The current study evaluates the concurrent relationship between parent ratings of executive functioning and maladaptive behavior among children and adolescents with Down syndrome and then repeats this evaluation using teacher reports. Parents and teachers of 63 school-age children with Down syndrome rated the child's executive functioning (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function) and behaviors

This parallel group randomized controlled trial tested effectiveness of the Let's Talk About Pain training on respite workers' (RW) pain-related knowledge and feasibility-confidence-skill ratings using between-group and within-group analyses. Fourteen children's respite organizations were randomized to pain or control training. Participants (nintervention = 66; ncontrol = 92) underwent a 3-3.5 hour

Within a parallel-group randomized control trial, pain training's impact on Respite Workers' (RW) care approaches and training evaluations was explored. RW (n = 158) from 14 organizations received pain or control training following randomization. Researchers were blind until randomization; allocations were not shared explicitly with organizations/participants. Participants completed a strategy use

Young children with developmental disabilities (DD) exhibit a range of strengths and weaknesses in cognitive, language, and adaptive skills. Identifying individual patterns of abilities across these domains is important for informing interventions. This study examines how 129 toddlers with significant developmental delays and less than 10 spoken words perform across different developmental domains

Prior research indicates links between parents' experiences of interpersonal trauma and emotion-interpretation difficulties, and between such difficulties and child attachment insecurity and disorganization. Although mothers with mild levels of intellectual disability (ID) are at heightened risk for trauma and emotion-interpretation difficulties, and their children for attachment insecurity, corresponding

The Vineland-3 purports to measure three dimensions of adaptive behavior, but empirical evidence pertaining to its structural validity is lacking. In this study, factor analyses were conducted on the standardization sample data for the comprehensive forms within the 11- to 20-year-old age range. Results did not support the three domain structure of the test and indicated domain scores did not add additional

The Vineland-3 purports to measure three dimensions of adaptive behavior, but empirical evidence pertaining to its structural validity is lacking. In this study, factor analyses were conducted on the standardization sample data for the comprehensive forms within the 11- to 20-year-old age range. Results did not support the three domain structure of the test and indicated domain scores did not add additional

Inpatient hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) among beneficiaries with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) were examined using Medicaid and commercial claims from 2010-2014 in New Hampshire. IDD was defined with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes using algorithms from the Centers for

Inpatient hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) among beneficiaries with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) were examined using Medicaid and commercial claims from 2010-2014 in New Hampshire. IDD was defined with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes using algorithms from the Centers for

The purpose of the current study was to determine the extent to which practicing keywords increased word recognition, reading fluency and comprehension for students with intellectual disability (ID). The dependent measures included word recognition (i.e., the percentage of previously unknown keywords read correctly in the given text), reading fluency (i.e., words read correctly in 1 minute), and reading

We estimated the effects of information avoidance and information seeking among parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on age of diagnosis. An online survey was completed by 1,815 parents of children with ASD. Children of parents who self-reported that they had preferred "not to know," reported diagnoses around 3 months later than other children. Children of parents who raised

We explored whether reports of three dyadic relationships (marital/partner, parent-child, sibling) were related to perceptions of family functioning in 467 mothers of children with intellectual disability aged 4-15 years. Structural equation models were fitted to examine associations between relationship indicators and family functioning. The final structural model showed that partner relationship

We explored whether reports of three dyadic relationships (marital/partner, parent-child, sibling) were related to perceptions of family functioning in 467 mothers of children with intellectual disability aged 4-15 years. Structural equation models were fitted to examine associations between relationship indicators and family functioning. The final structural model showed that partner relationship

The development of an expressive language score for people with autism based on the ADOS-2 was recently reported by Mazurek et al. (2019). The current study examined the construct validity of the ADOS-2 expressive language score (ELS) in a sample of adolescents with fragile X syndrome (n = 45, 10 girls), a neurodevelopmental disorder with high rates of autism symptomology. The ADOS-2 ELS showed strong

The development of an expressive language score for people with autism based on the ADOS-2 was recently reported by Mazurek et al. (2019). The current study examined the construct validity of the ADOS-2 expressive language score (ELS) in a sample of adolescents with fragile X syndrome (n = 45, 10 girls), a neurodevelopmental disorder with high rates of autism symptomology. The ADOS-2 ELS showed strong

Early identification of behavioral risk markers for anxiety is essential to optimize long-term outcomes in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This study analyzed attentional avoidance and its relation to anxiety and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptomatology during social and nonsocial fear conditions in toddlers with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and Down syndrome (DS). Toddlers with FXS and

Early identification of behavioral risk markers for anxiety is essential to optimize long-term outcomes in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This study analyzed attentional avoidance and its relation to anxiety and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptomatology during social and nonsocial fear conditions in toddlers with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and Down syndrome (DS). Toddlers with FXS and

