Search

Patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience sleep disturbance. Genetic mutations in the neuroligin 3 (NLG3) gene are highly correlative with ASD and sleep disturbance. However, the cellular and neural circuit bases of this correlation remain elusive. Here, we found that the conditional knockout of Nlg3 (Nlg3-CKO) in the medial septum (MS) impairs social memory and reduces sleep. Nlg3 CKO in the MS caused hyperactivity of [MS.sup.GABA] neurons during social avoidance and wakefulness. Activation of [MS.sup.GABA] neurons induced social memory deficits and sleep loss in C57BL/6J mice. In contrast, inactivation of these neurons ameliorated social memory deficits and sleep loss in Nlg3-CKO mice. Sleep deprivation led to social memory deficits, while social isolation caused sleep loss, both resulting in a reduction in NLG3 expression and an increase in activity of GABAergic neurons in the MS from C57BL/6J mice. Furthermore, [MS.sup.GABA]-innervated CA2 neurons specifically regulated social memory without impacting sleep, whereas [MS.sup.GABA]- innervating neurons in the preoptic area selectively controlled sleep without affecting social behavior. Together, these findings demonstrate that the hyperactive [MS.sup.GABA] neurons impair social memory and disrupt sleep resulting from Nlg3 CKO in the MS, and achieve the modality specificity through their divergent downstream targets., Introduction Clinically, up to 80% of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suffer from sleep disturbances (1). This relationship between ASD and sleep disturbances is bidirectional, meaning that the worsening [...]

Purpose: Norm-referenced, standardized measures are tools designed to characterize a child's abilities relative to their same-age peers, but they also have been used to measure changes in skills during intervention. This study compared the psychometric properties of four types of available scores from one commonly used standardized measure, the Preschool Language Scales-Fifth Edition (PLS-5), to detect changes in children's language skills during and after a language intervention. Method: This study included data from 110 autistic children aged 18-48 months whose mother participated in an 8-week parent-mediated language intervention. Children's language skills were measured at 3 time points using the PLS-5. Changes in children's expressive and receptive language skills were calculated using raw scores, standard scores, age equivalents, and growth scale values (GSVs). Results: Analysis of raw scores, age equivalents, and GSVs indicated significant improvement in the scores of autistic children in both receptive and expressive language throughout the study (i.e., during the intervention period and in the 3month period after the intervention). Standard scores suggested improvement only in the receptive language scale during the intervention period. Standard scores showed a floor effect for children who scored at -3 SD below the mean. Conclusions: Findings suggested that GSVs were not only psychometrically sound but also the most sensitive measure of direct changes in skills compared to raw, standard, and age-equivalent scores. Floor effects may limit the sensitivity of standard scores to detect changes in children's skills. Strengths, limitations, and interpretations of each of the scoring approaches in measuring changes in skills during intervention were discussed. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21498522, Norm-referenced, standardized measures are tools commonly used to characterize a child's language abilities and determine a child's eligibility for clinical services. The use of these measures often extends beyond this [...]

Purpose: Little is known about the specific nature of language abilities of autistic adolescents and young adults with language impairment (LI), limiting our knowledge of developmental trajectories and ability to develop efficacious speech/language supports. An important first step is establishing proof of concept of identification of LI in this population, with considerations for feasibility of assessment. This research note describes such a study in a sample of autistic adolescents and young adults with LI. Method: Thirteen autistic adolescents and young adults completed an assessment protocol of age-referenced language and nonverbal cognitive assessments. Assessment took place once per year for 3 years; the first two assessments were conducted in person, and the final was conducted online due to the pandemic. All assessments included measures of overall language and morphosyntax; the third added measures of expressive and receptive vocabulary, verbal working memory, and nonverbal intelligence (NVIQ). Analysis included descriptives and comparison of individual performance with epidemiological criteria for LI. Results: All participants qualified for LI, with overall receptive and expressive language scores persistently in the LI range. Other outcomes were variable. Some participants had nonword repetition and vocabulary abilities within age expectations, and some consistently showed adultlike morphosyntactic performance. NVIQ was variable, with no consistent associations with language outcomes. Discussion: Our findings support the use of the current protocol, as implemented in person or online, to identify LI in autistic adolescents and young adults. This exploratory work is limited by a small sample and missing data. The findings contribute to our understanding of linguistic strengths and variability in the language skills of autistic young adults with LI., Although early language acquisition is predictive of later outcomes in autistic individuals (Howlin & Magiati, 2017; Tager-Flusberg, 2016), there is a broad knowledge gap about the language abilities of autistic [...]

