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Research
Developmental Vitamin D Deficiency in Pregnant Rats Does Not Induce PreeclampsiaPreeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder characterized by hypertension. Epidemiological studies have associated preeclampsia with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring, such as autism and schizophrenia. Preeclampsia has also been linked with maternal vitamin D deficiency, another candidate risk factor also associated with autism.
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An evidence-based framework for determining the optimal amount of intervention for autistic childrenThe provision of timely, effective, and socially valid non-pharmacological intervention is at the core of efforts to support the development of young autistic children. These efforts are intended to support children to develop skills, empower their caregivers, and lay the foundation for optimal choice, independence, and quality of life into adulthood.
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A Survey of Autistic Adults from New Zealand on the Autism Diagnostic Process During Adolescence and AdulthoodThe diagnostic experiences of autistic adults in New Zealand have not been investigated and little is known globally about autistic adults' satisfaction with the autism diagnostic process. This study describes the diagnostic experiences of 70 autistic adults living in New Zealand and explores how these experiences are related to satisfaction during three stages of the diagnostic process. The results show that autistic adults were reasonably satisfied with the early query and diagnostic assessment stages, but were dissatisfied with the post-diagnostic support stage, with significant unmet needs. Dissatisfaction during the post-diagnostic support stage was also related to satisfaction during previous stages and poor coordination of supports. Suggestions are made on how to improve the autism diagnostic pathway for autistic adults in New Zealand.
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Parent-reported Early Atypical Development and Age of Diagnosis for Children with Co-occurring Autism and ADHDAutism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often co-occur. This survey of 288 New Zealand parents of children diagnosed with autism, ADHD, or both conditions, examined the relations between age of diagnosis and early atypical development, the age specialist consultation was needed and types of specialists seen.
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Parent-reported atypical development in the first year of life and age of autism diagnosisThis study examined whether parent-reported atypical development in their child's first year was associated with age of diagnosis and age when parents first needed to consult a specialist about their child's development.
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Social impairments in autism spectrum disorder are related to maternal immune history profilethis study is the first to show an association between immune activation history in the mother and increased ASD symptom severity in children with ASD
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Does perinatal exposure to exogenous oxytocin influence child behavioural problems and autistic-like behaviours to 20 years of ageThis study is the first to investigate longitudinal mental health outcomes associated with the use of oxytocin-based medications during labour
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Age invariance in rapid facial affective reactions to emotionally valenced stimuliRapid facial reactions to emotional stimuli are intact in late adulthood, even in response to stimuli that activate more automatic and implicit forms of emotion processing
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Prenatal maternal stress events and phenotypic outcomes in Autism Spectrum DisorderASD, in the context of prenatal maternal stress exposure, may be associated with a more severe phenotype, particularly when there are multiple prenatal exposures
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Cannabis-induced attenuated psychotic symptoms: implications for prognosis in young people at ultra-high risk for psychosisThis study examined UHR transition risk as a function of cannabis use characteristics which vary largely between people, due to a variety of factors.