Pilot application of the BPSConnect model: bio-psycho-social correlation in children with ASD

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary clinical utility of the BPSConnect protocol as a comprehensive bio-psycho-social screening tool for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as to explore correlations across biological, psychological, and social dimensions. Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted at e-TherapyKids, Barcelona (November 2024 - June 2025). Twenty-five children with ASD, aged 4 to 8 years, diagnosed using the ADOS-2, were included. The protocol integrated checklists by dimension (biological, psychological, social), validated scales (SRS-2, Vineland-3, SSP2/SP2, PSI-SF, FES), and an exploratory hair epigenetic analysis (Cell Wellbeing). Data were pseudonymized and analyzed descriptively. Correlations between alarm indices and psychometric outcomes were explored using Spearman's rho. Results: Feasibility was high (completion rate >90 percent, mean administration time less than 60 minutes per dimension). Prevalence of alarm signals indicated frequent biological imbalances (64 percent vitamin D deficiency, 56 percent iron deficiency, 72 percent elevated exposure to electromagnetic fields), marked psychological difficulties (84 percent sensory processing, 68 percent social communication), and high social stressors (84 percent parental stress, 84 percent lack of school support). Exploratory correlations identified: vitamin D deficiency with socio-communicative impairment (Spearman's rho = 0.41), iron deficiency with language regression (rho = 0.36), and parental stress with reduced adaptive participation (rho = -0.38). Conclusions: BPSConnect proved feasible and clinically useful for integrative bio-psycho-social screening in ASD. Although exploratory and limited by small sample size, results provide a basis for multicenter validation (NeuroEpigenCare).