Accessing Healthcare: The Experience of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Maine

Previous research has revealed that children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are significantly more likely to have both unmet healthcare needs than those with other disabilities. In addition, they are more likely to have difficulty accessing primary or specialized medical care. Minority status, living in a rural location, and low income can exacerbate these disparities. Other obstacles to effective healthcare for individuals with ASD include the following: (1) severity of symptoms associated with ASD; (2) lack of knowledge or skill by medical practitioners; (3) lack of access to comprehensive healthcare supports or a medical home; and (4) lack of access to health insurance for needed supports and services. Individuals with ASD of all ages are likely to have a range of other medical and psychological conditions, making the need for comprehensive healthcare imperative. The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS), Maine’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council have published a research report, Accessing Healthcare: The Experience of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Maine (2014), that reveals promising positive trends, as well as areas of concern, in healthcare access for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders in Maine. The Maine Developmental Disabilities Council funded research to collect information about the experience of accessing healthcare from 85 parents of children with ASD and 22 adults with ASD or their guardians who live in Maine. A consultant conducted structured in-person interviews to collect the data and the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies’ primary researcher, Alan Kurtz, Ph.D. Candidate and Coordinator of Education and Autism, analyzed the method, data collected, and reported the results. Report co-authors include Angie Schickle, Margaret Carr, Marnie Bragdon-Morneault, Susan Russell, Debra Rainey, Jill Downs and Nancy Cronin

DJI-Kinderbetreuungsreport 2019. Inanspruchnahme und Bedarf aus Elternperspektive im Bundesländervergleich. Bericht

Der Report stellt wesentliche Befunde der DJI-Kinderbetreuungsstudie (KiBS) des Deutschen Jugendinstituts vor. KiBS ist eine durch das Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ) finanzierte bundeslandrepräsentative Studie, die jährlich im Rahmen der Sozialberichterstattung die Betreuungsbedarfe der Eltern von Kindern ab Geburt und bis zum Ende des Grundschulalters erhebt. [...] Der DJI-Kinderbetreuungsreport greift jedes Jahr ein aktuelles Thema vertiefend auf. In diesem Jahr liegt der Schwerpunkt - mit Blick auf das sogenannte "Gute-Kita-Gesetz" - auf der elterlichen Einschätzung der Qualität der Betreuung. Dabei geht es bei den kleineren Kindern z. B. um das Vorhandensein pädagogisch qualifizierter Fachkräfte und einer festen Bezugsperson für das Kind. Bei den Schulkindern steht eher im Vordergrund, ob es eine Unterstützung bei der Erledigung der Hausaufgaben gibt und Bildungsangebote jenseits des Schulstoffs existieren. Daneben interessiert aber auch, inwiefern die Integration von Kindern unterschiedlicher Herkunft gefördert wird. (Verlag

Biological Activation of Inert Ceramics: Recent Advances Using Tailored Self-Assembled Monolayers on Implant Ceramic Surfaces

High-strength ceramics as materials for medical implants have a long, research-intensive history. Yet, especially on applications where the ceramic components are in direct contact with the surrounding tissue, an unresolved issue is its inherent property of biological inertness. To combat this, several strategies have been investigated over the last couple of years. One promising approach investigates the technique of Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAM) and subsequent chemical functionalization to create a biologically active tissue-facing surface layer. Implementation of this would have a beneficial impact on several fields in modern implant medicine such as hip and knee arthroplasty, dental applications and related fields. This review aims to give a summarizing overview of the latest advances in this recently emerging field, along with thorough introductions of the underlying mechanism of SAMs and surface cell attachment mechanics on the cell side

Oberflächenfunktionalisierung und Biologisierung bioinerter Hochleistungskeramik durch Multischichtsysteme mit selbstorganisierenden Silanen

Aim of the present research was to develop a tailored functionalization and biologization of bioinert high-performance oxide ceramic surfaces. It should significantly improve the osseointegraton of the implants in future clinical applications. Owing to the functionalization process the specific functional groups in form of multilayer systems were introduced on the pretreated alumina surfaces. First, the silicate layer was deposited on the substrate using physical vapor deposition and flame pyrolysis. Hereafter, specific silanes were coupled to the silicated surfaces. Through further chemical treatments functional groups (─OH, ─COOH und ─NH2) were created on the surface. Additionally the biological agents were immobilized on the modified sufaces through the biologisation process. The evidence of the efficient immobilized functional groups was proven by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. The immobilized model-protein (BSA) was detected using contact angle measurements, bicinchoninic acid assay and immunofluorescence. The achieved results of the present research have proven the possibility of functionalization and biologization of inert high-performance oxide ceramics. Such functionalized biomaterials could distinctly improve the osseointegration of ceramic components in future applications