Mental Retardation And Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
General measures of cognition for the preschool child.
Lichtenberger EO
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 16161087 · Publisher ↗
Preschool-age children who are experiencing delays in physical, cognitive, communication, social, emotional, or adaptive development are often referred for a comprehensive assessment to make diagnostic determinations and...
Preschool-age children who are experiencing delays in physical, cognitive, communication, social, emotional, or adaptive development are often referred for a comprehensive assessment to make diagnostic determinations and to help develop appropriate interventions. Typically cognitive assessment has a key role in a comprehensive evaluation of a young child. In this article, five individually administered tests of cognitive ability, normed for the preschool-age child, are reviewed. These specific tests include the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd edition, the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition, the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, 3rd edition, the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, 5th edition, and the Differential Abilities Scales. The following is provided for these cognitive instruments: a description of the test procedures, information on scoring systems, highlights of the technical qualities, and a summary of the general meaning of test results. The article concludes with strengths and limitations of the instruments.
Assessment of motor development and function in preschool children.
Tieman BL, Palisano RJ, Sutlive AC
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 16161086 · Publisher ↗
The process of identification of children with delays or disorders in motor development includes developmental screening, examination, and reexamination. Throughout this process, various types of measures are used, inclu...
The process of identification of children with delays or disorders in motor development includes developmental screening, examination, and reexamination. Throughout this process, various types of measures are used, including discriminative and evaluative measures. Discriminative and evaluative measures of motor development and function that are commonly used for preschool-aged children include the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II, Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, 2nd edition, Toddler and Infant Motor Evaluation, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, and Gross Motor Function Measure. Selecting an appropriate measure is a crucial part of the examination process and should be geared toward the purpose of testing and characteristics of the child. Evidence of reliability and validity are important considerations for selection of a measure.
Complementary and alternative therapies for cerebral palsy.
Liptak GS
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15977320 · Publisher ↗
The optimal practice of medicine includes integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available clinical evidence from systematic research. This article reviews nine treatment modalities used for children who...
The optimal practice of medicine includes integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available clinical evidence from systematic research. This article reviews nine treatment modalities used for children who have cerebral palsy (CP), including hyperbaric oxygen, the Adeli Suit, patterning, electrical stimulation, conductive education, equine-assisted therapy, craniosacral therapy, Feldenkrais therapy, and acupuncture. Unfortunately, these modalities have different degrees of published evidence to support or refute their effectiveness. Uncontrolled and controlled trials of hippotherapy have shown beneficial effects on body structures and functioning. Studies of acupuncture are promising, but more studies are required before specific recommendations can be made. Most studies of patterning have been negative and its use cannot be recommended. However, for the other interventions, such as hyperbaric oxygen, more evidence is required before recommendations can be made. The individual with CP and his or her family have a right to full disclosure of all possible treatment options and whatever knowledge currently is available regarding these therapies.
Novel treatments for autistic spectrum disorders.
Levy SE, Hyman SL
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15977319 · Publisher ↗
In no area of developmental pediatric practice is there more controversy regarding the choice of treatment than related to children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Complementary and alternative medical therapies...
In no area of developmental pediatric practice is there more controversy regarding the choice of treatment than related to children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Complementary and alternative medical therapies (CAM) are often elected because they are perceived as treating the cause of symptoms rather than the symptoms themselves. CAM used for autism can be divided by proposed mechanism: immune modulation, gastrointestinal, supplements that affect neurotransmitter function, and nonbiologic intervention. Secretin as a therapy for autism is discussed as an example of how a clinical observation rapidly grew to a widespread treatment before well-designed studies demonstrated absence of effect. The plausibility for behavioral effect was not substantiated by clinical studies. CAM used for treatment of autism is examined in terms of rationale, evidence of efficacy, side effects, and additional commentary. Families and clinicians need access to well-designed clinical evidence to assist them in choice of therapies.
Old and new controversies in the alternative treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Rojas NL, Chan E
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15977318 · Publisher ↗
Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has become widespread in both referral and primary care populations. We review the purported mechanism...
Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has become widespread in both referral and primary care populations. We review the purported mechanism of action and available evidence for selected CAM therapies for ADHD. Enduring controversies, such as elimination of artificial food additives, colors, and/or preservatives; the effect of sugar on behavior in children; and the use of EEG biofeedback, have been well studied but lack support as effective sole treatments for ADHD. The initial evidence for some emerging CAM therapies, such as essential fatty acid supplementation, yoga, massage, homeopathy, and green outdoor spaces, suggests potential benefits as part of an overall ADHD treatment plan. More rigorously designed studies are needed to evaluate their effectiveness as single therapy for ADHD.
Introduction: novel therapies in developmental disabilities--hope, reason, and evidence.
Hyman SL, Levy SE
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15977317 · Publisher ↗
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used both alongside (complementary) and as a substitute for (alternative) conventional therapies. Although CAM use is reported to be high among children with typical develo...
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used both alongside (complementary) and as a substitute for (alternative) conventional therapies. Although CAM use is reported to be high among children with typical development, reported rates for CAM use to address symptoms of children with developmental disabilities may be higher. Increased use in this population may relate to hope for amelioration of symptoms, concerns regarding side effects of conventional treatments, and a need on the part of families to participate in decision making regarding their child's care. Primary health care providers may find that the child's needs are best served when they maintain a dialogue with families to evaluate the evidence supporting novel therapies. Interventions need to be assessed in an evidence based fashion whether or not they are initially preceived as CAM. This issue of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews contains reviews of CAM used to treat several developmental disabilities as well as some broader discussions related to the determinants of CAM use, current efforts to evaluate novel therapies, and how to consider the possibility of placebo effects.
Placebo effects in developmental disabilities: implications for research and practice.
Sandler A
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15977316 · Publisher ↗
Recent clinical trials of secretin in children with autism showed robust placebo effects and no benefit of secretin over placebo. This article explores the reasons for the observed placebo effects, focusing on the height...
Recent clinical trials of secretin in children with autism showed robust placebo effects and no benefit of secretin over placebo. This article explores the reasons for the observed placebo effects, focusing on the heightening of positive expectancy by media attention and by the sensory experiences associated with intravenous injections. Comparisons are drawn with research involving other novel treatments and other clinical populations of children with developmental disabilities and neurobehavioral disorders. Research regarding mechanisms of placebo effects is reviewed, including patient and clinician attributes, expectancy effects, participation effects, changes in caregiver behavior, and conditioning. New evidence regarding the biological basis of placebo effects is briefly presented. Since placebo effects are ubiquitous and may operate by a variety of mechanisms, research design is critical in designing clinical trials and in evaluating other outcomes research. Measurement issues important for research in developmental disabilities are emphasized. Ethical concerns have been raised regarding the use of placebo in clinical research, but current analysis suggests that placebo controls are necessary and defensible on ethical grounds, if certain conditions are met. The study of placebo effects ("placebology") holds great promise as a new area of research in therapeutics. The author's research in the potential augmentation of stimulant effects in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by adding placebo in open label is briefly presented. The placebo has always been integral to the practice of medicine, but advances in scientific medicine and medical ethics have diminished the role and use of placebo in practice. An innovative approach to the ethical use of placebo is proposed.
Complementary and alternative therapies for Down syndrome.
Roizen NJ
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15977315 · Publisher ↗
In their role as committed advocates, parents of children with Down syndrome have always sought alternative therapies, mainly to enhance cognitive function but also to improve their appearance. Nutritional supplements ha...
In their role as committed advocates, parents of children with Down syndrome have always sought alternative therapies, mainly to enhance cognitive function but also to improve their appearance. Nutritional supplements have been the most frequent type of complementary and alternative therapy used. Cell therapy, plastic surgery, hormonal therapy, and a host of other therapies such as massage therapy have been used. There is a lack of well-designed scientific studies on the use of alternative therapies in individuals with Down syndrome. Antioxidants hold theoretical promise for treatment of the cognitive, immune, malignancy, and premature aging problems associated with Down syndrome. Medications for treatment of Alzheimer's disease may also result in benefit for the population of individuals with Down syndrome.
Occupational therapy using a sensory integrative approach for children with developmental disabilities.
Schaaf RC, Miller LJ
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15977314 · Publisher ↗
This article provides an introduction and overview of sensory integration theory as it is used in occupational therapy practice for children with developmental disabilities. This review of the theoretical tenets of the t...
