University of Macau / Faculty of Education

The purpose of this study was to explore the developmental characteristics of young children (ages 11-60 months) with prenatal substance-exposure. A developmental rating scale, the Developmental Checklist (DC) of the Developmental Observation Checklists (DOCs) was utilized. The DC measures the domains of language, motor, social/behavioral, and cognition, as well as overall developmental status.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-78).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Illinois State University, 2002. / Title from title page screen, viewed February 9, 2006. Dissertation Committee: Maureen E. Angell (chair), James R. Thompson, C. Al Bowman, Stacey Jones Bock, Emily H. Watts. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 203-216) and abstract. Also available in print.

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / The aim of this study is to investigate the developmental deficits among milieu disadvantaged pre-schoolers in a multicultural learning environment and to identify the cause of these deficits. The availability of school readiness programmes and whether these programmes fulfil in the needs of milieu disadvantaged pre-schoolers are investigated. In the light of the theoretical and empirical research it appears that the profile of milieu disadvantaged pre-schoolers is in a process of change. Developmental shortcomings are experienced with regard to the following developmental aspects: Emotional Physical Cognitive Social, moral and aesthetical development According to the theoretical and empirical research these developmental deficits are caused by factors due to the home environment, the school as well as socio-demographic and socio-economic factors. From the research recommendations regarding the following were generated: The parents The pre-primary school The primary school The Department of Education Further researchSee file / Die doel met die onderhawige studie is om te bepaal watter ontwikkelingstekorte by milieubenadeelde kleuters in 'n multikulturele leeromgewing voorkom en om die faktore te identifiseer waardeur hierdie tekorte veroorsaak word. Daar word 'n breedvoerige blik gewerp op beskikbare leergereedheidsprogramme en in hoe 'n mate dit die ontwikkelingstekorte van milieubenadeelde kleuters aanspreek. Aan die hand van die literatuurstudie en 'n empiriese ondersoek blyk dit dat die beeld van milieubenadeelde kleuters besig is om te verander. Ontwikkelingstekorte word veral ten opsigte van die volgende aspekte ervaar: Emosionele Fisieke Kognitiewe Sosiale, morele en estetiese ontwikkeling Uit die literatuurstudie en die empiriese ondersoek blyk dit dat bogenoemde ontwikkelingstekorte veroorsaak word deur huislike, skolastiese, sosio-demografiese en sosio-ekonomiese faktore. Uit die ondersoek word aanbevelings ten opsigte van die volgende gegenereer: Die ouerhuis Die pre-primere skool Die primere skool Department of Education Verdere navorsing / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Sieklundige Opvoedkunde)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / The aim of this study is to investigate the developmental deficits among milieu disadvantaged pre-schoolers in a multicultural learning environment and to identify the cause of these deficits. The availability of school readiness programmes and whether these programmes fulfil in the needs of milieu disadvantaged pre-schoolers are investigated. In the light of the theoretical and empirical research it appears that the profile of milieu disadvantaged pre-schoolers is in a process of change. Developmental shortcomings are experienced with regard to the following developmental aspects: Emotional Physical Cognitive Social, moral and aesthetical development According to the theoretical and empirical research these developmental deficits are caused by factors due to the home environment, the school as well as socio-demographic and socio-economic factors. From the research recommendations regarding the following were generated: The parents The pre-primary school The primary school The Department of Education