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This study seeks an understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in providing home based early intervention services for children with disabilities in Saudi Arabia (SA), from the perspective of early intervention specialists. A qualitative approach was implemented involving semi-structured interviews with eight (8) participants who were specialists in early intervention with experience of the provision of home based services. The thematic approach was applied for data analysis. The results identify several opportunities, including flexibility, family participation, financial return, developmental advancement, family wishes, use of surrounding environment and daily routines, and use of reliable programmes. The study also indicated certain challenges present relating to high expectations from families, the preparation and professional training of specialists, ministry input, lack of cooperation from families, and transportation issues. The findings of this study have several important implications for future practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: Continuance utilization of rehabilitation services among children with disabilities is not optimal. However, little is known about the factors that influence whether rehabilitation is continued. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of family caregivers in China to explore the relationship between perceived rehabilitation benefit, expectation, satisfaction, self-efficacy, continuance intention and continuance behavior. Methods: A total of 368 family caregivers of children with disabilities were recruited from rehabilitation institutions through the convenience sampling method in Shanghai and Kunshan, China. We developed a research model that drives continuance utilization of rehabilitation services and proposed 13 research hypotheses based on the Expectation Disconfirmation Theory (EDT) and the extended Expectation-Conformation Model of Information System Continuance (extended ECM-ISC model). A structure equation model was built to test the hypotheses. Results: Among the 13 research hypotheses we proposed, 11 of them were supported. The results suggest that family caregivers' continuance intention of taking children with disabilities for rehabilitation services was associated with their continuance behavior. Satisfaction and self-efficacy were associated with continuance intention. Perceived rehabilitation benefit and expectation were associated with satisfaction. Expectation was associated with perceived rehabilitation benefit. Furthermore, we found that perceived rehabilitation benefit was positively associated with continuance behavior from three different paths, whereas expectation had an indirect correlation with continuance behavior via the sequential mediation variables of satisfaction and continuance intention. In addition, satisfaction and self-efficacy were found to have a significant indirect correlation with continuance behavior via continuance intention. Conclusions: Based on these findings, improvements in perceived rehabilitation benefit, expectation, self-efficacy, satisfaction, and continuance intention are the important issues contributing to the enhancement of continuance utilization of rehabilitation services among children with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Children with disabilities (CWD) are overrepresented in the child welfare system (CWS), yet limited research exists on how child protective service (CPS) workers respond. This exploratory qualitative study conducted semi-structured individual interviews with 12 CPS workers in Northern California to explore their experiences. Thematic analysis identified five key themes: contributors to maltreatment, challenges of working with CWD, the influence of personal/professional experience, collaboration with disability experts, and the need for training. Findings suggest that disability-focused training in the graduate Title IV-E program and ongoing professional training can enhance CPS workers’ competency and strengthen interactions with CWD, leading to better outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

ABSTRACT Background Methods Findings Conclusions The COVID‐19 pandemic affected children with intellectual disabilities and their parents in numerous ways. This study investigates the impact by analysing the narratives of their parents in the city of Guwahati, located in Assam, a northeastern state of India. The study contributes to the scholarship on intellectual disability in relation to the COVID‐19 pandemic. It suggests the central role of parents and the necessity of empowering them with timely information and disability training, which will help sustain the uninterrupted development of children.This study employs a qualitative method with semi‐structured interviews. Twelve parents of children with intellectual disabilities from three special schools participated in this study. The questions explored their lived experiences with their children, caregiving responsibilities at home and the challenges they faced due to the disruption of special services during the pandemic.Four key themes emerged from this study: (1) the pandemic led to the disruptions of special services for children with intellectual disabilities, (2) children's physical mobility was restricted at home, and they could not access regular need‐based therapies or exercise their social skills in special schools, (3) parents suffered psychological stress as they could not fathom how to manage the children at home and (4) parents underwent financial hardships due to their lack of resources and loss of family income during the pandemic.Parents emphasized the need for timely information regarding disability‐related measures to understand and deal with the risks of the pandemic. Some parents tried to engage their children in activities at home. This study recommends the strengthening of disability training for parents to limit the negative psychological effects and issues faced by children with intellectual disabilities. Future research should explore and unravel positive coping mechanisms used by the parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Structured motor play is crucial to the motor and social development of children with disabilities. However, many teachers report that including children with disabilities in motor play is challenging, especially during virtual learning. The purpose of this interview study was to explore 26 preschool teachers' perspectives on engaging children with disabilities in motor play in virtual environments and the strategies they used to involve students. Teachers believed that including children with disabilities in virtual motor play activities is important for their physical development, sense of belonging, and exploration of potential. Teachers also indicated that understanding the motor abilities and interests of children with disabilities and making adaptations to support each child during virtual motor play is important. Additionally, seeing therapists as resources for motor play ideas and sharing resources with parents were strategies suggested by participants to facilitate the engagement of children with disabilities in motor play during virtual learning. Findings suggest that an interdisciplinary approach to teaching motor play is crucial for children with disabilities regardless of the service delivery model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