This article provides an introduction and overview of sensory integration theory as it is used in occupational therapy practice for children with developmental disabilities. This review of the theoretical tenets of the theory, its historical foundations, and early research provides the reader with a basis for exploring current uses and applications. The key principles of the sensory integrative approach, including concepts such as "the just right challenge" and "the adaptive response" as conceptualized by A. Jean Ayres, the theory's founder, are presented to familiarize the reader with the approach. The state of research in this area is presented, including studies underway to further delineate the subtypes of sensory integrative dysfunction, the neurobiological mechanisms of poor sensory processing, advances in theory development, and the development of a fidelity measure for use in intervention studies. Finally, this article reviews the current state of the evidence to support this approach and suggests that consensual knowledge and empirical research are needed to further elucidate the theory and its utility for a variety of children with developmental disabilities. This is especially critical given the public pressure by parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities to obtain services and who have anecdotally noted the utility of sensory integration therapy for helping their children function more independently. Key limiting factors to research include lack of funding, paucity of doctorate trained clinicians and researchers in occupational therapy, and the inherent heterogeneity of the population of children affected by sensory integrative dysfunction. A call to action for occupational therapy researchers, funding agencies, and other professions is made to support ongoing efforts and to develop initiatives that will lead to better diagnoses and effective intervention for sensory integrative dysfunction, which will improve the lives of children and their families.
The role of culture in families' treatment decisions for children with autism spectrum disorders.
Mandell DS, Novak M
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15977313 · Publisher ↗
There is little information available about how and why parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) make decisions regarding which of the many available treatments to implement with their children. Given the...
There is little information available about how and why parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) make decisions regarding which of the many available treatments to implement with their children. Given the lack of available information regarding treatment efficacy, it is likely that parents' beliefs about child development, interpretation of the symptoms of ASD, its etiology and course, and their experiences with the health system influence treatment decisions. This article addresses these issues within the context of cultural influences. We review the small body of existing literature regarding cultural influences on decisions regarding ASD and draw implications for the study and treatment of ASD from the larger body of literature on culture and other health conditions of childhood. In addition to examining the potential for differences in clinical presentation by culture and different experiences with the healthcare system, we use Kleinman's framework of questions for understanding the role of culture in the interpretation and treatment of ASD. These questions address interpretation of symptoms and beliefs about their cause, course, and treatment. Finally, we present specific language for clinicians to use in discussion with families with different cultural beliefs about the use of less traditional treatment strategies.
Introduction: developmental assessment of the fetus and young infant.
Allen MC, Lipkin PH
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15856449 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Neurobehavioral assessment before birth.
DiPietro JA
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15856447 · Publisher ↗
The complexities of neurobehavioral assessment of the fetus, which can be neither directly viewed nor manipulated, cannot be understated. Impetus to develop methods for measuring fetal neurobehavioral development has bee...
The complexities of neurobehavioral assessment of the fetus, which can be neither directly viewed nor manipulated, cannot be understated. Impetus to develop methods for measuring fetal neurobehavioral development has been provided by the recognition that individual differences in neurobehavioral functioning do not originate with birth and acceptance of the key contribution of the antenatal period to postnatal life. Research has centered around four aspects of fetal functioning: heart rate, motor activity, behavioral state, and responsivity to stimulation. Longitudinal studies have revealed that the developmental trajectories of these characteristics parallel the developing nervous system, detected a transitional period between 28 and 32 weeks gestation, and established within-fetal stability during the second half of gestation. Despite the promise of fetal stimulation and habituation paradigms as measures of neural functioning, significant safety and ethical concerns exist. Construction of a unified fetal neurobehavioral scale is premature until a sufficient degree of normative data is available and the predictive validity of specific aspects of fetal neurobehavior to child developmental outcomes is better established.
Why assess motor functions "early and often?".
Denckla MB
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15856446 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Assessment of gestational age and neuromaturation.
Allen MC
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15856445 · Publisher ↗
Neuromaturation is the functional development of the central nervous system (CNS). It is by its very nature a dynamic process, a continuous interaction between the genome and first the intrauterine environment, then the...
