Evidence supports early intervention for toddlers with ASD, but barriers to access remain, including system costs, workforce constraints, and a range of family socio-demographic factors. An urgent need exists for innovative models that maximize resource efficiency and promote widespread timely access. We examined uptake and outcomes from 82…

Many parents of young autistic children report wanting to be more involved in their child's education. Parental involvement is positively correlated with school satisfaction, yet how various involvement activities are differentially related to satisfaction has not been extensively investigated. This study aimed to learn more about satisfaction…

Poor sleep quality and low behavioral functioning are commonly reported in children with autism spectrum disorder. This study examined the impact of exercise on sleep on melatonin level and behavioral functioning in the population. Children with autism spectrum disorder (n = 55; age = 10.97 ± 1.90) were randomly allocated to a morning jogging…

The prevalence of autism in the Arabian Gulf region is on the rise leading to overstretching of the pre-existing intervention services. The World Health Organization Caregiver Skills Training Program is a novel renovation being studied around the globe to overcome the scarcity of resources, improve autistic children's outcome and empower parents…

Language used when referring to individuals with disabilities has changed over time as a result of advocacy and a search for equality and humanization. Beginning in the 1970s, there was a shift to the use of person-first language (PFL; e.g., person with autism) to reduce stigma, while simultaneously promoting equal human rights standards and…

Previous studies have examined the relationship between sleep problems and challenging behaviors in school-aged children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, literature has not examined this relationship in the context of toddlers or, more specifically, toddlers with aggression. The present study was conducted to examine…

Imitation is a pivotal skill for children with and without disabilities, serving both learning and social interaction functions for young children. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience delays in acquiring this skillset, demonstrating challenges in the ability and/or propensity to imitate the actions of others. Current…

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia represent different mental disorders, but intriguing similarities seem to appear.In the present meta-analysis, we examined theory of mind (ToM) impairments in adults with ASD or schizophrenia based on studies that have compared the two patient groups directly by using the same test-battery at the…

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and specific language impairment (SLI) exhibit serious social-emotional difficulties from early infancy which hamper the differential diagnosis of these two conditions. This review aims at analysing differences between ASD and SLI disorders in children from 0 to 12 years regarding emotional competence…

Purpose: Accepting and adapting to the child's diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be challenging for parents. We aimed to assess domains of parental adjustment namely despair, self-blame, and acceptance among parents whose children were diagnosed with ASD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 111 parents of children…

Purpose: Social skills difficulties among children on the autism spectrum can impede social, emotional, and academic development, especially with increasing age and social demands. This pilot study examined the efficacy of a 5-week skill-building program for children on the autism spectrum. Although effective social skills programs are available…

Modified books are frequently used as comprehension supports for students with extensive support needs (ESN), despite limited evaluations of their creation process or impact on comprehension. This study evaluates the impact of individualized book and comprehension question modifications made through a systematic decision-making process on student…

Using games as part of the intervention and support process (sometimes referred to as 'gaming therapy') is an increasingly popular method of supporting autistic youth to develop social competencies and other skills because they are believed to be inherently motivating and fun for youth. Some emerging research has indicated that intervention…

Compared to their nonautistic peers, lower levels of life satisfaction have been reported by autistic individuals. It is unclear, however, whether autistic individuals with intellectual disability report similar levels of life satisfaction as autistic individuals without intellectual disability or which characteristics are associated with life…

Children should be heard on matters that impact their educational lives. However, meaningfully engaging autistic children can be difficult for researchers and policymakers. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to summarise methods used to gather the views of autistic children on their primary educational experiences. Database searches…