Monica Cuskelly

Changing student teachers' attitudes towards disability and inclusion

A total of 274 preservice teacher education students were surveyed at the beginning and end of a one‐semester unit on Human Development and Education which combined formal instruction with structured fieldwork experiences. The latter included interviewing community members regarding their knowledge of Down syndrome and opinions on inclusive education, and writing an associated report. At the end of semester, not only had student teachers acquired more accurate knowledge of Down syndrome, together with more positive attitudes towards the inclusive education of children with Down syndrome, but their attitudes towards disability in general had also changed, and they reported greater ease when interacting with people with disabilities. The study illustrated the value of combining information‐based instruction with structured fieldwork experiences in changing attitudes towards disability and inclusion. It also demonstrated that raising awareness of one disability may lead to changes in attitudes towards disability in general.

Adjustment, sibling problems and coping strategies of brothers and sisters of children with autistic spectrum disorder

Abstract Background Siblings of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) express more problem behaviours and experience more difficulties in their relationships than do children in families where all children are developing typically. We know little about what contributes to these difficulties. Method Mothers of a child with ASD completed the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach, 1991) with respect to a non‐disabled sibling. Siblings responded to a questionnaire tapping their knowledge about their brother or sisters disorder. They reported on problems they had experienced with their brother or sister with ASD and on the coping strategies they had used in response to these events. Problems were classified into 1 of 5 problem types. Results Aggressive behaviour was the most commonly reported interaction problem and anger was the usual response. Siblings did not generally choose blaming (either self or other) as a coping strategy when facing difficulties with their brother or sister with ASD. Neither coping strategies nor knowledge of ASD were associated with adjustment. Forty percent of non‐disabled siblings had scores on the Child Behavior Checklist that placed them in the borderline or clinical range. Conclusions The current study indicated that siblings of children with ASD are at increased risk of developing internalising behaviour problems. The contributing factors to this outcome are unknown at this point. It is important for research to focus on dynamic variables in the search for these contributors, as they are open to change.

Developmental Expectations, Personality Stereotypes, and Attitudes Towards Inclusive Education: Community and teacher views of Down syndrome

Knowledge about Down syndrome and attitudes towards the educational inclusion of children with Down syndrome were examined in a sample of 2,053 people from the community and a group of 538 experienced teachers. Although both groups displayed reasonably accurate knowledge about Down syndrome and its developmental consequences, they significantly underestimated the average life expectancy for a person with the syndrome. In both groups, a positive stereotype of children with Down syndrome as particularly affectionate and happy was evident. Despite recognising the educational, social, and emotional benefits of inclusive schooling, only around 20% of each group believed that the regular classroom was the best setting for children with Down syndrome. The findings suggest that accurate knowledge and positive, but realistic, expectations are important for enhancing the acceptance of individuals with disabilities within their schools and communities.

Attitudes towards the sexuality of adults with an intellectual disability: parents, support staff, and a community sample

Attitudes toward the sexuality of adults with intellectual disability were assessed in parents and carers of adults with intellectual disability and in a community sample. An instrument that contained items relating to eight aspects of sexuality (sexual feelings, sex education, masturbation, personal relationships, sexual intercourse, sterilisation, marriage, and parenthood) was developed and found to have good internal consistency and test‐retest reliability. Age was associated with attitudes, with those aged 60 and above holding more conservative attitudes. Parents and staff differed in their attitudes, with parents holding more conservative attitudes. This difference was the product of age differences between the groups; nevertheless it may produce some confusion for adults with intellectual disability unless it is addressed appropriately. Both parent and staff groups were less positive about parenthood than about other aspects of sexuality, however the community group did not differ in their views when attitudes towards parenthood were compared with the remaining items of the scale.

Sibling Relationships of Children With Down Syndrome: Perspectives of Mothers, Fathers, and Siblings

Fifty-four siblings of children with Down syndrome and their parents and an individually matched group of comparison children and parents provided data about the quality of sibling relationships. There were no group differences in parental reports, but siblings of children with Down syndrome reported less unkindness and, if in a same-sex dyad, more empathy than did comparison children. There were differences between same-sex and opposite-sex dyads regarding avoidance and frequency of sibling positive and negative interactions. There were no group or sex differences in childrens reports of their interactions with parents or contribution to household chores. Siblings of a child with Down syndrome participated in more caregiving activities. Caregiving was associated with empathy and involvement on the relationship questionnaire.

