Contextualizing the impact of prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposure on neurodevelopment in a South African birth cohort: an analysis from the socioecological perspective

BackgroundAlcohol and tobacco are known teratogens. Historically, more severe prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE) have been examined as the principal predictor of neurodevelopmental alterations, with little incorporation of lower doses or ecological contextual factors that can also impact neurodevelopment, such as socioeconomic resources (SER) or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Here, a novel analytical approach informed by a socio-ecological perspective was used to examine the associations between SER, PAE and/or PTE, and ACEs, and their effects on neurodevelopment.MethodsN = 313 mother-child dyads were recruited from a prospective birth cohort with maternal report of PAE and PTE, and cross-sectional structural brain neuroimaging of child acquired via 3T scanner at ages 8–11 years. In utero SER was measured by maternal education, household income, and home utility availability. The child’s ACEs were measured by self-report assisted by the researcher. PAE was grouped into early exposure (<12 weeks), continued exposure (>=12 weeks), and no exposure controls. PTE was grouped into exposed and non-exposed controls.ResultsGreater access to SER during pregnancy was associated with fewer ACEs (maternal education: β = −0.293,p = 0.01; phone access: β = −0.968,p = 0.05). PTE partially mediated the association between SER and ACEs, where greater SER reduced the likelihood of PTE, which was positively associated with ACEs (β = 1.110,p = 0.01). SER was associated with alterations in superior frontal (β = −1336.036, q = 0.046), lateral orbitofrontal (β = −513.865, q = 0.046), caudal anterior cingulate volumes (β = −222.982, q = 0.046), with access to phone negatively associated with all three brain volumes. Access to water was positively associated with superior frontal volume (β=1569.527, q = 0.013). PTE was associated with smaller volumes of lateral orbitofrontal (β = −331.000, q = 0.033) and nucleus accumbens regions (β = −34.800, q = 0.033).ConclusionResearch on neurodevelopment following community-levels of PAE and PTE should more regularly consider the ecological context to accelerate understanding of teratogenic outcomes. Further research is needed to replicate this novel conceptual approach with varying PAE and PTE patterns, to disentangle the interplay between dose, community-level and individual-level risk factors on neurodevelopment

Flux Diversity Session 2023: Lessons Learned from ABCD JEDI

The Flux Diversity Session in 2023 was focused on listening to ABCD Study researchers and lessons learned while developing and maintaining JEDI efforts within the Consortium. Slides and resources can be found here

A Systematic Review of Interventions to Improve the Occupation of Play in Children With Autism

Play in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often atypical, yet consensus regarding effective occupational therapy strategies for improving play is not established. To examine the efficacy of strategies used in occupational therapy to improve play in ASD, authors completed a systematic review of papers from January 1980 through January 2019. Search terms included autism, Asperger\u27s, ASD, autistic in combination with play, playfulness, pretend, imagination, praxis, creativity, and generativity. Twenty papers met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Reviewed interventions included parent education, modified play materials or environments, imitation of the child, and modeling by an adult, a peer, or video. Moderate to strong support exists for the specific strategies of imitation of the child and modeling for the child, with lesser or mixed support for other strategies. Certain strategies commonly used in occupational therapy may be effective in improving the occupation of play in ASD

Proprioceptive processing difficulties among children with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities.

OBJECTIVE. Sensory processing difficulties among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been extensively documented. However, less is known about this population\u27s ability to process proprioceptive information. METHOD. We used the Comprehensive Observations of Proprioception (COP; Blanche, Bodison, Chang, & Reinoso, in press) to describe the proprioceptive difficulties experienced by children with ASD. A sample of 32 children with ASD, 26 children with developmental disabilities excluding ASD, and 28 typically developing control children were studied using the COP. RESULTS. Children with ASD present with proprioceptive processing difficulties that are different from those of children with developmental disabilities and their typically developing counterparts. Specific data, potential clinical applications, and directions for future research are described. CONCLUSION. Results suggest that the COP has useful clinical research applications. Further assessment of psychometric properties, clinical utility, and meaningful differences among diverse clinical populations are needed

Development of the comprehensive observations of proprioception (COP): validity, reliability, and factor analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We developed an observational tool, the Comprehensive Observations of Proprioception (COP), for identifying proprioceptive processing issues in children with developmental disabilities. METHOD: Development of the COP underwent three phases. First, we developed items representing proprioceptive functions on the basis of an extensive literature review and consultation with occupational therapists. We then established interrater reliability and content, construct, and criterion validity. Finally, we completed a factor analysis of COP ratings of 130 children with known developmental disabilities. RESULTS: Adequate validity and reliability were established. Factor analysis revealed a four-factor model that explained the underlying structure of the measure as it was hypothesized. CONCLUSION: The COP is a valid criterion-referenced short observational tool that structures the clinician\u27s observations by linking a child\u27s behaviors to areas identified in the literature as relevant to proprioceptive processing. It takes 15 min to administer and can be used in a variety of contexts, such as the home, clinic, and school

El Pueblo : diario de la República: Año V Número 1036 - 1936 marzo 27

Pediatric occupational therapy practitioners frequently provide interventions for children with differences in sensory processing and integration. Confusion exists regarding how best to intervene with these children and about how to describe and document methods. Some practitioners hold the misconception that Ayres Sensory Integration intervention is the only approach that can and should be used with this population. The issue is that occupational therapy practitioners must treat the whole client in varied environments; to do so effectively, multiple approaches to intervention often are required. This article presents a framework for conceptualizing interventions for children with differences in sensory processing and integration that incorporates multiple evidence-based approaches. To best meet the needs of the children and families seeking occupational therapy services, interventions must be focused on participation and should be multifaceted

Family Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Risks of Financial Insecurity and Coping.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, families have experienced unprecedented financial and social disruptions. We studied the impact of preexisting psychosocial factors and pandemic-related financial and social disruptions in relation to family well-being among N = 4091 adolescents and parents during early summer 2020, participating in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM Study. Poorer family well-being was linked to prepandemic psychosocial and financial adversity and was associated with pandemic-related material hardship and social disruptions to routines. Parental alcohol use increased risk for worsening of family relationships, while a greater endorsement of coping strategies was mainly associated with overall better family well-being. Financial and mental health support may be critical for family well-being during and after a widespread crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic

A Call to Action: Moving the Scientific Publication Process toward Social Justice

Many scientific journals have committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, but publish articles counter to this goal. We propose actions the scientific community should take to move research and the publication process toward more rigorous and socially-just standards