How language affects social cognition and emotional competence in typical and atypical development: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The ability to understand the mental state of others (social cognition), as well as language, is crucial for children to have good social adaptation. Social cognition (SC) has been shown to be a hierarchical model of three factors (Cognitive, intermediate and affective SC) interrelated with linguistic processes. Children on the autism spectrum and children with developmental language disorder (DLD) or social communication disorder (SCD) manifest language and SC difficulties, albeit in different ways. AIMS: This systematic review aims to find how language and SC interact with each other and identify linguistic and socio-affective profiles in the target population. METHODS: About 1593 articles were systematically reviewed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guide in November 2022, obtaining, through inclusion/exclusion criteria, a total of 38 articles for qualitative assessment. The majority of them were on autism (26) or DLD (14) and to a lesser extent SCD (3). MAIN CONTRIBUTION: Although SC is related to all components of language, SC is strongly related to narrative and morphosyntax and partially related to lexicon. Pragmatics shows a complex relation with SC due to greater sensitivity to other factors such as age or task, and prosody appears to be more related to emotional processes. Besides, autistic, SCD and DLD children showed differences in their language and socio-affective performance. Mainstream DLD children have lower performance in general language, where autistic and SCD children have more linguistic variation and are lower in pragmatic and SC tasks, SCD children being more associated with language production difficulties and autistic children with both receptive and productive language. CONCLUSION: Each language component has a different interaction with SC. Likewise, different linguistic profiles are partially found for each disorder. These results are important for future lines of research focusing on specific components of interaction and socio-emotional processes, as well as for clinical and educational treatment. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject The hierarchical model of Schurz et al. (2021), divide social cognition into three brain constructs: cognitive social cognition (CSC), affective social cognition (ASC) and intermediate social cognition (ISC). They observe a large relationship between language and ISC, a fact that has been corroborated with some other studies. Studies have also found lower linguistic and socio-affective abilities in children with autism and language and communication disorders compared with children with neurotypical development, and large behavioural and neurocognitive overlaps between these disorders (Durrleman et al., 2019; Löytömäki et al., 2019). What this paper adds to existing knowledge This is the first review that relates all linguistic components (narrative, lexicon, morphosyntax, pragmatic and prosody) with the three constructs of social cognition (Cognitive, intermediate and affective). Moreover, it is the first review that studies the socio-linguistic factors comparing autism, developmental language disorder and social communication disorder with each other and with neurotypical development in children aged from 4 to 9 years. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Understanding how language and social cognition interact with each other in autism spectrum disorder, developmental language disorder and social communication disorder allows us to trace socio-linguistic profiles for each of the studied disorders, understand better children with these difficulties, and, with this, find specific potential intervention points to improve and prevent these difficulties.

Alterações pragmáticas em crianças com Transtorno Fonológico: uma revisão sistemática / Pragmatic disorders in children with Phonological Disorder: a systematic review / Alteraciones pragmáticas en niños con Trastorno Fonológico: una revisión sistemática

Introdução: A pragmática é definida como o uso social da linguagem e a fonologia diz respeito à organização fonêmica e silábica. No Transtorno Fonológico são observadas alterações nessa organização, sendo possível também afetar a pragmática. Objetivo: Compreender e demonstrar se há alterações pragmáticas em crianças com Transtorno Fonológico. Metodologia: A busca por estudos foi realizada utilizando as bases de dados eletrônicas: Embase, Google Scholar, Portal Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) - (LILACS), PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, Web of Science, e Base de Dados de Teses e Dissertações. Foram utilizados os descritores: "child", "speech sound disorder", "language tests", "verbal behavior", "social communication disorder" e "observational studies as topic" e seus sinônimos. Os artigos selecionados atendiam aos seguintes critérios: amostra composta por crianças de 4 a 10 anos com Transtorno Fonológico e dentro do desenvolvimento padrão, apresentar avaliações da pragmática dessas crianças, e delineamento observacional. A análise dos artigos foi feita pela leitura na íntegra e os dados foram extraídos para a avaliação da qualidade metodológica e dos achados. Resultados: Foram encontrados seis artigos, sendo quatro nacionais e dois internacionais. Discussão: Cinco estudos demonstraram haver alterações pragmáticas em crianças com Transtorno Fonológico, enquanto um concluiu que não havia relação. Considerações finais: A presente revisão sistemática revelou que estudos evidenciam alterações pragmáticas em crianças com Transtorno Fonológico, especialmente acerca da inteligibilidade de fala e de como isso afeta as iniciativas de comunicação. Todavia, devido ao baixo número de estudos, são necessárias futuras pesquisas na temática para dados com evidências mais robustas. (AU)

