JADD
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
  • Teasing, Ridiculing and the Relation to the Fear of Being Laughed at in Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome

    Abstract  
    The present paper investigated the fear of being laughed at (gelotophobia) in relation to recalled experiences of having been laughed at in the past in individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). About 45% of the individuals with AS (N = 40), but only 6% of the controls (N = 83) had at least a slight form of gelotophobia, which is the highest percentage ever found in the literature. Gelotophobia correlated with the frequency and severity of remembered teasing and mocking situations in the past. This indicates that gelotophobia is an important issue in individuals with AS. Furthermore, individuals with AS are less able to laugh at themselves (gelotophilia), but enjoy laughing at others (katagelasticism, a more hostile form of humor) to the same extent as controls do.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Original Paper
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1071-2
    • Authors
      • Andrea C. Samson, Stanford University Department of Psychology 450 Serra Mall, Bldg 420 Stanford CA USA
      • Oswald Huber, University of Fribourg Department of Psychology Fribourg Switzerland
      • Willibald Ruch, University of Zurich Department of Psychology Zurich Switzerland


  • Non-Invasive Evaluation of the GABAergic/Glutamatergic System in Autistic Patients Observed by MEGA-Editing Proton MR Spectroscopy Using a Clinical 3 Tesla Instrument

    Abstract  
    Amino acids related to neurotransmitters and the GABAergic/glutamatergic system were measured using a 3 T-MRI instrument in 12 patients with autism and 10 normal controls. All measurements were performed in the frontal lobe (FL) and lenticular nuclei (LN) using a conventional sequence for n-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and glutamate (Glu), and the MEGA-editing method for GABA. The GABA level and [GABA]/[NAA] ratio were significantly lower (p < 0.01) in the FL, but not the LN, in patients with autism compared to normal controls. The [GABA]/[Glu] ratio in the FL was also significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the patients than in the normal controls, thus suggesting a possible abnormality in the regulation between GABA and Glu.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Original Paper
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1065-0
    • Authors
      • Masafumi Harada, The University of Tokushima Graduate School Department of Medical Imaging, Institute of Health Biosciences 3-18-15 Kuramoto-Cho Tokushima 770-8509 Japan
      • Masako M. Taki, The University of Tokushima Graduate School Department of Radiology, Institute of Health Biosciences 3-18-15 Kuramoto-Cho Tokushima 770-8503 Japan
      • Ayumi Nose, The University of Tokushima Graduate School Department of Radiology, Institute of Health Biosciences 3-18-15 Kuramoto-Cho Tokushima 770-8503 Japan
      • Hitoshi Kubo, The University of Tokushima Graduate School Department of Medical Imaging, Institute of Health Biosciences 3-18-15 Kuramoto-Cho Tokushima 770-8509 Japan
      • Kenji Mori, The University of Tokushima Graduate School Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Health Biosciences 3-18-15 Kuramoto-Cho Tokushima 770-8509 Japan
      • Hiromu Nishitani, The University of Tokushima Graduate School Department of Radiology, Institute of Health Biosciences 3-18-15 Kuramoto-Cho Tokushima 770-8503 Japan
      • Tsuyoshi Matsuda, GE-Healthcare Japan, Ltd. 4-7-127 Asahigaoka, Hino Tokyo 191-8503 Japan


  • Brief Report: Memory Performance on the California Verbal Learning Test - Children’s Version in Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Abstract  
    According to the Task Support Hypothesis (TSH; Bowler et al. in Neuropsychologia 35:65–70, 1997) individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) perform more similarly to their typically developing peers on learning and memory tasks when provided with external support at retrieval. We administered the California Verbal Learning Test-Children’s Version to 15 high-functioning youths with ASD and 15 matched comparison participants. Although ASD and comparison participants had comparable levels of overall performance, the ASD group, but not the comparison group, improved significantly from free to cued recall, providing support for the TSH. These results indicate that verbal memory performance in youths with ASD is relatively intact, but may be facilitated by external supports.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Brief Report
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1069-9
    • Authors
      • Heather L. Phelan, Dalhousie University Halifax NS Canada
      • Jillian H. Filliter, Dalhousie University Halifax NS Canada
      • Shannon A. Johnson, Dalhousie University Halifax NS Canada