Individuals with a comorbid diagnosis of Down syndrome (DS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been found to exhibit greater deficits in expressive communication than individuals with DS only. We hypothesized that individuals with a comorbid diagnosis (n = 430) would have significantly lower Communication Matrix scores and specifically social communication scores than individuals with DS alone

Individuals with a comorbid diagnosis of Down syndrome (DS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been found to exhibit greater deficits in expressive communication than individuals with DS only. We hypothesized that individuals with a comorbid diagnosis (n = 430) would have significantly lower Communication Matrix scores and specifically social communication scores than individuals with DS alone

This systematic review evaluates single-case research design studies investigating applied behavior analytic (ABA) interventions for people with Down syndrome (DS). One hundred twenty-five studies examining the efficacy of ABA interventions on increasing skills and/or decreasing challenging behaviors met inclusion criteria. The What Works Clearinghouse standards and Risk of Bias in N-of-1 Trials scale

This systematic review evaluates single-case research design studies investigating applied behavior analytic (ABA) interventions for people with Down syndrome (DS). One hundred twenty-five studies examining the efficacy of ABA interventions on increasing skills and/or decreasing challenging behaviors met inclusion criteria. The What Works Clearinghouse standards and Risk of Bias in N-of-1 Trials scale

The Early Communication Indicator (ECI) was designed to measure expressive communication progress in young children. We evaluated using the 6-min ECI procedure for a new purpose-a sampling context for stable measures of vocal development of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We evaluated how many ECI sessions were required to adequately stabilize estimates of volubility, communicative

The Early Communication Indicator (ECI) was designed to measure expressive communication progress in young children. We evaluated using the 6-min ECI procedure for a new purpose-a sampling context for stable measures of vocal development of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We evaluated how many ECI sessions were required to adequately stabilize estimates of volubility, communicative

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at risk for disrupted peer interactions. This study contributes to our understanding of how multiple foundational elements of emotional competence are related to children's prosocial behaviors with peers. Children with ASD demonstrated significantly lower non-stereotypical affective perspective taking, had lower ratings of emotion regulation, and showed

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at risk for disrupted peer interactions. This study contributes to our understanding of how multiple foundational elements of emotional competence are related to children's prosocial behaviors with peers. Children with ASD demonstrated significantly lower non-stereotypical affective perspective taking, had lower ratings of emotion regulation, and showed

Elevated salivary cortisol levels have been documented in individuals who engage in self-injurious behavior (SIB), indicating acute physiological stress. Less is known about the chronicity of stress and SIB. We analyzed the relationship between parent ratings of problem behavior and hair cortisol concentrations (an index of chronic adrenocortical activity) in 23 children with autism spectrum disorder

Elevated salivary cortisol levels have been documented in individuals who engage in self-injurious behavior (SIB), indicating acute physiological stress. Less is known about the chronicity of stress and SIB. We analyzed the relationship between parent ratings of problem behavior and hair cortisol concentrations (an index of chronic adrenocortical activity) in 23 children with autism spectrum disorder

Research suggests that people with a Williams syndrome (WS) or Down syndrome (DS) diagnosis display an increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) when compared to the general population. This study aimed to examine characteristics of ASD in a group of children with DS or WS. Results suggest that children with DS and WS exhibit higher levels of autism symptoms than the general population

Research suggests that people with a Williams syndrome (WS) or Down syndrome (DS) diagnosis display an increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) when compared to the general population. This study aimed to examine characteristics of ASD in a group of children with DS or WS. Results suggest that children with DS and WS exhibit higher levels of autism symptoms than the general population

Given the high prevalence of communication deficits in developmental disorders, there is need for efficient early interventions. The aim of this pilot study is to examine benefits of pivotal response treatment (PRT) for improving language in young children with developmental disorders without autism spectrum disorder. Parents of 15 children with developmental disorders received weekly PRT parent training

Given the high prevalence of communication deficits in developmental disorders, there is need for efficient early interventions. The aim of this pilot study is to examine benefits of pivotal response treatment (PRT) for improving language in young children with developmental disorders without autism spectrum disorder. Parents of 15 children with developmental disorders received weekly PRT parent training

The aim of this study was to examine the developmental trajectories of comprehension of relational concepts among 557 participants with intellectual disability (ID) of undifferentiated etiology (M age  =  12.20 years, SD  =  3.18) and 557 typically developing (TD) participants (M age  =  4.57 years, SD  =  0.80). Logistic regression analyses, with nonverbal cognitive level entered first in the equations

The aim of this study was to examine the developmental trajectories of comprehension of relational concepts among 557 participants with intellectual disability (ID) of undifferentiated etiology (M age  =  12.20 years, SD  =  3.18) and 557 typically developing (TD) participants (M age  =  4.57 years, SD  =  0.80). Logistic regression analyses, with nonverbal cognitive level entered first in the equations

This study examined whether exergames could improve physical, functional, and cognitive functions in people with Down syndrome. Twelve adults with DS, aged over 35 (M = 50.35, SD = 7.45), were randomly assigned to a Wii-based program (n = 6) or a control group (n = 6), and completed physical (Chair Stand Test, 6-Minute Walk Test), functional (TUG, TUDS), and cognitive tests (Corsi, Barrage tests).

