Credible knowledge: a pilot evaluation of a modified GRADE method using parent-implemented interventions for children with autism.

Background: Decision-making in child and youth mental health (CYMH) care requires recommendations that are developed through an efficient and effective method and are based on credible knowledge. Credible knowledge is informed by two sources: scientific evidence, and practice-based evidence, that reflects the "real world" experience of service providers. Current approaches to developing these recommendations in relation to CYMH will typically include evidence from one source or the other but do not have an objective method to combine the two.

Brief report: the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales in young children with autism spectrum disorders at different cognitive levels.

Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) data were examined in a large sample of young children with ASD (n = 290) of varying cognitive levels. IQ was higher than VABS composite score among high functioning children only; the opposite pattern was found in lower IQ subgroups. Profile analysis of VABS domains across cognitive levels demonstrated different profiles in different subgroups.

Multi-site study of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) in five clinical groups of young children.

This study examined several questions pertaining to the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) in a sample of 274 preschool children (aged 2-6 years) clinically diagnosed as falling in one of five groups: Autistic Disorder, PDD-NOS, MR, Delayed, and Other. In addition to diagnosis and the CARS, all children were given standardized cognitive and adaptive behavior measures. Results indicated high concordance between the CARS and clinical diagnosis using DSM-IV (including excellent sensitivity and specificity).

Adolescent chronic pain: the ability to cope.

The study investigated differences in mother-child interaction, child personality, and family characteristics between adolescents who were coping with chronic benign intractable pain and adolescents who were not. Both groups experienced a similar amount and intensity of pain. Behavioural observations indicated that non-copers engaged in significantly more negative behaviour than the copers.