AbstractPurposeMaterials and MethodsResultsConclusions\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONTo explore the impact of family-centred service education on the knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and practice of service providers working in paediatric disability.The review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. The search strategy was completed in seven electronic databases. Screening and data extraction was undertaken by two reviewers. Data extraction included content, delivery methods and impact of professional development programs. A narrative synthesis was conducted.Twenty-two studies reported on twenty programs. Participants were from multiple disciplines in 13 programs and families were involved in development, delivery, or as participants, in nine. Program content typically related to participatory caregiving. Synthesis of findings suggested the ‘active ingredients’ were dynamic interactions among the participants and facilitators, and the program content and delivery methods, that promoted reflection and shifting perspectives among participants. Studies reported positive impacts on service provider attributes, but few studies evaluated behaviours in practice and broader influences on family-centred services.While all programs involved active participation and relevant content, programs promoting reflection, sharing perspectives as part of a diverse group, and lived experience through family involvement, supported learning about family-centred services as both a philosophy and a process.Authentic learning opportunities for service providers working in paediatric rehabilitation were promoted through involving families in the development and delivery of professional development targeting family-centred service and sharing knowledge and perspectives as part of a diverse group.Providing tools and strategies to support implementation of learning in practice may help service providers embed family-centred approaches into their work with children and families following professional development.Addressing service and system issues that impact implementation of family-centred service within professional development may reduce barriers and enhance uptake in practice.Authentic learning opportunities for service providers working in paediatric rehabilitation were promoted through involving families in the development and delivery of professional development targeting family-centred service and sharing knowledge and perspectives as part of a diverse group.Providing tools and strategies to support implementation of learning in practice may help service providers embed family-centred approaches into their work with children and families following professional development.Addressing service and system issues that impact implementation of family-centred service within professional development may reduce barriers and enhance uptake in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Aims: To describe the implementation of paediatric rehabilitation telehealth at a physical therapy (PT) unit in Brazil during the COVID‐19 pandemic and to describe the perception about this modality by two groups: (1) undergraduate PT students using telehealth during their clinical rotations in this unit and (2) the caregivers of children with disabilities receiving the services. Methods: Twenty‐one PT interns (19 females; 25 ± 2 years of age) and seven caregivers (seven females; 40 ± 6 years of age) of seven children with disabilities (five females; 10 ± 4 years of age; five children diagnosed with cerebral palsy) responded to an online questionnaire about their experience with the telehealth programme. Participant attendance and frequency of objective responses were reported descriptively; open‐ended responses were analysed qualitatively and grouped according to broad themes. Results: 71.4% of interns rated telehealth as an excellent or good experience, and 28.6% did not appreciate it. In addition, 28.6% of them thought that telehealth should be part of the mandatory internship. Regarding caregivers, 85.8% judged the telehealth programme as excellent or good. Both interns and caregivers cited pros and cons related to technology, professional resources, communication skills and caregiver‐related aspects, among others. Conclusions: Specific teaching strategies had to be utilised for implementation of telehealth. Despite being a novel modality for interns and caregivers, telehealth was well accepted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Journal of Special Education & Rehabilitation (2314-8608) is the property of Association of Arab Universities 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.) more...

Family involvement is an essential component of the special education process for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In addition to the legal requirement that parents should be equal partners in the decision-making of the student's individualized education program (IEP) program (IDEA, 2004), a bulk of empirical research demonstrates the positive impact of parent involvement on student outcomes. However, many families face barriers to participation in the special education process. Culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD), including Asian-American families, especially face systemic barriers when accessing services for their children with disabilities. Unfortunately, less research is known about how Asian-American families participate in their child's IEP meeting. To these ends, individual interviews were conducted with eight Asian-American families of children with IDD to explore parental perceptions of stress in relation to IEP meetings, special education knowledge, and family-professional partnerships. Participants reported feeling stress before, during, and after the IEP meeting. Regardless of the nature (i.e. positive, negative, or neutral) relationship with the school, participants reported barriers (i.e. language and poor experiences with school personnel) to their family-school partnerships. Implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Journal of the Future of Social Sciences is the property of Future of Social Sciences Journal 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.) more...