Introduction: Pragmatics is defined as the social use of language while phonology looks to phonemic and syllabic organization. In the phonological disorder, problems are observed in this organization being possible to affect the pragmatics too. Objective: To understand and demonstrate if there are pragmatic alterations in children with Phonological Disorder. Methodology: The search for studies was carried out using electronic databases: Embase, Google Scholar, BVS - (LILACS), PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, Web of Science and The Theses and Dissertations Database. The descriptors used were: "child", "speech sound disorder", "language tests", "verbal behavior", "social communication disorder" and "observational studies as topic" and their synonyms. The selected articles met the following criteria: sample composed of children aged 4 to 10 with phonological disorder and within standard development, evaluations of the pragmatics of these children, and observational design. The articles were analyzed by reading them in their entirety and the data were extracted to evaluate the methodological quality and the findings. Results: Six articles were found, four national and two international. Discussion: Five studies showed that there were pragmatic alterations in children with phonological disorder and one concluded that there was no relationship. Final considerations: The present systematic review revealed that the studies show pragmatic alterations in children with phonological disorder, especially regarding the intelligibility of their speech and how this may affect communication initiatives. However, due to the low number of studies, there seems to be a need for future research relating the two subjects for such evidence to be more robust. (AU)

Introducción: La pragmática se define como el uso social del lenguaje y la fonología como la organización fonémica y silábica. En el Trastorno Fonológico, hay cambios en esta organización, y es posible afectar la pragmática. Objetivo: Comprender y demostrar si existen cambios pragmáticos en niños con Trastorno Fonológico. Metodología: Búsqueda de estudios realizados en bases de datos electrónicas: Embase, Google Scholar, Portal Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS) - (LILACS), PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, Web of Science y Banco de Tesis y Disertaciones. Fueron utilizados los siguientes descriptores: "niño", "trastorno de los sonidos del habla", "pruebas de lenguaje", "conducta verbal", "trastorno de la comunicación social" y "estudios observacionales como tema" y sus sinónimos. Los artículos seleccionados cumplieron con los siguientes criterios: muestra compuesta por niños de 4 a 10 años con Trastorno Fonológico y dentro del desarrollo estándar, valoraciones de la pragmática de estos niños y diseño observacional. Los artículos fueron analizados mediante lectura comprensiva y se extrajeron datos para evaluar la calidad metodológica de los hallazgos. Resultados: Se encontraron seis artículos, cuatro nacionales y dos internacionales. Discusión: Cinco estudios mostraron cambios pragmáticos en niños con Trastorno Fonológico y uno concluyó que no había relación. Consideraciones finales: Esta revisión sistemática reveló que los estudios muestran alteraciones pragmáticas en niños con Trastorno Fonológico, especialmente en cuanto a la inteligibilidad de su habla y cómo esto puede afectar las iniciativas de comunicación. Sin embargo, debido al bajo número de estudios, se necesita más investigación sobre el tema para que la evidencia sea más sólida. (AU)

Exploratory Factor Analysis of the Social Communication Disorder Screener.

Currently, there are no existing measures to screen for or diagnose Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder (SPCD). We conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of the Social Communication Disorder Screener (SCDS), a 14-item, parent-report measure based on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for SPCD. This EFA examined the internal consistency and factor structure of the SCDS for a sample of 500 parents of children, ages 5-18 years, representative of the U.S. census. Results yielded a correlated three-factor solution with good internal consistency reliability. Findings supported the presence of three subscale as well as the derivation of a total composite score reflecting overall verbal and non-verbal communication and limitations across contexts. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

The effect of physical exercise on disordered social communication in individuals with autism Spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to systematically investigate the intervention effect of physical exercise on disordered social communication in patients with autism spectrum disorders. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis used the PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Embase electronic databases to conduct a systematic search of literature describing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of physical exercise on disordered social communication in autistic patients from the first year of inclusion to 21 January 2023. Results: A total of 14 RCTs including 460 autistic patients were analyzed. A meta-analysis showed that physical exercise had a positive effect on social communication disorder (SMD = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.74, p < 0.05) in autistic patients. Subgroup analysis showed that exercise programs with multiple components (SMD = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.39, 1.06, P < 0.001), a moderate duration (SMD = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.38, 1.08, P < 0.001), a moderate-high frequency (SMD = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.53, 1.14, P < 0.001), and a long duration (SMD = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.36, 1.18, P < 0.001) led to significant improvement. Conclusion: Physical exercise can improve disordered social communication in patients with autism spectrum disorders. Specifically, early intervention, multi-component exercise, a moderate period, moderate and high frequency, long duration, and multi-participant programs were most effective. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ RecordID= CRD42023422482.

