Self-Determination: Supporting Successful Transition

This brief outlines research on self-determination that suggests that youth with disabilities who actively direct their own lives are more likely to successfully transition into adult life. In addition, the brief addresses the development of self-determination skills and student-led Individualized Education Program meetings. Also included are descriptions and contact information for several self-determination curricula and helpful Web links.

The concept of self-determination is similar to the concept of “choice” in children’s mental health. Although talk within systems of care about family-centered practice has been plentiful, there has not been much mention of the importance of processes in which families, working with treatment teams, have choice both of services to be provided and the providers of those services. Yet, such choice appears not only to be the right thing to do but also to be related to positive outcomes.

To view the complete brief, visit http://www.ncset.org/publications/viewdesc.asp?id=962.

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Child Delinquency: Early Intervention and Prevention

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) announces the availability of Child Delinquency: Early Intervention and Prevention. This Bulletin summarizes the final report of OJJDP’s Study Group on Very Young Offenders, Child Delinquency: Development, Intervention, and Service Needs. The report draws on hundreds of studies to describe the developmental course of child delinquency and delineate key risk and protective factors. It also identifies effective and promising prevention and intervention programs that help reduce the incidence of delinquency while offering significant cost savings to society.

To view this Bulletin online, visit http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/pubs/delinq.html#186162.

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Community Correlates of Rural Youth Violence

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) announces the availability of Community Correlates of Rural Youth Violence. Although decades of research have shed light on the nature of the causes and correlates of juvenile delinquency, for the most part these studies have focused on youth crime in large metropolitan settings and generally have overlooked delinquency in rural towns and smaller cities. This Bulletin addresses the lack of knowledge about rural youth violence by applying social disorganization theory to community correlates of youth violence in non-metropolitan communities in Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, and South Carolina. As reflected in the Bulletin, rates of youth violence are considerably higher in communities that have large percentages of children living in single-parent households, a high rate of population turnover, and significant ethnic diversity—whether in rural or urban settings.

To view the Bulletin, visit http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/pubs/violvict.html#193591.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Substance Abuse

Parents are bombarded with conflicting information about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its treatment. Increased use of stimulant medications has sparked debates about whether more people are being appropriately recognized and treated or whether people are being overmedicated. A particularly powerful issue in these debates is the relationship between ADHD and substance abuse. Three questions often arise in discussions of this issue: (1) Are people with ADHD more like to develop substance abuse? (2) Does using stimulant medication to treat ADHD lead to substance abuse? (3) Are the stimulant medicines themselves addictive?

The first question is the least controversial and is answered in the affirmative by epidemiological data indicating that the diagnoses of ADHD and substance abuse occur together more frequently than expected by chance alone. The second question was recently addressed in a meta-analysis of six ADHD studies that contained adolescence or adulthood substance abuse outcome data on people who were diagnosed with ADHD as children. An interesting finding emerging from the meta-analysis was that stimulant treatment was far more likely to reduce substance abuse during adolescence (5.8-fold) than in adulthood (1.4-fold). The third question is being explored by neuroimaging, which shows that the faster the rate of uptake of a stimulant, the greater the potential for addiction.

To view the complete article, visit http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/456199.

(Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required.)

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Slight, Transient Growth Slowdown Seen in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Studies

Two studies of stimulants to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children disagree over whether long-term use will slow growth. The researchers speculate that the difference may be due to once-daily dosing with continuous release methylphenidate (Concerta) versus dosing three times daily, which slightly lowered height, compared with standard methylphenidate.

To view complete article, visit http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/456010.

(Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required.)

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Researchers Find Placebos and Low Doses of Medication Effective

A study sponsored by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reported that 40 percent of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) did just as well when placebos replaced some of their medications. They suggest that placebos could be used in treating not only ADHD but also other disorders, reducing medication side effects. On the basis of these findings, the National Institute of Mental Health is sponsoring further research along these lines.

To view the complete article, visit http://www.unc.edu/news/newsserv/research/may03/adhd050103.html.

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Left Unsupervised: A Look at the Most Vulnerable Children

This brief focuses on two groups of children who may be particularly vulnerable when they lack regular adult supervision: young school-aged children and low-income children. The less mature children are, the more risky it is for them to spend time unsupervised. For the second group, low-income children, having an adult looking after them or having opportunities to benefit from regular high-quality child care or after-school programs may be particularly important because of disadvantages that they more often face, such as living in unsafe neighborhoods. This brief describes a problem and makes a recommendation on how to solve the problem.

To view the complete article, visit http://www.childtrends.org/PDF/UnsupervisedRB.pdf.

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The Relation of Social Capital to Child Psychosocial Adjustment Difficulties: The Role of Positive Parenting and Neighborhood Dangerousness

The authors of this study hypothesized that social capital would have a direct influence on lowering the levels of adjustment problems among children living in dangerous neighborhoods. Exploring the relationship among social capital, positive parenting, and children’s externalizing and internalizing behaviors, the authors found that social capital is related, although not directly, to children’s adjustment problems through positive parenting and the creation of safe neighborhoods.

To view the complete article, visit http://rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu/rtcpubs/datatrends/summary_79.pdf.

