Improving Communication in Children With ASD

Raising a child with ASD is generally considered a challenging experience for families due to the pervasive difficulties in communication, social skills, and other adaptive behaviors encountered in these children. The family system restructures and adapts to accommodate the needs of the child with ASD. In this chapter, the author highlights the importance of communication skills for the development of children with ASD and summarizes the evidence-based individual interventions for improving them. Although there is robust evidence for the family's beneficial contribution to developing adaptive communication skills in children with ASD, there is still room for uplifting the existing programs in terms of accessibility, efficacy, and culture-based elements. In the final part of the chapter, the author provides recommendations for designing future family interventions addressed to communication skills in children with ASD and argues that culture-specific and systemic factors (such as support policies for children with disabilities) enhance program success.

Effectiveness of Forensic Assertive Community Treatment on Forensic and Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Given the increasing literature on forensic assertive community treatment (FACT), we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the effectiveness of FACT among justice-involved individuals with severe mental illness. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Sixteen studies were included in the systematic review, six of which were included in the meta-analyses for a total of 1,246 participants. Mixed results regarding health-related outcomes were found. The pre-post FACT analysis and comparison with control groups did not yield significant results other than increased outpatient service use. Results on forensic outcomes were more compelling. Both the narrative review and the meta-analysis highlighted that FACT programs may improve justice outcomes such as the number of days spent in jail. More high quality and multisite randomized controlled trials are needed to consolidate findings. Further research is needed to examine other psychosocial factors related to FACT program success.

Implementation factors for patient navigation program success: a qualitative study

Background Patient navigation (PN) is an evidence-based practice that involves assessing and addressing individual barriers to care for patients. While PN has shown effectiveness in numerous studies, designing successful, sustainable PN programs has remained challenging for many healthcare organizations. The purpose of the present study was to examine implementation factors for successful PN programs to optimize the sustainability of PN services across cancer care settings in the USA. Methods Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with PN stakeholders (n=17) from diverse cancer care settings. Thematic content analysis was conducted by deductively coding major themes based on constructs from the Exploration-Preparation-Implementation-Sustainability framework and by inductively coding emergent themes. Results Facilitators in the outer context included payer guidelines, accreditation requirements, community partnerships, and demonstrated need and demand for services. Inner context factors such as alignment with organizational and leadership priorities, appropriate staff support and workloads, and relative advantage were important to program success. Innovation characteristics such as the presence of innovation champions, clear role and scope of practice, clear protocols, strong communication channels, and innovation fit were facilitators of program success. Community-Academic partnerships and funding stability also emerged as facilitators for program sustainability. Conclusion Our qualitative analysis from a diverse sample of PN stakeholders and programs across the USA supports intentional use of implementation theory to design PN programs to optimize implementation success.

A Self-Managed Internet Parent Training Program for Interactive Storybook Reading: Extension to a Public School Setting

Purpose This research note evaluated the collaboration, recruitment, enrollment processes, as well as outcomes of an online, self-managed parent training program (Success With Stories [SWS]) concurrent with a Head Start school curriculum. Method This case examination presents the research processes used to examine an online program concurrent with Head Start school programming. Challenges, outcomes, and next steps in the process were evaluated. The engagement of parents who completed the program was examined. Results Collaborative processes were developed, and recruitment strategies were initiated. Of the 92 parents who expressed immediate interest, 38 registered and 16 consented but only seven completed the program. Of the parents who completed the program, survey data revealed high levels of parent satisfaction, motivation, and perceived competence. Conclusions Results indicate a breakdown in the recruitment, enrollment, and completion processes. Results indicate that SWS has promised to address target areas with the intended audience. However, online interventions are only useful if they are accessed and completed. Future directions to increase program completion are discussed.

Family planning providers and contraceptive users in Rwanda employ strategies to prevent discontinuation

Background In Rwanda, nearly a third of contraceptive users discontinue within the first year of use. Family planning programs often focus more on recruitment of new users as opposed to maintaining use among current users. A focus on sustaining users and minimizing discontinuation is imperative for long-term family planning program success. This study explores the efforts providers and contraceptive users in Rwanda employ to prevent one of the greatest challenges to family planning programs: contraceptive discontinuation. Methods This was a qualitative study conducted in Rwanda between February and July 2018. It included eight focus group discussions with 88 family planning providers and 32 in-depth interviews with experienced modern contraceptive users. Data were collected in two districts with the highest (Musanze) and lowest (Nyamasheke) rates of contraceptive use. Data were analyzed using thematic content approach. Results Family planning providers in this study used the following strategies to prevent discontinuation: counseling new users on the potential for side effects and switching, reminding clients about appointments for resupply, as well as supporting dissatisfied users by providing counseling, medicine for side effects, and discussing options for switching methods. Users, on the other hand, employed the following strategies to prevent discontinuation: having an understanding that experiences of side effects vary by individuals, supporting peers to sustain use, persisting with use despite experiences of side effects, and switching methods. Conclusions The strategies used by family planning providers and users in Rwanda to prevent discontinuation suggest the possibility of long-term sustained use of contraception in the country. Harnessing and supporting such strategies could contribute to sustaining or improving further contraceptive use in the country.

