Objective. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities. The aim of this study was to determine the postnatal levels of thyroid hormones and investigate their association with the severity of ASD symptoms. Methods. The study included 56 children (46 boys and 10 girls) with ASD aged 24–42 months. For ASD diagnostics the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - second version (ADOS-2) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) – interview with the child’s parents or guardians were used. Venous blood was drawn right after the diagnostic procedures to analyze serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (s-TSH), free triiodothyronine (s-fT3), and free thyroxine (s-fT4) levels. Linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between the concentrations of thyroid hormones and ASD symptoms severity. Results. Serum concentrations of measured hormones were within normal reference ranges in almost all children. Decline of s-TSH was significantly associated with an increase in the severity of impaired social interaction and impaired communication as rated by parents (ADI-R) and with a higher prevalence of stereotyped behavior as observed in the diagnostic examination (ADOS-2). A decrease in s-fT3 was associated with higher frequency of stereotyped behavior as assessed by parents (ADI-R). Neither sex nor age were significant predictors. Conclusion. Although thyroid hormone levels were normal, we demonstrated an association of thyroid hormones with ASD symptoms. © 2024 Sciendo. All rights reserved.

The aim of this research was to compare the mental health of families with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or typically developing children, during the first and the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Slovakia. The study is mainly focused on the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among the parents and maladaptive behavior or sleep disturbances of their children. Our research sample consisted of 332 caregivers, 155 of which have children with autism spectrum disorder; 179 surveyed during the first wave and 153 during the second wave. Extensive online parent questionnaire was created, including demographic and specific topic–related questions; Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale–42 questionnaire; and two subscales of Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales—internalizing and externalizing maladaptive behavior. During the first wave, high levels of anxiety were found in parents of autism spectrum disorder children. During the second wave, all parents experienced increased levels of anxiety, stress, and depression, but especially severe for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Internalizing maladaptive behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder grew significantly between the waves. Parental depression, anxiety, and stress positively correlated with maladaptive behavior in both autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical children, suggesting a need for therapy options for whole families. Lay abstract: A global pandemic caused by a new coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) affected everyday lives of all people, including individuals with special needs, such as autism spectrum disorder. The aim of this research was to compare the mental health of families with children with autism spectrum disorder to families with typically developing children, and between the first and the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Slovakia. This mainly included symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress of parents and problem behavior or sleeping difficulties of their children. The research sample consisted of 332 parents (155 of which have children with autism spectrum disorder), 179 surveyed during the first wave and 153 during the second wave. Online parent questionnaire was created, including demographic and specific topic questions, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale–42 questionnaire, and internalizing and externalizing maladaptive behavior subscales from Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Our results show that during the first wave, parents of autism spectrum disorder children suffered high levels of anxiety. During the second wave, both groups of parents suffered increased anxiety, stress, and depression, but especially severe for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Internalizing maladaptive behavior of autistic children grew significantly between the waves. Parental depression, anxiety, and stress were interconnected with maladaptive behavior of both autism spectrum disorder and typically developing children, suggesting the importance of the therapy options for whole families. © The Author(s) 2021.

The structure of intellectual abilities in preschool children with ASD with normal intelligence compared to typically developing children

The aim of this paper is to present an analysis of the intellectual ability profile of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disability in comparison to their typically developing (TD) peers. An estimated 67% of children with ASD have intellectual abilities in the normal or borderline range. Children with ASD typically have an uneven profile of cognitive abilities, with strengths in visuo-spatial abilities and weaknesses in abstract thinking and reasoning. The study population consisted of 11 children diagnosed with ASD and matched 11 TD children who were paired by age and gender. 82% were boys, and ages ranged from 3 to 6 years (M = 4.9, SD = 0.75). The SON-R 2-7 was used to assess intellectual ability. The IQ range in the ASD group was 71-122 and in the TD group 96-135. Between-group comparisons indicated weaker abilities in children with ASD, particularly in the Perform domain (p < 0.001), specifically in the subtests Mosaics (p < 0.009) and Patterns (p < 0.009). Surprisingly, performance on the Situations subtest, which captures reasoning in social situations, was not significantly different from the TD group. The profile analysis in the ASD group also yielded information about the maxima and minima in the within-group comparison, where the dominance of visuo-spatial abilities was not confirmed. We reflect on the limitations of using SON-R in practice and research when working with children with ASD.

Diferenciálna diagnostika porúch autistického spektra - ako odlíšime autizmus od iných porúch?

Táto kapitola sa venuje odlíšeniu autizmu od iných vývinových ťažkosti alebo porúch u detí. Nájdete tu vývinové oneskorenie, poruchy intelektu, ale aj vývinovú traumu, poruchy pripútania, genetické ochorenia, selektívny mutizmus, zmyslové postihnutia a poruchy spôsobené užívaním návykových látok matkou počas tehotenstva. Niektoré neurovývinové poruchy alebo iné psychické ochorenia nájdete v iných kapitolách tejto knihy.

Objective. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities. The aim of this study was to determine the postnatal levels of thyroid hormones and investigate their association with the severity of ASD symptoms. Methods. The study included 56 children (46 boys and 10 girls) with ASD aged 24–42 months. For ASD diagnostics the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - second version (ADOS-2) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) – interview with the child’s parents or guardians were used. Venous blood was drawn right after the diagnostic procedures to analyze serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (s-TSH), free triiodothyronine (s-fT3), and free thyroxine (s-fT4) levels. Linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between the concentrations of thyroid hormones and ASD symptoms severity. Results. Serum concentrations of measured hormones were within normal reference ranges in almost all children. Decline of s-TSH was significantly associated with an increase in the severity of impaired social interaction and impaired communication as rated by parents (ADI-R) and with a higher prevalence of stereotyped behavior as observed in the diagnostic examination (ADOS-2). A decrease in s-fT3 was associated with higher frequency of stereotyped behavior as assessed by parents (ADI-R). Neither sex nor age were significant predictors. Conclusion. Although thyroid hormone levels were normal, we demonstrated an association of thyroid hormones with ASD symptoms. © 2024 Sciendo. All rights reserved.

