Articles

Choose a topic below:

Diagnosis and Prevalence

Co-Occurring Conditions

Psychopharmacology

Genetics

Behavioral Therapy

Diversity & Inclusion

Diagnosis and Prevalence

Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevalence

• Prevalence and Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 4 and 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 16 Sites, United States, 2022. Shaw KA, Williams S, Patrick ME, et al. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Surveillance Summaries. 2025.
  This is the most recent CDC data on the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, which is now estimated to be 1 in 31 children.
• Autism Diagnosis Among US Children and Adults, 2011-2022. Grosvenor LP, Croen LA, Lynch FL, et al. JAMA Network Open. 2024.
  This study examines U.S. autism diagnosis trends from 2011–2022, showing rising prevalence across age groups and persistent demographic disparities.

Diagnosis

• Autism Spectrum Disorder. Lord C, Brugha TS, Charman T, et al. Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2020.
  An overview of the current state of autism spectrum disorder, covering its epidemiology, underlying mechanisms, and current approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
• Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Volkmar F, Siegel M, Woodbury-Smith M, et al. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2014.
  The AACAP Practice Parameter series is a concise single reference including evidence-based recommendations for the assessment and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
• Racial, Ethnic, and Sociodemographic Disparities in Diagnosis of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Aylward BS, Gal-Szabo DE, Taraman S. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 2021.
  This article reviews health disparities in accessing early diagnostic and intervention services for children with ASD across racial and ethnic groups.
• A road map for identifying autism spectrum disorder: Recognizing and evaluating characteristics that should raise red or "pink" flags to guide accurate differential diagnosis. Duvall S, Armstrong K, Shahabuddin A, et al. The Clinical Neuropsychologist. 2022.
  This article outlines a practical framework for identifying autism spectrum disorder and differentiating it from overlapping conditions to improve diagnostic accuracy.
• The Female Autism Phenotype and Camouflaging: a Narrative Review. Hull L, Petrides KV, Mandy W. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2020.
  This review examines how autistic women present distinct traits contributing to misdiagnosis and mental health risks, and underscores the need for gender-sensitive assessment.
• Improving autism identification and support for individuals assigned female at birth: clinical suggestions and research priorities. Lai MC, Amestoy A, Bishop S, et al. The Lancet Child Adolescent Health. 2023.
  The article addresses improving autism identification in individuals assigned female at birth, focusing on sex- and gender-related differences and camouflaging.

Intellectual Developmental Disorder

• Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder). Siegel M, McGuire K, Veenstra-VanderWeele J, et al. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2020.
  This practice parameter summarizes the current evidence base for the assessment and treatment of individuals with Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder).

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Co-Occuring Conditions

Prevalence & Epidemiology

• Health status of Medicare-enrolled autistic older adults with and without co-occurring intellectual disability: An analysis of inpatient and institutional outpatient medical claims Gilmore D, Harris L, Longo A, et al. Autism. 2021.
  A cross-sectional retrospective cohort study comparing physical and mental health condition prevalence among autistic older adults with and without IDD.
• Prevalence, Socio-Demographic Characteristics, and Co-Morbidities of Autism Spectrum Disorder in US Children: Insights from the 2020–2021 National Survey of Children’s Health Salehi M, Jaka S, Lotfi A, et al. Children (Basel). 2025.
  Using data from the 2020–2021 National Survey of Children’s Health, this study estimated the prevalence of autism, cooccurring disorders, and socio-demographic characteristics.

Anxiety & Depression

• Anxiety and depression in adults with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hollocks MJ, Lerh JW, Magiati I, et al. Psychol Med. 2019.
  This systematic review and meta-analysis explored the relationship between autism and co-occurring anxiety and depression in adults.
• Anxiety Prevalence in Youth with Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Methodological and Sample Moderators. Thiele-Swift HN, Dorstyn DS. Rev J Autism Dev Disord. 2024.
  A meta-analysis of community studies showing that anxiety is highly prevalent among autistic youth.

