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Determining The More Effective Behavior Analytic Intervention For Children With Autism Who Exhibit Pica Behaviors, Jennifer J. Lanham

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Determining the More Effective Behavior Analytic Intervention for Children With Autism Who Exhibit Pica Behaviors. Jennifer J. Lanham, 2024: Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: autism, pica, eating disorders, intervention, applied behavior analysis

This dissertation was designed to determine which behavior analytic intervention was more effective in the treatment and reduction of mouthing non-nutritive substances in children diagnosed with autism. This study included four participants in an A-B-A reversal design with a component analysis across four intervention phases. The study participants were enrolled in a center-based treatment environment …

Historical Trauma: Literary And Testimonial Responses To Hiroshima, Mariam Ghonim

Theses and Dissertations

The concept of trauma is controversial in literature. While one may be able to come up with ways to describe trauma in fiction, representing historical trauma is a hard task for writers. Some argue that trauma can not be described through those who did not experience it, while others claim that, provided some elements are added, one can represent trauma to the reader. This thesis focuses on twentieth-century historical traumas related to a nuclear catastrophe and explores the different literary and testimonial responses to the catastrophic man-made event of Hiroshima (1945). In this thesis, Kathleen Burkinshaw’s historical fiction The Last …

A Psychometric Evaluation Of The Best In Class Adherence And Competence Scale, Katrina A. Markowicz

Theses and Dissertations

It is critical to utilize treatment integrity instruments to support the evaluation of evidence-based programs in early classroom contexts. However, in the early childhood field, guidelines for collecting treatment integrity data are underdeveloped. Consequently, most treatment integrity instruments employed in the field solely assess adherence, vary in design features and have little psychometric evidence supporting their use. As such, this represents a gap in the field that might slow efforts to implement evidence-based programs. The current study examines the score reliability and validity of an observational treatment integrity instrument (The BEST in CLASS Adherence and Competence Scale [BiCACS]; Sutherland et …

Cyberbullying: A Resource For Parents Of Elementary School-Aged Children, Lauren Broussard

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, the digital revolution, and, in particular, the widespread use of devices with internet access, has enabled a new form of bullying to emerge. The typical age at which youth begin using internet-enabled technology and social media continues to trend downward. Consequently, elementary school-aged children are increasingly subjected to cyberbullying. Therefore, this clinical resource is a text-based pamphlet for parents with elementary-aged children that will serve as an educational tool regarding cyberbullying prevention strategies. The development of the pamphlet included an initial literature review of the literature, gathered through searches from online academic databases, including Psychinfo, PsychArticles, and …

An Exploration Of Student Anxiety And The Degree Of Aba Services, Alexis Stavros

Theses and Dissertations

Children diagnosed with Autism may present numerous internalizing and externalizing behaviors. In order to help decrease problematic behaviors and promote positive behaviors, early intervention programs are often put into place. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a method of intervention based in operant conditioning, and is used to alter socially useful behavior (Kearney, A. 2008). Although ABA can be effective in decreasing problematic behavior, it could be argued that children diagnosed with Autism exhibit a range of symptoms that may be more internalizing in nature, and not particularly responsive to ABA (Herbert, Brandsma, 2002: Fryling, 2011). Research states that 84% of …

Childhood Feeding Practices And Parenting Styles In Hispanics, Kasi Spinelli

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to detect an ethnic difference in Hispanic and feeding practices in early childhood. It is further hypothesized that there will be a relationship between parenting styles and feeding practices. 24 Rowan graduate students completed a survey, the Toddler Feeding questionnaire by Chaidez & Kaiser (2011). The items on the survey were divided into questions that asked about parenting styles, feeding practices, environmental factors, and demographics. The ethnicity was analyzed by using a one-way ANOVA (within) to discover any associations between the parenting styles and feeding practices items on the survey. There was not a …

Assessment Variability Among States In Determining Part C Eligibility Criteria, April Siktar

Theses and Dissertations

Early intervention (EI), known as Part C, is an integral component of providing young children with individualized attention that enriches their development. The EI services are provided to children zero to two years old that are deemed eligible by specific diagnosis, clinical opinion, or based on assessment scores. States have flexibility on which assessments should be used and the qualifications of the examiner. The variations among states and districts can have implications on who is eligible to receive services throughout the country. The purpose of this study is to investigate the assessments and examiner's qualification in each state. The ongoing …

