Projects
Oxytocin administration in children with autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring intellectual disability: examination of clinical efficacy using an ecologically valid treatment observation scale KU Leuven
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with a worldwide prevalence of 1-2%. Previous research and clinical experiences show that the core characteristics of ASD are manifested in difficulties with social communication and restrictive, repetitive behavior and interests. These sociocommunicative difficulties and repetitive behaviours might lead to a lot of stress, limited social participation and reduced quality of ...
Are we on the same wavelength? Social interaction between individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder Ghent University
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) struggle with reciprocal social interaction in everyday life, leading to a multitude of negative outcomes. The exact reasons and neurobiological underpinnings are still unknown. To better capture the social problems in ASD, we will apply a second-person perspective approach- focusing on active engagement in social interaction- which is currently largely lacking. Not only do individuals with ASD ...
It takes two to tango: Third-person and second-person perspective neuroscientific approaches to social interaction in autism spectrum disorder Ghent University
Deficits in social interaction are core to ASD, but strikingly little neurocognitive research has focused on social interactions in ASD. Here, we will study brain activity (with special focus on TPJ) in adults with and without ASD when watching others socially interact by means of fMRI, and when participating in real-time social interaction by means of fNIRS hyperscanning.
Transitional care for emerging adults with autism spectrum disorder. Translating “good practices” and experiences into a transitional care program KU Leuven
Emerging adulthood is a particularly vulnerable time for individuals with ASD, during which continued and even intensified care is essential to support them and preclude a negative prognosis. Unfortunately this age period (18-25y) coincides with the transition from child/adolescent care to adult care services. Because of the considerable differences between child/adolescent and adult services, and because of the specific needs of emerging ...
Developmental pathways, predictors and prognosis of regression in children with autism spectrum disorder. Ghent University
The goal of the proposed research project is to extend the current knowledge on developmental pathways, predictors and prognosis of developmental regression in young children with ASD. Both traditional and more recent theoretical insights will be explored by means of different methodological designs. More insight into the phenomenon of regression in ASD has both different theoretical and clinical implications.
Early language development in very young children at risk of an autism spectrum disorder Ghent University
The first major objective of the current project is to uncover language growth, possible language impairments and their specific developmental pathways in very young children at risk for ASD. To this end, language development will be analyzed in great detail. Until now, language in these children has been mainly researched by examining the number of words they produce and understand. Language, however, contains more elements by which ...
The role of mitochondrial dysfunctions in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder Ghent University
The study will be particularly noteworthy since it will be the first study to: (i) study the correlation between levels of
MD markers and a comprehensive set of phenotypical characteristics (both observational and parent-reported) in a
large group of children with ASD; (ii) conduct an in-depth analysis of MD in ASD and (iii) collect longitudinal MD
data in a prospective study on developmental pathways of ...
"YES, I DRIVE": project for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to promote the learning to drive and participate safely in motorized traffic. Hasselt University
Arithmetic abilities in children with autism spectrum disorder Ghent University
Two studies are set up to address arithmetics in children with ASD. In study, the arithmetic difficulties of children with ASD and their siblings will be mapped in detail. The link with important underlying processes will be examined. In study 2, the prenumerical abilities of three groups of preschoolers will be longitudinally assessed and linked to their arithmetic abilities.