Research suggests some children as early as preschool years exhibit clinically significant levels of internalizing symptoms (i.e., anxiety, somatic, and depressive symptoms), and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at a heightened risk. The purpose of this study was to examine age differences of internalizing symptoms in a sample of young children with ASD versus typical development (TD). Our sample included 156 children (61 with ASD and 95 with TD) ages 3:0 to 6:11 years and their teachers. A moderation analysis was conducted to assess whether the relation between children’s developmental status and internalizing symptoms would vary based on age. Findings indicated that age moderated the relation between diagnostic status and internalizing symptoms. Children with ASD ages 4:9 years and older had significantly higher levels of internalizing symptoms than children with TD. These findings highlight the need for early and targeted intervention for children with ASD with co-occurring internalizing symptoms.

Measures assessing childhood functioning are often developed in high-income countries and need to be adapted for use in low and middle-income countries where the constructs they measure may not be relevant in their original form. This study describes the framework of cross-cultural adaptation of three measures, viz. Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Third Edition; Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales-Developmental Profile Caregiver Questionnaire and Child Health Utility-9D, followed in the Communication-centered Parent-mediated treatment for Autism Spectrum disorder in South Asia trial. The primary objective was to adapt these measures using a stepwise process while establishing semantic, idiomatic, conceptual, experiential, and technical equivalence between the original and adapted versions. Resulting items of each measure conveyed the same meaning and intent in both the original and adapted versions. The adapted versions had grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, instructions, layout and format, and mode of administration as they were in the original measures.

Given the high risk of drowning among children with autism, there is a need for disseminating water safety education into mainstream settings. The current study explored the effectiveness of behavioral skills training (BST) in teaching water safety skills to children with autism, when implemented by community-based swim instructors with no prior experience in applied behavior analysis (ABA). The program used a train-the-trainer model to teach how to: (a) find the nearest point of safety after jumping into water; (b) roll from front to back; and (c) float on back and yell for help. Participants were three children with autism and four community-based swim instructors. The child participants successfully mastered the skills in three to 24 sessions. The skills were maintained after 3 months and generalized to new settings, instructors, and situations. Results suggest that ABA practitioners can enable community-based swim instructors to teach water safety skills to children with autism.

In places where in-person applied behavior analysis (ABA) services are not available to those in need, distance approaches may be needed. However, in the Czech Republic and surrounding countries, ABA and telehealth practices are just emerging. Therefore, minimal systems are guiding ABA-based telehealth for children with autism and their caregivers. To develop a model of low-cost, high-efficacy, family-centered, and fidelity-driven ABA telehealth services in Central Europe, this study piloted a systematic remote training package to teach caregivers to build foundational skills with their children with autism. Using a multiple baseline across behaviors design, practitioners followed scripts to collaboratively select targets and use behavioral skills training procedures with caregivers. Based on caregiver needs, their skill acquisition was evaluated in the skill sets of pairing, responding to challenging behaviors, and/or language building. Results demonstrated that the program was socially valid, contributed to skill gains, and increased quality of life.

Functional communication training (FCT) provides an efficient means for reducing a variety of challenging behaviors while increasing social communication. After establishing a functional communication response (FCR), interventionists may need to design a program to thin the schedule of reinforcement to provide more durable effects and maintenance in the natural environment. Hanley et al. provided one means for thinning schedules that involved the systematic introduction of extinction (or denial trials) following a process of delaying reinforcement. This study evaluates a southeastern U.S. classroom application of this thinning process with three elementary age students who engaged in a variety of aggression, self-injury, disruption, and crying. The results indicate positive effects of the FCT program with systematic introduction of denial trials once the participants demonstrated proficiency with the FCR. In addition, data for two participants show prolonged effects post-intervention. Results are discussed in terms of extending Hanley et al. and how these procedures can be used within typical school-based settings.

