Previous studies have reported that people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have higher levels of loneliness than neurotypical (NTP) people, most likely because of their difficulties in social communication with their predominantly NTP peers. However, direct investigations on the causal influence of friendship on their feelings of loneliness is…

This study compared the characteristics of 'good mothers' of children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) as perceived by mothers of children with ASD in two countries--the U.S. and Japan. Grounded in the theory of culturally-influenced construal of the self, we hypothesized that U.S. mothers would prioritize fostering self-reliance and advocating…

Purpose: The present study aimed to assess the psychiatric characteristics of children with chronic functional constipation using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Japanese version and the Pervasive Developmental Disorders/Autism Society Japan Rating Scale, and to examine the frequency of autism spectrum disorder in children with chronic functional…

While the link between autism and gender dysphoria has received increasing attention, the phenomenon of gender dysphoria co-occurring with autism remains unclear owing to the lack of autistic transgender perspectives. Therefore, we explored the gender dysphoria experiences of 15 Japanese autistic transgender adults, obtaining two key findings.…

Studies have proposed that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be divided into several subtypes depending on their sensory features. However, consideration of social communication features is also crucial for configuring ASD subtypes, because social and sensory features are tightly interrelated. In this study, we asked Japanese…

Increased food selectivity among children with autism spectrum disorder may lead to nutritional inadequacy. We designed this study to examine the prospective relationship between autistic traits in children and subsequent nutrient intake in later childhood and whether this relationship changes over time. We utilized longitudinal data obtained at…

Background and Aims: Research on the psychological impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has highlighted its negative and positive effects on children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. However, little is known about the neutral effects that remain the same, even in particular circumstances, and how children with autism…

This study examined the similarities/differences between the social phenotypes of Williams syndrome (WS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As cultural norms may affect symptom evaluation, this study administered the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 to Japanese individuals with WS (n = 78, 4.4-44.0 years) and ASD (n = 75, 4.7-55.4 years). The scores…

Objective: Developmental disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are some of the biggest contributors to mental health problems. However, it is not well known whether and how experiencing ADHD- or ASD-related symptoms can cause mental illness later in life. Participants: The sample…

Higher education institutions in Japan are increasingly focused on supporting students with developmental disorders, but these individuals still face daunting challenges. Although research has demonstrated the positive effects of peer support on student socialization and academic performance, few studies have examined the perspectives or…

This study investigates typing skill acquisition in Japanese children with developmental dyslexia (DD) and other developmental disorders (ADHD, ASD). Given that phonological processing difficulties impair reading and writing, typing may serve as an alternative skill for written expression. Sixty-one students (ages 7-18) participated in five typing…

School absenteeism is a major societal problem, with a range of potential adverse long-term consequences. This scoping review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the research on school absenteeism in autistic children and adolescents, expose important gaps in the literature, and explore possibilities for future systematic reviews. Five…

Parent training (PT) for parents of children with developmental disabilities (DDs) has recently been recommended in community settings in many countries, including Japan. Research has shown PT could improve parenting skills and mental health in parents as well as improve adaptive skills and reduce behavioral problems in children. Despite evidence…

An increasing amount of evidence indicates that mental health conditions pose a significant challenge for post-secondary students on the autism spectrum. A review of the literature was conducted to bring greater awareness to the issue of mental health conditions of university students on the autism spectrum, to identify the impact of mental health…

Background and aims: Previous studies suggest that syntactic development in children with intellectual disabilities (ID) is positively correlated with verbal short-term memory (VSTM). This study investigated the characteristics of syntactic development and their relationships of VSTM in children with ID based on type. Methods: The participants…