Visuo-spatial cognition in Williams syndrome: Reviewing and accounting for the strengths and weaknesses in performance

Individuals with Williams syndrome typically show relatively poor visuo-spatial abilities in comparison to stronger verbal skills. However, individuals' level of performance is not consistent across all visuo-spatial tasks. The studies assessing visuo-spatial functioning in Williams syndrome are critically reviewed, in order to provide a clear pattern of the relative difficulty of these tasks. This prompts a possible explanation of the variability in performance seen which focuses on the processing demands of some of these tasks. Individuals with Williams syndrome show an atypical processing style on tests of construction, which does not affect tests of perception

The needs of foster children and how to satisfy them:A systematic review of the literature

Family foster care deeply influences the needs of children and how these are satisfied. To increase our knowledge of foster children’s needs and how these are conceptualized, this paper presents a systematic literature review. Sixty- four empirical articles from six databases were reviewed and categorized (inter-rater agreement K = .78) into four categories: medical, belongingness, psychological and self-actualization needs. The results give a complete overview of needs that are specific to foster children, and what can be implemented to satisfy these needs. This study shows psychological needs are studied more often compared to the other categories, which specially relates to much attention for mental health problems. Furthermore, most articles focus on how to satisfy the needs of foster children and provide no definition or concrete conceptualization of needs. Strikingly, many articles focus on children’s problems instead of their needs, and some even use these terms interchangeably. This review illustrates that future research should employ a proper conceptualization of needs, which could also initiate a shift in thinking about needs instead of problems

Improving school stability: An exploratory study of the work of the AB 490 liaisons in California

This exploratory study examined the effectiveness of the provision of California Assembly Bill (AB) 490 that required each local education agency to designate a foster care education liaison to ensure proper school placement and facilitate enrollment and transfer of school records. Survey responses by 94 liaisons from throughout California identified continuing barriers to the implementation of the law as well as areas of progress being made to better support foster children and youth as they move through school. Recommendations by the liaisons for improving their effectiveness included the need for more collaboration with the child welfare agency, increased time to dedicate to the position, more opportunities for networking with other liaisons, and more involvement in decisions affecting foster youth.Foster care Education Liaisons Foster children Schools Foster care legislation