  • Employment and Post-Secondary Educational Activities for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders During the Transition to Adulthood

    Abstract  
    This report describes the post-high school educational and occupational activities for 66 young adults with autism spectrum disorders who had recently exited the secondary school system. Analyses indicated low rates of employment in the community, with the majority of young adults (56%) spending time in sheltered workshops or day activity centers. Young adults with ASD without an intellectual disability were three times more likely to have no daytime activities compared to adults with ASD who had an intellectual disability. Differences in behavioral functioning were observed by employment/day activity group. Our findings suggest that the current service system may be inadequate to accommodate the needs of youths with ASD who do not have intellectual disabilities during the transition to adulthood.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Original Paper
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1070-3
    • Authors
      • Julie Lounds Taylor, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Peabody Box 40, 230 Appleton Place Nashville TN 37203 USA
      • Marsha Mailick Seltzer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center Madison WI USA


  • Brief Report: Theatre as Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Abstract  
    The pilot investigation evaluated a theatrical intervention program, Social Emotional NeuroScience Endocrinology (SENSE) Theatre, designed to improve socioemotional functioning and reduce stress in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Eight children with ASD were paired with typically developing peers that served as expert models. Neuropsychological, biological (cortisol and oxytocin), and behavioral measures were assessed in a pretest–posttest design. The intervention was embedded in a full musical theatrical production. Participants showed some improvement in face identification and theory of mind skills. The intervention shows potential promise in improving the socioemotional functioning in children with ASD through the utilization of peers, video and behavioral modeling, and a community-based theatrical setting.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Brief Report
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1064-1
    • Authors
      • Blythe A. Corbett, University of California, Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Davis CA USA
      • Joan R. Gunther, University of California, Davis, M.I.N.D. Institute 2825 50th Street Sacramento CA 95817 USA
      • Dan Comins, University of California, Davis, M.I.N.D. Institute 2825 50th Street Sacramento CA 95817 USA
      • Jenifer Price, University of California, Davis Davis Musical Theatre Company Davis CA USA
      • Niles Ryan, University of California, Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Davis CA USA
      • David Simon, University of California, Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Davis CA USA
      • Clayton W. Schupp, University of California, Davis Graduate Group in Epidemiology Davis CA USA
      • Taylor Rios, University of California, Davis, M.I.N.D. Institute 2825 50th Street Sacramento CA 95817 USA


  • Knowledge and Attitude of General Practitioners Regarding Autism in Karachi, Pakistan

    Abstract  
    General practitioners (GPs) could have an important role in early diagnosis of autism. There have been no studies evaluating the knowledge of GPs regarding autism in Pakistan. We aimed to fill that gap by assessing knowledge and attitude of GPs in Karachi regarding autism. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 348 GPs; only 148 (44.6%) had heard of “autism.” Our results show that GPs less than 30 years of age and those who obtained their Medical Degree in the last 5 years are more likely to report knowledge about autism: OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.71, 5.31, and OR = 2.56; 95% CI: 1.48, 4.42, respectively. In addition, among those reporting knowledge about autism, many held misconceptions regarding the signs and symptoms and etiology.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category original paper
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1068-x
    • Authors
      • Mohammad Hossein Rahbar, The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston Division of Epidemiology UT Professional Building, 6410 Fannin, Suite 1100.05 Houston TX 77030 USA
      • Khalid Ibrahim, Michigan State University Department of Epidemiology, College of Human Medicine East Lansing MI 48824 USA
      • Parisa Assassi, The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston Division of Management, Policy and Community Health Houston TX 77030 USA


  • ‘Everyday Memory’ Impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorders

