The Role of Maternal Gesture Use in Speech Use by Children with Fragile X Syndrome

Purpose--The purpose of this study was to investigate how maternal gesture relates to speech production by children with fragile X syndrome (FXS). Method--Participants were 27 young children with FXS (23 boys, 4 girls) and their mothers. Videotaped home observations were conducted between the ages of 25 and 37 months (toddler period), and again between the ages of 60 and 71 months (child period). The videos were later coded for types of maternal utterances and maternal gestures that preceded child speech productions. Children were also assessed with the Mullen Scales of Early Learning at both ages Results--Maternal gesture use in the toddler period was positively related to expressive language scores at both age periods, and was related to receptive language scores in the child period. Maternal proximal pointing, in comparison to other gestures, evoked more speech responses from children during the mother-child interactions particularly when combined with wh-questions. Conclusion-- This study adds to the growing body of research on the importance of contextual variables, such as maternal gestures, in child language development. Parental gesture use may be an easily added ingredient to parent-focused early language intervention programs

Evaluating associations between fitspiration and thinspiration content on Instagram and disordered-eating behaviors using ecological momentary assessment: A registered report

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Christensen, KA, Forbush, KT, Cushing, CC, Lejuez, CW, Fleming, KK, Swinburne Romine, RE. Evaluating associations between fitspiration and thinspiration content on Instagram and disordered-eating behaviors using ecological momentary assessment: A registered report. Int J Eat Disord. 2021; 54: 1307– 1315. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23518, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23518. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.Introduction Greater use of appearance-focused social media, such as Instagram, is associated with increased body dissatisfaction and eating disorder (ED) symptoms; however, questions remain about the mechanism connecting social media use to disordered-eating behaviors (DEBs). The proposed study evaluates how and for whom exposure to fitspiration or thinspiration on Instagram is associated with DEBs. Methods We will evaluate a hypothesized pathway from Instagram use to disordered-eating mediated by negative affect. We will test how individual differences in internalized weight stigma, trait self-esteem, and trait self-comparison moderate the pathway from social media use to negative affect. We will recruit 175 undergraduate women who report engaging in DEBs on average at least once per week over the past 3 months. Participants will complete a 7-day ecological momentary assessment protocol, during which they will report their Instagram use, affect, and engagement in DEBs. Results Multi-level modeling will be used to assess moderated mediation. Results from this study will provide increased specificity about how Instagram usage is linked to eating pathology and who may be most vulnerable to experiencing distress. Discussion Information about negative affect from Instagram and engagement in DEBs could contribute to the development of Just-In-Time Interventions for problematic social media use

iKanEat: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial of megestrol as a component of a pediatric tube weaning protocol

Background Although tube feeding routinely saves the lives of children who do not eat by mouth, chronic tube feeding can be a burden to patients, caregivers, and families. Very few randomized trials exist regarding the best methods for weaning children from their feeding tubes. Methods The current paper describes a randomized controlled trial of an empirically supported outpatient treatment protocol for moving children from tube to oral eating called iKanEat. Specifically, we describe the methods of randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial which includes a 4-week course of megestrol, the only medication used in the iKanEat protocol, to determine whether the addition of megestrol results in improved child outcomes. The primary and secondary aims are to assess the safety and efficacy of megestrol as part of the iKanEat protocol. The third aim is to provide critical information about the impact of the transition from tube to oral feeding on parent stress and parent and child quality of life. Discussion This trial will provide data regarding whether megestrol is a safe and effective component of the iKanEat tube weaning protocol, as well as important data on how the tube weaning process impacts parent stress and parent and child quality of life

Recruitment and reach in a school-based pediatric obesity intervention trial in rural areas