Neuromaturation is the functional development of the central nervous system (CNS). It is by its very nature a dynamic process, a continuous interaction between the genome and first the intrauterine environment, then the extrauterine environment. Understanding neuromaturation and being able to measure it is fundamental to infant neurodevelopmental assessment. Fetal and preterm neuromaturation has become easier to observe with the advent of prenatal ultrasonography and neonatal intensive care units. A number of measures of degree of fetal maturation have been developed and used to estimate gestational age (GA) at birth. The most reliable measures of GA are prenatal measures, especially from the first trimester. Postnatal GA measurements tend to be least accurate at the extremes of gestation, that is, in extremely preterm and post-term infants. Observations of measures of neuromaturation in infants born to mothers with pregnancy complications, including intrauterine growth restriction, multiple gestation, and chronic hypertension, have led to the discovery that stressed pregnancies may accelerate fetal pulmonary and CNS maturation. This acceleration of neuromaturation does not occur before 30 weeks' gestation and has a cost with respect to cognitive limitations manifested in childhood. The ability to measure fetal and preterm neuromaturation provides an assessment of neurodevelopmental progress that can be used to reassure parents or identify at risk infants who would benefit from limited comprehensive follow-up and early intervention services. In addition, measures of neuromaturation have the potential to provide insight into mechanisms of CNS injury and recovery, much-needed early feedback in intervention or treatment trials and a measure of early CNS function for research into the relationships between CNS structure and function.
Neurobehavioral assessment from fetus to infant: the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale and the Fetal Neurobehavior Coding Scale.
Salisbury AL, Fallone MD, Lester B
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15856444 · Full text
This review provides an overview and definition of the concept of neurobehavior in human development. Two neurobehavioral assessments used by the authors in current fetal and infant research are discussed: the NICU Netwo...
This review provides an overview and definition of the concept of neurobehavior in human development. Two neurobehavioral assessments used by the authors in current fetal and infant research are discussed: the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale and the Fetal Neurobehavior Coding System. This review will present how the two assessments attempt to measure similar processes from pre to post-natal life by examining three main components of neurobehavior: neurological, behavioral and stress/reactivity measures. Assessment descriptions, strengths and weaknesses, as well as cautions and limitations are provided.
The Dubowitz neurological examination of the full-term newborn.
Dubowitz L, Ricciw D, Mercuri E
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15856443 · Publisher ↗
In an ideal world, each neonate should have a comprehensive neurological examination but in practice this is often difficult. In this review we will describe what a routine neurological evaluation in the full-term neonat...
In an ideal world, each neonate should have a comprehensive neurological examination but in practice this is often difficult. In this review we will describe what a routine neurological evaluation in the full-term neonate should consist of and how the Dubowitz examination is performed. The examination has been used for over 20 years and can be easily performed in a short time as the recording sheet provides simple instructions together with simple diagrams to make the recording and the scoring easier. We will also indicate how the examination can be used to identify infants with neurological abnormalities, describing clinical signs which can help to differentiate infants with peripheral neuromuscular disorders from those with central nervous system involvement. The correlation between clinical and imaging findings in infants with neonatal brain lesions will also be reported. Finally we will briefly describe how and when to apply an optimality scoring system in a research setting.
The Amiel-Tison Neurological Assessment at Term: conceptual and methodological continuity in the course of follow-up.
Gosselin J, Gahagan S, Amiel-Tison C
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15856442 · Publisher ↗
The Amiel-Tison Neurological Assessment at Term (ATNAT) is part of a set of three different instruments based on a neuro-maturative framework. By sharing a same methodology and a similar scoring system, the use of these...
The Amiel-Tison Neurological Assessment at Term (ATNAT) is part of a set of three different instruments based on a neuro-maturative framework. By sharing a same methodology and a similar scoring system, the use of these three assessments prevents any rupture in the course of high risk children follow-up from 32 weeks post-conception to 6 years of age. The ATNAT which takes 5 minutes to administer may be used in clinical setting as well as in research. Clustering of severe to mild neuro-cranial signs in the neonatal period permits identification of children who could benefit from early intervention.
A comparison of developmental assessments of the newborn and young infant.
