Use of a Sensing Device to Visualizes Group Participation in Social Skills Learning Groups.

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have difficulties in developing stable peer relationships. Interventions for learning social skills (SS) for such children are often conducted in a group. Behavioral imaging and social imaging, which have been called for in recent years, are methods for visualizing children's behaviors and interpersonal relationships. To examine the usefulness of visualizing face-to-face interaction with others in the social skills learning scene of children with ASD, we use a business microscope that can qualify and visualize face-to-face interactions automatically. We highlight two boys' face-to-face interaction changes in the same SS learning group of five children. The device's use may provide a more objective measurement that complements the observer's subjective evaluation in case of the intervention's validation. It is expected that information on face-to-face interactions will be used to determine the SS learning process in the future.

Comprehensive comparison of self-administered questionnaires for measuring quantitative autistic traits in adults.

We comprehensively compared all available questionnaires for measuring quantitative autistic traits (QATs) in terms of reliability and construct validity in 3,147 non-clinical and 60 clinical subjects with normal intelligence. We examined four full-length forms, the Subthreshold Autism Trait Questionnaire (SATQ), the Broader Autism Phenotype Questionnaire, the Social Responsiveness Scale2-Adult Self report (SRS2-AS), and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). The SRS2-AS and the AQ each had several short forms that we also examined, bringing the total to 11 forms. Though all QAT questionnaires showed acceptable levels of test-retest reliability, the AQ and SRS2-AS, including their short forms, exhibited poor internal consistency and discriminant validity, respectively. The SATQ excelled in terms of classical test theory and due to its short length.

[Effectiveness of a modified parent training of smaller groups and shorter schedules for children with pervasive developmental disorders].

OBJECTIVE: We have previously reported the modified parent training of smaller groups and shorter schedules (PTSS). In this study, we applied PTSS to the mothers of children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) and revealed the new evidence for its effectiveness. METHODS: The participants were 30 mothers of children with PDD aged from 4.2 to 9.6 years. The effectiveness of PTSS was assessed with the confidence degree questionnaire (CDQ) and the child behavior checklist (CBCL), before and after each PTSS course. The recorded interviews were qualitatively analyzed using the KJ (Kawakita Jiro) methods. RESULTS: Average CDQ scores were clearly improved as previously reported. In addition, the CBCL total T-score was significantly improved, which was not observed in the previous study. About KJ methods, six factors that change of mothers recognition were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provides additional evidence for the usefulness of PTSS for children with PDD.

Reliability and validity of autism diagnostic interview-revised, Japanese version.

To examine the inter-rater reliability of Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, Japanese Version (ADI-R-JV), the authors recruited 51 individuals aged 3-19 years, interviewed by two independent raters. Subsequently, to assess the discriminant and diagnostic validity of ADI-R-JV, the authors investigated 317 individuals aged 2-19 years, who were divided into three diagnostic groups as follows: autistic disorder (AD), pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, and other psychiatric diagnosis or no diagnosis, according to the consensus clinical diagnosis. As regards inter-rater reliability, intraclass correlation coefficients of greater than 0.80 were obtained for all three domains of ADI-R-JV. As regards discriminant validity, the mean scores of the three domains was significantly higher in individuals with AD than in those of other diagnostic groups. As regards diagnostic validity, sensitivity and specificity for correctly diagnosing AD were 0.92 and 0.89, respectively, but sensitivity was 0.55 for individuals younger than 5 years. Specificity was consistently high regardless of age and intelligence. ADI-R-JV was shown to be a reliable tool, and has sufficient discriminant validity and satisfactory diagnostic validity for correctly diagnosing AD, although the diagnostic validity appeared to be compromised with respect to the diagnosis of younger individuals.

Differential responses of primary auditory cortex in autistic spectrum disorder with auditory hypersensitivity.

The aim of this study was to investigate the differential responses of the primary auditory cortex to auditory stimuli in autistic spectrum disorder with or without auditory hypersensitivity. Auditory-evoked field values were obtained from 18 boys (nine with and nine without auditory hypersensitivity) with autistic spectrum disorder and 12 age-matched controls. Autistic disorder with hypersensitivity showed significantly more delayed M50/M100 peak latencies than autistic disorder without hypersensitivity or the control. M50 dipole moments in the hypersensitivity group were larger than those in the other two groups [corrected]. M50/M100 peak latencies were correlated with the severity of auditory hypersensitivity; furthermore, severe hypersensitivity induced more behavioral problems. This study indicates auditory hypersensitivity in autistic spectrum disorder as a characteristic response of the primary auditory cortex, possibly resulting from neurological immaturity or functional abnormalities in it.

Effectiveness of modified parent training for mothers of children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder on parental confidence and children's behavior.

AIM: This study used parent training (PT), with modifications to smaller groups and shorter schedules (PTSS), for mothers of children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). The usefulness of PTSS was evaluated according to the parent's confidence and child's behavior by questionnaire. METHOD: PTSS was used on 14 mothers of 14 children with PDD of preschool to elementary school age, and performed in small groups of 3-4 mothers each. One PTSS course comprised six consecutive sessions and was completed within three months. The sessions consisted mainly of training for parenting skills, understanding the children's inappropriate behaviors, and helping the children adapt to school. The effectiveness of PTSS was assessed by changes in the scores for confidence degree questionnaire for families (CDQ) and the child behavior checklist (CBCL), determined before and after each course. RESULTS: The average CDQ scores increased for 17 of 18 items after completion of the PTSS course in all 14 mothers. The change was statistically significant in five items. Increases in average CDQ scores were also seen in 10 of 18 items assessed in fathers, although none were significant. The CBCL total T-score decreased in 10 of 14 children (71.4%). The remaining four children showed an increased CBCL total T-score. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that PTSS is useful based on changes in the parents' CDQ scores and children's CBCL scores.

T- and L-type calcium channels mediate alpha(1)-adrenoceptor-evoked contraction in the guinea-pig vas deferens.

AIMS: The importance of the T- and L-type Ca(2+) channels on the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction of guinea-pig vas deferens was investigated in relation to the SK and BK channels. METHODS: Isometric contractile response to electrical stimulation (ES) of 50 pulses at 40 Hz was recorded. ES responses were modulated via calcium and potassium channels in the presence of purinergic inhibitors. RESULTS: The alpha(1)-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction of guinea-pig vas deferens consisted of early and late alpha(1)-components. The early alpha(1)-component was insensitive to nifedipine (10 microM) but was suppressed by T-type Ca(2+) channel antagonists mibefradil and amiloride with IC50 values (microM) of 7.2 +/- 1.8 (n = 5) and 27.2 +/- 10.4 (n = 6), respectively. The late alpha(1)-component was inhibited by nifedipine, nimodipine and nicardipine with IC50 values (microM) of 0.19 +/- 0.04 (n = 5), 1.9 +/- 0.8 (n = 5), and 4.2 +/- 2.5 (n = 5), respectively. Nicardipine also inhibited the early alpha(1)-component with an IC50 value of 20.3 +/- 2.5 microM (n = 5). An SK channel antagonist apamin (1-100 nM) increased both early and late alpha(1)-components. A BK channel antagonist iberiotoxin (100 nM) increased the late alpha(1)-component without affecting the early one. CONCLUSIONS: The results may indicate that the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor-induced contraction was mediated by Ca(2+) influx through T- and L-type Ca(2+) channels for the early and late alpha(1)-components, respectively and that SK and BK channels contributed to protect the musculature of the guinea-pig vas deferens from excess tension development induced by sympathetic volley. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:447-454, 2009. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.