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Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) engage in less physical activity than typically-developing peers. This can result in serious negative consequences for individual well-being and may contribute to the physical, behavioral, and emotional challenges associated with ASD. This study explored the potential benefits of trainer-led, individualized, physical fitness sessions specialized for ASD. Eleven individuals (ages 7–24 years) with ASD were assessed at baseline and following 15 fitness sessions. Participants demonstrated improvements in core and lower-body strength and reductions in restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, along with non-significant but marked reductions in issues with daytime sleepiness. Results suggest the merit of specialized fitness programs and emphasize the need for larger and more rigorous research studies on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Rehabilitation intervention descriptions often do not explicitly identify active ingredients or how those ingredients lead to changes in patient functioning. The Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) provides guidance to identify the critical aspects of any rehabilitation therapy and supported the development of standardly named ingredients and targets in voice therapy (Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System for Voice Therapy [RTSS-Voice]). This study sought to test the content validity of the RTSS-Voice and determine if the RTSS-Voice can be used to identify commonalities and differences in treatment (criterion validity) across clinicians in everyday clinical practice. Method: Five speech-language pathologists from different institutions videotaped one therapy session for 59 patients diagnosed with a voice or upper airway disorder. Specifications were created for each video, and iterative rounds of revisions were completed with the treating clinician and two RTSS experts until consensus was reached on each specification. Results: All 59 sessions were specified without the addition of any targets or ingredients. There were two frequent targets: (a) increased volition and (b) decreased strained voice quality. There were three frequent ingredients: (a) information regarding the patient's capability and motivation to perform a therapeutic behavior, (b) knowledge of results feedback, and (c) opportunities to practice voicing with improved resonance and mean airflow. Across sessions treating vocal hyperfunction, there was large variability across clinicians regarding the types and number of treatment components introduced, types of feedback provided, and vocal practice within spontaneous speech and negative practice. Conclusions: The RTSS and the RTSS-Voice demonstrated strong content validity, as they comprehensively characterized 59 therapy sessions. They also demonstrated strong criterion validity, as commonalities and differences were identified in everyday voice therapy for vocal hyperfunction across multiple clinicians. Future work to translate RTSS principles and RTSS-Voice terms into clinical documentation can help to understand how clinician and patient variability impacts outcomes and bridge the research--practice gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical specialty camps can play an important role in the positive development of psychosocial outcomes for children and youth with sickle cell disease (SCD). This study examined how sense of mastery and attitude towards illness outcomes changed over 6 months for 100 campers aged 8–16 years with SCD. The outcomes were measured twice before and twice after camp. Latent growth curve modeling was used to analyze data. Results showed no changes in the outcomes for this study population. Implications for future research designs, populations, and outcomes are discussed, as are implications for communications about camp, and policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data that inform preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation for women involved in criminal justice (WICJ) systems are scarce. In a survey of PrEP attitudes, acceptability, and barriers across the criminal justice system, incarcerated women (n = 48) were more likely than WICJ on probation (n = 125) to be eligible for PrEP (29% vs. 15%; p = .04) and willing to take PrEP if offered (94% vs. 78%; p = .01). In multivariate models, PrEP eligibility directly correlated with being incarcerated (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.76-13.1) and inversely correlated with Hispanic/Latina ethnicity (aOR 0.31; 95% CI 0.10-0.96). Recent partner violence exposure was associated with PrEP eligibility (aOR 3.29; 95% CI 1.54-7.02) and discordant risk perception (aOR 2.36; 95% CI 1.18-4.70). Findings demonstrate high potential for PrEP for all WICJ, though implementation efforts will need to address partner violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is a leading cause of chronic illness among school-aged children and adolescents. Current trends have led to school faculty and staff becoming increasingly responsible for managing student asthma, often without optimal training or resources. The purpose of this project was to establish whether facilitated access to personalized student asthma action plans (AAPs), education, proper use, and school nurse support improved reported self-efficacy regarding student asthma exacerbation prevention and management in elementary and preschool faculty and staff. Thirty-five participants from an urban, underserved Connecticut school were surveyed to determine perceived self-efficacy regarding student asthma exacerbation prevention and management. AAPs were then placed with students' asthma inhalers, and all participants were instructed on their use. Three months later, participants were resurveyed. A statistically significant difference after both the initial education and 3-month survey was identified. Providing elementary and preschool faculty and staff with facilitated access to student action plans and education on their use can improve perceived self-efficacy regarding student asthma exacerbation prevention and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]