Children who have multiple disabilities often have complex communicational needs (Crickmay 1966; Orelove & Sobsey, 1996; Van Riper & Erickson, 1996; Workinger 2005). To augment or supplement these children’s communication skills some form of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) may be provided (Beukleman & Mirenda, 2005; Downing, 1996; Orelove & Sobsey, 1996; Stephenson & Dowrick, 2005). However it has been found that parents fear AAC will prevent focus on verbal output which is the preferred way of communication (Allaire et al 1991; Beukelman & Mirenda, 2005; Schlosser, 2003; Stephenson & Dowrick, 2005). This study investigated the impact of a combined therapy approach on the phonetic repertoire of children with multiple disabilities. In addition, changes in communication intent were also explored. Each child received intervention across four, 20-30 minute sessions per week for six weeks. Results show that all of the children made improvements, however not all changes were significant. Clinical implications of the study include the notion that working on traditional therapy techniques can improve the speech and language of children who have multiple disabilities and there is a need to look further at traditional therapies and incorporate AAC into these

No description available.

Self-regulation theory was used to examine how people cope with the diagnosis and management of chronic neurological illness. Three studies are reported, all of which examined the three main elements of self-regulation theory as outlined by Leventhal et al (1984), people's representations of their condition, the actions they took to manage and their evaluation of those efforts, and the outcome as assessed by their feelings about themselves, their emotional wellbeing and severity of disability. A longitudinal study examined 20 people at three stages, before coming into hospital for tests and investigations for multiple sclerosis, 6 weeks and 6 months later. This study provided some support for representations as being important in guiding coping. However, both representations and people's own evaluations of their coping efforts were more predictive of outcome. The second, cross-sectional study compared people being investigated for three differing chronic diseases; the previous 20 people being investigated for multiple sclerosis, 11 and 22 people being investigated for motor neurone disease and liver disease respectively. Results showed that how people represented their condition, and not the diagnosis, was related to outcome. The third study was pseudo-longitudinal and examined people at different times since the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. People at six months (n=20 from first study), 2 years (n=19), and over 7 years (n=25) from diagnosis were included. This study again highlighted the relationship between representations and outcome; perceiving more symptoms and adverse consequences being associated with poorer outcomes of all types. Coping was also associated with outcome, in particular, more social supports and greater satisfaction with that support being associated with higher Self Esteem, better emotional wellbeing and less severe disability. It is concluded that self-regulation theory is a useful framework within which to understand how people cope with chronic neurological illness, in chronic illnesses with no cure or effective palliative treatments people's representation of their condition and evaluation of their coping efforts predicted outcome. The low level of psychological distress found in all studies suggests that while no particular coping actions are associated with better outcomes, it may be that taking some kind of action, rather than taking no action, in a situation where there is nothing the medical profession can do is sufficiently motivating to minimise depression.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-109). / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / xii, 109 leaves, bound ill., charts 29 cm

Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 1995

Children who have multiple disabilities often have complex communicational needs (Crickmay 1966; Orelove & Sobsey, 1996; Van Riper & Erickson, 1996; Workinger 2005). To augment or supplement these children’s communication skills some form of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) may be provided (Beukleman & Mirenda, 2005; Downing, 1996; Orelove & Sobsey, 1996; Stephenson & Dowrick, 2005). However it has been found that parents fear AAC will prevent focus on verbal output which is the preferred way of communication (Allaire et al 1991; Beukelman & Mirenda, 2005; Schlosser, 2003; Stephenson & Dowrick, 2005). This study investigated the impact of a combined therapy approach on the phonetic repertoire of children with multiple disabilities. In addition, changes in communication intent were also explored. Each child received intervention across four, 20-30 minute sessions per week for six weeks. Results show that all of the children made improvements, however not all changes were significant. Clinical implications of the study include the notion that working on traditional therapy techniques can improve the speech and language of children who have multiple disabilities and there is a need to look further at traditional therapies and incorporate AAC into these

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1955. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 114-119). Also available via the Internet.

Proefschr. Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. / Auteursnaam op omslag: Bert Klunder. Met bibliogr., lit.opg.-Met samenvatting in het Nederlands.

Proefschr. Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. / Met bibliogr., lit.opg.-Met samenvatting in het Nederlands.

Proefschr. Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. / Met bibliogr., lit. opg. - Met samenvatting in het Nederlands.