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Recommendations for Assessing and Managing Sleep Problems in Children with Neurodevelopmental Conditions
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review draws upon the authors ’ practical experience of assessing sleep in children with neurodevelopmental conditions alongside empirical evidence of recommendations for clinicians and researchers to support assessment of sleep problems and strategies to promote healthy sleep in children with specific neurodevelopmental condi tions. These include communication about sleep, mental health/behavioural considerations, pain, sensory profile, epilepsy, melatonin secretion profiles, sleep-disordered breathing and restless leg syndrome.Recent FindingsThis review has a particular focus on children w...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - November 24, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Preterm Birth and Developmental Coordination Disorder: What Do We Know and Not Know?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDespite increasing research on the association between preterm birth and DCD, some critical questions remain unanswered. This review therefore aims to examine the current state of knowledge and identify areas that require further research.Recent FindingsRecent findings indicate that preterm birth is associated with a greater risk of DCD, with increasing severity of impairment observed with decreasing gestational age before 40 weeks. Numerous studies have examined risk factors for preterm DCD, but few have investigated the mechanisms separately for preterm and term-born DCD, which makes it challengi...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - October 2, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

A Dynamic Systems Approach to Understanding Adaptive Locomotion in Individuals with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Systematic Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMultiple times per day, individuals need to navigate their environment and maintain their balance in order to reach their various destinations. Such adaptive walking is challenging for individuals with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), a condition affecting motor control and coordination. Using Dynamic Systems Theory, this systematic review compared the motor behaviours of individuals with and without DCD during adaptive walking tasks.Recent FindingsSeventeen articles met inclusion criteria. Parameters of the task (i.e. dual-task, obstacle navigation, stair negotiation) and environment con...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - September 11, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Current Research Updates on PANDAS and PANS
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo summarize the current state of the literature on Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Strep (PANDAS) and Pediatric Autoimmunie Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS), conditions thought to be related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Recent FindingsPhenomenology of the PANDAS/PANS subtype of OCD and/or tic-related illness are presented, treatments reviewed, and recommendations made for the management of clinical course including early screening when quintessential signs and symptoms convergent with the PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated w...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - September 4, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Interventions Used to Teach Tacts to Young Children with Autism: a Narrative Review of the Literature
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTact is a verbal operant emitted by a non-verbal stimulus (e.g., object) and maintained by social reinforcement (e.g., acknowledgement). Learning tacts facilitate acquisition of other verbal (e.g., mands and intraverbals) and non-verbal (e.g., listener) operants. Also, there is some evidence that teaching tacts to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) helps with reducing vocal stereotypies and palilalia. Due to the importance of teaching tacts to young learners with autism, this review aimed to examine the literature on tact instruction to this population who ranged from 0 to 59  months. Sp...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - August 25, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

The Effect of Sports Activities on Motor and Social Skills in Autistic Children and Adolescents: a Systematic Narrative Review
In conclusion, professionals trained  on autistic traits and knowledgeable in the target sport are required; consultations with the autistic community as guidance for designing novel sports training programmes are recommended. (Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports)
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - August 1, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Heterogeneity of Autism Characteristics in Genetic Syndromes: Key Considerations for Assessment and Support
AbstractPurpose of ReviewElevated prevalence of autism characteristics is reported in genetic syndromes associated with intellectual disability. This review summarises recent evidence on the behavioural heterogeneity of autism in the following syndromes: Fragile X, Cornelia de Lange, Williams, Prader-Willi, Angelman, Down, Smith-Magenis, and tuberous sclerosis complex. Key considerations for assessment and support are discussed.Recent FindingsThe profile and developmental trajectory of autism-related behaviour in these syndromes indicate some degree of syndrome specificity which may interact with broader behavioural phenot...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - May 9, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