    Abstract  
    ‘Everyday memory’ is conceptualised as memory within the context of day-to-day life and, despite its functional relevance, has been little studied in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). In the first study of its kind, 94 adolescents with an ASD and 55 without an ASD completed measures of everyday memory from the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) and a standard word recall task (Children’s Auditory Verbal Learning Test-2: CAVLT-2). The ASD group showed significant impairments on the RBMT, including in prospective memory, alongside impaired performance on the CAVLT-2. Social and communication ability was significantly associated with prospective remembering in an everyday memory context but not with the CAVLT-2. The complex nature of everyday memory and its relevance to ASD is discussed.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Original Paper
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1067-y
    • Authors
      • Catherine R. G. Jones, Institute of Education Centre for Research in Autism and Education, Department of Psychology and Human Development 20 Bedford Way London WC1H 0AL UK
      • Francesca Happé, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London MRC SDGP Centre London UK
      • Andrew Pickles, University of Manchester Biostatistics Group, School of Community-Based Medicine London UK
      • Anita J. S. Marsden, UCL Institute of Child Health London UK
      • Jenifer Tregay, UCL Institute of Child Health London UK
      • Gillian Baird, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust London UK
      • Emily Simonoff, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry London UK
      • Tony Charman, Institute of Education Centre for Research in Autism and Education, Department of Psychology and Human Development 20 Bedford Way London WC1H 0AL UK


  • Brief Report: Preliminary Evaluation of the Theory of Mind Inventory and its Relationship to Measures of Social Skills

    Abstract  
    This study presents updated information on a parent-report measure of Theory of Mind (ToM), formerly called the Perception of Children’s Theory of Mind Measure (Hutchins et al., J Autism Dev Disord 38:143–155, 2008), renamed the Theory of Mind Inventory (ToMI), for use with parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examines the responses of parents of adolescents with ASDs and explores the relationship of parental responses on the ToMI to measures of autistic symptoms and social skills. Descriptive statistics were compared to previous samples; correlations and regressions were conducted to examine the ToMI’s criterion-related validity with social skills and ASD symptoms. Results support use of the ToMI with adolescent samples and its relationship to social impairments in ASDs.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Brief Report
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1066-z
    • Authors
      • Matthew D. Lerner, University of Virginia Department of Psychology 102 Gilmer Hall P.O. Box 400400 Charlottesville VA 22904-4400 USA
      • Tiffany L. Hutchins, University of Vermont Department of Communication Sciences Burlington VT USA
      • Patricia A. Prelock, University of Vermont Department of Communication Sciences Burlington VT USA


  • Brief Report: Eosinophilic Esophagitis as a Cause of Feeding Problems in Autistic Boy. The First Reported Case

    Abstract  
    Unrecognized gastrointestinal disorders may contribute to the behavioral problems in non-verbal patients, but they are often overlooked since the clinical symptoms are nonspecific. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is a chronic inflammatory disorder manifesting itself predominantly in reflux-type symptoms that do not respond to standard anti-reflux pharmacotherapy. Here we report the first case of EE in an autistic patient with feeding difficulties caused by exacerbated EE symptoms.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Brief Report
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1059-y
    • Authors
      • Elżbieta Jarocka-Cyrta, Medical University of Białystok Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Allergology Waszyngton St 17 15-274 Białystok Poland
      • Jolanta Wasilewska, Medical University of Białystok Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Allergology Waszyngton St 17 15-274 Białystok Poland
      • Maciej Gustaw Kaczmarski, Medical University of Białystok Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Allergology Waszyngton St 17 15-274 Białystok Poland


  • The Double ABCX Model of Adaptation in Racially Diverse Families with a School-Age Child with Autism

