1. Dua V. {{Commentary on: « Review of the Pharmacotherapy of Irritability of Autism »: A Skeptic’s View on Second Generation Antipsychotics in Autism}}. {J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry};2012 (Aug);21(3):165-166.
2. Lialiou P, Zikos D, Mantas J. {{Development and evaluation of an expert system for the diagnosis of child autism}}. {Stud Health Technol Inform};2012;180:1185-1187.
This paper presents the development of an expert system for the diagnosis of child autism and discusses potential benefits of its implementation in a clinical environment. The development of the expert system was based on a diagnostic algorithm supported by a developmental scale (PEDS) and a diagnostic tool of autism (CARS). Twelve nurses who work in pediatric hospital were asked to use the expert system for a session of 30 minutes and were asked to assess its usefulness, usability and diagnostic value. The majority of nurses agree that it is a useful and promising diagnostic tool for the clinical practice and for the identification of potential child autism cases.
3. McClean B, Grey I. {{An evaluation of an intervention sequence outline in positive behaviour support for people with autism and severe escape-motivated challenging behaviour(*)}}. {J Intellect Dev Disabil};2012 (Sep);37(3):209-220.
Abstract Background Positive behaviour support emphasises the impact of contextual variables to enhance participation, choice, and quality of life. This study evaluates a sequence for implementing changes to key contextual variables for 4 individuals. Interventions were maintained and data collection continued over a 3-year period. Method Functional assessments were conducted with 4 individuals with exceptionally severe challenging behaviours. Interventions were based on the multi-element model of behavioural support ( LaVigna & Willis, 2005a ). Dependent variables were behavioural ratings of (1) frequency, (2) episodic severity, (3) episodic management difficulty, and measures of (4) mental health status, and (5) quality of life. The intervention sequence was low arousal environment, rapport building, predictability, functionally equivalent skills teaching, and differential reinforcement strategies. Results Substantial reductions in target behaviours were observed, along with incremental improvement in mental health scores and quality-of-life scores. Conclusion The study demonstrates the efficacy of positive behaviour support for people with exceptionally severe behaviour in individually designed services.
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4. Nasser D. {{Book Review Editor: Rachel Mayes Roxanne C. Dryden-Edwards & Lee Combrinck-Graham (Eds.). Developmental Disabilities from Childhood to Adulthood: What Works for Psychiatrists in Community and Institutional Settings Baltimore, MD : The Johns Hopkins University Press . 2010. 376 pp. US$67.00 . ISBN: 978-0-8018-9418-3}}. {J Intellect Dev Disabil};2012 (Sep);37(3):277.
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5. Robinson SJ. {{Childhood Epilepsy and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Psychiatric Problems, Phenotypic Expression, and Anticonvulsants}}. {Neuropsychol Rev};2012 (Aug 9)
Epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) frequently co-occur during childhood, however, the characteristics of psychiatric or behavioural problems in these children remains largely unknown. This article contributes to these discussions by reporting on the prevalence and presentation of psychiatric or behavioural problems in children with epilepsy and ASDs, as well as on the use of anticonvulsants in these children. The current evidence suggests that children with epilepsy and ASDs may present with a distinct clinical profile, with a greater number of developmental difficulties, and a more severe expression of the ASD phenotype that can not solely be accounted for by level of intellectual functioning. Positive effects of anticonvulsants on behavioural symptoms associated with ASDs were also reported, though pharmacoresistance and a lack of clear treatment guidelines may contribute to an elevated risk of adverse side effects. In relation to clinical presentation and management there is a need for careful consideration of potential interaction effects between disorder specific factors (e.g., age of seizure onset/ASD diagnosis), cognitive characteristics (e.g., intellectual functioning, memory), and psychosocial variables (e.g., coping strategies). Ultimately however, many conclusions are tentative and this review highlights the need for more empirically validated research on children with epilepsy and ASDs.
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6. Rodriguez JI, Kern JK. {{Evidence of microglial activation in autism and its possible role in brain underconnectivity}}. {Neuron Glia Biol};2012 (Jul 6):1-9.
Evidence indicates that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suffer from an ongoing neuroinflammatory process in different regions of the brain involving microglial activation. When microglia remain activated for an extended period, the production of mediators is sustained longer than usual and this increase in mediators contributes to loss of synaptic connections and neuronal cell death. Microglial activation can then result in a loss of connections or underconnectivity. Underconnectivity is reported in many studies in autism. One way to control neuroinflammation is to reduce or inhibit microglial activation. It is plausible that by reducing brain inflammation and microglial activation, the neurodestructive effects of chronic inflammation could be reduced and allow for improved developmental outcomes. Future studies that examine treatments that may reduce microglial activation and neuroinflammation, and ultimately help to mitigate symptoms in ASD, are warranted.