Further researchSee file / Die doel met die onderhawige studie is om te bepaal watter ontwikkelingstekorte by milieubenadeelde kleuters in 'n multikulturele leeromgewing voorkom en om die faktore te identifiseer waardeur hierdie tekorte veroorsaak word. Daar word 'n breedvoerige blik gewerp op beskikbare leergereedheidsprogramme en in hoe 'n mate dit die ontwikkelingstekorte van milieubenadeelde kleuters aanspreek. Aan die hand van die literatuurstudie en 'n empiriese ondersoek blyk dit dat die beeld van milieubenadeelde kleuters besig is om te verander. Ontwikkelingstekorte word veral ten opsigte van die volgende aspekte ervaar: Emosionele Fisieke Kognitiewe Sosiale, morele en estetiese ontwikkeling Uit die literatuurstudie en die empiriese ondersoek blyk dit dat bogenoemde ontwikkelingstekorte veroorsaak word deur huislike, skolastiese, sosio-demografiese en sosio-ekonomiese faktore. Uit die ondersoek word aanbevelings ten opsigte van die volgende gegenereer: Die ouerhuis Die pre-primere skool Die primere skool Department of Education Verdere navorsing / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Sieklundige Opvoedkunde)

O nascimento prematuro contribui significativamente para o aumento de morbidades associadas ao desenvolvimento motor, tornando fundamental o acompanhamento contínuo destas crianças. Desta forma, a avaliação baropodométrica, por consistir em um método quantitativo de controle postural pode trazer vantagens para o diagnóstico e acompanhamento do desenvolvimento motor de crianças. Este estudo teve por objetivo desenvolver um protocolo de avaliação motora através dos dados e índices baropodométricos em crianças nascidas pré-termo. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo, onde foram avaliadas 103 crianças entre 24 e 59 meses. Destas, 40 nascidas pré-termo e 63 crianças nascidas a termo. Durante a seleção da amostra, foi preenchida uma ficha de avaliação correspondente ao pré-termo grupo e um questionário com relatos dos pais no grupo a termo. Após, foram aferidos massa corporal e estatura, seguida da aplicação da Escala de Desenvolvimento Motor. Por fim, a baropodometria foi realizada na forma estática, em três repetições, os quais consistiram de 5 segundos de adaptação da criança dobre a placa e 30 segundos onde foram aferidos dados de análise estática: pressão plantar e área do centro de oscilação corporal. Após, as pressões plantares foram transformadas em índices, o índice ânteroposterior foi definido pelas pressões plantares anterior e posterior: IAP= 1-2*│0,6-P│; e o índice látero-lateral, por sua vez, foi definido pelas pressões plantares laterais direita e esquerda: ILL= 1-│LD-LE│. Após a avaliação os dados foram submetidos ao teste de normalidade das distribuições de Shapiro-Wilk, após verificada a distribuição não-normal, foi aplicado o teste de Mann-Whitney para verificar diferença entre os grupos, a associação entre os valores obtidos pelo baropodômetro, Escala do Desenvolvimento Motor, e as principais características e intercorrências do grupo pré-termo foi verificada através da correlação de Spearman. Foi observada diferença significativa nos valores de ILL (p=0,000) entre crianças nascidas a termo e crianças nascidas pré-termo, e que esta diferença possui correlação moderada com a idade gestacional (ρ=0,304), em relação ao centro de oscilação de pressão, crianças nascidas a termo apresentaram menor oscilação quando comparado a idade cronológica (ρ=-0,354), sendo que esta relação foi contrária em crianças nascidas pré-termo (ρ=0,336). Quando analisado somente o grupo pré-termo, foi verificado que o ILL apresentou correlação moderada e inversa com o tempo de internação (ρ=-0,353) e com o tempo de ventilação mecânica (ρ=-0,317) e a aérea do centro de oscilação de pressão apresentou correlação moderada e direta com o tempo de ventilação não invasiva (ρ=0,341). A massa ao nascer apresentou correlação moderada com o ILL (ρ=0,359) e também com a idade motora (ρ=0,323) e o quociente motor (ρ=0,341) e correlação forte com a IG (ρ=0,898) em contrapartida o peso atual apresentou correlação moderada com o quociente motor (ρ=0,310), e