Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that consists of difficulties with social communication and language, as well as the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors. These deficits tend to present in early childhood and usually lead to impairments in functioning across various settings. Moreover, these deficits have been shown to negatively impact adaptive behavior and functioning. Thus, early diagnosis and intervention is vital for future success within this population. The purpose of this study was to further examine the subscales that comprise the adaptive behavior section of the Bayley®-III to determine which of the ten subscales are predictive of ASD in young children (i.e., ≤ three years of age). A retrospective file review of 273 children participating in Kentucky’s early intervention program, First Steps, was completed. The children ranged in age from 18 to 35 months. A binary logistic regression was used to assess the subscales that comprise the adaptive behavior of the section of the Bayley®-III to determine which of the ten subscales are predictive of ASD in young children (i.e., ≤ three years of age). The results indicated that individual lower raw scores in communication, community use, functional preacademics, home living, health and safety, leisure, self-care, self-direction, and social subscales were predictive of an autism diagnosis.

This case study examines the difficulties of treating food aversion in a 9-month old child with a diagnosis of Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES). Given the need to first identify a set of “safe foods” with which to work, the twin goals of doing food challenges and minimizing aversion are initially not complimentary, and require an approach outside the standard of care. The chosen plan encouraged flexibility and a positive relationship with feeding-related items, while only introducing one food item at a time. Mom and child accomplished goals surrounding food play easily. She has successfully introduced a wide variety of new foods in small quantities and is currently working on reducing dependence on breast milk. Therapists must be prepared to modify currently accepted interventions to accommodate and support the required medical intervention.

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This study utilized a convenience sample (n = 510) to investigate misconceptions of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among first and second year graduate students in physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech-language pathology (SLP) training programs. Eighty-six-point-seven percent of participants were female, and 87.70% were white. All participants completed a survey comprised of items relating to general information about TBI, coma and unconsciousness, memory loss, recovery, and concussion. Descriptive and summary statistics indicated the persistence of misconceptions regarding coma and unconsciousness, memory loss, recovery, and concussion among graduate students in PT, OT, and SLP training programs. Group comparisons were conducted to identify differences according to discipline (PT, OT, or SLP) and university designation (first or second year graduate student). Kruskall-Wallis vi analyses revealed no statistically significant difference in knowledge across disciplines regarding general information about TBI or recovery, however there was a statistically significant difference regarding knowledge of coma and unconsciousness, memory loss, and concussion. Mann-Whitney analyses revealed no significant difference in knowledge of general information about TBI, coma and unconsciousness, or recovery according to university designation, however there was a statistically significant difference in knowledge of memory loss and concussion. vii