Volume 13, Issue 1

This paper seeks to argue that the life experiences of people with intellectual disabilities in the fields of education, employment, and residential care in the UK are adversely affected by the ideological position taken by the following three groups: (1) a small but readily identifiable group of academics (e.g., in Disability Studies Departments); (2) collective advocacy schemes purportedly representing people with intellectual disabilities (e.g., People First); and (3) major disability charities (e.g., Mencap). The main contention of this paper is that the uncritical adoption and propagation of the inclusionist agenda by these groups has led to the imposition of programs that further disadvantage an already disadvantaged population.

Developmental disorders in children are common. Associated demanding co-morbidities that include sleep problems are prevalent in this group. In turn, these are linked to daytime performance issues, reduced developmental and academic growth, and considerable familial psychopathology. Behavioral modification measures are and should be the first line approach to management. Medications for sleep disorders have an important role in addition to behavioral modification therapy. This literature review looks into the occurrence and severity of sleep problems in children with developmental disorders. The probable advantages of using medications, mainly focusing on the neurohormone melatonin (a sleep inducer), are also explored.

This article aimed to review the empirical support for teachers to provide strategies for handling students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Three major aspects discussed are the alarming rise of ADHD among students, interrelated issues with teaching students with ADHD, and unleashing strategies for handling these children. Practical implications of the school-based outcome literature were delineated, including the need for the following: (a) technical-support mediated strategies; (b) classroom strategies; (c) activity-based strategies; (d) peer tutoring strategies; and (e) homework strategies. In order to bridge the gap between the empirical literature and actual practices employed in schools, school-based professionals are urged to implement empirically supported strategies through individualized interventions based on assessment data. Through long-term implications of such evidence-based strategies, the deficit characteristics of ADHD can be minimized and the likelihood of school success for these students optimized.

Background: People with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) show difficulties in academic achievements. They often struggle to read fluently and display poor reading comprehension. However, they usually are not properly diagnosed with specific reading deficits and, consequently, no treatment program is prescribed. Thus, reading remediation for subjects with BIF remains largely unexplored. This work investigated the effectiveness of an intervention aimed at improving reading in a child with BIF. Methods: A computer reading program based on the dual-route model was used for a period of 3 months with the aim of automatizing word recognition and assembling of sub-lexical units (phonemes). Reading performance was measured before and after treatment. Results: The reliable change index of reading skills during pre-post treatment and at follow-up showed significant improvements in text, word, and nonword reading accuracy, rather than in reading speed. Discussion: Findings are discussed in terms of specific characteristics of the treatment and benefits that can be obtained in children with BIF.

Widening educational inequality can easily be made by dismissing the problem holistically and not noticing diversity among each group of disabled people. This research aims to strive for an in-depth understanding of the entire educational experiences in integrated education and the significance of education for disabled people, through the voice of the vision, hearing, and mobility impaired living in Bangkok, Thailand. The research aims to answer the following objectives: (i) factors related to Thai parents’ decision-making in choosing the type of school for their disabled children; (ii) problems occurring in the Thai integrated educational system for vision, hearing, and mobility impaired students regarding challenges, obstacles in certain subjects, and negative social attitudes that pertain to education; (iii) perceptions on what the Thai education system lacks; and (iv) importance of education in the lives of disabled Thai people. A variety of ethnographic methodology, namely, participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus group interviews were employed in order to capture the relevant and repeated emerging themes of the findings.

Neurofeedback is a biofeedback training of electroencephalogram (EEG) activity through operant conditioning where an individual is trained to increase or inhibit the brain activity in specific frequency ranges. Studies have demonstrated its efficacy to reduce inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with the mostly used training protocols on modulation of θ/β ratio. Given the comorbidity and common cognitive deficits between ADHD and developmental dyslexia, this study aimed to explore the effects of θ/β neurofeedback on cognitive deficits in Chinese dyslexic children. In the present case study, a multiple-baseline design was adopted, and the effects of training were investigated from both neurophysiological and neuropsychological levels. Four dyslexic children completed 10 weekly sessions of θ suppression and β enhancement neurofeedback training in the sensorimotor cortex. Pre- and post-assessments consisted of neurophysiological measures, neuropsychological assessments, and parental reports. Neurofeedback training reduced θ/β ratios in all participants. All participants also improved in measures of auditory vigilance and phonological awareness.

The procedural deficit hypothesis (PDH) claims that language deficits in children with specific language impairment (SLI) are caused by sequence learning deficits. Previous studies provided evidence that were both in favor and against this hypothesis. Few studies reported on sequence learning pattern in SLI children using various modifications of the serial reaction time (SRT) task. The present study aimed to examine the PDH by examining sequence learning pattern in SLI using an adapted SRT task. The study also examines the sequence learning pattern among typically developing and SLI children. Results are discussed with relevance to sequence learning pattern and language deficits in SLI children.

