1. Bopp KD, Mirenda P, Zumbo BD. {{Behavior predictors of language development over 2 years in children with autism spectrum disorders}}. {J Speech Lang Hear Res};2009 (Oct);52(5):1106-1120.
PURPOSE: This exploratory study examined predictive relationships between 5 types of behaviors and the trajectories of vocabulary and language development in young children with autism over 2 years. METHOD: Participants were 69 children with autism assessed using standardized measures prior to the initiation of early intervention (T1) and 6 months (T2), 12 months (T3), and 24 months (T4) later. Growth curve modeling examined the extent to which behaviors at T1 and changes in behaviors between T1 and T2 predicted changes in development from T1 to T4. RESULTS: Regardless of T1 nonverbal IQ and autism severity, high scores for inattentive behaviors at T1 predicted lower rates of change in vocabulary production and language comprehension over 2 years. High scores for social unresponsiveness at T1 predicted lower rates of change in vocabulary comprehension and production and in language comprehension over 2 years. Scores for insistence on sameness behaviors, repetitive stereotypic motor behaviors, and acting-out behaviors at T1 did not predict the rate of change of any child measure over 2 years beyond differences accounted for by T1 autism severity and nonverbal IQ status. CONCLUSIONS: The results are discussed with regard to their implications for early intervention and understanding the complex factors that affect developmental outcomes.
2. Kuhn G, Benson V, Fletcher-Watson S, Kovshoff H, McCormick CA, Kirkby J, Leekam SR. {{Eye movements affirm: automatic overt gaze and arrow cueing for typical adults and adults with autism spectrum disorder}}. Exp Brain Res;2009 (Oct 2)
3. Marcus RN, Owen R, Kamen L, Manos G, McQuade RD, Carson WH, Aman MG. {{A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study of Fixed-Dose Aripiprazole in Children and Adolescents With Autistic Disorder}}. {J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry};2009 (Sep 30)
OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of aripiprazole in the treatment of irritability in children and adolescents with autistic disorder. METHOD:: Two hundred eighteen children and adolescents (aged 6-17 years) with a diagnosis of autistic disorder, and with behaviors such as tantrums, aggression, self-injurious behavior, or a combination of these symptoms, were randomized 1:1:1:1 to aripiprazole (5, 10, or 15 mg/day) or placebo in this 8-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Efficacy was evaluated using the caregiver-rated Aberrant Behavior Checklist Irritability subscale (primary efficacy measure) and the clinician-rated Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement score. Safety and tolerability were also assessed. RESULTS:: At week 8, all aripiprazole doses produced significantly greater improvement than placebo in mean Aberrant Behavior Checklist Irritability subscale scores (5 mg/day, -12.4; 10 mg/day, -13.2; 15 mg/day, -14.4; versus placebo, -8.4; all p < .05). All aripiprazole doses demonstrated significantly greater improvements in mean Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement score than placebo at week 8. Discontinuation rates due to adverse events were as follows: placebo 7.7%, aripiprazole 5 mg/day 9.4%, 10 mg/day 13.6%, and 15 mg/day 7.4%. The most common adverse event leading to discontinuation was sedation. There were two serious adverse events: presyncope (5 mg/day) and aggression (10 mg/day). At week 8, mean weight change (last observation carried forward) was as follows: placebo +0.3 kg, aripiprazole 5 mg/day +1.3 kg, 10 mg/day +1.3 kg, and 15 mg/day +1.5 kg; all p < .05 versus placebo. CONCLUSIONS:: Aripiprazole was efficacious and generally safe and well tolerated in the treatment of children and adolescents with irritability associated with autistic disorder.
4. Rodman JL, Gilbert KA, Grove AB, Cunningham M, Levenson S, Wajsblat L. {{Efficacy of Brief Quantitative Measures of Play for Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2009 (Oct 2)
