Socio-cultural activity theory (SCAT) was used to examine the nature of collaborative working in a case study of school-based occupational therapy (SBOT) in Ontario. Collaborative consultation has been widely adopted in SBOT practice. However, we know little about the impact of collaboration for students and lack understanding about how the organization of SBOT service contributes to collaborative working among educators and occupational therapists. Grounded in theoretical understanding about the distributed nature of group learning, SCAT was used as a conceptual and analytical tool in this study to describe SBOT collaborative consultation from multiple stakeholder perspectives. The research took place in two phases. Phase One involved case study research to describe SBOT for three students with disabilities from multiple stakeholder perspectives. Data were gathered using a combination of observation, document analysis, and interviews involving participants directly involved in the delivery of SBOT with each focal participant. SCAT provided a framework for describing the nature of joint effort. Dilemmas emerging from incongruence between elements in the activity system were identified and described. Common characteristics in two cases enabled cross-case analysis to also identify features of collaborative working that facilitated educational programming and outcomes for students with developmental disability. In Phase Two, program administrators participated alongside service recipients and service providers in a series of focused discussion workshops to reflect on case study findings and prioritize areas for program improvement. Developmental Work Research (Engeström, 2000) and Appreciative Inquiry (Cooperrider, Whitney, & Stavros, 2003) methods were used within a participatory action research approach to facilitate organizational learning among stakeholders. Engagement of stakeholders supported program administrators in critically examining decision-making for the delivery of SBOT service in the region studied. Combining practice-driven dilemmas with conceptual tools of analysis enabled a multiple-perspective understanding about the social, cultural, and historical work practices that have influenced collaborative interactions in SBOT practice and led to the development of principles for improving how work is shared. Program administrators used their shared understanding to propose a new model for delivering SBOT services. / Thesis (Ph.D, Education) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-28 21:31:58.308

Paper 1: This study focused on personal education plans for children in care and the related research around individual education plans. Children in care have been identified by the government and local authorities as a vulnerable group, at risk of failing to fully access education (DCSF, 2010). This paper examines the role of the educational psychologist in supporting children in care. There are three aims; 1. to explore the current role and work of educational psychologists in supporting children in care across local authorities, and within one local authority, 2. to generate, a more in-depth understanding of educational psychologists’ practice regarding children in care. 3. to use the analysis to formulate a framework that will inform an intervention to enhance the personal education plan process. Mixed methods were used to investigate the current role and view of educational psychologists and those involved in the personal education plan (PEP) process. The methods included online surveys, hardcopy questionnaires and semi structured interviews, which produced both qualitative and quantitative data. The findings of this research suggest that EPs most often work with Children in Care in school, and this seems to involve consultations, planning and reviewing meetings at a multiagency level. This study reports that EPs are not often involved in the PEP process but that most EPs have an understanding of the purpose of PEPs. A summary of the distinct contribution EPs believe they have to offer children in care has been presented, and the findings could provide EPs with improved role clarity in the future. A number of themes were also identified that would support the PEP process and a framework has been created that has the potential to enhance the process. Paper 2 - Collaborative Consultation: Background: Children in care (CiC) have consistently underperformed educationally, compared to other children. Personal Education Plans (PEP) were introduced to address this issue. This study aims to implement a PEP intervention (based on a framework from Paper 1) to enhance the educational experience of the child and explore the distinct contribution of the educational psychologist (EP). Method: Action Research was used to structure an intervention and gather the pre and post evaluation data in four case studies. The intervention consisted of an assessment of the child; there were three collaborative consultations with those involved in the PEP and attending the PEP meeting. Data collected include child assessments, notes from consultations, pre and post questionnaires and post semi-structured interviews with the professional. Results: The findings suggest the intervention had a positive impact on the PEP process and how those completing the PEP felt about the process. Changes to the child’s independent functioning could not be attributed to the intervention. The analysis developed and supports the finding in the framework from Paper 1. Conclusion: The revised framework offers a guideline to produce a consistent PEP process across all Local Authorities. Recommendations about the use of assessment and introducing psychological theories through consultation prior to the PEP are provided.