Prevalence and functional impact of social (pragmatic) communication disorders.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Children's Communication Checklist-2 (CCC-2) for measuring social-pragmatic communication deficits and to ascertain their prevalence and functional impact in a community sample. METHODS: We used parent and teacher responses to the CCC-2 to approximate inclusion (poor social-pragmatic skills) and exclusion (poor structural language skills or autistic symptomatology) criteria for social (pragmatic) communication disorder (SPCD). We tested the prevalence of social-pragmatic deficits in a population-based sample of children (n = 386) aged 5-6 years old using CCC-2 algorithms. We also investigated the academic and behavioural profiles of children with broadly defined limitations in social-pragmatic competence on the CCC-2. RESULTS: Regardless of the diagnostic algorithm used, the resulting prevalence rates for social-pragmatic deficits indicated that very few children had isolated social-communication difficulties (0-1.3%). However, a larger proportion of children (range: 6.1-10.5%) had social-pragmatic skills outside the expected range alongside structural language difficulties and/or autism spectrum symptoms, and this profile was associated with a range of adverse academic and behavioural outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of children in the early years of primary school has social-pragmatic deficits that interfere with behaviour and scholastic activity; however, these rarely occur in isolation. Exclusionary criteria that include structural language may lead to underidentification of individuals with social-pragmatic deficits that may benefit from tailored support and intervention.

Vocal-friend: internet of social-things framework to aid verbal communication.

PURPOSE: Deficits in social verbal communication in individuals with Social Communication Disorder (SCD) is of concern and SCD in the human community is prevalent in large population throughout the globe. Deficits in verbal social communication are prevalent in a large population. This paper aimed to propose internet connected multi-system architecture which is capable to support verbal communication in a social environment for individuals with social communication deficits. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Implementation methodology was included with corpus collection for specific communication, deep learning based machine training for intelligent communication, and implementation of the trained algorithm on internet connected electronic multiple social communication devices. The implemented system is smart enough to initiate and maintain two types of communication; the first type includes communication between multiple individuals on the remote location and the second type includes communication with the individual present in the physical listening range. RESULTS: The system was investigated in terms of its algorithmic parameters and found 97% to 100% in terms of training and testing accuracy with negligible mean squared error. Vocal-Friend analysed results based on audio-bot simulative conditions provide more than 91% accuracy, interaction rate and fallback rate. On the basis of the satisfaction analysis, above average results were noticed. CONCLUSION: In terms of technical implementations and satisfaction analysis, results found acceptable with above average score.IMPLICATION FOR REHABILITATIONProposed framework is easy to use by caregivers with even having little knowledge.Support individual with deficit to learn social verbal communication skill to survive in society.Aiding parents, caregivers and professionals to understand the communication needs of individuals with communication deficits.Since technology is also grooming in the domain of rehabilitation, so this system could be used in various future applications such as social robots, social virtual assistants etc.

Fatores relacionados à funcionalidade da comunicação social em crianças com transtorno do espectro do autismo: estudo preliminar / Factors related to social communication functionality in children with autism spectrum disorder: a preliminary study