This study examined whether exergames could improve physical, functional, and cognitive functions in people with Down syndrome. Twelve adults with DS, aged over 35 (M = 50.35, SD = 7.45), were randomly assigned to a Wii-based program (n = 6) or a control group (n = 6), and completed physical (Chair Stand Test, 6-Minute Walk Test), functional (TUG, TUDS), and cognitive tests (Corsi, Barrage tests).

Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY) is associated with problems in social interaction and behavioral adaptation. Sixteen adolescents and adult men with 47,XXY enrolled in a pilot-study evaluating the effectiveness of Social Management Training (SMT), a novel neurocognitive-behavioral treatment program targeted at improving social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Participants reported improved emotional

Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY) is associated with problems in social interaction and behavioral adaptation. Sixteen adolescents and adult men with 47,XXY enrolled in a pilot-study evaluating the effectiveness of Social Management Training (SMT), a novel neurocognitive-behavioral treatment program targeted at improving social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Participants reported improved emotional

It can be challenging to accurately assess speech and language processing in preverbal or minimally verbal individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) using standardized behavioral tools. Event-related potential and eye tracking methods offer novel means to objectively document receptive language processing without requiring purposeful behavioral responses. Working around many of the cognitive

It can be challenging to accurately assess speech and language processing in preverbal or minimally verbal individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) using standardized behavioral tools. Event-related potential and eye tracking methods offer novel means to objectively document receptive language processing without requiring purposeful behavioral responses. Working around many of the cognitive

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily affects females. Recent work indicates the potential for disease modifying therapies. However, there remains a need to develop outcome measures for use in clinical trials. Using data from a natural history study (n = 1,075), we examined the factor structure, internal consistency, and validity of the clinician-reported Motor Behavior

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily affects females. Recent work indicates the potential for disease modifying therapies. However, there remains a need to develop outcome measures for use in clinical trials. Using data from a natural history study (n = 1,075), we examined the factor structure, internal consistency, and validity of the clinician-reported Motor Behavior

Intellectual disability (ID) is defined by impairments in intellectual and adaptive functioning. As such, tools designed to assess these domains would theoretically be ideal outcome measures for treatment trials targeting core symptoms of ID. However, measures of intellectual and adaptive functioning have rarely been used as primary outcome measures to date and further study is needed regarding their

Auditory processing abnormalities in fragile X syndrome (FXS) may contribute to difficulties with language development, pattern identification, and contextual updating. Participants with FXS (N = 41) and controls (N = 27) underwent auditory event-related potentials during presentation of an oddball paradigm. Data was adequate for analysis for 33 participants with FXS and 27 controls (age 4-51 y, 13

Changes in minimal verbal communication by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were measured with the Communication Complexity Scale (CCS) and other communication assessments. The CCS measures complexity of preverbal and beginning verbal communication used to communicate behavior regulation and joint attention. The purpose was to investigate if the CCS was responsive to changes associated

Although norm-referenced scores are essential to the identification of disability, they possess several features which affect their sensitivity to change. Norm-referenced scores often decrease over time among people with neurodevelopmental disorders who exhibit slower-than-average increases in ability. Further, the reliability of norm-referenced scores is lower at the tails of the distribution, resulting

The variety and extent of impairments in individuals with severe-profound levels of intellectual disability (ID) impact their ability to complete valid behavioral assessments. Although standardized assessment is crucial for objectively evaluating patients, many individuals with severe-profound levels of ID perform at the floor of most assessments designed for their chronological age. Additionally,

Developmental disabilities (DDs) are prevalent and associated with health disparities among children. Family health literacy of parents and/or children is one modifiable factor associated with child health; however, little is known about family health literacy for children with DDs. This systematic review was conducted to determine evidence on associations of health literacy with health outcomes among

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from mutations of the MECP2 gene. Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and abnormal stress responses have been observed in animal models of RTT, but little is known about HPA axis function among individuals with RTT. Diurnal salivary cortisol patterns from 30 females with RTT were examined in relation to

We examined racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of behavioral problems measured by the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL), sleep disturbances measured by the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), and medication use among children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). We analyzed data from the Autism Treatment Network (ATN) dataset for 2,576 children ages 6 to 18 years of age diagnosed