Effectiveness and feasibility of the early start denver model implemented in a group-based community childcare setting

A recent study documented the efficacy of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) delivered in a 1:1 fashion. In the current study we investigated the effectiveness and feasibility of the ESDM in the context of a long-day care community service, with a child-staff ratio of 1:3. Outcomes of 27 preschoolers with ASD undergoing 15-25 h per week of ESDM over 12 months were compared to those of 30 peers with ASD undergoing a different intervention program delivered in a similar community long-day care service. Children in both groups made gains in cognitive, adaptive and social skills. Participants in the ESDM group showed significantly higher gains in developmental rate and receptive language.

Are we forgetting the children? Testing the children of HIV-positive parents

Undiagnosed HIV infection in children carries significant risks and national guidelines recommend that children of HIV-positive parents be tested. We reviewed the testing of HIV-positive patients' children in those new to our service from April 2008 to December 2009. Of the 86 women, 95% were asked about children. Of the 243 men, 53 were heterosexual or bisexual, and 190 identified themselves as men who have sex with men (MSM). Parental status was determined in 37 (70%) of heterosexual and bisexual men and in 14 (17%) of 84 MSM with a history of previous female partners. All untested children apart from one lived in their country of origin. In MSM, recording of parental status was uncommon. Following this audit, clinic proformas were changed to document the parental status of men of all sexual orientations, and the HIV status of all children.