RESUMO Objetivo analisar a associação entre funcionalidade da comunicação social de crianças com transtorno do espectro do autismo (TEA) segundo aspectos sociodemográficos, atos comunicativos, gravidade do TEA e percepção da família. Métodos trata-se da etapa piloto de um estudo observacional analítico de recorte transversal. Crianças com TEA foram avaliadas e seus cuidadores foram entrevistados. As variáveis analisadas foram: gravidade do TEA, aspectos socioeconômicos, atos comunicativos, dificuldades comunicativas e a classificação de funcionalidade da comunicação social. Para as análises de associação foram utilizados os testes Qui-quadrado de Pearson e Kruskal-Wallis. Resultados foram avaliadas 16 crianças com idade entre 3 e 10 anos. Os participantes incluídos no estudo apresentaram níveis medianos de funcionalidade da comunicação social. As crianças com mais dificuldades na comunicação social foram as que os cuidadores afirmaram ter a impressão de que as pessoas zombavam delas. Não houve associação em relação à funcionalidade da comunicação e aspectos socioeconômicos, gravidade do TEA e atos comunicativos por minuto. Conclusão este estudo faz a triangulação entre a funcionalidade da comunicação de crianças com TEA com fatores ambientais e sociais. Crianças com TEA em atendimento ambulatorial em serviço especializado apresentaram níveis intermediários em comunicação social. As dificuldades na aceitação e inclusão social são mais observadas em crianças com TEA com maiores déficits de comunicação.

ABSTRACT Purpose to analyze the association between social communication functionality in children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to sociodemographic aspects, communicative acts, severity of ASD and family perception. Methods this is the pilot stage of a cross-sectional analytical observational study. Children with ASD were evaluated and their caregivers were interviewed. The variables analyzed were ASD severity, socioeconomic aspects, communicative acts, communicative difficulties and the classification of functionality of social communication. For association analyses, the Pearson and Kruskal-Wallis chi-square tests were used. Results Sixteen children aged between 3 and 10 years were evaluated. The participants included in the study presented median levels of social communication functionality. The children with the greatest social communication difficulties were the ones caregivers had the impression other people made fun of . There was no association regarding communication functionality and socioeconomic aspects, ASD severity and communicative acts per minute. Conclusion This study triangulates the communication functionality of children with ASD with environmental and social factors. Children with ASD in outpatient care at a specialized service showed intermediate levels of social communication. Difficulties in acceptance and social inclusion are more commonly observed in children with ASD with greater communication deficits.

Role of NALCN in hippocampal dentate gyrus in social behavior of mice / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the role of the sodium leak channel (NALCN) in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) in the social behavior of mice.Methods:Thirty-nine male wild-type C57BL/6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 18-22 g, were used in this study. Three mice were sacrificed to verify the expression and co-expression of NALCN with neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) in the hippocampal DG using the immunofluorescent staining. The remaining 36 mice were divided into 2 groups ( n=18 each) by the random number table method: control group (group C) and NALCN gene knockdown group (group KO). NALCN-shRNA virus was injected in group KO, and scrambled-shRNA virus was injected in group C. The three box social test and open field test were performed at 3 weeks after the virus injection. Mice were sacrificed under anesthesia after the behavioral test, hippocampal tissues were collected, and the injection location of the virus was verified with a fluorescence microscope, and the NALCN protein and mRNA expression in the hippocampal DG was detected by Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results:NALCN and NeuN co-expressed a lot on the same neuron in the hippocampal DG of mice, indicating that NALCN was widely expressed on the neurons in the hippocampal DG. Compared with group C, the expression of NALCN and mRNA in the hippocampal DG was significantly down-regulated, and the social novelty preference disappeared ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the social ability and each parameter in the open field test in group KO ( P>0.05). Conclusions:NALCN in the hippocampal DG is involved in the regulation of social memory in mice, and the down-regulated expression of NALCN can lead to the loss of social novelty preference in mice.

Clinical presentations of social communication disorder: A case series.

Social Communication Disorder (SCD) is a new DSM-5 diagnostic category poorly understood by clinicians. We describe a case series of four individuals diagnosed with SCD to identify common characteristics and differences in presentations of the disorder. All cases had deficits in the area of social communication, and sub-threshold level of restricted and repetitive behaviours, not sufficient to meet criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). All cases presented with at least one mental health co-morbid condition. There are significant overlaps in clinical presentation between SCD and ASD. It is imperative that accurate diagnostic tools and effective intervention approaches of SCD be developed.

Social communication disorder and behavioural addiction: Case report and clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: Social communication disorder (SCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that includes communication difficulties. Literature linking SCD and addictions is scarce, and there are only a few case reports regarding the co-occurrence of addiction and autism disorder spectrum, and only one of them addressed behavioural addictions. CASE PRESENTATION: We report MC's case, who displayed an SCD and sexual addiction (SA). Clinical and neuropsychological evaluations suggested an alteration of social cognition, especially of affective theory of mind. This article also presents the adaptation made of the usual treatment. DISCUSSION: This case report illustrates the importance of social cognition abilities in the development and maintenance of behavioural addictions, and specifically SA. It also highlights the possible comorbidity of these two disorders and the possibility to work on social cognition as an alternate therapy in the treatment of behavioural addictions. CONCLUSIONS: The co-occurrence of SCD and a behavioural addiction triggered clinical adaptations and implications that may affect a patient's treatment presenting one of these disorders.