Suicidality & Self-Harm

• Updated Systematic Review of Suicide in Autism 2018-2024. Brown CM, Newell V, Sahin E, et al. Curr Dev Disord Rep. 2024.
  This updated systematic review (2018–2024) confirmed persistently high rates of suicidal ideation, attempts, and deaths in autistic individuals.
• Suicide Risk Screening in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder Presenting to the Emergency Department Vasa RA, Kalari VK, Kitchen CA, et al. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2025.
  The study evaluated suicide risk screening in emergency departments for individuals with ASD. The study provides a screening protocol.

Irritability

• Irritability and Problem Behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Practice Pathway for Pediatric Primary Care. McGuire K, Fung L, Hagopian L, et al. Pediatrics. 2016.
  This article provides guidance for pediatric primary care on managing irritability and problem behaviors in children with autism and providing a clinical practice guideline.

Psychosis, Bipolar Disorder, and Catatonia

• Occurrence of psychosis and bipolar disorder in adults with autism: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Varcin KJ, Herniman SE, Lin A, et al. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022.
  This systematic review and meta-analysis found that adults with autism are at a higher risk of developing psychosis or bipolar disorder compared with the general population
• Beyond Imagination: Sorting out and treating psychosis in the context of autism spectrum disorder. Gesi C, Giacovelli L, Reibman YL, et al. J Psychiatr Res. 2024.
  This article discusses how to identify and manage psychosis in individuals with autism, and the challenges of distinguishing it from autism-related behaviors.
• Catatonia in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Vaquerizo-Serrano J, Salazar De Pablo G, Singh J, et al. Eur Psychiatry. 2021.
  This systematic review and meta-analysis examining prevalence, symptoms, treatments of catatonia in individuals with ASD.

Sleep & Circadian Issues

• Sleep disturbances in autistic children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Vargas C, Paoletti D, De Stasio S, et al. Autism. 2025.
  Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials for non-pharmacological treatment of sleep disturbances in children with ASD.

Substance Use & Risk Behaviors

• Prevalence of Substance Use Disorder Among Autistic Youth With and Without Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions and a History of Trauma. Garcia JM, Anderson KA, Moore JR, et al. Autism Res. 2025.
  This study explored the relationship between SUD and autism, finding that overall prevalence of SUD was lower in individuals with autism but that these individuals exhibited distinct responses to mediating factors compared to non-autistic peers.

ADHD

• Genetic and environmental contributions to co-occurring physical health conditions in autism spectrum condition and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pan PY, Taylor MJ, Larsson H, et al. Mol Autism. 2023
  This genetic epidemiology study examined how genetic and environmental factors contribute to physical health conditions in individuals with autism and ADHD.
• An update on the comorbidity of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its clinical management. Petruzelli, Matera, et al. Expert Rev Neurother. 2026
  An overview of co-occurrence of ASD and ADHD in a wide range of subjects.
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Medicaid-Enrolled Autistic Adults. Yerys BE, Tao S, Shea L, et al. JAMA Netw Open. 2025.
  This study examined over 3.5 million adults and found that ADHD is more common among autistic adults, is linked to poorer health outcomes, and that treatment with ADHD medications may help improve these outcomes.

Repetitive Behavior and OCD

• Repetitive but Not Interchangeable: Similarities and Differences in the Repetitive Behaviors of Tourette Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Tourettic Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Katz TC, Khan TR, Chaponis O, et al. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2025.
  This review compared repetitive behaviors across autism, Tourette syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Tourettic OCD across distinct domains (clinical, imaging, genetics, treatments).

Seizures

• Prevalence of epilepsy in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Liu X, Sun X, Sun C, et al. Autism. 2022.
  A meta-analysis that found that epilepsy is significantly more common in people with autism than in the general population, and associated with poorer overall health outcomes.