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Addressing the Needs of Youth With Disabilities in the Juvenile Justice System: The Status of Evidence-Based Research

This report summarizes and assesses the state of knowledge about children and youth with disabilities who are at risk of delinquency and involvement in, or who have already entered, the juvenile justice system. By highlighting what is known about addressing delinquency and the diverse needs of this population, it aims to inform policy discussions among policymakers, practitioners, and researchers.

To view the complete report, visit http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/juvenile.html.

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New Findings on Alternative Criteria for PTSD in Preschool Children

This article summarizes a study that sought to test proposed alternative criteria for diagnosing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in preschool children. The authors’ previous research in this area had noted the development of PTSD symptoms in young children exposed to traumas, but their experience had suggested that the use of developmentally sensitive criteria that were based less on verbalizations and more on behavioral observations would be useful.

To view the complete summary, visit http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/456666.

(Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required.)

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Manic Symptoms in Young Males With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Predict Functioning But Not Diagnosis After 6 Years

This article summarizes a follow-up study of males initially assessed in 1992–1994 who met criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) + mania and were compared with others with ADHD and controls. They sought to determine whether the presence of mania in childhood has predictive value for bipolar disorder by early adulthood. They recognized the past and present context of their study with the ongoing debates over comorbidity between mania and ADHD. The authors also noted limitations to the small study, the most significant being the likely underreporting of emotional problems by the young men. Nonetheless, the clinical significance of juvenile mania and the lifetime risk for bipolar disorder remain uncertain.

To view the complete summary, visit http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/456666.

(Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required.)

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Parent-Child Conflict and the Comorbidity Among Childhood Externalizing Disorders

This article summarizes a study using data from the Minnesota Twin Family Study (MTFS) to determine genetic and environmental factors associated with the development of externalizing disorders in youth exposed to parent-child conflicts. The authors entered parent-child conflict, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD) into a multivariate biometrics model to define the role of conflict as part of a shared environmental factor common to ADHD, ODD, and CD.

To view the complete summary, visit http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/456666.

(Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required.)

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Autistic Traits in the General Population: A Twin Study

The authors of this study sought to examine the prevalence of autistic traits in the general population by using a newly established quantitative measure, the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Given the evidence for a broad range of the severity of autistic traits, they sought to further define a population at risk for social impairments who may fail to meet full criteria for autistic disorders (autism, Asperger’s, pervasive development disorder-not otherwise specified [PDD-NOS]).

To view the complete summary, visit http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/456666.

(Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required.)

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The Psychosocial Functioning of Children and Spouses of Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The authors of this study sought to examine the psychosocial functioning of families with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) caretakers. They sought to (1) assess the prevalence of ADHD in offspring of adults diagnosed with ADHD, (2) assess the risk for psychopathology and maladjustment in these offspring, and (3) assess the mental health and marital relationship of the spouse of the ADHD adult parent.

To view the complete summary, visit http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/456666.

(Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required.)

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A Vision for the Mental Health System

On April 3, 2003, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) released A Vision for the Mental Health System, a report of an APA Task Force that was released to coincide with the work of the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. The APA document addresses individuals of all ages. In discussing children, it does indicate that “the crisis of access to child and adolescent mental health services is particularly acute.”

To view the full report, visit http://www.psych.org/news_stand/visionreport040303.pdf.

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President’s New Freedom Commission

The President’s New Freedom Commission, at its meeting in early April, identified several areas in which it will make recommendations in its final report. A special focus is on early identification of children in need of services and close collaboration with the schools. The President’s Commission has completed its meetings and is currently preparing its final report, which should be sent to the President in the near future.

To view a summary of the recommendations, visit http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/.

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Youth With Disabilities: A Changing Population

This report from the National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS) and the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) has recently been released. Conducted by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the report compares differences between the population of 15–17-year-old youth with disabilities in 1987 with that in 2001, including household and student characteristics, services provided by the schools, and youths’ achievements in academic and social domains. The Executive Summary reports that there were considerably more students diagnosed with autism and ADHD and that more students with emotional disabilities than other disabilities received services in the schools.

To view the full report, visit http://www.cec.sped.org/pp/nlts2.pdf.

Data Trends: Tampa and Portland

Data Trends is produced to increase the dissemination of current research findings in children’s mental health services. Here are new releases:

Tampa

One-Year Follow-up of Multisystemic Therapy As an Alternative to the Hospitalization of Youths in Psychiatric Crisis

This release summarizes a study that involved random assignment of 160 youngsters either to psychiatric hospitalization and then treatment as usual or to MST. The results demonstrated that there were no major differences between the two groups 12 months after entry into treatment, although there were some differences in the trajectory of change.

To view the complete summary of the article, visit http://rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu/rtcpubs/datatrends/summary_80.pdf.

Portland

Community-Based Interventions for Affective Disorders

Although more than 20 million Americans experience affective or mood disorders, many individuals do not receive adequate services, especially young people, older adults, those with co-occurring medical illnesses, and members of racial and ethnic minority groups. This report summarizes how community-based interventions might be used to prevent and treat the adverse effects of affective disorders and thus reduce the burden for individuals, families, communities, and society.

To view the complete summary of the article, visit http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/phpCountDTPDF.php.