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Diversity is a cornerstone of the library profession and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) has recently announced a renewed emphasis on diversity and inclusion. In response to this initiative, this paper will review the current academic literature relating to diversity initiatives in academic libraries. Specifically, it will discuss diversity as it pertains to staffing, culture, collections, services and programming. These five areas are good starting points for libraries to reflect on the current state of diversity at their institutions and plan for meaningful change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autistic individuals commonly seek employment; however, only a small fraction are in the workforce. In part, this might be due to mismatches between their social patterns of attention and gaze, and society's normative expectations during interviews. To help mitigate such disadvantages through a solo situational practice tool, we present a framework that consists of a virtual reality (VR) based job interview simulation and a coaching component. Employing data visualization, video modeling, and VR role-play of the targeted behavior, the coaching support could be done in a self-deliverable practice manner. A participatory design session with two autistic design partners was important in the co-creation of the feedback methods, making them easier to understand, and including positive reinforcement. Fourteen autistic individuals used the VR job interview simulation tool. Eleven received the gaze analysis and support stage and participated in a second VR simulation session. Preliminary results were positive, in that participant scores on average eye contact duration, average time without eye contact, and percentage of eye contact while listening and while speaking generally approached the corresponding medians of the non-autistic reference dataset. Participants were surveyed about the utility of the tool after the second feedback session and two months later. All survey respondents perceived the tool to be useful and the provided feedback to be helpful in daily social interactions. This study provides insights towards the development of a VR job interview simulation and feedback framework that can enable solo situational practice of gaze and common interview questions. • Participatory design shows autistic users favor clear data visualizations in VR that suit all educational backgrounds • A novel, portable, and repeatable VR-based solo situational gaze practice framework • First social interaction support protocol to study social modulation of gaze in VR job interviews [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resilience is a dynamic process through which people adjust to adversity and buffer anxiety and depression. The COVID-19 global pandemic has introduced a shared source of adversity for people across the world, with detrimental implications for mental health. Despite the pronounced vulnerability of autistic adults to anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic, relationships among autism-related quantitative traits, resilience, and mental health outcomes have not been examined. As such, we aimed to describe the relationships between these traits in a sample enriched in autism spectrum-related quantitative traits during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also aimed to investigate the impact of demographic and social factors on these relationships. Across three independent samples of adults, we assessed resilience factors, autism-related quantitative traits, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. One sample (recruited via the Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence, n = 201) was enriched for autism traits while the other two (recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk, n = 624 and Facebook, n = 929) drew from the general population. We found resilience factors and quantitative autism-related traits to be inversely related, regardless of the resilience measure used. Additionally, we found that resilience factors moderate the relationship between autism-related quantitative traits and depression symptoms such that resilience appears to be protective. Across the neurodiversity spectrum, resilience factors may be targets to improve mental health outcomes. This approach may be especially important during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and in its aftermath. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caregivers of children on the autism spectrum often report elevated levels of perceived stress which may lead to poorer ratings of quality of life (QOL), though this relation has not yet been investigated at the daily level. Caregiver daily mood and quality of social support may buffer the relation of perceived stress to QOL. The current study utilizes mobile ecological momentary assessment (mEMA) to capture daily experiences to examine relations between perceived stress and QOL and the role of mood and quality of social support as mediators on the daily level specifically for caregivers of children on the autism spectrum (n = 52). Results suggest that there is a significant relation between perceived stress and QOL within and across individuals. Further, positive mood buffered this relation across and within individuals, while better quality of social support buffered this relation only across individuals. Mood and quality of social support serve as buffers in the relation between perceived stress and QOL for caregivers of children on the autism spectrum. Interventions addressing perceived stress would benefit from specifically targeting daily mood and quality of social support to bolster caregiver QOL and well-being. • For caregivers of children with ASD, perceived stress led to worse quality of life. • Mood and social support mediated the relation between stress and quality of life. • Positive mood and better social support should be increased during interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There is a significant relation between autistic traits and mood spectrum symptoms. • Trauma plays in part a mediating role between autism spectrum and mood symptoms. • Ruminations as a step in the pathway from autism spectrum to mood symptoms. An increasing number of studies highlighted significant correlations between autistic traits (AT) and mood spectrum symptoms. Moreover, recent data showed that individuals with high AT are likely to develop trauma and stressor-related disorders. This study aims to investigate the relationship between AT and mood symptoms among university students, focusing in particular on how AT interact with ruminations and trauma-related symptomatology in predicting mood symptoms. 