1/12. Babbling of an infant with a repaired cleft lip: a case study.The infant born with a cleft lip is faced with risk factors that threaten the development of speech-language skills. The earlier the age of identification and management of the developmental delay, the better the outcome. The attainment of the mature syllable is considered to be a critical measure of babbling competency. This single case study aimed to determine whether the formedness of the syllable in babbling would be affected by the cleft lip repaired prior to the onset of meaningful speech. Three samples of babbling in a naturalistic environment were video-recorded. Data was analysed following the principles of infraphonology, employing a perceptually-based method. A profile of infraphonological features was obtained. Results showed that the development of the mature syllable was attained. The results support the theories that babbling is a robust phenomenon. Clinical and research implications are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/12. Brief report: increasing communication skills for an elementary-aged student with autism using the Picture Exchange communication System.The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the Picture Exchange communication System (PECS) on the spontaneous communication skills of a 6-year-old girl with autism across her home and school environments. The effects of the PECS were also examined for social interaction. Results indicated increases in spontaneous language (i.e., requests and comments) including use of the icons and verbalizations across those settings in which PECS was implemented. Intelligible verbalizations increased in two of three settings, and changes in peer social interaction were noted in one of the two school settings.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/12. A peer-mediated social network intervention to enhance the social integration of persons with moderate and severe disabilities.Increasingly, parents, teachers, and students with disabilities are advocating for interventions that go beyond skill training to provide support for participation in integrated environments and support for friendships. The present research demonstrated a social network intervention for youths with moderate and severe disabilities. Two groups of nondisabled peers were recruited to participate in weekly discussions with an adult integration facilitator to increase opportunities for social interaction for 2 students (1 with autism and 1 who was moderately mentally retarded). The groups met to discuss social interactions that had occurred with the students with disabilities and to talk about strategies to promote greater inclusion of the students into ongoing social interaction. The nondisabled students participated in the design and implementation of social skills interventions during transition times and lunch. The nondisabled students used self-monitoring data sheets to record the quantity and quality of interactions. The frequency of interaction, number of opportunities for interaction, and appropriateness of social interactions were analyzed with a multiple baseline design. Results indicated that the social network intervention was successful in increasing the quantity and quality of interactions and that the network strategy promoted the development of friendships. The results are discussed in terms of the need for additional research showing the relationships between increases in social competence, peer-mediated intervention, and the development and support of friendship.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/12. A language programme to increase the verbal production of a child dually diagnosed with down syndrome and autism.BACKGROUND: The incidence of children dually diagnosed with down syndrome and autism is estimated to be as high as 11%. There is a paucity of research investigating linguistic treatment interventions for such children. This single-subject experiment examined a programme designed to increase the language production and verbal behaviour of a 9-year-old dually diagnosed boy who had been receiving a 15-h/week home-based applied behaviour analysis (ABA) programme. methods: Training principles were derived from previously empirically validated research in discrete trail learning and natural environment teaching, as well as modified incidental teaching procedures. The crux of the language programme involved withholding reinforcement until a spoken request was made. RESULTS: Language production noticeably increased for each target area after the introduction of the language programme and was maintained at a 9-month follow-up session. CONCLUSIONS: A combined treatment approach incorporating direct instruction, natural environment teaching and incidental teaching can be effective in increasing and maintaining responsive and spontaneous speech in a child with down syndrome diagnosed with autism. Replication studies are needed with such multiple dually diagnosed children to further evaluate the effectiveness and generalizability of this combined language programme.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/12. Autistic features in Joubert syndrome: a genetic disorder with agenesis of the cerebellar vermis.Recent reports in the literature have suggested a link between abnormalities of the cerebellar vermis and the behavioral syndrome of autism. Joubert syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by partial or complete agenesis of the cerebellar vermis. However, there is little behavioral or psychiatric description of patients with this genetic condition. In this report, the neuropsychiatric characteristics of two children with Joubert syndrome are described in detail. One child met DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for autistic disorder, while the other displayed autistic features. The female child displayed stereotypic behavior and impairments in social interaction and communication, had a markedly restricted repertoire of interests, and showed distress over changes in the environment. The male child demonstrated perseveration and preoccupation with sounds and textures, but had no abnormalities in social interaction. Although both children showed developmental disabilities, the degree of cognitive delay was significantly less than that described in previous reports of children with Joubert syndrome. This report adds to the growing body of evidence implicating cerebellar involvement in developmental disabilities and autistic behavior.