessment Protocol (MAAP).Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn 21 children with autism and 21 matched controls, shorter looking at faces and slower shifting from distractions were linked to poorer language and more severe symptoms. These are associations, not evidence that attention training helps.
• SLPOther2024A Preliminary Study Characterizing Subcortical and Cortical Auditory Processing and Their Relation to Autistic Traits and Sensory Features.Journal of autism and developmental disordersBrainstem responses to repeated speech sounds did not differ between autistic and typically developing children matched on age and non-verbal reasoning. Autistic children had larger early brain responses to speech sounds and faster responses to a change between sounds.
• OTSLPCohort2024Exploring the Symptom Profiles of Intolerance of Uncertainty in Autistic Children.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents reported that autistic children struggled more with the emotional distress of uncertainty than with the thoughts or behaviors. This pattern held even when anxiety was absent. Screening for feelings of stress, inability to relax, and sleep problems may identify children needing emotion regulation support.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Distinct Neurodevelopmental Trajectories in Groups of Very Preterm Children Screening Positively for Autism Spectrum Conditions.Journal of autism and developmental disordersVery preterm toddlers who failed two or more critical M-CHAT items had smaller brainstem and cerebellar volumes at term-equivalent age and more autism traits at age 4-7 than those who screened negative. The critical positive group also showed the most severe developmental delay.
• SLPRCT2024Stepped-Care Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Children on the Autism Spectrum with Co-occurring Anxiety.Journal of autism and developmental disordersStepped CBT helped autistic children with anxiety. Twenty-four percent improved after brief parent-led therapy. Among those who also needed therapist-led sessions, fifty-two percent improved. High dropout occurred, but families reported good satisfaction with the program.
• OTSLPRCT2024Effectiveness of a Robot-Assisted Psychological Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersRobot-assisted sessions did not clearly outperform therapist-only sessions. Both groups improved on autism symptoms, social cognition, inhibition and parent-reported problems, but the autism symptom change was too small to matter clinically.
• SLPSurvey2024Sleep Problems Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and Typical Development.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with autism spectrum disorder had more parent-reported sleep problems than children with Down syndrome or typical development. During the pandemic, children went to bed and woke later and had more night awakenings.
• SLPCohort2024Community-based Agency Delivery of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: Comparing Outcomes for Children with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Developmental Delays.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with autism or developmental delay did not differ from other children in parent-child interaction therapy length, graduation or parent-reported disruptive behavior change. Both groups improved after at least four sessions.
• SLPCohort2023The Influence of Bilingual Language Exposure on the Narrative, Social and Pragmatic Abilities of School-Aged Children on the Autism Spectrum.Journal of autism and developmental disordersNarrative story structure was similar in bilingual and monolingual children on the autism spectrum. Social skills also showed no group difference. More balanced language exposure was linked to higher nonliteral language scores.
• SLPQualitative2024Re-Consenting Pediatric Research Participants as Legal Adulthood Approaches: Lessons from the SPARK Autism Study.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents recommended starting re-consenting conversations at 15 to 16, using simple 'transition to adulthood' language. They said keeping mothers informed could help teens act on invitations, and families wanted adult service resources, not just consent reminders.
• PTSLPQualitative2024"It is more Important than food sometimes"; Meanings and Functions of Music in the Lives of Autistic Adults Through a hermeneutic-phenomenological Lense.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic adults described music as a tool to regulate arousal, manage emotions, and create safe spaces. However, they also reported significant stress from loud or unfamiliar music and fear of judgment. Agency over sound exposure was crucial for both benefits and harms.
• SLPCase-Control2024Comparison of Mathematics Problem-Solving Abilities in Autistic and Non-autistic Children: the Influence of Cognitive Profile.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic and non-autistic children did not differ in math problem-solving strategy or accuracy. The study also found more autistic children in the lowest accuracy group, but this was a subgroup observation, not evidence that a therapy works.
• OTSLPCohort2024Heightened Anxiety and Depression Among Autistic Adolescents with ADHD: Findings From the National Survey of Children's Health 2016-2019.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdolescents with both autism and ADHD have the highest rates of anxiety and depression. Anxiety affects 72% of females and 69% of males with both conditions. Depression affects 39% of females and 38% of males. These rates are far higher than in those with only one condition or neither.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Digital tools for direct assessment of autism risk during early childhood: A systematic review.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceDigital tablet and smartphone tasks measuring social preference and motor movements consistently distinguished autistic children from typical peers in 38 pilot studies. These tools are brief and automated, but none are validated for clinical screening yet.
