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Introduction: Soft skills, essential for patient care, are relatively unfamiliar to dentists, necessitating investigation for the development of continuing education strategies. This study aimed to map the literature on soft skills usage in dental practice, based on dental professionals' perceptions, acknowledging the importance of conducting a scoping review to understand the current research landscape and identify areas needing attention from researchers and educators. Methods: The research question was: "What are the soft skills investigated in dental practice?". Searches were conducted from November to December 2022 in the following electronic databases: virtual Health Library (BVS), National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE/PubMed), American Psychological Association (APA PsycNET), Scopus (Elsevier), and Portal Capes. Studies with dentists (public) who utilize soft skills (concept) in dental practice in both public and other settings (context), without language restrictions, between 2012 and 2022, were included. Results: After applying the inclusion criteria, 266 articles were included. There was an increasing trend in publications over the last decade (R2 = 0.699). The non-public sector was the most addressed (60.15%). The dimension of intrapersonal skills was the most investigated (37.22%), followed by interpersonal skills (27.44%), communication skills (22.56%), professional ethical values (9.4%), and managerial skills (3.38%). Conclusion: Research on soft skills in dental practice has surged in recent years, with a notable focus on intrapersonal skills. Nonetheless, the scarcity of literature on certain soft skills may impact the continuous education of professionals, highlighting the importance of stimulating further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the challenges of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face and different ways to develop social skills in children with ASD, such as behavioural approaches, speech and language therapy, social skill group training, Positive Behaviour Reinforcement Interventions, social narratives, video modelling, and Pivotal Response Training. The role of technology in developing social skills in children with ASD, including text-to-voice messages, battery-operated sensory toys, virtual and augmented reality, and augmentative and alternative communication technology is also discussed in the same light. These social skills can help ASD children mitigate certain issues related to communication and interaction, and improve their confidence, independence, and appropriate social behavior. Conclusion: We conclude that the PRT technique is the most effective way to develop social skills in children with ASD, as it is child-centered, naturalistic, and includes pivotal behavior that are necessary for social skill improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioral skills training (BST) has been used to improve football players' performance in one prior study, but limited data were collected on how the skill generalized from the training environment to the natural environment. The purpose of this study was to further evaluate the effects of BST in enhancing football players' performance while also evaluating the generalization of a skill taught in a training environment (i.e., practice) to the natural environment (i.e., game‐simulated scrimmage). This study included five high school offensive line football players and recorded their run‐blocking skills in the training context and a game context in baseline and following BST. The results showed that BST improved performance in the training environment, with run‐blocking skills slightly generalizing from the training environment to game‐simulated scrimmages. When BST was conducted in the natural environment, it further improved the participants' run‐blocking skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 21st Annual Meeting of the Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Special Interest Group of the World Federation of Neuro-rehabilitation took place in Coimbra, Portugal, with a focus on the theme 'Music to the Brain'. The conference featured presentations on various topics related to neuropsychological rehabilitation, including studies on brain injuries, emotional regulation, and cognitive rehabilitation. The event also included discussions on cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in neuropsychology, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives in research and practice. The conference concluded with a gala dinner and a handover of leadership roles, with plans for the next year's conference on the 'Sunshine' Coast of Australia. [Extracted from the article]

Aim: Schizophrenia is a leading cause of disability worldwide; early detection and intervention are critical. Early in their illness, individuals at clinical high‐risk (CHR) for psychosis have subthreshold psychotic symptoms that are often derogatory and self‐directed. We hypothesized that CHR participants with negative self‐reference (NSR) as a component of subthreshold psychosis would also have higher levels of social anxiety and depression, lower self‐esteem and lower social/role/global functioning as compared with CHR participants without NSR. Methods: One hundred and sixty‐eight participants from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funded Regroup Cognitive Behavioural Social Skills Training (CBSST) study were included. Clinical vignettes that included the Scale of Psychosis‐Risk Symptoms were coded categorically to indicate whether NSR was present. t‐tests were used to determine the association between NSR, symptom, and functional measures. Results: Participants with NSR demonstrated significantly more social interaction anxiety (p <.001), negative beliefs about the self (p ≤.001), defeatist beliefs (p <.05), depressive symptoms (p <.05) and positive symptoms (p <.005). There were no significant differences in social self‐efficacy, positive or negative beliefs about others, positive beliefs about the self or psychosocial functioning between the two groups. Conclusions: Clinically significant differences were found between CHR participants with and without NSR, suggesting that this may be a useful factor to identify and address. Follow‐up studies are needed to determine whether NSR responds to CBSST and whether or not its resolution would be associated with improvement in other symptom domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This quasi-experimental study aimed to describe the outcome of a social skills intervention for adolescents with depression followed up at an outpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit. Twenty adolescents with depression attending a tertiary care facility in Colombo, Sri Lanka were recruited, who participated in two social skills training programmes (6 months apart), in addition to pharmacological treatment. Outcome of the programme was measured by a self-administered questionnaire that assessed perceived changes in social skills, before and after the intervention. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used to determine the statistical significance of improvement in social skills. Results: The sample consisted of 80% (n = 16) female adolescents. Median scores (inter-quartile range) for social skills before and after the first social skills programme were 31.5 (21.0–36.0) and 33.0 (28.25–40.25) respectively, indicating a significant improvement in social skills following intervention (p = 0.011, r = 0.57). A similar improvement was observed after the second programme (n = 10), reporting higher median scores for social skills after intervention (29.5 vs. 37.5, p = 0.005, r = 0.89). A significant improvement was also observed in perceived ability to cope with depressive thoughts after intervention (p = 0.032), indicating that social skills training can be a useful adjunct to pharmacological interventions, in the management of depression in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this pilot study, we assessed the effectiveness and acceptability of an educational program designed to prevent alcohol-related behaviors among high school students. The program was rooted in the Theory of Planned Behavior principles (TPB) and supplemented with life-skills teaching. A total of 352 participants were involved, representing 10 secondary schools in central Greece. Among these, 257 students (Mage: 14.51 ± 1.34 years) constituted the experimental group, while 95 were assigned to the control group. The experimental group received a 10-session program, one per week. The results revealed that the experimental group had a significant improvement on knowledge about alcohol, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and alcohol-related behavior between pre- and post-intervention measurements. Additionally, students expressed high levels of satisfaction with the program. These findings offer substantial evidence for the practicality and effectiveness of an alcohol prevention initiative that is rooted in theory and supported by life-skills education when implemented within a school environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social cognitive skills training (SCST) in a therapeutic setup can result in more positive outcomes when incorporated with psychotherapy, especially among adolescents with minor social-cognitive impairments, and it may result in multifarious benefits to mitigate their social-cognitive dysfunction. This research focuses on the effect of SCST on the cognitive and affective theory of mind for adolescents with low social cognition. Quasi-experimental research with a pre-test-post-test design was used. Edinburgh Social Cognition test (ESCoT) was used for pre-and post-testing one week before and post-SCST training. The significant findings reveal a positive impact of SCST on the affective theory of mind and cognitive theory of mind in the experimental group. No significant changes were found in the control group (waitlisted). The results help validate the SCST module to improve an adolescent's cognitive and affective theory of mind in social cognition. Further implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation can lead to wage inequalities through different channels. This paper explores this relationship, focusing on the direct and spillover (indirect) effects of these channels on personal wage inequalities in Brazilian regions. Product and process innovation are measured by patents and the acquisition of foreign technology through imports of capital goods respectively. Based on data that covers 482 regions from 2003 to 2014, we use the Spatial Durbin Model with spatial fixed effects to control spatial dependence and heterogeneity across regions. The results point to a positive association between our measures of innovation and wage inequalities. However, as we found a non‐linear relationship between imports of capital goods and wage inequality, an increase in imports of capital goods may reduce wage inequality. Other variables may also cause inequality to fall, such as the share of the population with a higher education degree and social skills. Drivers behind an increase in inequality are female participation in the workforce and the level of GDP per capita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) is a group-based social skills training program for adolescents on the autism spectrum. Although the program has been shown to be effective in improving social skills in autistic adolescents, evidence of its effectiveness from the Mandarin-speaking Chinese population is sparse. The present study used a non-randomized, pre- and post-intervention research design to investigate the feasibility and cultural validity of the program, as well as examine the moderators of intervention outcomes. Methods: Thirty-three autistic adolescents with intelligence quotient above 70 (Mage = 13.57, SDage = 1.43; Male: Female 25:8) and their parents received 14 concurrent 90-minute sessions. Adolescents' autistic traits, challenging behaviors, emotional functioning, socio-cognitive process, social environment factors (school support), and caregivers' well-being were evaluated. Results: The findings suggest that with minor adjustments, the Mandarin version of PEERS® was generally acceptable and feasible for autistic adolescents and their parents. PEERS® may improve the social skills knowledge, reciprocal communication abilities, and emotional well-being of autistic adolescents. Also, participants with a higher level of school support, and parents with lower perceived subjective well-being at baseline may gain more benefits from PEERS®. The cultural adaptation and acceptability of the Mandarin Version of PEERS® were discussed. Conclusion: This feasibility study (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2200061417, 2022-06-23, retrospectively registered) provides a basis for further randomized control trials of the Mandarin version of PEERS®. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay considers what happens in the English classroom when teaching the same lesson to two classes considered to be of different levels of 'ability'. It explores what happens during a discussion about the fate of Eva Smith in An Inspector Calls when students' reading of a text diverges. I consider what teachers do when students' readings of a text goes against our expectations and accepted critical norms of both the teacher and the National Curriculum. Finally, I explore the potential problems with using retrieval practice as a way to manage divergent readings and interpretations in classroom discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterised by limited remission rates and emotional dimensions are often neglected. Cognitive remediation and emotional skills training (CREST) protocol aims to address cognitive and emotional factors. This study evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of a modified rolling‐group CREST protocol in an inpatient setting. Methods: Quasi‐experimental design evaluated CREST protocol in a rehabilitation programme. A total of 116 females diagnosed with AN were included, of whom 63 were included in the CREST protocol and 53 in the standard rehabilitation treatment. Various standardized measures were employed to assess psychopathology. Data collection occurred longitudinally, before and after CREST implementation. Results: No significant differences emerged between groups regarding changes in specific eating psychopathology. CREST group exhibited significant improvements in emotion regulation (p = 0.002) and social skills (p = 0.014), besides a reduction in alexithymia (p < 0.001) and cognitive rigidity (p = 0.013). Empathic features remained stable. Participants reported positive perceptions of the CREST intervention. Discussion: The study highlights the potential benefits of integrating emotional training within multidisciplinary intensive treatment for AN. Results emphasise the importance of treatment protocol with more affective and hot‐cognition‐related interventions, beyond weight‐related psychopathology. Implementing a rolling‐group CREST protocol in an inpatient setting showed promise in enhancing the emotional abilities of AN patients. Highlights: The Cognitive remediation and emotional skills training (CREST) group exhibited exceptional adherence, with no dropouts observed, indicating strong engagement and acceptability of the programme among participants.Participants in the CREST group experienced significant reductions in Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) scores, suggesting enhanced emotional regulation skills compared to the treatment as usual ,TAU group.The CREST intervention led to a notable decrease in alexithymia scores, indicating improved emotional awareness and expression among participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) has been successfully adapted for use with adolescents experiencing difficulties associated with the maladaptive undercontrol of emotion. However, clinical observation and research findings suggest that adolescents may exhibit traits of both undercontrol and overcontrol—where over‐regulation of emotion predominates. In the adult population, distinct groups of individuals with under‐ and overcontrolled regulation styles can be identified, and treatments such as Group Radical Openness (GRO) have shown promise in treating difficulties associated with the latter. However, there are difficulties identifying distinct groups of under‐ and overcontrolled adolescents. Aims: The present study therefore sought to qualitatively explore the experiences of participants (adolescents and parents) and facilitators of an intervention integrating DBT for adolescents' skills training with GRO. Method: Six adolescents, seven parents and six clinicians completed semi‐structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Nine themes and six subthemes were generated. Findings: Findings suggested that an intervention of this type may have particular utility for adolescents with emotion regulation difficulties in the context of both overcontrol and undercontrol. Participants described improvements in symptoms and relational functioning, which they attributed to the development of a shared language for communicating about emotion and the multifamily group context within which the intervention was delivered. Findings also emphasised the utility of rolling groups. Discussion: Further research investigating the efficacy of this intervention is warranted. Strengths, limitations, future directions and implications for practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted this qualitative study to explore the life recovery experiences of farmers in one of the worst flood-hit districts of Pakistan. Data were gathered in August 2020, ten years after the disastrous 2010 floods, which hit a significant population of the country. