Constructing Healthy Experiences through Human-Animal Interactions for Autistic Children and Their Families: Implications for Research and Education

A significant body of research in the field of animal assistance in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) therapy indicates that positive human-animal interactions (HAIs), such as playing with therapy dogs or dogs presence while reading Social Stories, improve the social interactions and the level of the behavioral indicators of positive moods (smiling, laughing) in autistic children. In this chapter, we aim to present a series of evidence-based modalities of including animal-assisted activities in standard therapeutic settings but also in the home environment (e.g., interactions with family animals), targeting the socio-emotional development of autistic children and their optimal communication with the family members, including the companion animals. The studies presented here are discussed from the perspective of potential mechanisms, such as oxytocin system, and several attachment-related views. Our studies point toward the valorization of companion animals in the process of development and optimizing the interpersonal communication abilities of ASD children in a positive and engaging manner for both humans and animals

A Profile Outline of Higher Education E-Tutoring Programs for the Digital-Native Student – Literature Review

AbstractIn today's digital literacy society, education is facing challenges that emphasize the need to reconsider the traditional paper-pencil methods of instruction. Thus, e-tutoring programs have the potential to enhance students’ academic achievement through counselling and learning-supporting activities. The present paper examines the results of the literature research (i.e. systematic review) related to e-tutoring in higher education, aiming to outline a profile for the higher education e-tutoring programs. Also, we aim to identify the Service-Learning related features of the e-tutoring programs found in the literature. The purpose of this study is to aid instructors designing friendly and more effective e-tutoring programs, well-suited for the digital-native student

A qualitative investigation of major urinary proteins in relation to the onset of aggressive behavior and dispersive motivation in male wild house mice (Mus musculus domesticus)

The physiological basis for population differentiation of dispersal timing during individual development in male wild house mice is still unknown. As major urinary proteins (MUPs) are known to convey information about competitive ability in male mice, we examined individual MUP profiles defined by isoelectric-focusing (IEF) patterns in relation to developmental timing of dispersive motivation. As an experimental paradigm marking the development of the dispersal propensity, we used agonistic onset between litter mate brothers when kept in pairs under laboratory conditions. Agonistic onset is known to reflect the initiation of dispersive motivation. Hence, we compared individual MUP IEF patterns between fraternal pairs that did or did not develop agonistic relationships before the age of 2 months. Urine was collected on the day of weaning and at the beginning of adulthood. We investigated whether there was a significant co-occurrence of particular MUP IEF patterns with the agonistic onset in male mice. We assumed that, based on this co-occurrence, particular MUP IEF patterns and/or a particular dynamic of MUP IEF expression from weaning to adulthood may be considered a physiological predictor of a specific behavioral strategy in male mice (i.e. submissive-philopatric or agonistic-dispersive strategy). We found that agonistic males expressed more MUP IEF bands than amicable ones at weaning, but these differences disappeared later on. The presence of two particular IEF bands at weaning was significantly associated with early agonistic onset. Our study suggests that MUPs could have a predictive value for the onset of aggressive behavior and dispersal tendency in male wild house mice

Linguistic Validation of the Romanian and Hungarian Translations of the Attitudes About Sexuality for People with Disabilities Questionnaire

The identification of the attitudes towards sexuality and sexual education in family settings are starting points for the development of sexual education intervention programs for people with special needs, as well as training parents to convey objective and needs-oriented sexual health education to their children. The purpose of this study is to provide the academic and educational community in Romania with linguistically and psychometrically validated versions of the Romanian and Hungarian translations of the Sexual Attitude Questionnaire for Persons with Disabilities (Porat, 2009). 246 Romanian and Hungarian speaking participants completed the online questionnaire. The results indicate very good psychometric properties of the Romanian and Hungarian translations of the questionnaire, allowing the assessment of attitudes towards the sexuality of people with disabilities in relation to other relevant psychological and social variables

A Qualitative Investigation of Parental Attitudes and Needs for Sexual Health Education for Children with Autism in Romania

Parents play an important role as primary educators in the sexual education of children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). This current study investigates by using a qualitative approach the attitudes and needs of parents regarding the sexual health education (SHE) of their ASD children. A sample of N=19 parents with ASD children and adolescents was included in the study. Data were collected with an online questionnaire (with 11 items referring to aspects of sexual health education). The answers were analyzed by performing qualitative content analysis. The results indicate that most of the parents are open towards sexual health education for their ASD children starting at 8-12 years and, if possible, embedded in therapeutic programs. Parents expressed that they encounter difficulties regarding the communication and recognition of signs of interests of their children towards sexuality. The majority of parents expressed willingness towards participation to parental SHE programs