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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms affect 40-60% of autistic children and have been linked to differences in adaptive behavior. It is unclear whether adaptive behavior in autistic youth is directly impacted by co-occurring ADHD symptoms or by another associated feature of both autism and ADHD, such as increased irritability. The current study examined relationships between irritability, ADHD symptoms, and adaptive behavior in 3- to 7-year-old autistic children. Results suggest that, after adjusting for co-occurring ADHD symptoms, higher levels of irritability are associated with differences in social adaptive behavior specifically. Understanding relationships between irritability, ADHD, and adaptive behavior in autistic children is critical because measures of adaptive behavior, such as the Vineland Scales of Adaptive Functioning, are often used as a proxy for global functioning, as well as for developing intervention plans and measuring outcomes as primary endpoints in clinical trials.

Telemetry neck collars are commonly used to collect spatial data on free ranging animals. Two major challenges in application are entanglement prevention and retrieval of the collars after the study. Weak links made of a degradable material that breaks down while deployed on the animal are a potential solution to reduce entanglement and prevent the need to capture or sedate animals for retrieval. However, weak links can perform inconsistently depending on an animal's behaviour and environmental factors such as heat and humidity. A study of disease in eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) in Victoria, Australia, provided an opportunity to test the performance of 35 radio collars fitted with a latex weak link between May and July 2022. At the conclusion of the study, 20 collars were manually removed from euthanised animals, and 15 detached in the field; all of these broke at the weak link. Of the 15 detached collars, 10 dropped from live animals due to degradation between 106 and 208 days (mean = 147 days) after deployment, four kangaroos were found dead and their collars were retrieved nearby and one dropped immediately after attachment. The performance of the device in this study demonstrates the utility of weak links as a cheap and simple remote detachment tool to prevent entanglement and achieve remote detachment of neck collars during animal tracking studies. Weak links installed on radio collars are devices designed to protect animals from entanglement during animal studies and allow remote retrieval of the collar after study. We tested a latex weak link on collars used to track eastern grey kangaroos and found that it was able to successfully achieve both functions on all animals. Future researchers can use weak links of similar design to provide good welfare for animals involved in research. Photograph by Tian Chen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 pandemic-imposed disruptions led to increased loneliness and parenting stress. This is concerning given the well-known negative effects of loneliness and stress on one's overall well-being. There is limited research, however, on the experience of loneliness during parenthood. Thus, this study aims to examine the influence of loneliness and social connectedness on parenting stress during the pandemic. Data were collected through an online survey in July 2020 administered in the U.S. (n = 362). PROCESS Macro was used to examine the main and moderating effects of loneliness and social connectedness on parenting stress. Results showed that higher scores on loneliness were related to higher parenting stress; higher scores on social connectedness were related to lower parenting stress. Social connectedness also moderated the effects of loneliness on parenting stress. Findings highlight the importance of expanding relationships beyond the parent or couple subsystem. Other implications for the counseling profession are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic phalaris toxicity (CPT) is a neurological disease caused by animals ingesting toxins produced by early growth stages of Phalaris aquatica, a pasture plant introduced to the southeastern regions of Australia post colonization. Little is known about the clinical progression of CPT in wildlife, as incidents are sporadic and predominantly reported when animals are in the end stages of disease and in a poor welfare state. We studied a cohort of 35 eastern gray kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) affected by CPT to clarify clinical prognosis and survival rates. Kangaroos were captured in May, June, and July of 2022 at Plenty Gorge Parklands, Victoria, Australia. Each animal was radiotracked for 180 d, clinical progression and disease outcomes monitored twice a week. By the conclusion of the study, 24 animals had died (19 by euthanasia due to deterioration, five found dead). Ten animals survived, with two demonstrating a reduction in clinical signs and eight showing full resolution of clinical signs. One animal was disqualified from the study. The overall survival rate was 29.4% (95% confidence interval 17.5–49.5%). The survival duration of animals that died ranged from 5 to 133 d. There was no difference in survival rate based on sex (P¼0.2), age class (P¼0.49) or the month of capture (P¼0.49). These results suggest that CPT is an important health and welfare concern for at- risk macropod populations, with high case-fatality