Childhood Feeding Practices In African Americans, Nicole Somogy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the feeding practices of minority children specifically looking at African Americans from birth to 11 years old to see if there are any red flags so that professionals can be alerted for a concern with obesity. Previous research conducted on feeding styles and patterns of adults have shown some clues as how a parent plays a key role in the etiology of childhood obesity (Chaidez & Kaiser, 2011). One strategy that is used when looking at obesity is to look at physical activity as well as parenting styles which includes authoritative, authoritarian, …

Examination Of Structured Physical Activity On Students With Special Needs, Arianna Sparano

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of a structured physical activity, Rowan Unified Sports Basketball organization, for children with special needs and the positive impact the physical activity will have on their social skills. Past studies have proven that exercise has many beneficial effects mentally, physically, and socially. The effects reflex on children and adults. Not only does physical fitness promote good health, it relieves stress and anxiety. Social skills will be analyzed using the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS) Rating Scale, the parent form version. A pretest was given at the beginning of the season …

An Exploratory Investigation Of Daycare Teacher Stress And Locus Of Control, Veronica Schumann

Theses and Dissertations

This study's purpose was to examine stress and locus of control in daycare teachers. A literature review was conducted to explore the various aspects of daycare services in America. The factors of locus of control and stress were signified and investigated as separate entities. The interaction between the two factors was also explored. In order to explore these two factors, a survey was administered to 19 daycare teachers from two different facilities. The presentation of both internal and external locus of control was expressed in approximately 70 percent of the teachers who were surveyed. A mild level of stress was …

Difference In Stress In Parents Of Children With Communication Disorders With Or Without An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Paige Appelt

Theses and Dissertations

Children diagnosed with a communication disorder that is comorbid with an autism spectrum disorder frequently present additional symptoms to the communication deficit; the additional symptoms of an ASD could be linked to an increase of stress experienced by parents of such children (Gardiner & Iarocci, 2012). The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a difference of stress levels in parents of children with communication disorders versus parents of children with communication disorders comorbid with autism spectrum disorder. Participants included 15 parents of children with communication disorders with or without an ASD who completed The Parental Stress …

The Emphasis Of Physical Activity Across The Curriculum; A Positive Approach To Increased Academic Achievement, Alexandra Maldonado

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess whether physical activity has an effect on academic achievement in students. The presence of a physically active lifestylehas received much support due to its physiological and mental benefits. The establishment of such a lifestyle should begin at an early age; however, there has been a recent shift away from physically active programming within the school system that could perpetuate a healthier future. Pressure to increase academic achievement has led to the reduction and elimination of opportunities for physical activity, but these actions could have an adverse impact on students (Mahar, Murphy, Rowe, …

Vocational Curriculums And Best Practices For Emotionally Disturbed Students, Daniel Tarantula

Theses and Dissertations

Traditional education routes are not always an appropriate fit for students, particularly those with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities (EBD). With limited academic, social, and self-determination skills, often times upon leaving high school these individuals do not attend or are not successful in a college setting, and seek vocational studies instead. As such, in the interest of fostering success in this population, the current study looks at curriculum requirements, across states, for vocational studies to see if coursework is present which addresses the aforementioned short comings in individuals with EBD. Collection of data revealed a high count of states requiring coursework in Academic …

Adverse Home Environments And Its Influence On Academic Achievement, John Chillem

Theses and Dissertations

Higher incidences of academic deficiency resulting from previous adverse circumstances in the home environment were investigated. A review of Bronfrenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory illustrated the impact of the home environment on a child's development which can greatly influence academic achievement in later years. A vast collection of literature was compiled and presented to shed insight on implications surrounding adverse home environments. The current study examined associations between college students' retrospective ratings using the validated Risky Family Questionnaire and their concurrent academic achievement. The specific measures of distress in home environments under consideration included family conflict, parental divorce, inadequate parenting styles, …

The Effects Of Social Media Sites On Self-Esteem, Kristine Raymer

Theses and Dissertations

With the advent of the Internet over a decade ago came the introduction of a new form of communication referred to as social networking. On-line social networking sites, such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter, have become increasingly popular and almost an integral part of everyday life, especially for college students. Approximately ninety percent of college students have a Facebook account, and it is estimated that the average amount of time spent on this social networking site ranges from thirty minutes to over two hours on a daily basis. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between on-line …

