Developmental/Behavioral Disorders

Just 20 minutes of aerobic exercise provides significant benefits for kids with ADHD.

Investigators studied the relationship of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescence and adult physical and mental health, work performance, and financial stress.

New research reveals that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are 5 times more likely to have eating problems and subsequently nutritional deficiencies than children who do not.

Children exposed to ischemic-hypoxic events in utero are at increased risk of developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), especially those born prematurely. The findings add to growing evidence that both prenatal and postnatal factors affect neurodevelopment.

Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder are 9 times more likely to present to the emergency department (ED) for psychiatric reasons.

A mother who experiences influenza or prolonged fever while pregnant may increase the risk for autism in her child.

One of the most feared outcomes in children and adolescents with ADHD is the development of alcohol or drug abuse or dependence, referred to here as substance use disorders (SUD).

Children with severe autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often wander away from their homes or other safe environments, placing themselves in harm's way. A new study reveals the effect wandering has on families with children who exhibit this behavior.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved extended-release methylphenidate hydrochloride oral suspension for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Efficacy was determined in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study that showed improvement for both attention and behavior metrics for up to 12 hours in children aged 6 to 12 years diagnosed with ADHD compared with placebo. The once-daily treatment will be available in January 2013.

Acquiring a new pet after children with autism are 5 years old improves their social skills, French researchers found in a small study. Does having a pet since birth have the same effect? More >>

Results of a survey from the National Center for Health Statistics show that the median age at which children with special health care needs and ASD are identified is 5 years.

Mind-enhancement medications usually enhance everyone who uses them, not just those experiencing the most problems.

Earlier treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with stimulant drugs may reduce the risk of academic decline, especially in mathematics, a new study suggests. What are the relative benefits for girls and boys? More >>

To describe the typical longitudinal developmental trajectories of social and communication functioning and repetitive behavior in children with autism, investigators analyzed data from birth records and a database of the California Department of Developmental Services that recorded symptom severity and functioning in nearly 7,000 children aged from 2 to 14 years with autism.

Children with autism spectrum disorder need greater access to the coordinated care available through a medical home, according to a systematic review of 13 studies that examined health care use, health care expenditures, and access to services by children with ASD.

A pilot trial of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in children with autistic disorder has demonstrated reduced irritability with minimal adverse effects. Can NAC improve other symptoms as well?

A proposed revision to the DSM-V criteria for a diagnosis of autism had critics charging that many patients with autism spectrum disorders would no longer quality for their diagnoses and would lose access to government services.

A simple pull-to-sit test of posture control at 6 months may indicate inappropriate neurologic development and warn of autism spectrum disorder in children at high genetic risk. What are the implications for screening and treatment?

Serotonin receptor inhibitors may have a small but significant effect in the treatment of restricted and repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders, according to an analysis of randomized trials. But is there a publication bias?

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.