scholarly journals “There Isn’t Really Anything around Here…”: Autism, Education and the Experience of Families Living in Rural Coastal England

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 397
Author(s):  
David Preece ◽  
Ivana Lessner Lištiaková
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Delay ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Physical Distance ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Access To Education ◽  
Small Community ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Effective Intervention Strategy ◽  
The Impact

Autism affects over 2% of the school population in England. Education has proven to be an effective intervention strategy that improves the quality of life of children with autism and their families. However, governmental austerity policies have increased disadvantage in coastal areas of England with a detrimental impact on people with disabilities. This qualitative study explored the lives of families living with autism in rural coastal England. Mothers, fathers, grandparents and young people from 21 families living with autism in West Norfolk and Cornwall shared their experience through semi-structured interviews that were conducted in early 2019. Families identified positive and negative aspects of living in these areas, including barriers preventing access to and inclusion in education. Barriers were related to poor infrastructure, sparse specialised services (resulting in diagnostic delay and difficulties), limited autism awareness, lack of trained professionals, and the impact of austerity across health, social care and education. Families’ struggles are amplified by the intersectionality of (a) autism-specific needs, (b) physical distance and small-community life related to rurality and (c) the seasonal and peripheral nature of coastal life. Access to education for children with autism in rural coastal areas of England could be improved by acknowledging and addressing the intersecting factors intensifying their marginalisation.

scholarly journals Fathers experiences of sleeping problems in children with autism

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Ann Potter
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sleeping Problems ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of fathers in the management of sleeping problems in children with autism and their perspectives of the impact of these difficulties on family life. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews with 25 UK-based fathers of children with autism were undertaken. Findings Two-thirds of fathers reported that their children experienced severe sleeping problems in the areas of bed-time resistance, sleep onset and night-time waking. Fathers were significantly involved in the management of these difficulties and reported a range of associated deleterious impacts on the family, including significant negative effects on paternal and maternal health, father’s employment, couple relationship and sibling experiences. Research limitations/implications The interview sample cannot be said to be representative of all fathers of children with autism since the backgrounds of those taking part were relatively homogeneous in respect of ethnicity, marital status and level of education. Practical implications Improvements in effective, family-centred provision are urgently needed which employ a co-parenting, gender-differentiated methodology. Social implications Given the severity and frequency of difficulties, sleeping problems in children with autism should be viewed as a significant public health concern. Originality/value This is one of the first studies, qualitative or quantitative, to explore the role and perspectives of fathers of children with autism in the important area of sleep management.

scholarly journals Análisis del impacto de un programa deportivo en niños con Trastorno del Espectro del Autismo (Analysis of the impact of a sport program on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder)

Retos ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 98-105
Author(s):  
José María López Díaz ◽  
Ricardo Moreno Rodríguez ◽  
José Luis López Bastías
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sports Activity ◽  
Monthly Basis ◽  
Dsm 5 ◽  
The Impact

