View clinical trials related to Autistic Disorder.
Filter by:The aim of the current research is to assess the efficiency of the Integrative Therapy among children with PDD after a year of treatment in kindergartens in Ashdod, Israel. An additional aim is to pinpoint specific changes in communication quality and functioning in different areas and recognize the prognostic factors, such as social interaction, affect and level of play. This analysis will contribute to developing more efficient treatment program, adapted to the needs of the treated children.
This study aims to investigate the role of fronto-striatal circuits and cognitive control in the perseverative and inflexible behavior that is a defining feature of autism. We hypothesize that deficits in the development of fronto-striatal circuitry may underlie cognitive inflexibility in autism. Specifically, we hypothesize that repetitive, inflexible behavior arises as (1) fronto-striatal systems are capable of learning patterns present in the environment (as in implicit learning paradigms), but are unable to adapt behavior to changing circumstances, related to either (2) decreased ability of basal ganglia to detect violations of expectancy, (3) decreased ability of prefrontal cortex to respond to detected violations, or (4) decreased connectivity of the circuits. We are conducting three functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies to address these hypotheses.
Background: The number of adults with autism is expected to rise significantly in the near future, due to two main reasons: First, a dramatic increase in the estimates of the prevalence of autism starting in the mid 1980s; Second, the clinical diagnosis of autism was first introduced during the 1950s, and those diagnosed with autism back then are only now entering middle age. Few studies, however, have focused on the outcomes of adult autistic individuals, and very little is known about the course of autism in adulthood and on the familial burden resulting from caring for an autistic adult. We therefore propose to study adult outcomes in autism, and to examine the influence of raising an autistic individual on the parents. Working hypothesis and aims: The primary objectives of the study are: 1. Determine clinical status and functioning of autistic adults. 2. Study the influence of raising and caring for an individual with autism on the well-being of the parents.
This study will examine the effects of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) on children with autistic spectrum disorders. The investigators hope to show a positive effect on social functioning and language.