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Nedungadi P, Shah SM, Stokes MA, Kumar Nair V, Moorkoth A, Raman R. Mapping autism's research landscape: trends in autism screening and its alignment with sustainable development goals. Front Psychiatry 2024; 14:1294254. [PMID: 38361829 PMCID: PMC10868528 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1294254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental syndrome that profoundly affects social interactions, communication, and sensory perception. The research traced the evolution of autism research from 2011-2022, specifically focusing on the screening and diagnosis of children and students. Methods Through an analysis of 12,262 publications using the PRISMA framework, bibliographic coupling, science mapping, and citation analysis, this study illuminates the growth trajectory of ASD research and significant disparities in diagnosis and services. Results The study indicates an increasing trend in autism research, with a strong representation of female authorship. Open Access journals show a higher average citation impact compared to their closed counterparts. A keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed four central research themes: Child Development and Support Systems, Early Identification and Intervention, Prevalence and Etiology, and Mental Health. The pandemic's onset has prioritized research areas like mental health, telehealth, and service accessibility. Discussion Recommendations on a global level stress the importance of developing timely biological markers for ASD, amplifying Disability Inclusion research, and personalizing mental health services to bridge these critical service gaps. These strategies, underpinned by interdisciplinary collaboration and telehealth innovation, particularly in low-resource settings, can offer a roadmap for inclusive, context-sensitive interventions at local levels that directly support SDG3's aim for health and well-being for all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prema Nedungadi
- Amrita School of Computing, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, India
| | | | | | | | - Ajit Moorkoth
- Seed Special Education Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Raghu Raman
- Amrita School of Business Amritapuri, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
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Fan MSN, Li WHC, Ho LLK, Phiri L, Choi KC. Nature-Based Interventions for Autistic Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2346715. [PMID: 38060224 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.46715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance There is a gap in the evidence regarding nature-based interventions (NBIs) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Objective To systematically review and meta-analyze available evidence on the health-related outcomes in NBIs for children with ASD. Data Sources The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane, Embase, Emcare, Education Resources Information Center, Global Health, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were searched from inception until May 2023. Google Scholar and references from included studies were searched for additional studies. Study Selection Included studies were randomized clinical trials (RCTs), controlled studies, and single-group before-and-after studies that reported health-related outcomes. Data Extraction and Synthesis This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to synthesize the data. The findings of studies that were ineligible for meta-analysis were summarized according to the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWIM) reporting guidelines. Main Outcomes and Measures The outcomes of interest were health-related outcomes (ie, social functioning, behavioral functioning, emotional functioning, sensory functioning) and the self-reported well-being of children with ASD. Results A total of 24 studies with 717 participants (mean age range, 5.3 to 17.8 years; 141 [21.9%] female) were included. A meta-analysis from 13 studies indicated a significant negative moderate association between NBIs and social communication (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.59; 95% CI, -0.85 to -0.34). For behavioral functioning outcomes, NBIs showed a significant moderate association with reduced hyperactivity (SMD, -0.56; 95% CI, -0.86 to -0.26) and a small to moderate association with reduced irritability (SMD, -0.49; 95% CI, -0.79 to -0.19). For sensory functioning, NBIs were significantly associated with improved inattention and distractibility (SMD, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.67 to 1.60). Significant moderate associations were observed in sensory seeking (SMD, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.33 to 1.22; P < .001; I2 = 0%) and sensory sensitivity (SMD, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.12 to 1.00; P = .01; I2 = 0%). Heterogeneity of the intervention effects was not high, and I2 ranged from 0% to 67%. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggested an association of NBIs in group-based recreational therapy with experiential learning with positive short-term outcomes on sensory, social, and behavioral functioning for children with ASD. Future evidence using robust study design to aid the health and functional trajectories of children with ASD is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lophina Phiri
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kai Chow Choi
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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3
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Piegza M, Dębski P, Bujak K, Jaworska I, Gorczyca P, Pudlo R, Żerdziński M, Piegza J. Cognitive functions and sense of coherence in patients with carotid artery stenosis-Preliminary report. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1237130. [PMID: 37817831 PMCID: PMC10560880 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1237130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is scarcely any data in the available literature on the relationship between sense of coherence (SOC) and cognitive functioning, and no information on the relationship between SOC and cognitive parameters in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. Aim The aim of this paper was to determine the relationship of SOC measured prior to carotid artery stenting (CAS) with neurocognitive functioning in patients with carotid atherosclerosis 12 months after CAS. Methods A total of 35 patients with carotid atherosclerosis completed the SOC-29 Orientation to Life Questionnaire (SOC-29) and completed a cognitive test battery twice, i.e., before (baseline-T1) and 12 months after stent implantation (follow-up-T2). Selected cognitive functions such as memory, attention, perception, visuospatial and executive functions and non-verbal fluency were assessed. Results One year after the procedure, patients with a higher SOC and sense of manageability present better performance in visual memory. Higher SOC and sense of meaningfulness are positively related to the speed of understanding the changing rules of card sorting (WCST). Conclusion Higher overall SOC and a component of sense of meaningfulness and manageability may be related to better cognitive functioning 1 year after the procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Piegza
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Tarnowskie Gory, Poland
| | - Paweł Dębski
- Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Humanitas University in Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Kamil Bujak