• SLPRCT2024Randomised Controlled Trial of a Behavioural Sleep Intervention, 'Sleeping Sound', for Autistic Children: 12-Month Outcomes and Moderators of Treatment.Journal of autism and developmental disordersA brief behavioural sleep intervention kept working a year later for autistic children. Sleep problems, especially trouble falling asleep, stayed significantly better than in usual care. However, children still scored in the clinical range, so many families likely need ongoing support rather than a one-off fix.
• OTSLPCohort2024Longitudinal Relations Between Early Sensory Responsiveness and Later Communication in Infants with Autistic and Non-autistic Siblings.Journal of autism and developmental disordersInfants with low reaction to sensory input or high distress from it had lower language scores nine months later. These early behavioral signs predicted communication delays in both high-risk and typical groups.
• SLPOther2024Expert Clinician Certainty in Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder in 16-30-Month-Olds: A Multi-site Trial Secondary Analysis.Journal of autism and developmental disordersExpert clinicians were certain in their diagnosis for 70.2% of toddlers. Uncertainty clustered in children with mid-range autism symptoms. For those diagnosed with ASD, mild presentation was the top reason for doubt. For non-ASD cases, repetitive behaviors alongside social strengths drove uncertainty.
• OTSLPQualitative2024Parental Perspectives: How Sensory Sensitivities Impact the Transition to Adulthood in Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents of autistic adolescents and young adults described sensory sensitivities as a constant barrier to independence. Touch and sound issues most often restricted job options, social participation, and daily living tasks. Parents reported needing to manage environments and teach self-advocacy to help their children navigate adulthood.
• SLPQualitative2024Social Validity of Pivotal Response Treatment for Young Autistic Children: Perspectives of Autistic Adults.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic adults rated Pivotal Response Treatment as slightly acceptable overall, but views varied sharply by video. They valued following the child's lead and reinforcing attempts, yet strongly criticized prioritizing spoken language over AAC or sign, and withholding reinforcement for non-speaking children's imperfect approximations.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024A Qualitative Study of Adults' and Support Persons' Experiences of Support After Autism Diagnosis.Journal of autism and developmental disordersLate-diagnosed adults and their families described a confusing gap between diagnosis and support. They wanted clear guidance on services, autism-informed professionals who respect their identity, and help for support persons. Peer support was valued but often lacked practical problem-solving.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024The Relationship Between Nutrition-Physical Activity Behaviors of Autistic Children with Their Families and Children's Obesity Levels During Covid Pandemic.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents of children with severe autism reported lower family nutrition and activity scores than those with atypical autism. Regularly monitoring the child's height and weight was linked to higher scores. However, neither family habits nor mealtime behaviors correlated with the children's actual BMI before or during the pandemic.
• SLPOther2024Contrasting Views of Autism Spectrum Traits in Adults, Especially in Self-Reports vs. Informant-Reports for Women High in Autism Spectrum Traits.Journal of autism and developmental disordersSelf-reports and informant reports of autism traits and executive function in adults high in autism spectrum traits showed no agreement. Female probands reported more traits than their informants did. Both sources are needed because they carry different information.
• SLPQualitative2024Autism and bilingualism: A thematic analysis of practitioner perspectives in the United Kingdom.International journal of language & communication disordersSpeech and language therapists generally supported autistic children keeping their home languages, but felt unsure because evidence and culturally suitable tools were limited. Parents often worried bilingualism caused delay. Interpreter access, resources and workforce diversity constrained practice.
• SLPOther2024Stress, Eating Behavior and Adverse Health in Parents of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMothers of young children with autism reported high parenting stress and higher rates of obesity and metabolic syndrome than the general population. Their stress levels correlated with emotional and external eating. Fathers reported high stress too, but showed no significant differences in physical health outcomes.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Latent Class Analysis Identifies Distinctive Behavioral Subtypes in Children with Fragile X Syndrome.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with fragile X syndrome fall into five distinct behavioral groups. Three moderate-severity groups differ clearly: one with high anxiety and social avoidance, one with disruptive behaviors, and one with attention issues but less social impairment. This helps target support.
• OTSLPCohort2024Caregiver Attributions of Toddlers' Behaviors: A Comparison Between Groups of Children with Differing Developmental Concerns.Journal of autism and developmental disordersCaregivers of toddlers with autism concerns viewed their child's positive behaviors as less stable and controllable, and challenging behaviors as more permanent, compared to caregivers of children with other developmental concerns or no concerns. Group membership did not predict the specific behaviors reported.
