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Background: Autism spectrum disorder is a complex heterogeneous condition that is characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication, and behavior which mostly co-exists with several comorbidities. The current prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in the general population is estimated to be 1 in 68 children. Despite significant advances in research and multiple treatment options, the management of the disease remains poor. Although there are governmental services and few non-governmental organizations working for individuals with autism, there is no official data available regarding the incidence and prevalence of autism in Malta. ; Methods: This study focuses on the need of increasing awareness for autism spectrum disorder in Malta among the general public and health care professionals which would benefit a better understanding of the disorder for early diagnosis and more effective treatments. This was best provided through questionnaires. ; Results: Our survey revealed that only a limited percentage of the Maltese population had some knowledge about the symptoms, age of onset, potential causes of the disease and treatment options for autism. ; Conclusion: There is an immense need for improvement regarding the awareness of autism in Malta to estimate the exact burden of the disorder and make the latest diagnostic and treatment options available to the people living with this disease on the island. ; peer-reviewed

This paper addresses how impairments in prediction in young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) relate to their behavior during collaboration. To assess it, we developed a task where participants play in collaboration with a synthetic agent to maximize their score. The agent's behavior changes during the different phases of the game, requiring participants to model the agent's sensorimotor contingencies to play collaboratively. Our results (n = 30, 15 per group) show differences between autistic and neurotypical individuals in their behavioral adaptation to the other partner. Contrarily, there are no differences in the self-reports of that collaboration. ; This work received funding from the European Research Council under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme socSMCs (Grant No. EC, H2020-641321). MS-F was supported by Spanish National Grant INSOCO-DPI2016-80116-P.

AbstractStudies exploring associations between children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and depression in parents are limited. This study compares healthcare utilization, depression treatment costs, and risk factors, in parents of children with and without ASD. Using a matched case-control, individuals aged 27 to 64 with continuous enrollment from 2017–2019 and a child diagnosed with ASD were selected from nationally representative administrative claims data. Individuals were randomly matched 1:3 to a non-ASD group based on the child's age, gender, and family characteristics. Statistical models were used to evaluate the association between ASD in children, depression in their respective parents, and resulting healthcare utilization and costs incurred by parents. The study consisted of 23,316 families, out of which 5,779 had children with ASD, and 17,337 had children without ASD. Having a child with ASD was a predictor of depression in parents (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.73 – 2.10). Mothers of children with ASD had a higher risk of having depression (OR 4.0, 95% CI 2.62 – 6.12). Parents having multiple ASD children were also at higher risk of depression (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.18 – 2.13). The sex and age of the child were not associated with parental depression. While family-level income and education attainment were not associated, urbanicity (rural) had an association with depression. Parents with ASD children are at a higher risk of depression. Findings suggest that parents of children with ASD may benefit from depression screening at the onset of ASD diagnosis in their children.

Juraszek Karolina, Kalisz Zdzisława, Glazik Rozalia, Kucharczuk Magda, Kalisz Justyna. Autism spectrum disorder in children - case study analysis. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2019;9(8):103-120. eISNN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3371061 http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/7259 The journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. § 8. 2) and § 12. 1. 2) 22.02.2019. © The Authors 2019; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author (s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non commercial license Share alike. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 05.07.2019. Revised: 25.07.2019. Accepted: 19.08.2019. Autism spectrum disorder in children - case study analysis Zaburzenia ze spektrum autyzmu u dzieci - analiza studium przypadku Karolina Juraszek1,2, Zdzisława Kalisz3, Rozalia Glazik3, Magda Kucharczuk4,5,6, Justyna Kalisz7,8 1Department of Physiotherapy, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland 2Eskulap Hospital in Osielsko, Rehabilitation Center, Poland 3Univeristy of Bydgoszcz, Poland 4Neurosurgery Unit, 10th Military Research Hospital and Polyclinic, Bydgoszcz, Poland 5Surgery Unit, 10th Military Research Hospital and Polyclinic, Bydgoszcz, Poland 6Department of Public Health, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland 7Hematology department, Nicolaus Copernicus Specialist Municipal Hospital in Torun, ...

This book examines opportunities and obstacles in achieving the digital inclusion of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It addresses basic requirements of the digital society and the concepts of digital inclusion (and exclusion), digital participation, and the disability digital divide as well as support for individuals with autism in co-creating digital devices. The book discusses the application of digital technologies across different contexts, including education, leisure activities, community life, daily living skills, and employment of individuals with autism. Featured areas of coverage include: Computer-based interventions for speech development, social communication, executive functions, and other skills in children with autism.Digital health intervention for persons with ASD.Risks for persons with ASD on the Internet (e.g., excessive use, addictive behavior, and cyberbullying).Digital technology use in simulating job interviews, and teaching work skills.Digital technology use in self-advocacy activities of individuals with autism. Digital Inclusion of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder is an essential reference for researchers, professors, graduate students, clinicians and related therapists and professionals in clinical child and school psychology, social work, behavioral therapy/rehabilitation, pediatrics, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, neurology, special education, child and adolescent psychiatry, and developmental psychology

This book examines opportunities and obstacles in achieving the digital inclusion of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It addresses basic requirements of the digital society and the concepts of digital inclusion (and exclusion), digital participation, and the disability digital divide as well as support for individuals with autism in co-creating digital devices. The book discusses the application of digital technologies across different contexts, including education, leisure activities, community life, daily living skills, and employment of individuals with autism. Featured areas of coverage include: Computer-based interventions for speech development, social communication, executive functions, and other skills in children with autism. Digital health intervention for persons with ASD. Risks for persons with ASD on the Internet (e.g., excessive use, addictive behavior, and cyberbullying). Digital technology use in simulating job interviews, and teaching work skills. Digital technology use in self-advocacy activities of individuals with autism. Digital Inclusion of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder is an essential reference for researchers, professors, graduate students, clinicians and related therapists and professionals in clinical child and school psychology, social work, behavioral therapy/rehabilitation, pediatrics, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, neurology, special education, child and adolescent psychiatry, and developmental psychology.

