The inclusion of pupils with special educational needs: A study of the formulation and implementation of the National Curriculum physical education

The thesis examines the planned and unplanned outcomes that are associated with the inclusion of pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in the National Curriculum Physical Education (NCPE) 2000. This involved the use of the key concepts and assumptions that underpin the figurational perspective to examine, firstly, the emergence of disability as a social issue in the wider society and, subsequently, secondary school education. In this regard, the thesis highlights how wider social processes such as the campaigns undertaken by the disabled people’s movement (Oliver and Barnes, 2008), and international policy developments such as the Salamanca Statement (UNESCO, 1994) contributed, to varying degrees, to the increasing power chances of disabled people generally in the wider society. Subsequently, one outcome of these processes was that the British Government were constrained to provide all pupils with the opportunity to be educated in mainstream schools. The figurational approach and, in particular, Elias’s game models (Elias, 1978) were then used to analyse the NCPE 1992, 1995 and 2000 documents, and their associated consultation materials. This approach was used because it was argued that Elias’s theoretical framework may allow the researcher to identify all the major players – that is, the whole relational network – involved in the formulation of the NCPE, and the extent to which the objectives of each player, and their subsequent power struggles with each other, impacted upon the NCPEs’ overall objectives and content. In this regard, the thesis suggests that the British Government were able to constrain, to varying degrees, the power and actions of the PE Working Groups by setting the format for the Groups’ recommendations, the groups they should consult, and the time scale within which they were expected to complete their consultation and recommendations. This resulted in the outcomes generated from these formulation processes being largely understood in relation to the government’s elite sports performance objectives, with ‘inclusion issues’ being at the periphery of their objectives for PE. Elias’s game models (Elias, 1978) were also used to examine the extent to which the objectives of the players involved in the implementation of the NCPE 2000 generated outcomes – that were identified by examining existing empirical data – which none of the players involved in the formulation process planned for, or could have foreseen. In this regard, the thesis has suggested that, although the government were by far the most powerful player during the formulation process, their actions – that is, their desire to develop a flexible, inclusive PE curriculum – gave PE teachers the power to determine the extent to which the government’s elite sports performance and inclusion objectives would be achieved. From this process, research suggests that a planned outcome of the NCPE 2000 is that many PE teachers are using their power chances to further their own and, more specifically, the government’s, elite sports performance objectives. However, an unplanned outcome of this process is that some pupils with SEN are spending less time in PE, and are participating in a narrower range of activities than their age-peers in mainstream and special schools

The Authenticity of Disability Simulations Through Empathetic Imagings: The Perspectives of Visually Impaired People

In this article, we amplify the voices of visually impaired people to explore the authenticity of simulating visual impairment (VI) as a means of developing empathy among sighted student teachers. Participants were nine visually impaired adults who read vignettes narrating simulation experiences of student teachers in a university setting before being interviewed. Interviews were conducted via telephone, and were recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically. The discussed themes are: (1) Involving visually impaired people in simulations increases authenticity; (2) Visual impairment is too diverse and complex to be authentically replicated; (3) The suddenness and duration of the simulations are inauthentic; and (4) Removal of blindfolds compromises the authenticity of the experience. Most of our participants were sceptical that VI could ever be authentically simulated because it was too diverse and complex for sighted people to embody. However, given its potential for facilitating the pedagogical learning of student teachers, we propose the involvement of disabled people in the construction and, if possible, delivery of disability simulations and a change of focus relating to the aim, purpose and claims made about disability simulations. Specifically, we encourage a move away from endeavouring to simulate VI in order to live and embody it, towards teacher educators working with visually impaired people and using equipment such as blindfold and VI glasses to facilitate pedagogical learning that may be of value when teaching visually impaired and sighted pupils. In short, we should not claim to “simulate VI” but rather use specialist equipment for pedagogical purposes

Stop Fearing Blindness! Visually Impaired People Reflect on the Ethics of Sighted Prospective Teachers Simulating Visual Impairment

Disability simulations have developed as a popular professional development tool to help increase knowledge and awareness of disability and facilitate pedagogical learning among prospective and pre-service teachers. The aim of this research is to explore the ethics of sighted people simulating visual impairment from the perspective of visually impaired people. Participants were nine visually impaired adults who read vignettes narrating simulation experiences of prospective physical education teachers in a university setting before being interviewed about their perceptions of what they had read. Interviews were conducted via telephone, and were recorded, transcribed, and subjected to thematic analysis. The themes constructed and discussed in this article from an ethical perspective are: (1) involving visually impaired people in simulated experiences; (2) reinforcing negative attitudes about visually impaired people; (3) tensions involving touch for pedagogical purposes; and (4) adapting activities and grouping pupils in relation to ‘ability’

A global framework for action to improve the primary care response to chronic non-communicable diseases: a solution to a neglected problem.