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to healthcare services, particularly for children with disabilities who require specialized support, technology provision, and necessary supplies. The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the world over the past year, with many face-to-face services and services suspended for adults and children, including children with disabilities. This study presents the design and development of a Decision Support System (DSS) prototype with a user interface (UI) model tailored to meet the needs of healthcare services dealing with children with disabilities. The system or DSS prototype with User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) aims to be user-friendly. It prioritizes accessibility, ease of navigation, and adaptability, offering a user-centric solution from essential component UI. Designed following best practices in UI/UX for accessibility, the system includes customizable options to accommodate varying user needs and cognitive load. This work contributes to a framework for designing accessible DSS in a crisis, supporting more resilient and responsive care for vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Medical Journal of Babylon is the property of Wolters Kluwer India Pvt Ltd 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.) more...

Abstract\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONManual wheelchair skills training programs are novel developments, particularly in the United States. As perceived by the caregivers of participants, this study aimed to examine the long-term impact of the Skills on Wheels program on participants’ occupational engagement and quality of life at home, at school, and in the community. Secondly, this study investigated the caregivers’ perspectives of the program design of Skills on Wheels. This was a qualitative inquiry based upon thematic analyses of semi-structured interviews after participation in a pediatric wheelchair skills training program. The study participants were 9 caregivers whose children participated in this program over the 2021 and 2022 implementation years. Caregivers were given a 10-question semi-structured interview. The five overarching topics included program impact: (i) occupational engagement, (ii) program impact: quality of life factors, (iii) program resources/design, (iv) novelty/importance of program/wheelchair skills training, and (v) desired continued wheelchair skills practice in the future. Results provided tangible feedback to integrate into program design and supported the Skills on Wheels program’s positive value as it relates to impact on quality of life and occupational engagement for participants.Wheelchair skills training programs are important for children with disabilities to fill in service gaps related to community mobility.When developing community programs in general, it is necessary to gain the understanding of the impact on caregivers of children with disabilities.This paper provides insight into how a pediatric wheelchair skills training program is viewed by the caregivers of participating children.Therapists and researchers can see the caregiver impact of programs or training such as that described in this study.Wheelchair skills training programs are important for children with disabilities to fill in service gaps related to community mobility.When developing community programs in general, it is necessary to gain the understanding of the impact on caregivers of children with disabilities.This paper provides insight into how a pediatric wheelchair skills training program is viewed by the caregivers of participating children.Therapists and researchers can see the caregiver impact of programs or training such as that described in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Many studies of practices involve service exchange, and many service researchers have discovered the central role that sociotechnical practices play in service –in particular, within the service-dominant logic school of thought. In this paper, we propose an analytical lens that builds on this mutual interest to understand complex practices involving service exchange. Practice researchers can gain new insights regarding practices embedded in service ecosystems. At the same time, service researchers can better explain actor behavior by looking deeper at sociotechnical practices. We develop a concept toolbox based on practice and service-dominant logic research literature. We illustrate the usefulness of the toolbox through an interpretative case study of public service to include children with disabilities in leisure activities. Seeing practices as parts of larger multi-stakeholder service ecosystems 1) can help us better explain behavior in those practices and understand how they are affected by other overlapping practices, 2) brings forward the importance of value and how multiple actors need to interact in order to create value for each other, and 3) enriches service-dominant logic with a focus on sociotechnical aspects that are central to many practice studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

To address the gap in preventative support, the aim of the Family Disability Worker (FDW) role is to offer support for parents and cares of children with disabilities and additional needs, who do not meet the criteria to access services through the children with disabilities social work team. This Welsh evaluation included a survey for professionals (n = 23) and parents/carers (n = 5) to explore their attitudes on the new FDW role. Following this, a series of semi-structured interviews were completed to gather the experiences of professionals (n = 23) and parents/carers (n = 3) of working with the FDW. The findings suggest the development of preventive social work practice to reduce isolation and support these families to feel connected to their community. The participants shared attitudes and experiences supporting the development of the FDW role, to enhance and develop creative and strength-based approaches to social work practice to be operationalised through a new FDW practice toolkit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A large gap in provision of services for children with developmental disabilities (DD) has been identified in Ethiopia, especially in the education system. Including children with disabilities in mainstream schools is encouraged by policies, but progress in this direction has been limited. This study aimed to explore stakeholders' perspectives on contextual factors relevant for inclusive education for children with DD in mainstream schools in Ethiopia, with a focus on Adis Ababa. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 39 local stakeholders, comprising caregivers of children with DD, school teachers and principals/managers, non-governmental organisation representatives, government officials, clinicians and academics/consultants. We used template analysis to code the data and map them onto domains of the Context and Setting dimensions of the Context and Implementation of Complex Interventions framework. Stakeholders discussed frameworks in the Legal and Ethical context endorsing the right of all children to education. However, they reported multiple reasons why children with DD in Ethiopia have limited access to education, either in special or mainstream schools. First, individual features, such as gender and support needs, discussed in the Epidemiological context, may affect the likelihood of a child with DD to be accepted in school. Transportation challenges are a key barrier in the Geographical context. Socio-economic and Socio-cultural contexts present barriers at the levels of the nation, school and family, mostly related to limited services and material and financial resources and limited awareness of DD. Stakeholders believe the currently limited but growing commitment in the Political context can support progress towards the removal of these barriers. Our findings can form the basis for development of an implementation plan that addresses such barriers and capitalises on existing facilitators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: The Covid -19 pandemic brought changes in professional practice across the globe. Children with disabilities received rehabilitation services remotely throughout the lockdown periods to contain the virus in the United Arab Emirates. This paper explores the experiences of parents of children with disabilities who received remote rehabilitation services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: A survey was developed by the study team in English and Arabic. Demographic data, characteristics of children, family circumstances, access to rehabilitation, use of assistive tools, financial and psychological implications on parents and children, and future use of remote therapy. It was deployed to the parents through the rehabilitation centers and was analyzed using descriptive statistics with frequencies and percentages. Results: The survey was completed by 239 parents whose children with disabilities received the rehabilitation services remotely mainly through telerehabilitation. The pressure and psychological impact on parents were high, reporting frustration (44.8%), and anxiety (59.8%), although (70.3%) recognized the importance of continued care for the child. Conclusion: Telerehabilitation was the means during the pandemic to ensure continued care in the UAE. In the future, remote rehabilitation will be appropriate in specific situations when there is limited or no access to the center. Future research should explore the continued use of telerehabilitation and its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Abstract\nPoints of InterestThis article explores the experiences of working mothers raising children with disabilities. The study was conducted in the United Arab Emirates, which has a raft of policies empowering and facilitating the development of children with disabilities and their families. Drawing on the social model of disability, this article presents findings from qualitative data collected from both national and expatriate working mothers. It aims to provide insights into their work–caregiving balance and the development of their children with disabilities. Furthermore, this article identifies common reactions, coping strategies and expressed needs among both national and expatriate mothers. However, it highlights significant differences between the two groups in terms of access to rehabilitation and support services for children with disabilities. This research contributes to existing literature on caregiving experiences and offers recommendations for tailoring support services to meet the needs of working mothers raising children with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates.This article explores the caregiving experiences of 24 nationals and expatriates raising children with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates.The United Arab Emirates government is encouraging greater participation in the workforce, particularly among women, which could have implications for those raising children with disabilities.The findings reveal shared challenges/reactions to children’s diagnoses; however, differences were noted in the accessibility of rehabilitation and support services for children of nationals and expatriates.The insufficient or lack of available services sheds light on the experiences of mothers raising children with disabilities.The study concludes with a recommendation for employers to make provisions specifically for expatriate mothers raising children with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates.This article explores the caregiving experiences of 24 nationals and expatriates raising children with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates.The United Arab Emirates government is encouraging greater participation in the workforce, particularly among women, which could have implications for those raising children with disabilities.The findings reveal shared challenges/reactions to children’s diagnoses; however, differences were noted in the accessibility of rehabilitation and support services for children of nationals and expatriates.The insufficient or lack of available services sheds light on the experiences of mothers raising children with disabilities.The study concludes with a recommendation for employers to make provisions specifically for expatriate mothers raising children with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Family support is a crucial component affecting the functioning of parents of children with disabilities within society. Sufficient services that cater to both child support and the parents’ quality of life are required, or else the state labor market runs the risk of losing able-bodied citizens who are responsible for raising children with disabilities. Thus, the research has twofold aim: to review the system of public services for families raising children with disabilities in Lithuania, and to analyze the availability of services from the perspective of managers of service-providing institutions. A structured interviews was conducted to collect information from eighteen experts who are heads of education, health and social services departments of municipalities and subordinate institutions, responsible for decision-making in the organization and provision of services to families raising children with disabilities in the Alytus region. According to research findings, the Alytus region has the potential to provide education, healthcare, and social services following legal provisions. However, the current range of services is inadequate in practice. Typically, most services are available only upon parental request for children with disabilities, with certain services not being available for numerous reasons. Based on the research findings, the insufficient provision of services in the Alytus region is mainly attributable to a shortage of service staff and limited financial resources. At the same time, the study highlights a slow responsiveness of the municipalities and their subordinate entities towards communicating and collaborating, as well as with parents of disabled children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) have played a critical role in