Relevance. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder, showing up in children under 3 years old and characterized by the triad of symptoms (qualitative impairment of social interaction and communication, stereotype behavior and non-specific problems) and the dyad of impairment in social interaction, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and/ or interests. According to the Russian and international literature, the prevalence of ASD has tended to grow in the 21th century. Children with ASD experience difficulties in communication and manual skills. The oral hygiene in children with ASD is poor, they need their parents’ help brushing their teeth as well as preparing for a dental visit. Thus, improvement of communication techniques is an urgent challenge for these children.Materials and methods. 75 parents of children with ASD aged 4 to 16 years were surveyed.Results. The received results demonstrated that the parents of children with ASD have very little knowledge about the oral hygiene. While preparing for a dental visit the majority of parents do not use communication techniques, which leads to doctor-patient interaction difficulties.Conclusions. The received data showed that techniques for applied behavior analysis, alternative communication system prove to be highly effective in preparing children with ASD for a dental visit, thus, increasing the effectiveness of preventive procedures.

Objectives/Background: Aarskog–Scott syndrome (AAS), also known as faciogenital dysplasia, is a rare X-linked genetic disorder primarily characterized by its diverse physical manifestations. Previous evidence suggests a potential association between AAS and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: This case study presents a male adolescent with ASD and a novel genetic variant in FGD1 underlying AAS. We conducted comprehensive clinical, genetic, and behavioral assessments to characterize the neurodevelopmental presentation. Moreover, we examined the existing literature on AAS and comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders. Results: The patient demonstrated features consistent with both AAS and ASD, presenting with characteristic physical features of AAS and meeting diagnostic criteria for ASD on both ADI-R and ADOS-2. Cognitive assessment revealed above-average nonverbal IQ (Leiter-3, NVIQ = 115), while adaptive functioning was notably impaired (Vineland composite score = 65). Executive function deficits were identified through several assessments, though ADHD diagnostic criteria were not met. The literature review considered 64 studies, including 151 individuals with AAS. ASD was observed in 4.0%, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in 10.6%, and Intellectual Disability (ID) in 14.2% of cases. Conclusions: The combination of ASD with preserved nonverbal intelligence but impaired adaptive functioning in this AAS case demonstrates the complex neurodevelopmental manifestations possible in this rare genetic condition. The prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders among people with AAS may be higher than their prevalence in the general population. However, a comprehensive assessment of developmental progress was rarely performed in previous studies, which may lead to systematic underestimation of co-occurring neurodevelopmental difficulties in AAS.