1. Gamliel I, Yirmiya N, Jaffe DH, Manor O, Sigman M. {{Developmental Trajectories in Siblings of Children with Autism: Cognition and Language from 4 Months to 7 Years}}. J{ Autism Dev Disord};2009 (Mar 27)
We compared the cognitive and language development at 4, 14, 24, 36, 54 months, and 7 years of siblings of children with autism (SIBS-A) to that of siblings of children with typical development (SIBS-TD) using growth curve analyses. At 7 years, 40% of the SIBS-A, compared to 16% of SIBS-TD, were identified with cognitive, language and/or academic difficulties, identified using direct tests and/or parental reports. This sub-group was identified as SIBS-A-broad phenotype (BP). Results indicated that early language scores (14-54 months), but not cognitive scores of SIBS-A-BP and SIBS-A-nonBP were significantly lower compared to the language scores of SIBS-TD, and that the rate of development was also significantly different, thus pinpointing language as a major area of difficulty for SIBS-A during the preschool years.
2. Koenig K, De Los Reyes A, Cicchetti D, Scahill L, Klin A. {{Group Intervention to Promote Social Skills in School-age Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Reconsidering Efficacy}}. {J Autism Dev Disord};2009 (Mar 27)
A consistent result in the evaluation of group-delivered intervention to promote social reciprocity in children with PDDs is that outcome data are inconclusive. Lack of robust evidence of efficacy confounds understanding of these interventions and their value to the field. It is conceivable that the construct of impaired social reciprocity in PDD presents unique circumstances that require special consideration when evaluating the evidence base. Social reciprocity and impairment in social functioning are complex constructs, which require a multi-dimensional, multi-method approach to intervention and measurement of gains. The existing paradigm for evaluating the evidence base of intervention may need modification to permit a more intricate analysis of the extant research, and increase the sophistication of future research.
3. Mouridsen SE, Hauschild KM. {{A longitudinal study of autism spectrum disorders in individuals diagnosed with a developmental language disorder as children}}. {Child Care Health Dev};2009 (Mar 23)
Background A number of studies have shown that the diagnosis of developmental language disorder (DLD) can be unstable over time, such that young children with a diagnosis of DLD may show symptoms more characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at a later date. Method To estimate the types and prevalence of ASD 469 individuals with a DLD, consecutively assessed in the same clinic during a period of 10 years, and 2345 controls from the general population were screened for ASD through the nationwide Danish Psychiatric Central Register (DPCR). The mean length of observation was 34.7 years, and the mean age at follow-up 35.8 (range: 28.3-46.7) years. Results At follow-up, 10 (2.1%) in the DLD group and two (0.09%) in the comparison group were known in the DPCR with a diagnosis of any ASD (P < 0.0001; odds ratio = 25.5; 95% confidence interval 5.5-116.9). Conclusion Our results provide additional support to the notion that DLD is a marker of increased vulnerability to the development of ASD.
4. Nishiyama T, Taniai H, Miyachi T, Ozaki K, Tomita M, Sumi S. {{Genetic correlation between autistic traits and IQ in a population-based sample of twins with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)}}. {J Hum Genet};2009;54(3):191.
5. Omar AO, Ahmad AE, El Bashir H, Al Jaber MJ. {{Trisomy 13 in a 7-year-old girl with cerebellar tumor, eye abnormalities, and autistic features}}. {Am J Med Genet A};2009 (Mar 25)
6. Rowlandson PH, Smith C. {{An interagency service delivery model for autistic spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder}}. {Child Care Health Dev};2009 (Mar 23)
Background A multiplicity of government initiatives advocate increasing shared working between services to ensure that holistic and co-ordinated assessment of need and related shared intervention is available to children and families. Concurrently, there is an increasing demand upon services to provide a wide range of support for children with complex difficulties. Methods On the Isle of Wight, joint services have been developing shared practice. The inter-agency service was initiated in 2001 through a 3-year project funded jointly between all services on the Island and the government through the ‘Invest to Save’ initiative. The project initially focused upon developing a combined process of diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and the co-ordination of intervention at schools, within families and in the child’s community. Gradually, the service extended to include children with a much wider range of difficulties, including those of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental co-ordination disorder and co-morbid diagnoses. Results There are 19 000 school-aged children on the Isle of Wight. A total of 1101 referrals have been accepted between June 2001 and May 2007. In total, 201 children have been given a diagnosis of ASD. Overall, 392 children have been given a diagnosis of ADHD or ADHD/Co-morbid. Seventy were co-morbid for ASD and ADHD. The current service is rated as 85% satisfactory by its users, in contrast to the high level of complaint which resulted in the bid for the project initially. Conclusion Following the successful conclusion of the 3-year government-funded project Education Services, Social Care and The Health Authority shared the ongoing funding of the current service. This has been operating effectively for over 6 years and has highlighted a wide variety of issues around this style of service delivery.
