Autism spectrum disorder and religious inclusion

Почитувани колешки и колеги,

Ова е насловот на трудот што требаше да го презентирам на престојната трета светска конференција за религиски дијалози и соработка со наслов: “Religion and the contemporary phase of globalization: possibilities and challenges”, што ќе се одржи во хотел Монтана во Крушево од 23 до 27 јуни 2025 година. Организатор е Центарот за интеркултурни студии и истражувања при Филозофскиот факултет во Скопје. Зборникот на апстракти е веќе објавен, а уредници се проф. д-р Зоран Матески и м-р Ивана Гегоска и може да се симне од ОВДЕ. Им честитам за зборникот! Моето резиме се наоѓа на 55-тата страница.

За жал заради зголемен обем на приватни обврски, таа седмица, нема да можам да им се придружам, но ја користам оваа пригода да им посакам успешна и плодотворна конференција.

Авторот

Association between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Cancer - a Review from the Literature

 Vladimir Trajkovski 

Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Philosophy, University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, Macedonia

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8369-9501

https://doi.org/10.33700/jhrs.3.1.103

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is neurodevelopmental polygenic disorder with strong genetic component. In adult period, it is associated with many chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

The aim of this article is to show possible connection between autism spectrum disorder and some kinds of cancers, and to show possible pathways for prevention and treatment.

Methodology: The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched using the keywords: autism spectrum disorder, genetics, cancer, prevention and treatment.

Results: Autism spectrum disorder is associated with high rates of genomic aberrations, including chromosomal rearrangements and de novo copy-number variations. Autism and cancer share 43 risk genes, suggesting that common mechanisms underlying the functions of some of these genes could conceivably be leveraged to develop therapies not just for cancer but for autism as well. Pleiotropy, whereby gene variants exert effects on multiple phenotypes, has been the source of increasing research attention with ASD and cancer.

Germline loss-of-function PTEN mutations increase the rate of benign and malignant tumors and also manifest as ASD and macrocephaly. Mutations in TSC1 and TSC2 genes cause tuberous sclerosis complex which is characterized by cortical tubers, and neurocognitive phenotypes including epilepsy, ASD, and intellectual disability (ID).

Conclusion: There is may be an association between autism and specific forms of cancer. Further epidemiologic research in large populations is needed to elucidate the association between autism and cancer and identify explanatory factors. Approved drugs targeting oncogenic pathways might also have therapeutic value for treating autism spectrum disorder.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, cancer, genetics, prevention, treatment

Full Text Article

Association between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Cancer - a Review from the Literature

Vladimir Trajkovski 

Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Philosophy, University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, Macedonia

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8369-9501
https://doi.org/10.33700/jhrs.3.1.103

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is neurodevelopmental polygenic disorder with strong genetic component. In adult period, it is associated with many chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

The aim of this article is to show possible connection between autism spectrum disorder and some kinds of cancers, and to show possible pathways for prevention and treatment.

Methodology: The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched using the keywords: autism spectrum disorder, genetics, cancer, prevention and treatment.

Results: Autism spectrum disorder is associated with high rates of genomic aberrations, including chromosomal rearrangements and de novo copy-number variations. Autism and cancer share 43 risk genes, suggesting that common mechanisms underlying the functions of some of these genes could conceivably be leveraged to develop therapies not just for cancer but for autism as well. Pleiotropy, whereby gene variants exert effects on multiple phenotypes, has been the source of increasing research attention with ASD and cancer.

Germline loss-of-function PTEN mutations increase the rate of benign and malignant tumors and also manifest as ASD and macrocephaly. Mutations in TSC1 and TSC2 genes cause tuberous sclerosis complex which is characterized by cortical tubers, and neurocognitive phenotypes including epilepsy, ASD, and intellectual disability (ID).

Conclusion: There is may be an association between autism and specific forms of cancer. Further epidemiologic research in large populations is needed to elucidate the association between autism and cancer and identify explanatory factors. Approved drugs targeting oncogenic pathways might also have therapeutic value for treating autism spectrum disorder.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, cancer, genetics, prevention, treatment

Full Text Article

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Vladimir TRAJKOVSKI
Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation
Faculty of Philosophy, University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje
Republic of Macedonia
E-mail: vladotra@fzf.ukim.edu.mk

Received: 08-May-2020
Revised: 09-June-2020
Accepted: 14-June-2020
Online first: 15-June-2020

Abstract

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that occurs within the first 3 years of life, which is characterised by poor social skills, communication problems and stereotyped patterns of behaviour. Autism is a life-long disorder that has a substantial effect on the individual, their family, and society.

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview about the psychosocial aspects of autism spectrum disorders. 

Methods: An analysis of relevant literature, sources from the internet and published literature, personal experience and observations of the author. 

Findings: Despite widespread research and greater public awareness, ASD has an unclear etiology and no known cure, making it difficult to acquire an accurate and timely diagnosis. Psychologic functions such as attention, executive function, academic functioning, memory, emotions, and sensory processing are described. There is a need for continuous psycho-social support for people with ASD and their relatives during the diagnostics and early intervention period, as well as resources that better represent the diversity of experiences and symptoms associated with ASD across the lifespan. 

Conclusion: It is clear that more special education services are needed, together with timely and ongoing psychosocial support to parents of children with ASD. 

Key words: autism spectrum disorder, neurodevelopmental condition, psychological aspects. 

Citation: Trajkovski, V. Psychological aspects of autism spectrum disorder. Journal for ReAttach Therapy and Developmental Diversities, 2020 Jul 05; 3(1):14-23. https://doi.org/10.26407/2020jrtdd.1.30

Full Text Article