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to document the subjective evaluation of the study participants with regard to restoration and readjustment of routine social life, work and livelihoods. Specifically, we asked the farmers to share their life recovery experiences by recalling the factors that helped and hindered their recovery process. Thematic analysis uncovered that personal resilience, belief system, bonding social capital, formal aid and previous flood experience were the major factors that contributed positively to the farmers' life recovery. Political patronization and perceived unfairness in distribution of disaster aid were major factors that hindered the pace of their life recovery. In general, the findings of the study indicate that positive life recovery feelings of flood affected farmers are associated with resilience/vulnerabilities at individual and community level. Flood affected famers' life recovery experiences are shaped by trade-offs between social vulnerabilities and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most studies of social robot interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder have been laboratory experiments focusing on component skills. There is insufficient evidence documenting the qualitative impact of such programmes on social development and participation of children with autism spectrum disorder. This study aimed to identify the qualitative outcomes of a robot-mediated social skills training programme for children with autism spectrum disorder, examine the impact of such programmes on children's social participation and identify the essential elements of robotic interventions that are conducive to children's social development. A case study approach with a multiple case study design was adopted. Sixteen children with autism spectrum disorder, aged 5–11 years, were included. Participants received 12 weekly sessions of robot-mediated social skills training. The successful outcomes relating to social participation were identified as enhanced verbal expression, social awareness and emotional reciprocity. The impacts of the programme on personal development were identified as enhanced self-esteem, self-confidence and emotional expression. Robot friendship, the role of the robot as a facilitator and the presence of a human instructor capable of leading the programme were identified as essential elements of the positive changes. The encounter with a social robot was regarded as meaningful and important to the children with autism spectrum disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to investigate the educational potential of AI-powered chatbots in Social Studies learning-teaching processes. The study was conducted using embedded design, evaluated within the framework of mixed methods research. The study group consists of 78 6th-grade students studying in three different classes, along with one teacher who implemented the practices and guided the process. During the experimental phase of the study, lessons in the experimental group were taught by the practitioner teacher using an AI-powered chatbot named "SosyalciBot". Meanwhile, lessons in two control groups were taught following the constructivist approach. At the end of the process, it was determined that the experimental group students' post-test and permanency test scores were significantly higher than the control group students' scores in both post-test and permanency test. In the semi-structured interviews, both students and the practitioner teacher provided positive evaluations of the pedagogical and design features of the chatbot, indicating that these features positively impacted the learning-teaching process. They also identified some shortcomings while offering suggestions for improvement. Based on the study findings, it is evident that chatbots have a high potential to contribute to Social Studies education. However, to fully harness this potential and achieve optimal effectiveness, further advancements and refinements in chatbot technology are required. At this point, it is recommended to conduct theoretical or applied studies focusing on developing chatbots with high communication capacity and explore innovative and constructive ideas regarding the integration of chatbots into educational environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Curriculum & Teaching Methodology / Maǧallaẗ al-Manāhiǧ wa-Turūq al-Tadrīs is the property of Arab Journal of Sciences & Research Publishing (AJSRP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ChatGPT has significantly increased in popularity in recent months because of its capacity to generate novel content and provide genuine responses to questions. Nevertheless, like all technologies, it is crucial to assess its limitations and features prior to implementing it into an educational setting. A major obstacle associated with ChatGPT is its tendency to produce consistent yet occasionally unreliable and inaccurate responses. Our study provides students with training in this area, and its objective was to analyse the opinion of those same university students studying education-related degrees regarding the efficacy of the usefulness of ChatGPT for their learning. We used a mixed methodology and two instruments for data collection: questionnaires and discussion groups. The sample comprised 150 university students pursuing degrees in teaching and social education. The results show that the majority of students are familiar with the technology but have not had any formal training in a university. They use this tool to complete academic assignments outside the classroom, and they emphasise the need for training in it. Furthermore, following the training, the students highlight an increase in motivation and a positive impact on the development of generic skills, such as information analysis, synthesis and management, problem solving, and learning how to learn. Ultimately, this study provides an opportunity to consider the implementation of educational training of this tool at the university level in order to ensure its appropriate use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to communication is a primary challenge affecting the education of Autistic students who use augmentative and alternative communication devices. This is compounded by potential communication partners (e.g., teachers and classroom paraeducators) who have insufficient training and skills to meaningfully engage these students in communication. To address these deficits in skills and training, this feasibility study used a multiple probe across participants design to test the effects of using behavioral skills training on dyads of teachers and paraeducators in increasing teacher-delivered opportunities to respond and student communication responses. The results show that after training, teachers' opportunities to respond and use student-specific strategies increased. Following the teachers' implementation of the strategies, students' prompted and unprompted communication increased. These results provide evidence that supports the use of behavioral skills training to support communication partner skill development and student communication needs. These methods showed positive social validity with participants and demonstrate a professional development method that is more feasible for use by school staff than individual training. The results of this study provide initial evidence of the effectiveness of these methods with dyads of participants as well as with licensed teachers, extending the extant research, which often focuses on the individual training of paraeducators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Electrónica de Psicología Iztacala is the property of Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Programs integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) and physical activity (PA) can contribute to positive behavior outcomes and development for adolescent girls. The purpose of this article is to report the development of the EmpowerHER Program curriculum. Specifically, this curriculum describes implementation strategies and activities tailored to adolescent girls while contributing to the literature surrounding health programs addressing PA and SEL components. Adolescent girls (10–14 years old) participated in an eight-session summer program that provided the opportunity to engage in fun-filled activities that encouraged PA and SEL. Strategies from the EmpowerHER program can be applied to curriculum development and program implementations in out-of-school settings to aid in promoting PA enjoyment and engagement for adolescents. This curriculum supports the importance of contextually tailoring a health program to support PA and SEL for adolescent girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social Stories™ are a story-based intervention commonly used to teach students with disabilities how to behave in new routines or changing environments, academic skills, and social interactions including tacting others' emotions. According to the National Standards Project, story-based interventions are considered an established trea™ent. However, the efficacy of Social Stories™ is confounded by limitations in chosen experimental designs, threats to internal validity, and additional interventions within trea™ent packages. The current study used Social Stories™ to teach classroom social skills to children diagnosed with an intellectual disability. We used a multiple baseline across participants design to evaluate changes in classroom social skills when using Social Stories™. We taught a total of four response