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Psychopharmacology

General and Common Co-occurring Conditions

• An Update on Psychopharmacological Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Aishworiya R, Valica T, Hagerman R, et al. Neurother. 2022.
  This article shares an overview of treatment, including summaries of current evidence for standard and emerging pharmacological treatments for the general practitioner.
• Meta-analysis: Pharmacologic Treatment of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Zhou MS, Nasir M, Farhat LC, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psych. 2021.
  A look at the current evidence base on using psychopharmacology to target restrictive and repetitive behaviors seen in ASD.
• Pharmacological treatment in autism: a proposal for guidelines on common co-occurring psychiatric symptoms. Manter MA, Birtwell KB, Bath J, et al. BMC Medicine. 2025.
  This article proposes guidelines for pharmacological management of sleep disturbances, ADHD, anxiety, depression and irritability in ASD.
• Clinical Practice Pathways for Evaluation and Medication Choice for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Mahajan R, Bernal MP, Panzer R, et al. Pediatrics. 2012.
  A helpful guide detailing the current evidence base for psychopharmacologic management of ADHD in individuals with ASD for both psychiatrists and other physicians.
• Assessment and Treatment of Anxiety in Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorders Vasa R, Mazurek MO, Mahajan R, et al. Pediatrics. 2016.
  This article reviews evidence for use of psychosocial, CBT, and medication-based interventions for treatment of anxiety in youth with ASD.
• Sleep, Growth, and Puberty After 2 Years of Prolonged-Release Melatonin in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Malow BA, Findling RL, Schroder CM, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psych. 2021.
  A long-term study which followed a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial targeting insomnia in children with ASD with prolonged release melatonin.
• A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Metformin for the Treatment of Overweight Induced by Antipsychotic Medication in Young People With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Open-Label Extension. Handen BL, Anagnostou E, Aman MG, et al. . J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psych. 2017.
  This study examines the use of metformin in people with ASD who have weight gain from second generation antipsychotics.

Catatonia

• Catatonia in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Vaquerizo-Serrano J, Salazar De Pablo G, Singh J, et al. Eur Psychiatry. 2022.
  Analysis of 12 studies, totaling 969 individuals, with several treatment modalities including ECT examined. Motor disturbances were common in those with ASD and catatonia.
• Catatonia in Down syndrome: systematic approach to diagnosis, treatment and outcome assessment based on a case series of seven patients. Miles JH, Takahashi N, Muckerman J, et al. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2019.
  Article discusses diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment for catatonia in Down’s syndrome, including cases with autoimmune issues.

Alternative Treatments

• Autism Spectrum Disorder and Complementaryive Medicine Vandana P, Simkin DR, Hendren RL, et al. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2023.
  A review of the most used and most popular alternative treatments among families who have a child with ASD.
• Pharmacological and dietary-supplement treatments for autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Siafis S, Çıray O, Wu H, et al. Mol Autism. 2022.
  This article describes a meta-analysis examining effects of medications and dietary supplement treatments on core symptoms in ASD.
• A systematic review of transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment for autism spectrum disorder. Yuan LX, Wang XK, Yang C. Heliyon. 2024.
  Systematic review of articles since 2018 with varying TMS protocols for the treatment of core symptoms of ASD.

Pharmacotherapy in Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD)

• Management of psychotropic medications in adults with intellectual disability: a scoping review. Costello A, Hudson E, Morrisey S, et al. Ann Med. 2022.
  This review of 49 studies finds that high doses of medications and polypharmacy without clear psychiatric indications may in fact worsen rather than improve challenging behaviors in patients with IDD.
• Deprescribing psychotropic medicines for behaviours that challenge in people with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review. Adams D, Hastings RP, Maidment I, et al. MC Psychiatry. 2023.
  Data from 7 RCTs found a trend of improvement in disruptive behaviors with deprescribing, especially with antipsychotics.
• Clinical guidance for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for people with intellectual disability. Miller J, Perera B, Shankar R. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 2020.
  This paper outlines current evidence for pharmacologic treatment for ADHD in people with IDD.
• Minimally Verbal Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders/Intellectual Disability and Challenging Behaviors: Can Strategic Psychiatric Treatment Help?Hellings JA, Singh SC, Singh S et al. Disabilities. 2024.
  This article explores utilizing necessary medications when behavioral interventions are not working and the harm of overprescribing in patients who have difficulty expressing their needs.

