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Early identification improves life outcomes for individuals with autism. This study addresses a central question: do compact subsets of the most predictive QCHAT-10 items, when fed into machine learning (ML) models trained to reproduce the full questionnaire’s screening result, generalize to predicting clinician-established autism diagnoses in independent clinical settings? We applied ML to the 10-question QCHAT-10, training models on New Zealand ( n  = 1054) and Saudi Arabian ( n  = 506) datasets with QCHAT-derived labels and testing on Polish data with clinical diagnoses ( n  = 252). Recursive Feature Elimination identified four-item models retaining three common features: eye contact, following gaze direction, and pretend play. When tested on clinically-diagnosed Polish cases at the 0.3 prediction threshold, the New Zealand model achieved an AUROC of 85% ± 13 (sensitivity 91%, specificity 50%), while the Saudi model reached 87% ± 11 (sensitivity 84%, specificity 80%), compared to the Polish four-item model’s cross-validation AUROC of 91% ± 5. These findings demonstrate partial transfer from the prediction of assessment scores to clinical diagnosis. The convergence on eye contact, gaze following, and pretend play suggests these behaviors represent robust autism risk markers. Compact assessment tools offer advantages, including reduced burden, shortened administration, and simplified deployment, with direct applications for targeted digital phenotyping.

Sleep disturbances and autonomic dysregulation are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet few studies have examined long-term nocturnal heart rate variability (HRV) in home settings. This study evaluated the feasibility of one-month home-based HRV monitoring using smart clothing in a preschooler with ASD, and explored whether nocturnal HRV predicts next-day problem behaviors. HRV was recorded nightly for 25 valid days using a garment-type wearable ECG. Problem behaviors were reported daily by caregivers. HRV indices were compared between nights preceding days with and without problem behaviors using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. No significant differences in total sleep time or HRV indices were found between the two day types. Although HRV did not predict next-day behavior, the study demonstrates the feasibility and methodological transparency of long-term home-based physiological monitoring in young children with ASD.

Language and communication deficits characterize both autism spectrum disorder and developmental language disorder, and the possibility of there being a common profile of these is a matter of tireless debate in the research community. This experimental study addresses the relation of these two developmental conditions in the critical topic of language. A total of 103 children (79 males, 24 females) participated in the present study. Specifically, the study’s sample consisted of 40 children with autism, 28 children with developmental language disorder, and 35 typically developing children between 6 and 12 years old. All children completed language and cognitive measures. The results showed that there is a subgroup inside the autism group of children who demonstrate language difficulties similar to children with developmental language disorder. Specifically, two different subgroups were derived from the autism group; those with language impairment and those without. Both autism and language-impaired groups scored lower than typically developing children on all language measures indicating a common pathology in language ability. The results of this study shed light on the relation between the two disorders, supporting the assumption of a subgroup with language impairment inside the autism spectrum disorder population. The common picture presented by the two developmental conditions highlights the need for further research in the field.

Background and Objectives: This systematic review reports the evidence from the literature concerning the potential for using an automated vocal analysis, the Language ENvironment Analysis (LENA, LENA Research Foundation, Boulder, CO, USA) in the screening process for children at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH). ASD and D/HH have increased comorbidity, but current behavioral diagnostic and screening tools have limitations. The LENA Language Autism Screen (LLAS) may offer an additional tool to disambiguate ASD from D/HH in young children. Materials and Methods: We examine empirical reports that use automatic vocal analysis methods to differentiate disordered from typically developing children. Results: Consensus across the sampled scientific literature shows support for use of automatic methods for screening and disambiguation of children with ASD and D/HH. There is some evidence of vocal differentiation between ASD, D/HH, and typically-developing children warranting use of the LLAS, but additional empirical evidence is needed to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the tool. Conclusions: The findings reported here warrant further, more substantive, methodologically-sound research that is fully powered to show a reliable difference. Findings may be useful for both clinicians and researchers in better identification and understanding of communication disorders.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous, behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder. Over the past two decades, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders has progressively increased, however, no clear diagnostic markers and specifically targeted medications for autism have emerged. As a result, neurobehavioral abnormalities, neurobiological alterations in ASD, and the development of novel ASD pharmacological therapy necessitate multidisciplinary collaboration. In this review, we discuss the development of multiple animal models of ASD to contribute to the disease mechanisms of ASD, as well as new studies from multiple disciplines to assess the behavioral pathology of ASD. In addition, we summarize and highlight the mechanistic advances regarding gene transcription, RNA and non-coding RNA translation, abnormal synaptic signaling pathways, epigenetic post-translational modifications, brain-gut axis, immune inflammation and neural loop abnormalities in autism to provide a theoretical basis for the next step of precision therapy. Furthermore, we review existing autism therapy tactics and limits and present challenges and opportunities for translating multidisciplinary knowledge of ASD into clinical practice.