178 students from three Italian Universities of excellence were assessed with The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5), the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum), the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS), the Trauma and Loss Spectrum (TALS) and the Moods Spectrum (MOODS). Considering the AdAS Spectrum total scores, 133 subjects (74.7%) were categorized as "low scorers" and 45 subjects (25.3%) as "high scorers". Students in the high scorer group showed significantly higher scores on RRS, TALS-SR and MOOD-SR total scores. Total and direct effects of AdAS Spectrum total score on MOODS-SR total score were both statistically significant. AdAS Spectrum total score also showed a significant indirect effect on MOODS-SR total score through TALS and RRS total scores. Results showed a significant relationship between AT and mood spectrum, which is partially mediated by ruminations and trauma/stressor-related symptomatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With growing numbers of bilingual children on the autism spectrum in UK classrooms, the interaction between autism and bilingualism is becoming a pressing issue for practitioners, researchers and families. In this study, we report the school experiences of bilingual, autistic children in the UK through their own voice with focus on five aspects of their school life.Method: Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) as a methodological framework, semi-structured, computer-assisted interviews were conducted with 11 children aged 7 to 14 from across England and Wales. Interviews were carried out in English and took place in mainstream schools or the children's home, depending on their preference.Results: Results indicate that, while children's school experiences vary widely, there were commonalities in this population's identity formation, including being bilingual, and their classroom experiences. Most notably, children educated in more multilingual environments (i.e. in schools with larger multilingual populations) expressed more positive views about multilingualism than those in more monolingual settings. In line with previous studies, limited social circles and classroom anxiety were present in participants' school experiences.Implications: The findings of this paper suggest that giving autistic children from bilingual backgrounds opportunities to explore their linguistic identities in the classroom may enhance their experiences of school. Further research should focus on parents' and practitioners' attitudes and perspectives towards the support available for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glycine receptor α3 subunit is known to be a target for cAMP/PKA-mediated phosphorylation and regulation. Mice that lack this subunit are apparently normal but the 5-HT 1A -receptor mediated modulation of respiratory network activity is disturbed. Since the intracellular cAMP-concentration is reduced in mice that lack the transcriptional modulator methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) gene, we aimed to test if the α3 subunit of the glycine receptor is involved in the development of the breathing phenotype of MeCP2-deficient mice ( Mecp2 −/y ). Therefore, we generated a double knock-out mouse line that lacks both the Mecp 2 gene as well as the gene ( Glra3 ) for the α3 subunit of the ionotropic glycine receptor. As compared to WT and Glra 3 −/− mice, both Mecp2 −/y mice and Mecp2 −/y ; Glra3 −/− mice (DKO) showed a slower respiratory rate and a tendency towards higher numbers of apneas. Interestingly, the irregularity of the breathing was significantly reduced in DKO as compared to Mecp2 −/y littermates. In the light of the unaltered survival of DKO mice, however, the contribution of the glycine receptor α3 subunit for development and progression of the breathing disturbances in the mouse model of Rett syndrome appears to be only of minor relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Associations and regularities in our environment can foster expectations and thereby help create a perceptually predictable world (e.g., a knife next to a plate predicts with high certainty a fork on the other side). Based on several observations, it has been suggested that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have an above average tendency to prefer well-organized information or structured environments. Surprisingly, however, this tendency has not yet been tested under controlled experimental conditions. Method A recent study suggested that neurotypical adults prefer associative information, regardless of their semantic content. Therefore, in this study, we examined the relation of this preference bias to the scores of 123 neurotypical adults on questionnaires that measure autistic traits, known to co-vary with typical autism spectrum characteristics. Participants were presented with different configurations of meaningless abstract shapes. Some shapes were always presented in the exact same fixed configuration, and other shapes were always presented in different random configurations. In an unannounced subsequent evaluation task, participants were required to indicate which shapes they preferred. Results We replicate the observation that people exhibit a general preference for shapes that were presented in fixed configurations. However, there were no correlations between autistic traits and this general preference. Conclusions Our findings suggest the preference for associative information in ASD might be less general than first thought, or restricted to more complex (social) situations or other levels of information processing. We outline specific guidelines for future systematic investigations into the hypothesized increased preference for associative information in ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TV-series