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to evaluate two recruitment strategies on schools and participant participation rates and representativeness (reach) within a pediatric obesity treatment trial tailored for families who live in rural areas. Methods: Recruitment of schools was evaluated based on their progress toward enrolling participants. Recruitment and reach of participants were evaluated using (1) participation rates and (2) representativeness of demographics and weight status of participants compared to eligible participants (who did not consent and enroll) and all students (regardless of eligibility). School recruitment, as well as participant recruitment and reach, were evaluated across recruitment methods comparing opt-in (i.e., caregivers agreed to allow their child to be screened for eligibility) vs. screen-first (i.e., all children screened for eligibility). Results: Of the 395 schools contacted, 34 schools (8.6%) expressed initial interest; of these, 27 (79%) proceeded to recruit participants, and 18 (53%) ultimately participated in the program. Of schools who initiated recruitment, 75% of schools using the opt-in method and 60% of schools using the screen-first method continued participation and were able to recruit a sufficient number of participants. The average participation rate (number of enrolled individuals divided by those who were eligible) from all 18 schools was 21.6%. This percentage was higher in schools using the screen-first method (average of 29.7%) compared to schools using the opt-in method (13.5%). Study participants were representative of the student population based on sex (female), race (White), and eligibility for free and reduced-price lunch. Study participants had higher body mass index (BMI) metrics (BMI, BMIz, and BMI%) than eligible non-participants. Conclusions: Schools using the opt-in recruitment were more likely to enroll at least 5 families and administer the intervention. However, the participation rate was higher in screen-first schools. The overall study sample was representative of the school demographics

Association of Multisetting Community Programs and Policies With Child Body Mass Index: The Healthy Communities Study

INTRODUCTION: Expert opinion suggests that efforts to address childhood obesity should seek to transform the environments in which children operate. The objective of this study was to describe the extent to which multisetting programs and policies interact with community and child predictors and are associated with child body mass index (BMI) in the 130 US communities participating in the Healthy Communities Study. METHODS: For 2 years beginning in fall 2013, we collected data through key informant interviews on community programs and policies related to healthy weight among children that occurred in the 10 years before the interview. We characterized community programs and policies by intensity of efforts and the number of settings in which a program or policy was implemented. Child height and weight were measured during household data collection. We used multilevel modeling to examine associations of community programs and policies in multiple settings and child and community predictors with BMI z scores of children. RESULTS: The mean number of settings in which community policies and programs were implemented was 7.3 per community. Of 130 communities, 31 (23.8%) implemented community programs and policies in multiple settings. Higher-intensity community programs and policies were associated with lower BMI in communities that used multiple settings but not in communities that implemented programs and policies in few settings. CONCLUSION: Efforts to prevent childhood obesity may be more effective when community programs and policies are both intensive and are implemented in multiple settings in which children live, learn, and play

Exploratory Study of a Team-Based Model of Transition Professional Development

This article shares the results from a quasi-experimental mixed-methods study of a promising transition-focused professional development approach. The 12-week team-based intervention resulted in positive outcomes among intervention group participants’ knowledge and capacities. The intervention group exhibited statistically significant changes in knowledge of transition assessment practices as well as in using various types of age-appropriate transition assessments and implementing effective practices associated with a comprehensive transition assessment process. At the program level, findings indicated team-level indicators showed statistically significant improvements. The study demonstrated teams who received the intervention were more likely to attain a program-level goal, which was substantially greater than the comparison teams. Implications for future research and practice are shared

Table_1_New evidence of predictive validity of SRSS-IE scores with middle and high school students.docx

IntroductionWe report predictive validity of the newly defined Student Risk Screening Scale – Internalizing and Externalizing (SRSS-IE 9, with 9 items) when used for the first time by middle and high school teachers from 43 schools.MethodsThe sample included 11,773 middle school-aged students representing four geographic regions, and 7,244 high school-aged students representing three geographic regions.ResultsResults indicated fall SRSS-IE externalizing and internalizing latent factors as well as subscale scores (SRSS-E5, SRSS-I4, respectively) predicted year-end behavioral (office discipline referrals and in school suspensions) and academic (course failures) outcomes for middle and high school students as well as referrals to special education for middle school students. Internalizing scores also predicted referrals to special education for high school students. Externalizing and internalizing scores predicted nurse visits at the middle and high school levels with all models except for subscale models of internalizing in middle school. SRSS-IE 12 subscale scores for externalizing (SRSS-E7) and internalizing (SRSS-I5) using the original 12 items were similarly predictive of these outcomes, with few variations.DiscussionWe discuss educational implications, limitations, and directions for future inquiry.</p