the development and delivery of effective services for children with disabilities for the past 25 years. The idea for quality indicators was grassroots in origin and began in the 1990s. It grew through the involvement of hundreds of assistive technology (AT) service providers across the country. QIAT provided a way for individuals, teams, and agencies to analyze and improve their AT services. A range of tools to support the understanding and use of the quality indicators has been developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Family--school partnerships are an essential component of the special education process for children with disabilities. Notably, recent legislative reauthorizations of IDEA (2004) have focused on increasing parent involvement. For many parents, participation occurs primarily through the individualized education program (IEP) meetings. Parent involvement often includes parent advocating for their children. However, many parents face barriers when advocating to obtain appropriate special education services for their children with disabilities. Culturally and linguistically diverse families face greater systemic barriers (e.g., language and cultural differences) to access services for their own children with disabilities. School professionals can foster opportunities to help families be active members of the IEP process. For example, school professionals should connect families with resources to learn about their special education rights. Specifically, school personnel can encourage families to reach out to their local Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center to be educated and empowered to advocate for services. In addition, parents can be encouraged to attend parent advocacy programs to help increase knowledge, advocacy, and empowerment to access and advocate for services for their own children. Advancing the values of working with parents of students with special education needs is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Sandra Sufian's book "Familial Fitness: Disability, Adoption, and Family in Modern America" explores the history of adoption in the United States, focusing on the treatment of children with disabilities. Sufian discusses the evolving attitudes towards adopting disabled children, highlighting the risks and challenges faced by both the children and adopting families. The book also delves into the societal perceptions of disability and the impact of policies and social norms on adoption practices. Sufian's work sheds light on the exclusion of disabled individuals from traditional family structures and calls for improved support and resources for adopted children with disabilities. [Extracted from the article] more...

Background: According to Israel's National Health Insurance Law (1994), the Ministry of Health is responsible for the provision of health services in the country including physiotherapy services; moreover, the Special Education Law (1988), stipulates that physiotherapy services for children with motor disabilities, as well as other allied health services, are provided by the Ministry of Education in educational settings. Thus, children with motor disabilities are entitled PT services under two different laws by two different ministries. Method: To describe the physiotherapy services for children with motor disabilities and examine how policymakers view these services, we conducted a qualitative study including in-depth semi-structured interviews with 10 policymakers from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, and the national directors of physiotherapy services from three of the four health maintenance organizations in Israel. Results: Study results indicate that there is an array of physiotherapy services and providers. Despite the regulation of these services for children with motor disabilities, uncertainty and lack of knowledge were found about various issues. Therefore, the thematic analysis was structured around four descriptive questions: Where do the children receive physiotherapy? Who is eligible for physiotherapy treatment and who receives treatment? What interventions do children with motor disabilities receive? Who provides therapy for children with motor disabilities? Conclusions: Policymakers are dubious regarding the provision of these services, questioning whether children with motor disabilities receive physiotherapy services according to their needs. In addition, the abundance of suppliers does not necessarily improve the quality of services provided to children with motor disabilities, which may ultimately harm their developmental potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: One in five children with an intellectual disability in the UK display behaviours that challenge. Despite associated impacts on the children themselves, their families, and services, little research has been published about how best to design, organise, and deliver health and care services to these children. The purpose of this study was to describe how services are structured and organised ("service models") in England for community-based health and care services for children with intellectual disability who display behaviours that challenge. Methods: Survey data about services were collected from 161 eligible community-based services in England. Staff from 60 of these services were also interviewed. A combination of latent class and descriptive analysis, coupled with consultation with family carers and professionals was used to identify and describe groupings of similar services (i.e., "service models"). Results: The latent class analysis, completed as a first step in the process, supported a distinction between specialist services and non-specialist services for children who display behaviours that challenge. Planned descriptive analyses incorporating additional study variables were undertaken to further refine the service models. Five service models were identified: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) (n = 69 services), Intellectual Disability CAMHS (n = 28 services), Children and Young People Disability services (n = 25 services), Specialist services for children who display behaviours that challenge (n = 27 services), and broader age range services for children and/or adolescents and adults (n= 12 services). Conclusions: Our analysis led to a typology of five service models for community health and care services for children with intellectual disabilities and behaviours that challenge in England. Identification of a typology of service models is a first step in building evidence about the best provision of services for children with intellectual disabilities who display behaviours that challenge. The methods used in the current study may be useful in research developing service typologies in other specialist fields of health and care. Study registration: Trial Registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN88920546, Date assigned 05/07/2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Family involvement is an essential component of the special education process for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In addition