A través de la presente investigación se plantea el objetivo de desarrollar un programa socio-deportivo para mejorar las habilidades motrices y las habilidades sociales de niños con trastorno del espectro del autismo, además de estudiar las repercusiones que tiene la práctica deportiva en niños con trastorno del espectro del autismo La actividad física y deportiva puede ser un pilar fundamental para lograr alcanzar un pleno desarrollo en los ámbitos personales y sociales. Para ello, se articula un programa socio-deportivo con una duración de ocho meses, en el que participan 15 niños con trastorno del espectro del autismo, divididos en tres grupos homogéneos y seleccionados a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas realizadas a su núcleo familiar, tomando como criterio de inclusión que tuvieran edades comprendidas entre los seis y los 12 años, además de tener un grado de apoyos necesarios uno o dos (según el DSM-5). El impacto del programa se evalúa a través de un sistema de rúbrica cumplimentado por dos observadores a lo largo de todas las sesiones. Los resultados obtenidos se obtienen a través de la comparación de las puntuaciones medias entre ambos observadores, estableciendo las puntuaciones medias de forma mensual y realizando la prueba de significación de Wilcoxon para muestras relacionadas. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas entre dos momentos de medición. El primero, al inicio del programa, con la finalidad de establecer una línea base sobre la que comparar el segundo momento, al finalizar el programa. También se puede observar una tendencia de mejora a través del tiempo, con un leve estancamiento entre los meses de enero y febrero, y una leve reducción del rendimiento al finalizar el programa. Abstract. The objective of this research is to develop a social-sport program to improve motor skills and social skills of children with autism spectrum disorder, in addition to studying the repercussions that sports practice has on children with autism disorder. Physical and sports activity can be a fundamental pillar for achieving full development in personal and social fields. To this end, a social-sport program with a duration of eight months is developed, involving 15 children with autism spectrum disorder divided into three homogeneous groups and selected through semi-structured interviews conducted with their family nucleus. Inclusion criteria were being between the ages of six and 12 years old; having degree one or two of necessary support (according to the DSM-5). The impact of the program is evaluated through a rubric system completed by two observers throughout all the sessions. The results are obtained by means of comparison of mean scores between both observers, establishing the mean scores on a monthly basis and performing the Wilcoxon significance test for related samples. The results show significant differences between the two measurement times (the first, at the beginning of the program, in order to establish a baseline against which to compare the second time, at the end of the program). A tendency of improvement can also be observed over time, with a slight stagnation between the months of January and February, and a slight reduction in performance at the end of the program.

scholarly journals An evaluation of sensory processing training on the competence, confidence and practice of teachers working with children with autism

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-17
Author(s):  
Aideen Ruttledge ◽  
John Cathcart
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
The Impact

Purpose At present, there is no research to support teachers’ use of sensory interventions in the classroom. This study aims to investigate the extent to how participation in a sensory processing training session would improve teachers’ competence, confidence and practice towards supporting children with autism. Design/methodology/approach A pilot study design with mixed qualitative and quantitative methods was used to evaluate the impact of sensory processing training on six teachers who taught at least one child with autism in a mainstream school. The Autism Education Trust Competency Framework and face-to-face semi-structured interviews were completed with participants both pre (Time 1) and post (Time 2) training session. Findings Quantitative findings presented statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in results with large effect sizes in the areas of confidence, knowledge, implementing sensory strategies, adjusting sensory environments, reviewing and reflecting. Qualitative data provided by participants corroborated this and indicated a need for further and more detailed training in the area. There was no change in the practice of teachers consulting with pupils about their sensory needs. Practical implications This study found that the attendance of teachers at sensory processing training is justified and the promotion of sensory processing training is therefore warranted. Originality/value Findings of this pilot study indicate that sensory processing training for teachers does improve competence, confidence and practice towards supporting children with autism. Review of the session to allow more detail, including consulting with the children themselves, is recommended.

scholarly journals The Lived Experiences of Low-Income Mothers Raising Children with Autism

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renee L Sullivan ◽  
Leann Stadtlander
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Family Systems Theory ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Raising Children ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
The Impact

Previous studies indicated that parents raising children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience higher rates of stress; however, no qualitative studies have addressed low-income parents’ lived experiences of raising children with ASD. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the challenges that low-income parents of children with ASD face daily within the framework of family systems theory. Interview questions were used to focus on the impact of income and the core symptoms of ASD (social deficits, communication deficits, and repetitive behaviors) on marital and interpersonal relationships. Although the study was open to both mothers and fathers, only mothers participated in this study. Semi-structured interviews with 13 mothers were conducted, and transcripts were analyzed for themes. Results indicated some negative impacts on parents’ marital, social, and professional relationships. Themes included reports of stress and depression, decreased social interaction, low levels of personal and professional satisfaction, and decreased marital satisfaction. Results indicated that increased empathy and understanding of mothers’ challenges are needed to improve access to resources and services required for low-income parents of autistic children to enhance their family’s quality of life.

scholarly journals Not in my face please. Stress caused by the presence of smokers in places with restorative qualities

