Adaptive and Behavioral Profiles in Down Syndrome and Co-Occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case-Control Study.

Down syndrome (DS) is the most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disability (ID). Individuals with DS exhibit an elevated risk of other neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The primary objective of this study was to explore the clinical characteristics of co-occurring ASD in children and adolescents with DS using a case-control approach.

Body, image, and digital technology in adolescence and contemporary youth culture.

The physical, psychological and social changes that occur during adolescence constitute a physiological crisis that is necessary for development and growth. The establishment of a suitable "self-image" is important for facilitating harmonious psychophysical development during this time. In the current era, digital technology (DT) serves as an extraordinary means of communication for young people, who make significant use of images as a mode of expression.

Prospective memory in the developmental age: a systematic review to synthesize the evaluation tools and the main cognitive functions involved.

Prospective memory (PM) is the ability to remember and realize one's intentions in the future; therefore, it is crucial for the daily functioning of children and adolescents and their ability to become independent from caregivers. PM errors can have repercussions during childhood, such as influencing school performance and social relationships. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize studies analysing PM in children and adolescents (age range: 0-16 years) following PRISMA guidelines.

"BottegaMente": An Italian program of internship for people with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Transitioning into adulthood can be challenging for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Work is one of the most enduring and impactful aspects of adult life, as it plays a key role in helping people find meaning. However, research on the effectiveness of pre-employment programs in improving the health and well-being of autistic adolescents and young adults remains limited.

Stratification of Gut Microbiota Profiling Based on Autism Neuropsychological Assessments.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Investigations of gut microbiota (GM) play an important role in deciphering disease severity and symptoms. Overall, we stratified 70 ASD patients by neuropsychological assessment, based on Calibrated Severity Scores (CSSs) of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second edition (ADOS-2), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and intelligent quotient/developmental quotient (IQ/DQ) parameters.

Correction of Batch Effect in Gut Microbiota Profiling of ASD Cohorts from Different Geographical Origins.

Background: To date, there have been numerous metataxonomic studies on gut microbiota (GM) profiling based on the analyses of data from public repositories. However, differences in study population and wet and dry pipelines have produced discordant results. Herein, we propose a biostatistical approach to remove these batch effects for the GM characterization in the case of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

Service users perspectives on psychosis-risk terminology: An Italian study on labeling terms preferences and stigma.

Aims: The current range of labeling terms-at-risk mental state (ARMS), ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR), and attenuated psychotic syndrome (APS)-used to refer to the psychosis-risk concept is varied, and their acceptability and potential stigma are not well understood. By involving Italian youth with lived experience of mental ill-health, we aimed to generate new labeling terms for psychosis-risk, and to evaluate literacy, attitudes, and preferences regarding these and the existing terms. Additionally, we investigated opinions of disclosure of the at-risk concept in clinical practice.

Clinical characterization of children and adolescents with ADHD and sleep disturbances.

Sleep disturbances (SD) are commonly reported concerns among parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While it is widely acknowledged that SD can worsen various aspects of children and adolescents' well-being (e.g.

Contemporary visualities of ill health: On the social (media) construction of disease regimes.

First-person representations of illness have been studied as key to the cultural fabric disrupting dominant practices of ill health or disease regimes. However, the role that digital platforms play in shaping this fabric in contemporary societies has been mostly overlooked. We address this gap by investigating how mainstream social media, as mundane spaces modelled by corporate-driven techno-commercial structures, frame specific forms of visuality or ways to see ill health.

The role of social motivation in sharing and fairness: insights from Williams syndrome.

Background: Sharing and fairness are important prosocial behaviors that help us navigate the social world. However, little is known about how and whether individuals with Williams Syndrome (WS) engage in these behaviors. The unique phenotype of individuals with WS, consisting of high social motivation and limited social cognition, can also offer insight into the role of social motivation in sharing and fairness when compared to typically developing (TD) individuals.

The effect of a single dose of methylphenidate on attention in children and adolescents with ADHD and comorbid Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

The co-occurrence Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been associated to difficulties in regulating adverse states, elevated functional impairment, deficits in Executive Functions and high risk for psychopathology. Recent studies have shown that ODD is a negative predictor of a positive response to methylphenidate (MPH) treatment for ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents and that patients with a diagnosis of comorbid ADHD and ODD are less likely to respond favorably to pharmacological treatment with MPH. We conducted a naturalistic study to understand the clinical characteristics of drug-naïve children and adolescents with ADHD that influence the response to MPH by measuring the effect on attention.

Characterization of sleep difficulties in maltreated children and adolescents.

Numerous studies have identified connections between child maltreatment and sleep-related issues. However, poor is known on potential links between sleep patterns and day-to-day functioning, along with psychopathology in maltreated youths. Additionally, existing research on the relationship between sleep difficulties and maltreatment often lacks investigation into specific sleep difficulty profiles across different age ranges.

Hand Washing: When Ritual Behavior Protects! Covid-19 Experience in Children and Adolescents with (and without) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

No abstract present.

Characterising repetitive behaviours in children and adolescents with Down syndrome.

Background: Individuals with intellectual disability, including people with Down syndrome (DS), often exhibit restricted and repetitive behaviours (RRBs). However, RRBs have not been deeply characterised in children and adolescents with DS.

Method: The study encompassed a cohort of 151 participants aged 4 to 18 years with DS.

COVID-19 Pandemic School Disruptions and Acute Mental Health in Children and Adolescents.

Importance: There are suggestions that school pressure may be stressful and a factor in child and adolescent mental health disturbances, but data about this association are scarce and inconclusive.

Objective: To assess whether varying degrees of school interruption were associated with changes in emergency department (ED) psychiatric visits of children and adolescents before and after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at 9 urban university hospitals in Italy.

Fragile X Syndrome and FMR1 premutation: results from a survey on associated conditions and treatment priorities in Italy.

Background And Objectives: Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability, caused by CGG-repeat expansions (> 200) in the FMR1 gene leading to lack of expression. Espansion between 55 and 200 triplets fall within the premutation range (PM) and can lead to different clinical conditions, including fragile X- primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI), fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (FXAND) and fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Although there is not a current cure for FXS and for the Fragile X-PM associated conditions (FXPAC), timely diagnosis as well as the implementation of treatment strategies, psychoeducation and behavioral intervention may improve the quality of life (QoL) of people with FXS or FXPAC.

Factors Associated with High Parent- and Youth-Rated Irritability Score in Early-Onset Mood Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study with the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI).

Correct classification of irritability is extremely important to assess prognosis and treatment indications of juvenile mood disorders. We assessed factors associated with low versus high parent- and self-rated irritability using the affective reactivity index (ARI) in a sample of 289 adolescents diagnosed with a bipolar or a major depressive disorder. Bivariate analyses were followed by multilinear logistic regression model.