Seminal Articles

• Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Trial of Methylphenidate in Pervasive Developmental Disorders With Hyperactivity. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005.
  The first study looking at the use of medication to treat ADHD in individuals with Autism.
• Risperidone in children with autism and serious behavioral problems. McCracken JT, McGough J, Shah B, et al. N Engl J Med. 2002.
  The original randomized controlled multisite study of the use of Risperdal in individuals with autism to treat severe behavioral issues.
• Aripiprazole in the Treatment of Irritability in Children and Adolescents With Autistic Disorder. Owen R, Sikich L, Marcus RN, et al. Pediatrics. 2009.
  The original randomized controlled multisite study of the use of aripiprazole in autism for irritability and severe behavioral issues.
• A double-blind comparison of clomipramine, desipramine, and placebo in the treatment of autistic disorder. Gordon CT, State RC, Nelson JE, et al. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1993.
  This study compares clomipramine to placebo and desipramine for stereotypies, anger, and compulsive ritualized behaviors in ASD.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Williams K, Wheeler DM, Silove N, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010.
  Seven RCTs reviewed with data on fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, fenfluramine, and citalopram in patients with ASD, with no clear evidence emerging for positive effects in children.
• Baseline factors predicting placebo response to treatment in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: a multisite randomized clinical trial. King BH, Dukes K, Donnelly CL, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2013.
  This study compares citalopram and placebo over 12 weeks in performance on the aberrant behavior checklist.

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Genetics

Resources to Understand Unique Genetic Conditions

• Gene Reviews
  Useful for in-depth expert reviews of specific genetic conditions and phenotypes.
• Online Catalog of Human Genes and Genetics (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man or OMIM)
  Database of human genes, detailing relevant research and associated phenotypes, with links to additional resources such as ClinVar.
• Unique
  Non-profit charity based in the UK that produces printable pamphlets for families detailing the molecular changes, lived experience of families caring for those with these changes, and a summary of the associated symptoms.
• Simons
  Simons Searchlight aims to recruit individuals with changes in particular genes associated with autism, and information on characteristics of people with those changes who have enrolled in their study.

ASD

• Mainstreaming Diagnostic Genetic Testing and Precision Medicine for Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists. Ledbetter DH, Finucane B, Moreno-De-Luca D, et al. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2025.
  This article outlines the strong rationale for psychiatrists to engage with genetic testing and to bring this resource to families they work with.
• Genetic testing in neurodevelopmental disorders. Savatt JM, Myers SM. Front Pediatr. 2021.
  Comprehensive review of current genetic testing approaches for neurodevelopmental disorders and guidance on when and how to order genetic tests in clinical practice.
• Decoding the genetic landscape of autism: A comprehensive review.Al-Beltagi M, Saeed NK, Bediwy AS, et al. World J Clin Pediatr. 2024.
  Comprehensive review of the complex genetic architecture underlying ASD, including single-gene mutations, polygenic risk factors, and epigenetic mechanisms.

IDD

• The Genetics of Intellectual Disability. Jansen S, Vissers LELM, de Vries BBA. Brain Sci. 2023.
  Overview of the genetic landscape underlying intellectual disability, including mono- and polygenic causes, chromosomal abnormalities and epigenetic factors.
• Comprehensive evaluation of the child with global developmental delays or intellectual disability.Aldosari AN, Aldosari TS. Clin Exp Pediatr. 2024.
  Practical clinical guide for the systematic evaluation of children presenting with global developmental delays or IDD, including genetic testing.
• DNA methylation biomarkers of intellectual/developmental disability across the lifespan. LaSalle JM. J Neurodevelop Disord. 2025.
  Review of how DNA methylation patterns serve as both causative mechanisms and diagnostic biomarkers for intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Down Syndrome

• Health supervision for children and adolescents with Down syndrome. Bull MJ, Trotter T, Santoro SL, et al. Pediatrics. 2022.
  Official clinical practice guideline providing comprehensive, evidence-based recommendations for care of individuals with Down syndrome covering cardiac, thyroid, hematologic, orthopedic, sensory, and other medical issues.
• Psychopharmacological treatments in Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder: State of the research and practical considerations.Baumer NT, Capone G. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2023.
  Specialized review examining psychiatric medication use in individuals who have both Down syndrome and comorbid ASD.

