Mélanie Couture

Leisure activities following a lower limb amputation

Purpose. The aim of this study was to describe leisure activities, leisure satisfaction and constraints on participation in leisure following a unilateral lower limb amputation due to vascular disease. Method. This study used a mixed-method approach where 15 individuals with lower limb amputation completed the individual leisure profile 2–3 months post-discharge from rehabilitation. A subsample (n = 8) also participated in semi-structured interviews analysed using the Miles and Huberman analytic method. Results. Results show that participants were involved in 12 different leisure activities on average. Compared to before the amputation, a decrease in participation was observed in all categories of leisure activity, and especially crafts, nature and outdoor activities, mechanics, sports and physical activities. Nonetheless, overall satisfaction was high. The most important constraints on participation in leisure were lack of accessibility, material considerations, functional abilities, affective constraints and social constraints. Conclusion. A decrease in leisure activity participation and the presence of constraints do not automatically translate into low levels of leisure satisfaction.

Cognitive appraisal and perceived benefits of dysvascular lower limb amputation: a longitudinal study.

This study aimed to: (i) compare the adjustment of individuals who have a positive appraisal of their amputation with those who have a negative appraisal; and (ii) identify the perceived benefits of amputation. Sixteen individuals who had a lower limb amputation (nine men and seven women) completed questionnaires during hospitalization (T1), rehabilitation (T2) and after discharge (T3). A subsample (n=10) also participated in semi-structured interviews. Participants who had a positive appraisal of their amputation showed greater functional independence (T1) and greater body image satisfaction (T3) than those with negative appraisal. From interviews, the perceived benefits identified were less pain, more social contacts, fewer health concerns and fewer demands from family and friends. Positive appraisal of the amputation is experienced by many people, thus requiring more attention in future research.

Specific needs of families of young adults with profound intellectual disability during and after transition to adulthood: What are we missing?

INTRODUCTION At the age of 21, the trajectory of services offered to youth with profound intellectual disability (ID) change significantly since access to specialised services is more limited. Despite the desire of parents to avoid any impact on their child, several factors can influence the course of this transition. However, there is little research on facilitators and obstacles to the transition to adulthood, and impacts on people with a profound ID. It is therefore difficult to provide solutions that meet their specific needs. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to document the needs of parents and young adults with profound ID during and after the transition to adulthood by exploring their transitioning experience and factors that influenced it. METHOD Using a descriptive qualitative design, two individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with fourteen (14) parents of young adults aged between 18 and 26 with a profound ID. RESULTS At this point, many material, informative, cognitive and emotional needs of young adults and their parents are not met. Obstacles, mainly organisational, persist and result in a particularly difficult transition to adulthood experience. CONCLUSION By knowing the specific needs of these families, it is possible to develop and implement solutions tailored to their reality. WHAT THE PAPERS ADDS?: The transition to adulthood is a critical period for families with young adults with an intellectual disability (ID), a reality observed internationally. Current literature on all levels of ID suggests some barriers to transition that lead to negative impacts on both parents and young adults with ID. However, presently, very little research exists on the reality of families of young adults with profound ID and factors influencing transition to adult life. Most of studies target people with mild to moderate ID. Considering the significant disabilities of people with profound ID, it is possible to imagine that their experience of transition will be even more difficult and they will present specific needs. The lack of understanding of these needs makes it difficult to introduce solutions tailored to their reality. The results of this current study suggest that many needs of young adults with profound ID and their parents are not met despite existent transition planning services. Transition to adulthood seems particularly difficult for these families who face many challenges. Parents in this study proposed different obstacles during transition to adulthood that could be improved for creation of future solutions adapted to their reality.

Scoping review of social participation of individuals with profound intellectual disability in adulthood: What can I do once I finish school?

ABSTRACT Background: After 21 years of age, adults with a profound intellectual disability (PID) have limited access to specialised services. An important concern that emerges is the potential decrease in their social participation. Knowing the benefits of social participation for adults with PID, it is relevant to address this issue. Method: This scoping review examined the literature on the social participation of people with PID in young adulthood and its influential factors. Results: Results suggest a significant lack of information concerning social participation of these adults. During adulthood, people with PID have currently two main choices to occupy their days: activities in daily activities centre and leisure in community organisation. Few options to maintain their capabilities are available, and this situation has significant impacts on young adults and their families. Conclusion: Future studies focusing specifically on adults with PID and their caregivers are needed to understand their reality when entering adulthood.

A Tool to Diagnose Autism in Children Aged Between Two to Five Old: An Exploratory Study with the Robot QueBall

QueBall is a spherical robot capable of motion and equipped with touch sensors, multi-colored lights, sounds, and a wireless interface with an iOS device. While these capabilities may be useful in assisting the early diagnosis of autism, no detailed guidelines have yet been established to achieve this. In this report, we described the exploratory study conducted with an interdisciplinary research team to adapt QueBalls capabilities in order to have clinicians observe how children interact with QueBall. This is the preliminary phase in designing an experimental protocol to evaluate the use of QueBall in diagnosing autism for children from two to five years of age.

Comparison of Two Tools to Assess Sensory Features in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

OBJECTIVE. This article documents the convergent validity of the Sensory Profile (SP) and the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM)‐Home Form for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHOD. Parents of 34 children with ASD between ages 5 and 8 yr filled out both measures. Through correlations, χ2 tests, and levels of agreement between classifications, the results for the SP and the SPM‐Home Form were compared. RESULTS. The raw scores were correlated for some sensory domains (hearing, vision, touch, and proprioception) and for social functioning. The classifications showed a significant level of agreement for most scales (&kgr;s = .247‐.589, p ≤ .05) and for the total scores (&kgr; = .324, p ≤ .01). CONCLUSION. This study provides further evidence of convergent validity between both tools. The SPM‐Home Form identifies more children with ASD who present with sensory features for every domain measured by both tools.

Social Participation During Transition to Adult Life Among Young Adults With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: Experiences From an Exploratory Multiple Case Study

This study aimed to explore the social participation of young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD) during their transition to adult life. A multiple case study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 10 participants (n = 10) composed of three adults with HFASD, their caregivers, and two representatives of community organizations. Four themes emerged: (1) access to services, (2) orientation to integrated life goals, (3) engagement in meaningful activities, and (4) gap in services before reaching independent living. Properly preparing and orienting the families could help them have a more satisfying social participation.

Recruitment, use, and satisfaction with a web platform supporting families of children with suspected or diagnosed developmental coordination disorder: a randomized feasibility trial

ABSTRACT Objectives. To determine the feasibility of recruiting families of children with suspected or diagnosed developmental coordination disorder (sdDCD) and explore their satisfaction with a web-based intervention Design. A feasibility randomized trial was conducted. Participants were the parents of 5–12-year-old children with sdDCD. The intervention group had access to online resources, group and private forums, and videoconferencing with a therapist. Main outcomes were recruitement and retention rates. Satisfaction was documented through a post-intervention survey and interview. Results. The recruitment rate was seven participants per month (n = 28 participants) and retention rate was 68%. Satisfaction was moderate. No differences in use and satisfaction were observed between groups. Participants formulated recommendations for improving the intervention, including targeting families earlier in the diagnosis process, and pre-scheduling meetings with therapists. Conclusions. This study demonstrated the feasibility of future trials, and highlighted avenues for improvement. Parent involvement during the development of the intervention is discussed at length. Abbreviations: DCD: Developmental Coordination Disorder; sdDCD: suspected or diagnosed Developmental Coordination Disorder; RCT: randomized-controled trial