Balancing Political and Criminogenic Needs: Evaluating the New Zealand Department of Corrections’ Response to Men Assessed With a Below Average Risk for Sexual Recidivism

Current research provides little evidence for the effectiveness of treatment in reducing sexual offence recidivism amongst low-risk populations. However, in real-world correctional settings, program delivery rarely occurs in a vacuum, treatment may be politically mandated and unidimensional measures of program success may preclude recognition of broader benefits. The current study investigated the effectiveness of a low-intensity treatment program, both in terms of participants’ recidivism outcomes and in terms of broader organizational/systems impacts. The results demonstrated low base rate recidivism across both program participants ( n = 311) and a comparison group of men who were assessed as demonstrating similar static sexual offence recidivism risk ( n = 391), and little evidence of reduced recidivism following treatment. However, program administration led to many potential participants being identified as demonstrating higher levels of dynamic risk and overridden to more intensive treatment options ( n = 101). Given evidence that such options do effectively reduce recidivism in higher risk populations, these findings may suggest an overall positive net effect.

Approaching a New Normal: Lessons Learned Transitioning Family Education Programming to a Virtual Environment

The COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting deep-rooted health inequities. While the virus itself does not discriminate, gaps in access to services and disparities in health outcomes are prevalent. Concerns over worsening mental health outcomes and increases in family violence exist. Thus, service organizations have faced an unprecedented call to rethink services, with many transitioning to virtual programming to ensure the needs of their clients can be met. This brief highlights lessons learned as one organization pivoted to meet critical client needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence suggests atypically high engagement and retention in family education and family violence reduction programming under Safer at Home orders when compared with pre-COVID engagement. Findings suggest key tenants for program success are tied to strong programming, staff engagement, and participation retention and satisfaction. Program adaptations create opportunities for increasing service equity, improving engagement and satisfaction, and improving family and mental health outcomes by maintaining connections, while providing a model for delivering services to reduce child maltreatment during times of social isolation and increased hardship.

Forehand Smash Test Model for Junior Badminton Athletes

To determine how much the exercise program success rate, a valid and reliable test tool is needed. In this study, the researcher aims to develop a smash skill test model in badminton. The method in this study is a development research method with a sample size of 121 athletes. The steps taken in this research include (1) preliminary study (literature study and field study), (2) planning (conducting analysis), (3) initial draft design, (4) validation of the draft, (5) testing of group products minor and revisions, (6) large group trials and revisions, (7) final results. This study involved academicians and badminton practitioners with an “excellent” rating, which reached an average score of 3.66. This result research is a product of the development of a smash skill test model in badminton. This study concludes that the smash skill test’s resulting form is valid and reliable, with a validity score of 0.688 and reliability of 0.870.

A Proposed Framework for Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Communication Sciences and Disorders Academic Programs: The REAP Model

Purpose Despite the growing clinical and research advances in communication sciences and disorders (CSD), health disparities persist by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status among patients. A diverse CSD workforce can improve access to services and reduce health care disparities for diverse populations. Increasing diversity of the workforce begins with recruiting and training a diverse student body in CSD academic programs. In the absence of relevant literature in CSD, the primary objective of this tutorial is to introduce readers to successful diversity and inclusion programs in health-related disciplines such as nursing, medicine, rehabilitation sciences, public health, and clinical psychology, as well as provide recommendations for developing a racially and ethnically diverse and inclusive CSD academic program. Conclusions We group the evidence from other health-related academic programs for increasing diversity and inclusion under three headings—(a) recruitment, (b) inclusion, and (c) retention of underrepresented racial and ethnic minority (UREM) students. Based on this information, we have designed the Recruit–Equip–Access–Progress model to illustrate the strategies for a diverse and inclusive CSD training program. We recommend the following for UREM students in this model—(a) developing pipeline programs, institutional partnerships, and holistic admissions reviews; (b) equipping students with academic and financial supports; (c) providing students access to faculty and peer mentors; and (d) evaluating outcomes and processes associated with student and program success. Given the limited literature concerning successful diversity initiatives in our field, we encourage administrators and educators to implement these strategies, systematically evaluate the outcomes, and publish the results for other programs to adopt.