Research unit for children, adolescents, and neurodiversity
Some neurodivergent children and adolescents do not thrive. The aim of our research unit is to learn more about why that is and how best to support these children and adolescents.
Every child is unique, and neurodivergent children are no exception. While some have the internal and external resources to navigate life smoothly, others may face greater challenges. In our research unit, we investigate the various factors that influence a child's development We investigate the challenges that some children with ADHD may experience (e.g., related to executive functioning, language, sleep, and behaviour) and how these challenges can impact daily life. We also try to challenge traditional neuropsychological and medical models of psychopathology as well as associated methods of assessment. Finally, we examine how best to support neurodivergent children and their families and communities. We acknowledge diversity in all its forms and try to nurture an inclusive research environment where everyone is heard, regardless of background, perspective, or experience. We collaborate with several child and adolescent psychiatric hospitals as well as a number of prominent international researchers.
Who we are
Publications
Agersnap, T. N., Lomholt, J. J., Jensen, M. B. & Thastum, M. (2026). Comparison of Disorder-Specific Group CBT and Generic Group CBT in Treating Adolescents with Social Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, 54, Article 27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-025-01412-z
Hejl, C., Ezzaaf, N., Hansen, R. B., Nielsen, K. & Thastum, M. (2025). A review and qualitative synthesis of the voices of children, parents, and school staff with regards to school attendance problems in the Nordic countries. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 69(7), 1490-1504. https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2024.2434822
Jakobsen, S., Tølbøll, K. B., Thastum, M. & Lomholt, J. J. (2025). Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for School Attendance Problems: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Child Psychiatry and Human Development. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-025-01847-x
Sørensen, N. M., Skaarnes, H., Mathiasen, K., Thastum, M. & Lomholt, J. J. (2025). Developing an Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Adolescents With Anxiety Disorders: Design, Usability, and Initial Evaluation of the CoolMinds Intervention. JMIR formative research, 9, Article e66966. https://doi.org/10.2196/66966
Langenskiöld, J., Thastum, M. & Alanko, K. (2025). Feasibility of a revised version of the Back2School intervention: a transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral intervention for school attendance problems. Nordic Psychology, 1-26. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/19012276.2025.2571698
Sørensen, N. M., Skaarnes, H., Mathiasen, K., McLellan, L. F., Thastum, M. & Lomholt, J. J. (2025). Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) for adolescents with anxiety disorders delivered with different types of therapist support: a randomized feasibility trial. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 1-24. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2025.2522995
Thastum, M. (2025). Ny forskning: Mentale lidelser og sygdomsbyrde blandt børn og unge. P - Psykologernes fagmagasin, 11(1), 6.
Thastum, M. (2025). Ny forskning: Hvis angsten ikke forsvinder. P - Psykologernes fagmagasin, 11(1), 6-7.
Thastum, M. (2025). Ny forskning: Psykoterapi - hvad har vi lært? P - Psykologernes fagmagasin, 11(1), 7.
Thastum, M. (2025). Ny forskning: Effekten af OurRelationship-programmet sammenlignet med biblioterapi for forældre i parforholdsproblemer. P - Psykologernes fagmagasin.
Thastum, M. (2025). Ny forskning: Bekymrende skolefravær set fra skolens og forældrenes perspektiv. P - Psykologernes fagmagasin.
Thastum, M. (2025). Ny forskning: Effekten af kognitiv adfærdsterapi (KAT) for angstlidelser hos børn og unge. P - Psykologernes fagmagasin.
Borg, B., Lambek, R., Jørgensen, C. S., Otto, M., Pedersen, M. J., Rittig, S., Juul, K. V., Thomsen, P. H. & Kamperis, K. (2025). Sleep and neurocognitive functioning in nocturnal enuresis. Abstract from ESPN 2025, Athens, Greece.
Borg, B., Lambek, R., Jørgensen, C. S., Otto, M., Pedersen, M. J., Rittig, S., Juul, K. V., Thomsen, P. H. & Kamperis, K. (2025). SLEEP AND NEUROCOGNITIVE FUNCTIONING IN NOCTURNAL ENURESIS. Abstract from ESPU ICCS 2025, Vienna, Austria.
