Journal of Intellectual Disability - Diagnosis and Treatment

Number 2/3, 2014

155-163
Bilateral Arm Training for Patients with Chronic Hemiparetic in Upper Limb Function

Authors: Ángel Sánchez Cabeza, Patricia Ruíz de Martín Esteban Corral

Abstract

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Assess the effect that BAT (Bilateral Arm Training) produces on the upper limb motor control in patients with chronic brain injury assessed by the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). Assess if there is a statistically significant correlation between motor control improvement and disability perceived by the Quick Dash questionnaire application. A quasi-experimental study with pre-post treatment measures during three months was performed in a sample of twelve patients with chronic brain injury. Patients received twelve sessions of forty-five minutes from bilateral training with a frequency of three times per week. WMFT and QD were used for the procedure assessment. Outcomes were statistically analyzed by the SPSS v 17.0 software. The study was executed at Polibea. Study´s inclusion criteria were as follows: no serious cognitive deficits, one or both upper limb´s control motor affected, attend to Polibea two times per week and no sensitive aphasia. After the BAT treatment we observed a statistically significant difference on motor control improvement in the WMFT. However the disability perceived through QD was not statistically significant. In conclusion, BAT improves motor control in our patients with chronic acquired brain injury.

164-168
Speech and Language Issues in Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome

Authors: Jennifer L. Miller, Sara S. Plager

Abstract

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Background: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder caused by the lack of the paternal contribution of Chromosome 15q11.2-q13.2 region. It is associated with global developmental delays, including speech and language delay. There is no information regarding the prevalence of apraxia of speech in this syndrome, despite the fact that it is often recognized clinically. In this study, we sought to investigate the prevalence of apraxia in children with PWS and speech and language delay. Methods: Thirty children with genetically confirmed PWS, ages 22 months to 9 years of age, were evaluated by a certified speech-language pathologist due to physician concerns about speech and language development. Children were assessed by a variety of tests based on their age. Results: Sixteen children had receptive language deficits and 18 had expressive language deficits. Fourteen of the thirty children (47%) had results on evaluation that were consistent with apraxia, of which 57% were male, and 71% (p<0.001) had deletion-type PWS. Conclusion: As expected, children with PWS who are referred for concerns about speech and language development are commonly found to have receptive and expressive language deficits. However, there was a high prevalence of apraxia in our patients, which has not previously been reported in this population. We recommend that children with PWS be evaluated for apraxia by a speech-language pathologist once their expressive language skills are developed enough for speech assessment. The diagnosis of apraxia will necessitate specific speech therapy techniques which may not otherwise be used for individuals with this syndrome, thus resulting in more severe and prolonged speech delays After the BAT treatment we observed a statistically significant difference on motor control improvement in the WMFT. However the disability perceived through QD was not statistically significant. In conclusion, BAT improves motor control in our patients with chronic acquired brain injury.

169-176
Developmental Profiling - The Tool of Choice to Measure Deficit, Plan Intervention and Monitor Outcome in Children with Developmental Disabilities

Authors: Prathibha Karanth, Tanya Dash, Tanushree Saxena-Chandhok

Abstract

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This article highlights the transition from a more traditional IQ measure to a profile based approach of assessment, in children with developmental disabilities. Clinically, developmental disorders are heterogeneous conditions, which have made uniformity of assessments across settings, centers and countries elusive. A decade ago, intelligence tests were given priority for assessing children. However, IQ scores had little direct bearing for the planning of intervention. This article highlights an assessment tool that, not only provides a quick understanding of the child's overall skill across eight essential developmental domains, but also offers guidance for intervention planning on the basis of assessment.

177-182
Unemployment Duration and Attitudes Towards Work among People Over 45 Years Old

Authors: Tomas Izquierdo-Rus, Francisco J. Moya-Faz

Abstract

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Number of views: 39

The situation of global economic crisis and the rapid increase of the unemployment rate cause changes in people's attitudes about the labor market. These changes, sometimes, are motivated by the influence of certain individual variables such as the duration of unemployment. The objective of this research is to analyze the mediator influence of unemployment duration in the attitudes towards work among unemployed people over 45 years old. The people who participate in the research are 161 unemployed that agreed voluntarily in taking part in the interview of attitudes towards work. The data took out from the interviews were analyzed with the statistical software ATLAS.ti 6.2. The results demonstrate that unemployment duration plays an important mediator role in the attitudes towards work when conditioning the job search behavior and favor the chances of finding a job. The conclusion is about practical suggestions and the continuity of research in this area.