Sentinels of Safety: Service Dogs Ensure Safety and Enhance Freedom and Well-Being for Families With Autistic Children

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 1642-1649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen E. Burrows ◽  
Cindy L. Adams ◽  
Jude Spiers
Keyword(s):  
Autistic Child ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Recognition ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Service Dogs ◽  
Service Dog ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Animal Companionship

Children with autism might display unpredictable and volatile behavior that places them in considerable physical danger and creates stress for the family. Families of autistic children often have limited freedom and experience difficulty with everyday activities. In this qualitative ethology study, we examined the effect of integrating service dogs into ten families with an autistic child. Data included participant observation, video recordings of family—parent—dog interaction, and semistructured interviews with the parents. The themes were (a) the dog as a sentinel of safety, (b) gaining freedom through enhanced safety, facilitating public outings and family activities, and (c) improving social recognition and status, in which the presence of the dog promoted awareness of autism and affected social interaction. The triadic relationship between parent, autistic child, and service dog constantly evolves. This research provides valuable information for parents interested in having a service dog for their autistic child, and has implications for long-term human—animal companionship for children with special needs and their caregivers.

Development of the Processfolio: Promoting Preservice Music Teacher Reflection Through Authentic Assessment

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason M. Silveira ◽  
Julie Beauregard ◽  
Tina Bull
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Authentic Assessment ◽  
Music Teacher ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Master Of Arts ◽  
Audio Video

The purpose of this study was to determine what impact an authentic assessment tool (i.e., a processfolio) would have on our music education Master of Arts in Teaching degree program. We conducted a case study at our university with the music education Master of Arts in Teaching student cohort to detail the development and initial implementation of the processfolio as a means of reflection in preservice music teachers. Data included participant observation, individual and collaborative note taking, written artifacts from students and faculty, audio/video recordings, and semistructured interviews. Findings indicated (a) processfolios became a lens through which students focused their growth as reflective teachers; (b) a lack of examples and confusion over specific processfolio requirements was stress inducing; (c) the collaborative nature of working within a peer/faculty cohort was socially, emotionally, and academically valuable; (d) students effectively used the processfolio to demonstrate synthesis of the multiple facets of the graduate music education program.

scholarly journals Acupressure and Therapeutic Touch in Childhood Cancer to Promote Subjective and Intersubjective Experiences of Well-being During Curative Treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 216495611988014
Author(s):  
Hiroe Hu ◽  
Deborah Shear ◽  
Radhika Thakkar ◽  
Ariana Thompson-Lastad ◽  
Howard Pinderhughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Therapeutic Touch ◽  
Acupuncture Points ◽  
Cancer Trial ◽  
Semistructured Interviews

Purpose Acupressure and therapeutic touch may be beneficial for symptom management and increasing general well-being for children undergoing cancer treatment. Acupressure has the benefit of stimulating targeted acupuncture points while providing therapeutic touch. We sought to explore the relationship between acupressure and the experience of well-being among children being treated for cancer who received acupressure. Methods In the Acupressure for Children in Treatment for a Childhood Cancer trial, hospitalized children received acupressure using specified acupressure points for symptom control as well as points for general well-being. Acupressure was delivered by professionals and by caregivers, following training by the professional. Qualitative data were collected through semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of professional acupressure providers (n = 3) and primary caregivers (n = 13), combined with participant observation during the acupressure intervention. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methods. Results Analysis of provider interview, caregiver interview, and participation observation yielded 3 prominent themes: (1) well-being elicited by acupressure, (2) well-being elicited by touch, and (3) well-being experienced as relational and intersubjective. These themes, taken together, illustrate the intricate ways in which an intervention like acupressure can help alleviate the difficulties of a childhood cancer illness experience by promoting well-being in the child as well as the caregiver. Acupressure brought symptom relief, physical relaxation, and comforting touch to the child, allowing the caregiver to also feel relief and relaxation as caregiver–child experience of well-being are closely intertwined. Conclusions Data from the 3 sources provided distinct and overlapping insights suggesting the versatile benefits of acupressure in promoting well-being during childhood cancer treatment. Professional acupressure combined with training of caregivers for childhood cancer may be a relational intervention that facilitates the experience of well-being for both the caregiver and the child.

