Changes in Autism and Co-Occurring Conditions from Preschool to Adolescence: Considerations for Precision Monitoring and Treatment Planning.

Purpose: To describe retention of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis from preschool to adolescence and the most common co-occurring diagnoses among children with ASD in preschool and adolescence. A second objective was to identify co-occurring diagnoses more likely to emerge between preschool and adolescence among children with ASD vs. another developmental or mental health diagnosis in preschool.

Prevalence of Developmental, Psychiatric, and Neurologic Conditions in Older Siblings of Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder: Study to Explore Early Development.

This study evaluated developmental, psychiatric, and neurologic conditions among older siblings of children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to understand the extent of familial clustering of these diagnoses. Using data from the Study to Explore Early Development, a large multi-site case-control study, the analyses included 2,963 children aged 2-5 years with ASD, other developmental disabilities (DD group), and a population-based control group (POP). Percentages of index children with older siblings with select developmental, psychiatric, and neurologic conditions were estimated and compared across index child study groups using chi-square tests and multivariable modified Poisson regression.

An evaluation of statistical models of microcystin detection in lakes applied forward under varying climate conditions.

Algal blooms can threaten human health if cyanotoxins such as microcystin are produced by cyanobacteria. Regularly monitoring microcystin concentrations in recreational waters to inform management action is a tool for protecting public health; however, monitoring cyanotoxins is resource- and time-intensive. Statistical models that identify waterbodies likely to produce microcystin can help guide monitoring efforts, but variability in bloom severity and cyanotoxin production among lakes and years makes prediction challenging.

Child Age at Time of First Maternal Concern and Time to Services Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Objective: Early treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can improve developmental outcomes. Children with ASD from minority families often receive services later. We explored factors related to child's age at time of mother's first concerns about child's development and subsequent time to service initiation among children with ASD.

Depressive symptoms and activity engagement in autistic adolescents and those with other developmental disabilities.

Background: Autistic adults and those with other developmental disabilities (DD) have increased depressive symptoms and decreased activity engagement when compared to those with no DD. Few studies explore activities related to depressive symptoms in autistic people and those with other DD during adolescence.

Objective: The objectives of this analysis were to describe depressive symptoms and activity engagement among autistic adolescents and those with other DD and no DD and explore types of activities associated with depressive symptoms, stratified by study group.

Remote Delivery of Allied and Behavioral Healthcare During COVID-19 for Children With Developmental Disabilities.

Objective: Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (DD) transitioned to telehealth services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objectives were to describe reductions in allied and behavioral healthcare services and receipt of caregiver training to deliver services at home because of COVID-19 for children with ASD and other DD, and factors associated with worse response to remote delivery of services for children with ASD.

Method: Prior to the pandemic, children 2 to 5 years of age were enrolled in a multi-site case-control study and completed a developmental assessment.

Economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on families of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Background: To control the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many jurisdictions throughout the world enacted public health measures that had vast socio-economic implications. In emergency situations, families of children with developmental disabilities (DDs), including autism, may experience increased difficulty accessing therapies, economic hardship, and caregiver stress, with the potential to exacerbate autism symptoms. Yet, limited research exists on the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on families of children with autism or another DD compared to families of children from the general population.

Health and Education Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities.

Objective: Understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic affected children with disabilities is essential for future public health emergencies. We compared children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with those with another developmental disability (DD) and from the general population (POP) regarding (1) missed or delayed appointments for regular health/dental services, immunizations, and specialty services; (2) reasons for difficulty accessing care; and (3) use of remote learning and school supports.

Method: Caregivers of children previously enrolled in the Study to Explore Early Development, a case-control study of children with ASD implemented during 2017 to 2020, were recontacted during January-June 2021 to learn about services during March-December 2020.

Risk factors and clinical correlates of sensory dysfunction in preschool children with and without autism spectrum disorder.

Sensory dysfunction is a common feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The objectives of this analysis were to examine risk factors and clinical correlates of sensory dysfunction in preschool children with and without ASD. Children aged 2-5 years were enrolled in a multi-site case-control study.

Differential Performance of Social Communication Questionnaire Items in African American/Black vs. White Children.

Screening for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an essential early step in the identification process and inaccurate screening may lead to significant delays in the onset of treatment. Past research has highlighted discrepancies in the performance of ASD screening tools such as the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) among certain racial and ethnic groups. The current study explored the functioning of the SCQ among African American/Black and White respondents based on item level performance on the measure.

Gaze perception from head and pupil rotations in 2D and 3D: Typical development and the impact of autism spectrum disorder.

The study of gaze perception has largely focused on a single cue (the eyes) in two-dimensional settings. While this literature suggests that 2D gaze perception is shaped by atypical development, as in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), gaze perception is in reality contextually-sensitive, perceived as an emergent feature conveyed by the rotation of the pupils and head. We examined gaze perception in this integrative context, across development, among children and adolescents developing typically or with ASD with both 2D and 3D stimuli.

A comparison of costs of two forms of educator professional development in Wyoming: Traditional conference vs. project ECHO.

Educator professional development (PD) is essential for improving student outcomes (Guskey, 1986, 2002). However, logistical challenges with traditional in-person conferences can detract from the reach of educator PD (Corcoran, 1995; Johnston, 1994; Shaffer & McNinch, 1997; Stephens, 1991). Project ECHO is a model of PD that utilizes videoconferencing technology to provide training to educators in rural or underserved areas through didactic presentations and case-based learning (Arora et al.