22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (DiGeorge syndrome)

• Sleep in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: Current Findings, Challenges, and Future Directions.O'Hora KP, Schleifer CH, Bearden CE. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2023.
  Comprehensive review of sleep disturbances in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.
• The clinical course of individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome converting to psychotic disorders: a long-term retrospective follow-up. Kulikova K, Schneider M, McDonald McGinn DM, et al. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2024.
  Long-term retrospective follow-up study tracking predictive factors and the clinical trajectory of individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome who develop psychotic disorders.

Williams Syndrome

• Williams syndrome: recent advances in our understanding of cognitive, social and psychological functioning.Royston R, Waite J, Howlin P. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2019.
  Comprehensive review of the distinctive cognitive and behavioral phenotype of Williams syndrome, along with updated understanding of anxiety disorders, ADHD, and social vulnerabilities in this population.
• Psychiatric and behavioral manifestations of Williams syndrome. Thom RP. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2024.
  Review highlighting persistent social cognition deficits despite high social drive, elevated anxiety levels, problematic eating behaviors, and responses to interventions.
• Psychopharmacology of Williams syndrome: safety, tolerability, and effectiveness.Thom RP, Pober BR, McDougle CJ. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2021.
  Specialized review examining psychiatric medication use in Williams syndrome, addressing the unique pharmacological considerations including cardiovascular contraindications.

Fragile X Syndrome

• Pharmacologic Interventions for Irritability, Aggression, Agitation and Self-Injurious Behavior in Fragile X Syndrome: An Initial Cross-Sectional Analysis. Eckert EM, Dominick KC, Pedapati EV, et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2019.
  Analysis of medication use for managing challenging behaviors in individuals with Fragile X syndrome, documenting which medications are commonly prescribed, their effectiveness, and side effect profiles in clinical practice.
• Best practices in fragile X syndrome treatment development.Erickson CA, Kaufmann WE, Budimirovic DB, et al. Brain Sciences. 2018.
  Comprehensive framework for developing and conducting clinical trials in Fragile X syndrome, and strategies for translating basic FXS research into clinical interventions.

Prader-Willi Syndrome

• Prader-Willi syndrome: consensus diagnostic criteria. Holm VA, Cassidy SB, Butler MG, et al. Pediatrics. 1993.
  This article established the foundational clinical diagnostic criteria still used today and created the scoring system that remains the clinical standard.
• Prader-Willi syndrome. Cassidy SB, Schwartz S, Miller JL, et al. Genet Med. 2012.
  Comprehensive review of genetics, phenotype, and management; authoritative reference for understanding molecular mechanisms and clinical care.
• Neuropsychiatric features of Prader–Willi syndrome. Shelkowitz E, Gantz MG, Ridenour TA, et al. Am J Med Genet A. 2022.
  A research study investigating the behavioral and psychiatric manifestations of Prader-Willi syndrome.

Angelman Syndrome

• Angelman syndrome 2005: updated consensus for diagnostic criteria.Williams CA, Beaudet AL, Clayton-Smith J, et al. Am J Med Genet A. 2006.
  Current gold standard for clinical diagnostic criteria; updated and refined the original 1995 criteria with molecular testing integration.
• Angelman Syndrome. Dagli AI, Mueller J, Williams CA. GeneReviews®. 1993.
  Most comprehensive and current clinical reference; regularly updated authoritative source for diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling.

