The dorsal stream vulnerability hypothesis posits that the dorsal stream, responsible for visual motion and visuo-motor processing, may be particularly vulnerable during neurodevelopment. Consistent with this, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been associated with deficits in global motion integration, though deficits in ventral stream tasks,…

In this study we aimed to assess whether individuals with ASD are prone to higher infection rates, or to severe COVID-19 illness. Individuals with ASD and age- and gender-matched controlled counterparts (total n = 32,812) were assessed for COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalizations. Results indicated higher infection rates among individuals…

This study used a longitudinal probability sample survey, "Understanding Society: COVID-19," to examine trajectories in adolescents' mental health, via the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, at three timepoints during COVID-19 with a particular emphasis on vulnerable groups (i.e., young carers, adolescent girls, BAME--Black, Asian…

Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between violent sexual victimization and muscle-building exercise among adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the 2019 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (N = 8408) were analyzed. Two indicators of non-dating-related sexual violence (lifetime, past 12 months), along with one…

Natural supports are informal relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and community members that serve as a source of connection and support, and as a safety net. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of natural supports on different areas of quality of life of people with disabilities. Given the theorized importance of natural…

In 2020, COVID-19 began to affect adolescents' mental health, particularly cisgender girls and transgender/gender diverse (TGD) adolescents, who previously experienced a greater risk for depression and anxiety disorders than their peers. The present study investigated the moderating effect of gender on internalizing symptoms among three community…

Background: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and associated public health restrictions created unprecedented challenges for parents and their young dependent children. While psycho-social impacts of natural disasters on families are well studied, a typography of parent specific concerns in the COVID-19 context was yet to be articulated.…

In the present study, we sought to examine the relationship between perceived economic stress and adolescents' bullying victimization and extended previous literature by examining the mediating effect of self-esteem as well as the moderating effects of student-student relationships and gender in this association. The research hypotheses were…

Background: Food insecurity (FI) rates in the United States are particularly high among households with children. This research set aims to analyze if high school students experiencing FI had higher risk for mental health and suicidal behaviors. Methods: Using combined data from 11 states that conducted the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a total…

Objective: The present study sought to extend our understanding of food insecurity among college students, including aims to replicate the high prevalence of food insecurity among college student samples, examine the food insecurity -- emotional eating association, and determine whether biological sex moderates this association. Participants:…

Using national data, we examined emergency department (ED) encounters during 2006-2011 for which a diagnosis code for fragile X syndrome (FXS) was present (n = 7,217). Almost half of ED visits coded for FXS resulted in hospitalization, which is much higher than for ED visits not coded for FXS. ED visits among females coded for FXS were slightly…

The objective of this study was to determine the clinical features that moderate a later age at ASD diagnosis in females in a large sample of females with ASD. Within two large and independent ASD datasets (>20,000 females), females were first diagnosed with ASD 14-months later relative to males. This later age at diagnosis was moderated by a…

Males are more likely to be diagnosed with autism than females, and at earlier ages, yet few studies examine sex differences in screening. This study explored sex differences in psychometric properties, recommended cutoff scores, and overall scores of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised, with Follow-Up. Participants were 28,088…

Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a language deficit affecting approximately 7% of the general population and does not associate with any hearing impairment, neurological damage, or mental disorder. In DLD, the complications arise over time due to the learning difficulties experienced, which causes eventual cognitive delay compared to…

Objective: Assess nutrition knowledge of Division I college athletes. Participants: 128 student-athletes (n¼ 70 female) from eight sports completed the survey in June 2018. Methods: The survey by Calella et al (2017) was used to assess both general and sport nutrition knowledge. Results: Cases with more than 20% of responses missing were excluded…