Parenting stress in mothers of preterm infants during early infancy

OBJECTIVE Mothers of preterm infants during the first year of life may experience stresses greater that those found in mothers of term infants. The aim of the study was to determine the levels of parenting stress and psychological well-being in mothers of very preterm babies in comparison to a control group of term mothers. METHODS One hundred and five mothers who delivered 124 babies at ≤30weeks gestation were recruited together with 105 mothers who delivered 120 babies at term. At 4months of age (corrected for prematurity for the preterm babies), the mothers completed the Parenting Stress Index Short Form, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and the Short Temperament Scale for Infants (STSI). The preterm and term groups were compared. RESULTS Questionnaires were returned from 86 of the preterm mothers and 97 of the term mothers. The mean Total Stress score for the preterm and term groups was 67.0 and 63.79 respectively (P=0.32) with 17% of the preterm and 9% of the term group having high scores (P=0.135). There were no differences of the EPDS and the DAS between the groups. The temperament of the preterm infants was similar to the term infants. For both groups, scores on the EPDS, DAS and the STSI were independent predictors of Total Stress scores on multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION Parenting stress in mothers of preterm infants during early infancy does not appear to be greater than that in mothers of infants born at term. For both groups of mothers, depression symptoms, marital satisfaction and infant temperament were independent risk factors for high levels of parenting stress.

Loneliness and life satisfaction of boys with developmental coordination disorder: the impact of leisure participation and perceived freedom in leisure.

A theoretical model linking motor ability with perceived freedom in leisure, participation in team sports, loneliness, and global life satisfaction was tested using linear confirmatory path analysis. Participants were 173 boys aged 10-13 years who filled in self-report questionnaires about perceived freedom in leisure, loneliness, and global life satisfaction. Parents of boys completed 7-day diaries and 12-month retrospective recall questionnaires about their sons leisure-time activity participation. Results of path analyses confirmed that the fit of the hypothetical model was consistent with predictions. The inferred direct pathways of influence between both total loneliness and global life satisfaction on motor ability were in the expected directions (i.e., inverse and positive relationships, respectively). Perceived Freedom in Leisure (PFL) and participation in team sports were two intermediate variables indirectly influencing these relationships. Although PFL was identified as a motivational process influencing participation levels in team sports it was noted that other psychological and environmental factors must also be considered when evaluating child-activity-environment fit for boys with developmental coordination disorder.

Leisure Time Physical Activity Energy Expenditure in Boys with Developmental Coordination Disorder: The Role of Peer Relations Self-Concept Perceptions

An integral aspect of occupational therapy practice is the facilitation of active participation in health-enhancing leisure for all individuals. Boys with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are at risk of limited participation in recreational physical activities, which has implications for physical health associated with low energy expenditure. Therefore, identification of mechanisms influencing relationships between physical coordination ability and physical activity energy expenditure is warranted. Self-concept perceptions were investigated as potential mechanisms influencing energy expenditure during the out-of-school hours for boys with DCD. Participants were 60 boys with DCD and 113 boys without DCD between 10 and 13 years of age who were assessed by the Self-Description Questionnaire-I and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children. Parents completed 7-day diaries that were used to record intensity, duration, content, and social and physical context of leisure time activities. Boys with DCD were found to have lower mean scores than boys without DCD for energy expenditure and self-concept appraisals of physical ability and physical appearance, peer relations and parent relations, and general self-concepts. The peer relations self-concept was identified as a significant mechanism mediating the relationship between physical coordination ability and low energy expenditure. The clinical significance of the peer relations self-concept as a change mechanism influencing the negative relationship between physical coordination ability and sedentary behavior is discussed.

Adjustment of siblings of children with a disability: Methodological issues

Siblings of individuals with a disability have long been considered to be vulnerable to adjustment difficulties. There are a number of publications written for parents and those who work with families of children with a disability that perpetuate this assumption, however, the research support for this position is equivocal. This article reviews the research and discusses some of the methodological shortcomings which contribute to the lack of consensus. Recommendations are presented for improving the quality of research into sibling experiences and outcomes, and the implications of the review for counselling practice are discussed.

Parenting stress in mothers of very preterm infants — Influence of development, temperament and maternal depression

OBJECTIVE To measure levels of parenting stress and postnatal depression in mothers of very preterm infants in comparison with mothers of infants born at term is the objective of this study. The study also aimed to explore factors associated with parenting stress in the mothers of the preterm infants. METHODS One hundred and five mothers who delivered 124 babies at ≤30 weeks gestation were enrolled together with 105 term mothers who delivered 120 babies. At one year of age (corrected for prematurity for the preterm cohort), the mothers completed the Parenting Stress Index Short Form (PSI), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Short Temperament Scale for Toddlers. The infants had neurodevelopmental assessment. The preterm and term groups were compared. RESULTS Questionnaires were completed by 101 of the preterm mothers and 98 of the term mothers. The mean PSI Total Stress score was significantly higher for the preterm mothers (70.28 vs 64.52, p = 0.022), with 19% of the preterm group and 9% of the term group having high scores (p = 0.038).There was no group difference on the EPDS or measures of temperament, with disability being greater in the preterm infants. For the preterm group, maternal depression and infant temperament were independent predictors of Total Stress scores on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Parenting stress in mothers of preterm infants at one year of age is significantly greater than that found in mothers of term infants. For preterm mothers, symptoms of depression and infant temperament are independent risk factors for higher levels of parenting stress.