Innovative Investigations Of Language In Autism Spectrum Disorder

In recent decades, a growing number of children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition characterized by, among other features, social interaction deficits and language impairment. Yet the precise nature of the disorder’s impact on language development is not well understood, in part because of the language variability among children across the autism spectrum. The contributors to this volume — experts in fields ranging from communication disorders to developmental and clinical psychology to linguistics — use innovative techniques to address two broad questions: Is the variability of language development and use in children with ASD a function of the language, such that some linguistic domains are more vulnerable to ASD than others? Or is the variability a function of the individual, such that some characteristics predispose those with ASD to have varying levels of difficulty with language development and use? Contributors investigate these questions across linguistic levels, from lexical semantics and single-clause syntax, to computationally complex phonology and the syntax-pragmatics interface. Authors address both spoken and written domains within the wider context of language acquisition. This timely and broadly accessible volume will be of interest to a broad range of specialists, including linguists, psychologists, sociologists, behavioral neurologists, and cognitive neuroscientists.

This book introduces a novel approach for examining language and communication in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) - discourse and conversation analysis. The authors offer a set of very different perspectives on these complex issues than are typically presented in psychological and clinical work. Emerging from a range of social scientific fields, discourse and conversation analysis involve fine-grained qualitative analysis of naturally-occurring, rather than laboratory-based, interaction, enabling broad applications. Presented in two parts, this innovative volume first provides a set of pedagogical chapters to develop the reader's knowledge and skills in using these approaches, before moving to showcase the use of discursive methods through a range of original contributions from world-leading scholars, drawn from a range of disciplines including sociology, academic and clinical psychology, speech and language therapy, critical disability studies and social theory, and medicine and psychiatry.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a relatively new diagnostic label which reflects the variability and differentiation of symptomatology among children and youth commonly described as having autistic disorder, high-functioning autism (HFA), and Asperger's syndrome. Current best practices have emerged from decades of evidence-based research, research-to-practice translation of empirically supported procedures, and consensus-driven recommendations from multiple disciplines. As a result, practitioners have many educational and intervention choices for children and youth with ASD--what is critical is that these options are informed by empirical outcomes that have been replicated in experimental trials (group and single-case) and disseminated to professionals and researchers alike. Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a state-of-the-art volume of 15 chapters across four thematic sections that reflect the current convention of viewing autism along a continuum of presenting symptoms. Skillfully edited by James K. Luiselli, sections cover diagnosis, assessment, and measurement; evidence-based practices; health and development; and additional topics such as mindful caregiving and support, CBT, and behavioral family intervention. Compiling the most up-to-date advances in approaches toward diagnosis, education, treatment, and program development, Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will be a valuable resource for professionals and trainees in the ASD field including psychologists, educators, therapists, behavior analysts, and similar practitioners. It is also appropriate for academic researchers and courses devoted to clinical psychology, special education, developmental disabilities, and special topics.

