Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / This study aimed to determine health promotion needs of physically disabled youth with spinal cord injury. The study specifically explored health-related behaviours with reference to participation in physical activity and substance usage, factors that influenced these behaviours and major issues that needed to be targeted in health promotion. / South Africa

This study aimed to determine health promotion needs of physically disabled youth with spinal cord injury. The study specifically explored health-related behaviours with reference to participation in physical activity and substance usage, factors that influenced these behaviours and major issues that needed to be targeted in health promotion.

The aims were to investigate the accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosis of structural fetal anomalies with special focus on false positive findings (I), to evaluate the additional value of second trimester fetal MRI on pregnancy management (II-III) and to estimate the ascertainment in the Swedish Birth Defects Registry and incidence of spina bifida and cleft lip/palate (IV). Retrospectively, 328 fetal autopsies were identified where pregnancies were terminated due to ultrasonographically diagnosed fetal anomalies. In 175 (53.4 %) cases ultrasound and fetal autopsy were identical, in 124 (37.8 %) ultrasound was almost correct, in 23 (7.0 %)  ultrasound diagnoses could not be verified, but fetal autopsy showed other anomalies with at least the same prognostic value and in six (1.8 %)  ultrasound diagnosis could not be verified and autopsy showed no or less severe anomalies (I). Prospectively, 29 pregnancies with CNS- (II) and 63 with non-CNS-anomalies (III) were included. In the CNS study MRI provided no additional information in 18 fetuses (62 %), additional information without changing the management in 8 (28 %) and additional information altering the pregnancy management in 3 (10%). In the non-CNS study the corresponding figures were 43 (68 %), 17 (27 %) and three (5 %), respectively. MRI in the second trimester might be a clinically valuable adjunct to ultrasound for the evaluation of CNS anomalies, especially when the ultrasound is inconclusive due to maternal obesity (II) and in non-CNS anomalies in cases of diaphragmatic hernia or oligohydramnios (III). In newborns, the ascertainments of birth defects are relatively high and assessable, but in pregnancy terminations they are lower or unknown. The incidence of newborns with spina bifida has decreased because of an increased rate of pregnancy terminations (>60%). There is room for improvement concerning the reporting of anomalies from terminated pregnancies (IV).

This study aimed to determine health promotion needs of physically disabled youth with spinal cord injury. The study specifically explored health-related behaviours with reference to participation in physical activity and substance usage, factors that influenced these behaviours and major issues that needed to be targeted in health promotion.

The researcher has a daughter who was born with an encephalocele and her neuropsychological assessment indicates a Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD). The difficulties of the educational experiences that emerged over time, mainly because her learning profile was not understood, prompted reflection on the consequences for other students who present with this profile. A concern for the long-term implications for students and parents of the frequent misunderstandings of the NLD has inspired this study. A review of the literature suggested a need to raise educator awareness about the subtle but disabling nature of the NLD syndrome. This study explored the perceptions of teachers, teacher aides and parents involved with 5 students who showed hallmark signs of an NLD. The theoretical foundation rests in the understanding that a student's learning experiences are influenced by past and present school experiences, the attitudes of peers, and parental expectations. The purpose of this thesis is to help parents, teachers and others appreciate the school experiences of children at Level 1 risk of developing an NLD, those with a hydrocephalic condition. It does not purport to offer ultimate solutions or to contribute to diagnosis but rather to act as a starting point for a body of theory to guide development of suitable learning environments for such children. Of further importance is emphasis on the need for similar studies to be conducted into the learning experiences of other children who demonstrate specific syndromes or mosaic forms of those syndromes. Naturalistic Inquiry methodology was used to explore the educational experiences of five students who attended different Australian schools. After completion of all interviews, psychological testing assessed general intelligence and the NLD status of each student. All students were found to be severely learning disabled and all were high on the NLD parameter. Educators generally did not reveal understanding of the NLD syndrome &quotNonverbal, what is it? So is it a visual ..." Some teachers devised innovative strategies to help the student cope in class while others expressed frustration ... if the traditional instruction &quotdoesn't work either, what does?" What stood out was an absence of understanding about nonverbal deficits. Frustration about poor organisation, decision making, task completion and problem-solving was expressed and a mixture of concern and criticism was levelled at social incompetence. Students who could not work independently were perceived by some teachers and aides as &quotlazy" or &quotmolly-coddled" and problems with everyday living skills were sometimes blamed on the student's family. Findings revealed a compelling need to raise educator awareness about the range of cognitive, learning and social problems associated with shunted hydrocephalus and spina bifida. They also highlighted a need for teachers to question &quotWhy can't this student do things one would expect they could do" and demand answers that explicate the serious difficulties being experienced.

Law / LL.M.

The diploma thesis - "Psychosocial Aspects of Changes in Human Mobility," focuses on family and siblings of people with physical disabilities, as well as on finding the appropriate support for these families in their specific situation. It particularly deals with people suffering cerebral palsy and spina bifida and possibilities to support the families with disabled individuals in the Czech Republic. The thesis is based on theoretical knowledge gained from publications and laws, hands-on experience acquired in service as a personal care assistant, as well as own research project on siblings of people with physical disabilities. In the first part of the thesis, the author gives basic information about classifications, diagnostics and manifestations of cerebral palsy and spina bifida with major influence of the change in human mobility. In addition, the thesis focuses on the relationship of both parents and siblings, to the handicapped child. The next part is devoted to a research project called "Life with a Sibling with Physical Disability". The research project deals with the direct experience of siblings of people with physical disabilities, critical moments in their lives, resources of coping with this difficult life situation, but also looks at benefits for their personal growth. The aim of...

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the diverse experiences of accessing health and social services when living with a neurological condition in Manitoba. Using a qualitative research design, I conducted 15 in-depth semi-structured interviews with adults living with a neurological condition in Manitoba. Findings demonstrated how characteristics of patients, and their service providers/systems, either predisposed them to a lack of service coordination or enabled them to successfully navigate health and social services. In the event that those factors contributed to a need or desire for coordination, participants employed strategies to improve their experience accessing services by i. pursuing knowledge to improve access, ii. actively engaging in behaviours to improve services, or iii. mentally coping with inadequate services. To conclude, practical recommendations on possible initiatives to improve the daily experiences of individuals living with neurological conditions are also provided. / October 2015

Law / LL.M.

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