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Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review. Wang X, Zhao J, Huang S, et al. Pediatrics. 2021.
  Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of CBT on the symptoms of ASD and social-emotional problems in children or adolescents with ASD.
• Cognitive Behavioral Treatments for Anxiety in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Wood JJ, Kendall PC, Wood KS, et al. JAMA Psychiatry. 2020.
  Multicenter RCT compared relative efficacy of CBT programs and CBT modified for ASD vs. treatment as usual.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy to improve social skills in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. You XR, Gong XR, Guo MR, Ma BX. J Affect Disord. 2024.
  A small metanalysis finding that CBT can be helpful to improve social skills in children and adolescents with ASD.
• The effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for individuals with an intellectual disability and anxiety: a systematic review.Flynn G, Porter M, Borchard T, et al. JIDR. 2023.
  An RCT examining the effectiveness of using CBT methods for children and adults with anxiety and intellectual disabilities, highlighting the potential benefits.

Social Skills Training

• Efficacy of group social skills interventions for youth with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Gates JA, Kang E, Lerner MD. Clin Psychology Rev. 2017.
  This review examines the efficacy of group-based social skills interventions in youth with ASD.
• Social Cognitive Interventions for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review.Tseng A, Biagianti B, Francis SM, et al. J Affect Disord. 2020.
  A review of social cognition improvement programs including PEERS, MASSI and others.
• A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Social Skills Training for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Dubreucq J, Haesebaert F, Plasse J, et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022.
  This article examines the efficacy of social skills training interventions for youth with ASD.

PCIT: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

• Community-based Agency Delivery of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: Comparing Outcomes for Children with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Developmental Delays. Quetsch LB, Bradley RS, Theodorou L, et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2024.
  This study evaluated PCIT as a treatment option for children with neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT) with families of children with autism spectrum disorder.Vess SF, Campbell JM. Autism & Developmental Language Impairments. 2022.
  This study demonstrated that PCIT showed a positive effect for both parents and kids with ASD after participating in PCIT.

ABA: Applied Behavioral Analysis

• Advances in Our Understanding of Behavioral Intervention: 1980 to 2020 for Individuals Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Leaf JB, Cihon JH, Ferguson JL, et al. J Autism Dev Dis. 2021.
  A review and prospective look at experimental analysis of behavior, behavior analysis, and applied behavior analysis.
• Telehealth as a Model for Providing Behaviour Analytic Interventions to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Ferguson J, Craig EA, Dounavi K. J Autism Dev Dis. 2019.
  An update on telehealth and delivery of behavioral interventions.

ESDM: Early Start Denver Model

• Behavioral Therapist for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.Santos CL, Barreto II, et al. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2025.
  This article reviews the impacts of ESDM and CBT on cognitive, verbal, social and anxiety management skills.

EIBI: Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention

• Autism intervention meta-analysis of early childhood studies (Project AIM): updated systematic review and secondary analysis.Sandbank M, Bottema-Beutel K, Crowley LaPoint S, et al. BMJ. 2023.
  A meta-analysis of early childhood studies showing early interventions improve social communication with caregivers and core challenges with social communication.

PRT: Pivotal Response Treatment

• Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) - Parent Group Training for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Study on Perspectives of Parents. de Korte MWP, Kaijadoe SPT, Buitelaar JK, et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022.
  This article looked at PRT but noted there remains little research. The study had a limited sample size but noted that parents subjectively felt PRT has been helpful.

JASPER: Joint Attention Symbolic Play and Engagement Regulation

• The effects of JASPER intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review.Waddington H, Reynolds JE, Macaskill E, Curtis S, Taylor LJ, Whitehouse AJ. Autism. 2021.
  This study examined JASPER training and reviewed current literature.

Other Therapies

• Mindfulness for Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Caregivers: A Meta-analysis. Hartley M, Dorstyn D, Due C. J Autism Dev Dis. 2019.
  Meta-analysis of 10 studies showing the impact of mindfulness training for people with ASD and caregivers.
• Communication interventions for autism spectrum disorder in minimally verbal children.Brignell A, Chenausky KV, Song H, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018.
  This study evaluated the use of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) for speech acquisition in minimally verbal children with ASD.

TEACCH: Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication-handicapped Children

• The TEACCH program for children and adults with autism: a meta-analysis of intervention studies. Virues-Ortega J, Julio FM, Pastor-Barriuso R. Clin Psychol Rev. 2013.
  The authors note that the TEACCH program tended to only show small to moderate effect sizes aside from the greater improvement in social behaviors.

