JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICS

Teletherapy and Medication Management of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with Co-occurring Internalizing Symptoms and Suicidality During the Pandemic
Potts H, Shaligram D, Ashraf R, Diekroger E and Fogler J
Sam (he/him) is an 11-year-old cisgender white male with previous diagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and major depressive disorder who was referred to an outpatient psychiatry clinic after hospitalization for suicidal ideation and agitation. Family history is significant for bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, substance use/abuse, and suicidality. Sam started a trial of atomoxetine 10 mg po QAM in December 2019 due to increasing inattention in the backdrop of worsening anxiety. Sam received school-based counseling through his IEP, which Sam declined due to embarrassment from being pulled out of the classroom, and services were quickly discontinued. In January 2020, obsessive-compulsive symptoms emerged, specifically obsessions about cleanliness with related compulsions. He started biweekly cognitive behavioral therapy with an outpatient provider to target obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. Concomitantly, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician who diagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder started Sam on fluoxetine 10 mg po QAM. Atomoxetine was also increased to 25 mg po QAM for 4 weeks and built up to 40 mg po QAM in February 2020.Depressive symptoms emerged in Spring 2020, around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite ongoing treatment with fluoxetine. There was a significant increase in aggression, agitation, and compulsive cleaning, which did not respond to the addition of lorazepam 0.5 mg po daily. Owing to concerns that medication was exacerbating his presentation, his prescriber began to wean him off both atomoxetine and fluoxetine.Sam presented to the Emergency Department in the summer of 2020 due to worsening symptoms, including suicidal ideation and aggression, in the context of medication adjustment, social isolation, and academic difficulty with virtual schooling. He completed a 3-week inpatient hospitalization followed by a 2-week virtual partial hospitalization program, during which Sam struggled with attention and engagement. As part of his discharge plan, he was referred to the outpatient psychiatry department to continue outpatient therapy and medication management.During the virtual transfer appointment to outpatient therapy, his parents reported persistent concerns for ongoing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, along with a fear of a resurgence of suicidal thinking. Sam reported exhaustion from virtual partial hospitalization program sessions he attended earlier in the day and was eager to leave the appointment. He minimized concerns, denied suicidal ideation or intent, and reported a strong disinterest in doing "another virtual therapy." In-person sessions would be ideal for Sam, given his history of attention difficulties, clinical complexity, and acuity and his self-identified dislike for virtual settings. However, services needed to be done virtually due to the quarantine shutdown. How would you proceed with treating Sam?
Nocebo Effect on Pain Perception and Attention with Children With and Without Attention Deficit And/Or Hyperactivity Disorder
Belleï-Rodriguez CÉ, Colloca L, Lorrain D, Marchand S and Léonard G
Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD) has negative consequences for children. The effectiveness of medical interventions and educational outcomes are strongly influenced by expectations, which can be modulated by nocebo effects. The aims of this study were to compare the nocebo effect on pain perception and attention in children with and without ADHD as well as to characterize the associations of the nocebo effect with personal variables, such as anxiety, sleep, and pain catastrophizing.
Improving Executive Function in Children and Adolescents with Cognitive-Engaging Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Multilevel Meta-Analysis
Teng G, Xia H, Li Q and Chen A
Executive function (EF) development is vital for children and adolescents, with physical activity (PA) playing a key role in its enhancement. Through a systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis, this study investigates the effectiveness of cognitively engaging physical activity (CEPA) over traditional PA in fostering EF in children and adolescents. The research involved 1671 participants across 15 studies to determine if CEPA is superior to PA in enhancing EF and to analyze interventions and dose-response effects. Results demonstrated that CEPA had a more pronounced impact on EF development compared with PA, with a Hedges' g of 0.50 (95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.48), although potentially overestimated due to small-study effects and publication bias. Subgroup analyses did not find notable differences in effectiveness among various intervention types. The most substantial effect was observed with 45-minute interventions, while frequencies less than twice weekly and durations beyond 12 weeks were less effective. These findings suggest that CEPA could be a more efficacious method for advancing EF in youth, indicating a need for larger-scale randomized controlled trial (RCTs) to confirm the results and more accurately estimate their magnitude.
