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The purpose of this study was to examine whether seventh-grade positive peer affiliation and conduct problems mediated the relationship between sixth-grade parental monitoring of behavior and eighth-grade school participation and grades among students with elevated behavior ratings (EBR; n = 821) and students with unelevated behavior ratings (UBR; n = 3,779). Conduct problems and peer affiliation mediated the relationship between parental monitoring and school participation as well as grades in the overall sample (n = 4,600). A multiple-group mediation model suggested that these effects did not significantly differ across students with EBR and UBR, though the mediation estimates were smaller in magnitude and not statistically significant among students with EBR. Implications for the role of parental monitoring as an intervention target within a multitiered system of support for social and behavioral skills in middle school, as well as limitations and future directions are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to obtain perspectives of parents, teachers, and students about the contextual fit of conjoint behavioral consultation for supporting middle school students with emotional and behavior concerns. Participants were eight parents of middle school students with elevated behavior risk, eight middle school students with elevated behavior risk, and four middle school general education teachers. Participants responded to questions during focus groups and interviews regarding their perspectives about conjoint behavioral consultation. Results were analyzed using thematic coding to identify the themes from participant responses. Results suggested that parents, teachers, and students viewed aspects of CBC as relevant and useful. In addition, participants identified potential barriers to CBC implementation during middle school. Findings suggest implications for possible modifications to enhance CBC implementation during middle school. Limitations and future research directions are discussed. [For the corresponding grantee submission, see ED623335.]

This exploratory study examined the efficacy of Conjoint Behavioral Consultation for addressing classroom disruptive behavior for middle school students with externalizing behavior problems. In addition, the parent-teacher relationship, parent and teacher competence in problem-solving, and acceptability were examined. Participants were parents and teachers of four middle school students with externalizing behavior problems. Disruptive classroom behavior data were examined in a concurrent multiple baseline across participants design. Parent-teacher relationship, competence in problem-solving, and acceptability data were examined descriptively. Findings suggested improvements in disruptive behavior for each participant. However, limitations impeded interpretations. Parent-teacher relationship data were inconclusive. Six out of eight parents and teachers with pretest and posttest data reported improvements in their competence in problem-solving. All parents and teachers perceived the consultation process favorably. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Background: Compliance with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the United States is monitored through review of cross‐sectional reports from three discrete, age‐defined programmes (early intervention [EI], early childhood special education [ECSE)] and school‐age special education [SE]) to promote the timely, efficient and effective delivery of appropriate services to all eligible children. Analysis of longitudinal data is required to discern how children use services across programmes to provide the necessary context for IDEA oversight and to identify areas for programme or policy interventions to reduce barriers to service use and promote equity. Methods: We applied sequence analysis to a data linkage across five public record systems among 15 626 New York City children born in 1998 who had records from birth through third grade. Results: Five predominant patterns of service use were identified: (1) multiple therapies across EI/ECSE/SE (13%), (2) EI without transition to Department of Education schools or services (24%), (3) EI and intermittent ECSE/SE (16%), (4) older entry into EI and both speech and occupational therapy throughout ECSE/SE (9%) and (5) limited EI use and mostly speech therapy in ECSE/SE (38%). Each pattern had distinct demographics (e.g., pattern 2 was disproportionately White and from low poverty neighbourhoods; pattern 4 was disproportionately male and Black; pattern 5 was disproportionately Latino) and academic outcomes (e.g., pattern 1 had largest proportion in a SE school and not tested in third grade; pattern 3 had third grade tests scores that were similar to overall citywide mean scores). Conclusions: The differences in demographic profiles across the five patterns of service use illustrate the systemic inequities in the delivery of these important services. Delayed entry and limited use of EI services among children of colour underscore the need for equity goals to increase early referral and optimize service use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We used latent class analysis (LCA) to examine the prevalence and characteristics of the Dysregulation Profile (DP) based on data from the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 6–18. The DP comprises elevated scores on the Anxious/Depressed, Attention Problems, and Aggressive Behavior syndromes and thus reflects significant problems in self-regulation of mood, attention, and behavior. Method: We examined CBCL data for 56,666 children ages 6 to 16 in 29 societies, many of which are countries but some of which are not (e.g., Hong Kong, Puerto Rico). The 29 societies varied widely in race/ethnicity, religion, geographic location, political/economic system, and population size. Results: The various statistical indices for good LCA model fit, while not always consistent, supported a DP class in every society. The omnicultural mean probability of assignment to the DP class (mean of the societal means) was 93% (SD = 2.4%). Prevalence of the DP class ranged from 2% to 18% across societies, with an omnicultural mean prevalence of 9%. In every society, the DP class had significantly higher scores than the pooled non-DP classes on all three DP syndromes. The 8-syndrome T score profile for the DP class in many societies featured elevations on all eight CBCL syndromes. Conclusions: Although the same instrument, analytic procedures, and decision rules were used in these 29 samples, model fit, the number of classes, and the prevalence of the DP class varied across societies. High scores on the three DP syndromes often co-occurred with high scores on most other CBCL syndromes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Early intervention (EI) and special education (SE) are beneficial for children with developmental disabilities and/or delays and their families, yet there are disparities in service use. We sought to identify the birth characteristics that predict EI/SE service use patterns. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using linked administrative data from five sources for all children born in 1998 to New York City resident mothers. Multinomial regression was used to identify birth characteristics that predicted predominant patterns of service use. Results Children with service use patterns characterized by late or limited/no EI use were more likely to be first-born children and have Black or Latina mothers. Children born with a gestational age ≤31 weeks were more likely to enter services early. Early term gestational age was associated with patterns of service use common to children with pervasive developmental delay, and maternal obesity was associated with the initiation of speech therapy at the time of entry into school. Conclusions Maternal racial disparities existed for patterns of EI/SE service use. Specific birth characteristics, such as parity and gestational age, may be useful to better identify children who are at risk for suboptimal EI use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The prevalence of behavioral health disorders in children is approximately 15%–20%, yet less than half of the children ever receive treatment for these conditions. The lack of access to behavioral health care is common in urban areas but even more difficult to access in rural areas. Screening for behavioral health in a primary care setting is one of the first strategies to reduce this problem and improve access to care. The primary goal of this study was to examine behavioral health screening practices of pediatric primary care providers in a rural midwestern state. Method: A survey that queried family practice/internal medicine and pediatric providers who provide care to pediatric patients was delivered to over 300 primary care providers across the state. The number of surveys returned was 112. Results: The Modified Checklist for Autism tool was administered by 80% of pediatric providers and 30% of family practice primary care providers. The Patient Health Questionnaire for depression was administered by 72% of pediatric and 80% of family practice providers. Most of the primary care providers had a behavioral health provider present in the clinic, which likely resulted in higher screening rates compared to the national average. Discussion: The screening practices of the family practice and pediatric subspecialities reflect their respective current professional organization recommendations. Although most providers believe it is important to screen for developmental and behavioral disorders, further system changes are needed to support screening for development and broader behavioral problems along with depression among family practice providers. Public Significance Statement: This article holds public significance through it's impact on recognizing the need for screening for behavioral health problems in children. Through screening, more children may gain access to behavioral health care and improve overall well being of youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lay Abstract: Professionals often support autistic children by working with them directly (direct support) or by coaching their parents. We know a lot about what parents think about parent coaching, but we do not know as much about what they think about direct support. We also do not know whether parents prefer parent coaching or direct support. The current study involved 22 parents who each received 2 h a week of direct support for their autistic child and up to 1 h a week of parent coaching for 6 months. At the end of 6 months, all these parents indicated in a survey whether they preferred parent coaching or direct support. Eleven of these participating parents also chose to take part in an interview to understand more about these preferences. Our findings suggest that parents generally liked both supports and believed they worked well together; however, they preferred direct support over parent coaching. While parents think that both approaches are beneficial, there are strengths and challenges of each. These findings emphasise the importance of parent choice in the delivery of support. It may also be possible to adapt both approaches to address some of the identified challenges and improve the whole family's experience., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article: H.W. is the Clinic Lead of the Victoria University of Wellington Autism Clinic which provides support to young autistic children. P.J., J.T, S.P., and C.W.-W. provide clinical support to autistic children.

Background: Aotearoa New Zealand does not provide publicly-funded intensive autism support. While parent-mediated supports are promising, children and families may also benefit from direct clinician support. We tested the efficacy of a low-intensity programme involving parent- and clinician-delivered support for autistic children., Methods: This single-blind, two-arm randomised controlled trial assessed outcomes of a six-month low-intensity parent- and clinician-delivered support (2-3 h per week) based on the Early Start Denver Model compared to a control group who received monthly support calls and assistance with referrals. Children aged 1-4.5 years who were autistic or showing signs of autism and their parents were randomised to the low-intensity or control group by a blinded statistician using the Urn minimisation method. Assessments were conducted at baseline and immediately following the support period (24-weeks post-baseline). The primary outcome was child engagement during an interaction with their parent. The trial was pre-registered with ANZCTR: U1111-1260-2529., Findings: From March 2021 to May 2023, 56 families were randomised to either the low-intensity or control group. Following drop-outs, 21 families in the low-intensity group and 24 in the control group were included in analysis. There was large and significantly greater improvement in children's engagement in the low-intensity group compared to the control group (F (1, 43) = 21.47, p < 0.0001, η p 2  = 0.33). There was one recorded adverse event unrelated to the support and two adverse effects related to the support., Interpretation: A low-intensity parent- and clinician-delivered support can improve engagement between an autistic child and their parent during play. Low-intensity supports may be beneficial in areas where access to clinical autism supports is limited., Funding: Emerging Researcher First Grant from the Health Research Council of New Zealand., Competing Interests: H.W. is Clinic Lead, J.T. is Māori and Strategic Advisor, and G.D was Clinic Manager for the Victoria University of Wellington Autism Clinic in which this study was conducted and which historically delivered ESDM-based support. E.M., J.T., H.W., L.v.d.M., G.D., and P.J. are certified ESDM therapists. J.T. and H.W have attended ESDM parent coaching training. A.J.O.W has been awarded an NHMRC Investigator Grant, which is paid to his employer to support his salary. A.J.O.W is Clinical Director of Clinikids Telethon Kids Institute, which provides support to young autistic children. H.W. is a member of the Australasian Society for Autism Research Committee, Victoria University of Wellington representative on the Autism Experiences Wellington Trust, and a member of the Autism NZ Research Advisory group. H.W. and A.J.O.W. have received payment to attend conferences. L.v.d.M is a member Living Guidelines Group Aotearoa New Zealand Autism Guideline, Co-chair of the Australasian Autism Research Council, a member of the Victoria University of Wellington Autism Clinic Advisory Group, and the Chair of the Autism New Zealand Research Advisory Group., (© 2024 The Authors.)