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In the current study, the authors examined whether the fatigue level of children diagnosed with cri du chat syndrome was associated with the expression of autistic symptoms. Sixty-nine children with cri du chat syndrome were compared with 47 children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities who did not differ on intellectual severity. Participants were assessed using the Infant Sleep Questionnaire (J. M. B. Morrell, 1999) for fatigue-level rating and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (E. Schopler, R. J. Reichler, & B. R. Renner, 1988) for autism-level rating. In support of the authors' hypothesis, results indicated that children who exhibited high levels of fatigue were more likely to express high levels of autistic symptoms. Contrary to the authors' hypothesis, children in the comparison group who exhibited high levels of fatigue conferred the greatest vulnerability to the expression of autistic symptoms.

Objective: To examine whether COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) polymorphism modulates aspects of sleep in children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method: Nightly sleep actigraphic recordings during a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical study (1 week of 0.5 mg/kg MPH; 1 week of placebo) were obtained for 34 children, 7.4 to 12 years old, diagnosed with ADHD ("DSM-IV"). Diagnosis was generated by the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children and was confirmed by multidisciplinary consensus. Results: Children who were Val allele carriers had poorer sleep continuity compared with children with the Met-Met genotype while receiving a placebo and while receiving methylphenidate. Conclusions: The findings of the present study support the hypothesis that sleep disturbances in children with ADHD are related to the underlying pathophysiology of the disorder. (Contains 3 tables.)

Compared gender-related inferences and judgments of third and fifth graders from Taiwan (a traditional collectivistic culture), and Israel (a less traditional modern culture). Found that Taiwanese children distinguished more than did Israeli children between male targets in stories behaving stereotypically and counterstereotypically. Interpreted findings within framework of differences between the two cultures. (Author/KB)

Examined the inferences and judgements of gender schematic and aschematic elementary school students in Hong Kong. After being categorized according to their reaction times to gender stereotypic and counterstereotypic items, students made inferences and judgements about four male and female targets behaving gender stereotypically or counterstereotypically. Age and gender schematicity related to children's inferences. (SM)

Assessed sleep patterns, sleep disruptions, and sleepiness of second-, fourth-, and sixth-graders. Found that older children had more delayed sleep onset times and increased reported daytime sleepiness than younger; girls spent more time in sleep than boys and had increased percentage of motionless sleep; and 18 percent of children had fragmented sleep. Identified parental correlates of child's sleep-wake measures. (Author/KB)