    Abstract  
    In this study, the Double ABCX model of family adaptation was used to explore the impact of severity of autism symptoms, behavior problems, social support, religious coping, and reframing, on outcomes related to family functioning and parental distress. The sample included self-report measures collected from 195 families raising school-age children with autism from racially diverse backgrounds throughout the United States. Hierarchical regression results revealed that the Double ABCX model of family adaptation accounted for a substantial amount of the variance in family functioning (28%) and parental distress (46%). Findings suggest that child behavior problems and reframing are most strongly associated with family outcomes. Clinical implications for working with these families, including the use of strength-based approaches, are discussed.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Original Paper
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1056-1
    • Authors
      • Margaret M. Manning, University of Massachusetts Boston Department of Psychology Boston MA USA
      • Laurel Wainwright, University of Massachusetts Boston Department of Psychology Boston MA USA
      • Jillian Bennett, University of Massachusetts Boston Department of Psychology Boston MA USA


  • Standardized ADOS Scores: Measuring Severity of Autism Spectrum Disorders in a Dutch Sample

    Abstract  
    The validity of the calibrated severity scores on the ADOS as reported by Gotham et al. (J Autism Dev Disord 39: 693–705, 2009), was investigated in an independent sample of 1248 Dutch children with 1455 ADOS administrations (modules 1, 2 and 3). The greater comparability between ADOS administrations at different times, ages and in different modules, as reached by Gotham et al. with the calibrated severity measures, seems to be corroborated by the current study for module 1 and to a lesser extent for module 3. For module 2, the calibrated severity scores need to be further investigated within a sample that resembles Gotham’s sample in age and level of verbal functioning.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Original Paper
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1057-0
    • Authors
      • Annelies de Bildt, University Medical Center Groningen Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Accare Groningen PO Box 660 9700 AR Groningen The Netherlands
      • Iris J. Oosterling, Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
      • Natasja D. J. van Lang, Leiden University Medical Center, Curium Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Leiden The Netherlands
      • Sjoerd Sytema, University Medical Center Groningen Department of Psychiatry Groningen The Netherlands
      • Ruud B. Minderaa, University Medical Center Groningen Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Accare Groningen PO Box 660 9700 AR Groningen The Netherlands
      • Herman van Engeland, University Medical Center Utrecht Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience Utrecht The Netherlands
      • Sascha Roos, Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
      • Jan K. Buitelaar, Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
      • Rutger-Jan van der Gaag, Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
      • Maretha V. de Jonge, University Medical Center Utrecht Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience Utrecht The Netherlands


  • Detecting Social and Non-Social Changes in Natural Scenes: Performance of Children with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorders and Typical Adults

    Abstract  
    We probed differences in the ability to detect and interpret social cues in adults and in children and young adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by investigating the effect of various social and non-social contexts on the visual exploration of pictures of natural scenes. Children and adolescents relied more on social referencing cues in the scene as compared to adults, and in the presence of such cues, were less able to use other kinds of cues. Typically developing children and adolescents were no better than those with ASD at detecting changes within the various social contexts. Results suggest children and adolescents with ASD use relevant social cues while searching a scene just as typical children do.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Original Paper
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1062-3
    • Authors
      • Bhavin R. Sheth, University of Houston Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Center for NeuroEngineering and Cognitive Science Houston TX 77204-4005 USA
      • James Liu, University of Houston Houston TX USA
      • Olayemi Olagbaju, University of Houston Houston TX USA
      • Larry Varghese, University of Houston Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Houston TX USA
      • Rosleen Mansour, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Houston TX 77030 USA
      • Stacy Reddoch, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Houston TX 77030 USA
      • Deborah A. Pearson, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Houston TX 77030 USA
      • Katherine A. Loveland, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Houston TX 77030 USA


  • Honing in on the Social Phenotype in Williams Syndrome Using Multiple Measures and Multiple Raters