Associations Between Sleep Health and Child Behavior at Age 6 Years in the INSIGHT Study
Dadzie A, Master L, Hohman EE, Acton EH, Tauriello S, Paul IM, Savage JS, Anzman-Frasca S and Buxton OM
Suboptimal sleep is associated with disruptive behaviors in childhood. We evaluate associations of mean and variability (SD) of sleep duration, quality, and timing with emotion regulation, impulsivity, and prosocial and antisocial behavior in children.
Complex Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a 4-Year-Old With Repaired Critical Congenital Heart Disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Campbell K, Wallis KE, El-Messidi Hampton L, Burnham A, Mercer-Rosa L, Miller O, Mazza L, Diekroger E and Fogler J
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a risk factor for developmental delay and for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative has developed recommendations for ongoing monitoring of this at-risk population to be able to detect developmental, learning, and behavioral concerns, as they become apparent as a child ages.
Selective Mutism in the Context of Autism and Bilingualism
Carroll B, Bordes Edgar V, Bar SH, Call CR and Nyp SS
Juan is a 5-year-old boy who has been followed by a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and pediatric neuropsychologist since being diagnosed with language delay and autism spectrum disorder at age 2 years. He is otherwise healthy and was born at term after a healthy pregnancy. His primary language is Spanish, and he has minimal interactions in English. His first words were at 20 months; they were not functional but rather words related to his interests such as "train." He began using 2 to 3-word phrases shortly after but only to request needs. He began speaking in complete sentences at age 4 years.A neuropsychological evaluation was conducted at age 2 years during which Juan demonstrated repetitive behaviors such as hand-flapping, toe-walking, body rocking, and head banging. He displayed sensory seeking behaviors such as rubbing items on his face and close visual inspection. He did not respond to his name and his use of eye contact was inconsistent. He demonstrated rigidity and difficulty transitioning between activities. He did not engage in social reciprocity, and his facial expressions were limited. Minimal spontaneous language was observed, and expressive language largely consisted of echolalia in both languages. Juan was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and applied behavior analysis, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy were recommended.Developmental-behavioral follow-up over the next 2 years noted improvements in behavior, transitions, and social interactions. He participated in early childhood intervention and early childhood special education with significant advances for speech and language in English and Spanish, demonstrating a large vocabulary. At 4 years, parents noted Juan to have reluctance to speak in English. He stopped speaking in English entirely for 3 weeks, though he continued to speak in Spanish. When he resumed speaking in English, it was only with people he knew well (e.g., parents, teachers, babysitter). In clinic, he did not speak to the English-speaking developmental-behavioral pediatrician but spoke in short sentences to the Spanish-speaking neuropsychologist.A repeat neuropsychological evaluation completed at age 5 years revealed that Juan had stopped speaking in English completely, even among those previously deemed "safe." Results were consistent with average cognitive abilities with a strength in verbal skills. Juan's single-word vocabulary in Spanish was exceptionally high. He did not provide expressive responses in English, but his receptive English vocabulary was high average. He responded to English language with nonverbal gestures or spoken language in Spanish. Parents reported Juan to display increased anxiety accompanied by extreme school refusal, behavioral difficulties, and reluctance to leave the home.Given this information, what are your diagnostic considerations and treatment recommendations?
Associations Among Problematic Internet Usage in Adolescents, Parental Internet Factors, and Parent-Adolescent Communication
Milkovich LM, Randell KA, Sherman AK and Moreno MA
Adolescents with problematic internet use (PIU) have excessive, impulsive, or risky internet use that negatively affects social, physical, and functional outcomes. The role of parents in the prevention of adolescent PIU remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible association between adolescent PIU, parent PIU, and internet-related parenting factors.
Characteristics of Young Children Associated with Diagnostic Utility of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule: A DBPNet Study
Fussell JJ, Stein REK, Friedman S, Hansen R, Roizen N, Sideridis G, Vanderbilt D and Barbaresi W
The aim of this study is to identify characteristics of children for whom a developmental-behavioral pediatrician's (DBP) diagnostic impressions of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or non-ASD were changed by Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) results.