Background: Symptom overlap between autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and social anxiety disorder has been reported. However, few reports exist on the associations between autistic traits and social anxiety in young adults. Methods: Autistic traits and social anxiety were assessed using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), respectively. The survey was performed as part of the student health check-up at admission to our school, Kochi University. The relationship between the AO and LSAS scores were analyzed. Results: In all, 1479 students (77.2%) completed both the questionnaires. The overall AQ score was significantly related to the score on the Japanese version of the LSAS (LSAS-J) (Spearman’s correlation coefficient; 0.46, p<0.001). The group of students with AQ≥33 had significantly higher total and subscale scores on the LSAS-J as compared to the group with AQ<33, while the group with LSAS-J≥44 showed significantly higher scores on all the subscales of the AQ, except “Attention to detail,” as compared to the group with LSAS-J<44. Conclusions: The results suggest that both students diagnosed as having ASD and those with autistic traits may experience anxiety symptoms. The score for “Attention to detail” on the AQ, which was not related to the presence of social anxiety, may be useful in discriminating between autistic traits and social anxiety.

Digital forms of social interaction and communication have become increasingly prevalent in our society. Parents of children with autism are among the groups taking advantage of such online opportunities. In this study, 14 parents from a local listserv for parents or families of children with autism volunteered to allow their autism listserv posts to be documented for a period of 3 months. The content of the parental listserv posts concerned a variety of topics, ranging from legislation to very personal stories of the group. Eight overall themes of the listserv were identified. A review of this listserv’s themes suggested that this group of parents worked as a team; had concerns about medical costs, therapies, school environments, and the development of their child; relied on other parental support; advocated to raise awareness; and supported efforts to find treatments or even a cure for autism spectrum disorders.

This study set out to validate a Chinese-translated version of the widely used Assessing Emotion Scale (C-AES) for use in measuring the emotional intelligence of Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. The convenience sample consisted of 1550 secondary students aged 12–19 years, who were asked to complete the C-AES, the Chinese Interpersonal Reactivity Index, Chinese Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, and a test of facial expression recognition. The results suggest a stable four-factor model for the C-AES, comprising the factors of Appraisal of Emotion (AE), Facilitation of Thought (FT), Regulation of Emotion (RE), and Facilitation of Relationships (FR). The test-retest reliability estimates of the factor subscales were good, while the estimates of internal consistency were fair to acceptable. The results largely supported the convergent validity of the C-AES, since its subscales showed significant correlation with convergent measures of empathy and negative emotional states. In general, girls demonstrated higher emotional intelligence (EI) than boys, with a large difference noted in the FR subscale. In summary, the C-AES has demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and good test-retest reliability for use in the selfreport assessment of EI.

When investigating development potential, one should always take into consideration possible interactions among a variety of factors. Investigations of interactions that occur in the human body constitute a considerable contribution to further applications, which is particularly important in the case of disabled individuals and allows stimulation of the compensation processes in an oriented manner. The present study focuses on the effect of somatic growth on the level of aerobic/anaerobic capacities and their variability over time in hearing impaired children and adolescents. Correlations between somatic components and aerobic/anaerobic efficiency in hearing impaired individuals are compared to literature reports with regard to their normal-hearing peers. Our study has demonstrated that hearing loss does not modify interactions between the parameters of somatic growth and aerobic or anaerobic capacity of deaf children and adolescents. Thus, our results provide grounds for application activities based on neurophysiological growth patterns.

In this study, we performed a weighted principal component analysis on human development indicators to measure and analyze the progress of well-being throughout the world from 1999 to 2010. The main principal component (MPC) was employed to quantify the temporal changes of the human development of several selected countries by the proposed Z -test. The trends of the human development in some countries with high human development, Sub-Saharan African countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China (BRIC), the USA, and Qatar were discussed in terms of the impact of public health and economic development. We also studied the association of the MPC obtained from our study and the human development index reported by the United Nations Development Program using the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

Background: The present study aims to determine quality of life and self-efficacy beliefs among young adults with cleft lip and palate (CLP), as compared with a control group of young adults without CLP. The study involves two groups of young adults: 48 with CLP and 48 presenting no disability. Methods: Two questionnaires (Quality of Life Questionnaire and How Much Confidence do I Have in Myself?) were used to assess life satisfaction and self-efficacy beliefs, respectively. Results: Participants with CLP reported greater quality of life than the participants in the control group, in terms of personal financial situation and self-determination opportunities. Moreover, men with CLP showed higher levels of confidence than women with CLP, and more than all the participants in the control group as a whole in terms of the ability to complete tasks and activities. Conclusions: Results suggest that people with CLP do not form a homogeneous category but are characterized by a high degree of variability. Further research is necessary to identify the dimensions and factors characterizing people with CLP as well as the health and social services needed to start using assessment instruments that can shed light on these individuals’ experiences.