This study aimed to examine dietary nutrient intake and parental perspectives on nutrition in a diverse sample (e.g., age, ethnicity) of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the U.S. state of Florida. Forty-one parents of children with ASD (ages 2–17 years) completed a food record, and 25 of these parents participated in semi-structured focus groups. Children with ASD were significantly less likely to meet the recommendation for calcium compared with children in the general population (66.7% vs. 53.1%, odds ratio [OR] = 3.1; p = .002). Riboflavin and vitamin B12 intakes were significantly lower among children with ASD ( p < .001). Focus group results indicated parental concerns on children’s diet and mealtime behaviors. Parents discussed the quality of existing nutrition information to be a concern, reported wanting intervention content on effective feeding strategies and healthy eating specific to children with ASD, and wanted to receive a nutrition intervention in multiple delivery formats. These findings will be utilized in developing a nutrition education intervention.

The establishment of reciprocal friendships is a challenge for many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Social interaction difficulties emerge early, persist throughout development, and have widespread functional impact. As such, interventions focused on social functioning are needed in early intervention programs. This two-part study evaluated the outcomes of a parent-assisted social skills training (SST) program for young children with ASD. The intervention is a downward extension of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS(R)), which is one of the few evidence-based SST programs for adolescents and young adults with ASD. Modifications included developmentally appropriate social skills, greater parent involvement, and behavioral strategies embedded in play-based activities. Results reveal improvements in parent ratings of social responsiveness, social cognition, and social motivation, as well as decreased (a) restricted/repetitive behaviors and interests and (b) problem behaviors. Results are promising and encourage further evaluation of this SST curriculum.

There is a research-to-practice gap in the identification and use of evidence-based practices in special education. One way to better understand the persistent gap between research and practice and to inform professional development efforts is through gaining an understanding of teacher and paraprofessional perceptions. We conducted a survey study to identify paraprofessionals’ perceived skills and needs regarding categories of practices aligning with evidence-based practices for students with autism spectrum disorder. A total of 768 paraprofessionals completed the survey. We used descriptive statistics, one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs), post hoc analyses, and chi-square tests to analyze paraprofessionals’ responses. Paraprofessionals reported a range of responses and several of their responses differed significantly in relation to their experience and the population of students they supported. Findings suggest there is a need to individualize professional development based on both classroom and paraprofessional training needs. Future research is needed to determine how paraprofessionals’ perceptions align with their practice.

The quantity and quality of research focused on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have grown over the past several decades. Ensuring that research findings are accessible and understood by education professionals is essential for improving outcomes for individuals with ASD. In this study, we evaluated education professionals’ knowledge about ASD, specifically (a) beliefs about causes of ASD, (b) their familiarity with evidence-based practices (EBPs) and non-EBPs, (c) the likelihood of using or recommending EBPs compared with non-EBPs, and (d) the extent to which source credibility influenced the likelihood of using or recommending different types of practices. Education professionals ( N = 62) completed a paper survey. Responses on a modified version of the Illness Perception Questionnaire–Revised (Moss-Morris et al., 2002) were used to evaluate participants’ beliefs regarding causal attributes of ASD. Educators were also asked to read texts describing four EBPs and four non-EBPs. The text presentation was based on a 2 × 2 within-subjects factorial design with practice status (EBP or non-EBP) and source credibility (credible or not credible) as the independent variables. After reading each text, participants reported on whether they were (a) familiar with the practice and (b) the extent to which they would use or recommend the practice. Results indicate that school personnel were highly confident that neurobiological factors were a causal attribute of ASD. In addition, respondents were more familiar with, and more likely to recommend or use, EBPs as compared with non-EBPs. Source credibility did not significantly affect participants’ likelihood of using or recommending practices.

School participation and connectedness have significant implications for student outcomes while at school and in later life. The need to develop evidence-based interventions to proactively support students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is imperative. A two-round Delphi technique was used to gain expert consensus to inform the development of a school-based intervention to improve the school participation and connectedness of elementary students with ASD. Seventy-six expert clinicians, educators, and researchers completed Round 1 and 65 completed Round 2. Consensus was achieved on the application of a conceptual framework of participation in Round 1, which informed the theoretical rationale of the intervention. Consensus on the importance of proposed classroom modules and the feasibility of proposed intervention techniques was achieved in Round 2. The process of gaining expert perspectives to develop an evidence-based intervention provides greater confidence that the intervention will be effective in achieving meaningful outcomes for students with ASD.