Further developmentally focused research, ideally using longitudinal neuroimaging, is needed to elucidate the nature of the DS neuroanatomic phenotype during childhood and adolescence. (JINS, 2018, 24, 966-976).

Background Pediatric cancer is associated with a host of negative psychosocial consequences; however, outcomes vary extensively suggesting a need to better understand this variation. Empirical research suggests a positive association between time since diagnosis (TSD) and Quality of Life (QoL). In addition to TSD, family stressors have been found to be particularly important in predicting QoL among children. The current study examined parental chronic stress beyond TSD in explanation of QoL functioning among a sample of pediatric patients with cancer. Procedure Participants included 43 pediatric patients aged 5–18 years (Mage = 10.2 ± 3.6) who were undergoing oncological treatment. Parents reported on TSD, child’s QoL, and their own chronic stress. Results TSD was associated with greater physical functioning (r = 0.30, P< 0.05). Parental chronic stress was associated with poorer emotional (r = −0.54, P< 0.01), physical (r =−0.41, P<0.01), and social functioning (r = −0.44, P<0.01). Further, hierarchal linear regression analyzes indicated parental chronic stress contributed incrementally beyond TSD in the explanation of physical (β = −0.37, t = −2.58, P< 0.01), emotional (β = −0.47, t = −3.51, P< 0.00), and social functioning (β = −0.38, t = −2.67, P< 0.01). Conclusions Parental chronic stress is associated with reduced levels of emotional, physical, and social functioning among pediatric patients. Future research is needed to further investigate the process by which chronic stress within the family interferes with adaptive coping among pediatric patients. In addition, clinical services may benefit from increased consideration of family factors, such as parental chronic stress, during oncological treatment.

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Background Understanding adaptive functioning profiles in children with Williams syndrome (WS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is critical to inform treatment strategies. However, knowledge in this area is limited and inconclusive. Method The current study aimed to characterise the early adaptive profiles of young children with WS (n = 18; Mage = 47 months) and ASD (n = 26; Mage = 45 months) matched on chronological age and developmental age using the Vineland Scales of Adaptive Behavior, Second Edition. Results Results suggest that young children with WS and ASD do not differ on their overall level of adaptive functioning but that those with WS show relative strengths in the Socialisation scale compared with children with ASD. No other subscales differed between groups. Within groups, the WS group showed a profile of Communication, Daily Living Skills and Motor < Socialisation, whereas the ASD group did not evidence differences across subscales. Conclusions Consideration of the shared and syndrome‐specific adaptive profiles provides relevant insight on intervention targets and strategies. Given the shared challenges across the two clinical groups, implications and future directions are discussed.