classes, including: saying, "please," saying, "thank you," appropriate hand raising, and giving assistance. The results indicate that Social Stories™ may be an effective intervention to increase classroom social skills. This is one of the first studies to evaluate and demonstrate the effectiveness of Social Stories™ as a standalone intervention. The present study also extends the current social studies literature in several areas, such as developing ways to promote generalization and assessing the social validity of the goals, procedures, and outcomes of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The review examines the long-term impact of community psychiatric care on improving the quality of life of people with schizophrenia. It addresses the global burden of this disorder and the need for effective community-based care strategies. A systematic literature search was conducted in databases such as CINAHL, Medline, Web of Science, Sage and ScienceDirect, with the search lasting until March 2024 and following the PRISMA guidelines. The inclusion criteria targeted studies that addressed the long-term effects of community mental health care for people aged 18 years and older with schizophrenia and included both quantitative and qualitative research designs. Studies unrelated to the research question or with significant methodological flaws were excluded. The risk of bias was assessed using GRADE and GRADECERqual, in addition to critical appraisal using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklists. Independent screening and data extraction was performed, with results summarised by thematic analysis. In total, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria and included cross-sectional, cohort, qualitative and randomised controlled trial designs. The results showed that community psychiatric care significantly improves the quality of life, well-being and social integration of people with schizophrenia. Effective interventions identified include psychoeducation, cognitive behavioural therapy, social skills training and individualised care plans. However, challenges such as limited resources, labour shortages and social stigma, particularly in low-income neighbourhoods, were also identified. This study highlights the importance of continuous, personalised, multidisciplinary community-based care for sustainable mental health outcomes. Further research is recommended to investigate the long-term impact and strategies to overcome implementation challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ADHD negatively affects the functionality of families and parents; however, no studies have examined the experiences of Turkish families with children diagnosed with ADHD. In this context, the present study aimed to explore the life experiences of Turkish parents with children diagnosed with ADHD. For this purpose, a descriptive phenomenological research design was used. Data were collected using a personal information and semi-structured interviews, while analysis was conducted using Giorgi's phenomenological method. As a result of the content analysis, five main themes were identified, namely experiences regarding the diagnosis process, emotional reactions related to the diagnosis, experiences with social relations, influences of ADHD diagnosis on the family, and academic difficulties. In line with the results, it is suggested that mental health professionals and other related specialists should include the findings of parents' life experiences in the treatment planning of children with ADHD and intervention programs should be developed for parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study demonstrates how formative process evaluation was used to assess implementation and improve dose and fidelity in the Together Everyone Achieves More Physical Activity (TEAM-PA) randomized controlled trial. TEAM-PA uses a randomized group cohort design to evaluate the efficacy of a group-based intervention for increasing physical activity among African American women. Methods: Intervention groups met for 10 weeks and were co-led by female African American facilitators, with intervention sessions consisting of group feedback, a health curriculum, group-based physical activity games, and group-based goal-setting. Drawing from a multi-theoretical framework, the intervention targeted social affiliation using collaborative and competitive group strategies, including essential elements focused on group-based behavioral skills, peer-to-peer positive communication, collectivism, optimal challenge, social facilitation, and peer to peer challenges. Formative process evaluation was used to monitor reach, dose, and fidelity, and implement feedback and solutions. Results: Across two cohorts, four groups (n = 54) were randomized to the TEAM-PA intervention. On average 84.8% of participants attended each week, which exceeded the a priori criteria. Results from the systematic observations indicated that on average 93% of the dose items were completed in each session and adequate levels of fidelity were achieved at both the facilitator and group-levels. Participants were compliant with wearing the FitBits (6.73 ± 0.42 days/week) and most participants successfully contributed to meeting the group-based goals. The use of open-ended items also revealed the need for additional modifications to the group-based PA games, including allowing for individuals to take breaks, incorporating a broader range of exercises, minimizing activities that required bending/reaching down without assistance, and providing facilitators with additional training for implementing the games. Initial evidence suggests that these changes were successful in increasing participants' comprehension of the games from Cohort 1 (M = 1.83, SD = 0.71) to Cohort 2 (M = 3.33, SD = 0.69). Conclusion: Findings from this study demonstrated high levels of reach, dose, and fidelity, while also highlighting strategies for implementing competitive group-based PA games that are accessible across physical fitness levels. Formative process evaluation, including open-ended items and collaborative brainstorming, holds tremendous potential for improving future interventions. Trial registration: This study was registered on Clinicaltrials.gov (# NCT05519696) on August 22, 2022 prior to the enrollment of the first participant on September 12, 2022 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05519696?term=NCT05519696&rank=1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents are an essential element of family intervention for all children, including those with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We can better understand and address parents' knowledge gaps about ASD through in-depth research and inquiry into parents' current level of understanding, attitude, and perception. We aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of ASD and influencing factors towards ASD among a group of parents with and without a child diagnosed with ASD in Sakaka, Al-Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia. Using the cross-sectional study design, information from the parents was gathered using a pretested questionnaire that included validated scales for measuring knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions related to ASD. The required number of participants was selected using the convenience sampling method. We used Spearman's correlation test to determine the strength and direction of correlation between each domain. As a last step, we analyzed the influencing factors using binomial logistic regression. Among the 400 participants, 41.2% had high knowledge, 69.1% had a positive attitude, and 60.3% had a high perception of ASD. We found that knowledge was significantly higher among the parents with autistic individuals in the family (p = 038). The high and positive attitude was significantly greater among females (p = 0.010) and parents with high income (p = 0.007), and the perception was significantly associated with females (p = 0.037) and highly educated participants (p = 0.046). Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between knowledge, attitude, and perception. Overall, only less than half of the participants had a high knowledge of ASD. Hence, we recommend awareness-raising programs for the parents in this region. Furthermore, a prospective study involving parents from all provinces of Saudi Arabia is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The article reports the healing elements of an eclectic life skills programme (ELSP) from the perspective of group members. An ELSP utilising open groups was developed to manage clients with mixed diagnostic profiles and different stages of recovery simultaneously. The aim was to explore the healing elements of an ELSP. Methods: Maximum variation purposive sampling was used to select six participants for the phenomenological inquiry. Data collection is comprised of observations, semistructured interviews, and reflective journals. Data analysis comprised an inductive thematic analysis. Consumer Involvement: Participants all attended groups offered within the ELSP. They participated in two semistructured interviews: the first interview in the week following admission and the second just before discharge. In addition, they documented their experiences in reflective journals for the duration of their participation. Findings: The analogy of a kaleidoscope portrayed the four themes; three pertained to structural dynamics, namely, programme mirror, facilitator mirror, and mirror of other group members. The fourth theme, namely, the magical pattern, pertained to personal sense‐making by individual group members. Conclusions: The dynamic interplay of healing factors, captured in the themes, facilitated healing. Self‐reflection was integral to the creation of a bespoke, facilitated self‐learning process with direct application in group members' own lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autistic individuals have significant social-communication challenges that commonly persist into adulthood and impact academic, social, and vocational pursuits. More than two decades of research have established video behavior modeling as a successful, cost-effective, and time-efficient intervention tool for autistic children; however, less research has investigated the use of video modeling with autistic adults, and only a handful of studies have assessed its effects in non-vocational community-based settings. This study examines the effects of video modeling on social-communication skills of autistic adults in a U.S. community-based fitness group using a multiple-baseline single-case design with replication across participants. Additional data on visual attention, generalization, and social validity were captured. Results show variable effects across participants and provide valuable information to guide individuals in choosing effective and practical evidence-based practices to support the social-communication success of autistic adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this single-case experimental design (SCED) study is to investigate how adaptive prompts in virtual reality (VR)-based social skills training affect the social skills performance of autistic children. Adaptive prompts are driven by autistic children's emotional states. To integrate adaptive prompts in VR-based training, we conducted speech data mining and endorsed micro-adaptivity design. We recruited four autistic children (12–13 years) for the SCED study. We carried out alternating treatments design to evaluate the impacts of adaptive and non-adaptive prompting conditions throughout a series of VR-based social skills training sessions. Using mixed-method data collection and analyses, we found that adaptive prompts can foster autistic children's desirable social skills performance in VR-based training. Based on the study findings, we also describe design implications and limitations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past studies of academic dishonesty typically have been grounded in the theory of planned behaviour. Key predictors of academic dishonesty variables under this framework generally have been attitudes towards academic dishonesty, the impact of peer pressure to engage in such acts, and individual perceptions of related acts. However, planned behaviour theory is silent about the significant impact on academic dishonesty of past academic dishonesty behaviours. The objective of the present study is to analyse, through the lens of social learning theory, the effects of past behaviours that predispose academic dishonesty: differential association, i.e., the effects of individual learning, through interaction with others, of the values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for deviant behaviour, on the prediction of academic dishonesty intentions. Additionally, the study tests the effects of Machiavellianism, or dishonest and deceptive behaviours on the relationship between past academic dishonesty acts and academic dishonesty attitudes. Results of the study reveal that differential association with cheating acceptors strengthens the relationship between academic dishonesty attitudes and intentions. Additionally, Machiavellianism at higher levels intensifies the relationships between past academic dishonesty behaviours and contemporary academic dishonesty attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to understand the integration processes of trans individuals in the labor market is confirmed by the literature review in this paper, which supports the scarce existence of studies focused on their life experiences outside of pathological contexts or from perspectives of invisibility/violence (including in the professional dimension). This study aims to comprehend the professional experiences of the trans population and understand how mechanisms of discrimination operate in the labor market. Semi-structured interviews with representatives from Portuguese LGBTQ+ associations (n = 6) were conducted between 10 March and 26 April 2021 and analyzed with MAXQDA 2022. The results underscored the importance of the topic and the complex hurdles trans individuals encounter at work, emphasizing the vital support of LGBTQ+ associations in tackling these issues and stressing the urgency of comprehending the vulnerability and discrimination trans people face in employment. The implications of the study underscore the urgent need for concerted efforts from policymakers, employers, civil society organizations, and the broader community to address the systemic barriers faced by trans individuals in the workplace. Future research and advocacy efforts should continue to address the systemic barriers to workplace integration and strive toward creating more inclusive and supportive environments for the trans population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a collection of abstracts from the International Journal of Psychology and various research studies. The abstracts cover a range of topics including the implementation of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) in clinical settings, the classification and diagnosis of anxiety and fear-related disorders, the new approach to diagnosing personality disorders, and the integrated model of sexual dysfunctions. Other abstracts discuss psychology education, teacher-parent communication, foundational competences for undergraduate psychology, and the impact of online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. The document also includes studies on the effectiveness of virtual reality videos for improving social skills, algorithm acceptance and trust, intensive teaching practicum programs, goal-free problem-posing activities in mathematics education, career decision-making self-efficacy, early identification of dyslexia, and mental health challenges faced by students in South African universities. [Extracted from the article]

This study employs a phenomenological approach to investigate the experiences of individuals who access services at a community mental health center (CHMC) in Türkiye The aim of this study is to comprehend the experiences of individuals who participate in psychosocial skills training at the CHMC. Thematic analysis of data from sixteen in-depth interviews revealed three main themes and eight sub-themes. Functionality theme emphasizes the positive impact of CHMC services and training on daily life and social functioning. Effective Factors theme encompasses the elements that improve the effectiveness of CHMC services. Participants have provided suggestions for the content of the training under the theme of Recommendations. Study results show that CHMC services and psychosocial skills training benefit individuals' daily lives and functioning, but that opportunities for improvement exist. It is crucial to incorporate participant feedback, and further research should be conducted to investigate the effectiveness of these services in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Undergraduate majors in education, specifically in school health education (HE), have declined considerably in the United States. Reductions in state and federal funding for K‐12 public education and increased demands on educators to prioritize standardized academic outcomes versus focusing on the whole child encompass many factors leading to fewer qualified teachers and reduced quality of HE delivery within schools. METHODS: A content analysis of over 300 HE teacher preparation programs throughout the United States was conducted from 2019 to 2020 to assess available and required curriculum for pre‐service HE teachers. Seven curriculum areas were reviewed: nutrition, physical activity (PA) and physical education (PE), HE, chronic disease management (CDM), social emotional learning and mental health (SEL/MH), drug abuse and tobacco prevention (DA/TP), and a methods course in teaching HE. RESULTS: Findings indicated program type influenced course offerings, with stand‐alone HE and joint HE/PE programs providing the most comprehensive curriculum. Most programs required courses in general HE, PA and PE, and nutrition. Programs were deficient in offering courses in CDM, DA/TP, and SEL/MH. CONCLUSION: This article contains recommendations to improve the quality of HE delivery in public schools, for example by ensuring that school health educators