Autism in Down’s syndrome: a family history study

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73253/1/j.1365-2788.2000.00271.x.pd

Impairment in movement skills of children with autism spectrum disorders

We undertook this study to explore the degree of impairment in movement skills in children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and a wide IQ range. Movement skills were measured using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC) in a large, well defined, population-derived group of children (n=101: 89 males,12 females; mean age 11y 4mo, SD 10mo; range 10y-14y 3mo) with childhood autism and broader ASD and a wide range of IQ scores. Additionally, we tested whether a parent-completed questionnaire, the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ), was useful in identifying children who met criteria for movement impairments after assessment (n=97 with complete M-ABCs and DCDQs). Of the children with ASD, 79% had definite movement impairments on the M-ABC; a further 10% had borderline problems. Children with childhood autism were more impaired than children with broader ASD, and children with an IQ less than 70 were more impaired than those with IQ more than 70. This is consistent with the view that movement impairments may arise from a more severe neurological impairment that also contributes to intellectual disability and more severe autism. Movement impairment was not associated with everyday adaptive behaviour once the effect of IQ was controlled for. The DCDQ performed moderately well as a screen for possible motor difficulties. Movement impairments are common in children with ASD. Systematic assessment of movement abilities should be considered a routine investigation

Brief report: Haloperidol treatment of trichotillomania in a boy with autism and mental retardation

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44605/1/10803_2005_Article_BF02207333.pd

Depression in Persons with Autism: Implications for Research and Clinical Care

Although several studies have investigated the occurrence of medical and neurological conditions in persons with autism, relatively few reports have focused on the phenomenology and treatment of psychiatric disorders in this population. There is emerging evidence that depression is probably the most common psychiatric disorder that occurs in autistic persons. In this review, we examine the factors that influence the presence of depression in this population, such as the level of intelligence, age, gender, associated medical conditions, and the role of genetic factors and life events. We discuss the various forms of treatment available and highlight the need for early detection.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44620/1/10803_2004_Article_374852.pd

Brief report: Violence in asperger syndrome, a critique

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44604/1/10803_2005_Article_BF02207331.pd

Asperger syndrome and clumsiness

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44610/1/10803_2005_Article_BF01046112.pd

Autistic symptoms following herpes encephalitis

Autism is a childhood onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by reciprocal social deficits, communication impairment, and rigid ritualistic interests, with the onset almost always before three years of age. Although the etiology of the disorder is strongly influenced by genes, environmental factors are also important. In this context, several reports have described its association with known medical conditions, including infections affecting the central nervous system. In this report, we describe an 11-year-old Asian youngster who developed the symptoms of autism following an episode of herpes encephalitis. In contrast to previous similar reports, imaging studies suggested a predominant involvement of the frontal lobes. At follow-up after three years, he continued to show the core deficits of autism. This case further supports the role of environmental factors, such as infections, in the etiology of autism, and suggests that in a minority of cases, autistic symptoms can develop in later childhood.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42465/1/787-11-3-142_20110142.pd

Brief report: A comparison of the diagnostic criteria for Asperger syndrome

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44608/1/10803_2005_Article_BF01046332.pd

Is megalencephaly specific to autism?

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72452/1/j.1365-2788.1999.00211.x.pd