School Psychologists' Knowledge Of And Attitudes Towards Transgender Students, Arielle Walzer

Theses and Dissertations

Transgender students face harassment and discrimination in schools, and those who experience such maltreatment are at a higher risk of attempting suicide and other negative outcomes. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has called upon school psychologists to be advocates for transgender students, yet school psychologists receive little or no training in this area. The Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Transgender Students Survey was created and distributed to members of the New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland state associations for school psychologists. Although previous studies suggest that a person's attitude toward transgender people is affected by age and gender, …

Black History Month: An Investigation Of The Impact Of A Curriculum For Increasing The Knowledge Of Elementary Students' Knowledge Of African-American History, Monique Goodwin

Theses and Dissertations

The significance of this current study was to show the importance of Black History being added to the curriculum for elementary students of all ethnicities, but especially with the African-American children. During this study the students were given a pre- and post-test on the Civil Rights Movement for the month of February. The study consisted of 40 students from an upper elementary school located in southern New Jersey. Of the participants 26 were female and 14 were male; there are 4 special needs students and 2 in a reading program called Read 180. All were in the 6th grade with …

The Role Of School Psychologists In Bullying Interventions In Year Four Of New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill Of Rights Act, Amanda Brady

Theses and Dissertations

Within education, bullying has been a prominent topic of discussion with regard to its effects on students and schools. In order to investigate the specific role of school psychologists in Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) initiatives, this study (a) analyzes the HIB roles of school psychologists and (b) the factors that influence their involvement in advocating HIB initiatives after the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act was passed in 2010. A survey was distributed to about 1,000 school psychologists in New Jersey and asked about demographics, specific roles regarding HIB initiatives, factors that affect their involvement, and satisfaction with …

An Exploratory Investigation Of Extracurricular Activity And Academic Achievement, Jean Marie Gwathney

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory study were to (a) examine student participation in extracurricular activity, (b) define whether involvement in extracurricular and organizations influence academic achievement, (c) identify if risk behavior is a result of decrease in participation in extracurricular, and organizations. A review of existing literature presented contributing factors affecting student involvement in extracurricular activity, organizations, and increase with academic achievement and decrease in risk behavior. Estimations were made regarding similar factors in extracurricular involvement, and academic achievement literatures. To investigate these estimations, data was configured via, the Rowan University Subject Pool. A correlation and non-parametric analyses revealed no …

The Role Of School Nurses And Chronic Illness, Melonie Ruiz

Theses and Dissertations

With new technological developments, children who may not have survived birth or infancy are now living longer and healthier lives. These advances can be positive and negative to these children. Although the child has survived, they have developed chronic illnesses due to these advances. These conditions they must live with everyday and depending on how severe the illness may be, they will impact the child's social and educational life. The role of the school nurse should be to ease the stresses that the illness is having on the child. There are many techniques that have been shown to help reduce …

Identifying Tier-Two At Risk Students In New Jersey Public Schools, Danisha Moodie

Theses and Dissertations

Actions to improve student's socio-emotional success in public education by attempting to identify, and eliminate bullying behaviors within educational institution are a key focus for many educators. Harassment, intimidation and bullying behaviors (HIB) are recognized as a solemn issue across the nation. According to the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act, public schools are required to report (HIB) incidents to the New Jersey Department of Education. Moreover, coupled with the mandated guidelines of this new legislation many public schools within New Jersey have also adopted positive behavior interventions. This may help in identifying at-risk students who may require a greater level …

An Exploratory Investigation Of Looping High School Math And English And Student Achievement, Lee Langmuir

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory investigation was to compare the standardized test scores of students in looped (n=47) and non-looped (n=38) settings in high school Math and English classes. In doing so, the scores were compared to see if instruction from the same teacher for more than one year had an effect on student achievement as measured by the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA). The HSPA is broken down in to a Math and English section with a possible score of 300 on each; student scores fall in to Partially Proficient (PP), Proficient (P), and Advanced Proficient (AP). Other factors …

The Impact Of Dance/Movement Classes On Adolescent Behavior In An Urban High School Setting, Dinesha Demesa-Simpson

Theses and Dissertations

The inclusion of the arts in education has been undervalued and overlooked by many public school districts throughout the country. As a result of cutbacks, dance programs in educational settings have become an afterthought. In this study the relationship between dance/movement classes and disruptive behavior was analyzed in a sample of 45 at risk students in an urban high school setting. The findings supported the hypothesis that a) dance classes can be utilized as an intervention to reduce stress and b) students who participate in dance programs in public school settings will develop self-control, self-regulation and exhibit less disruptive behavior. …