The complex relationship between greenspace and well-being in children with and without autism.

Greenspace (defined here as canopy coverage) positively correlates with improved well-being in typically developing individuals, but this relationship has not been established in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To investigate this relationship, the current study merged data from the National Survey of Children's Health (2012) with the National Land Cover Database. Across typically developing children, children with ASD, and non-autistic children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN), greenspace unexpectedly negatively correlated with well-being.

Peak frequency of the sensorimotor mu rhythm varies with autism-spectrum traits.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by impairments in social perception and communication. Growing evidence suggests that the relationship between deficits in social perception and ASD may extend into the neurotypical population. In electroencephalography (EEG), high autism-spectrum traits in both ASD and neurotypical samples are associated with changes to the mu rhythm, an alpha-band (8-12 Hz) oscillation measured over sensorimotor cortex which typically shows reductions in spectral power during both one's own movements and observation of others' actions.

Pre- and Postnatal Fine Particulate Matter Exposure and Childhood Cognitive and Adaptive Function.

Increasing evidence exists for an association between early life fine particulate matter (PM) exposure and several neurodevelopmental outcomes, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the association between PM and adaptive and cognitive function remains poorly understood. Participants included 658 children with ASD, 771 with a non-ASD developmental disorder, and 849 population controls from the Study to Explore Early Development. Adaptive functioning was assessed in ASD cases using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS); cognitive functioning was assessed in all groups using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL).

Features that best define the heterogeneity and homogeneity of autism in preschool-age children: A multisite case-control analysis replicated across two independent samples.

The heterogeneous nature of children with symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) makes it difficult to identify risk factors and effective treatment options. We sought to identify behavioral and developmental features that best define the heterogeneity and homogeneity in 2-5-year-old children classified with ASD and subthreshold ASD characteristics. Children were enrolled in a multisite case-control study of ASD.

Preliminary Efficacy of Occupational Therapy in an Equine Environment for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The purpose of this study was to identify appropriate outcome measures and assess preliminary efficacy of occupational therapy in an equine environment (OT HORSPLAY) for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Twenty-four youth with ASD aged 6-13 were randomized to 10 weeks of OT HORSPLAY or to a waitlist control condition, occupational therapy in a garden. Youth demonstrated significantly improved goal attainment and social motivation, and decreased irritability after OT HORSPLAY.

Challenges Faced by Rural Primary Care Providers When Caring for COPD Patients in the Western United States.

Rationale: Rural chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients have worse outcomes and higher mortality compared with urban patients. Reasons for these disparities likely include challenges to delivery of care that have not been explored.

Objective: To determine challenges faced by rural primary care providers when caring for COPD patients.

ECHO: A Model for Professional Development in Nursing Through Learning Networks.

Health research is published at a breathtaking pace and quantity; however, even when research is systematically developed into best practices and/or clinical guidelines, it often is not implemented into practice. Project ECHO (xtension for ommunity ealthcare utcomes) is an evidence-based professional development approach that can help nurses to stay current and apply new knowledge to practice. The purpose of this article is to describe ECHO as a model for professional development and capacity building through learning networks.

Evaluation of sex differences in preschool children with and without autism spectrum disorder enrolled in the study to explore early development.

Background And Aims: Research in school-aged children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has found sex-based differences in behavioral, developmental, and diagnostic outcomes. These findings have not been consistently replicated in preschool-aged children. We examined sex-based differences in a large sample of 2-5-year-old children with ASD symptoms in a multi-site community-based study.

Many Young Children with Autism Who Use Psychotropic Medication Do Not Receive Behavior Therapy: A Multisite Case-Control Study.

Objectives: To explore how many pre-school aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) used psychotropic medication, child and geographic factors associated with psychotropic medication use, and how many children who used psychotropic medication did or did not ever receive behavior therapy.

Study Design: Children 2-5 years of age were enrolled from 2012 to 2016 in a multisite case-control study designed to investigate the development and risk factors of ASD. Children with a positive ASD screen or ASD diagnosis upon enrollment were asked to complete a comprehensive evaluation to determine ASD status and developmental level.

Using an OSCE to assess the potential for assistive technology to enhance communication between student pharmacists and simulated patients who are deaf/hard of hearing.

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of assistive technology in health care interactions between student pharmacists and simulated patients who are deaf/hard of hearing and to assess changes in confidence and comfort levels (among both groups) when using assistive technology.

Methods: Forty-nine second-year student pharmacists were enrolled in a pharmacy communication laboratory course and 8 undergraduate students were recruited during Fall 2019. The first communication laboratory interaction consisted of student pharmacists using their normal mode of communication with role-played patients who are deaf/hard of hearing to establish baseline measures; a pretest survey was administered to each participant at the conclusion of this 10-minute laboratory interaction.

Body Matters in Emotion: Restricted Body Movement and Posture Affect Expression and Recognition of Status-Related Emotions.

Embodiment theory suggests that we use our own body and experiences to simulate information from other people's bodies and faces to understand their emotions. A natural consequence of embodied theory is that our own current position and state contributes to this emotional processing. Testing non-disabled individuals, we investigated whether restricted body posture and movement influenced the production and recognition of nonverbal, dynamic emotional displays in able-bodied participants.