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Trauma, and or traumatic events affect two-thirds of individuals in the United States (Marsac et al., 2016). Individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are more vulnerable to trauma because of their social communication and emotional regulatory deficits (Kerns, 2015). With no field standard for treating clients who have trauma in the field of ABA, the present study investigated if when a practicing BCBA participates in a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) training they will gain skill and knowledge of TIC to better treat their clients with trauma. This study utilized a CE on the CuspEmergence website created by Dr. Camile Kolu titled “Introduction to Ethics of Trauma-Informed Behavior Analysis”. Participants completed the entire training, a total of four chapters, and results indicated that through the use of a TIC training BCBA’s were able to demonstrate an increase in both skill and knowledge of TIC.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a group of heterogeneous disorders that affect approximately 1% of children worldwide. ASD is characterized by two core symptoms, the first being deficits in social communication and interaction, and the second being restrictive and repetitive behaviours. Although environmental and genetic factors are known to contribute to the development of ASD, the etiology remains unknown. Genetic sequencing studies have implicated over 1000 genes with risk variants that are ASD-associated. Recent sequencing studies have highlighted that SCN2A, a gene that encodes the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Type II Alpha Subunit habours a large proportion of genetic risk variants for ASD. An emphasis was put on this gene because many of the top genes regulate transcription and cytoskeletal dynamics and not sodium flux aiding in regulating neuron excitability. Initial investigations of complete loss of Scn2a in mice led to perinatal lethality where heterozygous loss exhibited many behavioural phenotypes associated with ASD. Through our collaboration with Dr. Stephen Scherer (Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto) we identified two de novo truncating point variants in SCN2A. In our study, we focused on using human iPSC-derived neurons for disease modelling. We found these two variants caused a reduction in synapses suggesting that neuronal communication may be altered. Furthermore, electrophysiological characterization of the neurons harbouring the differing SCN2A variants showcased that loss-of-function (LoF) variants can produce differential phenotypes based on their location. Beyond the initial ion channel characterization, we wanted to probe whether cellular pathways were altered directly or indirectly by atypical neuronal activity. Proteomics of neurons expressing the more severe variant, p.R607*, found differentially expressed proteins (DEP)s that were upregulated and downregulated. Moreover, these DEPs were enriched and clustered into cellular pathways that were altered, with one of these clusters representing mitochondrial function. We functionally validated these findings in the same neurons and found corroboration between the molecular and cellular data of impaired mitochondria. Lastly, we used Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 gene editing to generate an isogenic model to validate our findings of the less severe p.G1744* variant. Together, this will aid in the discovery of new variant categorizations and targeted treatments for rescues of atypical neural connectivity or pathways that are altered downstream. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The factors contributing to the severity of the neurodevelopmental disorders autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are largely unknown. Previous studies have indicated immune abnormalities in these disorders, such as increased inflammation and altered immune cell numbers. We, in collaboration with the Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorder (POND) Network, analyzed markers of intestinal permeability and inflammation in children diagnosed with ASD or ADHD, as well as typically developing controls. Plasma from these participants was used to investigate levels of soluble inflammation, denoted by circulating acute phase proteins, as well as circulating levels of markers of intestinal epithelial damage and bacterial translocation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from these participants and used to construct an immunophenotype of ASD and ADHD, focusing on monocytes and monocyte activation and maturation. These data were then compared with scores of behaviour severity to identify associations between inflammation and behaviour in these disorders. We identified increased soluble inflammation in ASD, indicated by increased circulating C-reactive protein. We associated this inflammation with intestinal permeability, indicated by increased circulating LPS. Classical monocyte frequency was significantly lower in ASD and these monocytes displayed an altered migratory phenotype, indicated by a reduction in CCR2 expression. Furthermore, we have identified potential maladaptive monocyte responses to soluble inflammation in both ASD and ADHD, with altered monocyte phenotypes in response to inflammatory mediators compared to typically developing controls. Finally, we identified that changes in monocyte phenotype are associated with more severe behaviours in both ASD and ADHD. These findings imply that inflammation and immune abnormalities contribute to the severity of neurodevelopmental disorders. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

yes / How well can neurotypical adults’ interpret mental states in people with ASD? ‘Targets’ (ASD and neurotypical) reactions to four events were video-recorded then shown to neurotypical participants whose task was to identify which event the target had experienced. In study 1 participants were more successful for neurotypical than ASD targets. In study 2, participants rated ASD targets equally expressive as neurotypical targets for three of the events, while in study 3 participants gave different verbal descriptions of the reactions of ASD and neurotypical targets. It thus seems people with ASD react differently but not less expressively to events. Because neurotypicals are ineffective in interpreting the behaviour of those with ASD, this could contribute to the social difficulties in ASD.

Social motivation in individuals with ASD is currently derived from the observation of overt behaviors and neurological correlates, from which motivational processes are inferred. Motivation, however, is not the same as behavior, and most theoretical conceptualization of the construct assign primary importance to cognitive processes. Nevertheless, few studies have examined the cognitive processes that may influence goal-directed tasks involved in social interaction. Understanding internalized cognitive processes may distinguish underlying motivations which influence engagement in social behavior. This study aims to assess how beliefs, mindsets, and attitudes can influence one's motivation to engage in social interaction through the development of a novel interview. The Social Motivation Interview (SMI) assesses for internal cognitions as they relate to social motivation by determining levels of social desire, interest, and behaviors in children with ASD. The development of the SMI followed stringent criteria to create a unified measure that was methodologically sound and theoretically informed. SMI development followed guidelines to ensure item pool development was consistent with the proposed construct. Pilot testing suggested feasibility of administration, user satisfaction, and promising psychometric properties. Future examination of the SMI in large-scale field testing is warranted. / Doctor of Philosophy / This study aims to assess how beliefs, mindsets, and attitudes can influence one’s motivation to engage in social interaction through the development of a novel interview. The Social Motivation Interview (SMI) assesses for internal cognitions as they relate to social motivation by determining levels of social desire, interest, and behaviors in children with ASD. The development of the SMI followed stringent criteria to create a unified measure that was methodologically sound and theoretically informed. SMI development followed guidelines to ensure item pool development was consistent with the proposed construct. Pilot testing suggested feasibility of administration, user satisfaction, and promising psychometric properties. Future examination of the SMI in large-scale field testing is warranted.