Impact of an Asynchronous Training for the Early Intervention and Childcare Workforce Addressing the Developmental Impact of the Opioid Crisis on Young Children.

Objectives: The US opioid epidemic contributes to a growing population of children experiencing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). A review of the developmental impacts of the opioid crisis highlights that both prenatal exposure to teratogens and ACEs can result in developmental delay and disabilities. Training for the early intervention/early childhood (EI) systems is needed to enable them to meet the needs of this growing population.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health, wellbeing, and access to services of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Background: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) may be especially vulnerable to changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic given an increased likelihood of health concerns, low socioeconomic status, and difficulty accessing services.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to explore mental health problems and services in individuals with IDD during the pandemic. We explored whether number of mental health problems differed by disability, age, gender, living situation, physical health, and access to services.

The Effect of the Low FODMAP Diet on Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Behavioral Problems and Nutrient Intake in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Some research suggests that GI symptoms seen in children with ASD may relate to behavior problems. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the effect of the low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet on GI and behavioral problems in children with ASD. At follow-up, the low FODMAP diet group had significant relief in some GI problems compared with both baseline in the group and control group.

Reliability and validity of the children's interview for psychiatric syndromes--parent version in autism spectrum disorders.

The Children's Interview for Psychiatric Syndromes-Parent Version (P-ChIPS) is a structured psychiatric interview designed to assess the presence of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. This study examined the reliability and validity of the P-ChIPS in 61 youngsters (6- to 17-years-old) with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Reliability analyses were conducted according to level of functioning and language level.

Moderators, mediators, and other predictors of risperidone response in children with autistic disorder and irritability.

Objective/background: The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology (RUPP) Autism Network found an effect size of d = 1.2 in favor of risperidone on the main outcome measure in an 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for irritability in autistic disorder. This paper explores moderators and mediators of this effect.

Positive effects of methylphenidate on social communication and self-regulation in children with pervasive developmental disorders and hyperactivity.

This report examined the effect of methylphenidate on social communication and self-regulation in children with pervasive developmental disorders and hyperactivity in a secondary analysis of RUPP Autism Network data. Participants were 33 children (29 boys) between the ages of 5 and 13 years who participated in a four-week crossover trial of placebo and increasing doses of methylphenidate given in random order each for one week. Observational measures of certain aspects of children's social communication, self-regulation, and affective behavior were obtained each week.

Examining the validity of autism spectrum disorder subtypes.

The classification of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is a topic of debate among clinicians and researchers with many questioning the validity of the distinction among subtypes. This manuscript examines the validity of three ASD subtypes (Autism, Asperger's, and PDDNOS) by reviewing 22 studies published between 1994 and 2006. We reviewed studies that examined differences between the subtypes in terms of clinical and demographic characteristics, neuropsychological profiles, comorbidity, and prognosis.

Autism screening tools: an evaluation of the Social Communication Questionnaire and the Developmental Behaviour Checklist-Autism Screening Algorithm.

Background: This study is the first to evaluate the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and the Developmental Behaviour Checklist-Autism Screening Algorithm (DBC-ASA) in the same sample of school-aged children with intellectual disability (ID) with and without Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs).

Method: Parents of 49 children (36 with PDDs and 13 with ID) completed a survey that included a demographic form, a measure of adaptive behaviour (the SIB-R), the SCQ, and the DBC-ASA.

Results: According to established cut-offs, the SCQ's sensitivity was .

Positive effects of methylphenidate on inattention and hyperactivity in pervasive developmental disorders: an analysis of secondary measures.

Background: Methylphenidate has been shown elsewhere to improve hyperactivity in about half of treated children who have pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) and significant hyperactive-inattentive symptoms. We present secondary analyses to better define the scope of effects of methylphenidate on symptoms that define attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), as well as the core autistic symptom domain of repetitive behavior.

Methods: Sixty-six children (mean age 7.

Atomoxetine for hyperactivity in autism spectrum disorders: placebo-controlled crossover pilot trial.

Objective: To explore placebo-controlled efficacy and safety of atomoxetine (ATX) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Method: Children ages 5 to 15 with ASD and prominent ADHD symptoms were randomly assigned to order in a crossover of clinically titrated ATX and placebo, 6 weeks each, separated by 1-week washout. Slopes for each condition were compared by paired t test.

Treatment incidence and patterns in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.

This study examined the treatment rates and patterns in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Data were collected on 353 nonreferred children and adolescents (mean age 9.5 +/- 3.