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Parent-mediated interventions can reduce behavioral and emotional problems in children with ASD. This report discusses the development of the first group parent intervention targeting behaviors "and" anxiety in children with ASD, across the spectrum of cognitive and language ability. 'Predictive Parenting' was developed from the clinical observation (and emerging evidence base) that children with ASD struggle with 'prediction' and anticipating change. It integrates well-established parenting strategies within an ASD-specific framework. The concept was co-created with patient and public involvement panels of parents and adults with ASD. A feasibility study found the programme is acceptable and accessible. Qualitative feedback from participants was largely positive, and critiques were used to inform a larger, pilot randomized controlled trial of the intervention.

Parent-mediated interventions can reduce behavioral and emotional problems in children with ASD. This report discusses the development of the first group parent intervention targeting behaviors and anxiety in children with ASD, across the spectrum of cognitive and language ability. 'Predictive Parenting' was developed from the clinical observation (and emerging evidence base) that children with ASD struggle with 'prediction' and anticipating change. It integrates well-established parenting strategies within an ASD-specific framework. The concept was co-created with patient and public involvement panels of parents and adults with ASD. A feasibility study found the programme is acceptable and accessible. Qualitative feedback from participants was largely positive, and critiques were used to inform a larger, pilot randomized controlled trial of the intervention., Author(s): Victoria Hallett [sup.1] , Joanne Mueller [sup.1] , Lauren Breese [sup.1] , Megan Hollett [sup.1] , Bryony Beresford [sup.2] , Annie Irvine [sup.2] , Andrew Pickles [sup.3] , Vicky [...]

Objectives: Documenting the variety of quadrupedal walking gaits in a variety of marsupials (arboreal vs. terrestrial, with and without grasping hind feet), to aid in developing and refining a general theory of gait evolution in primates. Materials and Methods: Video records of koalas, ringtail possums, tree kangaroos, sugar gliders, squirrel gliders, wombats, numbats, quolls, a thylacine, and an opossum walking on a variety of substrates were made and analyzed to derive duty factors and diagonalities for symmetrical walking gaits. The resulting distributions of data points were compared with published data and theories. Results: Terrestrial marsupials' gaits overwhelmingly plot slightly below the theoretical "horse line" (Cartmill et al., Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2002;136:401–420) typical of terrestrial mammals; arboreal marsupials' gaits overwhelmingly plot more decisively above it. Both distributions are roughly parallel to the horse line, but arboreal animals exhibit increased diagonality, so that their higher‐speed walking gaits overlap with those of typical primates on the Hildebrand diagram of diagonality against duty factor. Conclusions: Quadrupeds avoid gaits lying exactly on the (theoretically optimum) horse line, to avoid fore/hind limb interference ("forging"). This can be accomplished by either a slight reduction in diagonality ("downshifting") or a more decisive increase ("upshifting"). Tree‐dwellers adopt the second option to eliminate unilateral bipods of support from the gait cycle. The upshifted horse line represents an early phase in the evolution of primate‐like diagonal‐sequence gaits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited literature on the stigma of mental illness has examined the socio-cultural processes involved in the development of stigma around mental health in children, which emerges in mid-childhood (7–11 years). Greater understanding might inform preventative interventions. Aims: This review aims to integrate disparate theoretical and empirical research to provide an overview of social communications to children aged 7--11 years about mental illness and their role in the development of stigmatised views. Four key socio-cultural contexts (the media, school, peers, parents) of relevance to children's development will be considered. Method: Systematic literature searches were conducted within electronic databases and abstracts were scanned to identify relevant studies. Fifteen papers were selected for the review. Results: The review found few studies have directly examined communications about mental illness to children. Available evidence suggests messages across children's socio-cultural contexts are characterised by silence and stigma, which may shape children's developing views. Specific theoretical frameworks are lacking; possible mechanisms of transmission are discussed. Conclusions: This review suggests overcoming stigma will require efforts targeting young children, explicitly tackling mental illness, and spanning multiple social spheres: further research is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Object: Although infant abandonment is a historical problem, we know remarkably little about the conditions or effects of abandonment to guide evidence driven policies. This paper briefly reviews the existing international evidence base with reference to potential mental health considerations before mapping current UK guidelines and procedures, and available incidence data. Limitations arising from these findings are discussed with reference to international practice, and interpreted in terms of future pathways for UK policy., Method: A systematic approach was utilized to gather available data on policy information and statistics on abandoned babies in the UK., Results: A review of the limited literature indicates that baby abandonment continues to occur, with potentially wide-ranging mental health ramifications for those involved. However, research into such consequences is lacking, and evidence with which to understand risk factors or motives for abandonment is scarce. International approaches to the issue remain controversial with outcomes unclear. Our systematic search identified that no specific UK policy relating to baby abandonment exists, either nationally or institutionally. This is compounded by a lack of accurate of UK abandonment statistics. Data that does exist is not comprehensive and sources are incompatible, resulting in an ambiguous picture of UK baby abandonment., Conclusions: Available literature indicates an absence of clear provision, policy and research on baby abandonment. Based on current understanding of maternal and child mental health issues likely to be involved in abandonment, existing UK strategy could be easily adapted to avoid the 'learning from scratch' approach. National policies on recording and handling of baby abandonments are urgently needed, and future efforts should be concentrated on establishing clear data collection frameworks to inform understanding, guide competent practice and enable successfully targeted interventions.