To evaluate the relationship between the severity of autism, severity of gastrointestinal symptoms and serum zonulin levels as a marker of increased intestinal permeability in children. Serum zonulin levels were determined in 56 children with ASDs and 55 healthy children. The severity of gastrointestinal symptoms and ASD symptoms was assessed with the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), respectively. Serum zonulin levels were significantly higher than healthy controls in children with severe autism. A positive correlation was found between the CARS score, GSRS score and serum zonulin levels (r = ; P < .001). Our findings suggest that the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms and severity of autism might be related to increased intestinal permeability in ASDs children., Author(s): Selen Karagözlü [sup.1] [sup.4] , Buket Dalgiç [sup.2] , Elvan Iseri [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.25769.3f, 0000 0001 2169 7132, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, Gazi University, , Ankara, [...]

Recent evidence suggests that, contrary to traditional views, empathy difficulties may not be a core feature of autism; but are rather due to co-occurring alexithymia. Empathy, alexithymia and autistic traits have yet to be examined concurrently in children. Therefore, we examined the co-occurrence of empathy difficulties and alexithymia in 59 typically developing and 5 autistic children. Multiple measures (self-report, parent-report and a behavioural task) were used to evaluate empathy and to assess differences in self- and parent-reports using multiple regressions. Alexithymia was found to predict empathy significantly better than autistic traits, providing support for the alexithymia hypothesis. From a therapeutic perspective, results suggest autistic children who screen positive for elevated alexithymic traits may benefit from additional support targeting emotion identification., Author(s): Lydia Gabriela Speyer [sup.1] , Ruth Harriet Brown [sup.1] , Lorna Camus [sup.2] , Aja Louise Murray [sup.1] , Bonnie Auyeung [sup.1] [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.4305.2, 0000 0004 [...]

Self-injurious behaviour is purportedly common in autism, but prevalence rates have not yet been synthesised meta-analytically. In the present study, data from 14,379 participants in thirty-seven papers were analysed to generate a pooled prevalence estimate of self-injury in autism of 42% (confidence intervals 0.38-0.47). Hand-hitting topography was the most common form of self-injury (23%), self-cutting topography the least common (3%). Sub-group analyses revealed no association between study quality, participant intellectual disability or age and overall prevalence rate of self-injury. However, females obtained higher prevalence rates than males (p = .013) and hair pulling and self-scratching were associated with intellectual disability (p = .008 and p = .002, respectively). The results confirm very high rates of self-injury in autism and highlight within group risk-markers., Author(s): Catherine Steenfeldt-Kristensen [sup.1] [sup.2] , Chris A. Jones [sup.1] , Caroline Richards [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.6572.6, 0000 0004 1936 7486, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, , Edgbaston, [...]

Purpose: People with high-functioning autism (HFA) have qualitative differences in facial expression and prosody production, which are rarely systematically quantified. The authors' goals were to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze prosody and facial expression productions in children and adolescents with HFA. Method: Participants were 22 male children and adolescents with HFA and 18 typically developing (TD) controls (17 males, 1 female). The authors used a story retelling task to elicit emotionally laden narratives, which were analyzed through the use of acoustic measures and perceptual codes. Naive listeners coded all productions for emotion type, degree of expressiveness, and awkwardness. Results: The group with HFA was not significantly different in accuracy or expressiveness of facial productions, but was significantly more awkward than the TD group. Participants with HFA were significantly more expressive in their vocal productions, with a trend for greater awkwardness. Severity of social communication impairment, as captured by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS; Lord, Rutter, DiLavore, & Risi, 1999), was correlated with greater vocal and facial awkwardness. Conclusions: Facial and vocal expressions of participants with HFA were as recognizable as those of their TD peers but were qualitatively different, particularly when listeners coded samples with intact dynamic properties. These preliminary data show qualitative differences in nonverbal communication that may have significant negative impact on the social communication success of children and adolescents with HFA. Key Words: autism, facial expressions, prosody, production, social communication, Since the earliest descriptions by Kanner (1968) and Asperger (1944), one of the defining characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the production of unusual facial expressions and prosody. Prosody [...]

