Research search results

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Efficacy of Pharmacological Interventions for Irritability and Emotional Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Predictors of Response

Irritability and emotional dysregulation are common among autistic children. This systematic review found that antipsychotic medications, especially Risperidone and Aripiprazole, are useful treatments.  It also found that efficacy was lower in the context of comorbid epilepsy. de Pablo, G. S., Jordá, C. P., Vaquerizo-Serrano, J., Moreno, C., Cabras, A., Arango, C., … & Parellada, M. (2022). Systematic […]

June 8, 2022

Pandemic parenting: A pilot study of in-person versus internet-DOCS K-5 for caregivers of school-age children with disruptive behaviors

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased opportunities for delivering therapies online.  This US study provides preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of the Developing Our Children’s Skills K-5 (DOCS K-5) parent management training intervention for addressing behavioural issues in children. Further research of the intervention is planned. Agazzi, H., Hayford, H., Thomas, N., Dickinson, S., Ortiz, C., & […]

Perceived child impairment and the ‘autism epidemic’

Is the increasing prevalence of autism due to greater rates, diagnostic expansion or improved awareness? This study using data from the Swedish Child and Adolescent Twin Study suggests that increased parental perception of child impairment may partly play a role. Lundström, S., Taylor, M., Larsson, H., Lichtenstein, P., Kuja‐Halkola, R., & Gillberg, C. (2022). Perceived […]

Time trends in autism diagnosis over 20 years: a UK population-based cohort study

This study using UK data shows that the rate of autism diagnosis increased mainly in females, adults and those with higher levels of functioning, suggesting that the increased incidence over 20 years may be primarily due to augmented recognition, rather than a genuinely increased rate of occurrence of neurodiversity. Russell, G., Stapley, S., Newlove‐Delgado, T., […]

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Psychosis Risk in Children and Adolescents With an At-Risk Mental State

Despite the clear description of At Risk Mental States (AMRS) for a couple of decades, the ability to predict which individuals will progress to full-blown psychosis is less certain.  This systematic review of 16 articles from 9 studies found that 1 in 6 young people had transitioned to psychosis at 5-year follow-up, but that sampling/recruitment strategies […]

Alexithymia in individuals maltreated as children and adolescents: a meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis of 88 studies identifies alexithymia (deficits in the ability to recognise one’s own emotions) as a likely mediator between child maltreatment (especially neglect) and later psychological disorder. In future, alexithymia could be a target for therapeutic intervention. Khan, A. N., & Jaffee, S. R. (2022). Alexithymia in individuals maltreated as […]

Fathers’ experiences of fetal attachment: A qualitative study

This study of fathers’ experiences of foetal attachment found that most fathers experienced a trigger moment that made the reality of having a baby clear to them and intensifying feelings of attachment toward the foetus. Support from male family members, friends with children and antenatal groups improved this connection, but many felt lost in their […]

Micronutrients for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Youths: A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial

This study found that micronutrients were more effective than placebo at improving symptoms of ADHD on clinician report, but not on parent report. Despite interest in more holistic approaches to ADHD management, there does not appear to be sufficient evidence to recommend micronutrient therapy at this stage. Johnstone, J. M., Hatsu, I., Tost, G., Srikanth, […]

Towards an International Consensus on the Prevention, Treatment, and Management of High-Risk Substance Use and Overdose among Youth

This consensus statement describes current thinking regarding prevention, early intervention and more intensive care for young people using substances.  Krausz M, Westenberg JN, Tsang V, Suen J, Ignaszewski MJ, Mathew N, Azar P, Cabanis M, Elsner J, Vogel M, Spijkerman R, Orsolini L, Vo D, Moore E, Moe J, Strasser J, Köck P, Marian C, […]

April 22, 2022

Sleeping Sound Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a randomised controlled trial of a brief behavioural sleep intervention in primary school‐aged autistic children

Although behavioural interventions are recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) as first line treatments for sleep problems in autistic children, few have been shown to actually work.  This Australian RCT provides evidence for the efficacy of a two-session, parent-focussed and clinician-delivered intervention with telephone follow-up. Papadopoulos, N., Sciberras, E., Hiscock, H., Williams, K., […]