Research by Topic: intervention

The extra benefit of caregiver mediated interventions

Published August 28, 2019 in ASF Podcasr

This week, a new systematic review published by researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute looked at the existing evidence around caregiver (parent) mediated interventions and not child outcome, but family relationships and dynamics. While it isn’t the focus on the intervention, what effect does allowing parents to be involved and empowered on their child’s support on […]

https://asfpodcast.org/archives/804

Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere: preparing early interventions for the community

Published July 8, 2019 in ASF Podcast

This week two groups of heroes of autism research published studies that may not be the type of major breakthrough that the media reports on, but they are more important to families:  These studies help translate what works in the research clinic into the community.  Specifically, is it even possible, how, and what do families […]

https://asfpodcast.org/archives/783

Filed under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Guys, we all need exercise

Published July 2, 2019 in ASF Podcast

People with autism are less likely to be physically active and more likely to be sedentary.    A number of studies have looked into different physical activities, both group based and individually, on improvements in health as well as core features of autism, and most have had positive results.  New animal model research demonstrates a […]

https://asfpodcast.org/archives/768

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

How do parents choose different interventions?

Published July 2, 2019 in ASF Podcast

Parents have choices of dozens of different autism interventions, available in private and public settings.  A new study explores factors which influence parents decisions on different interventions, how they are similar to each other and different.  They include cognitive ability of their kids with ASD and economic resources.  Parents in the US may have similarities […]

https://asfpodcast.org/archives/746

Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

This study is s**t

Published July 2, 2019 in ASF Podcast

You may have heard on the internet that a new “radical” treatment leads to a “50% reduction” in autism symptoms.  This radical treatment is fecal transplants, which is taking the bacteria from the feces from one person and putting them in another person.  This is a still experimental treatment, and while the microbiome should be […]

https://asfpodcast.org/archives/737

Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

The good and evil sides of technology use by autistics

Published July 2, 2019 in ASF Podcast

This year’s Day of Learning included two presentations on the use of technology among people with autism.  As it turns out, technology can be great.  In fact, a new study using Google Glass shows promise in improving socialization.  On the other hand, sometimes technology can have a downside.  People with autism spend more time than […]

https://asfpodcast.org/archives/732

Filed under: , , , , , , , , ,

Meta-analysis of parent-mediated interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorder

Published June 26, 2019 in Autism

A number of studies of parent-mediated interventions in autism spectrum disorder have been published in the last 15 years. We reviewed 19 randomized clinical trials of parent-mediated interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder between the ages of 1 and 6 years and conducted a meta-analysis on their efficacy. Meta-analysis outcomes were autism spectrum disorder symptom severity, […]

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1362361316677838

Filed under: , , , , ,

Cluster randomized trial of the classroom SCERTS intervention for elementary students with autism spectrum disorder

Published June 26, 2019 in Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

OBJECTIVE: This cluster randomized trial (CRT) evaluated the efficacy of the Classroom Social, Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Support (SCERTS) Intervention (CSI) compared with usual school-based education with autism training modules (ATM). METHOD: Sixty schools with 197 students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 129 classrooms were randomly assigned to CSI or ATM. Mean student […]

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-30216-006

Filed under: , , ,

Parent-delivered early intervention in infants at risk for ASD: Effects on electrophysiological and habituation measures of social attention

Published June 24, 2019 in Autism Research

Prospective longitudinal studies of infants with older siblings with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have indicated that differences in the neurocognitive systems underlying social attention may emerge prior to the child meeting ASD diagnostic criteria. Thus, targeting social attention with early intervention might have the potential to alter developmental trajectories for infants at high risk for […]

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aur.1754

Filed under: , , , , ,

Podcast: Can IGF-1 treat autism symptoms? A clinical trial aims to find out

Published September 10, 2018

Researchers at Mount Sinai led by Alex Kolevzon are running a clinical trial of the compound insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) for children with idiopathic autism. Dr. Kolevzon’s team previously demonstrated the safety and feasibility of IGF-1 in treating Phelan-McDermid syndrome, a single-gene form of autism. Particularly, the IGF-1 treatment improved symptoms of social impairment […]

Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Podcast: PMS – It’s not what you think

Published July 30, 2018

On this week’s podcast, highlights from the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation 2018 International Family Conference in Dallas, TX. People with Phelan McDermid Syndrome, or PMS, suffer from seizures and intellectual disability, and about 70% have an ASD diagnosis. This syndrome is caused by mutations of the SHANK3 gene, which is present in about 1% of people […]

Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Classroom interventions that work

Published July 23, 2018

On this week’s podcast, two studies that used a randomized design to show how interventions can be delivered in the classroom.

Filed under: , , , , , , , , ,

ASF renews grant to expand Baby Sibs research

Published July 2, 2018

ASF is proud to announce continued support for the Baby Siblings Research Consortium (BSRC), a network of over 33 research sites around the world studying the younger siblings of people with autism. The Baby Sibs database now tracks over 5,000 younger siblings, with and without autism. The database has been used to develop more sophisticated […]

Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

5th Annual Day of Learning videos now online!

Published May 1, 2018

Videos of all the presentations at ASF’s 5th Annual Day of Learning held on April 11 are now available online. You can view them here. Topics include gender differences in autism, sleep problems in autism, the potential of medical marijuana as an autism treatment, adult outcomes, the role of dietary interventions, and the perception of […]

Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Clinical trials talk with Tom Frazier from Autism Speaks

Published April 30, 2018

On this week’s podcast, two chief science officers! Dr. Alycia Halladay interviewed Dr. Thomas Frazier of Autism Speaks on what’s needed to improve clinical trials and drug intervention for autism. The two CSOs also discussed other important in ASD research, including disclosure of a diagnosis, sex differences, and some of the newest more exciting findings.

Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Hip hip hooray for toddler interventions for autism

Published April 17, 2017

As always, good news and bad news in autism this week. First the good news: an intervention given between 9-14 months of age in children with a high probability of having an autism diagnosis improved autism symptoms at 3 years of age. Now the bad: mothers who experience severe childhood abuse are more likely to […]

Filed under: , ,

In defense of ABA

Published August 23, 2016

Recently, the practice of Applied Behavioral Analysis, or ABA, has come under fire in the autism blogosphere for being abusive and manipulative with the purpose of mind control.  Instead of defending the practice, or pointing out the factual errors in recent articles, ASF realized the most productive way to address some of the issues is […]

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Highlights from the International Meeting for Autism Research

Published May 19, 2016

Last week, over 2000 autism researchers convened in Baltimore, Maryland for the largest meeting in the world dedicated to sharing the latest information in autism research.  This week’s podcast summarizes some of the meeting, with help from the ASF travel awardees.  The topics ranged from causes (genetic and environmental) to interventions in real-world settings to […]

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Help for people with minimal language

Published March 16, 2016

About 25-30% of children with autism show language impairment or no language at all, and these families often use assisted communication devices like picture exchange to help their children communicate.  Recently, electronic communication devices like the iPad have revolutionized the way that people communicate, but little research has been done on how and if they […]

Filed under: , , , ,