Duration of face mask exposure matters: evidence from Swiss and Brazilian kindergartners' ability to recognise emotions.

Wearing facial masks became a common practice worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated (1) whether facial masks that cover adult faces affect 4- to 6-year-old children's recognition of emotions in those faces and (2) whether the duration of children's exposure to masks is associated with emotion recognition. We tested children from Switzerland (N = 38) and Brazil (N = 41). Brazil represented longer mask exposure due to a stricter mandate during COVID-19. Children had to choose a face displaying a specific emotion (happy, angry, or sad) when the face wore either no cover, a facial mask, or sunglasses. The longer hours of mask exposure were associated with better emotion recognition. Controlling for the hours of exposure, children were less likely to recognise emotions in partially hideen faces. Moreover, Brazilian children were more accurate in recognising happy faces than Swiss children. Overall, facial masks may negatively impact children's emotion recognition. However, prolonged exposure appears to buffer the lack of facial cues from the nose and mouth. In conclusion, restricting facial cues due to masks may impair kindergarten children's emotion recognition in the short run. However, it may facilitate their broader reading of facial emotional cues in the long run.

Predictors of screen exposure among infants under 2 years of age during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contradicting pediatric societies' recommendations, studies show that screen exposure begins at the first year of life for many children worldwide, with parental needs, educational purposes, and parental stress emerging as associated factors. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has likely worsened this scenario. This study aims to: 1) estimate the average daily screen exposure time for Brazilian infants aged 0-23 months during the COVID-19 pandemic based on caregiver report; 2) analyze the correlation between average exposure time, parental motivations for exposure, parental burnout levels and infant age; and 3) test the predictive role of parental motivations, burnout, and infant age on infant screen exposure. For this purpose, 139 parents (living in Brazil) answered online to questionnaires on infant screen exposure, parental motivations for exposure (four subscales: Parental Needs; Educational; Child's Desires/Family Routine; Behavioral Control), and parental burnout (Total score; four subscales: Emotional Exhaustion; Contrast; Feelings of Being Fed Up; Emotional Distancing). On average, infants were exposed to screens for 131 min/day. Higher scores on the four parental motivation subscales and higher parental burnout (specifically the Contrast subscale) correlated with longer exposure times. Furthermore, the motivation subscales Parental Needs and Child's Desires/family routine, the burnout subscale Contrast and infant age predicted greater screen exposure, while the burnout scale Feelings of Being Fed Up predicted less exposure. Our results suggest that infants in Brazil were exposed to substantial amounts of screen time during the pandemic. Interventions aiming to reduce screen time must consider parental motivations and parental burnout/mental health along with infant age.

Social cognition in individuals with schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder and controls / Cognição social em indivíduos saudáveis, com esquizofrenia e com transtorno do espectro do autismo

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the social cognition profiles of male adults with ASD (n = 15), SCHZ (n = 16) and controls (n = 20). Change the second sentence of the abstract. Methods: A cross-sectional assessment of social cognition domains with emotional face perception with eye tracking was performed, and two IQ measures (Verbal IQ and Performance IQ) (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale), and the DSM-IV Structured Clinical Interview were applied. Results: There were no significant differences in terms of average performance in social cognition tests or eye tracking tasks between the ASD and SCHZ groups. However, both had lower performances in most cases when compared to the control group. In the social cognition tasks, individuals in the control group performed better than both clinical groups. Conclusion: Although differences were identified between individuals with ASD and SCHZ, it was not possible to determine patterns or to differentiate the clinical groups.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os perfis de cognição social de adultos do sexo masculino com TEA (n = 15), SCHZ (n = 16) e controles (n = 20). Métodos: Foram aplicadas uma avaliação transversal dos domínios de cognição social com percepção emocional com rastreamento ocular, duas medidas de QI (QI verbal e QI de desempenho) (Escala de Inteligência Adulta de Wechsler) e a Entrevista Clínica Estruturada DSM-IV. Resultados: Não houve diferenças significativas em termos de desempenho médio em testes de cognição social ou tarefas de rastreamento ocular entre os grupos ASD e SCHZ. No entanto, ambos tiveram desempenhos mais baixos na maioria dos casos, quando comparados ao grupo controle. Nas tarefas de cognição social, os indivíduos do grupo controle tiveram melhor desempenho do que ambos os grupos clínicos. Conclusão: Embora tenham sido identificadas diferenças entre indivíduos com TEA e SCHZ, não foi possível determinar padrões ou diferenciar os grupos clínicos.

