Memantine for autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD; also known as autism) is a developmental disability that begins in childhood and is typically seen in around 1% to 2% of children. It is characterised by social communication difficulties and repetitive and restricted behaviours and routines that can have a negative impact on a child's quality of life, achievement at school, and social interactions with others. It has been hypothesised that memantine, which is traditionally used to treat dementia, may be effective in reducing the core symptoms of autism as well as some co-occurring symptoms such as hyperactivity and language difficulties.

Carer perspectives of a transition to adult care model for adolescents with an intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder with mental health comorbidities.

Background: Transition to adult care for adolescents with an intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder with coexisting mental health disorders, often termed 'dual disability', is complex. It requires a family-centred approach, with collaboration among health, disability and social services and early planning.

Aim: To describe carer perspectives of transition to adult care and the outcomes of a transition support intervention, Fearless, Tearless Transition, for adolescents with dual disabilities piloted at a tertiary children's hospital.

Development of the Fearless, Tearless Transition model of care for adolescents with an intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder with mental health comorbidities.

Aim: First, to understand the barriers to achieving effective transition and the supports required from the perspective of parents and carers, adolescents with intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder and co-existing mental health disorders (often termed 'dual disability'), and those who provide services to this group. Second, to develop an informed model of shared care to improve the transition of adolescents with dual disabilities.

Method: Carers and a young adult with a dual disability were surveyed about their experience of transition care.

Effect of Fluoxetine on Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Selective serotonin receptor inhibitors are prescribed to reduce the severity of core behaviors of autism spectrum disorders, but their efficacy remains uncertain.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of fluoxetine for reducing the frequency and severity of obsessive-compulsive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Diagnosing autism: Australian paediatric research network surveys.

Aim: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with reported prevalence of more than 1/100. In Australia, paediatricians are often involved in diagnosing ASD and providing long-term management. However, it is not known how paediatricians diagnose ASD.

Fluoxetine for Autistic Behaviors (FAB trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial in children and adolescents with autism.

Background: Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed off-label for children with autism. To date, clinical trials examining the use of SSRIs in autism have been limited by small sample sizes and inconclusive results. The efficacy and safety of SSRIs for moderating autistic behaviors is yet to be adequately examined to provide evidence to support current clinical practice.

Going down a different road: first support and information needs of families with a baby with Down syndrome.

Objective: To explore the experiences of families with a baby with Down syndrome at the time of diagnosis, and their preferences for information and support in the early period after diagnosis.

Design, Setting And Participants: A qualitative, interview-based study of 18 families living in Victoria with a child with Down syndrome born between 2002 and 2004 who had not been diagnosed with the syndrome before birth. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and interpretive content analysis was undertaken.

The reach-to-grasp movement in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Autism is associated with a wide and complex array of neurobehavioural symptoms. Examination of the motor system offers a particularly appealing method for studying autism by providing information about this syndrome that is relatively immune to experimental influence. In this article, we considered the relationship between possible movement disturbance and symptoms of autism and introduced an experimental model that may be useful for rehabilitation and diagnostic purposes: the reach-to-grasp movement.