Knowledge of Established Conditions List and Associated Policies and Procedures Among Pediatricians and Early Intervention Personnel
Yadav A, Phelps RA and Squires J
Despite automatic eligibility, many children with medical conditions associated with increased risk of disability do not receive Early Intervention (EI) services. State EI programs have compiled lists of established conditions to facilitate automatic enrollment; yet little is known about professionals' knowledge and utilization of these lists. This study examined the knowledge of these established conditions lists and associated policies and procedures among pediatricians and EI personnel. State initiatives and approaches undertaken to improve familiarity and utilization of the list, along with recommendations for its improvement were examined.
Boosting Autism Screening and Referrals with EHR-Integrated Tools at Well-Child Visits
Vundavalli S, Brown CM, Chaparro JD, Chandawarkar A, Bester S, Newmeyer A and Barnhardt EW
Missed Opportunities for Intervening Early in Preschoolers with Developmental Concern: Perspectives From Head Start Parents, Teachers, and Healthcare Providers
Burkett K, Brown CM, Pickler R, Stanton-Chapman T, Sharps P, Jacquez F, Smith T, Holland A, Heeman A and Froehlich T
The purpose of this study was to discover the care meanings of facilitators and barriers to detection and intervention for developmental delay among Head Start preschool-aged children, as viewed by parents, teachers, and primary care providers.
The Living Lab at Home: Feasibility and Acceptability of Multimodal In-Home Data Collection Among Youth Across the Developmental Spectrum
Boerner KE, Dudarev V, Pearl-Dowler L, Wharton MN, Siden H, Holsti L and Oberlander TF
Dynamic, real-time, in-home methods of data collection are increasingly common in child health research. However, these methods are rarely cocreated or used with families of youth with developmental disabilities. We aimed to determine the feasibility of codesigned methods for in-home data collection for youth across the developmental spectrum.
Challenging Case: Family Navigation for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Lin IY, Stahmer AC, Feinberg E, Feldman HM, Deras M and Augustyn M
Leo is a 28-month-old boy from a monolingual Spanish-speaking family who was referred to a developmental-behavioral pediatrics (DBP) clinic for concerns regarding autism. His parents migrated to the United States 8 years ago and currently live and work on a farm. He was born in a US hospital after an uncomplicated pregnancy and has been generally healthy. His parents first became concerned about his development when he was 16 months old. He stopped saying mama/dada in Spanish and started lining up random objects. He had frequent temper tantrums and was difficult to console during unexpected changes in his routine. He screened positive on the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F) at his 18-month well-child visit, and his pediatrician referred him to the local early intervention program. Calls from the early intervention program to his parents were unanswered. At his 24-month well-child visit, he again screened positive on the M-CHAT-R/F, and his pediatrician placed a referral for a DBP consultation. During the DBP visit at 28 months of age, developmental testing indicated his receptive and expressive language skills to be in the extremely low range, with significant scatter in his cognitive and adaptive skills. Behavioral observations were consistent with parental history and showed differences in social communication and interaction, the presence of repetitive behaviors, and extreme distress with transitions. He was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Recommendations, including referral to early intervention, applied behavior analysis therapy, speech and language therapy, audiology evaluation, and genetic testing, were discussed with his parents through an interpreter. An autism packet, written in Spanish, with detailed information about autism and community resources was given to the family. By the time of a follow-up DBP visit 6 months later, Leo had not started on any early intervention or therapeutic services. Where do you go from here?
Prenatal Cannabis Use and Offspring Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Disruptive Behavior Disorders: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Young-Wolff KC, Kong K, Alexeeff SE, Croen LA, Oberman N, Kirane H, Ansley D, Davignon M, Adams SR and Avalos LA
To examine whether maternal cannabis use during early pregnancy is associated with offspring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and disruptive behavior disorders (DBD).
Association Between Positive Childhood Experiences and Caregiver-Reported ADHD Diagnosis and Severity
Crouch E, Radcliff E, Boswell E, Brown MJ and Hung P
Little is known about the prevalence of positive childhood experiences (PCEs), a counter to adverse childhood experiences, in children with an attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between PCEs and ADHD diagnosis and severity, adjusting for child, family, and household characteristics, using a nationally representative data set.