Evolução linguística e cognitiva de crianças com transtorno de linguagem após intervenção com o uso do método PECS / Linguistic and cognitive evolution of children with language disorder after intervention using the PECS method / Evolución lingüística y cognitiva de niños con trastorno del lenguaje después de una intervención utilizando el método PECS

Introdução: Crianças com graves comprometimentos na comunicação podem se beneficiar da Comunicação Suplementar e Aumentativa para possibilitar a interação social e consequentemente o desenvolvimento cognitivo e linguístico. Objetivo: Comparar o desempenho linguístico e cognitivo de crianças com transtornos de linguagem pré e pós terapia utilizando como modelo de intervenção a comunicação por troca de figuras PECS. Método: Estudo retrospectivo, transversal híbrido por análise de prontuário de seis crianças com diagnóstico de grave transtorno de linguagem e idades entre quatro e nove anos. Todos os participantes foram atendidos semanalmente, por um período de quatro meses para implementação do protocolo PECS. Para avaliação foram utilizados o Protocolo de Observação Comportamental e o subitem avaliação da linguagem receptiva do Teste de Avaliação do Desenvolvimento da Linguagem. Resultados: Em relação às habilidades dialógicas quatro crianças apresentaram melhor desempenho após o uso do PECS, sendo que uma já se encontrava no nível máximo avaliado neste item, antes da intervenção. Houve melhora nas funções comunicativas e nos meios de comunicação em quatro crianças. Observou-se desenvolvimento do simbolismo e na imitação gestual em duas crianças e na imitação sonora em quatro crianças. Conclusão: Observa-se que uso da Comunicação Suplementar e Aumentativa por troca de figuras PECS, mesmo por um curto período, auxiliou no desenvolvimento de habilidades comunicativas, na capacidade de imitação gestual/sonora e na compreensão verbal. Intercorrências podem influenciar diretamente a evolução comunicativa dos pacientes, por exemplo, aderência familiar ao tratamento ou prejuízo cognitivo severo.

Introduction: Children with severe communication impairments can benefit from the use of Supplementary and Augmentative Communication to enable social interaction and, consequently, cognitive and linguistic development. Objective: Compare the linguistic and cognitive performance of children with severe language disorders before and after therapy using the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) as an intervention model. Method: Retrospective, hybrid cross-sectional study by analysis of medical records. Six children with a diagnosis of language disorder and aged between four and nine years were included. All participants were treated weekly for a period of four months to implement the PECS. For assessment, the Behavioral Observation Protocol and the subitem evaluation of the receptive language of the Language Development Assessment Test. Results: Regarding dialogic skills, four children performed better after using PECS, and one was already at the maximum level assessed in this item before the intervention. There was an improvement in communicative functions and means of communication in four children. The development of symbolism and gestural imitation was observed in two children and sound imitation in four children. Conclusion: It is observed that the use of Augmentative And Alternative Communication for the exchange of PECS figures, even for a short period, helped in the development of communicative skills, in the ability to imitate gestures/sounds, and in verbal comprehension. Intercurrences can influence the communicative evolution of patients, for example, family adherence to treatment or severe cognitive impairment.

Introducción: Niños con graves deficiencias comunicativas puede beneficiarse del uso de la Comunicación Complementaria y Aumentada para permitir la interacción social, en consecuencia, el desarrollo cognitivo y lingüístico. Objetivo: Comparar el rendimiento lingüístico y cognitivo de los niños con trastornos del lenguaje antes y después de la terapia utilizando la comunicación de intercambio de imágenes PECS como modelo de intervención. Método: Estudio retrospectivo, híbrido de sección transversal l por análisis de registros médicos de seis niños con diagnóstico de trastorno del lenguaje y edades entre cuatro y nueve años. Todos fueron tratados semanalmente, durante un período de cuatro meses, para implementar el protocolo PECS. Para la evaluación se utilizó el Protocolo de Observación del Comportamiento y el sub-ítem evaluación de lenguaje receptivo del Test de Evaluación del Desarrollo del Lenguaje. Resultados: En cuanto a las habilidades dialógicas, cuatro niños obtuvieron mejores resultados después de utilizar el PECS y uno ya se encontraba en el nivel máximo evaluado en este ítem, antes de la intervención. Hubo una mejora en las funciones comunicativas y los medios de comunicación en cuatro niños. Se observó el desarrollo del simbolismo y la imitación gestual en dos niños y en la imitación sonora en cuatro niños. Conclusión: Se observa que el uso de la Comunicación Suplementaria y Aumentativa mediante el intercambio de figuras PECS, incluso por un período corto, ayudó en el desarrollo de las habilidades comunicativas, en la capacidad de imitar gestos / sonidos y en la comprensión verbal. Las intercurrencias pueden influir directamente en la evolución comunicativa de los pacientes, por ejemplo, la adherencia familiar al tratamiento o el deterioro cognitivo severo.

A Preliminary Epidemiologic Study of Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder Relative to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disability Without Social Communication Deficits.

The goal of this preliminary investigation was to compare demographic and clinical characteristics in a sample of children with likely Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder (SCD) (N = 117) to those in children with possible (N = 118) and some (N = 126) SCD traits, other developmental delay (DD) (N = 91) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (N = 642). We used data from the Study to Explore Early Development (SEED), a multi-site case-control study. Items reflecting SCD DSM-5 criteria were selected from an autism diagnostic measure, with SCD categories identified by creating quartiles. Our results suggest that SCD may fall along a continuum involving elevated deficits (in comparison to DD with no SCD) in social communication and restricted and repetitive behavior that do not reach the clinical threshold for ASD.

How has DSM-5 Affected Autism Diagnosis? A 5-Year Follow-Up Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis.

We conducted a 5-year follow-up systematic review and meta-analysis to determine change in frequency of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis since diagnostic and statistical manual 5 (DSM-5) publication and explore the impact of Social Communication Disorder (SCD). For 33 included studies, use of DSM-5 criteria suggests decreases in diagnosis for ASD [20.8% (16.0-26.7), p < 0.001], DSM-IV-TR Autistic Disorder [10.1% (6.2-16.0), p < 0.001], and Asperger's [23.3% (12.9-38.5), p = 0.001]; pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified decrease was not significant [46.1% (34.6-58.0), p = 0.52]. Less than one-third [28.8% (13.9-50.5), p = 0.06] of individuals diagnosed with DSM-IV-TR but not DSM-5 ASD would qualify for SCD. Findings suggest smaller decreases in ASD diagnoses compared to earlier reviews. Future research is needed as concerns remain for impaired individuals without a diagnosis.

It is no joke. Metaphorical language and sense of humor in schizophrenia. / Tu nie ma zartów. Jezyk metaforyczny i poczucie humoru w schizofrenii.

The sense of humor has a positive influence on mental and social functioning of humans by supporting interpersonal competences and effective coping with difficult situations. The aim of this study was to present research conducted to this date and concerning processing of humoristic content by people with schizophrenia in relation to cognitive deficits associated with this illness and their neurobiological background. Understanding of humor and its effective use require many linguistic and extralingustic skills, including processing of signals from social environment, such as correct recognition of emotional messages, understanding of a context of a humoristic situation, or drawing correct conclusions on a mental status of other people. An efficient use of the metaphorical language allows experiencing amusement resulting from inaccuracies, different semantic interpretations, irony, and sarcasm. A tendency for excessive concretism reflected in problems with understanding nonliteral content and semantically complex language structures, as well as other cognitive deficits observed in schizophrenia patients, frequently hinder the use of humoristic messages. Better understanding of mechanisms controlling the effective use of humor may help to develop therapeutic tools to improve the communication efficiency of schizophrenia patients, as well as positively influence their social functioning.

Issues related to language and social communication disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders / 中国实用儿科杂志

Social communication disorders and language disorders are commonly found in children with autism spectrum disorders,and it is also one of the indicators for assessing the severity of the syndrome. This study analyzed the characteristics of language difficulties and social communication disorders in children with ASD. Then,seven evidence-based treatment methods of language rehabilitation for children with ASD were introduced,including Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment for Young Children,Pivotal Response Treatment,Natural Teaching Strategies,Language Training(Production),Scripting,Story-based Interventions and Social Skills Package. The interventions recommended by American Speech-LanguageHearing Association(ASHA) were also introduced. It is of great significance to provide the early intervention of language disorders for children with ASD. Community-based and family-based intervention models should be promoted,and parent training should be actively carried out,so that children with ASD can obtain language rehabilitation during the critical period of language learning.