are trained in providing skills‐based HE to youth, which can assist in addressing child and youth health outcomes (eg, CDM, mental health) for the nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Meaningful occupational therapy interventions for neurodivergent, transition‐age adolescents are understudied, and novel intervention approaches that are motivating to this population are needed. Accordingly, in this study we explored the acceptability and impact of a combined life skills/adventure therapy (LS/AT) intervention program for addressing self‐identified goals for adolescents with regulation‐ and sensory‐based challenges. Methods: We used a convergent mixed‐methods design. All adolescents accepted into the intervention program were invited to participate. We described our sample using data from the Child Occupational Self‐Assessment. Participants created and rated goals through a modified Canadian Occupational Performance Measure interview before intervention, after intervention and 3 months post‐intervention and participated in semi‐structured interviews pre‐ and post‐intervention. We calculated COPM change scores, analysed qualitative interview data, and integrated findings into a joint display for interpretation following recommended procedures for mixed‐methods data. Results: Ten adolescents consented to participate (n = 6 males, n = 4 females; mean age 13.92 years, SD = 0.54). Mean COPM performance change scores were 3.72 (SD = 1.39) from pre‐ to post‐intervention and 2.40 (SD = 1.19) from pre‐ to 3 months post‐intervention, with the largest change scores for goals related to life skills. Data from semi‐structured interviews expanded on these findings, revealing that participants made changes related to being in the moment, finding a sense of purpose and achieving a sense of belonging. Participants reported high acceptability of the intervention. Conclusion: This exploratory research supports the use of combined LS/AT intervention with transition‐age adolescents experiencing sensory and regulation‐based limitations on participation. Preliminary data shows positive changes in performance and satisfaction in self‐identified goal areas as well as changes related to mindfulness, a personal sense of competence and relatedness. In practice, occupational therapists should consider integrating elements of this LS/AT intervention to support this population, including addressing life skills through engagement in unique and motivating activities. Key Points for Occupational Therapy: Life skills and adventure therapy elements can be combined as part of occupational therapy practice with adolescents.Occupational therapists can effectively use life skills/adventure therapy elements that capitalise on motivation to support transition‐age youth.Transition‐age youth value interventions that facilitate a sense of purpose and belonging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Existing qualitative research on early-stage Parkinson's disease draws on patients' reported disease experience, aiming to capture the symptoms and impacts most relevant to patients living with the disease. As a complement to this research, the present study investigated the patient experience of early-stage Parkinson's disease from a holistic, ethnographic perspective. We explored the attitudes, beliefs, and social structures that shape how people understand and adapt to life with early-stage Parkinson's disease. Methods: Researchers interviewed 30 people with early-stage Parkinson's disease, 10 relatives, and 10 neurologists and movement disorder specialists in the USA and Germany. Many of these interviews took place in-person, allowing researchers to spend time in participants' homes and witness their daily lives. A multidisciplinary team of social scientists, clinical researchers, and patient organization representatives led the mixed-methods study design and analysis. In-depth ethnographic interviews yielded qualitative insights, with a quantitative survey following to assess their prevalence in a larger sample of 150 patients. Results: In addition to developing a patient life experience pathway of early-stage Parkinson's disease, we identified five key thematic findings that provide insight into how the clinical features of the disease become meaningful to patients on the context of their daily lives, family relations, and subjective well-being: (1) People with early-stage Parkinson's disease start coming to terms with their disease before receiving a medical diagnosis; (2) Acceptance is not a finalized achievement, but a cyclical process; (3) People with early-stage Parkinson's disease "live in the moment" to make the future more manageable; (4) Slowing disease progression is an important goal driving the actions of people with early-stage Parkinson's; and (5) People with early-stage Parkinson's disease value information that is grounded in lived experience and relevant to their stage of disease progression. Conclusion: This holistic, ethnographic approach to patient life experience provided five key thematic findings that complement insights from qualitative and quantitative datasets on early-stage Parkinson's disease. An enhanced understanding of how early-stage Parkinson's symptoms impact patients' health-related quality of life and their broader social lives can help us better understand how patients make decisions about their usage of healthcare services and therapies. Plain Language Summary: This study aimed to understand the experience of people living with early-stage Parkinson's. In addition to looking at how symptoms impact people's daily lives, this research examined how people think about and give meaning to early-stage Parkinson's. The first step was to conduct interviews with people with early-stage Parkinson's, their relatives, and doctors. These interviews covered topics such as how people with early-stage Parkinson's are eventually diagnosed, where they go for information, and how they approach the future. In the second step recordings and transcripts of the interviews were analyzed in detail. The ideas and themes that emerged from analysis were used to create a picture of how people experience early-stage Parkinson's as part of their broader lives. Researchers identified five key insights: (1) people often begin to come to terms with Parkinson's before being diagnosed; (2) accepting Parkinson's is an ongoing process; (3) people with early-stage Parkinson's value living in the moment; (4) people with early-stage Parkinson's see slowing the worsening of the disease as an important goal; and (5) learning from the first-hand experience of others can be more valuable than scientific information. Ultimately, this research shows that understanding how early-stage Parkinson's fits into people's everyday lives can help researchers, doctors, and patient organizations provide more effective support and care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the integration of computer literacy and social skills within Maritime Institute programs, focusing on the readiness of cadets for the contemporary maritime industry. Through qualitative analysis of 30 graduates from Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pelayaran Jakarta and quantitative data collection, the study elucidates the importance of these competencies in navigating the dynamic challenges of the maritime sector. Findings reveal a consensus among participants regarding the critical role of computer literacy, while variability exists in the perceived integration of social skills within curricula. Additionally, the research identifies research needs, dimensions of professionalism, and alignment with international standards, providing insights for education management and professionalism in the maritime industry. By addressing these challenges and opportunities, Maritime Institute programs can better prepare graduates for the demands of the global maritime marketplace, contributing to the advancement of the sector and ensuring the competitiveness of future maritime professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic thrust telepractice into the mainstream as a primary service delivery model. While some populations and providers were adversely impacted by this shift, there were some intervention approaches that became even more popular. Parent-mediated intervention (PMI) has been shown to be effective through both in-person and telepractice service delivery models. With PMI, caregivers learn language facilitation strategies and implement them with their child. Project SKILLS (Skills and Knowledge for Language Learning Success) is a PMI program for autistic children funded by a state-level autism grant program. The primary goal of SKILLS is training caregivers in language facilitation techniques to promote communication and language skills. It uses the Project ImPACT (Improving Parents as Communication Teachers) curriculum that is commercially available and supported by previous research. SKILLS also includes variations for neurodiversity-affirming practice and culturally and linguistically diverse families. Project SKILLS has offered both in-person and telepractice delivery since its inception in 2016, making