Characteristics of Young Children Associated with Diagnostic Utility of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule: A DBPNet Study.

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify characteristics of children for whom a developmental-behavioral pediatrician's (DBP) diagnostic impressions of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or non-ASD were changed by Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) results.

Method: A prospective study of children 1½ to <6 years consecutively referred to 8 sites for possible ASD. Cognitive/developmental, language, and adaptive testing varied, as each site followed its usual clinical approach.

Child Health Needs and the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Workforce Supply: 2020-2040.

Developmental-behavioral pediatrics (DBP) subspecialists care for children with complex neurodevelopmental and behavioral health conditions; additional roles include education and training, advocacy, and research. In 2023, there were 1.0 DBP subspecialists per 100 000 US children aged 0 to 17 years (range 0.

Clinician Diagnostic Certainty and the Role of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule in Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis in Young Children.

Importance: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 44 children. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is a semi-structured observation developed for use in research but is considered a component of gold standard clinical diagnosis. The ADOS adds time and cost to diagnostic assessments.

Building Programs to Eradicate Toxoplasmosis Part I: Introduction and Overview.

Purpose Of Review: Review building of programs to eliminate infections.

Recent Findings: Morbidity and mortality from toxoplasmosis led to programs in USA, Panama, and Colombia to facilitate understanding, treatment, prevention, and regional resources, incorporating student work.

Summary: Studies foundational for building recent, regional approaches/programs are reviewed.

Safety, efficacy, and tolerability of memantine for cognitive and adaptive outcome measures in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial.

Background: Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder with considerable neurodevelopmental impact and neurodegenerative morbidity. In a pilot trial in young adults with Down syndrome, memantine (a drug approved for Alzheimer's disease) showed a significant effect on a secondary measure of episodic memory. We aimed to test whether memantine would improve episodic memory in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome.

Opportunities, barriers, and recommendations in down syndrome research.

Background: Recent advances in medical care have increased life expectancy and improved the quality of life for people with Down syndrome (DS). These advances are the result of both pre-clinical and clinical research but much about DS is still poorly understood. In 2020, the NIH announced their plan to update their DS research plan and requested input from the scientific and advocacy community.

Do Referral Factors Predict a Probable Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis? A DBPNet Study.

Objective: To determine the proportion of children referred to academic medical centers with concerns about autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) who received a probable ASD diagnosis, identify factors predicting ASD diagnosis, and describe the children with ASD concerns who were not found to have autism.

Methods: A total of 55 developmental-behavioral pediatricians (DBP) at 12 academic sites in the DBPNet research network recorded data on ≤15 consecutive new patients. They coded presumed diagnoses after their first visit with the child.

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics 13 Years After the First Board Certification: Evolving Subspecialty.

Objective: To examine and define the evolving subspecialty of developmental-behavioral pediatrics (DBP) by analyzing workforce surveys presubspecialty and postsubspecialty certification.

Methods: In 2015, an electronic workforce survey was sent to the members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on DBP and Council on Children with Disabilities and the Society for DBP. Answers from the 1998 survey for respondents with subspecialty fellowship training were compared.

DBP Evaluations in DBPNet Sites: Is Race/Ethnicity a Significant Factor in Care?

Objective: To examine whether there are differences between non-Hispanic white (NHW) and nonwhite (NW) children in referral questions, evaluations, and diagnoses during developmental behavioral pediatrician (DBP) evaluations at academic medical centers and the potential role of socioeconomic factors in any disparities noted.

Design/methods: This observational study used survey data from 56 DBPs at 12 sites participating in DBPNet. Child race and ethnicity were obtained from DBP report.

Using Telehealth to address disparities in cognitive, language, and emotion regulation problems in young children: A case illustration using the INvesT model.

Over the past decade, there has been a rise in the prevalence of developmental disabilities. Early diagnosis and access to healthcare services are essential for children with developmental delays to optimize development. For families living in poverty, accessing specialized assessment/intervention services for children with developmental disabilities is often a formidable task.

Factors Influencing the Adequacy of Bowel Preparation in Patients With Developmental Disabilities.

Background: The rate of inadequate bowel preparation in the general population is approximately 23%. As more individuals with developmental disabilities enter late adulthood, a concomitant rise in endoscopic procedures for this population, including screening colonoscopies, is anticipated. However, there are sparse data on the adequacy of bowel preparation in patients with developmental disabilities.