a IG (ρ=0,381) e correlação forte com a idade motora (ρ=0,555) e a idade cronológica (ρ=0,613). Houve diferença significativa em relação a idade de aquisição da marcha das crianças que precisaram de acompanhamento fisioterapêutico das que não precisaram (p=0,013). Um índice ILL menor em prematuros, pode estar relacionado ao tempo de internação e ventilação mecânica, além da massa ao nascer, já a maior aérea do centro de oscilação de pressão possui correlação com o tempo de ventilação não invasiva. Também pode-se perceber que a massa atual e a idade cronológica influenciaram mais no desenvolvimento motor que a massa ao nascer e a idade gestacional em crianças prematuras. / Preterm birth contributes significantly to the increase of morbidities associated with motor development, making essential the continuous monitoring of these children. Thus, baropodometry analysis by consisting of a quantitative method for postural control can be advantageous for the diagnosis and monitoring of engine development of children. This study aimed to develop a motor evaluation protocol through the data and baropodometric indexes in preterm infants. It was a descriptive study, which were evaluated 103 children between 24 and 59 months. Of these, 40 preterm and 63 term infants. During the sample selection was completed an evaluation form with data from medical records corresponding to the pre-term group and a questionnaire to parents on group term. After, body mass and height were measured, then the implementation of the Motor Development Scale. Finally, baropodometry was held in static form, with three replicates, which consisted of 5 seconds of child adjustment bend the plate and 30 seconds which were measured static analysis data: plantar pressure and pressure swing center area. After, the plantar pressures were transformed into indexes, the anteroposterior index was defined by the anterior and posterior plantar pressures: API = 1-2 * │0,6-P│; and side side index, in turn, defined by the right and left side planter pressure: SSI = 1- │RS-LS│. After evaluating, the data were submitted to normality test of Shapiro-Wilk distributions, being checked the non-normal distribution, the Mann-Whitney test was used to verify differences between groups, the association between the values obtained by baropodometry analysis, Motor Development Scale, and the main characteristics and complications of preterm group was verified by Spearman correlation. Significant difference in the values of SSI (p = 0.000) among term infants and infants born preterm were observed, and this difference has moderate correlation with gestational age (ρ = 0.304) compared to the pressure oscillation center , full-term babies showed less fluctuation compared to chronological age (ρ = -0.354), and this relationship was contrary in preterm children (ρ = 0.336).When only analyzed the preterm group, it was found that the SSI had moderate and inverse correlation with the length of stay (ρ = -0.353) and the duration of mechanical ventilation (ρ = -0.317) and the air oscillation center pressure showed moderate and direct correlation with noninvasive ventilation time (ρ = 0.341).The mass at birth showed moderate correlation with SSI (ρ = 0.359) and also with the motor age (ρ = 0.323) and the ratio engine (ρ = 0.341) and strong correlation with gestational age (ρ = 0.898) in contrast current weight showed moderate correlation with the motor quotient (ρ = 0.310) and gestational age(ρ = 0.381) and strong correlation with the motor age (ρ = 0.555) and chronological age (ρ = 0.613). There was significant difference in the age of acquisition of march of the children who needed physical therapy monitoring of those who did not needed (p = 0.013). A smaller SSI index in premature infants, may be related to hospitalization time and mechanical ventilation, in addition to mass at birth, already the largest air pressure oscillation center has correlation with noninvasive ventilation time.It may also be seen that the current mass and chronological age influenced more motor development than the mass at birth and gestational age in preterm children.

