Short report : correlates of behaviours that challenge in children with intellectual disability in special education settings

Background: Understanding the correlates of behaviours that challenge (CB) can help in both identifying children with intellectual disabilities (ID) at risk of developing CB and designing support programmes and interventions. Aims: This study explores the correlates of CB exhibited by children with ID in special educational settings in the UK. Methods and procedures: Data on behaviours that challenge were provided by educators of 71 children with ID. Additional measures of adaptive and pro-social behaviours, maternal anxiety, depression, and stress, and demographic variables were included in the cross-sectional binary logistic regression analyses. Outcomes and results: Results showed that pro-social behaviours of children with ID were associated negatively with overall CB (OR=0.72, 95% CI [0.62, 0.84], p < 0.001), stereotyped (OR=0.81, 95% CI [0.70, 0.94], p = 0.005), self-injurious (OR=0.80, 95% CI [0.70, 0.90], p < 0.001), and aggressive/destructive behaviours (OR=0.79, 95% CI [0.69, 0.90], p < 0.001). Stereotyped behaviours were associated with lower adaptive skills (OR=0.95, 95% CI [0.91, 0.99], p = 0.026) and male gender (OR=9.20, 95% CI [1.07, 79.44], p = 0.044). Aggressive/Destructive behaviours were associated with maternal stress (OR=0.82, 95% CI [0.70, 0.97], p = 0.022), and increased maternal anxiety (OR=1.21, 95% CI [1.00, 1.47], p = 0.050) was a marginally significant predictor of self-injurious behaviours. Conclusions and implications: The findings of this study emphasise the potential role of pro-social and adaptive behaviours, gender of children with ID, and maternal stress, as factors associated with CB in special education settings. Therefore, the present study contributes to extending the literature on correlates of CB for children with ID in special education settings while adopting an evidence-informed methodology for defining and measuring CB that facilitates replicability and allows for comparisons across findings of studies that explore CB thus increasing a more coherent evidence-base regarding assessment of CB

Sibling adjustment and sibling relationships associated with clusters of needs in children with autism : a novel methodological approach

We tested a novel methodological approach to examine associations between characteristics of autistic children and outcomes for siblings. Cluster analysis was used to define five groups of children with autism (n = 168) based on autism symptoms, adaptive behavior, pro-social behavior, and behavior problems. Primary and secondary parent carers, and siblings themselves, reported on sibling relationship quality and psychological adjustment. Siblings of autistic children with a mild symptom profile, high levels of adaptive skills, but high internalizing and externalizing problems had the highest level of these problems themselves and more conflict in their relationship. Siblings of autistic children with the most complex support needs (adaptive skills deficits, severe autism symptoms) reported lower warmth relationships but not elevated internalizing and externalizing problems

Short Report : Outcomes for siblings associated with sub-groups of autistic children with intellectual disability identified by latent profile analysis

Background Recent research suggests that having a brother or sister with autism may contribute to increased positive or negative emotional or psychological impact on siblings. Aims To use a novel multidimensional data analysis method to further understand outcomes for siblings of autistic children. Methods and Procedures 318 siblings of children with a recorded autism diagnosis and an intellectual disability were included for latent profile analysis. Five variables (DBC disruptive and anxiety; VABS II communication, daily living, and socialization skills) were used to identify sub-groups of autistic children. Primary carers reported on sibling relationship quality (items from the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire warmth/closeness and conflict scales), and siblings’ behavioral and emotional problems. Outcomes and results The profile groups differed in their levels of ID coupled with disruptive behavior, emotional problems and adaptive skills. Profiles included a severe ID, low behavior and emotional problems and low adaptive skills group; a group with mild ID coupled with high adaptive skills and low emotional and behavioral problems; and a mild ID group with high emotional and behavioral problems. Conflict in the sibling relationship differed across the profile groups (F (4304) = 15.13, p < .001). Conclusions and implications Siblings of autistic children with the highest support needs were reported to have the lowest conflict in their relationships. Conversely, siblings of the autistic children with the highest levels of externalizing behaviors and anxiety were reported to have the highest levels of conflict in the sibling relationship

Climate change drives poleward increases and equatorward declines in marine species

Marine environments have increased in temperature by an average of 1°C since preindustrial (1850) times [1]. Given that species ranges are closely allied to physiological thermal tolerances in marine organisms [2], it may therefore be expected that ocean warming would lead to abundance increases at poleward range edges, and abundance declines towards the equator [3]. Here we report a global analysis of abundance tends of 304 widely distributed marine species over the last century, across a range of taxonomic groups from phytoplankton to fish and marine mammals. Specifically, using a literature database we investigate the extent that the direction and strength of longterm species abundance changes depend on the sampled location within the latitudinal range of species. Our results show that abundance increases have been most prominent where sampling has taken place at the poleward edges of species ranges, while abundance declines have been most prominent where sampling has taken place at the equatorward edge of species ranges. These data provide evidence of omnipresent large-scale changes in abundance of marine species consistent with warming over the last century, and suggest that adaptation has not provided a buffer against the negative effects of warmer conditions at the equatorward extent of species ranges. On the basis of these results we suggest that projected sea temperature increases of up to 1.5°C over pre-industrial levels by 2050 [4] will continue to drive latitudinal abundance shifts in marine species, including those of importance for coastal livelihoods

