jiddt
|
|
Abstract: Increased prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has generated higher special needs enrollment in schools requiring teachers and therapists to acquire, incorporate and implement specialized strategies needed to address unique educational and behavioral challenges facing children diagnosed with ASD. Budget cuts have generated a shortage of qualified professionals with expertise in autism interventions. Currently, staff training is minimal, ineffective or lacking on how to do acquire these skills. More effective staff training may provide an avenue for addressing this shortage. This study investigates the impact that an Interprofessional Staff Training Procedure (STP), consisting of Video Self‐Monitoring (VSM), Performance Feedback (PF) and Reflection (R) with and without Mentoring has on sustained and generalized teacher performance on two Dependent Variables – application of the Learn Unit (LU) and Rate of Effective Instruction (ROI). An exploratory study was conducted with 10 female teachers instructing 3‐5 year old autistic children in two private schools utilizing principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. Teacher performance on LU and ROI was evaluated after: Phase 1 – 2‐hour workshop; Phase 2 – training period using STP with and without Mentoring and Phase 3 – follow‐up period when STP and Mentoring are removed. While the STP appeared to enhance teacher performance and sustainability of procedural integrity, the greatest and most consistent improvement in performance was observed among teachers who received STP plus Mentoring as opposed to STP alone. Findings revealed that adding Mentoring to an existing STP appears to enhance teacher performance and Procedural Integrity with sustainable outcome. Keywords: Training, mentoring, Autism Spectrum Disorders, teacher training, video self‐monitoring.Download Full Article |
|
|
Abstract: The number of studies addressing the latent structure of specific screening and diagnostic tools for autism spectrum conditions is still limited. The current study explored the latent structure of the Bulgarian CAST (Childhood Autism Spectrum Test) in screening for autism in the Bulgarian population. The data were analysed using factor analyses. A hierarchical model with two primary factors yielded best data fit. This structure is consistent with the two main categories adopted in the DSM-5 and current accounts of the range of conditions broadly falling into two main clusters of symptoms. These results confirm the validity of CAST as a tool for screening for autism spectrum conditions in other cultures and support the construct validity of the model and criteria included in the DSM-5. Furthermore, our results demonstrate how factor analysis can be exploited to reveal the underlying structure of screening tools aimed at capturing the behavioural traits of deficit phenotypes. Keywords: Autism, screening tests, factor analysis, factor structure, latent structure Download Full Article |
|
|
Abstract: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) occur as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure and are commonly associated with intellectual disability. Maternal alcohol consumption affects fetal development resulting in numerous lifelong physical, mental, and neurobehavioral abnormalities. To promote prevention of prenatal alcohol exposure and intervention to mitigate alcohol’s postnatal effects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides continuing education to healthcare providers through their FASD Regional Training Centers (RTCs). An online survey evaluated healthcare providers’ perceived competency after training. Cover letters with the survey link were electronically mailed to healthcare providers, who received training between 2002 and 2009 from the Midwest and Southeast RTCs. Eighty-two providers who treated women or children responded to the survey (7.5% response rate). Approximately 86% of providers who treated women have identified women ‘at risk’ for alcohol abuse with 90% indicating they would refer to Substance Abuse or Mental Health Services. However, over 25% perceived lack of training and limited time as barriers in treating women of childbearing age for at-risk drinking. Over 90% of providers who treated children reported feeling competent in recognizing FAS and other alcohol-related effects. Yet, only 23% of providers for children reported using FASD diagnostic schema and were more apt to use growth charts (70%) rather than lip philtrum guides (58%) or palpebral fissure length measurements (50%), tools typically used in FAS determination. These results suggest a need for training to focus on methodology that assists providers to easily incorporate screening, diagnostic, and treatment procedures into their daily practice. Keywords: Fetal alcohol syndrome, prenatal alcohol exposure, intellectual disability, healthcare training, practice behaviors.Download Full Article |
|
|
Abstract: Persons with intellectual disability (ID) have received little attention in systematic studies of healthcare and quality of life. Less attention has been provided to specific disorders, such as those impacting the swallowing mechanism. In comparison to the general population, persons with ID experience noticeably greater healthcare inequalities and despite greater life expectancy, it is still lower than the general population. This paper serves as an introduction to healthcare colleagues regarding the risks involved in choking and swallowing disorders in persons with ID, how to evaluate these potential risks and possible treatments. Associated etiologies are presented. A discussion on feeding disorders versus swallowing disorders is also introduced. The inadequacy of swallowing assessment services to persons with ID may be related to the lack of professionals with specialized training in working with this population, reduced funding for research to explore options for improved nutrition and reduced risk of choking and minimal research on changes in feeding skills and/or swallow physiology in this select group of individuals. Keywords: Dysphagia, Feeding disorders, Aspiration, Videofluoroscopy, Endoscopy Download Full Article |
|
|
Abstract: In the context of translational cancer research, biobanks are key infrastructures that provide high quality biological samples, coupled with relevant clinical and pathological information. This role can only be successfully accomplished through the implementation of standardized procedures that ensure proper collection, handling, processing, storage and recording of tissue samples, following strict legal and ethical regulations. Biobank networking is fundamental for dissemination of good practices and to help in the establishment of new infrastructures that improve the assessment of heterogeneity among tumor types and across patient cohorts. Growing demands for large number of homogenously preserved tumor tissue samples can only be met through a more intense cooperation among biobanks, facilitated by networks that foster cooperation at international level. The potential of biobanks as fundamental tools for translational cancer research can only be achieved through a concerted effort from biobankers, researchers, legislators and tissue donors that may allow for improved sample exchange. Keywords: Biobank, tumor bank, frozen tissue, biological fluids, clinical samples, informed consent.Download Full Article |