Majnemer A, Snider L
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15856441 · Publisher ↗
Neonatal neurobehavioral assessments describe a newborn's spontaneous behavioural repertoire and observable responses to environmental stimuli. Infant developmental assessments document the range of developmental skills...
Neonatal neurobehavioral assessments describe a newborn's spontaneous behavioural repertoire and observable responses to environmental stimuli. Infant developmental assessments document the range of developmental skills that emerge and develop over the first years of life. This review highlights two neonatal assessments (Einstein Neonatal Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale, Neurobehavioral Assessment of the Preterm Infant) and two infant assessments (Alberta Infant Motor Scale, Test of Infant Motor Performance). A general description of these tests is followed by their content and psychometric properties. These standardized tests of neurologic integrity are useful in characterizing current developmental status and in monitoring change in performance over time.
Prechtl's assessment of general movements: a diagnostic tool for the functional assessment of the young nervous system.
Einspieler C, Prechtl HF
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15856440 · Publisher ↗
General movements (GMs) are part of the spontaneous movement repertoire and are present from early fetal life onwards until the end of the first half a year of life. GMs are complex, occur frequently, and last long enoug...
General movements (GMs) are part of the spontaneous movement repertoire and are present from early fetal life onwards until the end of the first half a year of life. GMs are complex, occur frequently, and last long enough to be observed properly. They involve the whole body in a variable sequence of arm, leg, neck, and trunk movements. They wax and wane in intensity, force and speed, and they have a gradual beginning and end. Rotations along the axis of the limbs and slight changes in the direction of movements make them fluent and elegant and create the impression of complexity and variability. If the nervous system is impaired, GMs loose their complex and variable character and become monotonous and poor. Two specific abnormal GM patterns reliably predict later cerebral palsy: 1) a persistent pattern of cramped-synchronized GMs. The movements appear rigid and lack the normal smooth and fluent character. Limb and trunk muscles contract and relax almost simultaneously. 2) The absence of GMs of fidgety character. So-called fidgety movements are small movements of moderate speed with variable acceleration of neck, trunk, and limbs in all directions. Normally, they are the predominant movement pattern in an awake infant at 3 to 5 months. Beside a sensitivity and specificity of 95% each, the assessment of GMs is quick, noninvasive, even nonintrusive, and cost-effective compared with other techniques, e.g., magnetic resonance imaging, brain ultrasound, and traditional neurological examination.
Assessment of infant cry: acoustic cry analysis and parental perception.
LaGasse LL, Neal AR, Lester BM
Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev · 2005 · PMID 15856439 · Publisher ↗
Infant crying signals distress to potential caretakers who can alleviate the aversive conditions that gave rise to the cry. The cry signal results from coordination among several brain regions that control respiration an...
Infant crying signals distress to potential caretakers who can alleviate the aversive conditions that gave rise to the cry. The cry signal results from coordination among several brain regions that control respiration and vocal cord vibration from which the cry sounds are produced. Previous work has shown a relationship between acoustic characteristics of the cry and diagnoses related to neurological damage, SIDS, prematurity, medical conditions, and substance exposure during pregnancy. Thus, assessment of infant cry provides a window into the neurological and medical status of the infant. Assessment of infant cry is brief and noninvasive and requires recording equipment and a standardized stimulus to elicit a pain cry. The typical protocol involves 30 seconds of crying from a single application of the stimulus. The recorded cry is submitted to an automated computer analysis system that digitizes the cry and either presents a digital spectrogram of the cry or calculates measures of cry characteristics. The most common interpretation of cry measures is based on deviations from typical cry characteristics. Another approach evaluates the pattern across cry characteristics suggesting arousal or under-arousal or difficult temperament. Infants with abnormal cries should be referred for a full neurological evaluation. The second function of crying--to elicit caretaking--involves parent perception of the infant's needs. Typically, parents are sensitive to deviations in cry characteristics, but their perception can be altered by factors in themselves (e.g., depression) or in the context (e.g., culture). The potential for cry assessment is largely untapped. Infant crying and parental response is the first language of the new dyadic relationship. Deviations in the signal and/or misunderstanding the message can compromise infant care, parental effectiveness, and undermine the budding relationship. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MRDD Research Reviews 2005;11:83-93.
About
- Frequency
- Sun
- Papers found
- 200
- RSS feed
- Subscribe