[The development of anorexia nervosa in people with an autism spectrum disorder; a qualitative, retrospective study]. / Het ontstaan van anorexia nervosa bij mensen met een autismespectrum-stoornis; een kwalitatief en retrospectief onderzoek.

BACKGROUND: To improve treatment options for women with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in combination with anorexia nervosa (an), it is necessary to better understand which risk factors are involved in the development of an in this target audience.
AIM: To identify risk factors for the development of an in people with ASD.
METHOD: Six women with ASD who are, or have been suffering from an, were interviewed about the development of their eating disorder. The data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method.
RESULTS: Regarding these participants, the generally accepted risk factors for developing an also appear to play a role, where it is possible that people with ASD form a vulnerable group for these risk factors. Characteristics specific for ASD were found to also contribute to the development of an in these participants.
CONCLUSION: For women with ASD it is important to be aware of a vulnerability to develop an. Extra support in areas where they experience difficulties is therefore necessary. The ASD specific characteristics can be aggravating or sustaining factors for an and should therefore be included in the treatment.

[Suicidality in people with autism without intellectual impairment]. / Suïcidaliteit bij mensen met autisme zonder verstandelijke beperking.

People with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) relatively often experience suicidality. This seems partly related to comorbid disorders such as depression, ADHD and addiction. In addition, people with ASD are relatively vulnerable due to limitations in social communication, for example for bullying behavior of others. This, too, plays a role in suicidality, as well as having a strong tendency to ruminate and difficulty regulating emotions. Particularly in women with ASD, we see increased suicidality; possibly because they have more comorbid disorders, but also because of their tendency to camouflage and compensate. Social support and a sense of belonging do not protect people with ASD against suicidality. Practical help does seemtobe a protective factor. In clinical practice, health professionals should be aware of possible suicidality in people with ASD. Treatment of comorbidity and emotion regulation problems, as well as the practical guidance and the use of good anti-bullying programs can play an important role in this.

[Eating problems in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but no intellectual impairment]. / Eetproblemen bij mensen met een autismespectrumstoornis zonder intellectuele beperking.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the co-occurrence--in individuals--of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and eating disorders and eating problems. Consequently, clinicians do not have enough information about how to diagnose or treat the combination of ASD and eating problems. AIM: To discuss the scientific literature and clinical experiences relating to eating disorders and eating problems in people who have ASD but no intellectual impairment. METHOD: The scientific literature was searched by means of PubMed, Medline and PsycINFO, and clinical experiences were discussed. RESULTS: The combination of ASS and anorexia nervosa seems to be a strong predictor that the eating disorder will follow a chronic course. It is not clear how often bulimia nervosa occurs in persons with ASD. Eating problems in persons with ASD often seem to be related to sensory sensitivity, eating preferences and motor problems. So far, little is known about the treatment of eating disorders and eating problems in individuals with ASD. CONCLUSION: When diagnosing and treating eating disorders and eating problems in individuals with ASD, it is important to take information processing and behaviour characteristics of ASD into account. Further research is needed, particularly in order to cast more light on treatment possibilities.

[The influence of genes and environment on the development of autism spectrum disorders]. / De invloed van genen en omgeving op het ontstaan van autismespectrumstoornissen.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorders (asd) occur in 0,6% of the general population. On the basis of research in the 70s, 80s and 90s many experts came to the conclusion that asd were in fact genetically determined and were linked only slightly to environmental factors. Recent research, however, indicates that environmental factors really do play an important role. AIM: To describe and identify the main trends in current research into the causes of asd. METHOD: The literature was studied with the help of Medline, Cochrane, Web of Science and ScienceDirect. RESULTS: Recent studies indicate that there is an underlying genetic cause in 35 to 60% of the cases of asd. Environmental factors play a greater role than previously thought and trigger the development of asd in people with a genetic vulnerability to asd. Not only is there evidence of risk factors for asd, but there is also evidence that certain factors protect against asd, for instance the use of folic acid before and during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: asd are probably related to a combination of gene mutations and environmental factors and to the interactions between the two. Further research is needed into the genetic and environmental causes of asd.