Maternal Mobile Device Use and Mealtime Interactions With Children
Radesky JS, Weeks HM, McCaffery H, Kaciroti N, Lumeng JC and Miller AL
This study examined (1) whether different types of mobile device use are associated with quantity/quality of parent-child interactions and (2) moment-to-moment changes in quantity/quality of parent-child interactions when devices are used.
Associations of Infant Sleep Characteristics with Childhood Cognitive Outcomes
Finkel MA, Duong N, Hernandez A, Goldsmith J, Rifas-Shiman SL, Dumitriu D, Oken E, Shechter A and Woo Baidal JA
The objective of this study was to quantify associations of infant 24-hour sleep duration and nighttime sleep consolidation with later child cognition.
Toward More Equitable Care: A Closer Look at Autism Clinic Intake Practices and Paperwork
Srinivasan AP, Nishiguchi EP, Gonzalez C, Jimenez ME, Zuckerman KE and Lion KC
To describe intake requirements among autism clinics and to assess how well intake paperwork aligns with national standards for enhancing language and literacy accessibility.
Association Between Food Insecurity and Developmental Delay and Behavioral Problems in US Children 2 to 5 Years of Age
Savant D, Gjelsvik A, Yatchmink Y and High P
To investigate the relationship between food insecurity and developmental delay and/or behavior problems (DD/PB) in US children aged 2 to 5 years before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Training and Sustaining: Training and Learning Collaborative Outcomes Across a Statewide Network for Early Autism Diagnosis
McNally Keehn R, Paxton A, Delaney M and Ciccarelli M
The objective of this study was to describe the development of a primary care professional (PCP) autism diagnosis training model and to report on outcomes related to PCP training and sustained engagement in a longitudinal learning collaborative.
Intensive Outpatient Programs for Pediatric Feeding Disorder: A Qualitative Study of Current Challenges and Future Directions
Baranwal N, Hodges A, Breiner CE, Malugen E, Estrem HH, Sharp WG and Raol N
Although intensive multidisciplinary interventions (IMIs) provide benefits for patients with pediatric feeding disorders (PFD), access to these programs is limited and challenges faced by the programs remain unclear.
Family Involvement During Comprehensive Developmental Evaluations: Perspectives of Diverse Mothers
Blakey AO, Eilenberg JS, Cardona N, Kizildag D, Broder-Fingert S, Feinberg E and Long KA
Early diagnosis and social support postdiagnosis (i.e., family involvement) can lead to improved outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disorders. Children of minority ethnic and racial groups are typically diagnosed later in childhood compared with White children, contributing to disparities in outcomes. Research has not yet explored family involvement during comprehensive developmental evaluations nor accounted for cross-cultural differences in family roles and involvement. This qualitative study sought to characterize the nature and impact of family involvement during the developmental evaluation process among racially and ethnically marginalized mothers of children with developmental delays and possible ASD.
Hearing Loss and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Pollick SA, Pesch MH, Spellun A, Betances EM, Wiley S, Geer LC, Prout KK, Hu M and Nyp SS
Gretta is a 3.5-year-old girl with a history of congenital cytomegalovirus, congenital bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), and bilateral vestibular dysfunction, resulting in frequent falls. She underwent cochlear implantation at 12 months of age and was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at 2.5 years of age.On presentation for follow-up in the developmental-behavioral pediatrics (DBP) clinic, Gretta's mother reports that Gretta has refused to wear her cochlear implants for the past 5 months. Before that, she seemed to enjoy having access to sound and like dancing to music, and her receptive and expressive language skills, including speech, were progressing. Initially, the rejection of her devices occurred only at preschool. When frustrated or overwhelmed, she would close her eyes and remove her devices for up to 5 minutes before allowing them to be reapplied. Over time, this progressed to a complete refusal to wear her devices at school and then at home, rendering her without access to sound and spoken language.Gretta's mood has become sullen, and she is now having tantrums at school. She physically startles when attempts are made to reintroduce her devices. Her ability to participate in classroom learning or interact with her classmates is limited, as she attends a spoken-language-focused preschool program. A board-certified behavioral analyst, hired by the family, recommended that Gretta not be allowed to participate in classroom activities unless she wears her devices. She now becomes visibly anxious even when in the same room as her devices and repetitively states "no implant, no implant." Her mother is worried about her inability to communicate and has "no idea" what may have changed or sparked her initial refusal to wear the devices.What factors would you consider when determining the cause and function of Gretta's refusal to wear the cochlear implants? How would you guide her parents, teachers, and clinicians to ensure the best developmental and behavioral outcomes for her?