Background: There is increasing evidence that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is linked to a number of psychosocial risk factors and biophysiological risk factors such as metabolic syndrome. The development of effective therapeutic interventions for CVD patients, such as Tai Chi practice, to modify high-risk lifestyles and behaviours and reduce psychosocial and biophysiological risk factors, is a promising primary healthcare approach. This study compared Tai Chi programme CVD participants with CVD patients who did not participate in the Tai Chi programme as the control group in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), including physical health, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health. In addition, psychological distress and resilience, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were measured. Methods: In 2012, a case-control study was conducted to compare a group of CVD patients participating in a community based meditation intervention programme with CVD patients who did not participate in the programme. Measures included the Short-Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ30), Resilience Scale, BMI, and blood pressure. Univariate analysis of variance was used to compare the difference between participants with cardiac chronic diseases who had taken part in 2 years regular Tai Chi and cardiac patients who did not participate in the Tai Chi programme. Results: Outcomes differed in significance and magnitude across four HRQoL measures, psychological distress, and resilience. The Tai Chi group also showed fewer incidences of being overweight or suffering from obesity and psychological distress. Conclusions: Regular and more than 2 years meditation exercises had a beneficial effect on HRQoL, reducing psychological distress, promoting resilience, managing and taking an active role in managing health condition, and reducing BMI and blood pressure level in CVD patients.

Background: In Israel, physical therapy (PT) services for clients with developmental disabilities (DD) and with intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) are based on several laws. Similar to other health services, they are provided to children 0–3 years provided at ambulatory Child Developmental Centers, at ages 3–21 years provided at special-education settings, or at the residential centers in which they live. At ages 21 years and older, clients residing in supported living centers, are treated at their place of residence, and the rest are treated in their respective communities. This study aimed to describe PT services available to clients with DD and IDD throughout the lifespan and to assess the degree to which these services are provided as intended by the legislators. Methods: This is a qualitative study using data from the websites of the Ministries of Health, Education and Social Affairs, and from personal interviews with heads of PT services in Israel. Results: All over Israel, clients with DD and IDD are entitled to receive health services, including PT, throughout their lifespan. However, physical therapy services provided by Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), which act under the National Health Insurance Law, are limited after the age of 3 years. The Ministry of Education’s PT system mainly provides a response to clients with chronic conditions, whereas the Ministry of Social Affairs serves the entire population with IDD, in the absence of a suitable response by the HMOs. Supervision of PT services in both ministries is partial and performed within the system. Conclusions: PT services for clients with DD and IDD are provided throughout Israel and to all ages, as dictated by the law. However, the HMOs only provide services to very young clients.

Background: Eight percent of India’s population is aged over 60 years. This study was done among the elderly in a city in North India to (i) ascertain the level of Activity Limitation (AL) and Participation Restriction (PR), (ii) determine the factors affecting AL and PR, and (iii) ascertain their management practices. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Chandigarh, India during January–May 2012 among 100 elderly each from rural (villages), urban (sectors), and slum (colonies) areas. AL and PR were assessed according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Questionnaire. Results: Severe AL was reported by 32%, 2% had no AL, 18% had PR, and 8% had severe PR. AL increased with age (p=0.002); AL was more prevalent in rural areas (p=0.015). PR was higher in the elderly living with their families (p=0.003). Assistive and Enabling Devices (AEDs) included spectacles and hearing aids. A walking stick was the most common AED used. Conclusions: AL was significantly more prevalent in the elderly aged above 70 years. PR was significantly more prevalent in the elderly staying with families. Spectacle use was very low in slum areas.

Falling is a serious public health issue, and many studies have examined the effects of balance programs on fall risk, balance, gait, and balance self-efficacy. However, few studies have focused on changes in leisure self-efficacy and leisure-based fear of falling. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in older adults’ perceptions of leisure efficacy, balance self-efficacy, and leisure-based fear of falling from participating in a six-week community based program called N’ Balance ® . Participants were randomly assigned into the intervention group (n=26) or control group (n=24). The sample ranged in age from 73 to 97 years, with a mean age of 84.51 years. Leisure-based fear of falling was measured with one question: “In the last 12 months, to what extent have you limited your activities because you were afraid you would fall”? Balance self-efficacy was measured with an 18-item scale, where respondents estimated how confident they felt about their ability to do various daily tasks. Leisure self-efficacy was assessed with 25 questions about how confident they felt doing a variety of active leisure activities. Results indicated both groups significantly improved their balance self-efficacy over time and leisure self-efficacy improved by 8.1% in the intervention group, whereas the control group decreased. Fear of falling decreased significantly for N’ Balance participants, but at post-test was worse in the control group. Results highlight the importance of leisure-based fear of falling and leisure self-efficacy and future research should consider how participation in fall prevention programs can encourage people to resume or continue valued leisure activities.