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How does autism prediction work?

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This podcast provides updates on studies that help with prediction of an autism diagnosis – which is important for preparing for the future and for intervening early. First, a study that uses environmental factors to create an equation for the probability of a diagnosis following a combination of of non-genetic factors only which does a fairly good, but not perfect, job at predicting a diagnosis. Second, a study that looks at the accuracy of a machine that predicts autism from eye gaze as early as 9 months of age and with only a 2 minute test. This one wasn’t as accurate as the one that takes longer and tests older kids, but it’s a first step. No ONE thing does a perfect job at predicting a diagnosis – it’s going to be a combination of things, tested over time and multiple times that will be most helpful at predicting a diagnosis. Both studies are open access!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10904522/pdf/fpsyt-15-1291356.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/38429348/

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Here’s what you won’t hear about that new JAMA study on Twitter

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A couple of weeks ago, a group in Australia published a study that investigated the efficacy of a “preemptive” intervention. That is, what happens if you provide support to parents to improve social communication, interaction and skills in infants before a diagnosis can be made? The results have a lot of meaningful implications of what interventions are possible at this age, how they can be delivered, and what it means to NOT receive an autism diagnosis but still show challenges. But the Twitter hive didn’t perceive it that way. This week I explain what the study did and didn’t do, and how it can help people across the spectrum.

Open access here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8453361/

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How in research helping indigenous families with ASD?

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On this day, October 12th, we celebrate Indigenous People’s Day by talking about how many indigenous people have ASD, what services to they receive and what are scientists around the world doing to help them. It’s not enough, but it’s a start.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32762685/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31999495/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31928063/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19962033/

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Let’s talk about sex (and sexuality)

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While certainly not a new topic of interest, the number of research studies and publications on the sexuality of people with autism has exploded in the past year.  Research shows more people with autism reporting they don’t conform to traditional sexual definitions.   In addition to having to navigate the world of having autism, they also have to figure out how to deal with exclusion based on sexual orientation and coming out.  They are a double disadvantaged community.   Also, females with autism seem to be at particular risk of poor sexual experiences.  This podcast reviews the research all leading to a reported need for better sexual education, and a promising intervention to help people with ASD.  Publications cited are:

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29086210

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5570786/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27565655

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28877047

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28342163

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28299510

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28691307

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More on that Korea Daily mess. Plus early detection of ASD does improve outcomes.

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This podcast was going to be dedicated to new early detection research which shows what the USPSTF has been looking for – the link between early detection, early intervention, and improved outcomes in a community setting.  Those findings are still included this week, but there is a slight diversion in theme.  The podcast will also include  an explanation of the immune/microbiome study published in Nature and misrepresented  by Korea Daily.  The study is important, however, the media sensationalized the findings and did the research no favors by labeling it a “major cause”.   Learn what the study did and what it actually discovered in this week’s podcast.

 

Here are the references of the studies mentioned in the podcast:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28902840

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28905160

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27474118