Examining How National Levels of Life Expectancy, Education, and Income Influence Early Childhood Development: The Mediating Role of the Child's Nurturing Context
Rothenberg WA, Bornstein MH, Putnick DL and Lansford JE
Forty-three percent of children younger than 5 years in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are at risk of not meeting their developmental potential. This study investigated how 3 aspects of national development (national life expectancy, education, and income levels) are associated with early childhood development by influencing 5 domains of nurturing care (caregiving, the learning environment, safety and security, nutrition, and the health of the home environment).
Engagement and Satisfaction With Care Navigation Support Following Telehealth Autism Evaluation
Klein B, Ramaker M, Fitterling C, James C, Rouse M, Fauntleroy-Love KD, McNally Keehn R and Enneking B
Care navigation support is designed to help connect families with health care resources. Given that children with autism have more unmet needs than their peers, such a service may be especially valuable to families who have recently received a diagnosis. This study sought to examine engagement in care navigation support after an autism telehealth evaluation. Specifically, we report on what demographic and diagnostic factors predicted engagement in care navigation support and satisfaction with this service.
Identifying Children and Adolescents at Elevated Mental Health Risk Before and During COVID-19
Jellinek M, Benheim TS, Dutta A, Bergmann P, Sturner R, Howard B and Murphy JM
To determine whether the prevalence of psychosocial risk in children and adolescents changed from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether these changes differed by age group, sex, and season, based on a standardized psychosocial measure completed as a routine part of primary care.
Disparities in Telehealth Uptake for Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Assessments by Preferred Family Language: A Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network Study
Wallis KE, Kennelly A, Wozniak SN, Craig S, Flaherty CM, Cacia J, Christiansen A, Cordero L, Ortiz P, Kellom KS, Stefanski K and
Owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many developmental-behavioral pediatric (DBP) practices adopted telehealth for care delivery. However, telehealth access and use for families with a preferred language other than English (PLOE) is an equity concern. Therefore, our study objective is to compare rates of telehealth utilization and visit completion by preferred family language among patients seen for DBP assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Social Determinants in COVID-19 Experiences of Children With Disabilities Receiving School-Based Services in Chicago: Mixed-Methods Study of Parent/Guardian Perspectives
Luo CY, Kowalczyk ME, Msall ME and Volerman A
To identify the impact of social determinants on the experiences of children with disabilities and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of parents/guardians.
Evaluation of Virtual Enhanced Child Adult Relationship Enhancement in Primary Care Intervention
Kiely J, DePaul E, Rojas S, Cortes S, Schilling S, Dougherty S and Wood JN
Because of COVID-19 pandemic social distancing requirements, the in-person Child Adult Relationship Enhancement in Primary Care (PriCARE) positive parenting intervention was adapted for virtual delivery. Objective was to evaluate the efficacy of the virtual PriCARE program to improve parenting capacity, decrease child behavioral problems, and decrease child maltreatment risk.
A Comparison of Parent-Reported Severe Autism With Mild/Moderate Autism Among US Children
Carbone PS, Stipelman CH, Villalobos ME, Ellzey A, Stuart A, Stoddard GJ and Campbell K
An expert commission has proposed the term "profound" autism for children on the spectrum who are minimally verbal or nonverbal and have intellectual disability (ID), behavioral challenges, and co-occurring conditions. It is unknown whether parents' rating of "severe" autism aligns with the definition of "profound" autism. Using the National Survey of Children's Health, we sought to (1) estimate the prevalence of parent-reported severe autism, (2) identify child characteristics that are associated with severe autism, (3) compare health care utilization, and (4) compare caregiver stress and resilience between families of children with severe versus mild/moderate autism.