Response to text-based social cues in the formation of causal attributions in adults with traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) may have deficits recognizing spoken social cues, with major negative social consequences. We do not know if these deficits extend to written social cues. Written cues, such as letterhead, provide information we use to make critical inferences about an author's perspective, and interpret subsequent text considering that perspective, and thus are critical for social communication. This study examined response to written social cues in adults with and without TBI. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We asked adults with TBI (n = 38) and uninjured adults (n = 20) to read an article describing actions of a mass murderer and give reasons for the those actions. Materials were presented on letterhead from either a social or a personality institute, to bias responses to either situational or dispositional factors. We hypothesized persons with TBI would be less likely to show bias consistent with the letterhead. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Significantly more comparison-group responses (72%) than TBI-group responses (52%) were biased (p = 0.01) to match the institute in the letterhead. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated reduced sensitivity to written social cues in adults with TBI. Our findings add to evidence of impaired social cue response after TBI, and extend this to written text.

Social communication disorder: a narrative review on current insights.

Social communication disorder (SCD) is a novel diagnosis listed under the rubric of communication disorders within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) and it is reported to be characterized by impairment in use of verbal and nonverbal communication for social aims. This review attempts to summarize the current understanding of the SCD concept along with its evolution and presents data from previous studies conducted. Suggestions for further research are also delineated. As listed in DSM-5, the criteria for this novel diagnosis are vague, display elevated comorbidity with other neurodevelopmental disorders and other childhood psychopathologies, and show partial overlap with autistic spectrum disorders both in terms of genetics and family histories. Data on cross-cultural presentations and temporal stability are also limited. The social communication model proposed by Catani and Bambini may help integrate the neurobiological findings pertaining to SCD. Valid and reliable assessment methods need to be developed for SCD. This may involve either development of novel instruments capturing the DSM-5 criteria or application of statistical methods such as item response theory to existing instruments. The relationships between broad autism phenotype, pragmatic language impairment, nonverbal learning disorder, learning disorders, autistic spectrum disorders, and SCD should be evaluated with further studies.

Childhood-onset form of myotonic dystrophy type 1 and autism spectrum disorder: Is there comorbidity?

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic disorder with neuromuscular symptoms and brain dysfunctions. Depending on the phenotypic expression, the degree of cognitive impairment remains heterogeneous, ranging from moderate to severe intellectual disability in the congenital form, to executive, visuospatial and personality dysfunction in the adult-onset form. Studies exploring the cognitive or psychiatric impairments in the childhood form of DM1, characterized by an age of onset between one and ten years, uneventful pre and post natal history and normal development the first year of life, are scarce and show conflicting results in regard to a comorbid diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The aim of the current review is to summarize diagnostic criteria and update the state of the debate regarding comorbidity. Evidence from 9 studies collected in PubMed database (representing a total of 175 cases) focusing on clinical, neuropsychological and neuroimaging domains in childhood DM1 is considered and similarities or differences between childhood DM1 and ASD are identified. Highlighting what is known about the neurocognitive features specific to the childhood-onset form of DM1 could help (1) propose early screening regarding socio-emotional and attentional/executive functions or (2) implement therapeutic programs based on reinforcement of executive skills or social cognition.

Assessing empathy and managing emotions through interactions with an affective avatar.

Assistive technologies can improve the quality of life of people diagnosed with different forms of social communication disorders. We report on the design and evaluation of an affective avatar aimed at engaging the user in a social interaction with the purpose of assisting in communication therapies. A human-avatar taxonomy is proposed to assist the design of affective avatars aimed at addressing social communication disorder. The avatar was evaluated with 30 subjects to assess how effectively it conveys the desired emotion and elicits empathy from the user. Results provide evidence that users become used to the avatar after a number of interactions, and they perceive the defined behavior as being logical. The users' interactions with the avatar entail affective reactions, including the mimic emotions that users felt, and establish a preliminary ground truth about prototypic empathic interactions with avatars that is being used to train learning algorithms to support social communication disorder evaluation.

