Adverse Childhood Experiences and Behavioral and Emotional Problems in Adolescents With and Without Autism.

Objectives: We sought to examine differences in caregiver-reported adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in adolescents with and without autism and explore associations between ACEs and behavioral and emotional problems in those with ACEs.

Methods: Children were classified as having autism, another developmental disability (DD), or population comparison (POP) after a comprehensive evaluation in the Study to Explore Early Development (SEED) between 2 to 5 years of age. Caregivers of these same children completed the SEED Teen survey and answered questions about ACEs and current behavioral and emotional problems at 12 to 16 years of age.

Association between autism spectrum disorder and intentional self-harm.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent challenges in communication and social interaction and, often accompanied by restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. The reported prevalence of ASD in the United States has tripled in the past two decades. Recent studies indicate that ASD is associated with increased self-injurious behaviors.

Associations of Characteristics of Parental Country of Birth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Early Learning Delay Among Immigrant Populations in the US: Findings from the Study to Explore Early Development.

Our objective was to explore associations between human development and gender inequality indices in the birth country of immigrant parents and child risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) alone, ASD with early learning delay (ELD), and ELD alone. We used data from a multi-site case-control study that recruited US-born children aged 2-5 years with ASD and developmental delays through clinical and educational sources and a population control group through vital records. We defined ELD as Mullen Scales of Early Learning composite score ≤ 70.

The Longitudinal Association of Physical Function and Frailty on Driving Strategic Self-Regulation Among Older Adults.

Older adults self-regulate their driving as it becomes more challenging. This study evaluated physical performance and frailty to see their impact on strategic self-regulation in older drivers. The AAA Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers study was a multisite prospective cohort study.

Prenatal Maternal Alcohol Exposure During the First Trimester of Pregnancy in Relation to Early Learning Ability, Behavioral Problems, and Autistic Traits in Preschool Children With or Without Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Prenatal alcohol exposure has been linked to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, its effects on developmental outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain unclear. We examined associations between prenatal alcohol exposure during the first trimester (PAE-FT) and early learning ability, behavioral problems, and severity of autistic traits in preschool-aged children in a large multi-site case-control study, the Study to Explore Early Development.

Unintentional Drowning Incidents Involving Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Treated in US Emergency Departments, 2016-2020.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at heightened risk of unintentional drowning. We examined the epidemiological patterns of unintentional drowning incidents involving children diagnosed with ASD treated in US emergency departments (EDs). Data for this study came from the 2016-2020 Nationwide ED Sample.

Prevalence of Depression in Older Adults and the Potential Protective Role of Volunteering: Findings From the LongROAD Study.

Background: As the US population continues to age, depression and other mental health issues have become a significant challenge for healthy aging. Few studies, however, have examined the prevalence of depression in community-dwelling older adults in the United States.

Methods: Baseline data from the Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers study were analyzed to examine the prevalence and correlates of depression in a multisite sample of community-dwelling adults aged 65-79 years who were enrolled and assessed between July 2015 and March 2017.

Associations of maternal peripregnancy cannabis use with behavioral and developmental outcomes in children with and without symptoms of autism spectrum disorder: Study to Explore Early Development.

Some studies report increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and associated symptoms with prenatal cannabis exposure. We examined whether associations of maternal cannabis use from 3 months preconception through delivery ("peripregnancy") with behavior and development in the offspring varied with the presence of ASD symptoms. Children ages 30-68 months with ASD symptoms (i.

An online driving decision aid for older drivers reduces ambivalence and regret about driving decisions: Randomized trial.

Background: Decisions about driving cessation can be stressful for older adults. We tested effects of a driving decision aid (DDA) on psychosocial outcomes among older drivers during two-year follow-up.

Methods: Multisite randomized controlled trial of licensed drivers ages ≥70 with at least one diagnosis associated with increased likelihood of driving cessation, without significant cognitive impairment.

Frailty, Physical Function Impairment and Pulmonary Function in Aging Men with and without HIV from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS).

Background: People aging with HIV (PAWH) experience greater impairment in physical and pulmonary function than individuals aging without HIV. We examined whether baseline physical function was associated with subsequent pulmonary impairments.

Methods: Associations of frailty and physical function (gait speed [m/sec], grip strength [kg]) with pulmonary function (< 80% predicted diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide [DL] and forced expiratory volume [FEV]) 3 years later were modeled; age, HIV status, and smoking were assessed as effect modifiers.

Changes in Autism and Co-Occurring Conditions from Preschool to Adolescence: Considerations for Precision Monitoring and Treatment Planning.

Purpose: To describe retention of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis from preschool to adolescence and the most common co-occurring diagnoses among children with ASD in preschool and adolescence. A second objective was to identify co-occurring diagnoses more likely to emerge between preschool and adolescence among children with ASD vs. another developmental or mental health diagnosis in preschool.

Dietary supplement use is common in older adult drivers: an analysis from the AAA LongROAD study.

