What Can Animal Memory Study Bring to the Assessment of Memory and Cognitive Skills for Intellectual Disability?

Three case studies are presented to investigate the possibility of evaluating memory and cognitive capacities of severe intellectual disability with attention given to the ecological environment. Two 22-year-old male patients and a 27-year-old male patient, all three with severe intellectual disability with no verbal communication skills, were evaluated with a new and original paradigm adapted to study cognition in humans from experimental paradigms. We developed a test based on animal models to complement the "home” scale of the Adolescent and Adult Psychoeducational Profile (AAPEP), an assessment instrument designed for adolescents and adults with severe developmental disabilities. Results show that the new instrument is helpful, not only to staff members who can better understand the poor performances of their patients in daily life activities but also in the elaboration of individual acquisition plans. These preliminary results demonstrate the interest in developing a larger controlled study and in publishing our procedur

Examining the Usability of Touch Screen Gestures for Children With Down Syndrome

[EN] The use of multi-touch devices for all types of users (from children to the elderly) has grown considerably in the recent years. However, despite the huge interest in this technology there is a lack of research addressing usability studies on children with Down's Syndrome. This article evaluates the abilities of these children (aged from 5 to 10 years) when performing a basic set of multi-touch gestures (tap, double tap, long press, drag, scale up and down, rotation) in tablet devices. The results show that regardless of their more limited motor skills, DS children are able to perform most of the evaluated multi-touch gestures with success rates close to 100% and that this technology could be fully exploited for developing applications targeted specifically at this type of user.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and funded by the European Development Regional Fund (EDRF-FEDER) with the project TIN2014-60077-R (SUPEREMOS). This work was also supported by a pre-doctoral fellowship within the Formacion de Profesorado Universitario (FPU) program from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports to V. Nacher (FPU14/00136) and by a pre-doctoral scholarship given by the SENESCYT (Secretaria Nacional de Educacion Superior, Ciencia y Tecnologia e Innovacion) of the government of Ecuador (No. 381-2012) to Doris Caliz.Nácher-Soler, VE.; Cáliz, D.; Jaén Martínez, FJ.; Martínez, L. (2018). Examining the Usability of Touch Screen Gestures for Children With Down Syndrome. Interacting with Computers. 30(3):258-272. https://doi.org/10.1093/iwc/iwy011S25827230

Object pragmatics: Culture and communication. The bases for early cognitive development

This material has been published in revised form in "The Cambridge handbook of sociocultural psychology. Ed. Alberto Rosa and Jaan Valsiner" [https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316662229]. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution or re-use. © 2018 Cambridge University PressThis chapter has been written with the support of the Ministry of Economy of Spain (EDU2015–64129-P MINECO: FEDER

Relationships Between Early Gestures and Later Language in Children With Fragile X Syndrome

Purpose—The authors hypothesized that significant positive relationships would exist between early gesture use and later language attainments in children with fragile X syndrome (FXS), as has been reported in studies with other populations. Method—Participants were young children with FXS and limited expressive language (21 boys, 4 girls), divided into 2 subgroups based on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS; Schopler, Reichler, & Renner, 1988) scores. Data were collected when participants were about 2 years of age and again when they were about 5 years of age. Communication was assessed through the analysis of video samples obtained in the children's homes for both observation periods. Correlational analyses were completed between early prelinguistic communication and later verbal communication scores for all participants and for children with high (>30) versus low (<30) scores on the CARS. Results—Although no significant relationships were found between prelinguistic gesture use and language outcomes for the group of children as a whole, significant negative correlations were found for the group of children who had high CARS scores. Conclusions—These outcomes did not support the authors' initial hypotheses. It was concluded that extensive use of developmentally early gestures by children with FXS who also have many symptoms of autism may not be a positive indicator of later language

Presence of Cryptosporidium baileyi in different Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus) moors and its relation with agents of other avian diseases

