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Psychotropic Medication in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Patterns of Use and Recommendations for Monitoring Effects
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this paper is to provide a brief review of the patterns of psychotropic medication use in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and recommendations for monitoring the effects of these medications.Recent FindingsChallenging behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injury, property destruction) in individuals with IDD is often observed, and both behavioral and pharmacological interventions have been evaluated for their effectiveness in treating these behaviors. Although behavioral interventions have been shown to be effective at decreasing challenging behavior, psy...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - October 25, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Functional Assessment of Challenging Behavior
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to evaluate recent research on functional assessment procedures to identify recent advances and best practices.Recent FindingsIndirect assessments are the most limited form of functional assessment, but their value increases when conducted by behavior analysts rather than caregivers. Direct assessments produce more valid outcomes than indirect assessments, but do not demonstrate a functional relationship between the environmental contingencies and the behavior. Functional analysis procedures are the most rigorous and valid approaches. Recent research has evaluated func...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - October 25, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Non-Behavioral and Non-Medical Psychosocial Interventions in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo review non-behavioral and non-medical psychosocial therapies for individuals with intellectual disabilities to identify if any such approaches are effective.Recent FindingsThere are more randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses than in the past; however, most RCTs are of poor quality.SummaryMost research treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy and diagnoses such as depression and anger. There is limited research on other forms of psychotherapy and other diagnoses. Future research needs to include high quality RCTs of psychosocial treatments for common, soc...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - October 22, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Comorbidity Among Chronic Physical Health Conditions and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Childhood
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo provide an overview of neurodevelopmental risk in children with chronic physical health conditions from large population cohorts, identify potential causes for comorbidity, and discuss intervention strategies.Recent FindingsChildren with a chronic health condition are at greater risk for delayed neurodevelopment, academic difficulties, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Limited evidence exists for risk of other neurodevelopmental disorders. Potential causes for comorbidity are multifactorial and include both physiological and psychosocial factors. Physical activity interventions may b...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - August 23, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

The Link Between Problem Behavior and Communication Impairment in Persons with Developmental Disabilities
AbstractPurpose of ReviewFunctional communication training (FCT) is rooted in the theory that if people with developmental disabilities (DD) have a socially appropriate way (i.e., communication) to get their needs or wants met, they will no longer need to resort to problem behavior. This review will examine the history of the link between problem behavior and communication impairment in individuals with DD as well as recent advances in research on FCT and directions for future research.Recent FindingsTeaching people with DD a functional communication response (FCR) leads to a decrease in problem behaviors, provided that th...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - June 30, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Assessing Communication in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Who Are Minimally Verbal
AbstractPurpose of reviewChildren with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are minimally verbal may often require timely and tailored intervention to optimize their short- and long-term communication outcomes. Effective intervention relies on appropriate and accurate assessment. The purposes of this review are to summarize current and emerging issues and practices in the assessment of these children and to consider implications for research and clinical practice.Recent findingsThere is growing awareness of the need for improved assessment practices and emerging consensus regarding principles that should underpin the assessm...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - June 16, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Assessment and Management of Tic Disorders in Pediatric Primary Care Settings
This article discusses neuropsychiatric and medical complexities of tic disorder assessment, with particular emphasis on differential and comorbid diagnoses. Tiered referral recommendations, based on symptom severity, impairment, and consideration of comorbid conditions, are provided. Future directions for tic management, including dissemination of evidence-based treatments of tic disorders and multidisciplinary teams within pediatric primary care settings, are included. (Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports)
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - June 6, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Canonical Babbling: A Marker for Earlier Identification of Late Detected Developmental Disorders?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo summarize findings about the emergence and characteristics of canonical babbling in children with late detected developmental disorders (LDDDs), such as autism spectrum disorder, Rett syndrome, and fragile X syndrome. In particular, we ask whether infants ’ vocal development in the first year of life contains any markers that may contribute to earlier detection of these disorders.Recent FindingsOnly a handful studies have investigated canonical babbling in infants with LDDDs. With divergent research paradigms and definitions applied, findings on the onset and characteristics of canonical babbl...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - May 29, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