BACKGROUND: Although in developing countries the burden of morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases has often overshadowed that due to chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), there is evidence now of a shift of attention to NCDs. DISCUSSION: Decreasing the chronic NCD burden requires a two-pronged approach: implementation of the multisectoral policies aimed at decreasing population-level risks for NCDs, and effective and affordable delivery of primary care interventions for patients with chronic NCDs. The primary care response to common NCDs is often unstructured and inadequate. We therefore propose a programmatic, standardized approach to the delivery of primary care interventions for patients with NCDs, with a focus on hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic airflow obstruction, and obesity. The benefits of this approach will extend to patients with related conditions, e.g. those with chronic kidney disease caused by hypertension or diabetes. This framework for a "public health approach" is informed by experience of scaling up interventions for chronic infectious diseases (tuberculosis and HIV). The lessons learned from progress in rolling out these interventions include the importance of gaining political commitment, developing a robust strategy, delivering standardised interventions, and ensuring rigorous monitoring and evaluation of progress towards defined targets. The goal of the framework is to reduce the burden of morbidity, disability and premature mortality related to NCDs through a primary care strategy which has three elements: 1) identify and address modifiable risk factors, 2) screen for common NCDs and 3) and diagnose, treat and follow-up patients with common NCDs using standard protocols. The proposed framework for NCDs borrows the same elements as those developed for tuberculosis control, comprising a goal, strategy and targets for NCD control, a package of interventions for quality care, key operations for national implementation of these interventions (political commitment, case-finding among people attending primary care services, standardised diagnostic and treatment protocols, regular drug supply, and systematic monitoring and evaluation), and indicators to measure progress towards increasing the impact of primary care interventions on chronic NCDs. The framework needs evaluation, then adaptation in different settings. SUMMARY: A framework for a programmatic "public health approach" has the potential to improve on the current unstructured approach to primary care of people with chronic NCDs. Research to establish the cost, value and feasibility of implementing the framework will pave the way for international support to extend the benefit of this approach to the millions of people worldwide with chronic NCDs

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of Veterans’ spouses: a cross sectional analysis

Background COVID-19 has negatively impacted the mental health and well-being of both Canadians and the world as a whole, with Veterans, in particular, showing increased rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Spouses and common-law partners often serve as primary caregivers and sources of support for Veterans, which may have a deleterious effect on mental health and increase risk of burnout. Pandemic related stressors may increase burden and further exacerbate distress; yet the effect of the pandemic on the mental health and well-being of Veterans’ spouses is currently unknown. This study explores the self-reported mental health and well-being of a group of spouses of Canadian Armed Forces Veterans and their adoption of new ways to access healthcare remotely (telehealth), using baseline data from an ongoing longitudinal survey. Methods Between July 2020 and February 2021, 365 spouses of Veterans completed an online survey regarding their general mental health, lifestyle changes, and experiences relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also completed were questions relating to their use of and satisfaction with health-care treatment services during the pandemic. Results Reported rates of probable major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), alcohol use disorder (AUD), and PTSD were higher than the general public, with 50–61% believing their symptoms either directly related to or were made worse by the pandemic. Those reporting being exposed to COVID-19 were found to have significantly higher absolute scores on mental health measures than those reporting no exposure. Over 56% reported using telehealth during the pandemic, with over 70% stating they would continue its use post-pandemic. Conclusions This is the first Canadian study to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic specifically on the mental health and well-being of Veterans’ spouses. Subjectively, the pandemic negatively affected the mental health of this group, however, the pre-pandemic rate for mental health issues in this population is unknown. These results have important implications pertaining to future avenues of research and clinical/programme development postpandemic, particularly relating to the potential need for increased support for spouses of Veterans, both as individuals and in their role as supports for Veterans

The Self stepping into the shoes of the Other: Understanding and developing self-perceptions of empathy among prospective physical education teachers through a special school placement