    Abstract  
    The behavioral phenotype of Williams syndrome (WS) is characterized by difficulties with establishment and maintenance of friendships despite high levels of interest in social interaction. Here, parents and teachers rated 84 children with WS ages 4–16 years using two commonly-used measures assessing aspects of social functioning: the Social Skills Rating System and the Social Responsiveness Scale. Mean prosocial functioning fell in the low average to average range, whereas social reciprocity was perceived to be an area of significant difficulty for many children. Concordance between parent and teacher ratings was high. Patterns of social functioning are discussed. Findings highlight the importance of parsing the construct of social skills to gain a nuanced understanding of the social phenotype in WS.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Original paper
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1060-5
    • Authors
      • Bonita P. Klein-Tasman, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Department of Psychology P.O. Box 413 Milwaukee WI 53201 USA
      • Kirsten T. Li-Barber, High Point University Department of Psychology P.O. Box 413 High Point NC USA
      • Erin T. Magargee, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Department of Psychology P.O. Box 413 Milwaukee WI 53201 USA


  • Lee A. Wilkinson: A Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention for Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Schools

    Lee A. Wilkinson: A Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention for Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Schools

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Book Review
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1061-4
    • Authors
      • Oren Shtayermman, NYIT School of Health Professions Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Kenneth Riland - Room 354/366 Old Westbury NY 11568-8000 USA


  • Brief Report: Childhood Disintegrative Disorder: A Brief Examination of Eight Case Studies

    Abstract  
    Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD) is a rare condition characterized by distinct regression of developmental and behavioral functioning following a period of apparently normal development for at least 2 years. The purpose of this article is to present the developmental, behavioral, psychosocial, and medical histories of eight children who have been diagnosed with CDD in an attempt to advance the understanding of this rare disorder. Results indicate the average age of onset was 3.21 years. Three cases reported an insidious onset while two cases exhibited acute onset. Developmental and behavioral milestones were met at age appropriate times in each case and significant deterioration of formerly acquired skills and abnormalities in functioning were clinically present in all eight cases.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Brief Report
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1063-2
    • Authors
      • Kendra J. Homan, Mayo Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology Rochester MN USA
      • Michael W. Mellon, Mayo Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology Rochester MN USA
      • Daniel Houlihan, Minnesota State University at Mankato Department of Psychology Mankato MN USA
      • Maja Z. Katusic, Mayo Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology Rochester MN USA


  • Brief Report: Are ADHD Traits Dissociable from the Autistic Profile? Links Between Cognition and Behaviour

    Abstract  
    Reports of co-morbid symptoms of ADHD in children with ASD have increased. This research sought to identify ADHD-related behaviours in a sample of children with ASD, and their relationship with the ASD triad of impairments and related cognitive impairments. Children with ASD (n = 55) completed a comprehensive cognitive assessment whilst a semi-structured parental interview (3Di) provided information on ASD and ADHD symptoms. Co-morbid presentation of ADHD traits in these participants was associated with reports of more ASD related behaviours. Inhibitory control performance was directly related only to the ADHD symptom of impulsive behaviour. In contrast, while there was a relationship between social difficulties associated with ASD and theory of mind ability, there was no such relationship with behaviours relating to ADHD.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Brief Report
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1049-0
    • Authors
      • Catherine S. Ames, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London Department of Psychology PO 80 De Crespigny Park London SE5 8AF UK
      • Sarah J. White, University College London Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience Alexandra House, 17 Queen Square London WC1N 3AR UK


  • Evaluation of a Records-Review Surveillance System Used to Determine the Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders

