An approach to supporting young people with autism spectrum disorder and high anxiety to re-engage with formal education - the impact on young people and their families

School refusal is an important factor impacting upon poor outcomes for adolescents and youth. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience characteristic difficulties regarding social interaction and communication, rigidity of thinking and sensory sensitivities. These difficulties, coupled with the heightened anxiety that many on the spectrum experience, place them at particular risk of school refusal. This study investigates activity undertaken in one UK local authority, where provision was developed to help such students to re-engage with formal education. Data were collected at three points through the first year of the provision’s existence. Findings show all students were successfully supported to attend the provision and re-engage with formal education. Factors supportive of re-engagement are presented and considered in the light of an ecological model of support for school refusers and what is considered as ‘good practice’ in autism education. It is suggested that the factors identified are indicative of good practice across both areas of activity

Deep optical study of the mixed-morphology supernova remnant G 132.7+1.3 (HB3)

We present optical CCD images of the large supernova remnant (SNR) G 132.7+1.3 (HB3) covering its full extent for the first time, in the emission lines of Hα +[N II], [S II], and [O III], where new and known filamentary and diffuse structures are detected. These observations are supplemented by new low-resolution long-slit spectra and higher resolution images in the same emission lines. Both the flux-calibrated images and spectra confirm that the optical emission originates from shock-heated gas since the [S II]/Hα > 0.4. Our findings are also consistent with the recently developed emission-line ratio diagnostics for distinguishing SNRs from H II regions. A multiwavelength comparison among our optical data and relevant observations in radio, X-rays, gamma-rays and CO bands, provided additional evidence on the interaction of HB3 with the surrounding clouds and clarified the borders of the SNR and the adjacent cloud. We discuss the supernova (SN) properties and evolution that led to the current observables of HB3 and we show that the remnant has most likely passed at the pressure driven snowplow phase. The estimated SN energy was found to be (3.7 ± 1.5) × 1051 erg and the current SNR age (5.1 ± 2.1) × 104 yr. We present an alternative scenario according to which the SNR evolved in the wind bubble cavity excavated by the progenitor star and currently is interacting with its density walls. We show that the overall mixed morphology properties of HB3 can be explained if the SN resulted by a Wolf−Rayet progenitor star with mass ∼34 M⊙⁠

Digital Literacy and young children: towards better understandings of the benefits and challenges of digital technologies in homes and early years settings. : Policy briefing of DigiLitEY COST Action IS1410 and the Digital Childhoods SIG of the European Early Childhood Research Association.

Non peer reviewe

Digital Literacy and young children: towards better understandings of the benefits and challenges of digital technologies in homes and early years settings

This policy brief is based on an extensive body of research across Europe and elsewhere conducted by leading researchers in the field across more than 30 countries. We have studied the use of digital technologies by children under 8 years old in a variety of settings using an extensive range of research methods

Mycoplasma pneumoniae Encephalopathy: Recovery After Intravenous Immunoglobulin

In a case of Mycoplasma pneumoniae encephalopathy in a 7-year-old girl, the microorganism was identified by serologic and pharyngeal-swab polymerase chain reaction methods. Failure to detect or isolate the pathogen in the cerebrospinal fluid and the significant rapid clinical recovery of the patient after intravenous immunoglobulin administration suggest an immune-mediated mechanism. In critically ill patients with M. pneumoniae encephalopathy, prompt intravenous immunoglobulin treatment may be beneficial and can be considered as a primary or alternative therapeutic approach, especially when use of corticosteroids is insecure. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved