Understanding and Targeting Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests in Autism Spectrum Disorder Via High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Repetitive behaviors (RBs) are a prevalent feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There are two groups of RBs: lower-order (e.g. motor stereotypies) and higher-order RBs (e.g. restricted interests), linked to sensory-motor and the associative loops, respectively. To date, treatment options for RBs are very limited. High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) may be effective in reducing the impact of RBs in children with ASD by targeting the associated brain alterations. Moreover, the high focality of HD-tDCS will help the investigators to disentangle the relative contribution of different brain loops (namely, sensory-motor and the associative loops) into RBs subtypes. The investigators will also study the electrophysiological patterns associated to behavioral changes after the application of HD-tDCS.
• participants of both genders with ASD diagnosis according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and based on clinical evaluation and administration of gold standard tools for ASD diagnosis
• an intelligence quotient (IQ) higher or equal to 70 (IQ ≥ 70)
• age range from 8 years to 13 years and 11 months included