This book focuses on the emerging and expanding areas of research on ASD and their potential to lead to better diagnosis and more effective therapies. These areas include innovative and integrative approaches to genetic/genomic analyses and investigations of epigenetic contributions, including the role of noncoding RNAs, DNA methylation, alternative splicing, RNA editing, and faulty translation in gene regulation and expression, metabolic and immune dysfunction, co-morbidities, as well as hormonal and gene-environment interactions that may increase risk for ASD. Within each chapter, experts review cutting-edge research as well as provide their perspective on the future of research in their respective areas, including the challenges involved and the types of studies or advances that are necessary to move the field forward to achieve predicted translational goals. Contributors: Argel Aguilar-Valles, Evdokia Anagnostou, Emma Ashwin, Bonnie Auyeung, Kelly M Bakulski, Simon Baron-Cohen, Margaret L Bauman, Donna Betts, Chad A Bousman, Daniel B Campbell, Manuel F Casanova, Bhismadev Chakrabarti, Gursharan Chana, Abha Chauhan, Ved Chauhan, Jessica DeWitt, Keith W Dunaway, Alal Eran, Ian P Everall, M Daniele Fallin, Richard E Frye, Piers Gillett, Matthew Ginsberg, Christos G Gkogkas, Rhonda J Greenhaw, Simon G Gregory, Elena L Grigorenko, Feng Gu, Rebecca Harmer, Martha Herbert, Valerie W Hu, Karen L Jones, Petra Kern, Arkady Khoutorsky, Rebecca Knickmeyer, Isaac S Kohane, Louis M Kunkel, Janine M LaSalle, Michael V Lombardo, Deepali Mankad, Marvin Natowicz, Laura Nicholls, Christos Pantelis, Natalia Rakhlin, Radhika Ramadas, Daniel A Rossignol, Tewarit Sarachana, Stephen W Scherer, Gabriela Schmulevich, Ayten Shah, Frank R Sharp, Alison B Singer, Efstratios Skafidas, Estate M Sokhadze, Nahum Sonenberg, Boryana Stamova, Zohreh Talebizadeh, Renee Testa, Judy Van de Water, Irina Voineagu, Daniel Williams, Ryan K C Yuen, Daniela Zantomio. Contents:Dissecting the Genetic Architecture of ASD:Phenotype Definition: A Cornerstone of Autism Research, Diagnosis and Therapy (Valerie W Hu)From Molecular Pathways to ASD Therapy: Insights from Syndromic Forms of Autism (Laura Nicholls, Radhika Ramadas and Irina Voineagu)Language Impairment in Autism Spectrum Disorders (Natalia Rakhlin and Elena L Grigorenko)Whole Genome Sequencing in Autism: Clinical Translation (Ryan K C Yuen and Stephen W Scherer)The Impact of Integrative Unconventional Data Analysis Approaches on Advancing Autism Genetics Research (Zohreh Talebizadeh and Ayten Shah)Construction of a Genetic Classifier for ASD Using Gene Pathway Analysis (Gursharan Chana, Renee Testa, Piers Gillett, Daniel Williams, Chad A Bousman, Daniela Zantomio, Ian P Everall, Christos Pantelis and Efstratios Skafidas)Gene Dysregulation in ASD: From Transcription to Translation:Genome-Wide Expression Studies of Blood and Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines in Autism Spectrum Disorders (Boryana Stamova and Frank R Sharp)Searching in the “Dark”: Non-Coding RNA as a New Avenue of Autism Research (Tewarit Sarachana and Valerie W Hu)Targeting Noncoding RNA for Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (Jessica DeWitt and Daniel B Campbell)A-to-I RNA Editing in Autism Spectrum Disorder (Alal Eran, Isaac S Kohane and Louis M Kunkel)Translational Control of Autism and Fragile-X Syndrome (Christos G Gkogkas, Argel Aguilar-Valles, Arkady Khoutorsky and Nahum Sonenberg)Epigenetic, Environmental, and Physiological Contributions to ASD:Epigenetics in Autism (Matthew Ginsberg and Marvin Natowicz)The Epigenetics of Autism — Running Beyond the Bases (Simon G Gregory)Genes and Environment in Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Integrated Perspective (Kelly M Bakulski, Alison B Singer and M Daniele Fallin)The Potential Brain Drain from Environmental Exposures on the Methylome and Genome Across Generations (Janine M LaSalle and Keith W Dunaway)Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in ASDs (Feng Gu, Ved Chauhan and Abha Chauhan)Maternal Autoantibodies in Autism Spectrum Disorder (Karen L Jones and Judy Van de Water)Why is Autism More Common in Males? (Simon Baron-Cohen, Michael V Lombardo, Bonnie Auyeung, Emma Ashwin, Bhismadev Chakrabarti and Rebecca Knickmeyer)Moving Towards Personalized Treatment of ASD and Lifespan Issues:Future Directions in Psychopharmacology of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Deepali Mankad and Evdokia Anagnostou)Medical Co-Morbidities in Autism: Clues to Underlying Biological Mechanisms and/or Diagnostic Subtypes? (Margaret L Bauman)Translational Implications of a Whole-Body Approach to Brain Health in Autism: How Transduction Between Metabolism and Electrophysiology Points to Mechanisms for Neuroplasticity (Martha R Herbert)Achieving Optimal Outcomes in Autism: Treating Potentially Reversible Conditions Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Richard E Frye and Daniel A Rossignol)Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Application in Autism Treatment (Manuel F Casanova and Estate M Sokhadze)Music Therapy: Personalized Interventions for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Petra Kern)The Contributions of Art Therapy in Treatment, Assessment, and Research with People Who have Autism Spectrum Disorders (Donna Betts, Rebecca Harmer and Gabriela Schmulevich)Shifting Paradigms: An Examination of Our Understanding of Adult Autism (Rhonda J Greenhaw) Readership: Established investigators and students engaged in autism research; also the general population, especially families of individuals affected by ASD and their professional caregivers. Key Features:This book presents a prospective look forward at autism research in multiple rapidly evolving areas, thus helping to provide focus and directions for future studiesThis book provides perspectives on what translational outcomes (e.g., novel and targeted therapeutics) can be anticipated from such studiesStrong focus on patient-centered researchKeywords:Autism Spectrum Disorders;Genetics;Genomics;Transciptome;Gene Regulation;Epigenetics;Noncoding RNA;RNA Editing;Gene-Environment Interactions;Sex Bias in ASD;Metabolic Dysfunction;Novel Therapeutics;Art Therapy;Music Therapy;Adult Population

