Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 44 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 31-39).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alberta, 1997. / In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education. Department of Educational Psychology. Also available online.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Louisville, 2009. / Department of Communication. Vita. "December 2009." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-62).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation (Masters in Education (Education and Social Sciences))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009 / The purpose of this study was to explore the impact that sensory processing had on the learning and development of two Grade R learners that experience Asperger's Syndrome. The present study is grounded in theories originating from the works of Piaget (1973 & 1978), Vygotsky (1978 & 1993), Feuerstein (1980 & 1991) and Erikson (1950). The informal, flexible education experienced in Grade R classes reflects both the OBE curriculum and inclusive education systems found in South Africa. The main medium of learning is through sensory experiences, therefore it was necessary to research how two AS learners would learn and develop and explore their world through their senses. This research approach was purely qualitative. Multi-methods of data collection, particularly interviews and observations were used. The sample size was two independent case studies, using learners aged between five and seven, who had been clinically diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (AS). The two AS learners both attended mainstream Grade R classes and both had facilitators. The findings of the study answer the key research question: “What is the impact of sensory processing difficulties on the learning and development of two learners experiencing Asperger's Syndrome in Grade R?” The results confirmed the impact sensory processing had on the learning and development of learners experiencing AS. The learners had difficulty learning new skills and concepts. Although they were both bright learners, they were perceived as underachievers. Identifying these sensory difficulties and creating awareness among educators, can have a positive impact on these learners' adaptability in a mainstream school environment. This study recommends that early intervention with AS learners is vital for their future learning and development. The interpretation of body language and social skills of normal learners needs to be taught to learners with AS so they can begin to socialise with other learners positively. Ebersöhn & Eloff (2006) suggest that knowledge of asset-based good practices should be shared with educators and caregivers, so that they can focus on the AS learners' strengths and positive character traits. The multi-disciplinary team need to work together to offer support to these learners assisting them to develop to their full potential

M.Ed. (Education and Learning Support) / This study focused on the design, implementation and reflection of the development of a workshop for educators with regards to understanding and effectively managing learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in their classrooms. This study was done in an action research framework in four specific stages, (a) the educators role, (b) educators knowledge about teaching, (c) teaching practices, and (d) reflective practices. Data was collected from a video recording of the workshop on ADHD, an informal focus group assessment questionnaire, and collection of participant's artifacts of the activities during the workshop. Educators who were engaged in the stages of action research during the workshop were provided with theory, strategies, and a checklists on ADHD. This structure assisted educators through the process of becoming knowledgeable, effective, and reflective managers of learners with ADHD.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is not a new phenomenon. Researchers have studied children with restless, inattentive and impulsive types of behaviours for over one hundred years. Although the primary distress of AD/HD falls mainly on the child’s shoulders, all family members experience the disorder’s negative effects. While the challenges that families have to face are many, families seem to have the ability to “bounce back” (i.e., they have resilience). There has been limited research to date focusing on the resiliency of families living with children diagnosed with AD/HD. Research on the construct of resilience, and more specifically, family resilience has surged in recent times. However, South African research on family resilience is limited. This study aimed to explore and describe the factors that facilitate adjustment and adaptation in families after a child has been clinically diagnosed with AD/HD. The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation, developed by McCubbin and McCubbin (2001) served as a framework to conceptualize the families’ adjustment and adaptation processes. Non-probability purposive sampling was used in order to gain participants for the study. Twenty-two families participated in this study, providing a total of 44 participants. Participants consisted of the caregivers of a family living with a child diagnosed with AD/HD, between the ages of seven and 12. The study was triangular in nature, with an exploratory, descriptive approach. A biographical questionnaire with an open-ended question was used in conjunction with seven other questionnaires to gather data. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the biographical information. Quantitative data were analyzed by means of correlation and regression analysis, and content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data obtained from the biographical questionnaire. The results of the quantitative analysis indicated six significant positive correlations with the FACI8. These variables were relative and friend support, social support, problem solving and behavioural strategies, family hardiness, family problem-solving communication and family time and routines. The results of the qualitative analysis revealed that social support, adherence to a treatment regime, information and knowledge about AD/HD, a supportive family unit, the caregiver’s acceptance of the disorder as well as communication were the most important strength factors identified. The findings of the research could assist parents in managing their children diagnosed with AD/HD more effectively and has helped create further insight into what resiliency areas they could improve upon. Furthermore, this study could be used as a stepping stone for future research on resilience in families living with a pervasive psychological disorder and will contribute to the broader context of family resilience research in the South African context.

This thesis was designed to investigate differences in aggression between girls with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Forty girls with ADHD and 43 girls without ADHD aged 9- to 12- years and their mothers and teachers participated. A multiassessment methodology was used to investigate these differences, employing mothers' reports, teachers' reports, and a laboratory aggression analogue task (a computer game involving simulated girls in other rooms). The results indicated that mothers and teachers saw girls with ADHD as having much higher levels of all types of aggression assessed, including overt, relational, proactive, and reactive aggression, than girls in the control group. On the lab task, girls with ADHD used a strategy that involved more threatening and bragging comments, and social exclusions of their co-players. Expected differences on some of the lab task measures did not emerge. Also, according to mothers, teachers, and the results from the lab task, girls with ADHD were significantly less prosocial than girls in the control group. Where significant group differences had been found, follow-up tests generally indicated that girls with ADHD and comorbid oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD) were more aggressive than girls in the control group, with girls with ADHD but not ODD falling in between. In sum, these results indicate substantial cause for concern for the concurrent and future psychosocial well-being of girls with ADHD. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) tend to experience social functioning problems, with girls more likely to encounter peer rejection than boys. The present study investigated gender differences in child, parent, and teacher perceptions of social functioning among ADHD and control children. Participants included 119 children (ages 6-11) and their parents. Sixty-one children were previously diagnosed with ADHD. Parents, teachers, and children completed measures assessing the child's social functioning. The results indicate that the relationship between ADHD status and social functioning differs as a function of rater. Teachers and parents reported that ADHD children had lower social functioning than controls, while ADHD and control children reported similar levels of social functioning. Gender differences were found on the child self-report, with girls reporting lower social functioning than boys. In ADHD children the relationship between social functioning and comorbid depression differed as a function of rater. Specifically, among ADHD children with depression, parents rated children as having lower social functioning than did children or teachers. In ADHD children without comorbid depression, however, there were no rater differences. Additionally, no rater differences in social functioning were found between ADHD children with and without a comorbid psychiatric condition. Overall, the results of the current study lend support to the idea that parents, teachers, and children have different perceptions of social functioning. Clinically, these results suggest that interventions could focus on identifying those ADHD children most at-risk for social functioning problems and developing interventions that fit with their perceptions. The limitations of the current study and directions for future research are presented.