Social skills are important treatment targets for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) across the lifespan. However, few treatments are available for adolescents and adults with ASD who also have severe to profound intellectual disability (S/PID). Several social skill interventions have been described that may improve social skills in this population, including video modeling, developmental, peer-mediated, behavioral, and structured teaching interventions. However, significant challenges in research design and methodology exist across these studies. This paper reviews research examining social skill interventions for youth and adults with ASD and S/PID and points out weaknesses and challenges in this literature. We propose a developmental framework of adapting early childhood interventions for use with youth and adults with ASD and S/PID as one starting point for intervention development. Keywords Social skills * Intellectual disability * Intervention * Adults, Introduction Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication and the presence of restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests (American Psychiatric Association 2000; Filipek [...]

The ability to remember past experiences (episodic memory) is thought to be related to the ability to imagine possible future experiences (episodic future thinking). Although previous research has established that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have diminished episodic memory, episodic future thinking has not previously been investigated within this population. In the present study, high-functioning adults with ASD were compared to closely matched typical adults on a task requiring participants to report a series of events that happened to them in the past and a series of events that might happen to them in the future. For each event described, participants completed two modified Memory Characteristics Questionnaire items to assess self-reported phenomenal qualities associated with remembering and imagining, including self-perspective and degree of autonoetic awareness. Participants also completed letter, category, and ideational fluency tasks. Results indicated that participants with ASD recalled/imagined significantly fewer specific events than did comparison participants and that participants with ASD demonstrated impaired episodic memory and episodic future thinking. In line with this finding, participants with ASD were less likely than comparison participants to report taking a field (first-person) perspective and were more likely to report taking an observer (third-person) perspective during retrieval of past events (but not during simulation of future events), highlighting that they were less likely to mentally reexperience past events from their own point of view. There were no group differences in self-reported levels of autonoetic awareness or fluency task performance. Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, episodic future thinking, episodic memory, perspective, prospection DOI: 10.1037/a0020631

The 'broken-mirror' theory of autism argues that dysfunction of the 'mirror neuron system' is a root cause of social disability in autism. The present paper aims to scrutinize this theory and, when it breaks down, to provide an alternative. Current evidence suggests that children with autism are able to understand and emulate goal-directed actions, but may have specific impairments in automatic mimicry of actions without goals. These data are not compatible with the broken-mirror theory, but can be accounted for by a new model called EP-M. The EP-M model segments the mirror neuron system into an indirect, parietal route for goal emulation and planning (EP) and a direct occipital-frontal route for mimicry (M). This fractionation is consistent with neuroimaging and behavioural studies of the mirror neuron system in typical children and adults. I suggest that top-down modulation of the direct M route may be dysfunctional in individuals with autism, leading to abnormal behaviours on mimicry tasks as well as other social disabilities.

Evidence is reviewed suggesting that, in the general population, empathizing and systemizing show strong sex differences. The function of systemizing is to predict lawful events, including lawful change, or patterns in data. Also reviewed is the evidence that individuals on the autistic spectrum have degrees of empathizing difficulties alongside hypersystemizing. The hypersystemizing theory of autism spectrum conditions (ASC) proposes that people with ASC have an unusually strong drive to systemize. This can explain their preference for systems that change in highly lawful or predictable ways; why they become disabled when faced with systems characterized by less lawful change; and their 'need for sameness' or 'resistance to change'. If 'truth' is defined as lawful patterns in data then, according to the hypersystemizing theory, people with ASC are strongly driven to discover the 'truth'.