Sexual dysfunction, depression, and marital dissatisfaction among Brazilian couples.

BACKGROUND: Health professionals treating sexual dysfunction and relational dissatisfaction recognize that they are multifactorial phenomena, and depression can be bidirectionally associated with both. AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate sexual dysfunction in heterosexual couples in relation to the quality of their marital relationship and depression symptoms. METHODS: The sample consisted of 100 heterosexual couples recruited in Brazil. Both partners of each couple completed the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction and the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Marital Satisfaction, which were translated and adapted, and the Beck Depression Inventory, which was validated for the Brazilian population. Both partners completed their questionnaires separately, and the couple's surveys were linked to preserve conjugal data for dyadic analysis. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model was used to understand how sexual dysfunction in couples is related to depression and relationship quality among and between partners. RESULTS: Sexual dysfunction was found to be strongly associated with dissatisfaction in the relationship (husbands, ß = 0.57, P < 0.001; wives, ß = 0.60, P < 0.001), and a positive association was found between depressive symptoms and marital dissatisfaction (husbands, ß = .32, P < .001; wives ß = .40, P < .001). CLINICAL IMPLICATION: The results suggest that it is important for health professionals to be aware of the dyadic impact of struggles with both sex and the relationship and the presence of depression symptoms in patients who seek care for sexual complaints or depression and who are in a marital relationship. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: The different results found for men and women may shed light on the biopsychosocial dimensions of human sexuality. When treated as a purely physical experience, sex is myopic. In this study we demonstrated psychosocial aspects associated with gender and sexuality, and the partner's variables were found to have a greater impact on women than they did on the men. A limitation of this study is that the sample is not generalizable as it is not demographically representative of all socioeconomic groups in Brazil. Furthermore, the participants in this sample did not have clinical levels of depression, so the results cannot be extended to couples in which one or both spouses have depressive disorder. CONCLUSION: It was found that sexual dysfunction is strongly associated with the quality of the couple relationship, and that the quality of relationship plays a mediating role between depression and marital quality, especially for the women.

Saúde mental de puérperas durante a pandemia de Covid-19 no Brasil / Postpartum women mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil / Salud mental de mujeres posparto durante la pandemia de Covid-19 en Brasil

Estudos internacionais têm reportado níveis elevados de sintomas de depressão e ansiedade em mulheres no período perinatal em resultado da atual pandemia. O presente estudo avaliou a sintomatologia de depressão e ansiedade em puérperas durante a pandemia de COVID-19 no Brasil. Participaram 625 mulheres, com idades entre 18 e 44 anos (M = 31.6; DP = 5.3), que tinham um bebê até 6 meses de idade. Foram administrados o Questionário de Transtorno de Ansiedade Generalizada (GAD-7) e a Escala de Depressão Pós-Natal de Edimburgo (EPDS). Os resultados mostraram níveis clinicamente significativos de depressão (EPDS ≥13) em 47.4% das participantes, níveis clinicamente significativos de ansiedade generalizada (GAD-7 ≥10) em 41.8% dos casos, e sintomas comórbidos em 33.1% da amostra. Registrou-se uma correlação positiva significativa entre os sintomas de depressão e ansiedade. Além disso, mais dias de vida do bebê, idade mais jovem da mãe e menor nível de escolaridade estavam associados a níveis potencialmente clínicos de sintomas. Assim, é prioritária a definição de programas de prevenção e intervenção na saúde mental perinatal durante o atual período pandêmico, com continuidade para o futuro.

International studies have reported high levels of depression and anxiety symptoms in perinatal women due to the ongoing pandemic. The present study examined symptoms of depression and anxiety in postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Participants were 625 women, aged between 18 and 44 years (M = 31.6; SD = 5.3), who had an infant up to 6 months of age. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were administered. Results showed clinically significant levels of depression (EPDS ≥13) in 47.4% of the participants, clinically significant levels of generalized anxiety (GAD-7 ≥10) in 41.8% of the cases, and comorbid symptoms in 33.1% of the participants. There was a significant positive correlation between symptoms of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, infant's older age, mother's younger age, and lower educational level were associated with potentially clinical levels of symptoms. Thus, prevention and intervention programs targeting perinatal mental health during the ongoing pandemic and beyond should be developed and prioritized.