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Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:44:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2643.pdf: 1259315 bytes, checksum: 30ed74ddce1424f049418325f8698404 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-09-18 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / This study aimed to investigate the psychological procedures in the school environment which may favor the inclusion with the aid of the collaborative consultation. A total of six teachers from regular classes of the first initial years of the Elementary School, 3 of them were hired from the school and 3 were substituting. The teachers authorized the observation of their classes twice a month and also authorized the consultation procedures every other week. There were deaf students in the three classrooms, a total of six students (G1). The consultant asked the teachers to indicate other six students who presented socially accepted behavior (G2) and other six students who presented some behavioral problems (G3); all of them were identified by the employment of two behavioral scales, answered by the teachers. In order to evaluate the school performance, the hearing students and the deaf ones took part in a school performance test. Both, the behavioral scales and the school performance test were reemployed at the end of the school year. From May to December 2006, the consultant realized every 15 days, systematic observation of the classes, in the three classrooms, making observations on the diary. The registered content was discussed on the following week with each teacher, for evaluation and practices planning. At the end of the process, the consulting activity was evaluated as a possibility of baseline, either for the consultant as for the teachers in charge. The behavioral scales enabled the discrimination of socially accepted behavior and orientation for behavioral procedures which have contributed for the enhancement of opportunities. The evaluation of the scholar performance presented a correlation between behavioral problems and learning difficulties, besides indicating that actual procedures have contributed for teaching math to deaf students, but it was not assured yet, at least in that school, the alphabetization, which is an essential requirement for accessibility to the academic knowledge. / Neste estudo, buscou-se investigar sobre práticas psicológicas no ambiente escolar que possam favorecer a inclusão a partir da consultoria colaborativa. Participaram da pesquisa seis professoras de três classes comuns dos primeiros anos do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola pública, três efetivas e três substitutas. As professoras autorizaram a observação quinzenal de suas aulas e atividade de consultoria na semana que intercalava as observações. As três salas contavam com alunos surdos, num total de seis alunos(G1). A consultora solicitou às docentes indicações de seis outros alunos com indicativos de comportamento socialmente aceito (G2) e outros seis com problemas de comportamento (G3), todos identificados a partir de duas escalas comportamentais, respondidas pelas professoras. Como medida de desempenho escolar, os alunos ouvintes e surdos participaram de um teste de desempenho escolar (TDE). Tanto as escalas comportamentais como o TDE foram reaplicados no final do ano letivo. No período de maio a dezembro de 2006, a consultora realizou quinzenalmente, observação sistemática das aulas, nas três classes envolvidas, registrando dados no diário de campo. O conteúdo registrado era discutido na semana seguinte, com cada docente, para avaliação e planejamento de práticas inclusivas. Ao final do processo, a atividade de consultoria foi avaliada como uma possibilidade de formação tanto para o consultor como para os docentes envolvidos. As escalas comportamentais possibilitaram a discriminação de comportamentos socialmente aceitos e orientações de manejos comportamentais que contribuíram para o aumento de oportunidades para que os mesmos ocorressem. A avaliação de desempenho acadêmico apontou para uma correlação entre problemas de comportamento e dificuldades de aprendizagem, além de indicar que práticas vigentes têm contribuído para o ensino de aritmética aos surdos, mas ainda não lhe garantiam, pelo menos nesta escola, a alfabetização, requisito este essencial para acessibilidade ao conhecimento escolar.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:44:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3165.pdf: 2756281 bytes, checksum: 7a58a21f1ce7b83bb593cd96b8f6be06 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-07-13 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / Expectations on inclusive education have demanded the creation of new staff roles in schools. In an inclusive school environment, an important aspect of the role of educational psychologists that seems to be a promising picture in this profession is to promote and develop strategies and guidelines for consideration and adoption of the Collaborative Consultation in the Schools, building partnership with teachers and families. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a preventive intervention program, based in the principles of the Collaborative Consultation in Schools and the Positive Behavior Support models, designed to prevent and minimize behavior problems. The study has been conducted in three 1st. grade classrooms in a public elementary school located within the state of São Paulo, assessing three teachers of these classrooms, fifty-five pupils, and eighteen families participation. The study has been carried out in four phases. In Phase 1, the ethical procedures were followed to contact the school. In Phase 2 at the pre-test stage, participating families were asked to complete the Parenting Styles Inventory (PSI) instruments as well as the teachers were requested to complete the Child and Youth Behavior Inventory (6-18 years)/Teacher Report Form (TRF). In Phase 3, the preventive intervention program was implemented, targeting and focusing on teachers, pupils, and participating families. Finally, in Phase 4, at post-test stage, both instruments were repeated and moreover individual focal groups meetings were held with teachers and families in order to examine the social validity of the study as well as it was gathered qualitative data to analyze the effects of the previously applied intervention program. To assess the impact of the intervention, MANOVA test was applied to the results obtained with the PSI and the TRF. Regarding parenting styles, there was a statistically significant increase in the parenting style index, with respect to the positive monitoring and moral behavior, and a statistically significant decrease in relaxed discipline, and in the negative monitoring. In relation to student behavior, according to reports from teachers, there was a statistically significant decrease either in internalizing or externalizing problems, or in total problems. The results of the focal group meetings held with the families provided information about favorable and unfavorable aspects of the intervention; it was noticed positive changes in child and family behavior; it was evaluated the position of a psychologist within the school. Finally, the meetings with the teachers allowed to gather information about the characteristics of the collaboration that were included in the developed intervention; favorable and unfavorable aspects of the intervention; positive changes related to student behavior at school and their quality of life; degree of applicability of the developed strategies; evaluation of the position of a psychologist at the school. / A perspectiva da inclusão escolar tem demandado novos papéis para os profissionais da escola. Um papel que parece promissor para o psicólogo no ambiente escolar inclusivo é o de prestar Consultoria Colaborativa Escolar, atuando em parceria com professores e familiares. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de um programa de intervenção preventiva, baseado nos modelo de Consultoria Colaborativa Escolar e Suporte Comportamental Positivo, voltado para prevenir e minimizar problemas comportamentais. O estudo foi realizado em três salas de aula do primeiro ano de uma escola municipal de ensino fundamental, localizada no interior do estado de São Paulo, e contou com a participação das três professoras de sala, 55 alunos e 18 familiares. O estudo foi conduzido em quatro etapas. Na Etapa 1, foram realizados os procedimentos éticos e foi efetuado o contato com a escola. Na Etapa 2, fase de pré-teste, foram aplicados os instrumentos Inventário de Estilos Parentais (IEP), junto aos familiares participantes, e o Inventário dos Comportamentos de Crianças e Adolescentes 6-18 anos/Relatório para Professores (TRF), junto às professoras. Na Etapa 3, o programa de intervenção preventiva foi implementado e teve como alvo as professoras, os alunos e os familiares participantes. Por fim, na Etapa 4, fase de pós-teste, os dois instrumentos foram reaplicados e foram realizadas reuniões de grupo focal com as professoras e os familiares, separadamente, com o objetivo de verificar a validade social do estudo assim como levantar dados qualitativos sobre os efeitos do programa de intervenção realizado. Para avaliar o impacto da intervenção, foi aplicado o teste MANOVA nos resultados obtidos por meio do IEP e do TRF. Quanto aos estilos parentais, houve aumento estatisticamente significativo no índice de estilo parental (iep), no que diz respeito à monitoria positiva e ao comportamental moral, e diminuição estatisticamente significativa na disciplina relaxada e na monitoria negativa. Em relação ao comportamento dos alunos, segundo relato das professoras, houve diminuição estatisticamente significativa nos comportamentos do tipo internalizante, externalizante e nos problemas totais. As reuniões de grupo focal realizadas com os familiares permitiram levantar dados sobre aspectos favoráveis e desfavoráveis da intervenção; mudanças positivas observadas no comportamento das crianças e dos familiares; avaliação sobre a presença do psicólogo na escola. Finalmente, as reuniões com as professoras possibilitaram levantar informações sobre as características da colaboração que estavam presentes na intervenção desenvolvida; aspectos favoráveis e desfavoráveis da intervenção realizada; mudanças positivas relacionadas com o comportamento dos alunos na escola e com a qualidade de vida dos mesmos; grau de aplicabilidade das estratégias desenvolvidas; avaliação sobre a presença do psicólogo na escola.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:44:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5134.pdf: 3904591 bytes, checksum: 196f7357f34d96d134a0ae6d9483aa8f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-05 / The literature has pointed to an increase in the incidence of children with visual impairments associated with neurological disorders and other disabilities, but the educational implications of the association of such impediments is considered a minor theme in the training of special education teachers. The present study aimed to develop and evaluate a collaborative consultation program in the field of visual impairment with a team of professionals of a special school for students with intellectual disabilities. The participants were the research/consultant, five teachers, two class assistants, a speech therapist, a physical therapist, a psychologist and an occupational therapist, plus 46 students with ages between 7 and 37 years. The study was carried out in three stages: preliminary step of conducting ethical procedures; Study-1, the diagnosis of institutional conditions; and Study-2, the intervention. The latter involved: a) theoretical training of 35 hours of lessons; b) practice based on case studies based on the development of a visual evaluation process of students, with the purpose of raising subsidies for educational planning and to apply the theoretical knowledge in practice; and c) final evaluation of the consultation/training program. The results of student s characterization showed that 30.4% were diagnosed with cerebral palsy; 30.4% with intellectual disabilities; 19.6% with Down syndrome, and 19.6% with other diagnoses. 