and movies are important sources of knowledge about autism for the general public. Aims: This study's purpose was to elicit autistic adults' opinions on portrayals of autistic characters in film and television productions and how this can be improved. In this study, we examined the recommendations of autistic adults (n = 798, M age = 30.3, 48% female) and non-autistic adults (n = 1463, M age = 35.0, 62% female) from 90 countries on how film and television productions can improve autistic portrayals. Autistic adults rated three improvement factors as most important: (1) Appointing autistic writers, (2) Having an autistic consultant, and (3) Representing greater diversity in autistic characters. Compared to the non-autistic groups, autistic adults rated "Appointing autistic writers" as more important. Autistic participants also endorsed "Having an autism-expert consultant" and "Making the character display all relevant diagnostic criteria" significantly less than non-autistic groups. Participants strongly endorsed that autistic adults should to a much larger extent be included as writers, consultants and actors to enhance the making of autistic characters in film and TV. • Autistic adults call for inclusion in TV and film productions of autistic characters. • Including autistic people was more important to autistic adults than other groups. • TV and film productions should strive for more diverse portrayals of autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Psychiatric conditions, notably anxiety, commonly co-occur with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Method This study investigated self-reported behavioural, cognitive and affective symptoms of social anxiety (SA) in 50 adult males with ASD. Associations between SA, core ASD symptoms and facets of neuropsychological functioning were also examined. Results Twenty-six participants (52%) endorsed levels of SA that exceeded the suggested caseness threshold for social anxiety disorder. Categorical and dimensional data analyses indicated that there were no relationships between SA symptoms, present-state or childhood ASD symptom-severity, or measures of socio-emotional processing in this sample. Conclusions Study findings suggest that severity of SA is not merely a reflection of ASD symptom-severity. Further research is needed to ascertain the prevalence of SA in adult ASD epidemiological samples, and identify causal and maintaining mechanisms for these co-morbid symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines first-hand accounts of differently gendered emotional experience of the autism spectrum drawn from responses to online surveys, blogs and published autobiographies. Analysis of these materials reveals that atypical experiences and expressions of gender are considered relatively common among those on the spectrum. More literal minded than most, many describe meticulous attempts to seek out and solidify gender's troubling manifestations in their social worlds, only to find, of course, that no such thing as gender exists. However, this oddly absent presence continues to haunt autistic emotional lives; its uncanny leavings and doings persist, and most (neuro)typical others remain in its thrall, seeming to learn gender's nebulous rules as if telepathically. First-hand autistic accounts highlight the draining and relentless emotional labour that doing gender ‘typically’ requires, and many on the spectrum respond by explicitly rejecting or simply neglecting its confounding demands, identifying with neither side of the m/f divide in attempts to give up the ghost of gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The socio-communication deficits of individuals on the autistic spectrum are well documented. However, this has largely been based on the male population and less is known about how females with autism manage social relationships across the developmental period. Ten adolescent female participants with a diagnosis of autism were interviewed and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis used to explore their experiences of managing their social relationships. The results showed that participants were motivated to develop and maintain friendships, but during adolescence this became increasingly difficult. Consequently, they developed explicit strategies to manage these relationships, including masking and imitation. The use of such strategies was both advantageous and disadvantageous, and such findings should be considered in developing gender sensitive assessment and developmentally appropriate support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visible white sclera (i.e., the opaque white outer coat enclosing the eyeball) is a uniquely human trait. An explanation for why such coloration evolved has been put forward by the Cooperative Eye Hypothesis (Kobayashi and Hashiya, 2011; Kobayashi and Kohshima, 1997, 2001; Tomasello et al., 2007), which states that visible white sclera evolved to facilitate communication via joint attention and signaling of gaze direction. Therefore, we hypothesized that viewers comprised of both typically developing children and adults would show reliable preferences for stimuli with visible white sclera. However, because autism spectrum disorder (ASD) individuals have impaired social cognition and show gaze aversion, we also hypothesized that ASD children would show no consistent preference for eyes with visible white sclera. We tested these hypotheses by obtaining participants’ preferences across six sets of stuffed animals, identical but for the manipulation of eye size, eye color, and presence of visible sclera. Both hypotheses were supported. In addition to providing evidence consistent with the Cooperative Eye Hypothesis, our results also suggest that eyes and gaze serve a central role in social cognition. Furthermore, our results from ASD children have practical applications for therapeutic practices and evidence-based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The positive psychology and neurodiversity movements both aim to promote and improve wellbeing through strengths-based approaches. However, little is known about how positive psychology can support the wellbeing of autistic people. The present study investigated character strengths