Search results for "Autism spectrum disorder"

Sensory Processing in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the Home and Classroom Contexts

2019

Neuropsychological Profile, Emotional/Behavioral Problems, and Parental Stress in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

2021

Background: The aim of our study was to trace a specific neuropsychological profile, to investigate emotional-behavioral problems and parental stress in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1/High functioning (ASD-HF), Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) disorders and to highlight similarities and differences among the three groups. Methods: We retrospectively collected the data from a total of 62 subjects with ASD-HF (n = 19) ADHD (n = 21), SLD (n = 22) and 20 typical development. All the participants underwent neuropsychological standardized test for the evaluation of cognitive profile (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Four…

The child with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDS): Behavioral and neurobiological aspects

2015

Introduction: The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) have onset in the first years of life and are characterized clinically by qualitative impairments in social interaction, communication and a restricted repertoire, stereotyped and repetitive interests and activities. Currently there is a medical consensus on the causes of autism: they should not be psychosocial but should be based in biology, especially in the central nervous system abnormalities caused by both inherited and environmental causes. The aim of this study was to study a sample of subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) with a wide protocol, including neurophysiological and radiological investigations as well as laborator…

The Effects of Probiotics and Prebiotics on Gastrointestinal and Behavioural Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a group of prevalent neuropsychiatric disorders. They present a complex and unknown etiology, which in most cases includes significant peripheral alterations outside the brain such as in the composition of gut microbiota. Because the gut microbiota is involved in modulating the gut-brain axis, several studies have suggested that the microbiome in the gut can modify metabolites which are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and modulate brain function. Methods: We reviewed the current evidence regarding microbiota alterations in patients with ASD and the effects of the administration of probiotics and prebiotics in these patients, both in te…

The clinical and molecular spectrum of QRICH1 associated neurodevelopmental disorder

2022

De novo variants in QRICH1 (Glutamine-rich protein 1) has recently been reported in 11 individuals with intellectual disability. The function of QRICH1 is largely unknown but it is likely to play a key role in the unfolded response of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress through transcriptional control of proteostasis. In this study, we present 27 additional individuals and delineate the clinical and molecular spectrum of the individuals (n=38) with QRICH1 variants. The main clinical features were mild to moderate developmental delay/intellectual disability (71%), non-specific facial dysmorphism (92%) and hypotonia (39%). Additional findings included poor weight gain (29%), short stature (29%)…

Semantic Verbal Fluency in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder: Relationship with Chronological Age and IQ

2016

We administered a semantic verbal fluency (SVF) task to two groups of children (age range from 5 to 8): 47 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD Group) and 53 with typical development (Comparison Group), matched on gender, chronological age, and non-verbal IQ. Four specific indexes were calculated from the SVF task, reflecting the different underlying cognitive strategies used: clustering (component of generativity and lexical-semantic access), and switching (executive component, cognitive flexibility). First, we compared the performance of the two groups on the different SVF task indicators, with the ASD group scoring lower than the Comparison Group, although the difference was grea…

Relationships between the social communication questionnaire and pragmatic language, socialization skills, and behavioral problems in children with a…

2019

The Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) is one of the most widely used screening instruments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examined the relationships between the reciprocal social interaction, communication, and repetitive/stereotyped factors on the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and pragmatic, socialization, and behavioral problems in children with ASD and children with typical development (TD). Participants were seven- to 11-year-old children with ASD without intellectual disability (

Autism spectrum disorders in children affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

2019

Objective Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive neuromuscular condition that has a high rate of cognitive and learning disabilities as well as neurobehavioral disorders, some of which have ben associated with disruption of dystrophin isoforms. Recent studies have pointed to an increased risk for intellectual disability and autism among affected males.The aim of the present study was to describe a case series of children with DMD that have also the presence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). they have been assessed by means of standardized autism scales and the monst appropriate psycho-educational treatment is herein discussed. Methods and Results In order to evaluate and iden…

Executive functioning in autism spectrum disorders: a case-control study in preschool children.

2019

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurobehavioral and developmental conditions that include impairments in a triad of behavioral domains: social development, communication and repetitive behavior/obsessive interests. This case-control study aims to assess executive functioning in ASD preschoolers. Methods: A sample of 50 children participated in the study (24 males and 26 females; age ranged between 2.7 and 3.5 years). The study sample was subdivided into two groups: 25 ASD children and 25 typically developing children as a control group. All participants were administered the BRIEF-P test to assess executive functioning. Results: The two groups were counterbalanced for age an…

Executive functioning in preschool children affected by autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study

2017

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a complex set of neurological dysfunction and development characterized by deficits in social and non-verbal interaction. Few studies have explored the executive functioning in ASD preschoolers. The aim of this pilot study is the assessment of executive functioning in preschool children with ASD. Material and methods: 8 ASD children (7 males, 1 female) mean age 3.09 (SD ± 0.83 years) were enrolled in the study and compared with a control group of 15 typically developing children (12 males, 3 females) (mean age 24.3 ± 0.61). All subjects underwent assessment of executive functioning with the BRIEF-P test. Results: The two groups were matched …