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD hereafter) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in communicative and social skills. The vast majority of research on language in ASD has focused on pragmatic difficulties, while less is known about structural aspects of language in this population. Work on syntax and phonology is not only sparse, but the heterogeneity in these grammatical domains has moreover led to conflicting reports that they are either intact or impaired. More remains to be understood about variations in grammatical profiles in ASD, as well as the relation of grammar to other cognitive abilities. The body of research gathered here increases our understanding of the grammatical strengths and weaknesses in ASD. The contributions carefully elucidate the relations between grammar and other areas of cognition, as well as unveil the similarities and differences of grammar in ASD compared to other conditions. The result is a volume that provides new ways to think about language and communication in ASD, and beyond, which should be of interest to both linguists and clinicians.

Synthesizing an explosion of recent research, this book presents dramatic advances in understanding and treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in very young children. Leading authorities describe the innovative tools and methods that are enabling clinicians to more effectively identify 0- to 5-year-olds with the disorder and those at risk for related problems. Chapters discuss the early core symptoms and co-occurring characteristics of ASD, the best diagnostic instruments, and lessons learned from large-scale screening and surveillance, including sibling studies. The book reviews evidence-based interventions and explores practical issues in treatment of young children and their families.

Autism spectrum disorders are developmental disorders. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders develop differently. These differences are usually present in social interaction, communication, and sensory processing, and become visible through a wide variety of behavioral responses that differ from individuals without autism spectrum disorders. Despite significant research efforts, the exact causes of autism spectrum disorders remain poorly understood; however, researchers have gained extensive insights into possible pathomechanisms, even at the molecular level of cells. Many diagnostic criteria have been developed, adapted, and improved. The eight chapters in this book highlight the current state-of-the-art in many areas of autism spectrum disorders. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders and the current knowledge of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Chapter 2 summarizes the diagnostic criteria and procedures and highlights present and upcoming therapeutic strategies. Chapter 3 reviews the adverse events and trauma in people with autism spectrum disorders. Chapters 4 and 5 focus on atypical sensory processing, and Chapter 6 discusses the genetic overlap of autism spectrum disorders with other neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and schizophrenia. Chapter 7 focuses on the contribution of abnormalities in mitochondria, and chapter 8 discusses gut-brain interactions and a potential role for microbiota in autism spectrum disorders. This book is aimed primarily at clinicians and scientists, but many areas will also be of interest to the layperson.

Communication in Autism adopts a multidisciplinary approach to explore one of the most common developmental disorders associated with communication impairment. Perhaps the most fascinating thing about communication in autism is that variation is as extreme as it could possibly be. While some individuals with autism have age-appropriate language, a number have exceptional language skills; others have little or no spoken language. In between these extremes are individuals who experience significant linguistic impairments. These impairments can affect peer relations and literacy skills. The chapters in this volume provide comprehensive coverage of both the theoretical underpinnings and the practical aspects of autistic communication. The result is a volume that showcases the wide range of methodologies being used in this field of research. It is invaluable for scientists, service providers, parents, individuals with autism, and students learning about communication and autism (e.g., in psychology, speech pathology, and education).