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Commentary: A spectrum for all? A response to Green et al. (2023), neurodiversity, autism and health careThe broadening of the clinical definition of autism over time-the so-called, autism spectrum-has run in parallel with the growth of a neurodiversity movement that has reframed the concept of autism entirely. Without a coherent and evidence-based framework through which both of these advances can be situated, the field is at risk of losing definition altogether.
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The Utility of Natural Language Samples for Assessing Communication and Language in Infants Referred with Early Signs of AutismNatural Language Sampling (NLS) offers clear potential for communication and language assessment, where other data might be difficult to interpret. We leveraged existing primary data for 18-month-olds showing early signs of autism, to examine the reliability and concurrent construct validity of NLS-derived measures coded from video-of child language, parent linguistic input, and dyadic balance of communicative interaction-against standardised assessment scores. Using Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT) software and coding conventions, masked coders achieved good-to-excellent inter-rater agreement across all measures.
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A pilot randomised controlled trial of a telehealth-delivered brief ‘Sleeping Sound Autism’ intervention for autistic childrenAccess to behavioural sleep intervention is beneficial for autistic children, yet many families face barriers to access associated with location and time. Preliminary evidence supports telehealth-delivered sleep intervention. However, no studies have evaluated brief telehealth sleep intervention.
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Evidence for Distinct Cognitive Profiles in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Specific Language ImpairmentThis finding supports distinct cognitive profiles in ASD and SLI and may provide further evidence for distinct aetiological mechanisms in the two conditions.
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Is autism one or multiple disorders?Elucidating the underlying nature of the disorder(s) is a crucial step towards tailoring intervention to the biological and cognitive makeup of each individual.
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Maternal Vitamin D Levels and the Autism Phenotype Among OffspringWe tested whether maternal vitamin D insufficiency during pregnancy is related to the autism phenotype.
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The Dyslexia Candidate Locus on 2p12 Is Associated with General Cognitive Ability and White Matter StructureTo further explore the effect of disorder-associated genes on cognitive functions, we investigated whether they play a role in broader cognitive traits.
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Autism and intellectual disability are differentially related to sociodemographic background at birthWe used population data on Western Australian singletons born from 1984 to 1999 (n = 398,353) to examine the sociodemographic characteristics of children...
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Fetal androgen exposure and pragmatic language ability of girls in middle childhoodPrenatal exposure to testosterone has been shown to affect fetal brain maturation as well as postnatal cognition and behavior in animal studies.
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Fetal androgen exposure and pragmatic language ability of girls in middle childhood:This is the first prospective study to identify an association between early life testosterone exposure and pragmatic language difficulties in girls