it possible to compare results across the two modalities. Conclusions: Project SKILLS has successfully implemented PMI for autistic children through both in-person and telepractice sessions. Clinically, children have made similar gains in social communication and language regardless of the modality. Caregivers also demonstrated similar progress with intervention fidelity, with some added advantages for families participating via telepractice. Telepractice may become a preferred service delivery model of PMI, especially for families living in geographically inaccessible locations with limited access to qualified providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigated the effect of an adapted physical activity (APA) course on knowledge and perceptions of preservice trainees regarding physical activity (PA) and autism spectrum disorder in 3 areas: knowledge/perspectives, importance and ease of improving developmental domains, and importance and ease of improving motor skills. Methods: Four hundred upper-level undergraduate students were recruited to participate in this survey-based study (251 APA students and 149 non-APA students participated). Survey data were analyzed using multivariate analyses of variance. Results: Participants estimated that the moderate to vigorous PA recommendations are 39.34 minutes per day, that 46.65% of moderate to vigorous PA occurs during school, and that 61.03% of children have motor difficulties. Participants perceived activities of daily living, sleep habits, and heart health as the easiest domains to improve, and problem behaviors, social skills, and self-esteem as the most difficult domains to improve. Knowledge/perspectives regarding autism spectrum disorder and PA were different by APA exposure (F12,324 = 3.11, P <.001). Differences included self-efficacy in providing PA advice, knowledge of PA guidelines, and willingness to provide motor assessment referrals. Students differed by APA exposure in the importance of developmental domains (F8,381 = 4.37, P <.001) but not ease of improving those domains. Conclusion: Results suggest that APA education and contact with children with disabilities improves self-efficacy, perspectives, and knowledge of PA and motor concerns in children with autism spectrum disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agent-based training systems can enhance people's social skills. The effective development of these systems needs a comprehensive architecture that outlines their components and relationships. Such an architecture can pinpoint improvement areas and future outlooks. This paper presents ARTES: a general architecture illustrating how components of agent-based social training systems work together. We studied existing systems and architectures for training and tutoring to design ARTES and identify its essential components and interaction characteristics. ARTES comprises two core components: the agent simulation of social situations, and educational elements to provide guided learning. We link ARTES's crucial components to four primary learning theories (behaviourism, cognitivism, social cognitive theory, and constructivism) to illustrate the role of agent simulation and tutoring elements in establishing desired learning outcomes. Furthermore, we map ARTES's components against eight architectures, 43 systems and three tools to indicate the components' relevance, completeness, generalisation, and deployment potential across contexts. In addition to ARTES, the paper also contributes by identifying future improvements and research directions, such as the agent's thinking, tutoring methods, knowledge transfer, and ethical implications. We believe ARTES can help bridge the gap between virtual human simulations and impactful educational learning, offering training system developers desirable features like understandability and adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reports of children's engagement in active transportation outline low participation rates in many countries despite many associated mental, physical, and social health benefits. One of the main contributors to this phenomenon is a cited lack of education and knowledge among children regarding active travel (AT), specifically road safety. To address this issue, the aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of an online road safety education intervention to promote AT among children and their parents. Methods: Applying the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) for intervention development, implementation, and evaluation, we designed and assessed a four-module online road safety education intervention with a sample of 57 parent-child dyads using a 23 factorial design featuring both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Results: Main intervention feasibility findings include positive and critical feedback on the program's content and design, and moderate participant engagement as reflected by program retention and completion rates. With respect to the preliminary intervention effectiveness on children, a significant improvement in road safety knowledge scores was observed for groups that feature the "wheeling safety and skills" module. Slight improvements in AT knowledge scores across all the intervention groups were observed, but were not of significance. Preliminary intervention effectiveness on select parental AT practices and perceptions saw significant improvements in some groups. Groups that featured the 'wheeling safety and skills' module exhibited significantly higher guided choice scores upon completion of the program than those who did not receive this component. Conclusion: The MOST framework allowed us to design and evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an online road safety education intervention. The developed intervention has demonstrated that it has the potential to improve children's road safety knowledge and some areas of parental AT practices and perceptions, to which improvements may be attributed to the inclusion of the "wheeling safety and skills" module, suggesting that the targeted focus on cycling skills is a prioritized area. AT programming and practice implications are discussed. Future research is encouraged to refine modules to better reflect the priorities of children and parents and to test these refined components among larger samples. Word count: 9,391 (excludes abstract, tables, figures, abbreviations, and references). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Most high school students with ADHD improve functioning with training intervention. • Improvement most likely for adolescents with better pre-treatment functioning. • Multiple malleable factors (e.g., dosage) increase likelihood of improved functioning. • Some students may require additional school-based services with training intervention. Adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience significant academic, behavioral, and social skill difficulties including underachievement, risk for school dropout, poor peer relations, and emotion dysregulation. Although stimulant medication reduces ADHD symptoms, psychosocial and educational interventions are necessary to address functional impairments. We examined the nature and predictors of academic, behavioral, and social skills trajectories in response to multicomponent organizational and interpersonal skills training in 92 high school students with ADHD. Latent trajectory class analyses revealed positive treatment response ranging from 61.5% (report card grades) to 100% (inattention symptoms, organizational skills, social skills). Organizational skill and academic grade treatment response trajectories were predicted by assigned sex, pretreatment anxiety, and treatment dosage, while improvement in behavioral and social functioning was associated with better emotion regulation and family relations prior to treatment along with stronger working alliance with treatment coach at midtreatment. Multicomponent organizational and interpersonal skills training appears effective for most high school students with ADHD and the degree treatment-induced change is associated with multiple malleable factors can be leveraged to enhance intervention response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The co-occurrence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is significant and associated with a host of negative outcomes. Studies investigating social functioning in the presence of the ASD/ADHD co-occurrence have produced mixed findings. The present study further evaluated the impact of co-occurring ADHD on social functioning among youth with ASD and compared treatment response to a social competence intervention between youth with ASD and ASD + ADHD. Methods: Two-way repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were computed with diagnostic group and time as the independent variables and measures of social functioning as dependent variables. Group and Time effects and Group by Time interactions were examined. Results: Youth with co-occurring ADHD displayed more impairments related to social awareness, but not in other social areas. Participants in both the ASD and ASD + ADHD groups demonstrated