Research evidence suggests that heterogeneity in emotion processing difficulties in autistic individuals may reflect co-occurring alexithymia. Elevated levels of alexithymia is a robust finding in the adult autistic population but there is a relative poverty regarding the corresponding research in younger populations. The aim of this review is to…

The importance of witnessing broken narratives and somehow writing or representing these is matched by the challenges associated with trying to do this within a context of normativity and expected academic practice. We have to be convincing in our work, both in terms of rigour and dependability but also in terms of the way we make sense of the…

Two-phase designs in epidemiological studies of autism prevalence introduce methodological complications that can severely limit the precision of resulting estimates. If the assumptions used to derive the prevalence estimate are invalid or if the uncertainty surrounding these assumptions is not properly accounted for in the statistical inference…

In an article in the January 2013 "Psychological Review," Lillard, Lemer, Hopkins, Dore, Smith, and Palmquist set out to critique the customary claim that pretend play contributes to healthy child development. Following Peter Smith, they distinguished three possibilities for the impact of pretend play. Pretend play, they proposed, might…

Shortly after the publication of our literature review on gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diets in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD; Mulloy et al., 2010), Whiteley et al. (2010) published the results of experimental evaluation of a GFCF diet. To update our previous literature review, we herein provide an analysis of the Whiteley…

In order to better assist practitioners and better serve persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families, it is vital for professionals to systematically evaluate the existing body of literature and synthesize its scientific evidence, so that the efficacy of research can be translated to evidence-based practices (EBPs) (Wheeler,…

Precise educational interventions are the sine qua non of services for students with exceptionalities. Applying interventions riddled with inconsistencies, therefore, interferes with the growth and learning potential of students who need these interventions. This research synthesis documents the inconsistencies revealed during a critical analysis…

Early and intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) has been established as an effective treatment for autism. However, the complexity and intensity of EIBI programs make it difficult to fully report all critical aspects of the independent variable. Consequently, scientific reports of EIBI outcomes have been criticized for providing less than…

Evidence that genetic factors play a significant role in susceptibility for autism is reviewed, especially: (1) chromosomal abnormalities associated with autism; (2) single gene disorders associated with autism; and (3) twin and family studies of autism. However, recent genetic studies have failed to locate any genes having a major effect on…

Characteristics of autism research were examined in the survey of a subset of studies (1971-1982). Results indicated inadequacies of subject selection procedures and omission of important descriptive information. The authors stress the need for increased use of objective, quantitative measures of diagnosis and assessment of intellectual abilities.…

The paper presents strategies for conducting research helpful to community instruction for students with autism. Research issues in setting variables (including heterogeneous/homogeneous groupings and instructional environments) are addressed as well as the use of the discrete trial format (including prompts, responses, and consequences). (CL)

Tests the hypothesis that the presence of attentional deficits in autistic children interferes with their performance on tests of intellectual development and status. Twelve autistic, 12 normal, and 12 trainable mentally retarded children ages four through nine were administered six "Piagetian" tasks assessing performance at…

The sources of variability residing in the environment of individuals with autism and the implications for research studies are explored. Recommendations are provided for future research including research focusing on young children, on the methods needed to produce desirable outcomes, on relationships between behaviors, and on specific teaching…

This study provides support for a potential subclinical marker in the executive function domain of siblings (n=18, ages 8-18) of autistic individuals, compared to learning-disabled controls. No group differences in theory-of-mind abilities were found. The need to develop more sensitive measures is discussed. (Author/JDD)

This volume of transformed research utilizes an activist approach to examine the notion that nothing is apolitical. Research projects themselves are critically examined for power orientations, even as they are used to address curricular problems and educational or societal issues. Philosophical perspectives that have facilitated an understanding…