Valmyr Bania, E., Sørheim Nilsen, T., Thastum, M., Ingul, J. M. & Havik, T. (2025). Teachers’ experiences with the Back2School intervention: A pilot study addressing problematic school absenteeism. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, Article 1608184. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1608184
Jepsen, I., Brynskov, C., Thomsen, P. H., Rask, C. U. & Lambek, R. (2025). The Association Between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Narrative Language: What is the Role of Executive Function? JCCP Advances, 5(4), Article e70007. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcv2.70007
Marks, K. P., Aalders, J., Liu, S., Broadley, M., Thastum, M., Jensen, M. B., Ibfelt, E. H., Birkebæk, N. H. & Pouwer, F. (2024). Associations between disordered eating behaviors and HbA1c in young people with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Current Diabetes Reviews, 20(4), Article e220823220144 . https://doi.org/10.2174/1573399820666230822095939
Thastum, M., Lomholt, J. J. & Johnsen, D. B. (2024). Back2School: en intervention for børn med bekymrende skolefravær. Pædagogisk Psykologisk Tidsskrift, 61(3), 78-91.
Arildskov, T. W., Virring, A., Lambek, R., Sonuga-Barke, E. J. S., Østergaard, S. D. & Thomsen, P. H. (2024). Brief report: ADHD Rating Scale-IV (parent/caregiver-report) norms for young Danish schoolchildren. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 78(7), 644-648. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2024.2388070
Skaarnes, H., Sørensen, N. M., Houe Wisnewski, A., Lomholt, J. J., Thastum, M., McLellan, L. F. & Mathiasen, K. (2024). Internet-based cognitive behavioral intervention for adolescents with anxiety disorders: a study protocol for a parallel three armed randomized controlled trial. Trials, 25, Article 674. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-024-08511-0
Arildskov, T. W., Thomsen, P. H., Sonuga-Barke, E. J. S., Lambek, R., Østergaard, S. D. & Virring, A. (2024). Is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) a dimension or a category? What does the relationship between ADHD traits and psychosocial quality of life tell us? Journal of Attention Disorders, 28(7), 1035–1044. https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547231222228
Bertie, L.-A., Arendt, K., Coleman, J. R. I., Cooper, P., Creswell, C., Eley, T. C., Hartman, C., Heiervang, E. R., In-Albon, T., Krause, K., Lester, K. J., Marin, C. E., Nauta, M., Rapee, R. M., Schneider, S., Schniering, C., Silverman, W. K., Thastum, M., Thirlwall, K. ... Hudson, J. L. (2024). Patterns of sub-optimal change following CBT for childhood anxiety. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 65(12), 1612-1623. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.14009
Bertie, L. A., Quiroz, J. C., Berkovsky, S., Arendt, K., Bögels, S., Coleman, J. R. I., Cooper, P., Creswell, C., Eley, T. C., Hartman, C., Fjermestadt, K., In-Albon, T., Lavallee, K., Lester, K. J., Lyneham, H. J., Marin, C. E., McKinnon, A., McLellan, L. F., Meiser-Stedman, R. ... Hudson, J. L. (2024). Predicting remission following CBT for childhood anxiety disorders: A machine learning approach. Psychological Medicine, 54(16), 4612-4622. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291724002654
Thastum, M. (Ed.), Lomholt, J. J. (Ed.), Nielsen, A., Laybourn, C. & Sørensen, N. M. (2024). Social angst hos børn og unge: Håndbog til forældre. Dansk Psykologisk Forlag.
Kilburn, T. R., Rapee, R. M., Lyneham, H. J., Thastum, M. & Thomsen, P. H. (2024). Testing a cognitive behavioural therapy program for anxiety in autistic adolescents: a feasibility study. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 78(5), 421-430. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2024.2338206
Andreassen, A. K., Lambek, R., Greve, A., Hemager, N., Knudsen, C. B., Veddum, L., Birk, M., Søndergaard, A., Brandt, J. M., Gregersen, M., Falkenberg-Krantz, M., Spang, K. S., Ohland, J., Burton, B. K., Jepsen, J. R. M., Thorup, A. A. E., Nordentoft, M., Mors, O. & Bliksted, V. F. (2024). The development in rating-based executive functions in children at familial high risk of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder from age 7 to age 11: the Danish high risk and resilience study. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 33(2), 549-560. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02177-w
Johnsen, D. B., Lomholt, J. J., Heyne, D., Jensen, M. B., Jeppesen, P., Silverman, W. K. & Thastum, M. (2024). The Effectiveness of Modular Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Versus Treatment as Usual for Youths Displaying School Attendance Problems: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, 52(9), 1397–1412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-024-01196-8
Jepsen, I. B., Brynskov, C., Thomsen, P. H., Rask, C. U., Jensen de López, K. & Lambek, R. (2024). The Role of Language in the Social and Academic Functioning of Children With ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 28(12), 1542-1554. https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547241266419
Marks, K. P., Birkebæk, N. H., Pouwer, F., Ibfelt, E. H., Thastum, M. & Jensen, M. B. (2023). Adherence in Diabetes Questionnaire (ADQ) score as predictor of 11-year HbA1c trajectories in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A population-based longitudinal study. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 197, Article 110558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110558
Thastum, M. (2023). Back2School: indsatsen til børn med problematisk skolefravær. AngstAvisen, (81), 8-10.