Private Versus Medicaid Patients Referred to Developmental Behavioral Pediatricians: Do They Differ? A DBPNet Study.

Background: It is unknown how insurance status affects elements of evaluation at developmental behavioral (DB) pediatric sites.

Objective: To compare DB referrals, evaluation, and treatment for children with Medicaid and private insurance.

Design/methods: Fifty-six developmental behavioral pediatricians at 12 sites recorded anonymous data on structured forms for ≤15 consecutive referrals.

A Workforce Survey on Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics.

Background And Objectives: Developmental-behavioral conditions are common, affecting ∼15% of US children. The prevalence and complexity of these conditions are increasing despite long wait times and a limited pipeline of new providers. We surveyed a convenience sample of the developmental-behavioral pediatric (DBP) workforce to determine current practices, workforce trends, and future needs.

Co-occurring medical conditions in adults with Down syndrome: A systematic review toward the development of health care guidelines.

Adults with Down syndrome (DS) represent a unique population who are in need of clinical guidelines to address their medical care. The United States Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) has developed criteria for prioritizing conditions of public health importance with the potential for providing screening recommendations to improve clinical care. The quality of existing evidence needed to inform clinical guidelines has not been previously reviewed.

Academic Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Faculty at Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Research Network Sites: Changing Composition and Interests.

Objective: To obtain and review workforce data, given the critical demand for developmental pediatricians (DPs).

Methods: Survey of demographics and professional activities of DP physician faculty at Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric (DBP) Research Network fellowship training sites.

Results: Of the eligible providers at 12 centers, 76% (n = 50) completed surveys.

Perceived Mentoring Practices in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship Programs.

Objective: Junior physicians describe mentoring relationships as integral to their career development and success. Current evidence suggests that mentoring is under-utilized despite interest from trainees. The purpose of this study is to describe the mentoring practices in developmental-behavioral pediatric (DBP) fellowship programs and identify mentoring needs of DBP fellows and recent graduates.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Behavior Regulation and Virtual School Support.

Tony is a 6-year-old multiracial boy diagnosed as having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-combined type who is followed in your primary care practice and has started on a stimulant medication. Tony continues to have difficulty with emotion regulation and impulse control both at home and at school. He was asked to leave his private school soon after beginning first grade because of physical fighting, emotional outbursts, and arguing with teachers.

Effect of medical cannabis on thermal quantitative measurements of pain in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Background: Cannabis can alleviate pain of various etiologies. This study assessed the effect of cannabis on motor symptoms and pain parameters in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: Twenty patients with PD who were licensed to use cannabis underwent evaluation before and 30 min after cannabis consumption and again after long-term use.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Behavior Regulation and Virtual School Support.

Tony is a 6-year-old multiracial boy diagnosed as having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-combined type who is followed in your primary care practice and has started on a stimulant medication. Tony continues to have difficulty with emotion regulation and impulse control both at home and at school. He was asked to leave his private school soon after beginning first grade because of physical fighting, emotional outbursts, and arguing with teachers.

Impact of Autism Navigator on Access to Services.

Objective: To determine whether access to an Autism Patient Navigator (APN) for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at <48 months of age would be useful and lead to more appointments with needed services.

Method: Participants included parents of 39 children diagnosed with ASD in a multidisciplinary clinic. After diagnosis, the patients were randomized to 4 groups: Medicaid early (n = 9) or late support (n = 9) and non-Medicaid early (n = 11) or late support (n = 10).

Development and psychometric evaluation of a psychosocial quality-of-life questionnaire for individuals with autism and related developmental disorders.

This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Child and Family Quality of Life scale, a measure of psychosocial quality of life in those with autism and related developmental disorders. Parents of 212 children suspected of autism spectrum disorder completed the Child and Family Quality of Life prior to a diagnostic evaluation. Results indicated that the Child and Family Quality of Life measured six unique quality-of-life constructs (child, family/caregiver, financial, external support, partner relationship, and coping), had good reliability across score ranges and exhibited expected patterns of convergent validity.

Identification of neurodevelopmental disabilities in underserved children using telehealth (INvesT): Clinical trial study design.

Background: Children living in poverty are at high risk for delays in development of language and behavior and they experience a discrepancy in diagnosis and access to intervention services. This gap is partially caused by barriers in access as well as traits that are specific to each child and family. The Identification of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in Underserved Children using Telehealth (INvesT) trial is a novel intervention approach that was specifically designed to address these barriers.