rates and prolonged clinical durations. Further research to manage the disease via methods such as reducing Phalaris aquatica plant coverage and preventative treatments for animals is warranted to reduce disease incidences and improve disease outcomes in wildlife populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions Autism commonly co‐occurs with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but less is known regarding how ADHD symptoms impact the early presentation of autism. This study examined early behavioral characteristics of a community sample of toddlers later identified with autism diagnosis, ADHD symptoms, combined autism and ADHD symptoms, or neither condition.Participants were 506 toddlers who were part of a longitudinal study of children's behavioral development. Parents completed questionnaires about their children's behavior at two time points. Four groups were identified based on study measures or medical record: autism diagnosis (n = 45), elevated ADHD symptoms (n = 70), autism and ADHD symptoms (n = 30), or neurotypical development (n = 361). Relationships between early parent report of autism‐ and ADHD‐related behaviors, social–emotional and behavioral functioning, and caregiver experience and subsequent group designation were evaluated with adjusted linear regression models controlling for sex.Significant group differences were found in measures of autism‐related behaviors, ADHD‐related behaviors, externalizing and internalizing behaviors, and parent support needs (p < .0001). Pairwise comparisons indicated toddlers later identified with combined autism diagnosis and ADHD symptoms had higher levels of autism‐related behaviors, externalizing and internalizing behaviors, and autism‐related parent support needs compared to the other groups. Toddlers with subsequent elevated ADHD symptoms or combined autism diagnosis and ADHD symptoms exhibited similar levels of ADHD‐related behaviors, while both groups displayed more ADHD‐related behaviors than toddlers subsequently identified with autism or those with neither condition.In this community sample, toddlers for whom combined autism diagnosis and ADHD symptoms were subsequently identified showed a distinct presentation characterized by higher early autism‐related behaviors, broader behavioral concerns, and higher parent support needs. Presence of ADHD symptoms (alone or in combination with autism) was associated with higher parent‐reported ADHD‐related behaviors during toddlerhood. Results indicate that ADHD‐related behaviors are manifest by toddlerhood, supporting screening for both autism and ADHD during early childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusionsCognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS; previously called Sluggish Cognitive Tempo) refers to a constellation of cognitive and motor behaviors characterized by a predisposition toward mind wandering (cognitive subdomain) and slowed motor behavior (hypoactive). While there are a number of studies linking CDS traits to greater global impairment in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autistic children, there are few studies examining the prevalence and impact of CDS traits in autistic children with co-occurring ADHD (Autistic+ADHD). The current study explored CDS traits in autistic children with and without co-occurring ADHD, children with ADHD, and neurotypical children.Participants were 196 children between 3- and 7-years-of-age comprising four groups: Neurotypical (N = 44), ADHD (N = 51), Autistic (N = 55), and Autistic+ADHD (N = 46). CDS traits, social and communication skills, repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing were all assessed via parent report.Children diagnosed with ADHD, autistic children, and Autistic+ADHD children exhibited similar levels of overall CDS traits. However, when explored separately, Autistic+ADHD children had higher cognitive CDS trait scores compared to children with ADHD alone. Both overall CDS traits and the cognitive subdomain were associated with greater social difficulties, particularly social withdrawal, higher levels of repetitive behaviors, and more sensory sensitivities, regardless of diagnosis.Findings suggest that CDS traits may be an additional factor directly impact functional outcomes in both autistic and ADHD children. As such, clinicians should be assessing CDS traits in addition to other clinical domains associated with ADHD and autism when developing intervention plans for young neurodiverse children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tested the efficacy of a new social skills intervention, "S ocial S kills GR oup IN tervention-High Functioning Autism" ("S.S.GRIN-HFA"), designed to improve social behaviors in children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders. Fifty-five children were randomly assigned to "S.S.GRIN-HFA" treatment (n = 27) or control (i.e., traditional "S.S.GRIN" intervention; n = 28). Examination of the direction and magnitude of change in functioning revealed that children who participated in "S.S.GRIN-HFA" exhibited significantly greater mastery of social skill concepts compared to children in the control group. Parents of "S.S.GRIN-HFA" group participants reported an improved sense of social self-efficacy, whereas parents of control participants reported a decline. The advantages of a specialized intervention such as "S.S.GRIN-HFA", designed specifically for children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders, are discussed.

