Childhood Maltreatment and Early Developmental Vulnerabilities at Age 5 Years

This study examined associations between maltreatment and early developmental vulnerabilities in a population sample of 68,459 children (M_age = 5.62 years, SD = .37) drawn from the Australian state of New South Wales, using linked administrative data for the children and their parents (collected 2001–2009). Associations were estimated between (a) any maltreatment, (b) the number of maltreatment types, and (c) the timing of first reported maltreatment and vulnerability and risk status on multiple developmental domains (i.e., physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and communication). Pervasive associations were revealed between maltreatment and all developmental domains; children exposed to two or more maltreatment types, and with first maltreatment reported after 3 years of age, showed greater likelihood of vulnerability on multiple domains, relative to nonmaltreated children.     

‘The girls are out there’: professional perspectives on potential changes in the diagnostic process for,and recognition of,autistic females in the UK

There is widely growing recognition of autism in girls, and both researchers and community members have called for improvements in the diagnostic process. What is not yet known is whether these recommendations are being taken up by professionals. In this study, nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with a variety of professionals involved in the autism diagnostic process. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three main themes were identified: gendered differences; lack of services; and informal change. Our study found that diagnostic professionals are aware of gender differences in presentation, and they make a range of informal adaptations to their processes for girls. While this is positive for those girls who interact with knowledgeable professionals, our data highlight the need for more systematic changes to ensure equality of access to diagnosis and post-diagnostic support.