to the legal requirement that parents should be equal partners in the decision-making of the student’s IEP program (IDEA, 2004), a bulk of empirical research demonstrates the positive impact of parent involvement on student outcomes. However, many families face barriers to participation in the special education process. Culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD), including Asian families, especially face systemic barriers when accessing services for their children with disabilities. In order to better understand parents’ perceptions of stress in relation to individualized education program (IEP) meetings, special education knowledge, and family-professional collaborations, individual interviews were conducted with eight Asian families of children with IDD. The input provided by Asian parents provides many critical implications for practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This study identifies challenges and advantages parents faced in navigating therapy service delivery for their child with disabilities during the COVID‐19 pandemic. As part of an online survey, 171 parents of children with disabilities answered four, free response questions regarding the therapy services their children received during the pandemic. A grounded theory approach was used to identify top challenges, barriers, advantages, and recommendations. Challenges included children's poor response to telehealth services, lack of parent training, and technological challenges. Advantages included fewer barriers to service access and increased family involvement. Parents largely recommended shorter, more frequent teletherapy sessions, and resuming in-person services. To improve parent engagement in, and the sustainability of, services, parent feedback should inform service delivery design and implementation. Incorporating parent feedback about service delivery can decrease disparities in access and increase parent engagement in child services both generally, and during periods of service disruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The COVID-19 pandemic has majorly affected all segments of society from a medical, economic, psychological, and relational standpoint. Social work, and especially that for children, was one of the most requested fields, which had to find quick and efficient solutions for providing services to beneficiaries, simultaneously with the prevention of infection with the coronavirus. The purpose of the present study is to describe the psychological impact of the pandemic, as well as the consequences regarding the effectiveness of the services offered in a day care center for children with disabilities in Pitești, Argeș county. Information, which was collected through the interview method and through studying social documents, allowed us to understand the psycho-social mechanisms more deeply (coping, resilience etc.) as well as the solutions that were implemented for the center to continue to function normally. The study demonstrated that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was very strong in terms of the physical and mental state as well as the professional activity of the employed staff, and some effects are still present until today. However, the management and employees of the center have also implemented effective solutions to minimize the negative impact of the pandemic and to be able to continue providing services to children with disabilities, safely and with professionalism [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The present research aims to investigate the perception of the parent - personal assistant on his/her profession, but also on his/her personal life, with the aim of identifying the challenges, but also the opportunities that this status brings in the lives of the parents. Starting from the purpose of our research, two objectives were pursued, namely to identify the challenges and opportunities of the personal assistant position and to analyze the parents' perception regarding the decision to become a personal assistant. The study was designed as a qualitative research approach, the interview method was considered the most appropriate to serve the research objectives. The research took place in a day center that offers recovery services to children with disabilities in Timișoara (Romania), the subjects of our research being exclusively mothers. The research revealed that the decision to become a personal assistant for the child with disabilities is dictated by the affection for the child and the sense of duty towards him as a parent, despite the financial well-being previously ensured by a well-paid job. What impacts the respondents' lives is not the new job, but the confrontation with the child's disability. If in some cases the disability was accepted relatively easily, the parents offering each other support, the level of cohesion increasing and benefiting of help from the extended family, we also identified a situation where the family fell apart. The only need claimed by the parents is that of counselling, the respondents complainings were on the difficulties they have to manage with regard to stress, fatigue and lack of free time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

According to the national population Census of Colombia, 4.1 per cent of the population lives with a disability. Although information is available on the number of persons with disabilities in the country, little information exists on their levels of multidimensional poverty and deprivation, especially at the province of local level. Aiming to contribute to the analysis of the levels of poverty of persons with disabilities living at the municipal/province level, this study computes and analyses the levels of multidimensional poverty in households with and without members with disabilities in the 1.101 municipalities of Colombia. Using the 2018 national population census, we computed the percentage of people living with disabilities in each of the municipalities of the country, then we computed their levels of poverty and deprivation and analysed the difference between households with and without members with disabilities. We also analysed the availability of teachers and schools providing services for children living with disabilities and deprivations in terms of school attendance. The results reveal that households with members with disabilities are poorer than households without members with disabilities, These households present higher deprivations according to most indicators, and the intensity of their poverty is higher. In addition, households with members with disabilities usually present higher levels of deprivation in school attendance and live in municipalities where there is no provision of inclusive schools. These results highlight the importance of implementing specific policies designed to reduce the levels of poverty of persons with disabilities and their families and to guarantee their access to basic opportunities and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background and Objectives: Children with disabilities (such as cerebral palsy, autistic spectrum disorder, and Down syndrome) are the