RUBI: Research Unit on Behavioral Interventions

• Adjunctive Parental Support Within Manualized Parent Training for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Cartwright JE, Mount KB. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2022.
  This article reviewed studies of RUBI training for parents and evidence of improved outcomes.

OT/Sensory

• Positive behavioral effect of sensory integration intervention in young children with autism spectrum disorder.Raditha C, Handryastuti S, Pusponegoro HD, et al. Pediatr Res. 2023.
  This study examines sensory therapy for young children with ASD, finding improvements in positive behaviors.

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Diversity and Inclusion

Racial and Gender Disparities in ASD/IDD

• A Scoping Review of the Intersectionality of Autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disability with Social Inequity on Diagnosis and Treatment of Youth.Weiss MD, Daniolos PT, Coughlin K, et al. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2024.
  Race, ethnicity, and language with ASD and IDD compound health inequalities including diagnosis.
• Prospects for Leveling the Playing Field for Black Children With Autism. Constantino JN, Abbacchi AM, May BK, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2023.
  This study follows the treatment course of Black children with ASD and notes that, with greater efforts, it is possible to improve the time to diagnosis and early intervention.
• Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Perceived Barriers to Health Care Among U.S. Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.Li H, Parish SL, Magaña S, et al. Dev Disabil. 2021.
  Individuals with IDD have difficulties accessing health care but those with additional racial and ethnic disparities have even greater barriers perpetuating disparities.
• A Scoping Review of Health Research with Racially/Ethnically Minoritized Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.Williamson HJ, Chico-Jarillo TM, Sasse S, et al. Dev Disabil Netw J. 2023.
  This article discusses health disparities for individuals with IDD, with particular attention to the intersection of race and ethnicity and IDD.
• Racial and ethnic disparities in the co-occurrence of intellectual disability and autism: Impact of incorporating measures of adaptive functioning. Furnier SM, Gangnon R, Daniels JL, et al. Autism Res. 2024.
  This study looks at differences in rates of co-occurring ASD and IDD in minority groups when adaptive functioning and socioeconomic disadvantages are considered.

Gender Differences

• Autism presentation in female and Black populations: Examining the roles of identity, theory, and systemic inequalities. Diemer MC, Gerstein ED, Regester A. Autism. 2022.
  A narrative review of the literature on ASD in Black females, highlighting systemic inequalities.
• Autism in Women. Ochoa-Lubinoff C, Makol BA, et al. Neurol Clin. 2023.
  Review article on female ASD phenotype differences from male ASD. Discusses theories on sex/gender differences in ASD presentation, cultural/social factors in ASD presentation, and considerations for practice.
• Intellectual disabilities moderate sex/gender differences in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Saure E, Castrén M, Mikkola K, et al. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2023.
  Meta-analysis of differences in female and male presentation of ASD with IDD as a moderating factor.

Gender Diversity/Sexuality

• Gender Diversity, Gender Dysphoria/Incongruence, and the Intersection with Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Updated Scoping Review.Rea HM, Øien RA, Webb SJ, et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2024.
  This is a systematic review and meta-analysis on gender diversity and ASD in youth, including some individuals with IDD.
• Exploring the Intersection of Gender Diversity and Intellectual Disability: A Scoping Review With a Focus on Clinical Care.Sternberg KF, Cloutier JG, Ahlers K, et al. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2025.
  Scoping review of research around gender diversity in IDD.
• Increasing Opportunities for Healthy Sexual Socialization in LGBTQ+ People with IDD: The Role of LGBTQ+ Organizations and Community.Simić Stanojević I, Baugh M, Greer KM, et al. Sex Disabil. 2023.
  This article recommends ways to organize and improve sexual socialization opportunities for LGBTQ+ people with IDD.
• A comparison of gender diversity in transgender young people with and without autistic traits from the Trans 20 cohort study. Tollit MA, Maloof T, Hoq M, et al. Lancet Reg Health West Pac. 2024.
  Single site cohort study examining differences in gender expression for youth with and without autistic traits.

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