- Third Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Silesian Center for Heart Diseases, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Izabela Jaworska
- Department of Cardiac, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and Transplantology, Silesian Center for Heart Diseases, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Piotr Gorczyca
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Tarnowskie Gory, Poland
| | - Robert Pudlo
- Department of Psychoprophylaxis, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Tarnowskie Gory, Poland
| | - Maciej Żerdziński
- Faculty of Medicine, Academy of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
- Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Krzysztof Czuma’s Psychiatric Center, Katowice, Poland
| | - Jacek Piegza
- Third Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Silesian Center for Heart Diseases, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
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Cundari M, Vestberg S, Gustafsson P, Gorcenco S, Rasmussen A. Neurocognitive and cerebellar function in ADHD, autism and spinocerebellar ataxia. Front Syst Neurosci 2023; 17:1168666. [PMID: 37415926 PMCID: PMC10321758 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2023.1168666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum plays a major role in balance, motor control and sensorimotor integration, but also in cognition, language, and emotional regulation. Several neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as neurological diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) are associated with differences in cerebellar function. Morphological abnormalities in different cerebellar subregions produce distinct behavioral symptoms related to the functional disruption of specific cerebro-cerebellar circuits. The specific contribution of the cerebellum to typical development may therefore involve the optimization of the structure and function of cerebro-cerebellar circuits underlying skill acquisition in multiple domains. Here, we review cerebellar structural and functional differences between healthy and patients with ADHD, ASD, and SCA3, and explore how disruption of cerebellar networks affects the neurocognitive functions in these conditions. We discuss how cerebellar computations contribute to performance on cognitive and motor tasks and how cerebellar signals are interfaced with signals from other brain regions during normal and dysfunctional behavior. We conclude that the cerebellum plays a role in many cognitive functions. Still, more clinical studies with the support of neuroimaging are needed to clarify the cerebellum's role in normal and dysfunctional behavior and cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Cundari
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Unit of Neuropsychiatry, Hospital of Helsingborg, Helsingborg, Sweden
- Unit of Neurology, Hospital of Helsingborg, Helsingborg, Sweden
| | - Susanna Vestberg
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Peik Gustafsson
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Medical Faculty, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sorina Gorcenco
- Department for Clinical Sciences Lund, Neurology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Rasmussen
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Onitsuka T, Hirano Y, Nemoto K, Hashimoto N, Kushima I, Koshiyama D, Koeda M, Takahashi T, Noda Y, Matsumoto J, Miura K, Nakazawa T, Hikida T, Kasai K, Ozaki N, Hashimoto R. Trends in big data analyses by multicenter collaborative translational research in psychiatry. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 76:1-14. [PMID: 34716732 PMCID: PMC9306748 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The underlying pathologies of psychiatric disorders, which cause substantial personal and social losses, remain unknown, and their elucidation is an urgent issue. To clarify the core pathological mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders, in addition to laboratory-based research that incorporates the latest findings, it is necessary to conduct large-sample-size research and verify reproducibility. For this purpose, it is critical to conduct multicenter collaborative research across various fields, such as psychiatry, neuroscience, molecular biology, genomics, neuroimaging, cognitive science, neurophysiology, psychology, and pharmacology. Moreover, collaborative research plays an important role in the development of young researchers. In this respect, the Enhancing Neuroimaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) consortium and Cognitive Genetics Collaborative Research Organization (COCORO) have played important roles. In this review, we first overview the importance of multicenter collaborative research and our target psychiatric disorders. Then, we introduce research findings on the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders from neurocognitive, neurophysiological, neuroimaging, genetic, and basic neuroscience perspectives, focusing mainly on the findings obtained by COCORO. It is our hope that multicenter collaborative research will contribute to the elucidation of the pathological basis of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki Onitsuka
- Department of Neuroimaging Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoji Hirano
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Nemoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Naoki Hashimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Itaru Kushima
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Medical Genomics Center, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Daisuke Koshiyama
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michihiko Koeda
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neuropsychiatry, Nippon Medical School, Tama Nagayama Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Takahashi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Toyama Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama, Japan.,Research Center for Idling Brain Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Noda
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junya Matsumoto
- Department of Pathology of Mental Diseases, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Miura
- Department of Pathology of Mental Diseases, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takanobu Nakazawa
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takatoshi Hikida
- Laboratory for Advanced Brain Functions, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kiyoto Kasai
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,The International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN) at The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ryota Hashimoto
- Department of Pathology of Mental Diseases, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
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6
