functional outcome in late adolescence/early adulthood of patients with autism spectrum disorder and its relationships with parental burnout and depression: A preliminary multi-center, cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study is to determine the functioning of adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) diagnosed in childhood and depression and burnout levels among their parents. A total of 261 adults with ASDs and their parents were recruited for the study. Both parents completed the Beck Depression and Maslach Burnout Inventories and reported the functioning of their adult offspring with ASDs. Only 5.4 % of our sample reported "good" or "very good" outcomes. The most common psychiatric comorbidities were intellectual disabilities and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Maternal burnout and depression scores were significantly elevated compared to those of fathers. There is an undeniable urgent need for more research to identify the needs of adults and families suffering from ASD. Modifications for those with ASD may have to be made for support in workplaces, achieving driving licenses, using public transportation and attendance at tertiary education.

Sociodemographic and social barriers to early detection of autism.

BACKGROUND: The increasing incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common finding of many studies. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment approaches for ASD can provide favourable clinical outcomes. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting the age at diagnosis, in children with ASD. METHODS: Two hundred and two cases diagnosed with ASD were included in the study, according to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, at the Mersin City Training and Research Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry outpatient clinics, between April 2021 and August 2022. Clinical features and sociodemographic data that may be related to early diagnosis were investigated. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 36.76 ± 15.30 months. In 71.3% of cases parents were the first to suspect that children were developmentally different. In 38.1% of the cases, at least one of the parents denied the symptoms and evaluated their child`s development as age-appropriate. It was found that 32.7% of the cases evaluated by pediatricians and 32.5% of cases evaluated by family physicians, were referred to child psychiatry examination. The present study revealed that higher educational level of the father and the middlehigh socioeconomic status, were associated with early diagnosis. There was also a positive correlation between paternal age and age at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The age at diagnosis is below the target level for early diagnosis. Studies should focus on increasing awareness of health professionals and parents about ASD.

Correlates and predictors of re-incarceration among Turkish adolescent male offenders: A single-center, cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents involved in the legal system are known to be under elevated risk for repeat offending. There may be many reasons for recidivism. Specifically, we aim to investigate the clinical, socio-demographic, and familial factors and psychopathology among adolescents in a penal institution and to determine risk factors for re-incarceration. METHODS: This single-center cross-sectional survey was conducted at Tarsus Closed Penal Institution for Children and Youth. This institution is for males only, and all male adolescents detained at the center within the study period were evaluated with semi-structured interviews (K-SADS-PL). The adolescents completed Meaning and Purpose of Life Scale, The EPOCH measure of Adolescent Well-being, Family Sense of Belonging Scale, Children's Alexithymia Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for themselves. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used. P was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Ninety adolescent offenders with a mean age of 16.6 years (S·D = 0.7) were enrolled. Mean age at first offense was 14.6 years (S·D = 2.1). The most common reason for offenses was reported as as being with peers who were offenders, too (57.8%). Most common diagnoses were substance use (36.7%), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (33.3%), and conduct disorder (26.7%). Rates of offending and conviction in first-degree relatives were 62.2% and 60.0%, respectively, and most of the adolescents had at least one peer with a criminal record (n = 71, 78.9%). Re-incarcerated adolescents had lower education, committed more violent crimes, and reported elevated use of substances, suicide attempts, and psychopathology. However, in regression analysis, age of onset was the sole predictor of re-incarceration. CONCLUSION: Turkish male adolescents in forensic settings may be screened for externalizing disorders and referred for treatment. Re-incarcerated Turkish youth may be more susceptible to peer influence, substance use and externalizing disorders. It may be prudent to systematically screen offending youth for psychiatric disorders regardless of the individual's request for treatment and refer identified cases to treatment. Integration of child and adolescent psychiatrists with penal institutions serving youth may help in this regard.