scholarly journals Non-Verbal Communication by Autistic Children

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 492-505
Author(s):  
Irga Safira ◽  
Rahmadsyah Rangkuti ◽  
Ely Hayati Nasution ◽  
Yulianus Harefa
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Nonverbal Communication ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Autistic Child ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Verbal Communication ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Video Recorder

This paper entitled ‘Non-Verbal Communication by Autistic Children’ was conducted with the aim to find out the components of kinesics as a part of nonverbal communication expressed by autistic children when interacting with their teachers at SLB ABC Taman Pendidikan Islam. Beside that this study also intended to know the meanings of those kinesics components expressed by autistic children when interacting with their teachers. This research used a descriptive qualitative approach by applying kinesics theory by Ray Birdwhistell. The data collection techniques were conducted by using non-participant observation techniques and documentation. The documents used to support this study were in the form of photographs and video recorder that showed the communication done by the autistic children with their teachers during the learning process in the class. The results showed that although autistic children cannot interact clearly through verbal communication, they can express their desires through non verbal communication. They can communicate by expressing it through facial expressions, eye contact, body movement, posture and touch. The meaning of the non-verbal communication expressed by each autistic child has a different meaning. This study also intended to give worthy contribution to all people who want to understand the non-verbal communication of autistic children.

Šeimos, auginančios vaiką su negalia, sveikatos išteklių stiprinimas: čigong masažo galimybės

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Vaičekauskaitė ◽  
Elvyra Acienė
Keyword(s):  
Autistic Child ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Sensory System ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Working Alone

Family health is a state of complete each person’s physical, mental and social well-being which is experienced as a result of belonging to family. Programs of alternative and complimentary medicine are getting more popularity and scientific evidence as effective resources for family health. The article introduces scientific research which evidence about effectiveness of qigong massage for family and autistic children. The power of qigong massage can be compared with the “blood transfusion with perfectly matched blood” [8]. Parent and child share the same Qi energy. Because of this, qigong massage given by parents becomes very effective even though the parents have no prior experience with Qigong [6, 8]. However, specialists working alone are able to achieve perhaps half the results possible, and parents working alone, considerably less than half. Therefore, in our research and training program we paid special attention to parents and specialists partnership.Research sample and design. 8 autistic children (two girls and six boys under age 6) were recruited from two educational institutions working with children with disabilities in Klaipeda city. We used three main instruments to gather data before massage program (pre-test) and afterwards (post-test) as follows: the Sense and Self-Regulation Checklist (SSC), Parenting Stress Index (PSI), and Bunse developmental checklist. Research results. The qigong massage therapy has been scientifically shown to improve the behaviour and development of autistic children (under age 6) and diminish parents stress related to raising an autistic child. The experience of the families in Lithuania witness statistically significant distinctive changes in the development and the sensory system of an autistic child due to qigong massage as follows: children started speaking, they have better sleep, they have better attention concentration, they have less tantrums and self-aggression reactions, they are better in self-soothing, their communication improved, their gross and fine motor functions expanded. The outcomes of the research study in Lithuania are consistent with those in USA. The aforementioned factors are important resources for family health. The effect of qi-gong massage is stronger when application of qigong massage is organized as integral and complex social, educational and medical help to autistic children and their families.