Uta Frith has made a major contribution to our understanding of developmental disorders, especially autism and dyslexia. She has studied the cognitive and neurobiological bases of both disorders and demonstrated distinctive impairments in social cognition and central coherence in autism, and in phonological processing in dyslexia. In this enterprise she has encouraged psychologists to work in a theoretical framework that distinguishes between observed behaviour and the underlying cognitive and neurobiological processes that mediate that behaviour.

Although catatonia has been identified in individuals with autism spectrum disorders, little is known about this relationship. Studies on previous case reports dealing with the relationship between catatonia and autism spectrum disorders are reviewed, then the case of a 28-yr.-old Japanese woman with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder who exhibited mood disorder and catatonia is described. Her mood disorder was apparently induced by a crisis of her 'inner world,' constituted as a way of coping with a sense of alienation, related to her impaired development in reciprocal social interaction. Environmental change, a precipitating factor, induced alternation between catatonia and depression. Fluvoxamine ameliorated both features. The catatonia identified in this patient is considered to be symptom derived from depression. Given the limitation of this single case, such a conclusion is necessarily tentative. Closer investigation into cases in which patients with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders describe their own psychological experiences should be pursued.

Byline: Sabrina Baieli (1), Lorenzo Pavone (1), Concetta Meli (2), Agata Fiumara (1,2), Mary Coleman (3) Keywords: Phenylketonuria; autism association Abstract: Phenylketonuria (PKU) has been also reported in children with infantile autism (IA) however, the frequency of this association is variably reported. Patients with various forms of hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) were evaluated applying two methods: the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). A total of 243 patients were investigated, 97 with classical PKU, 62 identified by neonatal screening, and 35 late diagnosed. None out of 62 patients with classic PKU diagnosed early met criteria for autism. In the group of 35 patients diagnosed late, two boys (5.71%) ages 16 and 13 years fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for autism. The present study confirms that classical PKU is one of the causes of autism, but the prevalence seems to be very low. Author Affiliation: (1) Division of Paediatric Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Catania, Italy (2) Regional Center for Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Department of Paediatrics, University of Catania, Italy (3) Department of Paediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA Article History: Registration Date: 05/10/2004

Byline: Mohammad Ghaziuddin (1), Neera Ghaziuddin (1), John Greden (1) Keywords: Autism; Asperger syndrome; depression treatment; comorbidity; outcome Abstract: Although several studies have investigated the occurrence of medical and neurological conditions in persons with autism, relatively few reports have focused on the phenomenology and treatment of psychiatric disorders in this population. There is emerging evidence that depression is probably the most common psychiatric disorder that occurs in autistic persons. In this review, we examine the factors that influence the presence of depression in this population, such as the level of intelligence, age, gender, associated medical conditions, and the role of genetic factors and life events. We discuss the various forms of treatment available and highlight the need for early detection. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109 Article History: Registration Date: 12/10/2004

Byline: Marlene B. Lauritsen (1), Ole Mors (1), Preben B. Mortensen (1,2), Henrik Ewald (1) Keywords: Autism; autism, infantile; medical disorders; etiology; Denmark; incidence Abstract: Possible associations between autism and specific medical disorders have been suggested, and this could be of relevance in the clinical examination and treatment of patients and may help to identify factors involved in the etiology or pathophysiology of autism. Two population-based Danish registers were used to investigate the occurrence of medical disorders in patients with autism according to ICD-8 and in a matched control sample. A total of 29 of the 244 patients (11.9%) diagnosed with autism had one or more medical disorders. In contrast to previous studies, we did not find an increased occurrence of almost any medical disorders. A highly significant increased frequency of congenital malformations was found, which may indicate abnormalities in embryogenesis in the etiology of autism. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Psychiatric Demography, Institute for Basic Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric Hospital in Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark (2) National Centre for Register-based Research, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark Article History: Registration Date: 30/09/2004