profiles as a potential tool to identify strengths-based interventions that could enhance wellbeing outcomes for autistic adults. To our knowledge, this is first study to use this method as a possible way of improving the wellbeing of autistic adults in the community in the UK. Forty-seven self-reported formally diagnosed (83%) and self-identifying (17%) autistic adults completed online self-rated standardised questionnaires about their character strengths and life satisfaction. Descriptive statistics and correlational analyses were used to evaluate the profile of character strengths and their relationship to overall life satisfaction. Character strengths most frequently reported by autistic adults were Honesty, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Love of Learning, Fairness, and Kindness. Higher levels of life satisfaction were associated with character strengths of Gratitude, Hope, and Honesty. The most frequent character strengths were consistent with autistic traits reported in the wider body of autism literature, such as intense interests and strong attention to detail. The present study provides preliminary findings and recommendations for potential future strengths-based interventions that could enhance life satisfaction of autistic adults in a community setting. Further investigation with larger samples is needed to replicate the emerging findings on this topic. • Top-five signature strengths were consistent with autistic characteristics. • The character strength of Hope had the strongest association with life satisfaction. • Life satisfaction is not restricted to emotional and interpersonal strengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Most investigations of visuo-perceptual abilities in the Autism Spectrum (AS) are level-specific, using tasks that selectively solicit either lower- (i.e., spatial frequency sensitivity), mid- (i.e., pattern discrimination) or higher-level processes (i.e., face identification) along the visual hierarchy. Less is known about how alterations at one level of processing (i.e., low-level) interact with that of another (i.e., mid-level). The aim of this study was to assess whether manipulating the physical properties (luminance vs texture) of local contour elements of a mid-level, visual pattern interferes with the discrimination of that pattern in a differential manner for individuals with AS. Methods Twenty-nine AS individuals and thirty control participants (range 14–27 years) were asked to discriminate between perfect circles and Radial Frequency Patterns (RFP) of two, three, five, and 10 radial frequencies (RF), or deformations along the pattern’s contour. When RFP have few deformations (

A continuum of phenotypes makes up the autism spectrum (AS). In particular, individuals show large differences in language acquisition, ranging from precocious speech to severe speech onset delay. However, the neurological origin of this heterogeneity remains unknown. Here, we sought to determine whether AS individuals differing in speech acquisition show different cortical responses to auditory stimulation and morphometric brain differences. Whole-brain activity following exposure to non-social sounds was investigated. Individuals in the AS were classified according to the presence or absence of Speech Onset Delay (AS-SOD and AS-NoSOD, respectively) and were compared with IQ-matched typically developing individuals (TYP). AS-NoSOD participants displayed greater task-related activity than TYP in the inferior frontal gyrus and peri-auditory middle and superior temporal gyri, which are associated with language processing. Conversely, the AS-SOD group only showed enhanced activity in the vicinity of the auditory cortex. We detected no differences in brain structure between groups. This is the first study to demonstrate the existence of differences in functional brain activity between AS individuals divided according to their pattern of speech development. These findings support the Trigger-threshold-target model and indicate that the occurrence of speech onset delay in AS individuals depends on the location of cortical functional reallocation, which favors perception in AS-SOD and language in AS-NoSOD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent English cases have set a very low threshold for the capacity to consent to sexual activity, and the Court of Appeal in IM v LM (2014) has held that “the ability to use and weigh information is unlikely to loom large in the evaluation of consent to sexual relations.” Such cases significantly affect the legal status of such activities involving persons diagnosed with a learning disability (LD), an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) or other neurodiverse (ND) conditions. A principal focus on two cases in particular— IM v LM (2014) and A Local Authority v TZ (no 2) (2014)—supports the argument that the current test needs reframing from a relationship-centred perspective, in order to reflect an evidence-based model of sexual decision-making. Relevant training for persons diagnosed as LD, ASD, or ND is essential in order to promote socio-sexual competence. This is critical for resolving existing tensions between (1) sexual rights guaranteed in international agreements; (2) criminal law provisions and local authorities' obligations to protect the vulnerable; and (3) sexual health concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social communication deficits are prevalent amongst children with anxiety disorders; however whether they are over-represented specifically among children with Social Anxiety Disorder has not been examined. This study set out to examine social communication deficits among children with Social Anxiety Disorder in comparison to children with other forms of anxiety disorder.Methods: Parents of 404 children with a diagnosed anxiety disorder completed the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ; Rutter, M., Bailey, A., Lord, C., 2003. The Social Communication Questionnaire - Manual. Western Psychological Services, Los Angeles, CA). Children with a diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder (n=262) and anxious children without Social Anxiety Disorder (n=142) were compared on SCQ total and subscale scores and the frequency of participants scoring above clinical