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/12. brain plasticity as a basis for recovery of function in humans.One of the factors leading to the virtual neglect of the long-term potential for functional recovery following brain damage was the eclipse of plasticity concepts during the 100 years following Broca's 1861 publication on location of function. However, in the last 30 years evidence has been accumulating that demonstrates the plasticity of the brain and thus recovery potential is a subject of practical as well as theoretical interest. "Unmasking" of relatively inactive pathways, the taking over of functional representation by undamaged brain tissue, and neuronal group selection are among the mechanisms that are being explored. Human models of recovery of function include hemispherectomy patients that have regained bilateral function, facial paralysis patients who recover function (with appropriate rehabilitation) after VII-XII cranial nerve anastomosis, and patients with muscle transpositions to re-establish lost motor functions. The role of early and late rehabilitation, with attention to psychosocial and environmental factors, appears to be critical for recovery.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/12. Neurophysiological heterogeneity and the definition of dyslexia: preliminary evidence for plasticity.Developments in the field of quantified electroencephalography have enhanced visualization of brain function in the learning disabilities. Optimal utilization of these techniques requires that populations under study be unambiguously defined. Evidence from the literature demonstrates that brain electrical activity of children with reading disability is more extensive and differs from that seen in children with "dyslexia-pure". Preliminary data are presented demonstrating that electrophysiological change seen in children with dyslexia-plus (dyslexia and attentional deficit disorder) could not be predicted by knowledge of electrophysiologic change in children with dyslexia-pure alone and attentional deficit disorder alone. Data from our laboratory are summarized to show that within dyslexia-pure the anomic, dysphonemic and global Denckla subtypes differ electrophysiologically from one another. Of particular interest is the demonstration that regions of electrophysiological difference among these subtypes may reflect compensatory mechanisms rather than pathological change. Finally, a case study is presented demonstrating advantageous effects of remediation upon brain electrical function. As both spontaneous and environmentally induced change in brain function can be documented, developmental dyslexia in its broadest terms appears to represent a more dynamic or plastic process than previously appreciated.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/12. An optimal learning environment for Rosemary.This article discusses the special education placement and instruction of language-minority children identified as mildly disabled, personified by "Rosemary," in the context of a curriculum guide recently developed in california. The Optimal learning environment (OLE) curriculum Guide: A Resource for Teachers of Spanish-Speaking Children in learning Handicapped programs. The guide was written in response to the growing number of such children and to the lack of direction given to special educators in meeting the educational needs of this population. The instructional principles in the guide are based on research with language-minority students and on those with learning disabilities. The guide incorporates existing, promising materials and techniques for use with language-minority populations.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 4keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/12. When does secretory otitis media affect language development?Secretory otitis media is a very common disorder in early childhood, but its effects on language development are still uncertain. We describe 10 children with secretory otitis media and illustrate the wide range of disability attributable to this. It is suggested that the impact of secretory otitis media on language development depends on at least five factors: age of onset, duration of the episode(s), severity of the hearing loss, intrinsic qualities in the child, and the linguistic environment. The implications of this hypothesis for clinical practice and research are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/12. Extreme deprivation in early childhood--II. Theoretical issues and a comparative review.Five previously published and one novel case history of children who suffered extreme deprivation in early childhood are reviewed. Aspects of cognitive, emotional and social development are subject to critical appraisal and three main issues, central to theories about the origins of developmental disorders, are addressed. Firstly, what minimal experiences during childhood are sufficient and necessary for normal psychological development? Secondly, are there critical periods in development during which inadequate exposure to certain experiences has long-lasting or permanent sequelae? Thirdly, what minimal compensatory influences are necessary to alleviate psychological handicaps resulting from an adverse early environment?- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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