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina VeterináriaABSTRACT - Respiratory cryptosporidiosis was first diagnosed in wild Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus) in autumn 2010 from a grouse moor in the North Pennine Dales in the UK. Three years after, 48% of grouse moors in Northern England had Red Grouse with severe lesions. The present survey was projected by St David’s Game Bird Services, it was performed with the purpose of gathering information regarding Cryptosporidium baileyi, concomitant parasites (Trichostrongylus tenuis and Eimeria spp.) and other different avian disease agents (Mycoplasma synoviae, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale, Infectious Bronchitis Virus and Avian Rhinotracheitis Virus) that may also be implicated in cryptosporidiosis outbreaks. Age, gender and weight were additionally recorded to better comprehend the distribution of this disease through different groups (age and gender) and its relation with weight. Different agents were evaluated by using: head histopathology and corneal impression smear (stained by the modified Ziehl Neelsen technique) for C. baileyi and modified McMaster technique for counting Eimeria spp. oocysts and T. tenuis eggs per gram of faeces. Pooled samples (ocular swabs) were used to assess, through PCR technique, the presence of other different avian disease agents. Regarding statistical analyses, two-sample Wilcoxon test, linear regression analysis and Fisher’s exact test were used to test statistical significance differences among variables. Positive results for C. baileyi were composed by 18.42% (7 out of 38) adults and 30.77% (16 out of 36) young birds. Statistically significant differences between age and gender groups were not found (p>0.05; OR=0.51). 70.00% (21 out of 30) of birds with clinical signs were positive for C. baileyi, compared with 3.33% (2 out of 60) that were positive without clinical signs, which differences were statistically significant (p<0.001; OR= 0.02). The median weight of positive animals for C. baileyi was 604g and 629g for negative birds, however no statistical significance was found between weight and the presence of C. baileyi (W=601; p>0.05). No statistically significant relationships were found between the presence of C. baileyi and Eimeria spp. or T. tenuis intensities (p>0.05). A statistically significant relation was found between grouse weight and Eimeria spp. intensity (p<0.01). Additionaly, three positive results (pools composed by 5 birds) were obtained for Infectious Bronchitis Virus, two of them from birds with evident clinical signs and one from aparently healthy birds. This study did not find any statistically significant relation between the presence of C. baileyi and other parasites, viruses or bacteria. However a worthy description of those agents and how they can be implicated in the Red Grouse life span was made, also aiming to raise the awareness and potentially encouraging new perspectives on cryptosporidiosis prevention and control.RESUMO - Presença de Cryptosporidium baileyi em diferentes reservas de Lagópodes-escoceses (Lagopus lagopus scoticus) e a sua relação com outros agentes de doença aviária - O primeiro caso de criptosporidiose respiratória em Lagópodes-escoceses (Lagopus lagopus scoticus) selvagens foi diagnosticado em Outono de 2010, numa reserva de caça em North Pennine Dales, Reino Unido. Após três anos, cerca de 48% das reservas de caça do Norte do Reino Unido já tinham reportado a presença de sinais clínicos em Lagópodes-escoceses. O presente estudo foi projetado pela equipa St David’s Game Bird Services, este procurou reunir informações acerca do Cryptosporidium baileyi, parasitas concomitantes (T. tenuis e Eimeria spp.) e outros agentes patogénicos (M. synoviae, M. gallisepticum, O. rhinotracheale, vírus da bronquite Infecciosa e de vírus da rinotraqueíte aviária) que possam estar implicados em surtos da doença. A idade, o sexo e o peso foram adicionalmente registados visando a compreensão da distribuição desta doença nos diferentes grupos (idade e sexo) e qual a sua relação com o peso das aves. Os diferentes agentes etiológicos foram avaliados recorrendo a: histopatologia da cabeça e citologia de impressão da superfície ocular (colorada pela técnica de Ziehl Neelsen modificada) para C. baileyi e técnica de McMaster modificada para a pesquisa e contagem de oocistos de Eimeria spp. e ovos de T. Tenuis. Foram utilizados pools de amostras (zaragatoas oculares) para avaliar a presença de outros agentes patogénicos por PCR. Os testes estatísticos utilizados para testar diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre grupos foram: two-sample Wilcoxon test, análise de regressão linear e o teste exato de Fisher. Os resultados positivos para C. baileyi foram de 18,42% (7 em 38) em adultos e 30,77% (16 de 36) em aves jovens. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre idade e sexo (p> 0,05; OR = 0,51). Em 70,00% (21 em 30) das aves com sinais clínicos foi diagnosticada infecção por C. baileyi, comparativamente com 3,33% (2 de 60) onde foi isolado C. Baileyi em aves sem sinas clínicos, diferença estatisticamente significativa (p <0,001; OR = 0,02). A mediana do peso das aves positivas e negativas para C. baileyi foi de 604g e 629g, respectivamente, porém a diferença encontrada não foi estatisticamente significativa (W = 601; p> 0,05). É também relevante referir que não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre a presença de C. baileyi e as cargas parasitárias de Eimeria spp. ou T. tenuis (p> 0,05), no entanto foi encontrada uma relação estatisticamente significativa entre o peso e a contagem de oocistos de Eimeria spp. por grama de fezes (p <0,01). Foram obtidos três resultados positivos (pools compostos por 5 aves) para o vírus da bronquite infecciosa, dois provenientes de grupos com sinais clínicos e o restante de um grupo aparentemente saudável. Este estudo não encontrou qualquer relação estatisticamente significativa entre a presença de C. baileyi e outros parasitas, vírus ou bactérias. Foi efectuada uma descrição aprofundada dos agentes, bem como da forma como podem estar implicados no ciclo de vida dos Lagópodes-escoceses, visando a consciencialização e o incentivo de práticas que objectivem a prevenção e o controlo da criptosporidiose