Abstract
In contrast to mainstream accounts which explain the aesthetic experience of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in terms of cognitive abilities, this paper suggests as an alternative explanation the "emotional abilities approach". We present an example of a person with ASD who is able to exercise a variety of emotional abilities in aesthetic contexts but who has difficulties exhibiting their equivalents in interpersonal relations. Using an autobiographical account, we demonstrate first that there is at least one precedent where a person with ASD can exercise a series of emotional abilities when engaging with art works. Second, we offer also an explanation about why aesthetic contexts might enable this person to exercise emotional abilities which in interpersonal contexts seem to be blocked.

PurposeIntegral to the process of formulating and managing the difficulties of mentally disordered offenders is the assessment of risk. However, the opinion held by many clinicians who work with offenders with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is that most conventional risk assessment tools fail to capture the underlying reasons why such individuals may offend. This needs to be explored.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a screening study of the HCR 20 risk assessment tool and some other characteristics of 'high risk' individuals with an ASD. Also presented is a brief literature review supported by clinical experience of the assessment of psychopathy in ASD and highlighting potential key factors to be included in a risk assessment of offenders with an ASD.FindingsIt was found that nine out of the 20 risk items contained in the HCR 20 are present in 50 per cent or less of the sample. Whilst some conventional risk factors are present, clinical experience and the literature suggests that it is the specific difficulties associated with having an ASD that contribute towards an individual's vulnerability to offend.Originality/valueAlthough further examination is required, provisional findings from this small screening study of the HCR 20 profiles of high risk individuals with an ASD questions the usefulness of some conventional risk factors in understanding the difficulties within this population. It is proposed that there is a need for good practise guidelines for assessing risk in individuals with an ASD.

Abstract. Early intervention in autism has become possible with the identification of this disorder at earlier ages, but the scientific production on this subject is still very incipient. The present study aimed to characterize scientific production in Brazil regarding early intervention in the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), resorting to the database of the Capes Journal Platform ( Plataforma de Periódicos Capes). The procedure used for the theoretical search was an integrative literature review. The discussion on the analysis of the review occurred with the inclusion of articles published in Portuguese, between 2001 and 2020, with the keywords: "intervention", "early" and "autism." As a result, a total of 83 texts were found. Of this total, 65 articles were published in peer-reviewed journals and made available as an online resource on the Capes Journal Platform. In the next phase of data analysis, we decided to categorize the articles included in the search process ( N = 25), based on the following categories: "autism" (19) and "early autism intervention" (6). A very low percentage of publications related to this topic were identified in the search universe, although an increase in studies has been observed in recent years. Nonetheless, we concluded that the six articles on early intervention agree that the sooner the disorder is diagnosed and the child is stimulated, the greater the effectiveness in the development of communication and language, as well as social interaction.

Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the role of various treatment methods for children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). The prospective study was conducted in 2013–2015 at the Children's University Hospital and Social Pediatric Centre of the University of Latvia. The data analysis included 72 children (2 to 5 year old) with ASD, of whom 38 had infantile autism, 16 had atypical autism, and 18 had other diffuse developmental disorder). 86.1% patients received therapy. The most common treatment was by Montessori method and special pedagogue. Other treatments were dance-movement therapy, animal, sand and one patient received spa treatments. Univariate OR analysis showed that Montessori therapy had a decreasing trend on three health disorders (visual, hearing, and fine motor skills disorders) compared with other types of therapy, but the effect was not statistically significant. Special pedagogue therapy for autism patients showed similar results. A significant effect was observed for fine motor skills (p < 0.05) and speech development (p < 0.05), and Montessori method and special education were shown to be the most effective tools for promoting developmental progress and reducing developmental delay. Special pedagogue method showed statistically significant efficiency in fine motor skills and speech development. However, significant differences were not found for the Montessori method due to a limited number of patients.

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the relative contribution of family functioning to friendship quality in youths with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).BackgroundYouths with ASD often experience problems in their friendships. Although researchers have identified linkages between individual youth characteristics and friendship difficulties in youths with ASD, much less is known about the possible linkages between family and friendship problems in this population. However, the family system is an important context in which youths with ASD can learn skills that are necessary for developing friendships.MethodThe current study examined the relations of key dimensions of family functioning and caregiver romantic relationships to central domains of friendship quality in youths with ASD, while also accounting for individual characteristics of the youths. Participants included youths with ASD (N = 93) and their primary caregivers who completed measures that assessed family, caregiver, and friendship variables.ResultsHierarchical linear regression models revealed that family functioning and caregiver romantic relationships explained significant variance in domains of youth friendship quality above and beyond individual youth characteristics.ConclusionFriendships in youths with ASD were more strongly related to important elements of the family system than to various characteristics of the individual youth.ImplicationsFamily relations should be considered in interventions that aim to improve peer relations for youth with ASD.