O nascimento prematuro contribui significativamente para o aumento de morbidades associadas ao desenvolvimento motor, tornando fundamental o acompanhamento contínuo destas crianças. Desta forma, a avaliação baropodométrica, por consistir em um método quantitativo de controle postural pode trazer vantagens para o diagnóstico e acompanhamento do desenvolvimento motor de crianças. Este estudo teve por objetivo desenvolver um protocolo de avaliação motora através dos dados e índices baropodométricos em crianças nascidas pré-termo. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo, onde foram avaliadas 103 crianças entre 24 e 59 meses. Destas, 40 nascidas pré-termo e 63 crianças nascidas a termo. Durante a seleção da amostra, foi preenchida uma ficha de avaliação correspondente ao pré-termo grupo e um questionário com relatos dos pais no grupo a termo. Após, foram aferidos massa corporal e estatura, seguida da aplicação da Escala de Desenvolvimento Motor. Por fim, a baropodometria foi realizada na forma estática, em três repetições, os quais consistiram de 5 segundos de adaptação da criança dobre a placa e 30 segundos onde foram aferidos dados de análise estática: pressão plantar e área do centro de oscilação corporal. Após, as pressões plantares foram transformadas em índices, o índice ânteroposterior foi definido pelas pressões plantares anterior e posterior: IAP= 1-2*│0,6-P│; e o índice látero-lateral, por sua vez, foi definido pelas pressões plantares laterais direita e esquerda: ILL= 1-│LD-LE│. Após a avaliação os dados foram submetidos ao teste de normalidade das distribuições de Shapiro-Wilk, após verificada a distribuição não-normal, foi aplicado o teste de Mann-Whitney para verificar diferença entre os grupos, a associação entre os valores obtidos pelo baropodômetro, Escala do Desenvolvimento Motor, e as principais características e intercorrências do grupo pré-termo foi verificada através da correlação de Spearman. Foi observada diferença significativa nos valores de ILL (p=0,000) entre crianças nascidas a termo e crianças nascidas pré-termo, e que esta diferença possui correlação moderada com a idade gestacional (ρ=0,304), em relação ao centro de oscilação de pressão, crianças nascidas a termo apresentaram menor oscilação quando comparado a idade cronológica (ρ=-0,354), sendo que esta relação foi contrária em crianças nascidas pré-termo (ρ=0,336). Quando analisado somente o grupo pré-termo, foi verificado que o ILL apresentou correlação moderada e inversa com o tempo de internação (ρ=-0,353) e com o tempo de ventilação mecânica (ρ=-0,317) e a aérea do centro de oscilação de pressão apresentou correlação moderada e direta com o tempo de ventilação não invasiva (ρ=0,341). A massa ao nascer apresentou correlação moderada com o ILL (ρ=0,359) e também com a idade motora (ρ=0,323) e o quociente motor (ρ=0,341) e correlação forte com a IG (ρ=0,898) em contrapartida o peso atual apresentou correlação moderada com o quociente motor (ρ=0,310), e a IG (ρ=0,381) e correlação forte com a idade motora (ρ=0,555) e a idade cronológica (ρ=0,613). Houve diferença significativa em relação a idade de aquisição da marcha das crianças que precisaram de acompanhamento fisioterapêutico das que não precisaram (p=0,013). Um índice ILL menor em prematuros, pode estar relacionado ao tempo de internação e ventilação mecânica, além da massa ao nascer, já a maior aérea do centro de oscilação de pressão possui correlação com o tempo de ventilação não invasiva. Também pode-se perceber que a massa atual e a idade cronológica influenciaram mais no desenvolvimento motor que a massa ao nascer e a idade gestacional em crianças prematuras. / Preterm birth contributes significantly to the increase of morbidities associated with motor development, making essential the continuous monitoring of these children. Thus, baropodometry analysis by consisting of a quantitative method for postural control can be advantageous for the diagnosis and monitoring of engine development of children. This study aimed to develop a motor evaluation protocol through the data and baropodometric indexes in preterm infants. It was a descriptive study, which were evaluated 103 children between 24 and 59 months. Of these, 40 preterm and 63 term infants. During the sample selection was completed an evaluation form with data from medical records corresponding to the pre-term group and a questionnaire to parents on group term. After, body mass and height were measured, then the implementation of the Motor Development Scale. Finally, baropodometry was held in static form, with three replicates, which consisted of 5 seconds of child adjustment bend the plate and 30 seconds which were measured static analysis data: plantar pressure and pressure swing center area. After, the plantar pressures were transformed into indexes, the anteroposterior index was defined by the anterior and posterior plantar pressures: API = 1-2 * │0,6-P│; and side side index, in turn, defined by the right and left side planter pressure: SSI = 