Computer-based Social Skills Training for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum DisorderThe primary objective of this study is to evaluate changes in subject performance on social skills assessments after engaging in a gaze-controlled video game that leverages ABA principles of learning, in comparison to an alternative game. The secondary objectives of this study are to evaluate changes in subject gaze patterns during social skills assessments after engaging in the video game, including in comparison to an alternative game and to evaluate possible correlations in changes in social skills assessments with changes in subject game play performance.
Replication of the The Multi-Media Social Skills Project for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders...
Autism Spectrum DisordersThe objective of this study is to validate a social skills training program manual for adolescents (ages 13-17) with Asperger's Syndrome or high functioning autism. Approximately 150 adolescents with autism spectrum disorders will participate in this study, in groups consisting of 6 adolescents and 6 peer volunteers. Participants will participate in both group therapy and peer generalization sessions (in the form of a photography class) once a week over the course of twelve weeks. Participants and their parents will complete paper and pencil, online, or phone measures and video-recordings to assess the participant's social skills prior to the intervention, at completion of the intervention and three months later.
Phenotypic and Genetic Factors in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism Spectrum DisordersThe purpose of the study is to collect phenotypic (observable characteristics) and genetic information about individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and their families.
The Impacts of Theta-burst Stimulation on Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder...
Autism Spectrum DisorderThe investigator would like to investigate the impact of theta-burst stimulation over posterior superior temporal sulcus in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
Facebook for Social Skills Training in Autism: Project Rex Connect
Autism Spectrum DisorderTwelve participants were randomized to either a Facebook group or a book club group for six weeks. Data was collected on the participants social and behavioral function at both the start and the conclusion of the intervention.
Martial Arts Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism Spectrum DisordersThe purpose of the present study was to determine whether teaching Karate techniques training leads to reduction in communication deficit of children with autism spectrum disorders.
Dietary Fatty Acids Improve Social Impairment in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism Spectrum DisordersIn a double-blind, placebo-controlled 16-week trial investigators administered daily doses of either youths with autism spectrum disorders.ARA and DHA supplementation significantly improved communication as well as social withdrawal symptoms. This pilot study provides the first evidence that supplementation with larger ARA doses added to DHA improve impaired social interaction in youths with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Biological Implications of the Overlapping Phenomenon Between Childhood Schizophrenia and Autism...
SchizophreniaAutism Spectrum DisorderComplex diseases such as schizophrenia and autism are heterogeneous in clinical presentation and etiology. This high heterogeneity constitutes the challenges for the clinical diagnosis and etiological research, resulting in that the majority of research findings cannot be replicated in the independent samples. For the high comorbid rate between the diagnoses of schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and the shared neurocognitive deficits, genetic risks, and biological markers between the two disorders, a heterogeneity approach may probably be more promising than to arbitrarily split the two diagnostic categories apart or lump them together for etiological research. In schizophrenia, patients with a very early onset of disease and with preceding neurodevelopmental conditions may imply a different underlying etiology from those with typical onset and without neurodevelopmental conditions. Echoing the evidence that in early onset Parkinson's disease, PARK2 (encoding parkin protein) mutations are successfully reported to be as frequent as 49% with an autosomal-recessive mode of inheritance , representing a specific disease entity of Parkinson's disease. Therefore, it is critical to characterize the clinical phenotypes for this subpopulation of very early onset patients, including their clinical manifestation, disease course, and treatment response, as well as early developmental history and morphological characteristics. These may establish an important base for investigating the etiology and providing adequate clinical care for the heterogeneous syndrome of schizophrenia
ELENA Cohort: A Long-term Longitudinal Study in a Pediatric Sample With Autism Spectrum Disorders...
Autism Spectrum DisordersThe objective of the ELENA French Cohort is to study the developmental trajectories of children and adolescents with ASD and their risk or protective associated factors. This is an open, prospective and multicenter cohort study, including children and adolescents under 16 years of age with ASD recruited from services specialized in the assessment of developmental disorders.
Social Motivation Intervention for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Improving Peer Initiation...
Autism Spectrum DisorderThe purpose of this study is to investigate whether a social initiation motivation intervention (SIMI) focused on training children with ASD to initiate to peers during structured play activities will result in more frequent initiations to typically developing peers during free play. The SIMI approach under investigation uses behavioral strategies based in Applied Behavior Analysis and Pivotal Response Treatment to motivate children with ASD to initiate to peers. Children with ASD will be randomly assigned to either the SIMI or a waiting list. Treatment will be provided for 8 weeks in the context of a weekly social skills group.