Estudios internacionales han reportado altos niveles de síntomas de depresión y de ansiedad en mujeres em el período perinatal como consecuencia de la actual pandemia. El presente estudio examinó los síntomas de depresión y ansiedad en mujeres posparto durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en Brasil. Las participantes fueron 625 mujeres, con edades entre 18 y 44 años (M = 31.6; SD = 5.3), que tenían un hijo de hasta 6 meses de edad. Se administró el Cuestionario de Trastorno de Ansiedad Generalizada (GAD-7) y la Escala de Depresión Postnatal de Edimburgo (EPDS). Los resultados mostraron niveles clínicamente significativos de depresión (EPDS ≥13) en el 47.4 % de las participantes, niveles clínicamente significativos de ansiedad generalizada (GAD-7 ≥10) en el 41.8 % de los casos y síntomas comórbidos en el 33.1 % de las participantes. Hubo una correlación positiva significativa entre los síntomas de depresión y ansiedad. Además, más días de vida del bebé, menor edad de la madre y menor nivel educativo se asociaron con niveles potencialmente clínicos de síntomas. Por lo tanto, se debe priorizar la definición de programas de prevención e intervención dirigidos a la salud mental perinatal durante la pandemia en curso, con continuidad para el futuro.

Association between ADHD symptoms and inhibition-related brain activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with deficits in inhibitory functions including interference control, inhibition of prepotent/automatic responses and suppression of already initiated responses. This study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to investigate the neural basis of these three forms of inhibition assessed by a recently developed behavioral protocol combining the Stroop-matching/stop-signal task in twenty-five young adults with inattention, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity symptoms. The severity of ADHD symptoms was measured using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). The concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) was assessed in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and temporoparietal regions (TP) during the Stroop-matching/stop-signal task. Correlations yielded significant associations between ASRS scores and HbO concentration in frontal regions during blocks with stop-signal tasks, namely the right IFG, the left DLPFC and the left IFG. This study revealed that different types of inhibition involve unique frontal and temporoparietal activities and linked frontal dysfunction during the suppression of ongoing responses to the severity of ADHD symptoms.

The Child Emotion Facial Expression Set: A Database for Emotion Recognition in Children.

Background: This study developed a photo and video database of 4-to-6-year-olds expressing the seven induced and posed universal emotions and a neutral expression. Children participated in photo and video sessions designed to elicit the emotions, and the resulting images were further assessed by independent judges in two rounds. Methods: In the first round, two independent judges (1 and 2), experts in the Facial Action Coding System, firstly analysed 3,668 emotions facial expressions stimuli from 132 children. Both judges reached 100% agreement regarding 1,985 stimuli (124 children), which were then selected for a second round of analysis between judges 3 and 4. Results: The result was 1,985 stimuli (51% of the photographs) were produced from 124 participants (55% girls). A Kappa index of 0.70 and an accuracy of 73% between experts were observed. Lower accuracy was found for emotional expression by 4-year-olds than 6-year-olds. Happiness, disgust and contempt had the highest agreement. After a sub-analysis evaluation of all four judges, 100% agreement was reached for 1,381 stimuli which compound the ChildEFES database with 124 participants (59% girls) and 51% induced photographs. The number of stimuli of each emotion were: 87 for neutrality, 363 for happiness, 170 for disgust, 104 for surprise, 152 for fear, 144 for sadness, 157 for anger 157, and 183 for contempt. Conclusions: The findings show that this photo and video database can facilitate research on the mechanisms involved in early childhood recognition of facial emotions in children, contributing to the understanding of facial emotion recognition deficits which characterise several neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.

Executive functions and drawing in young children with cerebral palsy: Comparisons with typical development.

There is evidence that school-aged children with cerebral palsy (CP) may present deficits in executive functions (EF) greater than would be expected considering their intellectual ability. However, no studies have focused on characterizing EF in this group at an earlier critical period - the preschool years. Furthermore, and given evidence from typically-developing (TD) children, deficits in EF are associated with potential detrimental effects on social and educational development - which can include drawing. Our aim was to compare preschool children with CP, matched in chronological age and intellectual ability with a group of TD children, regarding their executive functioning and drawing abilities. In addition, we examined the relationships between these variables in each of the groups. Twenty-eight children were evaluated in executive functions and drawing tasks. Differences were found in some aspects of cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control, but not in working memory. Additionally, the quality of the drawings was significantly poorer in the CP group. In the TD group, there was an association between greater inhibitory control (but not cognitive flexibility or working memory) and drawing quality. In the CP group, although non-significant, medium-sized correlations were observed between drawing and several aspects of executive functioning. Overall, our results suggest more similarities than differences in the executive functioning of children with CP (and preserved cognitive ability) and TD children. However, there were still important between-group differences in their drawing abilities. There was also a distinct pattern of associations between drawing and executive functions in the clinical group.

