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American Family Physician Dec 2016Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by difficulty with social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interest, or activities. The... (Review)
Review
Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by difficulty with social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interest, or activities. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., created an umbrella diagnosis that includes several previously separate conditions: autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. There is insufficient evidence to recommend screening for autism spectrum disorder in children 18 to 30 months of age in whom the disorder is not suspected; however, there is a growing body of evidence that early intensive behavioral intervention based on applied behavior analysis improves cognitive ability, language, and adaptive skills. Therefore, early identification of autism spectrum disorder is important, and experts recommend the use of a validated screening tool at 18- and 24-month well-child visits. Medications can be used as adjunctive treatment for maladaptive behaviors and comorbid psychiatric conditions, but there is no single medical therapy that is effective for all symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Prognosis is heavily affected by the severity of diagnosis and the presence of intellectual disability. Children with optimal outcomes receive earlier, more intensive behavioral interventions and less pharmacologic treatment.
Topics: Antipsychotic Agents; Aripiprazole; Asperger Syndrome; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder; Behavior Therapy; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Child, Preschool; Early Diagnosis; Early Medical Intervention; Humans; Infant; Primary Health Care; Referral and Consultation; Risperidone
PubMed: 28075089
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Autism and Developmental... Jan 2019Since Hans Asperger's first description (Arch Psych Nervenkrankh 117:76-136, 1944), through Lorna Wing's translation and definition (Psychol Med 11:115-129, 1981), to... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Since Hans Asperger's first description (Arch Psych Nervenkrankh 117:76-136, 1944), through Lorna Wing's translation and definition (Psychol Med 11:115-129, 1981), to its introduction in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM, 1994), Asperger Syndrome has always aroused huge interest and debate, until vanishing in the DSM fifth edition (2013). The debate regarded its diagnostic validity and its differentiation from high functioning autism (HFA). The present study aimed to examine whether AS differed from HFA in clinical profiles and to analyze the impact of DSM-5's innovation. Differences in cognitive, language, school functioning and comorbidities, were revealed when 80 AS and 70 HFA patients (3-18 years) were compared. Results suggested that an AS empirical distinction within autism spectrum disorder should be clinically useful.
Topics: Academic Success; Adolescent; Asperger Syndrome; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder; Child; Child, Preschool; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Female; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders
PubMed: 30043350
DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3689-4 -
Cureus Nov 2022A variant of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) known as Asperger syndrome (AS) is characterized by severe issues with interpersonal, verbal, and nonverbal... (Review)
Review
A variant of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) known as Asperger syndrome (AS) is characterized by severe issues with interpersonal, verbal, and nonverbal communication as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and activities. Although there is no known cause for ASD, various genetic as well as non-genetic risk factors that may act either alone or in combination to induce ASD have been identified. The occurrence of ASD has been increasing worldwide. Co-occurring neuropsychological diseases are frequently present as well. The premise for diagnosis is the observation of abnormal conduct, with diagnostic criteria emphasizing limitations in social interaction and communication as well as constrained, repetitive behavioral patterns, activities, or hobbies. The degree of the illness and the presence of intellectual impairment have a significant impact on the prognosis. Like autism, Asperger's can neither be prevented nor treated. There is no specific medical therapy that can effectively cure all of the symptoms of autism. However, medications may be used as adjuvant therapy for maladaptive behaviors and co-occurring mental problems. The treatment aims to reduce core impairments, increase functional ability, and reduce harmful behaviors that could limit functional skills. It is crucial to provide proper care, establish supportive networks for individuals who are affected and their families, and use effective therapies to enhance functioning and results.
PubMed: 36514569
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.31395 -
Journal of Alternative and... May 2017Mind-body therapies are often used by people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, there has been little examination into which types of mind-body therapies... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Mind-body therapies are often used by people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, there has been little examination into which types of mind-body therapies have been investigated for people with ASD and for what purposes. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the existing evidence for mind-body therapies for people with ASD, particularly to determine the types of mind-body therapies used and the outcomes that are targeted.
METHODS
PubMed, PsychInfo, and Scopus were searched using terms for ASD and mind-body therapies. Sixteen studies were selected for review; these studies tested interventions using mindfulness, meditation, yoga, Nei Yang Gong, and acceptance commitment therapy. Most study outcomes targeted behavior, psychological symptoms, and quality of life for children and adults with ASD as well as their parents.
RESULTS
There was little overlap between studies on the types of mind-body therapies used and associated outcomes, and only three of the studies were randomized controlled trials. Most studies were small and uncontrolled. Some studies modified the mind-body therapies to increase accessibility for people with ASD.
CONCLUSION
The evidence for mind-body therapies for people with ASD is limited and would benefit from larger randomized controlled trials.
Topics: Asperger Syndrome; Autistic Disorder; Humans; Mind-Body Therapies; Mindfulness; Yoga
PubMed: 28437148
DOI: 10.1089/acm.2016.0336 -
Journal of Autism and Developmental... Apr 2006The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) quantifies autistic traits in adults. This paper adapted the AQ for children (age 9.8-15.4 years). Three groups of participants were...