Temple Food As a Sustainable Tourism Attraction: Ecogastronomic Buddhist Heritage and Regional Development in South Korea

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 209-222
Author(s):  
Anne H.J. Lee ◽  
Geoffrey Wall
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Regional Development ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Sustainable Tourism ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Rich Description ◽  
Food Programs ◽  
Ongoing Development ◽  
Narrative Interpretation

This research explores Buddhist heritage-based tourism in South Korea. It examines temple food experiences provided in tandem with templestay programs that emphasize the Buddhist cooking tradition and share aspects of traditional Buddhist culture with visitors. Based primarily on participant observation, this ecologically friendly form of tourism is described and the ongoing development of temple food programs is documented. A "person-centric" perception is adopted from two perspectives: an emphasis on the holistic well-being of individual visitors, and the importance of a specific person in the provision of tourism experiences. Rich description and narrative interpretation are used to explain the phenomenon and provide a foundation on which future research can be grounded.

Benefits and challenges of mobility and medical alert service dogs for caregivers of service dog recipients

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Leanne O. Nieforth ◽  
Kerri E. Rodriguez ◽  
Marguerite E. O'Haire
Keyword(s):  
Service Dogs ◽  
Service Dog

scholarly journals Physician leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic: an emphasis on the team, well-being and leadership reasoning

BMJ Leader ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. leader-2020-000344
Author(s):  
Taylor C. Standiford ◽  
Kavya Davuluri ◽  
Nicole Trupiano ◽  
David Portney ◽  
Larry Gruppen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Medicine ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Crisis Leadership ◽  
Leadership Skill ◽  
Leadership Practice ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Physician Leaders ◽  
Learning From Others ◽  
Leadership Skill Development

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic impacted many aspects of normal operations in academic medicine. While effective leadership is always important, the intensity and urgency of COVID-19 challenged academic medicine leaders to find new ways to lead their institutions and manage their own experiences of the pandemic.MethodsSixteen physician leaders from Michigan Medicine took part in semistructured interviews during April and May 2020. Participants were asked open-ended questions about the attributes and techniques that were important to effectively lead during a crisis. The authors analysed the interviews using thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants described three overarching themes of leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) bringing together a diverse team with clear, shared goals; (2) using a range of strategies to tend to their teams’—as well as their own—well-being; and (3) engaging in leadership reasoning as a way of learning from others and reflecting on their own actions to inform their future leadership practice.ConclusionThe results of this study reveal several salient themes of crisis leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings also highlight the role of leadership reasoning, a reflective practice employed by leaders to understand and improve their leadership skills. This finding presents leadership skill development as part of lifelong learning in medicine. Findings may be incorporated into best practices and preparations to inform future healthcare leaders.

“Hay que Cantar con Ternura”: Baladas Románticas as a Site for Translingual Youth Convivencia

2021 ◽  
pp. 238133772110246
Author(s):  
Cati V. de los Ríos ◽  
Yared Portillo
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Cultural Knowledge ◽  
Mexican Origin ◽  
Bilingual Students ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Music Making ◽  
Schooling Experiences ◽  
K 12 ◽  
A Site

For many Mexican-origin bi/multilingual children, Mexican music education begins early in their home. Music is inextricably linked with the sociocultural context in which it is produced, consumed, and taught and the interrelationship between music, society, and culture. Using ethnographic methods, this article examines a small group of bilingual and emergent bilingual Mexican-origin students who regularly congregated in their English teacher’s classroom at lunchtime to recite and perform romance ballads, or what we refer to as baladas románticas, on a weekly basis. We use participant observation, plática-inspired interviews, focus groups, and video recordings to present ethnographic knowledge about how, for these young people, music was a way of being and a deliberate act to build community. Our findings describe the ways the bilingual students found themselves at the margins of their K–12 schooling experiences and, in turn, agentically fostered their own space for translingual expression and solace. This manifested in two primary ways: (a) how they collectively fostered their own form of convivencia (humanizing coexistence) anchored in their ancestral and cultural knowledge through their music-making and (b) how their music-making allowed them to release translingual and transmodal play and creativity that might have otherwise been suppressed at school. We end with a call for literacy researchers and educators to continue to recognize and honor students’ lived translingual experiences, identities, and musical gifts as resources for learning.