Byline: Nicole J. Rinehart (1), John L. Bradshaw (1), Avril V. Brereton (2), Bruce J. Tonge (2) Keywords: Asperger disorder; autism; movement execution; movement preparation Abstract: Autism and Asperger disorder have long been associated with movement abnormalities, although the neurobehavioural details of these abnormalities remain poorly defined. Clumsiness has traditionally been associated with Asperger disorder but not autism, although this is controversial. Others have suggested that both groups demonstrate a similar global motor delay. In this study we aimed to determine whether movement preparation or movement execution was atypical in these disorders and to describe any differences between autism and Asperger disorder. A simple motor reprogramming task was employed. The results indicated that individuals with autism and Asperger disorder have atypical movement preparation with an intact ability to execute movement. An atypical deficit in motor preparation was found in Asperger disorder, whereas movement preparation was characterized by a 'lack of anticipation' in autism. The differences in movement preparation profiles in these disorders were suggested to reflect differential involvement of the fronto-striatal region, in particular the supplementary motor area and anterior cingulate. Author Affiliation: (1) Neuropsychology Research Unit, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia, 3168 (2) Monash University Centre for Developmental Psychiatry, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria, Australia, 3168 Article History: Registration Date: 16/10/2004

Byline: Roberto Tuchman (1) Keywords: Autism; seizure disorders; EEG abnormalities Abstract: The treatment of seizure disorders EEG epileptiform abnormalities without epilepsy in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is considered within the context of the relationship of epilepsy and epileptiform disorders to language, behavior, and cognition. There is an increased prevalence of both epilepsy and abnormal potentially epileptogenic activity in children with ASD. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the use of anticonvulsants to treat epileptiform discharges thought to be producing dysfunction in selected aspects of cognition, language, or behavior makes a positive difference in a subgroup of children with ASD, but there is inadequate evidence on which to base specific recommendations. There is, at present, no scientific justification for considering epilepsy surgery in children with ASD in the absence of intractable clinical seizures. Author Affiliation: (1) Miami Children's Hospital, Weston, Florida Article History: Registration Date: 09/10/2004

Byline: Theodore Page (1) Keywords: Autism; metabolic abnormalities; enzyme defects Abstract: Although the exact prevalence of metabolic abnormalities in autism spectrum disorders is unknown, several metabolic defects have been associated with autistic symptoms. These include phenylketonuria, histidinemia, adenylosuccinate lyase deficiency, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency, 5 -nucleotidase superactivity, and phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase deficiency. When the metabolic consequences of an enzyme defect are well defined (e.g., phenylketonuria, 5 -nucleotidase superactivity), treatment with diet, drugs, or nutritional supplements may bring about a dramatic reduction in autistic symptoms. This review evaluates evidence for metabolic etiologies in autism spectrum disorders, as well as for the efficacy of dietary and vitamin treatments. The relationship between gastrointestinal abnormalities and autism spectrum disorders is also considered. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California Article History: Registration Date: 09/10/2004

Byline: Michael G. Aman (1), Kristen S. Langworthy (1) Keywords: Autism; hyperactivity; PDDNOS; overactivity; pharmacotherapy; inattention Abstract: We reviewed pharmacological treatments used in children with autism and PDD-NOS who present with hyperactive symptoms. Some 41 studies were identified from the following drug categories: antipsychotics (n = 13), serotonin reuptake inhibitors (n = 3), antianxiety drugs (n = 4), psychostimulants (n = 10), alpha adrenergic agonists (n = 2), opiate blockers (n = 7), and other drugs (n = 2). Empirical evidence for significant reductions in hyperactive symptoms was strongest for the antipsychotics, psychostimulants, and naltrexone. Most studies have focused on the reduction of overactivity, and more emphasis needs to be placed on distractibility and attentional variables. A theoretical model was proposed in which participants' attentional performance may be used to predict clinical response to psychostimulants. More carefully controlled and comprehensive studies of hyperactivity are badly needed in these children. Author Affiliation: (1) The Nisonger Center for Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio Article History: Registration Date: 09/10/2004