The Influence A Digital Screen Has On The Learning Process, For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, George Gordon

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect a digital screen (iPad) had on the learning process, of a vocabulary matching activity, of words to definitions activity, in a student with autism spectrum disorder, in comparison to learning on paper (flashcards). According to past research, digital based interventions are utilized more often in research settings, indicating a growth in its use in educational settings (Goldsmith & LeBlanc, 2004). Individuals with autism spectrum disorder are often given interventions using digital screen based technologies, in academic and other life and skill teaching settings (Ferguson, Myles, & Hagiwara, 2005; Gentry, Wallece, …

An Analysis And Cross-Battery Assessment Of The Discrepancy Model For Diagnosing Specific Learning Disabilities In School-Aged Children, Matthew Mcenroe

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to examine the current issues of the discrepancy model for identifying specific learning disabilities (SLD) and to perform a cross-battery assessment of the WISC-IV and WIAT-III intelligence batteries to determine if the discrepancy model is truly identifying the areas of concern for students being tested with these batteries or if it is misidentifying students leading to issues with classification and SLD identification. A review of the literature examined the history of the discrepancy model and cross-battery assessments as well as the current issues encompassing the discrepancy model and the application of both the discrepancy …

Where Did You Come From? The Effects Of Culture, Hometown Region, And Gender On The Perception, Endorsement, And Justification Of Aggression, Lindsay Hendricks

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine whether individual factors, including culture, hometown region, and gender, would affect the likelihood of a person perceiving and justifying an aggressive act. Previous literature explored the differences between distinctive cultural subtypes, hometown regions, and gender on the acceptance of expressing aggression. Hypotheses were established to examine the perception, justification, and endorsement of aggression in a northern setting with college-aged participants. Participants were asked to watch clips from six modern American movies. After each clip, participants answered seven questions based on their perceptions. Six univariate Analysis of Variances (ANOVAs) were conducted to …

The Effectiveness Of Using Manipulatives To Teach Fractions, Jaime Gaetano

Theses and Dissertations

The current study will focus on the effectiveness of using manipulatives when teaching fractions to elementary school students. Learning the concepts of fractions can be one of the most difficult skills to master for elementary level students. With so many different ways to expose students to manipulatives and enhance their fraction learning experience, it is important to examine how effective these teaching tools can be with respect to student achievement. The current study will discuss the effectiveness on student achievement when manipulatives are used during the teaching process. The main focus will be on student growth after being taught concepts …

Post-Secondary Transition And Follow-Up Services In Public Education For Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disabilities, Nicole Haldeman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to (a) examine the post-secondary transition services that are being utilized by students of differing disability categories, (b) determine if students with emotional and behavioral disabilities receive the same services as their other disabled peers, and (c) investigate if the profession of the participants impacts the services they utilize and the regularity in which they do so. In order to investigate the usage of post-secondary transition services, New Jersey child study team members completed the questionnaire, Post-Secondary Transition and Follow-up Services in Public Education, designed by the principal researcher. A one-way analysis of …

Motivation And The Sat: What Factors Help Determine College Success Past Standardized Testing, Alexandra Vartanian

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects motivation plays in determining the success of a student in post secondary education. The relationship between high school GPA (HSGPA), SAT Scores, college GPA (CGPA), and motivation factors were examined. Motivation was measured on the Motivational Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) developed by Paul Pintrich and Elizabeth de Groot. Ninety-two participants responded to the survey. Results corroborated findings from previous research. SAT scores correlate with CGPA; relationships were also observed across several other factors, including HSGPA and CGPA, SAT and Motivation, and HSGPA and SAT scores.

Parental Support Group Member's Views On Inclusion, Kaitlyn Blasy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to measure the view that parents involved in support groups for parents of children with special needs have on inclusion. Parents were surveyed using the "Parent Opinion About Inclusion/Mainstreaming" questionnaire developed by Leyser and Kirk (2004). Children whose parents completed the survey were ages 4 through 20 and were included in various educational settings. Parents were found to be generally supportive of the idea of inclusion. Benefits of inclusion included social skills for both students with and without disabilities, academic skills, and equal opportunities. Perceived problems with inclusion included experience and adaptability of general …