The Upside to Down Syndrome: An Educational Manual for Parents

Parents of children with Down syndrome want their child to be as successful as other children in areas of development, specifically play. Play is crucial to a child\u27s development as it assists with the progression through childhood developmental stages. This can help lay a foundation for learning daily life skills such as dressing, feeding, and social interaction. For children with Down syndrome, performing daily living tasks may be more difficult as fine and gross motor skills are affected by low-tone, cognition level, and coordination. Providing children with a variety of play activities to build both fine and gross motor skills can help increase independence and support development. Throughout the literature review, it was noted that there is currently an abundance of research regarding typically developing children and the benefits of play. There is a lack in literature focused on children with Down syndrome and how play can support development within this population. A common theme arising in the literature is parental perceptions about the uncertainty involved in raising a child with Down syndrome. Parents felt as if they do not have enough information on what they can do at home to encourage fine and gross motor skill development and have few resources they may utilize. Some parents reported receiving information from their child\u27s occupational therapist, however, parents felt as if more information is necessary (Menear, 2007). The few parental resources currently available contained language that may decrease user-friendliness and negatively impact the use of some resources. Current literature also described parental concerns about keeping their child active in order to maintain health while providing activities that allow their child to be successful. Occupational therapists can help bridge the gap between activity and success by providing parents with education and suggestions as to what activities can help their child build fine and gross motor skills while using playas the basis for activity. The methodology of this scholarly project included a review of literature regarding play and the impact on the development of children with Down syndrome as well as typically developing children. Local bookstores and internet websites were also explored to determine the availability of resources for parents of children with Down syndrome. To address motor goals through play and structured developmental activities, an educational manual was developed for parents of children with Down syndrome and it is designed to be used under the guidance of an occupational therapist. The manual addresses two types of play; active, which involves gross motor activities such as running and jumping and quiet play which encourages fine motor skills through table-top activities such as coloring, drawing, and using hands to manipulate objects. Parents are able to choose activities which are suitable for their child based on the resources available at home and the energy level of the child

Increasing exposure at home to improve literacy skills at school

Master's Project (M.Ed.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2014The focus of this project was to help the home literacy environment by supplying materials for families that are an expansion on what students are learning in the classroom with weekly take-home book bags. Research shows that students who become good readers stay good readers. The bags include a selection of books for families to read together along with audio recordings of each of the books to allow the student to make full use of the books without assistance. For families for whom English is not a first language or for families who have limited time for parent-child interactions, the recordings may be especially helpful so that students can interact with the materials independently. Overall, the additional time spent focusing on literacy will have a positive impact on reading skills and help build a strong school-to-home connection for future years

Effects of an Interactive, Literacy-Rich Environment on the Social, Language, Cognitive, and Literacy Development of Young Children with and without Special Needs

The purpose of this study is twofold: to identify play and literacy practices that are useful in an inclusive early childhood classroom and to demonstrate how these practices contribute to the development of children with and without disabilities. Play and literacy teaching practices are documented in this study of four preschool children. Two of the children have typical development patterns and two have mild to moderate special needs

Spartan Daily, September 26, 1979

Volume 73, Issue 16https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/6514/thumbnail.jp