Autism or Autistic Traits

deleyed fine motor skills are currently considered a as clinical manifestation of autism spectrum disorder, should be assessed due to their high incidence and considerable influence on life quality functional activity

The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of multiple sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) delivered while participants complete tasks that target social learning with high functioning adults with ASD and/or high traits of ASD. The main question it aims to answer is: What are the effects of multiple sessions of active compared to sham tDCS, with tDCS simultaneously paired with social learning tasks, from employing a within-subject, cross-over randomized controlled trial design? Participants will: * Complete a randomly assigned block of 5 sessions of active and a block of 5 sessions of sham tDCS, with a four-week break occurring between the two blocks. * Complete social learning tasks simultaneously during receipt of tDCS at each session (whether receiving active or sham tDCS). * Complete behavioral, physiological, and electrophysiological testing before and after each block of active or sham tDCS. * Complete a social validity questionnaire after completion of the study.

The goal of this study is to conduct a prospective, longitudinal assessment of the natural clinical progression of children and adults with Synaptotagmin1-Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorder also known as Baker Gordon Syndrome (BAGOS). This will be performed by acquiring baseline measurements and developing effective outcome measures and diagnostic tools for the disorder, to prepare the healthcare system for future clinical trials.

The goal of this observational study is to compare the developmental trajectories of prosocial behaviors and functional network connections in infants and toddlers at high and low risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The main questions it aims to answer are what the differences in prosocial behaviors and related brain network connections between infants/toddlers at high and low risk of ASD are. Participants will receive developmental and social communicational assessments (Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales, Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, The Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant-Toddler Checklist), resting-state EEG and MRI in a natural sleeping state.

Around the world there is a growing need to develop early intervention services in local communities that support a better quality of life for all autistic people. The South African study will test an approach where caregivers are coached by non-specialists in early intervention strategies. Caregivers can then use these strategies during everyday activities with their young autistic child.