Elevated parenting stress is observed among mothers of older children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but little is known about parents of young newly-diagnosed children. Associations between child behavior and parenting stress were examined in mothers and fathers of 54 toddlers with ASD (mean age = 26.9 months). Parents reported elevated parenting stress. Deficits/delays in children's social relatedness were associated with overall parenting stress, parent-child relationship problems, and distress for mothers and fathers. Regulatory problems were associated with maternal stress, whereas externalizing behaviors were associated with paternal stress. Cognitive functioning, communication deficits, and atypical behaviors were not uniquely associated with parenting stress. Clinical assessment of parental stress, acknowledging differences in parenting experiences for mothers and fathers of young children with ASD, is needed.

The frequency, course, and inter-relationships of atypical eating, sleeping, self-injurious behavior, aggression and temper tantrums in children with autism and children with a history of language impairment (HLI), was investigated using a parent interview that was created to examine these problem behaviors. The relationships between these behaviors and language, IQ, severity of autistic symptoms and depression were also assessed. Atypical eating behavior, abnormal sleep patterns, temper tantrums, and self-injurious behavior were significantly more common in the children with autism than those with HLI. Within the autism group, children who exhibited more atypical behaviors tended to have a lower nonverbal IQ, lower levels of expressive language, more severe social deficits and more repetitive behaviors. No relationship between the number of atypical behaviors and measures of cognitive or language ability was noted in the HLI group. However, having more atypical behaviors was related to increased restricted, repetitive behaviors in children with HLI. The atypical behaviors could be divided into two groups: abnormal eating and sleeping, which were independent and tended to begin early in life; and self-injury, tantrums and aggression, which began later and were inter-related. Sleep abnormalities were more common in children (groups combined) diagnosed with major depression.

Context: Introduced sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) are increasing in south-eastern Australia, and both volunteer and contract ground-based shooters are being used by management agencies to control their undesirable impacts. However, little is known about the effectiveness and costs of volunteer and contract shooters for controlling deer populations in Australia. Aims: We evaluated the effectiveness and costs of volunteer and contract ground-based shooters for controlling sambar deer and their impacts in a 5-year management program conducted in and around alpine peatlands in Alpine National Park, Victoria. Methods: Ground-based shooting operations were organised in two blocks. Within each block, four ~4200-ha management units were delimited, of which two were randomly assigned as treatment (ground-based shooting) and two as non-treatment (no organised ground-based shooting). In the treatment units, ground-based shooting was conducted using either volunteers or contractors. Each shooting team recorded their effort and the numbers of deer seen and shot, and used a GPS to record their track log and the time and locations of deer shot. Key costs were recorded for both shooter types. Key results: The catch per unit effort of contract shooters was four times greater than that of volunteer shooters. Both shooter types were most effective during the first half of the night and prior to sunrise, and when using a vehicle with a spotlight or walking with thermal-vision equipment. During the day, the use of gundogs to indicate deer significantly increased the success rate of volunteer shooters. Both volunteer and contract shooters used roads and tracks to move in the landscape, but contractors covered more ground than did volunteers. After accounting for key operational costs, the cost per deer killed was 10.1% higher for contract than volunteer shooters. Conclusions: The effectiveness of ground-based shooters is increased by operating at night using vehicles, spotlights and thermal-vision equipment. Contract shooters kill sambar deer at a faster rate, but are slightly more expensive per deer killed, than are volunteer shooters. Implications: Ground-based shooting is likely to be most effective when conducted at night with thermal-vision equipment, and in areas with a high density of roads and tracks. Ground-based shooting is widely used to reduce the undesirable impacts of deer, but the effectiveness and costs of this technique have seldom been quantified in Australasia. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of volunteer and contract ground-based shooters for controlling sambar deer in a 5-year management program in eastern Australia. Our study showed that the catch per unit effort of contract shooters was four times greater than that of volunteers, but that cost per unit killed was 10.1% greater for contract shooters. Photograph by Parks Victoria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]