Developmental/Behavioral Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) now affect 1 in 88 children in the United States and are almost 5 times more common among boys than girls, according to estimates based on a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. Why are the numbers growing?

A study of Canadian children found that the youngest children in the class are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and prescribed medication than their peers in the same grade. Find out why overdiagnosis and overprescribing are a concern.

Toddlers of African American, Asian, and Hispanic descent are less likely to be diagnosed early in life with autism spectrum disorders than their white peers.

An ongoing study that could lead to an imaging biomarker for autism as early as 6 months, before the onset of observable behavioral symptoms, may also eventually provide practitioners an avenue for earlier intervention in autism spectrum disorders

Certain characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may change as a child ages. An analysis of a national survey of children’s health found that children with a current diagnosis of ASD were more likely to have a co-occurring neurodevelopmental or psychiatric condition, such as learning disability or depression, than those with a past (but not current) diagnosis of ASD. This is important information to have when arriving at an ASD diagnosis.

Results of a survey of AAP members show that most US pediatricians bypass an ECG before starting children on stimulant medication for ADHD, opting for a routine cardiac history and physical examination instead. Find out how perceived barriers to cardiac screening influence clinical practice.

Evaluations for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should begin in children at 4 years and continue until 18 years, which significantly expands the age range for recommended screening. Released at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, the clinical practice guidelines recommend behavioral interventions as the first-line treatment in preschool children. The guidelines also have some new suggestions related to methylphenidate treatment for children younger than 6 years.

Here?s some new information that can help when you?re determining whom to screen for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: ADHD prevalence has increased to 10% for children with family income less than 100% of the poverty level and to 11% for those with family income between 100% and 199% of the poverty level compared with a 7% to 9% overall increase, according to a National Center for Health Statistics report. Read more to find out what other indicators were linked with above-average increases in the disorder?s prevalence.

Family history is more important than previously thought in autism spectrum disorder, and pediatricians should consider early intervention for infant siblings of children with autism if any concerns arise about their development, according to new research. The largest prospective investigation of autism spectrum disorder and sibling recurrence to date uncovered surprisingly high occurrence of autism, especially when more than 1 older sibling had the disorder.

Findings of a population-based cohort study indicate that a low Apgar score at 5 minutes in newborns is associated with a higher risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood.

A large number of positive screens for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at 18 months in infants who were born very preterm actually may be because of cognitive and language delay, according to research presented at the 2011 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting in Denver.

Atomoxetine is well tolerated and reduces core attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in preschool children, according to a study reported in Pediatrics.

Two-thirds of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have comorbid mental health or neurodevelopment disorders, according to a large survey reported online in Pediatrics.

A restricted elimination diet may be effective in reducing symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, according to researchers from the Netherlands.

A new Harris Interactive-Health Day poll found that 52% of Americans believe that vaccines do not cause autism.

The care that children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) receive under managed-care Medicaid programs has much room for improvement, a new study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggests.

Findings of a study conducted in Denmark have added to accumulating evidence that exposure to neonatal jaundice is associated with autistic disorders and other disorders of psychological development.

Although the exact cause of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has not yet been determined, a new study provides evidence that tobacco and lead exposure may increase a child's risk of developing the condition.

Pharmacotherapy, namely the stimulant medications methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (MAS) and the nonstimulant medication atomoxetine (Strattera), is the recommended treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

An article published in Contemporary Pediatrics 25 years ago instructed pediatricians on medications to treat attention deficit disorders (ADD). Their observations were so perceptive that, with a few tweaks, they could be republished as a 2009 update on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The FDA has approved a new type of drug, an alpha-2A adrenergic receptor agonist, to treat ADHD in children as young as six.

Perhaps thanks to a lawsuit, some young children with autism may benefit from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's new initiative.

Teva is now selling generic versions of Shire Plc's ADHD drug Adderall XR in the US, years before its patent expires.

A new federal advisory panel on autism has released its first guidelines for autism research.

A landmark 1988 Lancet article featured exaggerated and falsified claims, to make the connection seem stronger than the study data suggested, according to the Times of London.

Young people with ADHD may be at increased risk of becoming addicted to tobacco, according to a report in the Journal of Pediatrics.

Tobacco smoke and lead exposure may be linked to a particularly high risk of ADHD, according to findings presented at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

A small but significant percentage of US adults believe that child vaccines are a cause of autism, survey results show.

This article reviews major concepts contained in the AAP's 2007 autism spectrum disorders guidelines and toolkit, including screening, evaluation, management, and medication options.

A description of 11 books for children with autism and autism spectrum disorders.