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This systematic review summarises the current evidence base on behavioural interventions for autistic children. Naturalistic protocols that employed PRT and PECS improved ASD symptoms in general, ESDM enhanced receptive language, particularly in preschool-aged children and structured and integrated interventions, like EIBI and TEACCH, improved overall adaptive functioning. Pruneti, C., Coscioni, G. and Guidotti, S., 2023. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, p.13591045231205614. https...

This updated Cochrane review highlights how different pharmacological interventions are effective at addressing different target issues including irritability, self-injury and aggression among autistic children and adolescents. Iffland M, Livingstone N, Jorgensen M, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Oct 9;10(10):CD011769. Doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011769.pub2 https://www.evidencealerts.com/Articles/AlertedArticle/111054

Reducing long-term costs of conduct problems requires a multi-pronged approach across the health, education and other public sectors.  This paper provides sage advice for policymakers, mental health clinicians and researchers. Hawes, D.J., 2023. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2023. https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcpp.13906?campaign=wolearlyview

In addition to well-known associations between stimulant medication and shorter height, this Swedish study confirms that ADHD itself may be associated with shorter height. Ahlberg, R., Garcia-Argibay, M., Du Rietz, E., Butwicka, A., Cortese, S., D’Onofrio, B.M., Ludvigsson, J.F. and Larsson, H., 2023. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.jaacap.org/article/S0890-8567(23)00185-5/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

This study using case controlled data from a Swedish national registry found that rates of cardiovascular disease, especially hypertension and arterial disease, are higher among those on long-term stimulant medication (over 3-5 years).  Zhang, L., Li, L., Andell, P., Garcia-Argibay, M., Quinn, P.D., D’Onofrio, B.M., Brikell, I., Kuja-Halkola, R., Lichtenstein, P., Johnell, K. and Larsson, H., 2023. JAMA psychiatry. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/...

School climate was most predictive of mental health in early adolescence during this longitudinal study of over 8000 students from the UK. Hinze, V., Montero-Marin, J., Blakemore, S.J., Byford, S., Dalgleish, T., Degli Esposti, M., Greenberg, M.T., Jones, B.G., Slaghekke, Y., Ukoumunne, O.C. and Viner, R.M., 2023. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.jaacap.org/article/S0890-8567(23)02136-6/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_aip_email

Connectedness at school and elsewhere are associated with lower risk of adolescent suicide attempts except in high risk groups.  Peer victimization reduces the protective effect of overall connectedness. Arango, A., Brent, D., Grupp‐Phelan, J., Barney, B.J., Spirito, A., Mroczkowski, M.M., Shenoi, R., Mahabee‐Gittens, M., Casper, T.C., King, C. and Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), 2023. https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcpp.13908

Greater proficiency of trained teachers and number of sessions were associated with greater student mindfulness practice and responsiveness to school-based mindfulness training during this UK trial. Montero-Marin, J., Hinze, V., Crane, C., Dalrymple, N., Kempnich, M.E., Lord, L., Slaghekke, Y., Tudor, K., Ahmed, S., Allwood, M. and Ball, S., 2023. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.jaacap.org/article/S0890-8567(23)00251-4/fulltext?dgcid=rav...

While ethical issues associated with the care of older children, adolescents and adults receive more frequent attention, this article summarises common ethical issues associated with provision of infant mental health services. Lim, I., Korfmacher, J., Steier, A., Zeanah, C., & Zeanah, P. D. (2023). Infant Mental Health Journal, 44, 651–662. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.22055 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/imhj.22055?campaign=woletoc

Adding to the article above, this paper provides examples of ethical issues experienced during provision of infant mental healthcare. Zeanah, C. H., Korfmacher, J., Lim, I., Steier, A., & Zeanah, P. D. (2023). Infant Mental Health Journal, 44, 614–624. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.22062 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/imhj.22062?campaign=woletoc