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Research
Validation of a novel theory of mind measurement tool: The social robot video taskSocial communication difficulties in autism spectrum disorder have been associated with poor Theory of Mind (ToM), an ability to attribute mental states to others. Interventions using humanoid robots could improve ToM that may generalize to human-human interactions. Traditionally, ToM has been measured using the Firth-Happe Animations (FHA) task which depicts interactions between two animated triangles.
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Caregiver Psychological Distress Predicts Temperament and Social-Emotional Outcomes in Infants with Autism TraitsChild temperament and caregiver psychological distress have been independently associated with social-emotional difficulties among individuals with autism. However, the interrelationship among these risk factors has rarely been investigated.
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The associations between autistic and communication traits in parents and developmental outcomes in children at familial risk of autism at 6 and 24 months of ageSeveral studies have explored relationships between parent broader autism phenotype and offspring communication, and have reported that autistic-like traits in parents are related to offspring communication difficulties and autism severity. However, past research has focused on studying such associations in childhood and we know very little about them in infancy. With accumulating evidence that interventions administered during infancy may be most effective in reducing ASD symptoms, it is imperative to examine whether relationships between parent autistic-like traits and child communication appear even earlier during this critical period of life.
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An investigation of adherence to best practice guidelines for autism diagnosis in New ZealandMany clinicians in New Zealand do not follow guidelines for best practice in autism diagnosis. In this study, we investigated the processes that health professionals in New Zealand follow when diagnosing autistic children and adults. We asked 117 health professionals from a range of services and regions in New Zealand, how they identify and diagnose autism.
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Australian Clinicians’ Considerations When Choosing an Assessment of Functioning Tool for Children with Neurodevelopmental ConditionsIn the Australian disability context, the assessment of children with neurodevelopmental conditions’ functioning (across all domains) is of increasing importance, particularly since the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Currently, there is wide variability across assessment of functioning practices, including the choice and use of published tools for assessment.
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Short report: Relationship between restricted and repetitive behaviours in children with autism spectrum disorder and their parentsRestricted and repetitive behaviours constitute a core symptom domain of autism spectrum disorder
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Is the broad autism phenotype in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder exacerbated by the challenges of caring for their children?This qualitative study of parental interviews provided a preliminary examination of whether behaviours consistent with the BAP may have been exacerbated by...
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Experiences Impacting the Quality of Life of Mothers of Children With Autism and Intellectual DisabilityMothers of autistic children and adults bewtween 11 and 24 years old were interviewed about the impacts and rewards associated with their children's disability.
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The association between autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A review of eight alternate models of co-occurrenceUnderstanding how and why these disorders co-occur has important implications for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, as well as for developing fundamental...
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MACROD2 gene associated with autistic-like traits in a general population sampleThe MACROD2 gene is a strong positional candidate risk factor for autistic-like traits in the general population