cut-offs.Results: Children with Social Anxiety Disorder scored significantly higher than anxious children without Social Anxiety Disorder on the SCQ total (t(352)=4.85, p<.001, d=.55, r=.27), Reciprocal Social Interaction (t(351)=4.73, p<.001, d=.55, r=.27), communication (t(344)=3.62, p<.001, d=.43, r=.21) and repetitive, restrictive and stereotyped behaviors subscales (t(353)=3.15, p=.002, d=.37, r=.18). Furthermore, children with Social Anxiety Disorder were three times more likely to score above clinical cut-offs.Limitations: The participants were a relatively affluent group of predominantly non-minority status. The social communication difficulties measure relied on parental report which could be influenced by extraneous factors.Conclusions: Treatments for Social Anxiety Disorder may benefit from a specific focus on developing social communication skills. Future research using objective assessments of underlying social communication skills is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We examined how individual differences influenced eyewitness lineup performance. [•] Four measures were used to predict simultaneous and sequential lineup performance. [•] Individual differences differentially predicted accuracy based on lineup type. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Tantrum behaviors are present in children with ASD, ADHD and comorbid ASD and ADHD. [•] Children with comorbid ASD and ADHD exhibits the highest rates or tantrum behaviors. [•] Comorbid ADHD may exacerbate symptoms of ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by deficits in communication and social behavior and by narrow interests. Individuals belonging to this spectrum have abnormalities in various aspects of language, ranging from semantic-pragmatic deficits to the absence of speech. They also have aberrant perception, especially in the auditory domain, with both hypo- and hypersensitive features. Neurophysiological approaches with high temporal resolution have given novel insight into the processes underlying perception and language in ASD. Neurophysiological recordings, which are feasible for investigating infants and individuals with no speech, have shown that the representation of and attention to language has an abnormal developmental path in ASD. Even the basic mechanisms for fluent speech perception are degraded at a low level of neural speech analysis. Furthermore, neural correlates of perception and some traits typical of subgroups of individuals on this spectrum have helped in understanding the diversity on this spectrum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) are defined by criteria comprising impairments in social interaction and communication. Altered visual perception is one possible and often discussed cause of difficulties in social interaction and social communication. Recently, Ashwin et al. suggested that enhanced ability in local visual processing in ASC was due to superior visual acuity, but that study has been the subject of methodological criticism, placing the findings in doubt. Methods: The present study investigated visual acuity thresholds in 24 adults with Asperger’s syndrome and compared their results with 25 control subjects with the 2 Meter 2000 Series Revised ETDRS Chart. Results: The distribution of visual acuities within the two groups was highly similar, and none of the participants had superior visual acuity. Conclusions: Superior visual acuity in individuals with Asperger’s syndrome could not be established, suggesting that differences in visual perception in ASC are not explained by this factor. A continued search for explanations of superior ability in local visual processing in persons with ASC is therefore warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Selective mutism (SM), considered an early-onset variant of social anxiety disorder, shares features of impaired social interaction and communication with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) suggesting a possible shared pathophysiology. We examined association of a susceptibility gene, contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2), for ASDs and specific language impairment with SM and social anxiety-related traits. Methods: Sample 1 subjects were 99 nuclear families including 106 children with SM. Sample 2 subjects were young adults who completed measures of social interactional anxiety (n = 1028) and childhood behavioral inhibition (n = 920). Five single nucleotide polymorphisms in CNTNAP2 (including rs7794745 and rs2710102, previously associated with ASDs) were genotyped. Results: Analyses revealed nominal significance (p = .018) for association of SM with rs2710102, which, with rs6944808, was part of a common haplotype associated with SM (permutation p = .022). Adjusting for sex and ancestral proportion, each copy of the rs2710102*a risk allele in the young adults was associated with increased odds of being >1 SD above the mean on the Social Interactional Anxiety Scale (odds ratio = 1.33, p = .015) and Retrospective Self-Report of Inhibition (odds ratio = 1.40, p = .010). Conclusions: Although association was found with rs2710102, the risk allele (a) for the traits studied here is the nonrisk allele for ASD and specific language impairment. These findings suggest a partially shared etiology between ASDs and SM and raise questions about which aspects of these syndromes are potentially influenced by CNTNAP2 and mechanism(s) by which these influences may be conveyed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study addresses the unraveling of the relationship between autism spectrum and schizophrenia spectrum traits in a population of adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Recent studies comparing isolated symptoms of both spectrum disorders as well as diagnostic criteria for each (DSM-IV-TR) suggest resemblances in the clinical phenotype. A group of 27 adolescents with ASD (11 to 18 years) and 30 typically developing adolescents, matched for age and gender, participated in this study. Within the ASD group 11 adolescents satisfied DSM-IV-TR criteria for schizotypal personality disorders. Autistic and schizotypal traits were identified by means of well validated questionnaires (Autism Questionnaire, AQ and Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Revised, SPQ). Significantly