2019 ◽  
pp. 33-44
Author(s):  
Chamila Subasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Physical Distance ◽  
Landscape Configuration ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Verbal Cues ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Break Time ◽  
Environmental Deprivation ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Impact

Non-smokers’ spatial transactions with smokers in semi-outdoor areas with restorative qualities have been investigated. In the process, the impact of smoking in break spaces on non-smokers’ behavior in negotiating mutual spatial boundaries was studied. The areas with restorative qualities were defined as places where regular visitors spend their break time to relieve work-related stress or seek temporary relaxation. Regularly used as break areas, three covered-overhead walkways located in different building precincts in the same academic setting were sampled in order to elicit narratives relating to perceived environmental deprivation among regular visitors. In-depth, semi-structured interviews had the aim of eliciting and unfolding these narratives where they emerged as a result of different modes of environmental deprivation. Discourse analysis of the transcribed interviews led to a systematic distillation of five themes associated with the presence of smokers in the studied restorative settings. The study revealed that participating non-smokers had devised both control and coping mechanisms to deal with the smokers’ behaviors, such as sending subtle non-verbal cues and repositioning their gaze. Moderated by furniture and landscape configuration, spaciousness, and visual and physical distance, smokers and non-smokers passively negotiated these spatial transactions in each of the respective walkways.

A Qualitative Approach to Understanding Turkish Mothers of Children With Autism: Implications for Counselling

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selda Koydemir-Özden ◽  
Ülkü Tosun
Keyword(s):  
Children With Autism ◽  
Consensual Qualitative Research ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Counselling Services ◽  
Education Centre ◽  
Child Experience ◽  
Experience Of Stress ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Turkish Mothers

AbstractMost children with autism exhibit a variety of behaviours, which may create considerable stress in families. Parents of children with autism have to learn many strategies to support their children. Understanding the experiences of parents of autistic children is crucial in the design and delivery of the appropriate counselling services. The present study attempted to investigate the impact of having an autistic child on the lives of Turkish mothers. For this aim, a Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) Approach was followed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 mothers of autistic children. The interview questions were designed to investigate many facets of the mothers' experiences. For the data analysis, steps of CQR were followed, namely transcription of data, identification of main domains and core ideas, identification of categories and subcategories, and cross analysis. The analyses resulted in a variety of domains such as the reactions to the disability of the child, experience of stress and burnout, involvement with the education of the child, and evaluation of the facilities of the special education centre. Recommendations for guidance and counselling were drawn based on the categories of each domain.

Familial perceptions of the impact of outcome-focused homecare with older people experiencing dementia and living alone

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Gethin-Jones
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Potential Alternative ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss whether the use of outcome-focused homecare improves the subjective well-being of the familial carers of older people with dementia. It also discusses familial carers’ perception of whether this intervention has improved the well-being of their relative. Design/methodology/approach – This qualitative study followed the familial carers of 20 service users suffering from dementia over a six-month period. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken at three intervals during the six months. The carers were asked to assess their subjective well-being at the start, middle and end of the study. Findings – The key findings were that all 20 familial carers expressed an improvement in their subjective well-being and that of their older family member, who appeared more settled as a result of this model of care. Practical implications – The need to consider the use of outcome-focused care as an intervention strategy for older people living alone in the community. The need to provide supportive environments for the carers of older people with dementia to limit their sense of isolation. The prioritising of outcome-focused care in the most complex and chaotic cases. Originality/value – This study provides an insight into the effectiveness of outcome-focused homecare with older people experiencing dementia as perceived by their familial carers. Previously, research has established that outcome-focused care increased the subjective well-being of non-dementia sufferers. This study dovetails neatly with this in demonstrating the same effect on dementia sufferers as perceived by their familial carers. Additionally, this study also demonstrated that this model of outcome-focused care also improved the subjective well-being of the familial carers themselves. These finding will help practitioners consider the use of this model of homecare as a potential alternative or a delaying strategy to residential care.