83% of the students have already been through ophthalmological inspection with an average age of 4.2 years in first query. Two students were diagnosed with optic nerve atrophy and congenital cataracts, which was not reported by the parents to the school. As for the observation of visual difficulties, the parents have made 11 references, whereas the professionals made only 3. The results of the evaluation process of visual changes, duly complemented by medical information, were: 16 students (34.8%) showed no detected changes; 20 (43.5%) with minor changes (strabismus, refraction errors); 3 (6.5%) with visual impairment of ocular origin; 3 (6.5%) with cortical visual impairment; 1 (2.1%) with ocular and cortical visual impairment; and 3 (6.5%) with suspicion of visual impairment. The visual impairment was predominant among the cases of cerebral palsy. The case studies resulted in referrals to ophthalmological consultations, guidance to parents, propositions of pedagogical strategies, in addition the adjustment of materials and environment. The results concerning the evaluation of the collaborative consultation program showed that it was satisfactory regarding the professional development of the consultant and the consultees and regarding the possibilities of solving the addressed problem. The study highlights the need of ophthalmic and visual development assessment among students with intellectual and multiple disabilities and emphasizes the importance of collaborative practice between specialists, family and school professionals to an understanding of the problem of a student with visual impairment associated with intellectual or multiple disabilities. In addition, it suggests the need of a support network for teachers of special education, of generalist formation, what also includes teachers specialized in the visual impairment area, as well as other professionals with technical knowledge. / A literatura tem apontado um aumento na incidência de crianças com deficiência visual associada a distúrbios neurológicos e a outras deficiências, sendo as implicações educacionais da associação desses impedimentos um tema pouco considerado na formação dos professores de educação especial. O presente estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver e avaliar um programa de consultoria colaborativa na área da deficiência visual junto a uma equipe de profissionais de uma escola especial para alunos com deficiência intelectual. Foram participantes o pesquisador/consultor, cinco professoras, duas auxiliares de classe, uma fonoaudióloga, uma fisioterapeuta, uma psicóloga e uma terapeuta ocupacional, além de 46 alunos, de 7 a 37 anos. O estudo foi desenvolvido em três etapas, a saber: Etapa Preliminar de condução dos procedimentos éticos; Estudo 1, do diagnóstico das condições institucionais; e Estudo 2 da intervenção. Esta última envolveu: a) formação teórica de 35 horas/aula; b) parte prática baseada em estudos de casos através do desenvolvimento de um processo de avaliação visual dos alunos com a finalidade de levantar subsídios para o planejamento pedagógico e de aplicar na prática os conhecimentos teóricos; e c) avaliação final do programa através de análise de conhecimentos pré e pós-programa, entrevista e avaliação quantitativa pelos profissionais. Os resultados de caracterização dos alunos mostraram 30,4% com diagnóstico de paralisia cerebral; 30,4% com deficiência intelectual; 19,6% com síndrome de Down, e, 19,6% com outros diagnósticos. Haviam realizado consulta oftalmológica, 83,0% dos alunos, com uma média de idade da primeira consulta de 4,2 anos. Dois alunos tiveram diagnóstico de atrofia de nervo óptico e um de catarata congênita, que não foi comunicada pelos pais à escola. Quanto à observação de dificuldades visuais os pais fizeram 11 referências, enquanto os profissionais apenas três. Os resultados da avaliação das alterações visuais dos alunos complementada por informações médicas identificaram: 16 alunos (34,8%) sem alterações detectadas; 20 (43,5%) com alterações leves (estrabismo, erros de refração); três (6,5%) de deficiência visual de origem ocular; três (6,5%) de deficiência visual cortical; um (2,1%) com deficiência visual ocular e cortical; e três (6,5%) com suspeita de deficiência visual. A deficiência visual foi predominante entre os casos de paralisia cerebral. Os estudos de casos resultaram em encaminhamentos para consultas oftalmológicas, orientação aos pais, proposição de estratégias pedagógicas além de adaptação de materiais e ambiente. Os resultados quanto à avaliação do programa de consultoria colaborativa mostraram que foram satisfatórios do ponto de vista do desenvolvimento profissional, de ambas as partes, consultor e consultantes, e quanto às possibilidades de resolução da problemática abordada. O estudo destaca a necessidade da avaliação oftalmológica e do desenvolvimento visual entre alunos com deficiência intelectual e múltipla, e enfatiza a relevância da prática colaborativa entre especialistas, profissionais da escola e família para a compreensão da problemática do aluno com deficiência visual associada à deficiência intelectual ou múltipla. Além disso, sugere a necessidade de uma rede de apoio para os professores de educação especial, de formação, generalista, que inclui também professores especializados na área da deficiência visual, assim como outros profissionais com conhecimentos técnicos.