more schizotypal traits in adolescents with ASD were found than in typically developing controls. Besides high levels of negative symptoms, adolescents with ASD also displayed high levels of positive and disorganized symptoms. There appeared to be a relationship between the mean level of autistic symptoms and schizotypal traits, as well as specific associations between autistic symptoms and negative, disorganized and positive schizotypal symptoms within individuals. Schizotypal symptomatology in all sub dimensions that are reflected by the SPQ scores, was most prominently associated with attention switching problems of the autism symptoms from the AQ. These findings indicate that patients diagnosed with an ASD show schizophrenia spectrum traits in adolescence. Although other studies have provided empirical support for this overlap in diagnostic criteria between both spectrum disorders, the present findings add to the literature that behavioral overlap is not limited to negative schizotypal symptoms, but extends to disorganized and positive symptoms as well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Embedded Figure Test (EFT) requires locating a simple shape embedded within a background of overlapping target-irrelevant scene elements. Observers with autism, or those with high levels of autistic-like traits, typically outperform matched comparison groups on the EFT. This research investigated the critical visual properties which give rise to this improved performance. The EFT is a search task and so here a radial frequency (RF) search task was created to directly explore efficacy of visual search and also the influence of element overlap on performance. In all conditions, the task was to detect whether the target RF3 (a triangular shape chosen for its visual properties) was present among a number of distracter RF4 (a square shape) patterns. The conditions employed were: ‘singles’, where all the patterns were spatially discrete, ‘pairs’, where two overlapping elements formed each cluster, and ‘quads’, comprising four overlapping elements per cluster. Compared to students scoring low on the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ; n =27), those scoring high on the AQ (n =23) were faster on the EFT and also significantly less influenced by increasing set size of the stimulus array in all RF search task conditions. However, the group difference in RF search performance was unaffected by the amount of stimulus overlap. Thus a simple search task is sufficient to detect a performance advantage associated with higher levels of autistic traits and has the advantages of a solid footing in visual theory and being readily repeatable for the purpose of assessing performance variability and change with interventions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article compares the result of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) scale scores in pediatric mood and anxiety disorders. The study aims to determine whether high scores on scales typically used to examine ASD symptoms occur in children without frank ASD who present for clinical evaluation of non-ASD conditions. It was observed that patients with mood disorders shows higher scores on ASD symptom scales compared to healthy youths or youths with anxiety disorders. Scale scores indicating ASD symptoms also showed an association with impairment severity and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Abstract: Asperger syndrome, which belongs to the autistic spectrum of disorders, is characterized by deficits of social interaction and abnormal perception, like hypo- or hypersensitivity in reacting to sounds and discriminating certain sound features. We determined auditory feature discrimination in adults with Asperger syndrome with the mismatch negativity (MMN), a neural response which is an index of cortical change detection. We recorded MMN for five different sound features (duration, frequency, intensity, location, and gap). Our results suggest hypersensitive auditory change detection in Asperger syndrome, as reflected in the enhanced MMN for deviant sounds with a gap or shorter duration, and speeded MMN elicitation for frequency changes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The distributions of scores for autistic behaviours obtained from the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale—Generic (ADOS-G) were investigated in 147 males and females affected with the full mutation in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene, in 59 individuals with the premutation, and in 42 non-fragile X relatives, aged 4–70 years. The scores representing communication and social interaction were continuously distributed across the two fragile X groups, and they were significantly elevated compared with the non-fragile X controls. Strong relationships were found between both these scores and FMRP deficits, but they became insignificant for social interaction, and the sum of social interaction and communication scores, when FSIQ was included as another predictor of autism scores. Other significant predictors of these scores in both sexes were those executive skills which related to verbal fluency, and to the regulation and control of motor behaviour. Overall, our data have shown that cognitive impairment, especially of verbal skills, best explains the comorbidity of autism and fragile X. This implies some more fundamental perturbations of specific neural connections which are essential for both specific behaviours and cognition. We also emphasize that FXS offers a unique molecular model for autism since FMRP regulates the translation of many other genes involved in synaptic formation and plasticity which should be natural targets for further exploration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Autism, as defined by Kanner in 1943, required two features: the abnormal development of social relationships and the obsessive desire for the maintenance of sameness. This definition was applied only to children without dysmorphic features (except macrocephaly) and without profound mental retardation. This definition resulted in a strongly familial disorder. Family members of such cases have not only strictly defined autism but the milder Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS), and