IWGA's Review of Research | March 14, 2017
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OCALI is pleased to provide a monthly update on current research and study outcomes from an array of professional publications.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact:

Melissa H. Bacon, OCALI Program Director – Policy and Interagency Collaboration
470 E. Glenmont Ave. | Columbus, OH 43214 | (614) 578-6630 (mobile)
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Lundwall, R. A., Stephenson, K. G., Neeley-Tass, E. S., Cox, J. C., South, M., Bigler, E. D., & Kellems, R. O. (2017). Relationship between brain stem volume and aggression in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 34, 44-51.

Aggressive behaviors are common among individuals with autism; however, explanations of why these individuals lack behavior regulation skills is missing.
This study examined brain volumes and found that lower brainstem volumes were associated with high levels of aggression in individuals with autism. 

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Duvekot, J., van der Ende, J., Verhulst, F. C., Slappendel, G., van Daalen, E., Maras, A., & Greaves-Lord, K. (2016). Factors influencing the probability of a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in girls versus boys. Autism, 1362361316672178.

Females who exhibit high rates of challenging behavior are more likely to receive a diagnosis of autism than females that do not engage in high rates of challenging behavior. As a result, females with autism who do not exhibit high rates of challenging behavior are being underdiagnosed. 

 

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Getahun, D., Fassett, M. J., Peltier, M. R., Wing, D. A., Xiang, A. H., Chiu, V., & Jacobsen, S. J. (2017). Association of perinatal risk factors with autism spectrum disorder. American Journal of Perinatology, 34(3), 295-304.

The authors of this study examined the association between pregnancy, birth complications, and autism.

  • Infants had a 10% increased risk of developing autism when the mother experienced complications during birth.
  • This percent increased to 22% when the mother experienced complications prior to labor delivery.
  • The risk of developing autism for infants increased to 44% when mothers experienced complications both before and during birth.
  • Birth asphyxia and preeclampsia were associated with the highest risks of autism out of all the complications examined.
  • Other prenatal complications that were associated with autism included breech/transverse fetal presentation, fetal dystocia (large or awkwardly placed fetus), prolapsed/exposed umbilical cord, and separation of the placenta from the uterus. 
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