Pubmed du 16/11/25
1. Bhopti A, Barwell A, McAdam C, Reichelt S. Building parent/caregiver confidence and re-engaging in parent occupations: WeCare programme for parents/caregivers post developmental disability diagnosis. BMJ Paediatr Open. 2025; 9(1).
BACKGROUND: Parents of children newly diagnosed with a developmental disability may experience stress, with no time for their personal care and well-being. WeCare is an online group programme, co-designed to support parents/caregivers around the time of diagnosis. It focuses on increasing parent/caregiver knowledge and confidence, highlighting family quality of life and steering parents to re-engage in meaningful parent occupations. This study aimed to evaluate WeCare programme outcomes around improved understanding of diagnosis, of parent occupations (time-use), well-being and participant rating of professional and peer-facilitated support. METHODS: A multiple single-case AB design with pre-post measurement at limited time points was used. Parents of children with a recent developmental disability diagnosis participated in WeCare. Perceived well-being data were collected using validated measures, a demographic questionnaire and a rating scale at the start of the programme. Data were analysed using SPSS for descriptive analyses, post survey questionnaire results and paired sample t-tests. RESULTS: Among participants (n=47, missing data), 30 of 41 reported mild to extremely severe stress, 25 of 42 reported mild to extremely severe depression, and 18 of 36 reported moderate to extremely severe anxiety. Poor sleep quality was reported by 21 of 45 participants. Caregiving dominated time use, with limited engagement in leisure occupations.Post-programme feedback highlighted increased understanding of the diagnosis, valued peer support and helpful resources. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence, highlighting the critical role of capacity-building and structured programmes, like WeCare, in empowering parents and caregivers around the time of diagnosis. The programme was highly rated by participants, with peer facilitators seen as particularly valuable. Parents reported increased understanding of their child’s diagnosis, greater awareness of resources and strong engagement with the parent occupation categories, showing promise in enhancing caregiver outcomes around the time of diagnosis that may be feasible for wider implementation.
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2. Schaubroeck S, Demurie E, Begum-Ali J, Bölte S, Boterberg S, Buitelaar J, Charman T, Falck-Ytter T, Hunnius S, Johnson MH, Jones E, Oosterling I, Pasco G, Pijl M, Van den Boomen C, Warreyn P, Roeyers H. The stability of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 in children aged 14-36 months with elevated likelihood for autism. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2025.
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the stability of Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) classifications in a cohort of 304 siblings at elevated likelihood for autism (EL-siblings). METHODS: ADOS-2 assessments were conducted at 14, 24 and 36 months, with Clinical Best Estimate (CBE) autism diagnoses determined at 36 months. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that while some children have stable ADOS-2 classifications from early on, a significant proportion of the children show inconsistent classifications over time. The overall stability of ADOS-2 autism spectrum classifications increased from 14 to 36 months and agreement with CBE autism clinical diagnosis was moderate and increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: Caution is warranted when interpreting individual ADOS-2 results, as they should always complement, and can never replace, a comprehensive clinical evaluation. These findings highlight the importance of continued follow-up beyond 14 months in young EL-children, a group for whom early assessment may be both feasible and beneficial and emphasises the need to integrate multiple assessment measures and multiple informants for accurate early autism identification.
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3. Suominen E, Zahir R, Hampton S, Cooper K, Midouhas E, Flouri E, Saunders R, Mandy W. Sex differences in internalising problem trajectories of autistic and non-autistic youth across childhood and adolescence. J Affect Disord. 2025; 394(Pt B): 120678.
BACKGROUND: Autistic children and adolescents experience high rates of internalising problems such as anxiety and depression. In the general population, female children and adolescents typically show higher trajectories of internalising symptoms – but little is known about sex differences among autistic youth. This study examined sex differences in the developmental course of internalising symptoms among autistic and non-autistic youth across childhood and adolescence. METHODS: Participants included autistic (n = 573) and non-autistic (n = 15,945) individuals from the Millennium Cohort Study. Internalising symptoms were assessed via parent-report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at six timepoints (ages 3-17). Latent Growth Curve Modelling (LGCM) was used to model trajectories, and growth factors were regressed onto autism diagnosis, sex, and their interaction. Additionally, separate LGCMs were fitted to autistic and non-autistic male and female groups to describe internalising trajectories. RESULTS: Autism diagnosis was associated with higher baseline internalising symptoms and steeper increases over time. Female sex was linked to steeper increases in internalising symptoms, despite slightly lower initial levels. The interaction between sex and autism diagnosis was not statistically significant, indicating no additional combined effect on trajectories. Overall, autistic youth had higher internalising trajectories than non-autistic youth, with group differences emerging earlier in males (age 7) than females (age 11). CONCLUSION: This study showed that that sex differences in developmental trajectories of internalising problems among autistic youth parallel those seen in the general population, but with increased severity.