A Scoping Review of Aided AAC Modeling for Individuals With Developmental Disabilities and Emergent Communication
Abstract   Purpose of ReviewAided AAC modeling is an umbrella term for when communication partners model language on an aided AAC system to support an individual ’s comprehension and/or communication development. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of aided AAC modeling studies targeting individuals with emergent communication and describing features and findings from these studies.Recent FindingsResearch on interventions that includes aided AAC modeling is growing. Recent studies cover interventions for individuals that previously were excluded, such as individuals who use alternative access methods to sel...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - May 3, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Programs to Prepare Siblings for Future Roles to Support Their Brother or Sister with a Neurodevelopmental Disability: a Scoping Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo identify and map the characteristics and outcomes of programs designed to prepare siblings for their future roles with their sibling with a neurodevelopmental disability.Recent FindingsExisting programs to support siblings of individuals with a neurodevelopmental disability often focus on providing information about neurodevelopmental disabilities, creating a community for siblings to connect with each other, and connecting siblings to resources and services to support them in their roles. Some programs are offered to the whole family with specific sessions for siblings. While these program desc...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - February 21, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

A Review on Early Intervention Systems
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEarly intervention programs have been shown to increase the overall socio-emotional and physical wellbeing of children in early childhood and educational settings. The goal of this narrative review is to explore recent literature that describes implementation of these systems and highlights innovative practices in the early childhood intervention sector.Recent FindingsTwenty-three articles were included, and we identified three themes in this review. The literature addressed concepts of innovative techniques in relation to childhood disability interventions; policy practices that promote child, fam...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - February 18, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

The Use of Alternative Augmentative Communication in Children and Adolescents With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: a Critical Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewNeurodevelopmental disorders lead, many times, to serious communication problems that also affect their quality of life. Therefore, it is essential to undertake rehabilitation projects aimed at promoting communication through the use of alternative and augmentative communication strategies and tools. The main objective of this systematic review based on existing scientific literature is to analyze the different types of rehabilitation systems and/or programs based on the use of AAC: technology-free, low-tech, and high-tech.Recent FindingsThe results indicate clear levels of effectiveness in relatio...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - February 16, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

A Scoping Review of Eye Tracking Technology for Communication: Current Progress and Next Steps
This article reviews the literature on the use of eye tracking technology for communication. It examines what has been investigated to date, discusses current perspectives, and identifies the needs for future direction.Recent FindingsResults from this review were organized according to five principles previously identified by people who use AAC. Literature reports on eye tracking technology (1) creating early access to communication; (2) becoming assimilated into a range of available communication techniques; (3) getting personalized to fit an individual ’s strengths; (4) facilitating participation in a range of life sit...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - February 14, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Social Enterprises and Transition to Employment for People Labeled with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo explore transition to employment and social enterprise (SE) models for people labeled with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), assess the benefits and drawbacks of SEs, and discuss the potential implications for realizing the United Nations Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in international contexts.Recent FindingsAlthough the UNCRPD promotes employment as a human right, people labeled with IDD continue to experience barriers to labor market participation. Sheltered workshops and supported employment are common paths to employment. SEs are alternative...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - February 8, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Autistic Adults: a Scoping Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions have had a significant impact on people ’s everyday lives, including the lives of Autistic adults. We aimed to (a) synthesise all papers currently published on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic adults and (b) identify lessons for the care and support of Autistic adults in pandemic and post-pandemic times.Recent FindingsFifty-five papers met the inclusion criteria. Most studies focused on the pandemic ’s impact on the wellbeing of Autistic adults. Several studies focused on the use of (telehealth) services or the risk of COVID-1...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - January 31, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Sex Differences in the Developmental Trajectories of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Abstract  Purpose of ReviewFemales and males are disproportionately diagnosed with autism, a sex difference that has historically represented this neurodevelopmental condition. The current review examines lifespan developmental trajectories of autism based on sex to elucidate behavioral phenotypic differences that may contribute to differential rates of diagnosis.Recent FindingsWe review sex differences in diagnostic criteria: social communication and restricted interests/repetitive behaviors (RRBs). Results suggest RRBs are more indicative of a diagnosis in males, whereas social differences are more indicative of a diagn...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - January 27, 2023 Category: Child Development Source Type: research