Byline: Kimberly A. Schreck (1), James A. Mulick (2) Keywords: Mental retardation; autism; sleep disorders Abstract: This research evaluated parent reports of sleep behaviors of four groups of children: those with Autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorders, those with General Mental Retardation alone, those attending Special Education classes (with no MR diagnosis), and a control group of similar aged children without a developmental diagnosis. Diagnostic classification and demographic information were determined through parent report, report of classroom registration, and the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (Gilliam, 1995). To evaluate sleeping behavior the study used a 28-item, five-factor scale (Behavioral Evaluation of Disorders of Sleep/BEDS Schreck, 1997/1998) constructed from the diagnostic criteria for childhood sleep disorders found in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders: Diagnostic and Coding Manual (ICSD, American Sleep Disorders Association, 1990). Findings suggest that reports of parents with children with autistic characteristics exhibit expected quantities of sleep, but parent perception of their sleep difficulties and sleep quality is different for children with autism than for children in all other study groups. Author Affiliation: (1) Penn State-Harrisburg, Middletown, Pennsylvania (2) Department of Pediatric Psychology, Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210 Article History: Registration Date: 09/10/2004

Byline: Ulf Rosenhall (1), Viviann Nordin (2), Mikael Sandstrom (1), Gunilla Ahlsen (3), Christopher Gillberg (2) Keywords: Autistic disorder; hearing loss; serous otitis media; hyperacusis Abstract: A group of 199 children and adolescents (153 boys, 46 girls) with autistic disorder was audiologically evaluated. Mild to moderate hearing loss was diagnosed in 7.9% and unilateral hearing loss in 1.6% of those who could be tested appropriately. Pronounced to profound bilateral hearing loss or deafness was diagnosed in 3.5% of all cases, representing a prevalence considerably above that in the general population and comparable to the prevalence found in populations with mental retardation. Hearing deficits in autism occurred at similar rates at all levels of intellectual functioning, so it does not appear that the covariation with intellectual impairment per se can account for all of the variance of hearing deficit in autism. Hyperacusis was common, affecting 18.0% of the autism group and 0% in an age-matched nonautism comparison group. In addition, the rate of serous otitis media (23.5%) and related conductive hearing loss (18.3%) appeared to be increased in autistic disorder. The study emphasizes the need for auditory evaluation of individuals with autism in order to refer those with pronouced to profound hearing loss for aural habilitation and to follow those with mild to moderate hearing loss because of the risk of deterioration. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Audiology, Karolinska Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (2) Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sahlgren University Hospital, Goteborg University, Goteborg, Sweden (3) Department of Neurophysiology, Orebro Hospital, Orebro, Sweden Article History: Registration Date: 30/09/2004

Byline: Meena O'Neill (1), Robert S. P. Jones (1) Abstract: Sensory-perceptual abnormalities in people with autism are discussed from two perspectives: published firsthand accounts and existing psychological research evidence. A range of abnormalities, including hyper- and hyposensitivity, sensory distortion and overload, and multichannel receptivity and processing difficulties, are described in firsthand accounts and frequently portrayed as central to the autistic experience. A number of dangers are inherent in uncritically accepting these accounts at face value and in any wider generalization to the autistic population as a whole. Evidence from clinical studies suggests that unusual sensory responses are present in a majority of autistic children, that they are manifested very early in development, and that they may be linked with other aspects of autistic behavior. In addition, experimental studies using a range of indices have found evidence of unusual responses to sensory stimuli in autistic subjects. However the clinical and experimental research to date suffers from serious methodological limitations and more systematic investigation is warranted. Key issues for future psychological research in the area are identified. Author Affiliation: (1) Gwynedd Community Health Trust and University of Wales, Bangor (2) Department of Psychology, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG, United Kingdom Article History: Registration Date: 09/09/2004

Byline: Mary E. Van Bourgondien (1), Nancy C. Reichle (1), Ann Palmer (1) Abstract: A survey of the sexual behavior of 89 adults with autism living in group homes in North Carolina found that the majority of individuals were engaging in some form of sexual behavior. Masturbation was the most common sexual behavior. However, person-oriented sexual behaviors with obvious signs of arousal were also present in one third of the sample. The relationship between sexual behavior and demographic variables and other types of behaviors is explored. Information regarding group home sexuality policies and procedures are described. Author Affiliation: (1) Division TEACCH, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Article History: Registration Date: 22/09/2004