To understand, within the analytical scope of this article, how parents and caregivers organize and interpret the eating rhythms of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in relation to sleep, school, medication, behavior, sensory needs, and food selectivity. An explanatory sequential mixed methods study was conducted in three municipalities in northeastern Brazil. The quantitative phase included 128 families of children and adolescents with ASD and/or ADHD, including co-occurring conditions. The qualitative phase included interviews with 35 parents or primary caregivers representing 37 children and adolescents, analyzed through an interpretive thematic approach. Findings were integrated to examine convergences, complementarities, and mixed-methods interpretations. Ninety-four participants (73.4
This pilot randomized controlled trial assessed the feasibility and outcomes of a paraprofessional-delivered after-school social intervention (PASI) on the social functioning and autism features of autistic children. A total of 54 autistic children, ages 7–12 years, were randomized to either the PASI group (age M = 8.68, SD = 1.24) or the comparison (waitlist) condition (age M = 9.07, SD = 1.16). The intervention was delivered by paraprofessional staff to groups of one-to-three autistic children as part of existing after-school programs that included non-autistic peers, 4 days per week (90 min per session) over 8 weeks. Each manualized session included a social skills group followed by social recreational games to practice the targeted social skills. A behavioral reinforcement system was also implemented to promote skills development and maintenance. Fidelity, attendance, and parent/child satisfaction were high supporting the feasibility of the intervention. Results indicated significantly greater improvements (baseline-posttest) in child social knowledge and parent-rated social skills and autism features for the intervention group (vs. the waitlist comparison). Follow-up testing for the intervention group indicated that the gains on these measures were maintained 2-3-months post-intervention. Testing of the PASI in a fully-powered randomized trial appears warranted and recommendations are provided. [ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05542602].
PURPOSE In contrast to the deficit-based approach, the double empathy problem (DEP) theory asserts that empathy functions bidirectionally, with interaction challenges stemming from differing expectations across individuals. This study aimed to examine how non-autistic individuals interpret the reactions of autistic and non-autistic children. METHODS We provided 61 non-autistic adult perceivers with 301 transcripts of speech substance from 82 autistic and non-autistic children, who answered questions evaluating cognitive empathy, affective empathy, and proposed responses across various emotional states. Adult perceivers rated children's responses on a scale of 1-5 (from lowest to highest) about the child's ability to understand emotions, empathize with those emotions, and suggest suitable prosocial responses. Their understanding of autism, autism-related traits, and previous interactions with autistic individuals were also examined. RESULTS Our findings indicated adults assigned lower ratings to the empathetic responses of autistic children compared to those of non-autistic children. Individuals with a deeper understanding of autism, grounded in the medical paradigm, demonstrated a more pronounced disparity in their evaluations of autistic versus non-autistic responses. CONCLUSION The studies indicate that autistic individuals may exhibit different empathy responses compared to their non-autistic counterparts, and these may be misinterpreted by non-autistic individuals, particularly by those who adhere to a deficit-based medical model.
Burnout among professionals working in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)-based services has received increasing attention internationally; however, there is limited empirical data from low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and characteristics of burnout among ABA professionals in Brazil and to examine how burnout indicators were distributed across professional and organizational characteristics within the sample. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with ABA professionals working in different regions of Brazil. Participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS), together with a questionnaire covering demographic, professional, and work-related variables. Burnout was analyzed descriptively, with each dimension classified into low, moderate, and high categories using established cutoff scores, and distributions were examined across professional roles, age groups, academic backgrounds, salary ranges, and caseload. Burnout indicators were highly prevalent in this sample. High emotional exhaustion was identified in 77.4
Demand for autism assessment has increased substantially in recent years, while diagnostic capacity has not kept pace. As a result, alternative approaches to early screening and support for children with social communication difficulties are required. We conducted a convergent mixed-methods multiple case study evaluating three locally developed, school-based early identification models for autism in England. The models were responsive to local priorities and involved collaboration between education and health professionals, schools, families and children. Quantitative referral and diagnostic outcome data were analysed alongside qualitative data from focus groups and interviews with education and health professionals. Across the three cases, stakeholders perceived the models positively, particularly in relation to improved inter-professional collaboration, earlier access to support, and professional learning within schools, although concerns were raised in one area regarding potential over-identification. Involvement of school staff was viewed as essential, enhancing understanding of autism and confidence in working with families. Follow-up interviews demonstrated sustained commitment to, and further development of, the models despite the absence of continued funding. Overall, findings highlight the importance of locally responsive early identification systems that are not solely diagnosis-focused, alongside ongoing challenges relating to inconsistent assessment frameworks and long-term sustainability.