scholarly journals Long COVID and the role of physical activity: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e047632
Author(s):  
Helen Humphreys ◽  
Laura Kilby ◽  
Nik Kudiersky ◽  
Robert Copeland
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Insight Into

ObjectivesTo explore the lived experience of long COVID with particular focus on the role of physical activity.DesignQualitative study using semistructured interviews.Participants18 people living with long COVID (9 men, 9 women; aged between 18–74 years; 10 white British, 3 white Other, 3 Asian, 1 black, 1 mixed ethnicity) recruited via a UK-based research interest database for people with long COVID.SettingTelephone interviews with 17 participants living in the UK and 1 participant living in the USA.ResultsFour themes were generated. Theme 1 describes how participants struggled with drastically reduced physical function, compounded by the cognitive and psychological effects of long COVID. Theme 2 highlights challenges associated with finding and interpreting advice about physical activity that was appropriately tailored. Theme 3 describes individual approaches to managing symptoms including fatigue and ‘brain fog’ while trying to resume and maintain activities of daily living and other forms of exercise. Theme 4 illustrates the battle with self-concept to accept reduced function (even temporarily) and the fear of permanent reduction in physical and cognitive ability.ConclusionsThis study provides insight into the challenges of managing physical activity alongside the extended symptoms associated with long COVID. Findings highlight the need for greater clarity and tailoring of physical activity-related advice for people with long COVID and improved support to resume activities important to individual well-being.

Comparison of mental health, well-being and parenting sense of competency among Australian and South-East Asian parents of autistic children accessing early intervention in Australia

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110100
Author(s):  
Jodie Smith ◽  
Rhylee Sulek ◽  
Ifrah Abdullahi ◽  
Cherie C Green ◽  
Catherine A Bent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Early Intervention ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cultural Background ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health Quality

Parents from individualist cultures (those focused on autonomy of individuals; that is, Australian) may view their autistic children differently compared to parents from collectivist cultures (where community needs are valued over an individual’s, that is, South-East Asian cultures). As most research on autism and parenting has been undertaken in Western individualist cultures, knowledge of parenting beliefs and mental health within collectivist cultures is lacking. We compared the mental health, quality of life, well-being and parenting sense of competency between families raising an autistic child from two groups: 97 Australian parents and 58 parents from South-East Asian backgrounds. Children from both groups were receiving the same community-based early intervention. No group differences were found on the measures of mental health but, when compared to Australian parents, parents from South-East Asian backgrounds reported higher well-being and less impact on their quality of life resulting from their child’s autism-specific difficulties. Furthermore, a positive association between well-being and quality of life was only observed for South-East Asian parents. Hence, the views of, and responses to, disability for South-East Asian parents may act as a protective factor promoting well-being. This novel research indicates that culture plays a role in parenting autistic children and highlights the need to accurately capture cultural background information in research. Lay abstract We know that parents of autistic children experience poorer mental health and lower well-being than parents of non-autistic children. We also know that poorer mental health among parents of autistic children has been observed across different cultures. Most research focuses on Western cultures, so we know little about parental mental health and well-being of parents from different cultural backgrounds; yet, it is likely that cultural background contributes to how parents view their child’s condition and respond to the diagnosis. Here, we compared mental health, quality of life and well-being between families raising an autistic child from Australian backgrounds to families from South-East Asian backgrounds. All children in the current study were receiving the same community-based early intervention. When compared to the general population, parents had poorer mental health overall, but there were no differences between the two groups of parents. However, parents from South-East Asian backgrounds reported higher well-being and fewer difficulties associated with their child’s autism. These findings suggest that cultural background likely influences not only parent’s view of, and response to, their child’s autism, but also their own sense of well-being. As researchers and clinicians working with families of autistic children, we should more explicitly consider family’s cultural background within our work.

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