The aim of this research was to compare the mental health of families with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or typically developing children, during the first and the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Slovakia. The study is mainly focused on the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among the parents and maladaptive behavior or sleep disturbances of their children. Our research sample consisted of 332 caregivers, 155 of which have children with autism spectrum disorder; 179 surveyed during the first wave and 153 during the second wave. Extensive online parent questionnaire was created, including demographic and specific topic–related questions; Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale–42 questionnaire; and two subscales of Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales—internalizing and externalizing maladaptive behavior. During the first wave, high levels of anxiety were found in parents of autism spectrum disorder children. During the second wave, all parents experienced increased levels of anxiety, stress, and depression, but especially severe for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Internalizing maladaptive behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder grew significantly between the waves. Parental depression, anxiety, and stress positively correlated with maladaptive behavior in both autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical children, suggesting a need for therapy options for whole families. Lay abstract: A global pandemic caused by a new coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) affected everyday lives of all people, including individuals with special needs, such as autism spectrum disorder. The aim of this research was to compare the mental health of families with children with autism spectrum disorder to families with typically developing children, and between the first and the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Slovakia. This mainly included symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress of parents and problem behavior or sleeping difficulties of their children. The research sample consisted of 332 parents (155 of which have children with autism spectrum disorder), 179 surveyed during the first wave and 153 during the second wave. Online parent questionnaire was created, including demographic and specific topic questions, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale–42 questionnaire, and internalizing and externalizing maladaptive behavior subscales from Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Our results show that during the first wave, parents of autism spectrum disorder children suffered high levels of anxiety. During the second wave, both groups of parents suffered increased anxiety, stress, and depression, but especially severe for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Internalizing maladaptive behavior of autistic children grew significantly between the waves. Parental depression, anxiety, and stress were interconnected with maladaptive behavior of both autism spectrum disorder and typically developing children, suggesting the importance of the therapy options for whole families. © The Author(s) 2021.

The structure of intellectual abilities in preschool children with ASD with normal intelligence compared to typically developing children

The aim of this paper is to present an analysis of the intellectual ability profile of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disability in comparison to their typically developing (TD) peers. An estimated 67% of children with ASD have intellectual abilities in the normal or borderline range. Children with ASD typically have an uneven profile of cognitive abilities, with strengths in visuo-spatial abilities and weaknesses in abstract thinking and reasoning. The study population consisted of 11 children diagnosed with ASD and matched 11 TD children who were paired by age and gender. 82% were boys, and ages ranged from 3 to 6 years (M = 4.9, SD = 0.75). The SON-R 2-7 was used to assess intellectual ability. The IQ range in the ASD group was 71-122 and in the TD group 96-135. Between-group comparisons indicated weaker abilities in children with ASD, particularly in the Perform domain (p < 0.001), specifically in the subtests Mosaics (p < 0.009) and Patterns (p < 0.009). Surprisingly, performance on the Situations subtest, which captures reasoning in social situations, was not significantly different from the TD group. The profile analysis in the ASD group also yielded information about the maxima and minima in the within-group comparison, where the dominance of visuo-spatial abilities was not confirmed. We reflect on the limitations of using SON-R in practice and research when working with children with ASD.

Diferenciálna diagnostika porúch autistického spektra - ako odlíšime autizmus od iných porúch?

Táto kapitola sa venuje odlíšeniu autizmu od iných vývinových ťažkosti alebo porúch u detí. Nájdete tu vývinové oneskorenie, poruchy intelektu, ale aj vývinovú traumu, poruchy pripútania, genetické ochorenia, selektívny mutizmus, zmyslové postihnutia a poruchy spôsobené užívaním návykových látok matkou počas tehotenstva. Niektoré neurovývinové poruchy alebo iné psychické ochorenia nájdete v iných kapitolách tejto knihy.

Comparing the impact of the first and second wave of COVID-19 lockdown on Slovak families with typically developing children and children with autism spectrum disorder

• October 2021
• Autism 26(5):136236132110514

Research Interest Score 17.1

Citations 28

Recommendations 2

Reads 145

Plasma cytokine concentrations of children with autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical siblings

• August 2023
• Cytokine 170(4):156333

Research Interest Score 3.3

Citations 5

Recommendations 0

Reads 97

Alterations in Antioxidant Status and Erythrocyte Properties in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

• November 2023
• Antioxidants 12(12):2054

Research Interest Score 3.4

Citations 2

Recommendations 1

Reads 82

Spoluriešiteľ:

Agentúra na podporu výskumu a vývoja - APVV-20-0070 - Pohlavne špecifický geneticko-endokrinný pohľad na poruchy autistického spektra

SPoluriešiteľka:

Komisia VEGA pre lekárske a farmaceutické vedy

Detection and classification of CNV varaints and their phenotypic correlations in children with autism spectrum disorders.

SPoluriešiteľka:

Komisia VEGA pre lekárske a farmaceutické vedy 1/0068/21

Štúdium hormonálnych a genetických prediktorov porúch autistického spektra, ich úloha v patomechanizmoch a vzťahy so psychologicko-behaviorálnymi parametrami