Some children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience seizures and associated staring episodes, loss of consciousness, weakened muscle tone, and myoclonic jerking. Data recording of seizure frequency, duration, and co-occurring behavior is necessary to document the effects of anti-epileptic medications, identify contextual influences on…

Several subjective and direct methods have been used to measure and assess sleep patterns and problems among children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this paper, we describe the design, operating functions, and application of a computer-assisted system of sleep monitoring and data recording to improve measurement integrity of…

In this project, the authors used the Essential Behavioral Leadership Qualities (EBLQ) method of measuring leadership effectiveness to assess and compare the effectiveness of principals (leaders) of residential schools for children with blindness or low vision in the United States (U.S.) and Nigeria. A total of 248 teachers (subordinates) in 25…

This article presents receptive and expressive American Sign Language skills of 85 students, 6 through 22 years of age at a residential school for the deaf using the American Sign Language Receptive Skills Test and the Ozcaliskan Motion Stimuli. Results are presented by ages and indicate that students' receptive skills increased with age and…

There is a lack of evidence-based behavioral therapies or pharmacotherapies to treat repetitive behaviors found in autism. Effective behavioral therapies are needed to counter any negative consequences these behaviors may have on the child's early learning and socialization. The purpose of this proof-of-principle study was to test the feasibility…

This study explores how intertextuality influences the narrative practices of young deaf children in two classrooms. Specifically, the study examines how variations in what texts are made available to juxtapose and variations in how texts are juxtaposed influence the narratives young deaf children produce. A major premise underlying these two…

This study analyzed parents' perceived reasons for placing their children with visual impairments in residential or public schools. It found that children were more likely to be placed in residential schools for reasons related to their education and well-being and in public schools for reasons related to the parents' needs. (Contains 6 tables.)

The risk factors for young people with intellectual disabilities developing a mental health disorder are higher than those found in the general population, yet training is very rarely available to frontline staff. A recent study in the United Kingdom cited prevalence rates of mental ill health among adults with intellectual disabilities ranging…

Background: This study sought to gather information about the characteristics and experiences of children and young people with severe intellectual disabilities and severe challenging behaviour attending 52-week residential special schools. Method: Staff of nine schools completed postal questionnaires on the characteristics and experiences of 156…

Administered the Performance Scale of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) to 60 female and 65 male hearing-impaired subjects. Found a significant sex difference on the Coding subtest, with females outperforming males. Deaf females possessed significantly better visual-motor coordination and speed, while males demonstrated…

This study investigated the theories people hold concerning sexual abuse of deaf children, through document review, observation, interviews, and a staff survey at a residential school for the deaf. Theories that blame the victim or the culture are contrasted with those that recognize the power inequities inherent in sexual abuse. (Author/DB)

Ten day students and 10 residential students with visual impairments in grades 3-5 participated in 18 weekly self-esteem building exercises. No intergroup differences in self-esteem were found, and data were inconclusive on the effectiveness of the self-esteem building activities. (CR)

Assessed behavior problems in blind children (N=104) at a residential school. Teachers completed the Behavior Problem Checklist and results were compared with previous studies of deaf children. Results were more similar to those with hearing impaired children in the residential setting than to deaf children at home or nonhandicapped children.…

A survey of 390 residential deaf, and hard-of-hearing students, ages 3 to 24 years, in the United Kingdom, found that children without additional disabilities did not show stereotyped behaviors, though about 35% of children with additional disabilities (especially vision, learning, and/or autism) did show such behaviors. (DB)

Study indicates that hearing impaired residential students are more proficient users of American Sign Language than are hearing impaired children enrolled in local, public school programs, and older such residential students are more proficient in the language than are younger students. (SL)