The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on March 29, 2010). Thesis advisor: Dr. Jay Scribner. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 208-218).

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-139).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 169-173).

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 208-218). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-139). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-110). Also available in print.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999.

BACKGROUND: In America, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death taking more than 130,000 people every year. Early recognition is imperative as survival increases with prompt intervention. Unfortunately, many Americans including children do not know the acute signs and symptoms of stroke, especially those in high-risk communities. Due to the significance surrounding the public health burden of stroke, the purpose of this project is to evaluate a time efficient, mobile device supported stroke education program for fifth graders and their parents who live in a multi-ethnic community. DESIGN: This DNP project implemented a prospective descriptive study. SETTING: The study took place at a local public elementary school in Phoenix, Arizona within a multiethnic community with predominately Hispanic children. DATA COLLECTION: The data was collected in the form of pre and post-tests from the fifth-grade students. Surveys were also given to parents and the teacher. RESULTS: Results from 19 students indicated fifth graders can learn about stroke, recognize the early warning signs, and seek help fast. Data from parental surveys indicated students talked to their parents about what they learned and shared the stroke phone app with them. The study also found a positive teacher perception of incorporating technology-supported stroke lesson into fifth-grade curriculum. CONCLUSION: This study found increasing stroke knowledge among fifth graders using a novel mobile technology supported school-based intervention is possible and, in fact, found students shared the information and stroke application with their parents and families at home. Findings also support the need for continual research on educating today’s youth, targeting high-risk populations, and further fine-tuning this sustainable stroke knowledge program for middle schools across Arizona.

The identification and management of concussion is a growing public health issue. The science of concussion research and the clinical management of children and adolescents who have experienced concussion are rapidly evolving, presenting many challenges and opportunities for those serving this population. A concussion can impact cognitive, communicative, academic, and social success; students affected by concussion may be eligible for special education services. The current study is a national survey of speech language pathologists (SLPs) aimed at characterizing concussion knowledge and management in the schools. One thousand surveys were sent to school-based SLPs from 10 states. Twenty-eight percent of surveys were returned and the results offer a snapshot of current SLP practices and support improved identification and management of concussed children. Findings indicate school-based SLPs' uncertainty in some aspects of concussion knowledge and their role in concussion management. Increased training in pediatric TBI and concussion is needed, and research directed at identifying and developing sensitive assessments and effective treatments for pediatric concussion is required to ensure quality service delivery.