significant improvement following a social competence intervention. Conclusion: Co-occurring ADHD did not negatively affect treatment response. Youth with ASD + ADHD may benefit highly structured interventions with a scaffolded teaching design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disability with global prevalence of one in 100 individuals. Poor access to interventions in both under‐resourced regions of high‐income countries and low‐ and middle‐income countries has deleterious effects on the health and wellbeing of individuals with autism and their families. Our objective was to utilize a reciprocal innovation framework and participatory methods to adapt and co‐develop a culturally grounded group‐based wellbeing and naturalistic developmental behavioural intervention (NDBI) training program for caregivers of young children with autism to be implemented in Kenya and rural Indiana. Methods: This study was conducted within the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) program. An evidence‐informed Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) previously utilized in Indiana was adapted and iteratively refined using the Ecological Validity Framework (EVF) by a team of US and Kenyan disability experts. Key adaptations to the program were made across the EVF domains of language, persons, metaphors/content, concepts, goals, methods, and context. Results: Substantial cultural adaptations were made to the NDBI following the EVF model, including the addition of traditional Kenyan cultural practices, use of narrative principles, and focus on daily routines over play. Pepea, the adapted program, involves 10 group sessions covering content in basic education on autism, positive caregiver coping strategies, and behavioural skills training to promote child communication and reduce challenging behaviour. Key adaptations for Pepea were integrated back into a US NDBI caregiver training program. Conclusions: This study fills a critical gap by detailing the adaptation process of a caregiver wellbeing and naturalistic developmental behavioural training program for caregivers of children with autism in low‐resource settings. Our next steps are to report on mixed‐methods outcomes from pilot implementation. Our long‐term goal is to apply these insights to advance sustainable and scalable autism intervention services across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manding for information is important because information is a valuable part of learning and interacting with our environment, allowing for more autonomy (i.e., access reinforcement). Despite the importance of this skill, individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often do not engage in manding for information without explicit instruction. In the current study, we coached caregivers via telehealth to teach three children with ASD to mand for information using the phrase "I don't know, please tell me" (IDKPTM). All three participants independently engaged in the IDKPTM response for information during intervention and post intervention generalization probes. The results of this study extend the findings of previous research by demonstrating caregivers coached via telehealth can teach their children to mand for more information using the "IDKPTM" phrase. Additionally, the results of this study reflect the benefits of involving caregivers to implement evidence‐based interventions while being coached through telehealth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological skills and characteristics (PSCs) are vital for player development, yet there is a lack of agreement on which are important and how they should be identified and developed in academy players, creating barriers to implementation into curricula. The key stakeholder with considerable insight into PSC development is the academy manager (AM). The aims of this study were (a) explore AMs' experiences of PSC identification and development, (b) identify challenges AMs feel affect development of PSCs. Nine AMs (i.e. Category 1; n = 3, Category 2; n = 3 and Category 3; n = 3) comprising an average coaching experience of 20.4 ± 7.4 years and time in the role of 5.2 years ±3.2 years participated in semi-structured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis generated themes identified ideal PSC outcomes that AMs felt were important. AMs identified current practices within academies alongside challenges: transitions, need to upskill coaches, access to additional support from external partners and National Governing Bodies. There was consensus that PSCs are key drivers of progression and that embedding them into the pathway was critical to facilitating development. Academies should think carefully about design, implementation and evaluation of programmes to support player PSC development for success during and after soccer careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iFriend outpatient group therapy program at Bradley Hospital promotes social competence in a school‐age population. The 10‐week‐program helps children ages 8–11 develop and practice social skills in a small group setting. The skills developed include understanding body language, finding shared interests, conversation initiation and closing, perspective taking, equitable communication, and problem solving. iFriend also aims to teach parents/guardians strategies to help their children integrate the targeted skills into daily life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit significant deficits in social communication and emotion regulation skills. While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) applications appear promising, trials to date have largely excluded social communication skill development and have not been designed to include a wider range of emotional challenges. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to pilot a uniquely modified CBT program targeting emotion regulation, including social communication training, and explicitly focusing on the child's areas of circumscribed interest in order to teach skills and promote generalization. Forty participants were randomly assigned to either the CBT group or a waitlist control (WLC) group, resulting in 20 school-aged children in each group. The treatment approach was determined to be feasible and acceptable, and therapy engagement and attendance were reasonably high. Caregivers expressed high satisfaction with the program, qualitatively citing gains in skills such as social problem-solving, emotion identification, and identifying and processing cognitive distortions. The primary outcome of postintervention changes was not significantly different between the groups (CBT vs. WLC). The mean Social Skills Improvement System score decreased by 0.44 points (95% confidence interval [CI]: −5.04, 4.15) in the CBT group and increased by 0.41 points (95% CI: −4.23, 5.04) in the WLC group, and the postintervention changes were not significantly different between the groups (difference: −0.85; 95% CI: −7.29, 5.60; p =.79). The estimated rate of emotional dysregulation episodes decreased by a factor of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.57, 1.56) in the CBT group and increased by a factor of 1.07 (95% CI: 0.51, 2.24) for WLC (p =.74). Among those who reported emotional dysregulation episodes, the mean duration decreased by 1.39 minutes (95% CI: −3.90, 6.67) less for CBT than waitlist (p =.60). Although satisfaction, acceptability, and emotional dysregulation outcome results from this preliminary CBT treatment for ASD are promising, sample size and measurement limitations will be important considerations to inform future trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This qualitative study aims to examine parental experiences of feasibility and relational changes from participating in the Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) intervention. Methods: Thirteen parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (mean age 3.89 years) participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was performed, inspired by an abductive approach informed by the theories of the attachment system, the caregiving system and mentalisation. Results: Three overarching themes were identified: the struggle of fitting PACT into everyday life, the fruit of relational connection and the cascading relational effects of PACT. Parents were challenged regarding finding time for the intervention but adapted PACT to their individual needs and possibilities. All parents experienced relational improvement, and a cycle of positive relational change through PACT was identified. Conclusions: This study has several clinical implications. Therapists and clinics offering PACT interventions should encourage and support parents in their individual journey of implementing PACT into their everyday lives. Some of the parents described improvements in parental mentalisation, child attachment and mutual enjoyment in the parent–child relationship. Children with autism could benefit from parents increasing their sensitivity when caregiving, and clinicians may through interventions such as PACT facilitate this development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]