To refine the knowledge on familial transmission, we examined the (shared) familial components among neurodevelopmental problems (i.e. two attention-deficit/hyperactivity–impulsivity disorder [ADHD] and six autism spectrum disorder [ASD] subdomains) and with aggressive behavior, depression, anxiety, and substance use.

Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study encompassing 37 688 participants across three generations from the general population. ADHD subdomains, ASD subdomains, aggressive behavior, depression, anxiety, and substance use were assessed. To evaluate familial (co-)aggregation, recurrence risk ratios (λR) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. The (shared) familiality (f2), which is closely related to (shared) heritability, was assessed using residual maximum likelihood-based variance decomposition methods. All analyses were adjusted for sex, age, and age2.

The familial aggregation and familiality of neurodevelopmental problems were moderate (λR = 2.40–4.04; f2 = 0.22–0.39). The familial co-aggregation and shared familiality among neurodevelopmental problems (λR = 1.39–2.56; rF = 0.52–0.94), and with aggressive behavior (λR = 1.79–2.56; rF = 0.60–0.78), depression (λR = 1.45–2.29; rF = 0.43–0.76), and anxiety (λR = 1.44–2.31; rF = 0.62–0.84) were substantial. The familial co-aggregation and shared familiality between all neurodevelopmental problems and all types of substance use were weak (λR = 0.53–1.57; rF = −0.06–0.35).

Neurodevelopmental problems belonging to the same disorder were more akin than cross-disorder problems. That said, there is a clear (shared) familial component to neurodevelopmental problems, in part shared with other psychiatric problems (except for substance use). This suggests that neurodevelopmental disorders, disruptive behavior disorders, and internalizing disorders share genetic and environmental risk factors.

The prevalence and patterns of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms/traits and the associations of ASD with psychiatric and substance use disorders has not been documented in non-clinical students in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Kenya in particular.

To document the risk level of ASD and its traits in a Kenyan student population (high school, college and university) using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ); and to determine the associations between ASD and other psychiatric and substance use disorders.

This was a cross-sectional study among students (n = 9626). We used instruments with sufficient psychometric properties and good discriminative validity to collect data. A cut-off score of ≥32 on the AQ was used to identify those at high risk of ASD. We conducted the following statistical tests: (a) basic descriptive statistics; (b) chi-squared tests and Fisher's exact tests to analyse associations between categorical variables and ASD; (c) independent t-tests to examine two-group comparisons with ASD; (d) one-way analysis of variance to make comparisons between categorical variables with three or more groups and ASD; (e) statistically significant (P < 0.05) variables fitted into an ordinal logistic regression model to identify determinants of ASD; (f) Pearson's correlation and reliability analysis.

Of the total sample, 54 (0.56%) were at high risk of ASD. Sociodemographic differences were found in the mean scores for the various traits, and statistically significant (P < 0.05) associations we found between ASD and various psychiatric and substance use disorders.

Risk of ASD, gender characteristics and associations with psychiatric and substance use disorders are similar in this Kenyan sample to those found in Western settings in non-clinical populations.

1. (1) To use a lived experience perspective to explore expert psychological therapists’ views of challenges and adaptations when delivering CBT for adults with autism.

2. (2) To investigate the benefits of adapting CBT when working with adults with autism.

3. (3) To understand the importance of involving people with lived experience in the development and co-production of psychological interventions.

Catatonic features can appear in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). There can be overlap in symptoms across catatonia and ASD. The overall aim of this review is to provide evidence for the presence of catatonic features in subjects with ASD.

A systematic literature search using the Web of Science database from inception to July 10, 2021 was conducted following PRISMA, MOOSE guidelines and the PROSPERO protocol. (CRD42021248615). Twelve studies with information about catatonia and ASD were reviewed. Data from a subset was used to conduct meta-analyses of the presence of catatonia in ASD.

The systematic review included 12 studies, seven of which were used for the meta-analysis, comprising 969 individuals. The mean age was 21.25 (7.5) years. Two studies (16.6%) included only children and adolescents. A total of 70–100% were males. Our meta-analysis showed that 10.4% (5.8–18.0 95%CI) of individuals with ASD have catatonia. Motor disturbances were common in ASD subjects with catatonia. No differences were found in comorbidity. Several treatments have been used in ASD with catatonic features, including benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The findings of the systematic review showed that ECT might help manage catatonic symptoms.

Different features of catatonia can exist in individuals with ASD and core symptoms of catatonia are reported in ASD. Longitudinal and longer-term studies are required to understand the relationship between catatonia and ASD, and the response of catatonic symptoms to treatment.

Ireland has an ageing population of persons with intellectual disability (ID), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and both (ID/ASD). Despite this, little is known about the prevalence of ASD and its effect on functional outcomes, psychiatric comorbidity or diagnostic issues in an older population with ID. This article reviews the literature on older adults with ID/ASD and identifies opportunities for future research in this population.