Background: Dietary supplement (DS) use is common and increasing among older adults, though much data available on use frequencies are from surveys and performed cross-sectionally. This paper sought to assess the frequency and pattern of dietary supplement use among older adults over time.

Methods: A secondary analysis of data from the AAA LongROAD study, a longitudinal prospective cohort study of older adult drivers, using data from baseline and the first two years of follow up included a total of 2990 drivers aged 65-79 years recruited at five study sites across the US from July 2015 to March 2017.

Child Age at Time of First Maternal Concern and Time to Services Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Objective: Early treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can improve developmental outcomes. Children with ASD from minority families often receive services later. We explored factors related to child's age at time of mother's first concerns about child's development and subsequent time to service initiation among children with ASD.

Diabetes mellitus and hard braking events in older adult drivers.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) can impair driving safety due to hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic eye diseases. However, few studies have examined the association between DM and driving safety in older adults based on naturalistic driving data.

Methods: Data for this study came from a multisite naturalistic driving study of drivers aged 65-79 years at baseline.

Association between polypharmacy and hard braking events in older adult drivers.

Background: Polypharmacy (i.e., simultaneous use of two or more medications) poses a serious safety concern for older drivers.

Frailty and poor physical functioning as risk factors for driving cessation.

Introduction: Frailty and low physical performance are modifiable factors and, therefore, targets for interventions aimed at delaying driving cessation (DC). The objective was to determine the impact of frailty and physical performance on DC.

Methods: Multisite prospective cohort of older drivers.

Depressive symptoms and activity engagement in autistic adolescents and those with other developmental disabilities.

Background: Autistic adults and those with other developmental disabilities (DD) have increased depressive symptoms and decreased activity engagement when compared to those with no DD. Few studies explore activities related to depressive symptoms in autistic people and those with other DD during adolescence.

Objective: The objectives of this analysis were to describe depressive symptoms and activity engagement among autistic adolescents and those with other DD and no DD and explore types of activities associated with depressive symptoms, stratified by study group.

Remote Delivery of Allied and Behavioral Healthcare During COVID-19 for Children With Developmental Disabilities.

Objective: Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (DD) transitioned to telehealth services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objectives were to describe reductions in allied and behavioral healthcare services and receipt of caregiver training to deliver services at home because of COVID-19 for children with ASD and other DD, and factors associated with worse response to remote delivery of services for children with ASD.

Method: Prior to the pandemic, children 2 to 5 years of age were enrolled in a multi-site case-control study and completed a developmental assessment.

Association of Depression and Antidepressant Use With Driving Behaviors in Older Adults: A LongROAD Study.

Older adults aged 70 and older who drive have higher crash death rates per mile driven compared to middle aged (35-54 years) adults who drive in the US. Prior studies have found that depression and or antidepressant medication use in older adults are associated with an increase in the vehicular crash rate. Using data from the prospective multi-site AAA Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers Study, this analysis examined the independent and interdependent associations of self-reported depression and antidepressant use with driving behaviors that can increase motor vehicle crash risk such as hard braking, speeding, and night-time driving in adults over age 65.

Economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on families of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Background: To control the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many jurisdictions throughout the world enacted public health measures that had vast socio-economic implications. In emergency situations, families of children with developmental disabilities (DDs), including autism, may experience increased difficulty accessing therapies, economic hardship, and caregiver stress, with the potential to exacerbate autism symptoms. Yet, limited research exists on the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on families of children with autism or another DD compared to families of children from the general population.

Health and Education Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities.

Objective: Understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic affected children with disabilities is essential for future public health emergencies. We compared children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with those with another developmental disability (DD) and from the general population (POP) regarding (1) missed or delayed appointments for regular health/dental services, immunizations, and specialty services; (2) reasons for difficulty accessing care; and (3) use of remote learning and school supports.

Method: Caregivers of children previously enrolled in the Study to Explore Early Development, a case-control study of children with ASD implemented during 2017 to 2020, were recontacted during January-June 2021 to learn about services during March-December 2020.

Impact of driving cessation on health-related quality of life trajectories.

Background: Trajectories of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after driving cessation (DC) are thought to decline steeply, but for some, HRQoL may improve after DC. Our objective is to examine trajectories of HRQoL for individuals before and after DC. We hypothesize that for urban drivers, volunteers and those who access alternative transportation participants' health may remain unchanged or improve.

Pregnancy Planning and its Association with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Findings from the Study to Explore Early Development.

Objectives: To examine associations between pregnancy planning and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring.

Methods: The Study to Explore Early Development (SEED), a multi-site case-control study, enrolled preschool-aged children with ASD, other DDs, and from the general population (POP). Some children with DDs had ASD symptoms but did not meet the ASD case definition.

Migraine headaches are associated with motor vehicle crashes and driving habits among older drivers: Prospective cohort study.

Background: Migraine headache is common in older adults, often causing symptoms that may affect driving safety. This study examined associations of migraine with motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) and driving habits in older drivers and assessed modification of associations by medication use.

Methods: In a multi-site, prospective cohort study of active drivers aged 65-79 (53% female), we assessed prevalent migraine (i.