Clinical Validation of the Autism Behavior Inventory: Caregiver-Rated Assessment of Core and Associated Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

There is a need for measures to track symptom change in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We conducted a validation study on a revised version of the Autism Behavior Inventory (ABI), and a short form (ABI-S). Caregivers of individuals (6-54 years) with confirmed diagnoses of ASD (N = 144) completed the ABI and other rating scales at 4 time points. Scale consistency for each domain, 3-5 day test-retest reliability, and construct validity, determined by comparison to pre-specified scales, were all good. Change in the ABI was congruent with changes in other instruments. Collectively, results suggest incipient suitability of the ABI as a measure of changes in core and associated symptoms of ASD.Trial Registration NCT02299700.

Challenges of Females with Autism: A Parental Perspective.

Most studies investigating the experiences and needs of individuals with ASD have largely focused on males. Hence, this study investigates parents' perspectives on the challenges that their daughters with ASD face. In total, 40 parents of 40 females with autism (age range = 4-29 years; mean = 15.9) participated in the study. Five separate, 2-h long focus groups were conducted, with 7-10 participants in each group. Field notes were analyzed using thematic analysis. Some of the issues parents discussed were similar to those experienced by males with ASD, such as challenges in social interactions. However, other issues discussed were of particular relevance to girls with ASD, including difficulties socializing with other girls, sex-specific puberty issues, barriers in accessing intervention and sexual vulnerability.

Avoidance moderates the association between mothers' and children's fears: findings from a novel motion-tracking behavioral assessment.

BACKGROUND: Fear and anxiety in children are associated with similar symptoms in parents. Parental modeling of fearful or avoidant behavior is believed to contribute to this association. We employed a novel motion-tracking experimentation platform to test the hypothesis that mothers' behavioral avoidance of spiders moderates the association between fear of spiders in mothers and children. METHOD: Participants were 86 children (aged 7-17) presenting with an anxiety disorder, and their mothers. Children and mothers completed the Spider Phobia Questionnaire. Mothers completed a motion-tracking assessment of behavioral avoidance of spiders. RESULTS: Fear of spiders in mothers was associated with fear of spiders in children (r85  = 0.48, 95%CI 0.30 - 0.63, P < 0.001). Two metrics of behavioral avoidance in mothers were associated with mothers' self-reported fear of spiders (r = -0.49, 95% CI 0.31-0.64, P < 0.001; and r = 0.42, 95%CI 0.23 - 0.58 P < 0.001). Mothers' behavioral avoidance moderated the association between fear of spiders in mothers and in children. When mothers' avoidance was intermediate or high the association was significant, and as mothers' behavioral avoidance increased the strength of the association increased. Fear of spiders in mothers with low behavioral avoidance was not associated with fear of spiders in their children. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that behavioral avoidance can be measured using the motion-tracking platform and can be useful in understanding the links between symptoms of anxiety in mothers and children. Reducing parents' overt expressions of avoidance may lower the risk of fears being transmitted to children.