EEG abnormalities and clinical phenotypes in pre-school children with autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND: Abnormalities on electroencephalography (EEG) results have been reported in a high percentage of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of EEG abnormalities in a clinical population of pre-school children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the differences in terms of the following phenotypic characteristics: adaptive behavior, executive functioning, severity of Autism Spectrum Disorder core symptoms, and comorbidity symptoms. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of 69 children who attended the Autism Spectrum Disorder early diagnosis program with electroencephalography and clinical diagnosis was performed. A battery of questionnaires was also made to parents to evaluate emotions, behavior, and functional skills for daily living. RESULTS: Out of 69 pre-school children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, twenty nine (42%) had abnormalities in electroencephalography results. The group with abnormal epileptiform electroencephalography exhibited more impairment in executive functioning and social-relationship coexisting symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of an abnormal epileptiform electroencephalography in pre-school children with ASD already suggests a worse development in clinical features.

Protocol for a randomized pilot study (FIRST STEPS): implementation of the Incredible Years-ASLD® program in Spanish children with autism and preterm children with communication and/or socialization difficulties.

Having access to parenting interventions in the early years is key to improve the developmental outcomes of children with neurodevelopmental problems. The Incredible Years® (IY) Parent Program is a group intervention that has demonstrated efficacy in terms of reducing stress in parents, as well as improving behavioral, emotional, and social outcomes in children. The program has been recently adapted for families of children with autism or language delays (IY-ASLD®). This intervention has not yet been implemented in the Spanish Public Health System, where there is a scarcity of evidence-based interventions being offered to families with young children presenting neurodevelopmental problems. The main aims of this study are to determine the feasibility of implementing the IY-ASLD® program within Spanish Child Mental Health Services and to examine parents' acceptability and satisfaction with the intervention. As a secondary objective, we aim to evaluate its preliminary effectiveness in terms of reducing parental stress and behavioral difficulties in their children. The FIRST STEPS study is a multicenter, pilot randomized controlled trial comparing the IY-ASLD® program with a treatment-as-usual (TAU) condition. Approximately 70 families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and preterm children with communication and/or socialization difficulties (aged 2-5 years) will be recruited. Families will be assessed prior to randomization and after the intervention. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the intervention will consist of 22 weekly online sessions (approximately 6 months). The FIRST STEPS pilot trial will demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of reliably implementing the IY-ASLD® program within the Spanish Public Health System. The results of this study could represent the first step to inform policymakers in Spain when designing evidence-based healthcare pathways for families of children presenting ASD symptoms or neurodevelopmental difficulties at early stages. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04358484 . Registered on 04 April 2020.

Relación entre estrés y malestar psicológico de los padres y problemas emocionales y conductuales en niños preescolares con trastorno del espectro autista / Relationship between parental stress and psychological distress and emotional and behavioural problems in pre-school children with autistic spectrum disorder

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los trastornos del espectro autista (TEA) se caracterizan por deficiencias generalizadas en la comunicación social, estereotipias e intereses restringidos. Los TEA presentan una alta prevalencia de trastornos psiquiátricos adicionales que empeoran su funcionamiento diario y reducen la calidad de vida de ellos y sus familias. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: En el esfuerzo de identificar características ambientales que expliquen esta alta comorbilidad, esta investigación se ha centrado en la sintomatología de estrés y malestar psicológico de los padres como posibles factores de riesgo. Se realizó un estudio transversal de asociación entre estrés y malestar psicológico de padres de niños preescolares con TEA (2-6 años) y su relación con psicopatología coexistente en niños con TEA. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: Altos niveles de estrés y malestar psicológico en los padres están asociados ya desde la primera infancia con psicopatología coexistente en dicha población, específicamente con problemas emocionales y conductuales (p < 0,05). Sin embargo, se necesitan futuros estudios longitudinales para entender mejor la relación causal entre estas variables y su posible relación bidireccional

INTRODUCTION: The Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterised by general deficits in social communication, stereotypes, and restricted interests. The ASD have a high prevalence of additional psychiatric disorders that make their daily functioning worse, and reduces the quality of life of them and their families. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In an effort to identify family environmental characteristics that may influence in the course of additional psychiatric disorders, this study has focused on the symptoms of parental stress and psychological distress as possible risk factors. A cross-section study was carried out on the relationship between the stress and psychological distress of the parents and its relationship with co-existing psychopathology in a population of pre-school children with ASD (2-6 years). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: High levels of stress and psychological distress of the parents arealready associated, since early childhood, with co-existing psychiatric symptoms, specifically with emotional and behavioural problems (p < 0.05). However, further longitudinal studies are needed for a better understanding of the causal relationship between these variables and their possible bidirectional relationship

[Relationship between parental stress and psychological distress and emotional and behavioural problems in pre-school children with autistic spectrum disorder]. / Relación entre estrés y malestar psicológico de los padres y problemas emocionales y conductuales en niños preescolares con trastorno del espectro autista.

INTRODUCTION: The Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterised by general deficits in social communication, stereotypes, and restricted interests. The ASD have a high prevalence of additional psychiatric disorders that make their daily functioning worse, and reduces the quality of life of them and their families. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In an effort to identify family environmental characteristics that may influence in the course of additional psychiatric disorders, this study has focused on the symptoms of parental stress and psychological distress as possible risk factors. A cross-section study was carried out on the relationship between the stress and psychological distress of the parents and its relationship with co-existing psychopathology in a population of pre-school children with ASD (2-6 years). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: High levels of stress and psychological distress of the parents arealready associated, since early childhood, with co-existing psychiatric symptoms, specifically with emotional and behavioural problems (p < 0.05). However, further longitudinal studies are needed for a better understanding of the causal relationship between these variables and their possible bidirectional relationship.

The relationship of parental expressed emotion to co-occurring psychopathology in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review.

Expressed emotion is a construct of the affective relationship between two people, with domains measuring criticism, hostility, warmth, relationship and emotional over-involvement. This review focuses on studies of Expressed Emotion in families of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and its association with co-occurring psychiatric disorders. A systematic search used the Psych-Info and Medline databases to identify articles available at or before September 2016. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. The included studies suggest that high levels of expressed emotion, including criticism, are associated with behavioural problems. However, the relationship between expressed emotion and emotional problems is presently unclear because findings were mixed. Also, there is presently little evidence regarding the impact of other components of expressed emotion on co-occurring disorders.