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Kids Blowing Bubbles

Autism 

Autistic people have different talents and challenges to neurotypical people. Many autistic people can experience challenges concerning sensory issues, social communication and interaction and they can express a preference for repetitive patterns of behaviour, and have focused interests. Autism can be diagnosed at any age but typically signs of autism appear in the first two years of life. Autism is regarded as occurring on a spectrum because there is a wide variation in the type and severity of the challenges that autistic people experience.  One in fifty-nine children worldwide are autistic. Four boys are diagnosed to every girl.  There is a 35-fold increase in prevalence in autism since the earliest studies were conducted in the late 1960s. Research suggests that autism is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences.  

Published Articles

Mannion, A., Whelan, S., & Leader, G. (2024). An examination of sleep problems and parental well-being, comparing families with and without autistic children. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 106, 102462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2024.102462

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Mannion, A., & Leader, G. (2023). Relationship between child sleep problems in autism spectrum disorder and parent mental health and well-being. Sleep Medicine, 109, 4  10. Link to article

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Mannion, A., & Leader, G. (2023). Relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms in autism spectrum disorder and parent stress, anxiety, depression, quality of life and social support. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. In Press. Link to article

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Whelan, S., & Leader, G.(2023). Virtual Reality: Unlocking Employment Opportunities for Autistic Adults? In C. Sousa, & A.H. Tkaczyk (Eds.), Media Literacy and Assistive Technologies for Empowerment in Autism (pp. 95-108). Edições Universitárias Lusófonas. Link to article

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Leader, G., Hogan, A., Chen, J. L., Maher, L., Naughton, K., O’Rourke, N., Casburn, M., & Mannion, A. (2022). Age of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and comorbidity in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 25(1), 29-37. Link to article

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Higgins, L., Mannion, A., Chen, J.L. Leader, G. (2022). Adaptation of Parents Raising a Child with ASD: The Role of Positive Perceptions, Coping, Self-efficacy, and Social Support. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1-19. Link to Article

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Whelan, S., Mannion, A., Madden, A., Berger, F., Costello, R., Ghadiri, S., Leader, G. (2022) Examining the Relationship Between Sleep Quality, Social Functioning, and Behavior Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review . Nature and Science of Sleep. 14, 675-695 Link to Article

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Leader, G., Abberton, C., Cunningham, S., Gilmartin, K., Grudzien, M., Higgins, E., Whelan, S., & Mannion, A. (2022). Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 14(7), 1471. Link to Article

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Forde, J., Bonilla, P. M., Mannion, A., Coyne, R., Haverty, R., & Leader, G. (2021). Health Status of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1-11. Link to Article

 

Leader, G., Mooney, A., Chen, J. L., Whelan, S., Naughton, K., Maher, L., & Mannion, A. (2021). The Co-Occurrence of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Cerebral Palsy and Associated Comorbid Conditions in Children and Adolescents. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 1-9. Link to Article

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Leader, G., Dooley, E., Whelan, S., Gilroy, S. P., Chen, J. L., Farren Barton, A., ... & Mannion, A. (2021). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, sleep problems, challenging behavior, adaptive behavior, and quality of life in children and adolescents with autism Spectrum disorder. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 1-12. Link to Article

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Murray, A., Mannion, A., Chen, J. L., & Leader, G. (2021). Gaming Disorder in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1-8. Link to Article

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Lanyi, J., Flynn, C., Mannion, A., Maher, L., Naughton, K., & Leader, G. (2021). Abdominal Pain in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1-10. Link to Article

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Leader, G., Flynn, C., O’Rourke, N., Coyne, R., Caher, A., & Mannion, A. (2021). Comorbid psychopathology, challenging behavior, sensory issues, adaptive behavior and quality of life in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 24(6), 397-407. Link to Article

 

Leader, G., Glynn, C., Kirkpatrick, B., Chen, J. L., O’Súilleabháin, P. S., & Mannion, A. (2021). Familial sleep and autism spectrum disorder: a pilot actigraphy study of sleep quality, quality of life and psychological distress. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 1-11. Link to Article

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