The authors searched the Medline, Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL and PsychInfo databases using the search terms using key words: (older adults) AND (ID OR mental retardation OR learning disability) AND (autism OR ASD). After excluding articles for relevance, a scoping review was carried out on the results retrieved.

Of the 1227 articles retrieved from the literature on ID and autism/ASD in older adults, 85 articles were relevant to an adult population with ID/ASD. The data were collated and are presented covering domains of diagnosis, prevalence, psychiatric comorbidities and functional outcomes.

Despite increased prevalence in childhood ASD in the last 20 years, there is a lack of research regarding adults, especially older adults, with ASD, up to half of whom will have some level of ID. The existing literature suggests that older adults with ID/ASD may have reduced functional independence, increased psychiatric comorbidity and psychotropic prescribing and more behavioural presentations than the older population generally or those with ID only. There is a need for longitudinal data to be collected on this ageing population so that care and management needs can be met in the future.

Case of a 17yo patient with high functioning ASD and OCD with obsessions about being a pedophile, with suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviors. He was followed in outpatient care for one year since his first contact with Mental Health, following an inpatient admission for suicidal ideation.

Differential diagnosis between OCD, ASD and possible pedophilia. Learn about different levels of care involved, and other possibilities. Therapy resources used.

Description of the case report: description of initial and final Mental Status Exam Differential Diagnosis: ASD vs OCD vs Pedophilia vs Depressive Disorder Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Therapy: family based therapy, and Exposure response prevention therapy.

Intrusive images, and reassurance seeking, helped with OCD diagnosis. ASD made symptoms harder to manage with SSRIs alone, which drove to add Aripiprazol at low doses in outpatient care. CY-BOCS showed obsessions other than doubts about being a pedophile. He participated in Exposure response prevention therapy with response, especially when antipsychotic medication was added. Family based therapy worked with his parents in not providing excessive reassurance, and with the patient in gaining insight about his OCD. Decreased anxiety, decreased self-deprecation and no new suicidal thoughts Functionality of the patient in the community improved, with possibility of going college next year.

Recommendation of good assessment of sexuality in ASD population Importance of individual and family therapy for OCD and specially when there is poor judgement and insight in the patient. Importance of combined treatment: pharmacology + therapy

Alicia Koplowitz Foundation

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is considered more common in males; however, ascertainment estimates of ASD in the UK population suggest a significant proportion of female cases of ASD go unrecognised and undiagnosed. This review examines whether the apparent underdiagnosis of girls may be attributed to gender sampling bias in the validation of diagnostic instruments routinely used to diagnose autism.

To compare the gender ratio in validation samples of commonly used diagnostic tools for autism to estimates of the gender distribution of children with autism in the UK population

A review of diagnostic tool manuals and a targeted literature search identified the gender of sample participants used to validate tools used by Scottish ASD services. Analysis of validation samples compared the mean percentage of female participants with ASD to estimates of the proportion of girls with ASD in the UK population.

Data on 7 tools was extracted. The mean percentage of female sample participants with ASD was significantly lower than the ascertainment estimate of females with ASD in the UK population (p=0.010, t(6)=-3.67) and significantly lower than the mean percentage of females in comparison groups (p=0.010, t(12)=-3.06).

There is low representation of females in validity samples of tools, which may reduce their sensitivity to the female phenotype and contribute to diagnostic disparities. Future research is warranted on why instruments are poorer detectors of ASD in girls and how female features of ASD could be better represented in their structure.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), is a population that does not usually receive specific treatment.

The main objective of the present study is to evaluate whether specific interventions within the TAVA program (transition program to adult life for patients with ADS), produce significant improvements in the quality of life of young adults with ASD.

This is a prospective randomized clinical study of patients with ASD (according to DSM-5 criteria) seen in outpatient of the Parc Tauli University Hospital in Sabadell (Barcelona) since September 2017. We compared the quality of life, functionality, caregiver burden, and comorbidity of patients in TAVA program (beneficiaries of group therapy and specific medical and psychosocial interventions), with that of control patients (treatment as usual), after 2 years of intervention.

Our sample is composed of 12 patients with ASD. The average age is 18.4 years. 83% of the sample are men (n = 10). 5 of the patients belonged to TAVA and the other 7 were controls. Overall, TAVA patients presented improvement in the ZARIT and BAI scales compared to control patients. The control patients evolved less favorably in the AAA, SRS and RAAS levels compared to TAVA.

Specific interventions in adults with ASD, improve the caregiver’s feeling of overload and the patients anxiety, compared to the usual interventions. The lack of regulated interventions produces an unfavorable evolution of the core symptoms of autism. More studies are needed to specify efficient interventions to improve the quality of life of adults with ASD.

No significant relationships.