Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have challenges with communication, changes in routine, and processing social information and communication that can affect their ability to learn and respond successfully to safety threats. When given behavioral skills training (BST), children with and without ASD have demonstrated gains in safety…

The purpose of this embedded multiple case study was to explore perceptions of reading comprehension interventions in students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at public schools within the Commonwealth of Virginia and to discover common themes and strategies that help students with ASD. The sample pool consisted of approximately 62 students.…

Social skill interventions have become increasingly popular in recent times, as well as the use of technology to deliver and aid interventions for the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) population. Little research exists on the use of apps to teach social skills to individuals with ASD, in particular the behaviour change procedures that exist within…

Physical aspects of the environment (e.g. lighting, background noise) can impact engagement with tasks in individuals with autism, particularly within education settings. However, whether modifying the aspects of the physical environment improves engagement with tasks has received little attention. This systematic review is the first to explore…

Healthcare professionals play a vital role in identifying and supporting autistic people. This study systematically reviewed empirical research examining healthcare professionals' knowledge, self-efficacy and attitudes towards working with autistic people. Thirty-five studies were included. The included studies sampled a range of countries and…

Parenting stress experienced by parents of autistic children is well-documented. Recent evidence suggests that self-compassion may be a protective factor against parenting stress. However, it's not clear how self-compassion contributes to better parenting outcomes. This study examined the associations among self-compassion, mental health…

This study examined factors of implementation in clinical practice across the world of the Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy, an evidence-based parent-mediated therapy. Data were gathered via a survey administered to professionals trained in Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy and parents with whom they worked. The study was a mixed-method…

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated adaptation from in-person to on-line delivery of interventions for autistic children. This article explores the potential of delivering the Sensory-based Relational Art Therapy Approach (S-BRATA) on-line through a case study based on a triadic relationship, including the therapist, a mother and her two autistic…

Adaptive behaviour refers to the everyday skills that individuals are expected to have to function independently, based on their age and societal norms. Currently, we know little about the role of genetic and environmental factors in parent-rated adaptive behaviours in early infancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the aetiological…

The purpose of the current study was to explore the lived experiences among parent leaders and a program coordinator who participated in a parent-directed training program to support other Latine parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. We used qualitative methods to explore 4 Latine parent leaders' and 1 program coordinator's…

In autistic adults, measurement tools may not adequately differentiate between autistic characteristics and features of anxiety. This may be particularly evident in the case of social anxiety disorder; however, few measures of social anxiety disorder have been validated for autistic adults. Instead, assessments are often made using measures…

Autistic people are more likely to have co-occurring mental health conditions compared to the general population, and mental health interventions have been identified as a top research priority by autistic people and the wider autism community. Autistic adults have also communicated that quality of life is the outcome that matters most to them in…

In England, a quarter of 5-year-olds have tooth decay. For families with autistic children, establishing optimal habits (toothbrushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, limiting sugar intake and regular dental visits) can be difficult. Oral health experiences from the perspective of autistic children remains unexplored. Interviewing autistic…

To assess whether genetic test results identifying the cause of a child's autism, when accompanied by other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), including intellectual disability, alter how parents perceive and treat their child. 28 parents of 22 individuals with autism (mean age: 15 years), usually with other NDDs, were interviewed after receiving…

3q29 deletion syndrome (3q29del) is associated with a significantly increased risk for neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the full spectrum of behavioral phenotypes associated with 3q29del is still evolving. Individuals with 3q29del (n = 96, 60.42% male) or their guardian completed the Achenbach Child or Adult Behavior…