Moving With Confidence: How Does Anxiety Impede Performance in Individuals With Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIt is well-established that anxiety levels are higher among people with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) compared to their peers. However, it is unclear whether this anxiety influences movement and behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to review studies demonstrating the influence of anxiety on movement and/or behaviour in non-DCD and DCD populations.Recent FindingsWhen considering non-DCD literature, many studies have illustrated the influence of anxiety on movement. Only two papers were found which explicitly aimed to consider the influence of anxiety on movement in a DCD population. T...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - September 9, 2022 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Early Gesture as a Predictor of Later Language Outcome for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a Systematic Literature Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis systematic review aimed to locate through the literature early gesture predictors for later language development in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Electronic databases were systematically searched using “gesture,” “language,” and “ASD,” along with their synonyms based on specific criteria, including baseline gesture and follow-up language measures, as well as use of statistics for calculating longitudinal predictability as a prerequisite.Recent FindingsThirteen studies met all the eligibility criteria. Results showed that children with ASD, after the age of 12  mont...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - August 6, 2022 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Assessing Sensory Processing in Adults
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSensory processing disorders may occur throughout the developmental lifespan; hence, appropriate assessment tools should be available. However, the current state of evidence may be limited to children. In this review, we identify three tools assessing sensory processing in adults: Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire, and the Adult Sensory Processing Scale.Recent FindingsHerein, we provide an overview of these assessment tools, issues on their utility, and research and practice areas worth reflecting on prior to considering their use. Among the assessment tools reviewed, ...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - June 30, 2022 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Deficits in the Magnocellular Pathway of People with Reading Difficulties
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe magnocellular theory is one of the well-accepted neurobiological theories to explain developmental dyslexia. However, criticism remains on whether the weaker magnocellular-dorsal system in dyslexics is a consequence of insufficient practice in reading skills. This mini-review summarizes recent publications investigating the causal relationship of magnocellular theory in developmental dyslexia.Recent FindingsEmerging evidence highlights visual magnocellular-dorsal deficits as a cause, not a consequence, of reading difficulties. Recent studies have indicated that cognitive impairment of magnocell...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - June 24, 2022 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

A Literature Review of Social Communication Interventions for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in General Education Settings
AbstractPurpose of ReviewResearch indicates that educating individuals with autism is most effective in general education settings with peers. This review investigated the current literature on best practices for teaching social communications in general education settings.Recent FindingThere were a wide range of interventions implemented in various settings with different implementors, with many utilizing peers for teaching. Due to the program variability identified, results were also highly varied, as so many factors can affect natural environment research.SummaryOne major finding was that time spent in interventions all...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - May 2, 2022 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Toward a Strengths-Based Cognitive Profile of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Implications for Intervention
ConclusionsIdentifying areas of relative strength provides promising avenues for intervention. Future research should explore areas of intact functioning and relative strength among children with FASD more explicitly, alongside areas of difficulty. (Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports)
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - April 8, 2022 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Dynamic Augmentative and Alternative Communication Displays for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: a Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo summarize findings on the effects of augmentative and alternative (AAC) treatment packages that use dynamic grid displays and/or visual scene displays to facilitate communication in individuals with developmental disabilities.Recent FindingsThe systematic intervention packages that employ either dynamic grid displays or visual scene displays are effective for improving language, social, and literacy skills in individuals with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and multiple disabilities.SummaryDynamic displays are an essential component of speech-generating device (...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - April 4, 2022 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

A Review of Research Related to the POWR Intervention: a Communication Partner Intervention to Support Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewWe review the evidence-based POWR intervention which provides training to communication partners to support children with complex communication needs (CCN) by teaching steps to support child communication:Prepare the activity and AAC,Offer opportunities for communication,Wait for the child ’s communication, andRespond to child ’s communication.Recent FindingsPOWR intervention studies show benefits for communication partners (increased communication opportunities, waiting, and responding) and the children with CCN (increased communication turns). Communication partners also found the POWR in...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - February 18, 2022 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

A Family-Directed Approach for Supporting Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
ConclusionsSpecialist services for children with FASD and their families are significantly limited around the world. The proposed model provides a theoretical framework for educating and supporting practitioners and family members, to facilitate collaborative service provision for children with FASD and their families. (Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports)
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - January 30, 2022 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Children with Autism and Potential Developmental Coordination Disorder: Results from a Literature Review to Inform the Diagnosis Process
AbstractPurpose of Review.Children with autism who present with motor difficulties may now be given a diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) when they meet DCD diagnostic criteria. However, determining whether the motor deficits present in some autistic children are related to DCD, or to autism alone, may be challenging. Our goal was to synthesize recommendations from the literature regarding when to seek a DCD diagnosis in autistic children. We conducted a systematic review of articles published between 2013 and 2019. To be eligible, studies needed to differentiate groups of autistic children with and with...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - January 24, 2022 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Parenting a Child with a Neurodevelopmental Disorder
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTraditional thinking and focus in ‘childhood disability’ have been on the child with the impairment — with the imperative to make the right diagnosis and find the right treatments. The implicit if not direct expectation was that interventions should aim to ‘fix’ the problems. Professionals have led the processes of investi gation and management planning, with parents expected to ‘comply’ with professionals’ recommendations. Much less attention has been paid to parents’ perspectives or their wellbeing.Recent FindingsIn the past two decades, we have seen a sea change in our conceptu...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - November 20, 2021 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Interpersonal Cognitive Biases in Children and Young People with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewInterpersonal cognitive biases have been linked to externalising and internalising problems. This systematic review investigates their role in children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), who have a high risk of experiencing such problems.Recent FindingsWith 16 identified studies, this is a widely under-recognised research area. The three studies conducted within the last 5  years focused on threat interpretation and its association with anxiety. No difference between children and young people with and without NDD was found in the eleven studies investigating hostile attribut...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - November 17, 2021 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Sensory Modulation: a Window to Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Symptoms Among Children
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) has been suggested to be a separate disorder from any form of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, it is still unclear about the underlying neurophysiological and neuropsychological mechanism contributed to this condition. The aim of the present review is to examine the possibility to understand the nature of SCT through investigating the sensory modulation abilities in individuals with SCT.Recent FindingsSensory modulation abilities have been studied in previous researches of developmental disorders such as ADHD and autism in order to understand ...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - November 2, 2021 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Applied Behaviour Analysis for Autism: Evidence, Issues, and Implementation Barriers
AbstractPurpose of ReviewInterventions to address the needs of autistic individuals have been extensively researched. We briefly review the key findings and explore why, in spite of strong supporting evidence, the uptake of evidence-based procedures remains poor.Recent FindingsNumerous meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and cost benefit analyses testify to the effectiveness of interventions based on applied behaviour analysis (ABA). Despite the progress made by both the autism advocacy and scientific communities, controversy and division remain among researchers, clinicians, and within the autism community. Funding for the...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - September 28, 2021 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

The Effectiveness of Oral Sensorimotor Intervention in Children with Feeding Disorders
AbstractPurpose of ReviewFeeding interventions, including oral motor and oral sensory therapy, potentially benefit feeding skills, while enhancing growth to children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The aim of the present systematic review was to investigate the effectiveness of oral sensorimotor intervention in children who experience feeding and swallowing problems.Recent FindingsSeven relevant articles were obtained from several databases like Medline, GoogleScholar, Embase, CINAHL, AgeLine and Scopus. A review of the literature published between 1994 and 2017 was used focusing on oral sensorimotor intervention studie...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - September 4, 2021 Category: Child Development Source Type: research