most vulnerable and marginalized subset of the population, representing 2.7% of the total population of Saudi Arabia. The COVID-19 outbreak might have disproportionately affected children with disabilities, augmented their isolation, and induced severe disruptions to the services on which these children rely. Limited research has been conducted in Saudi Arabia to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rehabilitation services provided to children with disabilities and barriers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the lockdown implemented as a result of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the accessibility of rehabilitation services, including communication, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a survey was conducted between June and September 2020 during the lockdown in Saudi Arabia. A total of 316 caregivers of children with disabilities from Riyadh participated in the study. The accessibility of rehabilitation services provided to children with disabilities was assessed by designing a valid questionnaire. Results: A total of 280 children with disabilities received rehabilitation services before the COVID-19 pandemic and showed improvement following therapeutic sessions. However, during the pandemic, most children stopped receiving therapeutic sessions because of lockdown, which deteriorated their condition. This shows a significant reduction in the accessibility of the rehabilitation services provided during the pandemic. Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed a drastic decline in services provided to children with disabilities. This caused a notable deterioration in the abilities of these children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Families of children with disabilities faced significant challenges during COVID-19 pandemic due to the social isolation and restrictions put in place to reduce or stop transmission of the virus. Using a qualitative approach, this study aimed to identify the challenges children with disabilities and their families have faced during COVID-19 pandemic as a result of changes in their daily routines; examine the strategies and resources families used to deal with these problems; and determine the supports they needed to address them. Data were collected from 40 parents of children with disabilities through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results of qualitative analysis showed that challenges encountered by families of children with disabilities included changes in daily routines and family priorities, increased problem behaviors exhibited by children, difficulties regarding virtual learning, and adverse impact in intra-family relationships. Consulting with teachers and other professionals, getting help from close family members or friends, using different education platforms, and bonding with family members were among the strategies and resources families used to address challenges they faced. Parents reported needs for psychological, economic, and education support for themselves and their children. COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted lives of children with disabilities and their families in multiple ways. Findings of this study have potentials to guide the future efforts in providing support services to families of children with disabilities and allocating resources in similar situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Community health workers provide important services to support public health outcomes, particularly in low-income and low-resource settings. This practice note describes the training and supervision of community health workers for a program that aims to provide community-based support to families of children with disabilities in Lusaka, Zambia. Faculty from the United States partnered with a local organization to develop a multiday experiential training for supervisors, who then provided this training to volunteers in the community. An evaluation of supervisors and community health workers revealed that supervisors and community health workers gained significant knowledge and skills to work with children with disabilities. However, the attitude scales about children with disabilities did not show such robust change for the community health workers. A key challenge for this project was timing, as the training was completed just before COVID-19, leading to program implementation delays. Successes included increasing supervisor and community health workers’ knowledge and skills in working with children with disabilities. This training highlighted the importance of local partners who could provide additional context for the community’s needs and ongoing supervision for the community health workers to maintain program fidelity. This practice note adds to the limited knowledge base on developing additional support and services for children with disabilities and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) significantly disrupted therapy service delivery for children with disabilities and their families. Parents of children with disabilities have been particularly impacted as a large degree of responsibility has been placed on them to both manage and deliver therapies remotely. However, little is known regarding whether sociodemographic factors are associated with parents' perceptions of therapy service delivery during COVID-19. This study explored the relationship between sociodemographic factors and parents' satisfaction with therapies for children with disabilities during COVID-19.Method: Two hundred seven parents of children with disabilities completed an online survey battery that included the Family-Provider Partnership Scale and sociodemographic characteristics and assessed their satisfaction with their child[ren]'s therapies during COVID-19.Results: Access to telehealth, receipt of only school-based therapies, parent education, number of household essential workers, and total number of children were associated with satisfaction with therapy service and/or the family-provider partnership.Discussion: By better understanding the association between sociodemographic factors and parent perception of therapy service delivery, providers can better support families in optimizing service delivery during the remainder of COVID-19 mitigation efforts and during future periods of service disruption. This study provides insight into the sociodemographic characteristics that are associated with lower levels of satisfaction and thus require more tailored support from providers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children Recommended Practices (DEC RPs; [2]) were created to be practical and ubiquitous; thus, they can continue to guide teachers, like Constance and Sam, even during a global pandemic. I This is Constance's eighth year as an early childhood special education teacher in Fox Hill, which is a large suburban school system in the southeast United States. Steph (20 min)10am: Ms. Sam & Ms. Constance10am: Ms. Sam & Ms. Constance10am: Ms. Sam & Ms. Constance10am: Ms. Sam & Ms. Constance6pm: Check in call with Ms. Constance ht 1 I Note i . [Extracted from the article] more...

