In the Shadows of Autism: A Collective Case Study on Life with a Sibling with Autism in a Military Family

The purpose of this collective case study was to understand the typically developing (TD) sibling\u27s well-being and role in a military family with a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on a military post through the parent and TD sibling perspective. The three theories which guided this research include the social cognitive theory (Bandura, 2001a), self-determination theory (Ryan and Deci, 2000), and family system theory (Bowen, 1966). These theories were utilized to evaluate and better understand the motivations, characteristics, and the social development within the family when one child has a diagnosis of ASD. The research questions were: (1) How is the well-being of a typically developing child in a military family living on a military post impacted by having a sibling with autism in the home? (2) How does having a sibling with ASD impact the roles of the typically developing siblings in a military family who lives on a military post? (3) How do parent perspectives on the experiences of TD siblings compare and contrast to the TD siblings’ actual experiences and perceptions when one sibling has ASD on a military post? Each family had one sibling that had a diagnosis of ASD as well as a TD sibling. Data were collected through observations, photographs, and timelines to provide in-depth understanding of the siblings of children with autism in a military household. Interviews were conducted with four families, one parent and a TD sibling, all from the same military base. Data from interviews, timeline discussions, and photograph discussions were then coded for common themes. Eight themes were identified: protective nature of siblings over their sibling with ASD, separations create a change in lifestyle, the annoying little brother, reactions to home therapy, improvements of sibling relationships as they mature, fairness among siblings, anticipation for what the future holds for their children, and self-reflection of parent choices

Joint space width of the tibiofemoral and of the patellofemoral joint in chronic knee pain with or without radiographic osteoarthritis: a 2-year follow-up

AbstractObjectives: To assess the interval change of the minimal joint space width (MJS) in radiographs of the tibiofemoral (TF) joint and of the patellofemoral (PF) joint with a 2-year follow-up in middle-aged people with longstanding knee pain with or without radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) and to study the precision of the MJS measurements.Design: In the format of a prospective study of early OA the signal knee in 55 people, 28 men and 27 women (aged 41–57 years, median 50), with chronic knee pain at inclusion was examined with a 2-year interval (median 25 months, range 21–30). The MJS of the TF joint was measured using a flexed PA view in weightbearing and the MJS of the PF joint using an axial view in standing.Results: The MJS of the TF joint decreased medially by 0.056±0.44mm (n.s.) and increased laterally by 0.080±0.51mm (n.s.) during the time of observation. In knees with an MJS medially that was less or the same as compared with the lateral compartment, the MJS decreased by 0.14±0.38mm (p=0.038) and in a subgroup of these knees, without osteophytes, the MJS decreased by 0.14±0.27mm (p=0.018). The MJS of the PF joint decreased by 0.019mm (n.s.) during the time of observation. The coefficient of variation for intra- and interobserver MJS measurements of the TF joint was 1.0 and 1.1% medially and 2.3 and 2.7% laterally, and for measurement error 6.9% medially and 4.8% laterally, respectively. The coefficient of variation for intra- and interobserver MJS measurements of the PF joint was 8.1 and 5.8% medially and 7.5 and 10.1% laterally and for the measurement error it was 8.1% medially and 8.5% laterally, respectively.Conclusions: A statistically significant reduction of the MJS was only demonstrated in the medial compartment of the TF joint in those individuals who had an MJS in this compartment which was less or the same as compared with the lateral compartment as well as in a subgroup of these knees without osteophytes. The radiographic examinations and the MJS measurements were reproducible

Bilden av den kvinnliga stiftaren : en jämförande studie mellan 1100- och 1400-talets kvinnliga stiftarbilder på skånska kalkmålningar

In this study I compare the donor portraits on wallpaintings in Scanian churches from the 12th and the 15th century and relate them to medieval society. I find that women were equally capable of owning and donating land during the entire period. The image of the ideal woman changed during the 14th century from a married woman to the unreachable mistress of the chivalrous culture and the holy virgin. Women had a natural place beside their husbands in 12th century donor portraits, while single male donors are more frequent in the 15th century. While 12th century donors were supposed to show their position in society by offering plentiful donations directly to God, donors in the 14th century instead strived to present themselves as humble and pious. The individualisation of late medieval society meant that people had to depend on themselves to achieve salvation

The impact of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act in eastern Sussex. An intra-regional study c. 1800-1860

This study uses poor relief records for sixteen parishes across the period 1800 to 1860 in order to assess the number and profile of relief recipients and the nature of the support they received prior to, and following, the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act. There have been many studies of welfare in the last decades of the Old and the first years of the New Poor Laws; however, very few have considered the realities of relief at a local level longitudinally, and virtually none have undertaken an in-depth study of the impact of change on communities during the crucial transition period. The focus of the study is eastern Sussex in the southeast of England which was a predominantly agricultural region in the nineteenth century and included areas with exceptionally high spending on poor relief. The parishes, which became part of five New Poor Law unions, are located in geographically diverse areas and represent a range of economies in the Weald, the Downs and a county town, making it possible to consider relief at an intra-regional level. The New Poor Law aimed to impose a more deterrent relief system which would restrict the support available, notably to the able-bodied, and reduce the cost to ratepayers. In addition to making changes to the supply of poor relief, the legislation established a precedent whereby a Central Authority in London became involved with administration at a local level. This study is one of the first to discuss the interaction between local officials and the Central Commission and also the relationship between the poor and administrators at a local and central level and it identifies a strong sense of 'localism' within the parishes. The Sussex evidence reveals that spending on relief fell after 1834 and support to the able-bodied, notably agricultural labourers, was reduced. However, the impact was far greater in the wealden parishes where poverty was most apparent under the Old Poor Law. Comparisons are made with contemporary society and the study concludes that issues such as low wages, temporary employment and a failure to appreciate the range of problems faced by local economies were apparent in the nineteenth century and still prevail today

‘A Paper for the Scandinavians in Edmonton’: The Norwegian Immigrant Experience in Alberta as Recorded in the Norwegian-Language Paper Vikingen

ABSTRACT: Of the more than 2,000 Scandinavian newspapers published in North America prior to World War I, few have been preserved for posterity. One long-forgotten paper recently resurfaced: the Norwegian language newspaper Vikingen of Edmonton, Alberta, published by the Scandinavian Literary and Youth Societies on the eve of World War I. A survey of Vikingen’s editorials provides an insight into an active and vibrant community, struggling to retain its Scandinavian identity while trying to establish itself in Canadian society. Nostalgia for the old country and a certain alienation from the mainstream Anglo-Saxon society found an outlet in an intense Norwegian patriotism and a backward-looking cultural nostalgia. Vikingen gives us a glimpse of the lively social and political life of the Scandinavian pioneers in Western Canada and lets us revisit the keen debates surrounding suffrage rights, immigration, and alcohol prohibition