Archive for developmental medicine
Could ADHD be diagnosed genetically?
Despite it being very common, ADHD is often missed until a child reaches age 7 or older. By that time, they have likely been struggling socially and in school. Could early genetic testing be part of the solution? Anne Arnett, PhD, in partnership with Ryan Doan, PhD, at Boston Children’s Hospital, set out to see ... Read More
Toddlers diagnosed with autism should be reevaluated over time
Parents whose child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may feel it’s a lifelong label. But a new study offers hope: It found that 37 percent of children diagnosed as toddlers no longer met criteria for autism when they reached early school age. Findings were published October 2 in JAMA Pediatrics. Study leader ... Read More
Treating brain ‘hotspots’ and networks to address autism, aggression, and more
What if doctors could break down conditions like autism into their key symptoms, map these symptoms to “hotspots” in the brain, and then treat those areas directly with brain stimulation? If it bears out, such an approach could turn the care of neurologic and developmental disorders on its head, focusing on symptoms that are shared ... Read More
Babies and screen time: New research calls for caution
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably been there. You have a baby howling for attention, but you need to cook dinner or get a sibling to take a much-needed nap. Baby TV shows, touch tablets, and digital phone toys can feel like lifesavers in keeping an active infant calm and contained while juggling what life ... Read More
Rethinking the need for ADOS testing to diagnose autism in young children
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, or ADOS testing, was developed in the 1980s as a tool for autism research. Through a series of semi-structured observations, trained evaluators assess children’s communication skills, social interaction, and imaginative use of materials. But over time, the ADOS has come to be considered the gold standard for a clinical diagnosis ... Read More
‘Human accelerated regions’: How they make our brains uniquely human
Starting when humans diverged from chimpanzees some 5 to 6 million years ago, we’ve evolved in our uniquely human fashion thanks to changes in our genome. And certain parts of the human genome, known as human accelerated regions or HARs, have evolved especially rapidly. Intriguing new work led by Christopher Walsh, MD, PhD, of Boston ... Read More
The tiny choroid plexus protects the prenatal brain — but may also pass on inflammation from the mother
Floating in fluid deep in the brain are small, little-understood fronds of tissue. Two new studies reveal that these miniature organs are a hotbed of immune system activity. This activity may protect the developing brain from infections and other insults — but may also contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. Key takeaway This pioneering work ... Read More
How to help children with special needs during social distancing
As the weather warms up, many children are struggling with the effects of being stuck inside. For special needs children and their families, the challenges can be magnified. But there are some simple, yet effective, things that can help everyone survive — and perhaps even thrive — during this trying time. With schools officially closed for ... Read More
COVID-19 and IEPs: Education for children with special needs
When Massachusetts shut down its public schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19, educators faced a huge challenge. With little time to prepare, school districts had to redesign classroom lesson plans for close to a million students. The interrupted school year has been especially hard on kids with individualized education programs (IEPs). An IEP is ... Read More
CRUSH: Developing a sexual education program for young adults on the autism spectrum
For many young adults on the autism spectrum, developing and maintaining positive intimate relationships can be challenging. But collaboration between Boston Children’s Hospital and UMass Boston hopes to provide some on-point guidance through a new initiative¾the Competence in Romance and Sexual Health (CRUSH) program, aimed at developing a new sex education curriculum for young adults ... Read More