Chrysomelidae of Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1960 S5

Treatment Outcomes for Toddlers with Behaviour Problems from Families in Poverty

Background. Relatively few treatment studies address mental health issues in very young children. This study examined the effectiveness of a treatment program for toddlers whose behavior problems were further complicated by living in poverty. Method. An empirically-validated treatment program was adapted for use in the homes of 102 toddlers for an average of 12 weekly sessions. Results. Significant improvements were found for the children’s behavior problems and their compliance to parent requests. Discussion. The inherent challenges in working with at-risk families and the challenges in delivering mental health services for very young children living in poverty are discussed

Adults with intellectual disabilities: prevalence, incidence and remission of aggressive behaviour and related factors

<b>Introduction:</b> Aggressive behaviours can be disabling for adults with intellectual disabilities (ID), with negative consequences for the adult, their family and paid carers. It is surprising how little research has been conducted into the epidemiology of these needs, given the impact they can have. This study investigates point prevalence, 2-year incidence and 2-year remission rates for aggressive behaviour (physically aggressive, destructive and verbally aggressive), and it investigates which factors are independently associated with aggressive behaviour. <b>Methods:</b> All adults with ID – within a geographically defined area of Scotland, UK – were recruited to a longitudinal cohort. At baseline, assessments were undertaken of demography, lifestyle, supports, development, problem behaviours, disabilities and physical and mental health. These were repeated for a 2-year period. <b>Results:</b> At baseline, the participation rate was 1023 (65.5%). After 2 years, the cohort retention was 651 adults. The point prevalence of Diagnostic Criteria for Psychiatric Disorders for Use with Adults with Learning Disabilities/Mental Retardation (DC-LD) aggressive behaviour was 9.8% (95% confidence interval = 8.0–11.8%), 2-year incidence was 1.8%, and 2-year remission rate from all types of aggressive behaviour meeting DC-LD criteria was 27.7%. The factors independently associated with aggressive behaviours were lower ability, female gender, not living with a family carer, not having Down syndrome, having attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and having urinary incontinence. Incidence of aggressive behaviour meeting DC-LD criteria in adult life is similar to that for each of psychotic, anxiety and organic disorders. <b>Conclusions:</b> Aggressive behaviour is common among adults with ID, but contrary to previous suggestions, more than a quarter remit within the short to medium term. This is important knowledge for professionals as well as the person and her/his family and paid carers. There is much yet to learn about the mechanisms underpinning aetiology and maintenance of aggressive behaviour in this population, and exploratory epidemiological investigations such as this have a role to play in progressing research towards further hypothesis testing and trials to influence clinical practice, service development and policy

A case study of perspectives pertaining to academic accommodations for postsecondary students with learning disabilities

Increasing numbers of students with learning disabilities (LD) are entering into postsecondary education and seeking accommodations through the university’s disability service office. The academic success of students with LD is contingent on the provision of accommodations by instructors, which allows for an equal educational opportunity. To investigate the use of academic accommodations by postsecondary students with LD, the perspectives of postsecondary students with LD and instructors were obtained pertaining to the practice of using accommodations, the utility of accommodations, facilitators and barriers to the use of accommodations, and how an understanding of disability law contributes to the use of accommodations. Utilizing a mixed-methods research design, using a single university as a case study, the present study triangulated data from three sources: (a) the university’s disabilities service office student database, disaggregated for students with LD; (b) the university’s disabilities service office student and instructor surveys, disaggregated for students with LD and instructors who met inclusion criteria; and (c) interviews with students with LD and instructors. Data analysis revealed that perceptions and attitudes held by post secondary students with LD and instructors as well as peers without disabilities influences the ability of students with LD to use accommodations. Finding also indicated that increased self-advocacy and knowledge of disability law have the potential to positively impact the practice of accommodations. Furthermore, disability service procedures and instructors’ willingness and ability to accommodate students have the potential to facilitate or hinder the use of accommodations by students with LD. Implications for practitioners, future research, and limitations are discussed.Special Educatio

Japanese Kawaii Culture and Hello Kitty as an Identity Marker for Asian-American Women

This thesis examines the character of Hello Kitty, from its creation, to its enduring cultural presence in Japan. In particular, this thesis notes the character\u27s highly successful marketing among Asian-American women. Hello Kitty epitomizes the concept of kawaii, the Japanese word for cute. But, its symbolism does not end there. Looking at the history of the Sanriio company and its adaptive marketing strategy offers a starting point for understanding what Hello Kitty means, but does not answer what Hello Kitty means to Asian-American women. By using both quantitative and qualitative data, this thesis establishes the consumption demographic and explores the reception of Hello Kitty among Asian-American women. This thesis challenges the dominant argument that Hello Kitty is a sexist and infantilizing image and argues instead that the character serves as an important icon for Asian-American women\u27s identity as transnational women and their Asian heritage

Communication in Individuals with Rett Syndrome: an Assessment of Forms and Functions

In the present study we assessed the forms and functions of prelinguistic communicative behaviors for 120 children and adults with Rett syndrome using the Inventory of Potential Communicative Acts (IPCA) (Sigafoos et al. Communication Disorders Quarterly 21:77–86, 2000a). Informants completed the IPCA and the results were analysed to provide a systematic inventory and objective description of the communicative forms and functions present in each individual’s repertoire. Results show that respondents reported a wide variety of communicative forms and functions. By far most girls used prelinguistic communicative behaviors of which eye contact/gazing was the most common form. The most often endorsed communicative functions were social convention, commenting, answering, requesting and choice-making. Problematic topographies (e.g., self-injury, screaming, non-compliance) were being used for communicative purposes in 10 to 41% of the sample. Exploratory analyses revealed that several communicative forms and functions were related to living environment, presence/absence of epilepsy, and age. That is, higher percentages of girls who showed some forms/functions were found in those who lived at home, who had no epilepsy and who were relatively young