Teachers who demonstrate a high degree of empathy are said to have more positive attitudes towards pupils with disabilities. Therefore, this article sought to explore the influence of a special school placement on prospective teachers’ self-perceptions of empathy. Thirty-two final year undergraduate students participated in focus group interviews and were selected because they aspired to be a physical education teacher and had attended a placement in a special school. Interview transcripts were analysed and the following themes constructed: Stepping into the shoes of the Other; Frustrated ‘for’ not ‘with’ pupils with disabilities; Empathy for planning inclusive lessons and ‘reading’ pupil body language; and Knowing when not to show empathy. All prospective teachers felt that: (a) they could empathise with pupils with disabilities; (b) situated learning experiences within the placement enabled them to reflect on the ways in which their empathy influences their teaching now and could continue to do so in the future; and (c) it was important that teachers demonstrated empathy. Thus, it is recommended that all prospective teachers gain some experience teaching in special schools. Our research also warns against teachers claiming the last, conclusive word about who children with disabilities are, what they think, how they feel and what they want, in myriad contexts and situations

The Role of CD 133+ Cells in a Recurrent Embryonal Tumor with Abundant Neuropil and True Rosettes ( ETANTR )

Embryonal tumor with abundant neuropil and true rosettes ( ETANTR ) is a recently described embryonal neoplasm of the central nervous system, consisting of a well‐circumscribed embryonal tumor of infancy with mixed features of ependymoblastoma (multilayer ependymoblastic rosettes and pseudorosettes) and neuroblastoma (neuroblastic rosettes) in the presence of neuropil‐like islands. We present the case of a young child with a very aggressive tumor that rapidly recurred after gross total resection, chemotherapy and radiation. Prominent vascular sclerosis and circumscribed tumor led to the diagnosis of malignant astroblastoma; however, rapid recurrence and progression of this large tumor after gross total resection prompted review of the original pathology. ETANTR is histologically distinct with focal glial fibrillary acid protein ( GFAP ) and synaptophysin expression in the presence of neuronal and ependymoblastic rosettes with focal neuropil islands. These architectural features, combined with unique chromosome 19q13.42 amplification, confirmed the diagnosis. In this report, we describe tumor stem cell ( TSC ) marker CD 133, CD 15 and nestin alterations in ETANTR before and after chemotherapy. We found that TSC marker CD 133 was richly expressed after chemotherapy in recurrent ETANTR , while CD 15 is depleted compared with that expressed in the original tumor, suggesting that CD 133+ cells likely survived initial treatment, further contributing to formation of the recurrent tumor.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102077/1/bpa12079.pd

Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 4 and airway sensory afferent activation: Role of adenosine triphosphate

BackgroundSensory nerves innervating the airways play an important role in regulating various cardiopulmonary functions, maintaining homeostasis under healthy conditions and contributing to pathophysiology in disease states. Hypo-osmotic solutions elicit sensory reflexes, including cough, and are a potent stimulus for airway narrowing in asthmatic patients, but the mechanisms involved are not known. Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 4 (TRPV4) is widely expressed in the respiratory tract, but its role as a peripheral nociceptor has not been explored.ObjectiveWe hypothesized that TRPV4 is expressed on airway afferents and is a key osmosensor initiating reflex events in the lung.MethodsWe used guinea pig primary cells, tissue bioassay, in vivo electrophysiology, and a guinea pig conscious cough model to investigate a role for TRPV4 in mediating sensory nerve activation in vagal afferents and the possible downstream signaling mechanisms. Human vagus nerve was used to confirm key observations in animal tissues.ResultsHere we show TRPV4-induced activation of guinea pig airway–specific primary nodose ganglion cells. TRPV4 ligands and hypo-osmotic solutions caused depolarization of murine, guinea pig, and human vagus and firing of Aδ-fibers (not C-fibers), which was inhibited by TRPV4 and P2X3 receptor antagonists. Both antagonists blocked TRPV4-induced cough.ConclusionThis study identifies the TRPV4-ATP-P2X3 interaction as a key osmosensing pathway involved in airway sensory nerve reflexes. The absence of TRPV4-ATP–mediated effects on C-fibers indicates a distinct neurobiology for this ion channel and implicates TRPV4 as a novel therapeutic target for neuronal hyperresponsiveness in the airways and symptoms, such as cough