Autistic adults have similar levels of desire for sexual and romantic relationships as their non-autistic peers. However, autistic adults are less likely to be in relationships and have less dating experience. We compared sexual knowledge, experiences, and pragmatic language ability in a community sample of young adults with (n = 27, mean age =…

Children with autism spectrum disorder present with challenging behaviors that can impact caregivers by increasing parental perceived stress and risk for depression. However, positive coping strategies have also been identified as protective factors for parents of children with ASD. The present study examined parental perceived daily stressors and…

Female caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often report higher levels of psychological distress related to increased levels of caregiver strain, as well as frequency and severity of child problem behaviors (CPB). However, despite reported distress, caregivers have also reported benefits. A sample of n = 259 female caregivers…

This research evaluated the feasibility of actigraphy to measure sleep and physical activity in children (ages 2-8 years) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We also explored associations between sleep and physical activity. Validated screening measures established eligibility. Questionnaires, diaries, and 5 days and 5 nights of actigraphy…

This study investigated whether a systematic instruction package was effective in child acquisition of question answering using an iPad-based speech generating device (SGD). The study was conducted with two children with autism using a multiple probe across behaviors design. Results demonstrated that the systematic instruction package consisting…

Many autistics report being distressed by eye contact, but eye-tracking studies suggest that eye contact is associated with hypo-arousal rather than hyper-arousal in autism. Within a live face-to-face paradigm combining a wearable eye-tracker with electrodermal activity sensors, 80 adults (40 autistics) defined words in front of an experimenter…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the augmented reality in children with autism spectrum disorder is an evidence-based practice. For this purpose, a systematic literature review was conducted for determining research that implemented the augmented reality. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews…

The mean age of identification for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) occurs during the months before children enter kindergarten. The incidence and prevalence of "autistic behaviors" in the general population are not fully understood, however, census-matched studies of these behaviors have yielded important new data. As children presenting…

More than 800,000 students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are served in U.S. public schools, a number that has increased annually for almost 20 years since Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) included ASD as an eligibility category. These students often experience widespread and persistent reading comprehension challenges. A…

Research suggests that there is a high prevalence of interpersonal violence and victimisation within the autistic population, and that this accounts for poor mental health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the impact of interpersonal violence and victimisation on autistic adults from their own perspective and explore what helps or hinders…

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…

The purpose of this review is to broadly identify technological advances in supports and evaluation for individuals on the autism spectrum. Literature review with commentary on the evolving technologies supporting and/or evaluating social-emotional, behavioral, academic, and cognitive domains. There has been an increasing synthesis of technology…

Research consistently shows that autistic adults do not attend to faces as much as non-autistic adults. However, this conclusion is largely based on studies using pre-recorded videos or photographs as stimuli. In studies using real social scenarios, the evidence is not as clear. To explore the extent to which differences in findings relate to…

Few autistic adults perceive that health and social care professionals have good understanding of autism. The countywide Autism Champion Network evaluated here, is an equal partnership of both staff across sectors (Autism Champions) and individuals with lived experience. Autism Champions take knowledge gained back to their teams to support…

The association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and subsequent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the potential effects of medications on STI risk remain unknown. In all, 5076 adolescents and young adults with ASD and 57,060 age-/sex-matched individuals without ASD were enrolled between 2001 and 2009 and followed-up to the end of…