1- │RS-LS│. After evaluating, the data were submitted to normality test of Shapiro-Wilk distributions, being checked the non-normal distribution, the Mann-Whitney test was used to verify differences between groups, the association between the values obtained by baropodometry analysis, Motor Development Scale, and the main characteristics and complications of preterm group was verified by Spearman correlation. Significant difference in the values of SSI (p = 0.000) among term infants and infants born preterm were observed, and this difference has moderate correlation with gestational age (ρ = 0.304) compared to the pressure oscillation center , full-term babies showed less fluctuation compared to chronological age (ρ = -0.354), and this relationship was contrary in preterm children (ρ = 0.336).When only analyzed the preterm group, it was found that the SSI had moderate and inverse correlation with the length of stay (ρ = -0.353) and the duration of mechanical ventilation (ρ = -0.317) and the air oscillation center pressure showed moderate and direct correlation with noninvasive ventilation time (ρ = 0.341).The mass at birth showed moderate correlation with SSI (ρ = 0.359) and also with the motor age (ρ = 0.323) and the ratio engine (ρ = 0.341) and strong correlation with gestational age (ρ = 0.898) in contrast current weight showed moderate correlation with the motor quotient (ρ = 0.310) and gestational age(ρ = 0.381) and strong correlation with the motor age (ρ = 0.555) and chronological age (ρ = 0.613). There was significant difference in the age of acquisition of march of the children who needed physical therapy monitoring of those who did not needed (p = 0.013). A smaller SSI index in premature infants, may be related to hospitalization time and mechanical ventilation, in addition to mass at birth, already the largest air pressure oscillation center has correlation with noninvasive ventilation time.It may also be seen that the current mass and chronological age influenced more motor development than the mass at birth and gestational age in preterm children.

MPH / Department of Public Health / Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a life-long neurodevelopmental disorder, which does not affect the child only but the caregiver more. ASD characterized by impairments in social interactions, communication and repetitive behaviour. Therefore, caring for a child diagnosed with ASD can be a very challenging experience for caregiver especially when knowledge about the condition is limited. The aim of the study was to explore experiences of caregivers for children diagnosed with ASD in the Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province. The study adopted a qualitative approach, wherein data was collected using face-to-face semi-structured interviews, in which an interview guide was used. Participants were selected purposively from the three different schools and data was analysed using thematic content analysis. Twelve (12) participants were interviewed for the study. The caregivers’ children were aged 5-12 years. Ethical considerations and measures to ensure trustworthiness were adhered to throughout the study. The study findings indicated that caregivers for children diagnosed with ASD experienced psychological stress, social isolation and stigma, financial burden, lack of family support, services for children with ASD were perceived not to be accessible and available. The findings also indicated that there is limited knowledge of ASD amongst caregivers, health professionals and the community at large. Therefore, more awareness campaigns need to be done on ASD to increase knowledge on the condition. Furthermore, the study recommends that support groups for caregivers of children diagnosed with ASD should be formed and that information regarding a range of inexpensive interventions and educational programs should be made available for caregivers and their children, as well as continuous dissemination of information amongst caregivers. However, limited statistical information on ASD is available on the South African context. / NRF

In the light of the child's self-esteem that is affected by traumatic events, the goal of the research was to explore and describe the self-esteem of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The researcher made use of a quantitative research method. 30 (N=30) respondents, both male (n=16) and female (n=14), between the ages of 11 to 15, were randomly sampled for inclusion in the study. Each participant completed a self-report measure of self-esteem, The Culture-free Self-esteem Inventory for Children, which yielded a score of Global Self-esteem, as well as in four sub-domains including: General, Social, Academic and Parent-related Self-esteem. The results of this study demonstrated that the participants experienced a lowered self-esteem. These findings were explored in light of a literature review, after which conclusions and recommendations were provided. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)