Impact and Challenges of Centres for Education and Community Action in Cameroon’s North West Region

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-74
Author(s):  
Fonteh Athanasius Amungwa
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Community Action ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
North West ◽  
West Region ◽  
The Impact

This paper examines the impact of community education and challenges facing Centres for Education and Community Action as a rural development strategy in Cameroon. The study was conducted in the North-West Region of Cameroon, employing field observations, semi-structured interviews with key informants using a convenient sampling technique and through elaborate review of documents. These research instruments were blended into what is termed triangulation and the data collected was analysed descriptively. The main focus of qualitative analysis is to understand the ways in which people act and the accounts that people give for their actions. This paper posits that extreme dependence on the provision of Western formal education cannot solve the problems of a rapidly changing society like Cameroon, which is facing a long-term economic crisis and persistent unemployment issues of graduates. Consequently, education should be redefined in the context of the prevailing economic crisis to make it responsive to the aspirations of rural communities. Findings showed that community education had contributed towards rural development immensely but has suffered many challenges due to neglect of the field in the policy agenda. This paper recommends the integration of community education with formal education to facilitate group and community betterment in particular and rural transformation in general.

A MODELING SYSTEM FOR CLIMATE CHANGE RISK ASSESSMENT, MANAGEMENT AND HEDGING IN COASTAL AREAS

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergei Soldatenko ◽  
Sergei Soldatenko ◽  
Genrikh Alekseev ◽  
Genrikh Alekseev ◽  
Alexander Danilov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
System Structure ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Risk Modeling ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
The Impact

Every aspect of human operations faces a wide range of risks, some of which can cause serious consequences. By the start of 21st century, mankind has recognized a new class of risks posed by climate change. It is obvious, that the global climate is changing, and will continue to change, in ways that affect the planning and day to day operations of businesses, government agencies and other organizations and institutions. The manifestations of climate change include but not limited to rising sea levels, increasing temperature, flooding, melting polar sea ice, adverse weather events (e.g. heatwaves, drought, and storms) and a rise in related problems (e.g. health and environmental). Assessing and managing climate risks represent one of the most challenging issues of today and for the future. The purpose of the risk modeling system discussed in this paper is to provide a framework and methodology to quantify risks caused by climate change, to facilitate estimates of the impact of climate change on various spheres of human activities and to compare eventual adaptation and risk mitigation strategies. The system integrates both physical climate system and economic models together with knowledge-based subsystem, which can help support proactive risk management. System structure and its main components are considered. Special attention is paid to climate risk assessment, management and hedging in the Arctic coastal areas.

A general practice provider federation in a mixed health economy in England: a case study investigation

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X696929
Author(s):  
Jill Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Shared Vision ◽  
Health Economy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The North ◽  
Common Strategy ◽  
Common Purpose ◽  
Collaborative Working ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundThere is an emerging debate that general practice in its current format is out-dated and there is a requirement to move to a federated model of provision where groups of Practices come together. The emergence of federations has developed over the past 5 years but the factors that influence how federations develop and the impact of this new model is an under researched area.AimThe study explored the rationale around why a group of independent GP practices opted to pursue an alternative business venture and the benefits that this strategy offered.MethodA single organisational case study of a federation in the North of England was conducted between 2011–2016. Mixed methods data collection included individual and group semi-structured interviews and quantitative surveys.ResultsFederations promote collaborative working, relying on strategic coherence of multiple individual GP practices through a shared vision and common purpose. Findings revealed many complexities in implementing a common strategy across multiple independent businesses. The ability of the federation to gain legitimacy was two dimensional – externally and internally. The venture had mixed successes, but their approach to quality improvement proved innovative and demonstrated outcomes on a population basis. The study identified significant pressures that practices were experiencing and the need to seek alternative ways of working but there was no shared vision or inclination to relinquish individual practice autonomy.ConclusionOrganisational development support is critical to reform General Practice. Whether central funding through the GP Five Year Forward View will achieve the scale of change required is yet to be evidenced.

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