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Fennell LCP, Johnson SA. Examination of professional biases about autism: how can we do better? Clin Neuropsychol 2021; 36:1094-1115. [PMID: 34369298 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2021.1958922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This paper lends a critical eye to six common assumptions/biases about autism that may influence neuropsychologists in their clinical work. These biases are based on research as well as the historical roots of the study of autism. Our goal is to encourage curiosity and reflection on these biases in order to improve neuropsychological service delivery for people on the autism spectrum. Methods: We argue that psychologists should strive to understand the function of behaviours observed with autism in order to offer helpful supports. We explore the assertions that autism is not a dichotomous or linear construct and that the use of high and low functioning descriptors are not useful nor appreciated by the autism community. We discuss the widely held beliefs that individuals on the autism spectrum lack theory of mind, empathy and social motivation. Importantly, people on the autism spectrum are telling us that the dialogue about them around theory of mind and empathy is a human rights issue. Finally, we discuss the role of standardized testing. Conclusions: Through an exploration of research literature, the writings of scholars and advocates on the autism spectrum, and personal, clinical and research experience we encourage our profession to take a leadership role in examining biases and changing the clinical and research landscape so that it better reflects respectful discourse for individuals on the autism spectrum. This is critical to reduce the stigma that continues to be associated with autism and has a negative affect on mental health and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise C P Fennell
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.,Private Practice of Psychologist Louise Fennell, Victoria, Canada
| | - Shannon A Johnson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
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Improvement of brain functional connectivity in autism spectrum disorder: an exploratory study on the potential use of virtual reality. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:371-380. [PMID: 33677622 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02321-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) need to be provided with behavioral, psychological, educational, or skill-building interventions as early as possible. Cognitive Behavior Therapy has proven useful to manage such problems. There is also growing evidence on the usefulness of Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) in treating various functional deficits in ASD. This exploratory study is aimed at assessing the changes in cognitive functions in children with ASD, and the putative subtending neurophysiological mechanisms, following the provision of rehab training using an innovative VRT system. Twenty patients with ASD, aged 6-15 years, were provided with 24 sessions of VRT by using the pediatric module of the BTS NIRVANA System. Neuropsychological and EEG evaluations were carried out before and at the end of the training. After VRT, all patients showed a significant improvement in their cognitive-behavioral problems concerning attention processes, visuospatial cognition, and anxiety. These findings were paralleled by an evident reshape of frontoparietal connectivity in the alpha and theta frequency range. Our study suggests that VRT could be a useful and promising tool to improve ASD neurorehabilitation outcomes. This improvement is likely to occur through changes in frontoparietal network connectivity following VRT.
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Deste G, Vita A, Penn DL, Pinkham AE, Nibbio G, Harvey PD. Autistic symptoms predict social cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2020; 215:113-119. [PMID: 31780344 PMCID: PMC7035981 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) share many similarities. Among those features, social cognitive impairment is recognized as a key characteristic of both ASD and schizophrenia. In this study, the role of ASD symptoms, measured with the PANSS Autism Severity Score (PAUSS), was investigated as a predictor of social cognitive performance in patients with Schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Existent databases from 2 studies (SCOPE Phase 3 and SCOPE Phase 5), in which a total of 361 patients (mean age 41.7 years; 117 females) were assessed with tests of mental state attribution and emotion recognition, were analyzed. Less severe ASD symptoms, as well as younger age, better premorbid IQ, and neurocognition were identified as individual predictors of better social cognitive performance. These results suggest a role of ASD symptoms in affecting social cognitive performance in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio Vita
- Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy; University of Brescia, School of Medicine, Italy.
| | - David L. Penn
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America,School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University,
Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Amy E. Pinkham
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of
Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern
Medical School, Dallas, TX, United States of America
| | | | - Philip D. Harvey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of
America,Research Service, Miami VA Healthcare System, United
States of America
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Pittenger AA, Erklin S, Wodka EL. The Influence of Demographic and Child Characteristics on Referral for Neuropsychological Evaluation. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2019; 34:1418-1424. [DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acy107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveA number of studies have documented the benefits of neuropsychological evaluation as a tool for understanding brain-behavior relationships in various childhood disorders; however, little is known about the process by which children are referred for neuropsychological evaluation. From a systems perspective, it is important to understand whether there are identifiable referral patterns, and if so, how being aware of such patterns could shape the behavior of providers making those referrals. We aim to examine child characteristics that influence referral for neuropsychological evaluation.MethodsRetrospective chart review of 773 children who received neuropsychological evaluation and were diagnosed with autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and/or anxiety was completed. Children were divided into groups based on referral source (professional or caregiver) and compared on demographic, behavioral, and medical characteristics.ResultsOverall, professionals were more likely than caregivers to refer children for neuropsychological evaluation. Though standardized measures suggested children referred by professionals and caregivers were similar, their clinical presentation appears to be different (i.e., those referred by professionals had more comorbidities and were more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medication than those referred by caregivers). Also, children with public insurance were more likely to be referred by a professional than by their caregiver.ConclusionsFindings highlight the important role of professionals in identifying “at-risk” children and supporting families through the process of receiving further evaluation when indicated. This information can be used to create a more efficient system for evaluating children and developing treatment plans, providing neuropsychologists with direct information to share with referral sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis A Pittenger
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Shannon Erklin
- Family Psychiatry and Psychology Associates, Cary, NC, USA
| | - Ericka L Wodka
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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