Asperger syndrome as well as milder social dysfunction, obsessional personality characteristics, language and reading disorders, and anxiety and depression. Some of these conditions have come to be called “autism spectrum disorders”. Family members of strictly defined autism cases do not tend to have mental retardation, even when the proband with autism may have marked cognitive impairment and limited language. Another group of children that often meet modern criteria for autism and PDDNOS are those with profound mental retardation (IQ<35 or 40), children with dysmorphic facial features, specific genetic conditions, such as tuberous sclerosis or Retts syndrome, and children who have suffered certain kinds of severe encephalitis at an early age. These children are etiologically very heterogeneous and need to be considered separately in studies of etiology and mechanism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy Efficacy Study for Treating Anxiety in Children with ASD. • Evidence of the Efficacy of Camp-Cope-a-Lot with Number to Treat below 3 in Youth with ASD. • Efficacy for Computer Assisted CBT for Anxiety in Youth with ASD. • First Efficacy Study of The Social Express for Social Skill Improvement in Youth with ASD showing evidence of improved social communication and ocial-emotional functioning. In a crossover design the current study describes the efficacy of a computer-assisted intervention program for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who also experience co-occurring anxiety. The computer-assisted cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) program for treating anxiety, Camp Cope-A-Lot (CCAL) was compared to control intervention, another computer-assisted program, The Social Express (TSE), that does not employ CBT nor is targeted for the treatment of anxiety. TSE is designed to improve social skills in youth with ASD. Participants had a principal anxiety disorder and a current diagnosis of ASD. Participants received 12-sessions of CCAL or 12-sessions of TSE. Outcome measures were obtained at intake, upon completion of the first intervention of the trial and upon completion of the second intervention of the trial. CCAL was efficacious for treating anxiety. Participants who completed CCAL demonstrated significant and clinical reductions in anxiety when compared to participants who completed TSE. Both interventions, CCAL and TSE, resulted in some limited improvement in social skills. The current study showed that anxiety symptoms in youth with ASD and co-occurring anxiety disorders can benefit from computer-assisted CBT employing CCAL. This expands previous literature employing computer-assisted CBT interventions in youth, and more specifically, youth with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Quantitative investigation of friendship understanding in autistic and typically developing adolescents and adults. • Autistic people referred to intimacy and unconditional responsiveness less often than their typically developing peers. • Autistic participants mentioned fewer characteristics of friendship than those who were typically developing. • Females showed a distinct profile of friendship understanding. • Cognitive-developmental aspects of friendship understanding were related to participants' experiences with friends. An altered understanding of relationships, including friendship, is one of the hallmark features of autism. However, research concerning friendship understanding among autistic people is scarce. The existing literature is limited mostly to children and often disregards gender differences. Thus, the current study aimed to examine friendship understanding in adolescents and adults whilst taking into account both autism diagnosis and gender. The current study was a secondary analysis of data obtained in the Polish Autism Survey. Participants were 76 autistic individuals (44 males, ages 14−37 years) and 76 matched controls. Qualitative responses to an open-ended question concerning friendship understanding were coded into six non-exclusive categories, including motivational (intimacy, support, and companionship) and cognitive-developmental (reciprocity, unconditional responsiveness, and complexity) aspects of friendship. Chi-squared tests and Mann-Whitney U were used to examine group (autistic vs. typically developing) and gender differences in friendship understanding. Autistic people referred to intimacy and unconditional responsiveness less often and also provided less complex definitions of a 'friend' than their typically developing peers. Autistic and typically developing males endorsed unconditional responsiveness and complexity less often than females. Additionally, participants who included cognitive-developmental aspects in their definition of a 'friend' more often reported having casual friends and a best friend. The findings shed light on rarely explored aspects of friendship understanding in autistic and typically developing adolescents and adults. The study identifies distinct profiles of friendship understanding in autistic males and females. Taken together, the results can foster the development of fine-grained assessment and support of friendship understanding for people on the autism spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A mean general decrease in autistic traits appears linked to social communication but not restricted and repetitive behavior. • Trajectories show chronogeneity (longitudinal heterogeneity), with sub-groups revealing significantly increasing and decreasing traits. • Social and non-social autistic trait trajectories appear to be fractionable and not clearly linked to development in language and functioning. • Higher IQ predicts decreasing autistic traits. Female gender predicts decreasing traits in autistic but not general population participants. • Latent class growth modelling can characterise chronogeneity. General population studies are needed to reduce gender bias and improve validity. Previous reviews have characterised the mean stability of autistic traits (ATs) across samples on a single measure. However, no review has yet assessed mean change across a range of measures, or described the longitudinal heterogeneity of ATs, i.e. variation in direction and degree of change. A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO and EMBASE up to May 31 2020. Forty-four studies meeting inclusion criteria were identified. Retrieved studies ranged from N = 20 to N = 9,744. Ages spanned one to 15 years at baseline and two to 23 years at follow-up. The proportion of female participants per study ranged from 0 to 51%. There is some evidence that overall ATs tend to reduce over time for autistic children, reflecting decreases in social communication difficulties but not restricted behaviours. This effect was strongest in clinical samples and using parent-report measures. However, there was good evidence that statistics of mean change obscure between-person differences in within-person change. Decreasing ATs appear linked to higher verbal and non-verbal IQ and female gender in autistic participants. Four patterns of change: increasing, decreasing and stable high and low best characterised the data. Individuals experience diverse patterns of change over time. More general population studies are needed to reduce male bias. More work is needed to characterise the relationship between trajectories and well-being, functioning and quality of life outcomes. This will help to understand factors that promote resilience and reduce risk, and therefore to improve the timing and targets of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) supports teachers in diverse classrooms. • Education personnel were interviewed about supporting students on the spectrum. • Data were examined for evidence of UDL principles, guidelines and checkpoints. • Results highlighted what the UDL framework can look like in practice in classrooms. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a comprehensive framework that supports teachers to address diversity of learning in the classroom. Data was collected from 20 teaching and specialist personnel in Australia using semi-structured interviews to examine their descriptions of practice about how they meet the learning needs of students on the autism spectrum. The study aimed to explore if there was evidence of the principles, guidelines, and checkpoints of UDL. Findings show that all three principles of UDL, all nine guidelines, and many of the checkpoints were evident in the descriptions of practice. A social constructionist lens was used to highlight the educators' individual realities to understand how they implemented support for learning for students on the autism spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Binocular rivalry task utilised to indirectly measure the balance of cortical excitation and inhibition. • Autistic traits and rates of anomalous perceptions were measured. • Autistic traits predicted perceptual transitions, those with more autistic traits made fewer switches. • Cortical imbalance of excitation and inhibition extends to the broader autism phenotype. An imbalance in cortical excitation and inhibition (E/I) may underlie both social and non-social symptoms of autism spectrum conditions (ASC). Recent work suggests that an E/I imbalance may underlie some of the sensory differences that are characteristic of ASCs such as anomalous perception. Binocular rivalry dynamics are thought to reflect the balance of E/I in the brain and could serve as a behavioural biomarker for ASC. Previous studies of clinical ASC populations have found a slower rate of binocular rivalry transitions; increased duration of the mixed percept and reduced perceptual suppression. There are some mixed reports of altered rivalry dynamics in the neurotypical population with high self-reported levels of autistic traits. Therefore, we used simple grating stimuli to measure binocular rivalry dynamics in a sample of seventy-nine adults aged 18–55 years. We additionally measured the level of autistic traits with the AQ-10 and used CAPS as a measure of anomalous perception. Bayesian correlations showed that those with higher AQ scores had a slower rate of perceptual switching and a longer mixed percept duration. Significant regression models with CAPS and AQ score revealed that AQ score was a significant predictor of switch rate and mixed percept duration, whereas CAPS was not. We also report that CAPS significantly predicted perceptual suppression, whereas AQ score did not. Overall, our findings suggest that in a non-clinical population, autistic traits are a predictor of binocular rivalry dynamics and the cortical E/I imbalance thought to underlie symptoms of ASC may extend to the broader phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The recognition of mental states and complex emotions through prosody is impaired in people with ASD. • Alterations in the recognition of emotional prosody in ASD patients is partially related to verbal and nonverbal IQ. • The Spanish version of the "Reading the Mind in the Voice" Task shows satisfactory validity, reliability and discriminative capacity. Social cognition includes a range of cognitive processes that help individuals understand how others think and feel. Recent proposals outline the relevance of this cognitive domain in a broad set of clinical pictures, as well as its diagnostic and prognostic value. In this study, we present the Spanish validation of the Reading the Mind in the Voice (RMV-SV) task, (Rutherford et al., 2002), an instrument for the recognition of mental states and complex emotions through prosody. A group of adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD, n = 45) were compared to a control group from the general population (n = 51) in several emotion-recognition tasks. The ASD group performed worse than controls overall on complex emotion and mental state recognition from voices (ŋ2 =.322; p <.01), statistically significant differences were found on 18/33 specific emotions. A positive correlation was found between verbal and nonverbal IQ and emotion recognition task scores. Using RMV-SV scores, 87.5% of the participants were correctly allocated to their original condition group. The results confirmed the alteration of the recognition of mental states and complex emotions by prosody among adults diagnosed with ASD. The RMV-SV showed suitable validity and reliability indexes, so the adapted task could facilitate the evaluation of complex emotion recognition through prosody in Spanish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]