Sørensen, N. M., Lambek, R. & Thastum, M. (2023). Co-SPACE Denmark: Mental health in Danish families during COVID-19 Organizing data and preliminary analyses of the complete dataset. Poster session presented at Lorentz Center workshop, Leiden.
Knudsen, C. B., Hemager, N., Jepsen, J. R. M., Gregersen, M., Greve, A. N., Andreassen, A. K., Veddum, L., Brandt, J. M., Krantz, M. F., Søndergaard, A., Burton, B. K., Thorup, A. A. E., Nordentoft, M., Lambek, R., Mors, O. & Bliksted, V. F. (2023). Early Childhood Neurocognition in Relation to Middle Childhood Psychotic Experiences in Children at Familial High Risk of Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder and Population-Based Controls: The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 49(3), 756–767. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbac198
Rimvall, M. K., Vassard, D., Nielsen, S. M., Wolf, R. T., Plessen, K. J., Bilenberg, N., Thomsen, P. H., Thastum, M., Neumer, S.-P., Puggaard, L. B., Pedersen, M. M. A., Pagsberg, A. K., Silverman, W. K., Correll, C. U., Christensen, R. & Jeppesen, P. (2023). Effect modification of an effective transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral psychotherapy in youths with common mental health problems: Secondary analyses of the randomized mind-my-mind trial. European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 74, 64-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.05.004
Kilburn, T. R., Sørensen, M. J., Thastum, M., Rapee, R. M., Rask, C. U., Arendt, K. B., Carlsen, A. H. & Thomsen, P. H. (2023). Group Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomised Controlled Trial in a General Child Psychiatric Hospital Setting. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 53(2), 525-538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04471-x
Arildskov, T. W., Thomsen, P. H., Sonuga-Barke, E., Lambek, R., Østergaard, S. D. & Sørensen, A. V. (2023). Is ADHD a dimension or a category? What does the relationship between ADHD traits and quality of life tell us?. Poster session presented at Psykiatriens Forskningsdag, Skejby, Denmark.
Knudsen, C. B., Greve, A. N., Jepsen, J. R. M., Lambek, R., Andreassen, A. K., Veddum, L., Brandt, J. M., Gregersen, M., Krantz, M. F., Søndergaard, A., Carlsen, A. H., Steffensen, N. L., Bundgaard, A. F., Burton, B. K., Thorup, A. A. E., Nordentoft, M., Mors, O., Bliksted, V. F. & Hemager, N. (2023). Neurocognitive Subgroups in Children at Familial High-risk of Schizophrenia or Bipolar disorder: Subgroup Membership Stability or Change From Age 7 to 11-The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 49(1), 185–195. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbac134
Lambek, R., Sonuga-Barke, E. J. S., Lange, A. M., Carroll, D. J., Daley, D. & Thomsen, P. H. (2023). Parent Training for ADHD: No Generalization of Effects From Clinical to Neuropsychological Outcomes in a Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Attention Disorders, 27(1), 98-107. https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547221130108
Marks, K. P., Pouwer, F., Jensen, M. B., Ibfelt, E. H., Kristensen, L. J., Thastum, M. & Birkebæk, N. H. (2023). Responses to the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire predict HbA1c trajectories in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a population-based study. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, 11(6), Article e003479. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjdrc-2023-003479
Nielsen, K. & Thastum, M. (2023). School Absence Seen from a School Perspective and a Parent Perspective. Nordic Studies in Education, 43(4), 325-343. https://doi.org/10.23865/nse.v43.4080
Kilburn, T. R., Rapee, R. M., Lyneham, H. J., Thastum, M. & Thomsen, P. H. (2023). Testing a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy pro-gram for Anxiety in Teenagers on the Autism Spectrum: A feasibility study.. Poster session presented at 20th International Congress of the European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Kilburn, T. R., Rapee, R. M., Lyneham, H. J., Thastum, M. & Thomsen, P. H. (2023). Testing a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program for Anxiety in Teenagers on the Autism Spectrum: A feasibility study.. Abstract from 10th World Congress of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies., Seoul, Korea, Republic of.