[Child behavior disorder : clinical reasoning in general practice]. / Trouble du comportement de l'enfant : ébauche de raisonnement clinique en médecine de famille.

CONTEXT: in Belgium 70 % of the children aged 0 - 14 years have at least one annual contact with their family doctor, while for the same period, only 6 - 12 % of them will see a neuropaediatrician and/or a child psychiatrist, despite the fact that a diagnostic of Externalizing behavior before the age of 6 to 7 years, such as various ways of aggressiveness, of anger or of stealing will very often alert the family, the staff of creches or nursery as well as the teachers. Other children are showing signs of Internalizing behavior, very often together with depression or other forms of anxiety. OBJECTIVE: considering the role and the skills of the family doctor, the target is to propose a clinical approach adapted to the first line practitioner having to face the majority of complaints about the behaviour of a child younger than 10 years. METHODOLOGY: bibliographic research. The research equations were used on the data base TRIP DATA BASE, Cochrane Library, PUBMED and Google Scholar (EN/FR), searching, bare exception, the literature of the last five years. Moreover, the sites of the Haute Autorité Française (HAS), Société Scientifique de Médecine Générale (SSMG), Centre d'Expertise en Soins de Santé (KCE), Institut Scientifique en Santé Publique (ISSP) and of the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) were consulted too. RESULTS: the age of the child, his social and family environment will guide the family doctor and in the majority of cases, he will be able to reassure the family. Moreover, when in front of any problem within the family life it should be advisable to inquire about the health of the children in question, especially from a behavioural point of view. To the opposite, when a child is showing TEC or TIC, it is important to inquire about circumstances in his environment that might potentially be at the origin of (or contributing to) the troubles. CONCLUSIONS: the challenge the family doctor is facing is to be able in a consultation of 15-30 minutes to make the difference between serious and less serious behaviour troubles of the child. We are suggesting a first approach to a tool that would allow the front-line doctors to make an evaluation. More developed evaluation scales to be used by the family doctor will be the subject matter of future research work.

Contexte : en Belgique, 70 % des enfants de 0 à 14 ans ont au moins un contact annuel avec leur médecin de famille, alors que pour la même période, 6 à 12 % d'entre eux, consultent un neuropédiatre et/ou un pédopsychiatre. Or avant l'âge de 6 à 7 ans, le diagnostic de troubles comportementaux externalisés (TEC), telles les diverses expressions d'agressivité, de colère ou de vol, alarment souvent les familles, le personnel des crèches et garderies ou encore les instituteurs(trices). D'autres enfants manifesteront des troubles comportementaux internalisés (TIC) souvent associés à la dépression ou aux différentes formes d'anxiété. Objectifs : tenant compte des rôles et compétences du médecin de famille, l'objectif est de proposer une démarche clinique qui se veut adaptée à la pratique de première ligne devant la majorité des plaintes intéressant le comportement d'un enfant de moins de 10 ans. Méthodologie : recherche bibliographique. Les équations de recherches ont été utilisées pour les bases de données TRIP DATA BASE, Cochrane Library, PUBMED et Google Scholar (EN/FR) en recherchant, sauf exception, la littérature des cinq dernières années. Par ailleurs les sites de la Haute Autorité Française (HAS), Société Scientifique de Médecine Générale (SSMG), du Centre d'Expertise en Soins de Santé (KCE), de l'Institut Scientifique en Santé publique (ISSP) et du DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), ont également été consultés. Résultats : l'âge de l'enfant, son environnement social et familial permettent de guider le généraliste dans sa démarche et dans la majorité des cas, il pourra rassurer les familles. Par ailleurs, devant toutes difficultés de parcours familial, il faudrait s'enquérir de la santé des enfants concernés et notamment d'un point de vue comportemental. A l'inverse lorsqu'un enfant démontre des TEC ou des TIC, il importe de rechercher les circonstances environnementales potentiellement en cause. CONCLUSIONS: le défi pour le médecin généraliste, est de pouvoir en 15 à 30 minutes par consultation, discerner les troubles sérieux du comportement de l'enfant, de ceux qui ne le sont pas. Il est proposé une ébauche d'outil d'évaluation utilisable en 1ère ligne. De vraies échelles d'évaluation validées pour la pratique de médecine générale devraient être l'objet de travaux ultérieurs.