We used Framework Analysis to investigate the female autism phenotype and its impact upon the under-recognition of autism spectrum conditions (ASC) in girls and women. Fourteen women with ASC (aged 22–30 years) diagnosed in late adolescence or adulthood gave in-depth accounts of: ‘pretending to be normal’; of how their gender led various professionals to miss their ASC; and of conflicts between ASC and a traditional feminine identity. Experiences of sexual abuse were widespread in this sample, partially reflecting specific vulnerabilities from being a female with undiagnosed ASC. Training would improve teachers’ and clinicians’ recognition of ASC in females, so that timely identification can mitigate risks and promote wellbeing of girls and women on the autism spectrum.

Social skills deficits '[The] disturbance [of autism] results in severe and characteristic difficulties of social integration.' While we have gained important insights into the adult world of ASD through the writing of Temple Grandin 16 and Liane Holliday (world key-note speaker on AS and diagnosed with Asperger herself), 20 The Little Prince offers adults working and/or living with individuals with ASD and AS an additional opportunity to understand the feelings of alienation and isolation they may experience, as well as their difficulty understanding social concepts. 4 Happé F . Why fold Asperger syndrome into Autism Spectrum Disorder in the DSM-5? (Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative), 2011: 1-8. http://sfari.org/news-and-opinion/viewpoint/2011/why-fold-asperger-syndrome-into-autism-spectrum-disorder-in-the-dsm-5 5 Muskat B . Enhancing academic, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning in children with Asperger Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Disability. 12 Macintosh K , Dissanayake C . Social skills and problem behaviours in school aged children with high-functioning autism and Asperger's Disorder.

Background: Increased exposure to Light Emitting Diode (LED) screen or virtual media can affect the brain development process in children below 6 years of age. The symptoms after prolonged exposure are similar to Autism or Autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Objective: To determine the effects of increased electronic screen usage on speech, behavioural and cognitive development in ASD children. Study type, settings & duration: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Speech Therapy units of Rehman Medical Institute, Northwest Hospital & Combined Military Hospital and Autistic Jewel Centre in Peshawar from June to October 2020.    Methodology: A total of 100 children of age 1- 6 years were surveyed with the help of a questionnaire based on DSM-5 handbook and ASD assessment screening criteria through convenient sampling technique. Children who had speech delay, irritability and hyperactive behaviour were included in the study whereas children with diagnosed genetic developmental defects were excluded from the study. Data was analysed for descriptive analysis on SPSS version 24. The Chi square test was used to compare frequencies keeping p ≤0.05 as significant. Results: Children exposed to virtual media for more than 2 hours/day showed more significant issues with speech/communication (p=0.00018), social interaction (p =0.01), emotional responsiveness (p =0.01), behavioural pattern (p =0.0038), sensory (p =0.003) & motor aspects (p =0.01) and cognitive components (p =0.007) of child development as compared to children less than 2 hours/day of screen exposure. Conclusion: The excessive electronic screen utilization relates to autistic symptoms. Longer screen time increases the chances of ...

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a rapidly growing neurodevelopmental disorder. Both probiotics and oxytocin were reported to have therapeutic potential; however, the combination therapy has not yet been studied. We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 2-stage pilot trial in 35 individuals with ASD aged 3–20 years (median = 10.30 years). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive daily Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 probiotic (6 × 1010 CFUs) or a placebo for 28 weeks; starting on week 16, both groups received oxytocin. The primary outcomes measure socio-behavioral severity using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). The secondary outcomes include measures of the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale, fecal microbiome, blood serum inflammatory markers, and oxytocin. All outcomes were compared between the two groups at baseline, 16 weeks, and 28 weeks into treatment. We observed improvements in ABC and SRS scores and significant improvements in CGI-improvement between those receiving probiotics and oxytocin combination therapy compared to those receiving placebo (p < 0.05). A significant number of favorable gut microbiome network hubs were also identified after combination therapy (p < 0.05). The favorable social cognition response of the combination regimen is highly correlated with the abundance of the Eubacterium hallii group. Our findings suggest synergic effects between probiotics PS128 and oxytocin in ASD patients, although further investigation is warranted.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience deficits in motor coordination, sensory processing, and social interaction, which hinder their participation in physical activities. While sensory integration-based interventions have shown promise, the specific impact of structured sports training incorporating sensory principles remains underexplored. This study evaluated the effects of a 12-week sensory integration-based sports training program on motor and social outcomes in children with ASD. Forty participants, aged 6–12, were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving sensory integration-based sports training or a control group engaged in standard physical activity. Motor coordination was assessed using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2), and social responsiveness was measured using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2). Weekly behavioral engagement was also recorded. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and Cohen’s d for effect size. Participants in the intervention group demonstrated a significant 17.2-point increase in BOT-2 scores, reflecting improved motor coordination. SRS-2 scores decreased by 13.2 points, indicating enhanced social responsiveness. Participation rates in structured activities increased from 45 to 85% over the 12 weeks. Statistical analysis revealed a large effect size (Cohen’s d > 0.8) for both outcomes. Sensory integration-based sports training significantly improves motor and social functioning in children with ASD and offers a promising approach for therapeutic and educational rehabilitation programs.