Arildskov, T. W., Sørensen, A. V., Thomsen, P. H. & Lambek, R. (2023). Validation of the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS-P) as a Functional Impairment Measure in a General Population of Schoolchildren. Assessment, 30(8), 2533-2544. https://doi.org/10.1177/10731911231154501
Andreassen, A. K., Lambek, R., Hemager, N., Knudsen, C. B., Veddum, L., Carlsen, A. H., Bundgaard, A. F., Søndergaard, A., Brandt, J. M., Gregersen, M., Krantz, M. F., Burton, B. K., Jepsen, J. R. M., Thorup, A. A. E., Nordentoft, M., Mors, O., Bliksted, V. F. & Greve, A. (2023). Working memory heterogeneity from age 7 to 11 in children at familial high risk of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder– The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 332, 318-326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.04.011
Jepsen, I., Hougaard, E., Matthiesen, S. T. & Lambek, R. (2022). A systematic review and meta-analysis of narrative language abilities in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, 50(6), 737-751. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-021-00871-4
Marks, K. P., Birkebæk, N., Pouwer, F., Ibfelt, E. H., Thastum, M. & Jensen, M. B. (2022). Caregiver-report Adherence in Diabetes Questionnaire is predictive of 10-year HbA1c trajectories in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A population-based study. Diabetologia, 65(Suppl 1 ), S89. Article 170. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-022-05755-w
Lomholt, J. J., Nielsen Arendt, J., Bolvig, I. & Thastum, M. (2022). Children with School Absenteeism: Comparing Risk Factors Individually and in Domains. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 66(3), 411-426. https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2020.1869085
Wolf, R. T., Jeppesen, P., Pedersen, M. M. A., Puggaard, L. B., Thastum, M., Bilenberg, N., Thomsen, P. H., Silverman, W. K., Plessen, K. J., Neumer, S.-P., Correll, C. U., Pagsberg, A. K. & Gyrd-Hansen, D. (2022). Cost-effectiveness of a transdiagnostic psychotherapy program for youth with common mental health problems. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1), Article 819. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08187-9
Agersnap, T. N., Hougaard, E., Jensen, M. B. & Thastum, M. (2022). Diagnosis-Specific Group CBT Treating Social Anxiety in Adolescents: A Feasibility Study. Scandinavian Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 10(1), 89-101. https://doi.org/10.2478/sjcapp-2022-0010
Research projects (selected)
2020→ : Co-SPACE Denmark: COVID-19: Support for parents, youth, and children during epidemics.
2017→ : Language in children with and without ADHD.
2011→ :lmplications of neuropsychological aspects of pre-school ADHD for treatment outcome.
2011→ : Cognition and behavior in schoolchildren with and without ADHD.
2011-2015: Danish standardization of 5-15.
2005-2008: Heterogeneity in ADHD: Cool executive function and gender aspects.
Collaboration
Major research collaborations Professor Per Hove Thomsen: Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Research Unit, Psychiatry, AU Hospital, Denmark. Topics: ADHD, OCD, child mental health.Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke: School of Academic Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, UK, & Honorary Skou professor at the Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Research Unit, AU Hospital, Psychiatry, Skejby, DK. Topics: ADHD, neuropsychology in ADHD, ADHD intervention, parenting in ADHD.Professor David Daley: Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. Topics: Parenting in ADHD, ADHD interventions.
2011→: Professor Mark Shevlin: Ulster University (Magee), Ireland, & Honorary Professor of Psychological Research Methods and Statistics at the University of Southern DK. Topics: Mental health in the general population & statistics.
Dr. Rosemary Tannock: Brain and Behaviour Unit, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. Topics: Neuropsychological function in children with ADHD.
Professor Cathy Creswell: Departments of Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry, Oxford University, UK. Topics: Mental health in children and families during the Covid-19 pandemic.