The Application of Skinner ’s Analysis of Verbal Behavior for Teaching Communication Skills to Persons with Developmental Disabilities
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewThe current review aims to define and discuss the potential benefits of Skinner ’s analysis of verbal behavior as it has been applied to communication interventions for people with developmental disabilities and provide recommendations for research and practice.Recent FindingsA growing body of research guided by Skinner ’s analysis continues to show the potential benefits of a functional approach to evaluating and teaching language.SummaryMany gains have been made for communication interventions for persons with developmental disabilities by applying Skinner ’s analysis of verbal behavior...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - May 29, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Virtual Speech-Language Therapy for Individuals with Communication Disorders: Current Evidence, Limitations, and Benefits
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo review currently available research on virtual therapy for individuals with speech-language disorders. Virtual speech-language therapy refers to speech-language therapy delivered via computer-simulation technology to improve speech and language abilities for children and adults with communication disorders. In addition, this paper addressed limitations of previous studies and benefits of virtual therapy.Recent FindingsRecent research reports suggest that virtual therapy is a viable option for treating children and adults with speech-language disorders. However, most current research studies were...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - May 24, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

A Review of Tics Presenting Subsequent to Traumatic Brain Injury
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes case reports of patients with tics emerging subsequent to traumatic brain injury (TBI), with respect to demographics, post-TBI symptoms, tic onset latency and topography, clinical history, neuroimaging results, and treatment outcome.Recent FindingsPatients were 22 adults and 3 youth. Trauma onset appeared to fall mostly in adulthood. Two-thirds of patients were male and head trauma was related to motor vehicle accidents in most cases. Loss of consciousness was reported in just below half (48.0%) of cases. Associated physical and cognitive symptoms (e.g., impaired memory, redu...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - May 23, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Behavior and Molecular Genetic Approaches to Comorbidity
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review provides an overview of studies that used behavioral genetic methods to understand the genetic and environmental influences that lead to comorbidity, the co-occurrence of two or more developmental disorders in the same individual.Recent FindingsComorbidity is primarily explained by shared genetic influences for most pairs of disorders that have been studied, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities, conduct disorder and ADHD, anxiety and depression, and anxiety and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Molecular genetic studies indicate that the etio...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - May 17, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Assistive Technology to Support Communication in Individuals with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis paper summarizes a number of studies using communication technology with people with neurodevelopmental disorders to (a) provide illustrative examples of the technology solutions available, (b) examine the communication skills addressed and the results obtained, and (c) discuss the affordability and accessibility of the technology solutions used.Recent FindingsMost studies used basic speech-generating devices to support requesting behavior. Research has also focused on (a) use of more advanced speech-generating devices for supporting communication across different daily settings, (b) computer ...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - May 9, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Dual-Task Performance in Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD): Understanding Trade-offs and Their Implications for Training
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe aims of this review are to focus (a) on identifying the neural circuits that are involved by a cognitive task in relation to those that are involved during a simultaneous motor task in children with DCD, (b) to discuss cognition –action trade-offs across different dual tasks, and (c) on the possible training regimes to enhance cognitive performance to support motor function.Recent FindingsThis paper integrates results from neuroimaging and behavioral studies in typically developing and children with DCD. Evidence for disproportionate dual-task costs in developmental coordination disorder rema...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - April 29, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research

Eye-Tracking Research in Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Are We Measuring and for What Purposes?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe introduction of eye-tracking technology has enabled researchers in the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to “look through the eyes” of individuals with ASD. In the article, we review research in the area with a focus on (1) the constructs that have been measured through eye-tracking paradigms, and (2) the application of this technology across different purposes, including addressing basic science ques tions, facilitating diagnosis, and measuring intervention mechanisms and outcomes.Recent FindingsMost eye-tracking research to date has focused on quantifying differences in social atten...
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - April 17, 2019 Category: Child Development Source Type: research