Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Cannabis Treatment Of Autism In Children: A Literature Review, Mai Xiong

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Objectives: This literature review aims to summarize the effects of medical cannabis use in children on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms, side effects and provide recommendations for practice, education, and research. Background: ASD is characterized by core behaviors of significant impairment in social communication and interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities (APA, 2013). In addition to these core behaviors, individuals with ASD often have noncore behavioral disorders and several medical comorbidities. Treatment for ASD symptoms includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), aripiprazole (Abilify) and/or risperidone (Risperdal). As of this review, 14 states have added ASD …

The Primary Care Provider’S Role In Screening And Intervening In The Human Trafficking Of Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review, Brittany Schmid

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Human trafficking (HT) is a growing concern within the United States (U.S.) and internationally. With the alarming number of HT victims presenting for medical care, primary care providers (PCPs) are in a unique and privileged position to encounter HT victims within the healthcare system. Adolescents, in particular, are vulnerable to HT because of minimal life experiences, inadequate social support, and limited coping mechanisms (Ertl et al., 2020). Failure to recognize and intervene in cases involving HT victims who are minors is detrimental to the individual’s health, wellbeing, and safety. With the assistance of education and training, community resources, guideline adoption, …

Childhood Anxiety, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And/Or Pharmacological Treatment, Jennifer S. Mccarthy

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Objective: Evaluate best practice in managing anxiety in the pediatric population, including both school age children and adolescents. This literature review compared pharmacological treatment and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)’s effectiveness on the management of anxiety within the pediatric population.

Background: Up to 25% of children in the United States are affected by a mental health disorder, anxiety being the most prevalent. Childhood anxiety can have a distressing impact on social, family, and academic functioning. If persisting into adulthood it increases the risk of developing other co-occurring mental health conditions, substance abuse issues, and contributes to impaired employment retention and socioeconomic …

{Ace}Ing Early Childhood In Minnesota, Bailey Alston, Casie Devos, Alisha Field, Renee Gasner

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Too many young children are facing ACEs that are detrimentally impacting their development and contributing to negative outcomes that persist into adulthood. There are no current policies using the ACE questions to drive mental health interventions. The Governor’s Task Force on Mental Health made nine recommendations that, if implemented, will greatly improve the mental health and well-being of children and their parents. Improving early childhood prevention and intervention programs helps ALL Minnesota’s families build healthy and rich experiences for their children.

1. Expand the Early Childhood Mental Health Grant program statewide to increase early childhood mental health specialists.
2. Create a Governor’s …

Production Of Complex/Compounds Sentences In The Spontaneous Speech Of Typically Developing Children And Children With Williams Syndrome, Maureen Boyle

Journal of Undergraduate Research at Minnesota State University, Mankato

Literature claims individuals with Williams syndrome (WS), a rare congenital genetic mental retardation syndrome, easily engage in conversation and demonstrate unique and advanced linguistic skills compared to typically developing peers (TDP). These claims are supported by limited empirical evidence, however. One method of judging advanced linguistic skills is to compare the production of complex/compound sentences of children with WS and their TDP. The purpose of the study was to determine whether children with WS use more complex/compound sentences than children who are typically developing. Twelve subjects participated in the study. Six subjects with WS (SWS), mean age 15, and 6 …

The Use Of Paralinguistics In Spontaneous Speech Of Children With Williams Syndrome And Typically Development Children, Kelly Ritter, Evan Panitzke, Emily Kruse

Journal of Undergraduate Research at Minnesota State University, Mankato

This project investigated selected aspects of paralinguistics in spontaneous speech of speakers with Williams syndrome. Speakers with Williams syndrome “are noted for their well developed vocabulary, relatively complex and syntactically correct sentences, and their ability to spin a good tale. In contrast, their reasoning usually remains at a pre-operational or preschool level, and they typically have difficulty grasping cause-effect relations” (Semel & Rosner, 2003, p. 5). This research focused on an area of communication called paralinguistics which involved the use of nonspeech sounds for communication. Specifically, we looked at the frequency of laughing and sound effects produced during conversation. Ten …

Herd Immunity And The Necessity Of Vaccinations: Modeling The Effects Of Mmr Vaccinations, Caitlyn Cardetti, Katie Groskreutz, Melissa Zins

Journal of Undergraduate Research at Minnesota State University, Mankato

The MMR vaccination is a two dose vaccine given to children between the ages of 12 – 15 months and the second dose between the ages of 4 – 6 years to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella. The objective was to mathematically model the effects of the MMR vaccinations in a hypothetical school through multiple compartment and spatial models. These models were based on each disease individually with their respective vaccine effectiveness and disease infection rates. These models demonstrated the limits of herd immunity. Herd immunity occurs when a high enough percentage of the population is immune or vaccinated to …

Identification Of Effective Play Techniques For Use With Children In A Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Jan Schwarzrock

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research project was to identify which play techniques are the most effective and produce good outcomes for children. Children enter therapy for a number of reasons to improve their emotional and cognitive wellbeing, however engaging them can be challenging. During a therapeutic session, children use play to share experiences through the toys they choose, whereas adults verbally express themselves. The Allina Health/NUMC Outpatient Therapy Department was interested in the identification of play techniques that they could be used to enhance their work with children with the intent to explore the impact of using play techniques on …

Selected College Students' Perceptions, Knowledge And Awareness Of Sexual Abuse Of Children, Farhiya A. Muse

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research was to assess and evaluate selected college students' perception of and knowledge and awareness about sexual abuse of children. In order to collect data a 29-item survey was developed and administered to students in selected classrooms in Minnesota State University, Mankato campus regarding their perception, knowledge, awareness, and prevention strategies of sexual abuse of children; as well as demographic information. The findings from the quantitative analysis for each research question are presented in this study. The findings of the study indicated there were college students who do have much knowledge and awareness about sexual abuse …

Evidence-Based Strategies And Techniques For Children With Asd, Tanya Walerius

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

To identify and research evidence-based Autism Spectrum Disorder strategies and techniques for working with children, particularly children aged 6 –10 years old, who receive In-Home Skills Services. Most therapeutic services are received through the school systems (Shapiro & Accardo, 2008), but Counseling Services of Southern Minnesota (CSSM) provides In-Home Skills Services that requires the Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) staff to be knowledgeable and competent in the services they provide to clients.

The purpose of this project was to provide CSSM with specific strategies and techniques through a manual to be used by the CTSS workers. The information will …

Parent Training, Support And Psychoeducational Groups As Evidence Based Practice In Children's Mental Health, Dorothy Wagner

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The evidence base for programs in children’s mental health has expanded significantly in the last decade (Burns, 2003), yet the implementation of these programs has lagged behind (Walrath, Sheehan, Holden, Hernandez & Blau, 2005). The purpose of this project is to research current evidence based practices and programs that could improve and/or update services that are provided to children and adolescents diagnosed with severe emotional disturbance (SED) in Steele County. Research and analysis of the feasibility of implementing a group intervention to provide support, psychoeducation and/or skills training to families was conducted.

Bring Mental Health Services Home: Meeting The Mental Health Needs Of Adolescents And Their Families In Rural Minnesota, Laura Filzen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a program that addressed housing and therapeutic support to adolescents experiencing mental health issues, allowed adolescents to remain in the community, and promoted reunification with their families. “An important indicator of success for children in out-of-home care is a timely transition to reunification” (Park and Ryan, 2009). Based on the literature and practice, it is believed that intensive family therapy is needed to promote reunification and reduce recidivism of placement.