Transcranial direct current stimulation in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic scoping review.

AIM: Our aim was to review available studies which test transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to reduce symptom severity in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHOD: We performed a systematic scoping review in PubMed and PsychINFO databases for studies employing tDCS in children and adolescents with ASD. RESULTS: We found five studies (two small randomized controlled studies, one experimental study, one quasi-experimental study, and one case study) reporting positive effects of tDCS in ASD symptom reduction. Study design varied greatly and sample size ranged from 1 to 20 patients. INTERPRETATION: Preliminary evidence is encouraging of the potential usefulness of tDCS for treatment of ASD in children and adolescents. It suggests tentative support for reductions in symptom severity and, according to parental reports and clinical observations, improvements in some aspects of language. However, the evidence is sparse and of low quality, so the true effect of tDCS is likely to be substantially different from the estimate of effect in this review. Therefore, future randomized controlled trials are needed to draw conclusions regarding tDCS efficacy in paediatric samples with ASD. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: There is low confidence in the estimate of effect, but tentatively encouraging results warrant further investigation.

Use of eye tracking technology in infancy research / Rastreamento ocular: possibilidades e desafios do uso da tecnologia em amostras infantis / Uso de la técnica de rastreo ocular en la investigación en muestras infantiles

Initially, eye tracking technology concerned more adults, however, over the last decades, it has shown great promise in infant research, with several studies demonstrating that its use can provide essential data on the emergence and development of cognitive, social and, emotional processes in childhood. This article aimed at systematizing information regarding the use of eye tracking in infants, including the types of trackers available, their advantages and disadvantages, as well as to present some recent studies. Although there are a significant amount and variety of studies with this approach worldwide, Brazilian research is still scarce. The present study analyses the usefulness of eye tracking technology in infant samples to assist researchers in their methodological decisions, and extend its applicability beyond existing studies.

A técnica de rastreamento ocular foi inicialmente dirigida a adultos, no entanto, ao longo das últimas décadas, tem se mostrado muito promissora em pesquisa com bebês, com diversos estudos demonstrando que sua utilização pode fornecer dados importantes sobre o surgimento e o desenvolvimento de processos cognitivos, sociais e emocionais na infância. O objetivo deste trabalho é sistematizar informações relativas ao uso do rastreamento ocular em bebês, incluindo seu histórico, os tipos de rastreadores disponíveis e suas vantagens e desvantagens, além de citar exemplos de estudos recentes. Embora exista uma quantidade e variedade significativa de estudos com essa abordagem em âmbito internacional, as publicações nacionais são escassas. O presente estudo apresenta uma análise da utilidade do rastreamento ocular em amostras infantis, a fim de auxiliar os pesquisadores na tomada de decisões metodológicas e estender sua aplicabilidade para além dos estudos existentes.

La técnica de rastreo ocular fue inicialmente dirigida a adultos, pero a lo largo de las últimas décadas, se ha mostrado muy prometedora en investigación con bebés, siendo que diversos estudios han demostrado que su utilización puede proporcionar hallazgos significativos sobre el surgimiento y desarrollo de aspectos cognitivos, sociales y sociales emocionales en la infancia. El objetivo de esta revisión teórica es sistematizar informaciones relativas al uso del rastreo ocular en bebés, incluyendo su historial, los tipos de rastreadores disponibles y sus ventajas y desventajas, además de citar algunos estudios actuales. Aunque existe una cantidad y variedad significativa de estudios con este enfoque a nivel internacional, las publicaciones nacionales son escasas. El presente estudio abordará un análisis general del rastreo ocular en los bebés, a fin de estimular el uso de la técnica, ayudar a los investigadores en la toma de decisiones metodológicas, y extender su aplicabilidad más allá de los estudios existentes.

Brief Report: Factor Analysis of the Brazilian Version of the Adult Autism Spectrum Quotient.