    Abstract  
    We conducted the first study that estimates the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of a population-based autism spectrum disorders (ASD) surveillance system developed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The system employs a records-review methodology that yields ASD classification (case versus non-ASD case) and was compared with classification based on clinical examination. The study enrolled 177 children. Estimated specificity (0.96, [CI.95 = 0.94, 0.99]), PPV (0.79 [CI.95 = 0.66, 0.93]), and NPV (0.91 [CI.95 = 0.87, 0.96]) were high. Sensitivity was lower (0.60 [CI.95 = 0.45, 0.75]). Given diagnostic heterogeneity, and the broad array of ASD in the population, identifying children with ASD is challenging. Records-based surveillance yields a population-based estimate of ASD that is likely conservative.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Original Paper
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1050-7
    • Authors
      • Rachel Nonkin Avchen, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Developmental Disabilities Branch 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-92 Atlanta GA 30333 USA
      • Lisa D. Wiggins, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Developmental Disabilities Branch 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-92 Atlanta GA 30333 USA
      • Owen Devine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Developmental Disabilities Branch 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-92 Atlanta GA 30333 USA
      • Kim Van Naarden Braun, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Developmental Disabilities Branch 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-92 Atlanta GA 30333 USA
      • Catherine Rice, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Developmental Disabilities Branch 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-92 Atlanta GA 30333 USA
      • Nancy C. Hobson, Research Triangle Institute Atlanta GA USA
      • Diana Schendel, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Developmental Disabilities Branch 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-92 Atlanta GA 30333 USA
      • Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Developmental Disabilities Branch 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-92 Atlanta GA 30333 USA


  • Behavioral Profiles of Affected and Unaffected Siblings of Children with Autism: Contribution of Measures of Mother–Infant Interaction and Nonverbal Communication

    Abstract  
    We investigated whether deficits in social gaze and affect and in joint attention behaviors are evident within the first year of life among siblings of children with autism who go on to be diagnosed with autism or ASD (ASD) and siblings who are non-diagnosed (NoASD-sib) compared to low-risk controls. The ASD group did not differ from the other two groups at 6 months of age in the frequency of gaze, smiles, and vocalizations directed toward the caregiver, nor in their sensitivity to her withdrawal from interaction. However, by 12 months, infants in the ASD group exhibited lower rates of joint attention and requesting behaviors. In contrast, NoASD-sibs did not differ from comparison infants on any variables of interest at 6 and 12 months.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Original Paper
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1051-6
    • Authors
      • Agata Rozga, University of California Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior Los Angeles CA USA
      • Ted Hutman, University of California Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior Los Angeles CA USA
      • Gregory S. Young, University of California M.I.N.D. Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine Davis CA USA
      • Sally J. Rogers, University of California M.I.N.D. Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine Davis CA USA
      • Sally Ozonoff, University of California M.I.N.D. Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine Davis CA USA
      • Mirella Dapretto, University of California Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior Los Angeles CA USA
      • Marian Sigman, University of California Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior Los Angeles CA USA


  • Brief Report: How Adolescents with ASD Process Social Information in Complex Scenes. Combining Evidence from Eye Movements and Verbal Descriptions

    Abstract  
    We investigated attention, encoding and processing of social aspects of complex photographic scenes. Twenty-four high-functioning adolescents (aged 11–16) with ASD and 24 typically developing matched control participants viewed and then described a series of scenes, each containing a person. Analyses of eye movements and verbal descriptions provided converging evidence that both groups displayed general interest in the person in each scene but the salience of the person was reduced for the ASD participants. Nevertheless, the verbal descriptions revealed that participants with ASD frequently processed the observed person’s emotion or mental state without prompting. They also often mentioned eye-gaze direction, and there was evidence from eye movements and verbal descriptions that gaze was followed accurately. The combination of evidence from eye movements and verbal descriptions provides a rich insight into the way stimuli are processed overall. The merits of using these methods within the same paradigm are discussed.

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Brief Report
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1053-4
    • Authors
      • Megan Freeth, University of Sheffield Psychology Department Western Bank Sheffield S10 2TP UK
      • Danielle Ropar, University of Nottingham School of Psychology University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
      • Peter Mitchell, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus School of Psychology Jalan Broga 43500 Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan Malysia
      • Peter Chapman, University of Nottingham School of Psychology University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
      • Sarah Loher, Universität Bern Institut für Psychologie Muesmattstrasse 45 3000 Bern 9 Switzerland


  • JADD Announcements for July 2010

    JADD Announcements for July 2010

    • Content Type Journal Article
    • Category Announcement
    • DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1042-7