Combining Child Functioning Data with Learning and Support Needs Data to Create Disability-Identification Algorithms in Fiji’s Education Management Information System

Disability disaggregation of Fiji’s Education Management Information System (FEMIS) is required to determine eligibility for inclusive education grants. Data from the UNICEF/Washington Group Child Functioning Module (CFM) alone is not accurate enough to identify disabilities for this purpose. This study explores whether combining activity and participation data from the CFM with data on environmental factors specific to learning and support needs (LSN) more accurately identifies children with disabilities. A survey on questions related to children’s LSN (personal assistance, adaptations to learning, or assessment and assistive technology) was administered to teachers within a broader diagnostic accuracy study. Descriptive statistics and correlations were used to analyze relationships between functioning and LSN. While CFM data are useful in distinguishing between disability domains, LSN data are useful in strengthening the accuracy of disability severity data and, crucially, in identifying which children have disability amongst those reported as having some difficulty on the CFM. Combining activity and participation data from the CFM with environmental factors data through algorithms may increase the accuracy of domain-specific disability identification. Amongst children reported as having some difficulty on the CFM, those with disabilities are effectively identified through the addition of LSN data.

Dispute over contact with a child as the result of unresolved divorce-related conflicts

Parting and divorce are situations that are not only the result of conflicts, but also their causes, especially if they concern parents of minor children. A problem then arises regarding the establishment of contact between the secondary parent and the child, which may be difficult if the disputes that led to the separation remain unresolved or other court cases are pending at the same time. The parties, during or after divorce, often submit a request to the court to regulate the frequency and form of meetings between the secondary parent and the child, which seems to be the main issue of misunderstandings. After a deeper analysis of the relationship between former partners, it turns out, that the lack of ability to establish contact with the child is the result of the accumulation of other disputes and unresolved misunderstandings. The presented fragments of qualitative analyzes of psychological and pedagogical opinions prepared by the Opinion Team of Forensic Specialists, illustrating the assumption that the dispute over contact may be related to other conflicts between former spouses, are part of a qualitative project focused around divorce-related conflicts. The aim of the research is to identify the effects of strong conflict between parents and the lack of communication between them after divorce for family relationships and the child functioning.

Parenting stress in autism spectrum disorder may account for discrepancies in parent and clinician ratings of child functioning

Elevated parenting stress among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder is well-documented; however, there is limited information about variability in parenting stress and relationships with parent ratings of child functioning. The aim of this study was to explore profiles of parenting stress among 100 parents of young children with autism spectrum disorder enrolled in two clinical trials and potential relationships between parenting stress and parent ratings of child functioning at the baseline timepoint. Secondary aims examined differential patterns of association between parenting stress profiles and parent versus clinician ratings of child functioning. A k-means cluster analysis yielded three different profiles of parenting stress (normal, elevated, and clinically significant) using scores on the Parenting Stress Index–Short Form. One-way analyses of variance revealed differential patterns of parent ratings across the three parenting stress profiles on certain domains of child functioning (e.g. problem behaviors and social impairment) and family empowerment, but similar ratings of child receptive and expressive language abilities. Clinicians blinded to study conditions also rated child functioning, but clinician ratings did not differ by parenting stress profile. Findings emphasize the importance of identifying parenting stress profiles and understanding their relationship with parent ratings, with implications for interpreting parent-report measures and measuring child response in treatment trials. Lay abstract Elevated parenting stress among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder is well-documented; however, there is limited information about differences in parenting stress and potential relationships with parent ratings of child functioning. The aim of this study was to explore profiles of parenting stress among 100 parents of young children with autism spectrum disorder enrolled in two clinical trials and to explore relationships between parenting stress level and parent ratings of child functioning before treatment. Secondary aims examined differential patterns of association between parenting stress profiles and parent versus clinician ratings of child functioning. We show that stress may influence parent ratings of certain child behaviors (e.g. problem behaviors) and not others (e.g. language), yet clinician ratings of these same children do not differ. This new understanding of parenting stress has implications for parent-rated measures, tracking treatment outcome, and the design of clinical trials.

Epigenetics in Families: Covariance between Mother and Child Methylation Patterns

Theory and research both point at epigenetic processes affecting both parenting behavior and child functioning. However, little is known about the convergence of mother and child’s epigenetic patterns in families. Therefore, the current study investigated epigenetic covariance in mother–child dyads’ methylation levels regarding four stress-regulation related genes (5HTT, NR3C1, FKBP5, and BDNF). Covariance was tested in a general population sample, consisting of early adolescents (Mage = 11.63, SDage = 2.3) and mothers (N = 160 dyads). Results showed that mother and offspring 5HTT and NR3C1 methylation patterns correlated. Furthermore, when averaged across genes, methylation levels strongly correlated. These findings partially supported that child and parent methylation levels covary. It might be important to consider this covariance to understand maladaptive parent–child relationships.

Parental Psychosocial Distress in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease and Chronic Pain

Background Pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD) management can result in considerable caregiver distress. Parents of youth with chronic SCD pain may face the additional challenge of managing children’s chronic pain and chronic illness. This study examined associations between parent psychological distress and child functioning and the moderating role of chronic pain among youth with SCD. Methods Youth presenting to pediatric outpatient comprehensive SCD clinics and their primary caregivers completed a battery of questionnaires. Parents reported on parenting stress, parent mental and physical health, and family functioning. Children completed measures of pain characteristics, depressive symptoms, catastrophic thinking, functional disability, and quality of life. Results Patients (N = 73, Mage = 14.2 years, 57% female) and their caregivers (Mage = 41.1 years, 88% mothers, 88% Black) participated. Worse parent functioning was associated with worse child pain, functioning, quality of life, and depressive symptoms. Beyond the effects of SCD, chronic SCD pain magnified the negative associations between parenting stress frequency and child quality of life, parent physical health and child quality of life, and parent depressive symptoms and child depressive symptoms. Conclusions Chronic pain may exacerbate the relations between parent and child functioning beyond the effects of SCD alone. The management of both SCD and chronic pain may present additional challenges for parents that limit their psychosocial functioning. Family-focused interventions to support parents and youth with chronic SCD pain are warranted to optimize health outcomes.

An Examination of Past Trends in School Reports to Child Welfare: Considerations for Reported Child Maltreatment

This study examines whether increased interaction and observation of young children by school professionals leads to an increase in school-based reports to child welfare authorities and in the identification of child maltreatment victims. Comparing provincial-level data collected before and after full-day kindergarten implementation in Ontario, a doubling in rates of school-referred investigations involving 4- and 5-year-old children was found. There was no significant difference in the rates of maltreatment substantiation, service referrals made or transfers to ongoing services, but the rate of child functioning concerns noted in these investigations tripled. The findings suggest there are differences in how the school and child welfare systems define and respond to suspected child maltreatment. Implications for practice, policy and research are explored.