The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) quantifies autistic traits in adults. This paper adapted the AQ for children (age 9.8-15.4 years). Three groups of participants were assessed: Group 1: n=52 adolescents with Asperger Syndrome (AS) or high-functioning autism (HFA); Group 2: n=79 adolescents with classic autism; and Group 3, n=50 controls. The adolescents with AS/HFA did not differ significantly from the adolescents with autism but both clinical groups scored higher than controls. Approximately 90% of the adolescents with AS/HFA and autism scored 30+, vs. none of the controls. Among the controls, boys scored higher than girls. The AQ can rapidly quantify where an adolescent is situated on the continuum from autism to normality.
Topics: Adolescent; Asperger Syndrome; Autistic Disorder; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Mass Screening; Severity of Illness Index; Wechsler Scales
PubMed: 16552625
DOI: 10.1007/s10803-006-0073-6 -
Science (New York, N.Y.) Nov 2005Empathizing is the capacity to predict and to respond to the behavior of agents (usually people) by inferring their mental states and responding to these with an... (Review)
Review
Empathizing is the capacity to predict and to respond to the behavior of agents (usually people) by inferring their mental states and responding to these with an appropriate emotion. Systemizing is the capacity to predict and to respond to the behavior of nonagentive deterministic systems by analyzing input-operation-output relations and inferring the rules that govern such systems. At a population level, females are stronger empathizers and males are stronger systemizers. The "extreme male brain" theory posits that autism represents an extreme of the male pattern (impaired empathizing and enhanced systemizing). Here we suggest that specific aspects of autistic neuroanatomy may also be extremes of typical male neuroanatomy.
Topics: Androgens; Animals; Asperger Syndrome; Autistic Disorder; Brain; Empathy; Estradiol; Female; Humans; Male; Models, Psychological; Receptors, Androgen; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 16272115
DOI: 10.1126/science.1115455 -
La Clinica Terapeutica 2019This systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aims at evaluating the efficacy of Occupational therapy (OT) interventions in Asperger's syndrome (AS)...
This systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aims at evaluating the efficacy of Occupational therapy (OT) interventions in Asperger's syndrome (AS) pediatric patients. We conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. The screening of the literature was carried out on PUBMED, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE and OT SEEKER databases, TO December 2018. We selected three RCTs having the common objective to evaluate whether children with AS can improve their social skills thanks to OT treatments. The interventions targeted by the three selected studies were: LEGO therapy, Social Use of Language Programme, Let's Face It! software and Parent Training combined with the administration of risperidone. All the studies showed that the intervention groups improved their overall social ability.This review shows that OT interventions can help concretely AS children in overcoming their social issues. Nevertheless, more RCTs are needed to better understand the OT's benefits and limitations in AS patients.
Topics: Asperger Syndrome; Child; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Data Management; Humans; Occupational Therapy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31612197
DOI: 10.7417/CT.2019.2164 -
Basic and Clinical Neuroscience 2017Asperger syndrome (AS) is a subtype of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) characterized by major problems in social and nonverbal communication, together with limited and... (Review)
Review
Asperger syndrome (AS) is a subtype of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) characterized by major problems in social and nonverbal communication, together with limited and repetitive forms of behavior and interests. The linguistic and cognitive development in AS is preserved which help us to differentiate it from other subtypes of ASD. However, significant effects of AS on cognitive abilities and brain functions still need to be researched. Although a clear cut pathology for Asperger has not been identified yet, recent studies have largely focused on brain imaging techniques to investigate AS. In this regard, we carried out a systematic review on behavioral, cognitive, and neural markers (specifically using MRI and fMRI) studies on AS. In this paper, behavior, motor skills and language capabilities of individuals with Asperger are compared to those in healthy controls. In addition, common findings across MRI and fMRI based studies associated with behavior and cognitive disabilities are highlighted.
PubMed: 29167722
DOI: 10.18869/nirp.bcn.8.5.349 -
Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience Dec 2017Like nonaffected adults, individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) show the entire range of sexual behaviors. However, due to the core symptoms of the disorder...
Like nonaffected adults, individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) show the entire range of sexual behaviors. However, due to the core symptoms of the disorder spectrum, including deficits in social skills, sensory hypo- and hypersensitivities, and repetitive behaviors, some ASD individuals might develop quantitatively above-average or nonnormative sexual behaviors and interests. After reviewing the relevant literature on sexuality in high-functioning ASD individuals, we present novel findings on the frequency of normal sexual behaviors and those about the assessment of hypersexual and paraphilic fantasies and behaviors in ASD individuals from our own study. Individuals with ASD seem to have more hypersexual and paraphilic fantasies and behaviors than general-population studies suggest. However, this inconsistency is mainly driven by the observations for male participants with ASD. This could be due to the fact that women with ASD are usually more socially adapted and show less ASD symptomatology. The peculiarities in sexual behaviors in ASD patients should be considered both for sexual education and in therapeutic approaches.
Topics: Adult; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Chi-Square Distribution; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Paraphilic Disorders; Sexuality; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 29398933
DOI: 10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.4/dschoettle