Investigating the Structure of the CESD-R and DASS-21 Across Adults with Low and High Levels of Autistic Traits.

The current study examined factorial invariance of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised (CESD-R) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) using a convenience sample of 434 adults surveyed though Amazon Mechanical Turk. Participants were sorted into two groups based on their score on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient. Results indicated that the CESD-R did not demonstrate configural invariance.

Examining the Latent Structure and Correlates of Sensory Reactivity in Autism: A Multi-site Integrative Data Analysis by the Autism Sensory Research Consortium.

Background Differences in responding to sensory stimuli, including sensory hyperreactivity (HYPER), hyporeactivity (HYPO), and sensory seeking (SEEK) have been observed in autistic individuals across sensory modalities, but few studies have examined the structure of these "supra-modal" traits in the autistic population. Methods Leveraging a combined sample of 3,868 autistic youth drawn from 12 distinct data sources (ages 3-18 years and representing the full range of cognitive ability), the current study used modern psychometric and meta-analytic techniques to interrogate the latent structure and correlates of caregiver-reported HYPER, HYPO, and SEEK within and across sensory modalities. Bifactor statistical indices were used to both evaluate the strength of a "general response pattern" factor for each supra-modal construct and determine the added value of "modality-specific response pattern" scores (e.

School-entry language skills as predictors of concurrent and future academic, social, and adaptive skills in kindergarteners with ASD.

Objective: This study compared language profiles of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing (TD) children at kindergarten-entry and investigated whether kindergarten-entry language scores were predictive of concurrent and future academic achievement, peer interactions, and adaptive skills in children with ASD.

Method: Participants included 97 children (62 children with ASD; 35 TD children) assessed at kindergarten-entry and -exit. Language abilities were assessed using the Children's Communication Checklist-2 (CCC-2).

Longitudinal stability of salivary microRNA biomarkers in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological condition with increasing prevalence. Few tools accurately predict the developmental trajectory of children with ASD. Such tools would allow clinicians to provide accurate prognoses and track the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.

Sensory Overresponsivity as a Predictor of Amplitude Discrimination Performance in Youth with ASD.

Previous studies have suggested that sensory overresponsivity in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be due to a failure to habituate to stimuli. We examined the relationship between performance on three tactile psychophysical tasks and the construct of sensory overresponsivity in children with and without ASD. Sensory overresponsivity predicted amplitude discrimination with an adapting stimulus, as well as the effect of adaptation, for ASD youth.