64 Greek cerebral palsied children, aged 2 to 13, and their siblings were observed in a semi-structured play situation at home and their behaviours were compared to those of matched control dyads. The sample was divided into four groups based on the age and birth order of the disabled children. Compared to controls, disabled children were passive and lacking in assertiveness. Their siblings were correspondingly more directive, with younger siblings being obliged to take on a leadership role to fill the "vacuum" created by the deficits of the older disabled child. Interaction in handicap dyads was predominantly hierarchical in nature with disabled children assuming the role of the younger child regardless of their birth order. Control dyads were more egalitarian, with members taking turns in initiating the interaction. Maternal intervention was highest in handicap dyads, particularly among younger groups where social skills were poorly developed. Maternal interviews and adjustment ratings for all children were also obtained. Compared to controls, handicap families experienced pronounced social isolation and a restricted range of activities and the impact of the disabled child was largely negatively evaluated. Ratings of poor adjustment were higher for disabled children but this was at least partly attributable to their physical dependence. Ratings were similar for young siblings but, after the age of 6, 40% of siblings of disabled children versus 18% of controls were rated maladjusted. This was probably due to the fact that, compared with controls, siblings of the disabled experienced many more restrictions and responsibilities, but might also be due to the older siblings' increased awareness of the social stigma of handicap. Finally, teacher ratings and observational data from a special school setting were obtained for a small sample (N=14) of matched cerebral palsied siblings and singletons. Results provided some indications of better adjustment for siblings and lower involvement for singletons.

A study was done of the attendance of 1,251 non-handicapped and 131 handicapped pupils in the Weber County, Ogden, Utah School District. This study was done at the request of the district administration. The basic questions were 1) would there be a difference in attendance of the handicapped and the non-handicapped and 2) would the reasons for absence differ as stated on excuses presented to the office. Data for the entire 1978-79 school year were tallied and analyzed. There were no significant differences in the attendance rates of the two groups. Inspection of the data showed that there was a difference in attendance of handicapped pupils who were members of classes for less than 180 days and those who were 180 day class members. No reason for this difference was revealed by the data. The data on excuses presented as a reason for absence showed more absences due to doctors excuses and illness for handicapped pupils. In depth research on the causes of absence of handicapped pupils was recommended.

No description available.

M.A. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

MArch (Professional), Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Architecture and Planning, University of the Witwatersrand

The thesis gives examples of analysing time series data while being employed as statistician at the Industrial and Community Health Research Centre, North Staffordshire Medical Institute, Hartshill Road, Stoke-on-Trent for the period 1988-1997. Topics include:(a) the analysis of asthma data with a view to aid detection and confirmation of occupational asthma. This project highlights possible approaches for modelling regularly and unequally spaced observations (b) modelling bleeding and behavioural patterns of handicapped people using binary valued time series (c) a repeated measures analysis following a surgical intervention (d) a study relating mood scores to progesterone levels

No description available.

Thesis (M Ed (Human Rsource Studies)) -- University of South Australia, 1991

Thesis--Wisconsin. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-80).

This thesis reports the results of some five years of work with first year physics students at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. South African education is presently characterized by large numbers of students who, judging from their poor results in their first year at university, are poorly equipped to meet the academic requirements of a university course especially in science-related disciplines. The purpose of this research was twofold: (a) To determine the cognitive reasons for the poor performance of these students, characterized as disadvantaged in the study; (b) To develop suitable instructional materials based on the determination in (a). Feuerstein's theories of the cognitive development of disadvantaged persons were found to be extremely useful both in providing direction for the research as well as in interpreting the data generated by the study. Thirty person-to-person interviews of about 45 minutes in length, were conducted with first year physics students as they attempted to solve two typical kinematics problems. Analysis of the interviews revealed that in addition to language difficulties experienced, students also displayed regularities in the types of errors made. Over and above this, students demonstrated significant cognitive difficulties with the analysis and elaboration of data in the problems. Many of these difficulties can be related to the cognitive deficiencies documented in the work of Feuerstein. Additionally, a paper-and-pencil test was developed to examine whether students, after instruction, display any planned approach in their use of Newton's laws in solving typical physics problems. The results of the test with 86 first year physics students show that traditional physics instruction does not help disadvantaged students develop the ability to use Newton's laws in any structured manner. Instruments were developed to assist students using the algorithmic approaches of Landa. Nine areas in the typical university first year mechanics course were analysed for the cognitive operations requited to use specific laws or concepts in problem-solving. Booklets were designed which made these cognitive operations explicit in the application of the particular law or concept. A test group which used the instruments showed significant gains in quarterly examinations in the physics department, over a control group which received instruction in the traditional manner. Anecdotal evidence of the efficacy of the instruments is also presented. The success of the research shows that it is possible to address the cognitive difficulties of disadvantaged students in physics within the framework of a first year university course. The approaches documented in this thesis give an indication of how disadvantaged students can be assisted and supported academically.