Evidence-b(i)ased practice: Selective and inadequate reporting in early childhood autism intervention research.

LAY ABSTRACT: When researchers fail to report their findings or only report some of their findings, it can make it difficult for clinicians to provide effective intervention recommendations. However, no one has examined whether this is a problem in studies of early childhood autism interventions. We studied how researchers that study early childhood autism interventions report their findings. We found that most researchers did not register their studies when they were supposed to (before the start of the study), and that many researchers did not provide all of the needed information in the registration. We also found that researchers frequently did not publish their findings when their studies were complete. When we looked at published reports, we found that many of the studies did not report enough information, and that many studies were reported differently from their registrations, suggesting that researchers were selectively reporting positive outcomes and ignoring or misrepresenting less positive outcomes. Because we found so much evidence that researchers are failing to report their findings quickly and correctly, we suggested some practical changes to make it better.

Sensory Processing and Community Participation in Autistic Adults.

Background: Sensory processing differences have been shown to impact involvement in community activities. However, relatively little is known about how these differences affect community participation in autistic adults. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore how sensory processing patterns of autistic adults impact community participation, including where people go, what they do, the amount of time in the community, and preferred locations. Methods: We used data gathered from six autistic adults and their caregivers who participated in two studies. From Study 1, we reviewed results of the Adolescent and Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) and transcripts from interviews with caregivers. From Study 2, we reviewed GPS tracking data and transcripts from structured interviews with autistic adults focused on community participation. We read transcript data, identified quotes related to sensory processing and community participation and constructed individual participant narratives which linked findings from interviews, AASP, and GPS tracking. Results: Participants included three males and three females ranging in age from 29 to 51. Each participant had a unique sensory processing profile that influenced where they went, the activities in which they engaged, how much time they spent in the community, and their preferred locations. Those whose sensory processing patterns indicated sensory sensitivity and sensory avoiding described the experience of certain environments as overwhelming and fatiguing and thus spent less time in the community and visited fewer places than those with other sensory processing patterns. Conclusion: Results highlight the importance of sensory processing, especially as it impacts participation in the community. Sensory processing patterns should be considered along with other personal and contextual factors when assessing community participation and personal sensory processing patterns should be matched with activities and environmental demands.

Relationship Among Sensory Over-Responsivity, Problem Behaviors, and Anxiety in Emerging Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the highly prevailing rate of sensory over-responsivity, problem behaviors, and anxiety among emerging adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), little is known about the nature of their experiences. While previous studies have indicated potential relationships among these conditions, their connections still need to be clarified. This study aimed to examine the relationships between sensory over-responsivity, problem behaviors, and anxiety. METHODS: Fifty-seven emerging adults with ASD (Mage = 21.4, SD = 2.5; males = 80.7%) were recruited. The Adult Sensory Profile - Chinese version, Problem Behavior Scale of Scales of Independent Behavior - Revised, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 - Chinese version (GAD-7) were used. RESULTS: The percentage of emerging adults with ASD who scored more than most people in the two quadrants were sensation sensitivity = 33.3% and sensation avoiding = 26.3%. Approximately 66.7%, 27.5%, and 50.9% of participants had internalizing behaviors, externalizing behaviors, and asocial behaviors, respectively. Approximately, 64.9% of the participants scored on or above the cut-off score of 6 on the GAD-7. Sensation sensitivity and sensation avoiding were significantly correlated to problem behaviors; and anxiety was a mediating variable that accounts for the relationships between sensory over-responsivity and problem behaviors. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that emerging adults with ASD showing problem behaviors might also report more exaggerated responses toward sensory inputs and experience more anxiety symptoms. The results indicate that sensory over-responsivity, problem behaviors, and anxiety may have common underlying mechanisms. Findings can be useful to understand the impacts of such difficulties for emerging adults with ASD.

Sensory Overresponsivity, Loneliness, and Anxiety in Taiwanese Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

PURPOSE: Sensory overresponsiveness is highly prevalent in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and typically persist into adulthood. However, the role of sensory processing difficulties in influencing emotional well-being among adults with ASD remains unclear. Additionally, the associations between sensory overresponsiveness, anxiety, and loneliness are yet to be examined among adults with ASD. Therefore, to address these critical gaps in the literature, we aimed to investigate the relationships among sensory avoiding, anxiety, and loneliness in a sample of adults with ASD. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy adults (age, 20-39 years) completed three self-reported measures. All participants had a documented diagnosis of ASD and had normal IQ. METHODS: Sensory processing, loneliness, and anxiety were assessed with the Adult Sensory Profile, short-form UCLA loneliness scale, and Beck Anxiety Inventory, respectively. RESULTS: Autism spectrum traits and sensory avoiding were associated with anxiety and loneliness. Participants who experienced sensory avoiding more frequently reported higher anxiety and feelings of loneliness, with loneliness mediating the relationship between sensory avoiding and anxiety. More anxiety symptoms in participants with greater sensory avoiding were associated with their higher level of loneliness. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the relationships existed between sensory processing difficulties, loneliness, and anxiety among adults with ASD. Interventions regarding sensory processing difficulties and emotional well-being are substantial need for adults with ASD, and our results highlight the importance of sensory overresponsiveness and anxiety in evaluating and improving the psychological well-being of adults with ASD.

Psychometric properties of three measures assessing advanced theory of mind: Evidence from people with schizophrenia.

Patients with schizophrenia tend to have deficits in advanced Theory of Mind (ToM). The "Reading the mind in the eyes" test (RMET), the Faux Pas Task, and the Strange Stories are commonly used for assessing advanced ToM. However, most of the psychometric properties of these 3 measures in patients with schizophrenia are unknown. The aims of this study were to validate the psychometric properties of the 3 advanced ToM measures in patients with schizophrenia, including: (1) test-retest reliability; (2) random measurement error; (3) practice effect; (4) concurrent validity; and (5) ecological validity. We recruited 53 patients with schizophrenia, who completed the 3 measures twice, 4 weeks apart. The Revised Social Functioning Scale-Taiwan short version (R-SFST) was completed within 3 days of first session of assessments. We found that the intraclass correlation coefficients of the RMET, Strange Stories, and Faux Pas Task were 0.24, 0.5, and 0.76. All 3 advanced ToM measures had large random measurement error, trivial to small practice effects, poor concurrent validity, and low ecological validity. We recommend that the scores of the 3 advanced ToM measures be interpreted with caution because these measures may not provide reliable and valid results on patients' advanced ToM abilities.