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is contended to be a distinct presentation within autism characterised by extreme levels of anxiety in response to the demands of everyday life, manifested in excessive levels of demand avoidance. This results in complex interactions with service providers in education and health settings, impacting on outcomes for individuals and their families. This national study sought to gather the viewpoints of individuals who experience PDA, families, and practitioners, with the intention of determining levels of knowledge, recognition and understanding of PDA; exploring current pathways to assessment and diagnosis; capturing experiences of access to education and healthcare services; identifying effective intervention and support strategies; and illuminating education and health outcomes for individuals and families. This mixed‐method study collates survey responses from N = 264 parents, N = 9 life partners, N = 6 individuals experiencing PDA and N = 54 practitioners, and in‐depth individual and focus group interviews from these cohorts. Findings suggest that a flexible, informed and individualised approach to assessment and service provision for individuals presenting with a PDA profile is essential. Practitioners universally referred to the necessity for a streamlined, integrated and multi‐disciplinary approach. The reported disconnect between education and health systems indicates a need for access to services on an equitable basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Multidisciplinary Approaches in Education & Rehabilitation / Multidisciplinarni Pristupi u Edukaciji i Rehabilitaciji is the property of Association of Special Educators, Audiologists & Speech Therapists - STOL 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.) more...

Copyright of Campus Virtuales is the property of Campus Virtuales 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.) more...

Access to timely behaviour support services for children and adolescents with a disability in rural and remote regions of Australia is problematic due to the inadequate supply of specialised staff providing complex behaviour support in their local area. Technology has the potential to provide a timely, quality, low-cost option that extends access to behaviour support services for these children and their support teams in rural and remote areas. The purpose of this narrative review was to explore policy and practice guidelines on the delivery of behaviour support via telepractice for children and adolescents with a disability in Australia, and more specifically for those on the autism spectrum. Secondly, the review aimed to establish the evidence base of this model of service for children and adolescents with autism, in order to reflect on how it aligns with current Australian policy and practice. Practice and policy documents were drawn from selected websites relevant to the delivery of behaviour support via telepractice in Australia. Peer-reviewed literature (2004–2019) on the delivery of behaviour support via telepractice was sourced via four databases. While telepractice appears to have promising utility for the provision of support for children and adolescents with autism who present with challenging behaviour, there was very little policy documentation or guidelines found that related specifically to the delivery of this support. There is a need for further rigorous research to inform policy, establish efficacy, and develop practice guidelines that ensure delivery of high quality telepractice behaviour supports under the National Disability Insurance Scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The purpose of this study is to explore how religious sisters experience meaning in their service work for children with disabilities. This study used the photovoice technique where data is collected through interviews based on photos. 10 religious sisters participated in this study. Analysis of data from the interview results obtained four main themes: (1) perception of self and services, (2) dynamics of service, (3) spirituality in ministry, and (4) challenges in ministry. Meaning in service work for children with disabilities is defined by spiritual and interpersonal interactions, highlighting the importance of both aspects in religious sisters' mission as service workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Journal of Education Research (1680-6360) is the property of Angle Publishing Co., Ltd. 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.) more...

Intellectually disabled children experience unique vulnerabilities related to poverty. The literature further identifies strong concerns for service delivery and practice with intellectually disabled children in the context of austerity measures arising from economic recession. Statistical data in Ireland are well developed on the equality impacts of economic recession in 2008. Qualitative research is by comparison lacking. This study presents research findings on the impact of recession on intellectually disabled young people and their families in Ireland. It does so to illuminate the meaning of existing statistical indicators which suggest adverse effects of austerity on this population group. A Framework Method of analysis is applied to transcripts produced from a Biographical Narrative Interpretative Method (BNIM) of interviewing. A sample of eight participants is reported on, which includes two intellectually disabled young people, three parents of intellectually disabled young people and three social workers in disability services. Findings take the form of themes and subthemes, which are then used to inform a discussion on key learning for practitioners moving forward. Within this, distinct concerns for practice with intellectually disabled children and young people are identified, such as the potential for practitioners to mis-conceptualise some behaviours that challenge as arising from impairment rather than poverty. Overall a predominantly negative impact of austerity on these families is evidenced. Results indicate that more meaningful partnership between policy makers and service users is required in future periods of economic adversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Disabled children experience increased risk of abuse and neglect. Concurrently, serious concerns and practical impediments persist regarding the capacity of statutory child protection and welfare services to respond adequately to their needs. Specifically, the focus in this article is on the assessment stage of the social work process within child protection and welfare teams in the Republic of Ireland. Within this, critical commentary on the literature in this article sets out barriers to professional assessment. These include those associated with interviewing children with cognitive and linguistic impairments, negotiating resource constraints, and overcoming knowledge impediments. Following a thematic overview of literature, theoretical vantage points associated with ableism and derived from the broad field of disability studies, informs concluding analysis with focus on lessons learned for future practice. The proposition is, that theoretical perspectives associated with ableism may aid practitioners in seeking to overcome knowledge, attitudinal and social equality barriers to effective child protection, that existing literature alludes to. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...