• SLPOther2024Extending the Usefulness of the Brief Observation of Social Communication Change (BOSCC): Validating the Phrase Speech and Young Fluent Version.Journal of autism and developmental disordersThe BOSCC-PSYF, a brief observation measure, detected small social communication improvements over about 4.5 months in autistic children receiving varied behavioral treatments. Restricted and repetitive behaviors did not change. No control group means treatment effects cannot be separated.
• SLPCase Series2024Use of ECT in Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disability: A Single Site Retrospective Analysis.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn 32 patients with autism or intellectual disability, retrospective chart review showed 94% improved after ECT. Most had catatonia. No significant adverse events were reported. This describes outcomes in a small group receiving multiple treatments, not proof of efficacy.
• SLPOther2024Perceptual Grouping in Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Exploratory Magnetoencephalography Study.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdults with autism showed slower and weaker early brain responses to visual grouping cues than controls, despite matching accuracy. This suggests the brain works harder to process similarity cues, even when the task seems easy.
• SLPCohort2024Psychometric Evaluation of the Autism Spectrum Rating Scales (6-18 Years Parent Report) in a Clinical Sample.Journal of autism and developmental disordersThe Autism Spectrum Rating Scales failed to distinguish children with autism from those with other clinical disorders in a specialty clinic sample. Scores overlapped substantially, and no cut-off score provided acceptable accuracy for diagnosis.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024Autism Spectrum Disorder in Down Syndrome: Experiences from Caregivers.Journal of autism and developmental disordersCaregivers of children with Down syndrome and autism noticed differences at an average age of 3.87 years, but diagnosis came at an average age of 8.52 years, a 4.65-year gap. Many said providers and therapists lacked DS-ASD knowledge.
• SLPOther2024Associations Among Autism Symptom Domains and Facets of Caregiver Strain.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents reported strain highest as internal worry, then daily-life disruption, then anger toward the child. Behavior problems and unusual social behaviors were the most consistent links to strain.
• SLPRCT2024Effects of Bumetanide on Neurocognitive Functioning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.Journal of autism and developmental disordersBumetanide showed no benefit on standard neurocognitive tests in children with autism. However, experimental network analysis suggested subtle changes in how cognitive functions are organized. These findings are exploratory and not corrected for multiple testing, so they do not support changing clinical practice.
• SLPOther2024The Contribution of Perceptual Reasoning Skills to Phonological Awareness for School Age Autistic Children.Journal of autism and developmental disordersSchool-age autistic children matched for cognitive skills scored similarly to non-autistic peers on phonological awareness. For autistic children, phonological awareness correlated with perceptual reasoning skills, not verbal skills. This suggests using visual and perceptual strengths in literacy instruction.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Male and Female Toddlers with DSM-5 Autism Spectrum Disorder have Similar Developmental Profiles and Core Autism Symptoms.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMale and female toddlers diagnosed with autism showed similar developmental profiles and core symptoms. The only significant difference after statistical correction was that females displayed more sensory-seeking behavior than males.
• OTSLPSurvey2024Screening, Diagnosis, and Intervention for Autism: Experiences of Black and Multiracial Families Seeking Care.Journal of autism and developmental disordersBlack and multiracial parents frequently reported that speech delays were their first concern, yet many faced "wait-and-see" advice from pediatricians. Families described feeling dismissed or misdiagnosed, highlighting a critical need for providers to trust parental instincts and act early on communication concerns.
• SLPOther2024The factor structure and measurement invariance of the Autism Spectrum Quotient-28: A cross-cultural comparison between Malaysia and the Netherlands.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceMalaysian adults scored significantly higher on the AQ-28 than Dutch adults, even after removing culturally biased items. While the test structure held up, 11 items functioned differently across cultures. Western cut-off scores should not be used for Malaysian patients.
• SLPOther2023Profiles of the parenting experience in families of autistic children.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceMost parents of autistic children report average or adaptive parenting experiences. A distinct subgroup, including more fathers than expected, reports high stress and low competence. Children in these distressed families show more behavioral and autism symptoms, but the study cannot prove parenting causes these challenges.
• OTSLPSurvey2024Associations Between Parenting Stress and Quality Time in Families of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersCaregivers of autistic youth with clinically significant stress were less likely to engage in shared activities or feel in-sync with their child. Stress levels did not change with child age, but shared activities dropped off in adolescence. Correlations with time spent were weak.
• SLPSystematic Review2024A scoping review of oral language and social communication abilities in children with Tourette syndrome.International journal of language & communication disordersAverage verbal IQ, vocabulary and fluency were common in children with Tourette syndrome, but social communication problems and autism traits were higher than controls, especially with co-occurring conditions. Screen complex cases.