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Research on how much early phonemic awareness (PA) instruction is optimal has produced inconclusive answers. We conducted a nonlinear meta-analysis to estimate the optimal cumulative dosage of early PA instruction on PA outcomes with an associated maximum effect size in preschool through first-grade students. Sixteen experimental and quasi-experimental primary studies (35 effect sizes) on PA instruction effectiveness that reported cumulative dosage data were included. There were 613 students in treatment and 542 students in control conditions (Mage = 5.20 years; SDage = 0.87). The cumulative dosage response model took a concave parabolic form (an upside-down U shape). Specifically, PA instruction effects improved with increasing dosage up to 10.20 hours of instruction (dmax = 0.74), after which the effects declined. Moderator analyses revealed these results held for students at-risk for reading disabilities and basic PA skills instruction. Furthermore, moderator analyses showed that the dosage response curves exhibited a convex parabolic form (a U shape) in PA instruction with letters, with effects continually increasing after 16 hours of PA instruction. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of planning the optimal cumulative dosage of early PA instruction in preschool through first-grade settings so that students acquire the PA and phonological-orthographic associations taught and show progress in learning to read. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of the therapeutic alliance between a client and their clinician is thought to play an important role in healthcare but there is limited research about this concept in stroke rehabilitation. This study explored the core components of a therapeutic alliance and the factors perceived to impact on its development in a stroke rehabilitation unit. Interpretive description methodology was used to gather and synthesise participants' experiences of their therapeutic relationships. Ten individual client interviews and one clinician focus group were conducted. Data was were analysed using conventional content analysis. A therapeutic alliance appeared to consist of three overlapping core components: a personal connection, a professional collaboration, and family collaboration. Clients valued these components to different degrees and priorities could change over time. Alliance breakdowns were perceived to stem from a clinician's incorrect assumptions about their client's relationship preferences or lack of responsiveness to their needs. Recovery of the alliance seemed to depend on the strength of the pre-existing relationship and steps taken to repair it. Establishing and maintaining a therapeutic alliance appears to be an individualised and complex process. A clinician's ability to use their personal attributes therapeutically, and professional skills flexibly, appeared integral to relationship quality. Developing therapeutic relationships requires a person-centred and sometimes family/whānau-centred approach. The judicious use of self-disclosure may achieve emotional proximity and yet maintain professional boundaries. Maintaining relationship health requires a proactive approach to detect and manage relationship disruptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs). It describes circumstances in which an SMSF may be made non-complying, including making loans to members, acquiring assets from related parties of the SMSF, and borrowing money. Penalties that the Australian Tax Office (ATO) may impose in contravention of the Superannuation Industry Act 1993 (SISA93) include civil of criminal penalties, disqualification from acting as trustees, or removal of the trustee from the SMSF.