Assessment of the relationship between diagnoses of ASD and caregiver symptom endorsement in adults diagnosed with intellectual disability.

Individuals diagnosed with an intellectual disability (ID) share overlapping traits with those diagnosed with both ID and an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if caregivers' reports of symptoms of ASD are of value (i.e.

Effects of symptoms of co-morbid psychopathology on challenging behaviours among infants and toddlers with Autistic Disorder and PDD-NOS as assessed with the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT).

Purpose: To examine whether level of symptoms of co-morbid psychopathology exacerbated challenging behaviours in young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Method: Using the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT)-Part 2 which measures co-morbid symptoms and the BISCUIT- Part 3 which examines challenging behaviours, 362 infants and toddlers with ASD were evaluated.

Results: Findings showed that participants scoring high on symptoms of Avoidance and Tantrum/Conduct problems had greater rates of aggressive/destructive behaviours, self-injurious behaviours (SIB) and stereotypies compared to those with low scores.

Stability of symptoms of autism spectrum disorders in toddlers: an examination using the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits-Part 1 (BISCUIT).

Objective: The diagnostic stability of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) at very young ages continues to be debated, despite empirical evidence that ASDs can be reliably diagnosed in children under the age of 3 years. This topic is of the upmost importance given that early intervention increases long-term outcomes in this population.

Methods: The goal of the current study was to examine the stability of symptoms of ASD between two assessment times for 114 toddlers.

The effects of inattention/impulsivity and ASD symptom severity on social skills in toddlers.

Objective: The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of symptom severity of ASD and symptom severity of inattention and impulsivity in toddlers to determine the potential impact on social skills.

Methods: A total of 240 toddlers diagnosed with ASD, ranging in age from 17-36 months, were included in this study. Parents or legal guardians were administered measures assessing for symptoms of ASD, symptoms of psychopathology and social skills.

Reliability and validity of the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters.

Social skills are an important part of development, and deficits in this area have long-term impacts on a child. As a result, clinicians should include a measure of social skills as part of a comprehensive assessment. There are a few well-researched measures of social skills that are currently used, including the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters (MESSY).

The effect of seizure disorder on symptom presentation in atypically developing children and children with autism spectrum disorders based on the BDI-2.

Purpose: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and seizures are highly comorbid conditions. However, little research has been done to examine this relationship. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect that seizure disorder has on symptom presentation in children with autism spectrum disorders as compared to atypically developing children.

Developmental milestones in toddlers with autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder--not otherwise specified and atypical development.

Objective: To investigate age differences in developmental milestone attainment among toddlers with Autistic Disorder, PDD-NOS and atypical development.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered to caregivers of toddlers to obtain ages of onset of developmental milestones. The study included 1044 participants with 442, 112, 498 and 497 participants in first word, first phrase, crawling and walking analyses, respectively.

Antipsychotic drug side effects for persons with intellectual disability.

Antipsychotic drugs are the most frequently prescribed of the psychotropic drugs among the intellectually disabled (ID) population. Given their widespread use, efforts to systematically assess and report side effects are warranted. Specific scaling methods such as the Matson Evaluation of Side Effects (MEDS), the Abnormal Inventory Movement Scale (AIMS), and Dyskinesia Identification System Condensed User Scale (DISCUS) are reviewed.

An Examination of Psychotropic Medication Side Effects: does taking a greater number of psychotropic medications from different classes affect presentation of side effects in adults with ID?

This study examined whether the number of psychotropic medications an individual is taking across classes influences side effects among adults with Intellectual Disability (ID). Participants were 80 adults diagnosed with ID. Dependent variables were the composite score and domain scores of the Matson Evaluation of Drug Side-effects (MEDS), which is an instrument used to assess side effects.

Tardive dyskinesia and intellectual disability: an examination of demographics and topography in adults with dual diagnosis and atypical antipsychotic use.

Atypical antipsychotic medications are commonly used in large-scale residential care facilities for adults with developmental disabilities. While the benefits of this class of psychotropics are noted, debate exists whether the side effect profile of these medications outweigh their therapeutic benefit, especially in those who use them long-term. Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a movement disorder often caused by a history of neuroleptic use which can cause deleterious effects.

Cut-offs, norms and patterns of problem behaviours in children with developmental disabilities on the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT-Part 3).

Purpose: Challenging behaviours present major impediments to a young child's life. Being able to properly assess these behaviours can lead to early intervention and remediation.

Method: In the present study, the problem behaviours of 644 children 17-37 months of age who were at risk for developmental disabilities were studied using the BISCUIT-Part 3.

Effect of developmental quotient on symptoms of inattention and impulsivity among toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The effect of developmental quotient on symptoms of inattention and impulsivity was examined among 198 toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders. There were two levels of developmental quotient: (1) low (less than or equal to 70; n=80), and (2) typical (greater than 70; n=118). Symptoms of inattention and impulsivity were assessed using 14 items that comprise the BISCIUT-Part 2 inattention/impulsivity subscale.

Cutoffs, norms, and patterns of comorbid difficulties in children with developmental disabilities on the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT-Part 2).

Behavioral symptoms of comorbid psychopathology of 651 children 17-37 months of age who were at risk for developmental disabilities were studied using the BISCUIT-Part 2. In Study 1, norms and cutoff scores were established for this new scale on this sample. In Study 2, frequency of response on the 52 items measured was reported.

Parent training: a review of methods for children with developmental disabilities.

Great strides have been made in the development of skills and procedures to aid children with developmental disabilities to establish maximum independence and quality of life. Paramount among the treatment methods that have empirical support are treatments based on applied behavior analysis. These methods are often very labor intensive.