This study evaluates the effectiveness of a brief functional analysis and functional communication training conducted via telehealth. Three interventionist-child dyads took part in the study including one speech and language pathologist and two school teaching assistants, each working with one child with autism spectrum disorder. Interventionists…

Children and adults with developmental disabilities often experience oral health problems such as excessive plaque accumulation and dental restorations related to caries. Researchers have examined the efficacy of a variety of behavioral intervention packages to teach preventative strategies (brushing, flossing) and to decrease challenging…

Constipation is a common comorbidity among autistic adults, yet diagnosing and managing it poses unique challenges, notably due to communication barriers and a lack of specific guidelines. The study explores the professional practices of healthcare providers (HCPs) in managing constipation among autistic adults, the symptoms they identify, their…

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of sleep and eating problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the factors associated with these problems, and the relationship with the risk of developing depression and anxiety in their parents. In the study, 156 children with ASD and their parents were included. The Brief Autism Mealtime…

An interview-informed synthesized contingency analysis (IISCA; Hanley et al. in J Appl Behav Anal 47:16-36, 2014) and related skill-based treatment process can result in socially valid outcomes for clients exhibiting severe challenging behavior when implemented by professionals and then transferred to parents (e.g., Santiago et al. in J Autism Dev…

This study aimed at analyzing the differences in challenging behaviors between adults with intellectual disability and ASD and those who only had intellectual disability, as well as to explore associations between transdiagnostic and clinical variables to these differences. Therapists and educators of 163 adults with intellectual disability (83…

Objectives: Autistic children frequently exhibit irritability, which can manifest as aggression, self-injurious behaviour, and severe tantrums, leading to significant impairments. Two atypical antipsychotics have been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of irritability in autistic children, although a significant…

Misophonia is characterized by an autonomic response (e.g., increased heart rate) that is elicited by certain innocuous or repetitive sounds, and individuals with misophonia may display an extreme, overt response commonly associated with rage, hatred, and a loss of self-control. In this investigation, we used a combined respondent and operant…

Individuals on the autism spectrum experience high rates of mental health issues. Meta-analyses indicate promising effects of psychological therapies, but challenges remain in ensuring and supporting access. This systematic review identified 12 studies that report on the barriers and facilitators to accessing psychological treatments for mental…

Feeding problems are common among autistic children and are linked to negative health consequences. Therefore, understanding feeding problems and factors that influence these behaviors is important for developing supports for children and families. While certain sensory processing patterns are commonly associated with feeding problems, less is…

Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have a difficult time transitioning frequently throughout a school day, and problem behavior can be more apparent during this time. Valuable academic time can be preserved by decreasing the time it takes to transition between tasks. Hine et al. (2015) found that computer-assisted instruction…

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been shown to benefit from parent-implemented interventions (PIIs). This meta-analysis improved on prior reviews of PIIs by evaluating RCTs and multiple potential moderators, including indicators of research quality. Fifty-one effect sizes averaged moderately strong overall benefits of PIIs (g =…

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an etiologically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition that eludes a single explanation or cure. Epidemiological studies reveal risk factors, relevant comorbidities, and behavioral correlates to reach a better understanding of ASD. To contribute such data from an understudied ASD population, this paper…

The relationship between mental health problems, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and challenging behaviour among children and adolescents is complex and multifaceted. The study investigated practitioners' perception of comorbidity of mental health and ASD in the management of challenging behaviours among children and adolescents in Kenya. Target…

Autistic children are less likely to be jointly engaged with a play partner than nonautistic children, negatively impacting social communication development. Promoting joint engagement during play can be an important target for educators of autistic students, but educator perceptions of autistic students may affect their interactions with…