Positive behavioural support for children and young people with developmental disabilities in special education settings : a systematic review

Background Positive behavioural support (PBS) can be effective in supporting children and young people (CYP) with developmental disabilities. This systematic review focused on describing the components and nine characteristics of PBS that have been used with CYP with developmental disabilities in special education settings, and the evidence for PBS effectiveness in these settings. Additionally, facilitators and barriers to PBS implementation, and experiences of stakeholders, were investigated. Method Systematic searches followed a registered protocol, and 30 studies were identified, narratively synthesised, and critically appraised. Results From the 30 studies included, 10 reported the presence of all 9 PBS characteristics, 17 reported on 8 PBS characteristics, and 3 reported on 7 characteristics. Overall, 28 studies demonstrated significant decreases in behaviours that challenge and increases in alternative behaviours, if increasing alternative behaviours was part of the interventions. Conclusions There was a lack of evidence on facilitators and barriers, and a lack of qualitative studies exploring experiences of stakeholders with PBS in special education settings. The available evidence suggested that not all studies reported on all PBS characteristics when describing the approach followed. In addition, available evidence suggested that most studies demonstrated effectiveness of PBS regarding the measured outcomes. Implications and future directions are discussed

Interventions addressing challenging behaviours in Arab children and adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism : a systematic review

Background: Arabs with intellectual disabilities and/or autism may exhibit challenging behaviour that affects them and their caregivers. Early, appropriate intervention may reduce these effects. This review synthesised and critically appraised challenging behaviour intervention research for this population. Methods: All published empirical research on challenging behaviour interventions for Arabs with intellectual disabilities and/or autism was included. In September 2022, 15 English and Arabic databases yielded 5,282 search records. Studies were appraised using the MMAT. Review findings were narratively synthesised. Results: The 79 included studies (n= 1,243 participants) varied in design, intervention, and evaluation method. Only 12.6% of interventions were well-designed and reported. Arab interventions primarily targeted children, were applied collectively on small samples, lacked individualised assessment, and were based on an inconsistent understanding of challenging behaviour. Conclusion: The evidence base on interventions for Arabs with intellectual disabilities and/or autism and challenging behaviour needs strengthening. Attention should be given to culturally relevant adaptations

Sydney principles for reducing the commercial promotion of foods and beverages to children

A set of seven principles (the &lsquo;Sydney Principles&rsquo;) was developed by an International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF) Working Group to guide action on changing food and beverage marketing practices that target children. The aim of the present communication is to present the Sydney Principles and report on feedback received from a global consultation (November 2006 to April 2007) on the Principles.The Principles state that actions to reduce marketing to children should: (i) support the rights of children; (ii) afford substantial protection to children; (iii) be statutory in nature; (iv) take a wide definition of commercial promotions; (v) guarantee commercial-free childhood settings; (vi) include cross-border media; and (vii) be evaluated, monitored and enforced.The draft principles were widely disseminated and 220 responses were received from professional and scientific associations, consumer bodies, industry bodies, health professionals and others. There was virtually universal agreement on the need to have a set of principles to guide action in this contentious area of marketing to children. Apart from industry opposition to the third principle calling for a statutory approach and several comments about the implementation challenges, there was strong support for each of the Sydney Principles. Feedback on two specific issues of contention related to the age range to which restrictions should apply (most nominating age 16 or 18 years) and the types of products to be included (31 % nominating all products, 24 % all food and beverages, and 45 % energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods and beverages).The Sydney Principles, which took a children&rsquo;s rights-based approach, should be used to benchmark action to reduce marketing to children. The age definition for a child and the types of products which should have marketing restrictions may better suit a risk-based approach at this stage. The Sydney Principles should guide the formation of an International Code on Food and Beverage Marketing to Children.<br /

The READ-IT study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial of using a support worker/family carer mediated online reading programme to teach early reading skills to adults with intellectual disabilities

Background: Many individuals with intellectual disability (ID) have not learnt basic reading skills by the time that they reach adulthood, potentially limiting their access to critical information. READ-IT is an online reading programme developed from the Headsprout® Early Reading (HER®) intervention and supplemented by support strategies tailored for adults with ID. HER® has been successfully used to teach adults with ID to read in a forensic setting by trained staff. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of delivering READ-IT to adults with ID by family carers/support workers and will assess whether it would be feasible to conduct a later definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT) of the effectiveness of the programme. The study will aim to contribute to the evidence base on improving outcomes for adults with ID and their caregivers. Methods: This study is a feasibility RCT, with embedded process evaluation. Forty-eight adults with ID will be recruited and allocated to intervention: control on a 1:1 basis. Intervention families will be offered the READ-IT programme immediately, continuing to receive usual practice and control participants will be offered the opportunity to receive READ-IT at the end of the trial follow-up period and will continue to receive usual practice. Data will be collected at baseline and 6 months post-randomisation. Discussion: The results of this study will inform a potential future definitive trial, to evaluate the effectiveness of READ-IT to improve reading skills. Such a trial would have significant scientific impact internationally in the intellectual disability field. Trial registration: ISRCTN1140909

The Freshman, vol. 4, no. 26

The Freshman was a weekly, student newsletter issued on Mondays throughout the academic year. The newsletter included calendar notices, coverage of campus social events, lectures, and athletic teams. The intent of the publication was to create unity, a sense of community, and class spirit among first year students