This study examined the factor structure of the Brazilian version of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient. This is a self-report questionnaire for continuous and quantitative assessment of autistic spectrum traits in adults. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the five-factor model (social skill, attention switching, attention to detail, communication and imagination) proposed by the original authors, support not being found for this model in our sample. An exploratory factor analysis was then performed that resulted in an alternative three-factor model (social skills, details/patterns and imagination). Confirmatory factor analysis of the latter model revealed adequate psychometric indexes. The Brazilian version of the AQ was shown to be an adequate instrument for the evaluation of signs compatible with the autism spectrum in adults.

Associations between fetal testosterone and pro-social tendencies, anxiety and autistic symptoms in Williams syndrome: a preliminary study.

Objective: Fetal testosterone (fT) has organizational effects on the developing human nervous system and can be reliably estimated by the ratio between the length of the second and fourth digits - 2D:4D. Previous studies reported altered patterns of fT in some developmental disabilities (e.g. ASD) relative to typically developing individuals (TD). Williams syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by exacerbated empathy and social approach and heightened anxiety. Recent reports also highlight the co-occurrence of significant levels of autistic symptoms. Despite constituting an interesting model to study androgenic contributions to social behavior, no studies have sought to explore fT in WS. The main aims of this preliminary study were two-fold: (a) to compare 2D:4D in WS and TD; (b) to analyze the pattern of associations between 2D:4D and hypersociability, affective and cognitive empathy, anxiety and autistic symptoms in WS. Methods: 2D:4D were measured from digital scans of the ventral surface of the right hand. Hypersociability, empathy, anxiety and autistic symptoms were obtained from parental reports. Results: There were no significant differences in 2D:4D between WS than TD. In WS lower fT (higher 2D:4D) was significantly associated with hypersociability and affective empathy, as well as marginally associated with anxiety/depression scores. In contrast, cognitive empathy was marginally and negatively associated with 2D:4D, while levels of autistic symptoms were unrelated with this measure. Conclusion: Our results suggest that fT may be implicated in the emergence of several cardinal features of WS, namely hypersociability, affective empathy and anxiety, but not in ASD symptoms.

Microcephaly and other Zika virus related events: the impact on children, families and health teams. / Microcefalia e outras manifestações relacionadas ao vírus Zika: impacto nas crianças, nas famílias e nas equipes de saúde.

The present study aimed to present an overview of recent national and international research on the Zika virus (ZIKV), as well as to explore possible action plans focused on children, their families and the health teams involved.Therefore, the study proposes the implementation of tracking systems in order to identify, describe and characterize the potential correlates of prenatal exposure to ZIKV, divided into three lines of action: 1. Diagnostic and etiological evaluation as well as screening of developmental problems in children confirmed or suspected of prenatal ZIKV infection. 2. Investigation of the emotional impact, quality of life, coping strategies and support network of the affected children and their families. 3. Training of multidisciplinary teams to conduct assessments and intervention programs throughout these children's development, especially in the first three years of life. In conclusion, the recent ZIKV outbreak in Brazil and several other Latin American countries places a significant burden on the health care systems: to understand the real meaning of a potential new teratogen; to unravel the pathogenic mechanisms of ZIKV, particularly in a prevention perspective; and to recognize the broad spectrum of clinical manifestations in order to devise intervention programs.

Microcefalia e outras manifestações relacionadas ao vírus Zika: impacto nas crianças, nas famílias e nas equipes de saúde / Microcephaly and other Zika virus related events: the impact on children, families and health teams

Resumo O presente estudo objetivou apresentar um panorama nacional e internacional atual dos estudos sobre o vírus Zika (ZIKV) e, ancorado no avanço deste conhecimento, refletir sobre planos de ação voltados para as crianças, famílias e equipes de saúde envolvidas. Neste sentido, o estudo propôs a implementação de sistemas de seguimento para conhecer, descrever e caracterizar aspectos que devem estar relacionados à exposição pré-natal ao ZIKV, divididos em três eixos de atuação: 1. Avaliação diagnóstica e etiológica e rastreamento de problemas de desenvolvimento nas crianças incluídas como casos confirmados ou suspeitos. 2. Investigação do impacto emocional, da qualidade de vida, das estratégias de enfrentamento e da rede de apoio às famílias das crianças incluídas. 3. Capacitação de equipes multiprofissionais para avaliar e elaborar programas de intervenção ao longo do desenvolvimento das crianças, principalmente nos três primeiros anos de vida. Como conclusão, o presente trabalho ressalta que o sistema de assistência à saúde encontra-se diante de grandes desafios: entender o real significado de um potencial novo teratógeno; desvendar os mecanismos patogênicos do ZIKV, principalmente para o enfrentamento preventivo, e reconhecer o amplo espectro de manifestações clínicas para a elaboração de programas de intervenção.

Abstract The present study aimed to present an overview of recent national and international research on the Zika virus (ZIKV), as well as to explore possible action plans focused on children, their families and the health teams involved.Therefore, the study proposes the implementation of tracking systems in order to identify, describe and characterize the potential correlates of prenatal exposure to ZIKV, divided into three lines of action: 1. Diagnostic and etiological evaluation as well as screening of developmental problems in children confirmed or suspected of prenatal ZIKV infection. 2. Investigation of the emotional impact, quality of life, coping strategies and support network of the affected children and their families. 3. Training of multidisciplinary teams to conduct assessments and intervention programs throughout these children’s development, especially in the first three years of life. In conclusion, the recent ZIKV outbreak in Brazil and several other Latin American countries places a significant burden on the health care systems: to understand the real meaning of a potential new teratogen; to unravel the pathogenic mechanisms of ZIKV, particularly in a prevention perspective; and to recognize the broad spectrum of clinical manifestations in order to devise intervention programs.

Indicadores socioemocionais do espectro do autismo em pessoas com síndrome de Williams / Social and emotional indicators of the autism spectrum in individuals with Williams syndrome / Indicadores socio­emocionales del espectro del autismo en individuos con síndrome de Williams

A síndrome de Williams (SW) é uma desordem genética causada pela deleção de múltiplos genes no cromossomo 7. Evidências clínicas alertam para indicadores de prejuízos socioemocionais compatíveis com Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA). O objetivo do estudo foi identificar indicadores socioemocionais e comportamentais compatíveis com autismo em pessoas com SW. A amostra foi composta por 30 indivíduos com diagnóstico de SW e 22 com TEA. Os instrumentos de coleta de dados foram Inventário de Comportamentos Autísticos (Autism Behavior Checklist – ABC); e Questionário de Avaliação de Autismo (Autism Screening Questionnaire – ASQ), respondidos pelos respectivos cuidadores. Foi conduzida uma análise discriminante (modelo Step Wise) para diferenciação dos grupos a partir dos itens dos inventários ABC e ASQ. O grupo de pessoas com SW apresentou um número expressivo de sinais de alterações socioemocionais, comunicativas e de comportamento compatíveis com Autismo que predominaram na fase dos quatro a cinco anos de idade.

Williams Syndrome (WS) is a genetic disorder caused by the deletion of multiple genes on chromosome 7. Clinical evidence points to socio‑emotional alterations compatible with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The goal of this study was to identify socio‑emotional and behavioral signs compatible with ASD in individuals with WS. The sample consisted of 30 individuals with WS and 22 with ASD. The data collection instruments were Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC); and Autism Screening Questionnaire (ASQ) that were answered by the caregivers. We conducted a discriminant analysis (Step Wise) to differentiate the groups from items of the ABC and ASQ inventories. The WS group showed a large number of signs of socio‑emotional, communicative and behavioral alterations compatible with Autism that prevailed at the age of four to five years.

El Síndrome de Williams (SW) es una enfermedad genética causada por la delección de múltiplos genes en el cromosoma 7. Evidencias clínicas alertan para indicadores de afectaciones socio‑emocionales compatibles con Trastorno del Espectro del Autismo (TEA). El objetivo del estudio fue identificar indicadores socio‑emocionales y conductuales compatibles con Autismo en personas con SW. La muestra fue compuesta por 30 individuos con diagnóstico de SW y 22 con TEA. Los instrumentos de colecta de datos fueron Inventario de Conductas Autisticos (Autism Behavior Checklist – ABC); y Cuestionario de Conducta y Comunicación Social (Autism Screening Questionnaire – ASQ), respondidos por los respectivos cuidadores. Fue conducido un análisis discriminante (modelo Step Wise) para diferenciación de los grupos a partir de los itens de los inventarios ABC y ASQ. El grupo de personas con SW presentó un número expresivo de señales de alteraciones socio‑emocionales, comunicativas y de conducta compatibles con Autismo que predominaron en la fase de los cuatro a cinco años de edad.