Digital Commons Network^™

State Agency Promising Practice: Washington’S Investment In Robust Training And Technical Assistance, Jennifer Bose, Thinkwork! At The Institute For Community Inclusion At Umass Boston

ThinkWork! Publications

In the mid-1980s, the state of Washington was awarded a five-year federal systems change grant to kick-start their supported employment efforts via the Washington State Employment Initiative. Funding from this grant was used to develop training on best practices and to generate high-quality integrated employment supports among agencies. At the end of this five-year period, with state funding and support from state leadership, the Washington State Employment Initiative re-formed as WISE, an independent training and technical assistance (TA) organization. WISE now contracts with the Washington Developmental Disabilities Administration to provide ongoing, high-quality training and TA across the state and to …

Delphi Panel Findings, Brief #2: Transition From School To Work, Cindy Thomas, Jennifer Sulewski, Thinkwork! At The Institute For Community Inclusion At Umass Boston

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

This is the second in a series of briefs on the findings from a Delphi process conducted by the Employment Learning Community (ELC) in 2013–2014. More information on the ELC and the Delphi process can be found in Brief #1 (Introduction, Values, and Overall Themes). This brief focuses on the panel’s recommendations related to effective approaches to the transition from school to work for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), which was the highest-ranked overarching priority among the Delphi panel.

Health Check: Analyzing Trends In West Michigan 2015, Grand Valley State University

Health Check: Analyzing Trends in West Michigan

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Training Teachers To Use A Modified System Of Least Prompts To Support Behaviors Of Young Children, Caitlin E. Beitel

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

There is much research conducted on training teachers to use the evidence-based teaching strategies known as system of least prompts. However, there is little research conducted on using a modified system of least prompt. This study examined the fidelity of implementation by two early childhood teachers using a modified system of least prompts with preschool aged children. A multiple-probe design across participants was used to determine the effect of fidelity of implementation of a modified system of least prompts strategy on the level of on-task student engagement. The results showed that early childhood teachers could implement the modified teaching strategy …

The Impact Of Preferred Characters In Teaching Community Sign Reading To Students With Moderate Intellectual Disabilities, Mallory Evans

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of using preferred characters with a constant time delay instructional procedure to teach community sign reading to three students with moderate intellectual disability with the definitions of the signs as non-targeted information. An adapted alternating treatments design was used to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the preferred characters on acquisition of the community signs. Pre- and post- assessments were conducted on acquisition of the non-targeted definitions, as well as generalization of the signs and their meanings. The results indicated that all students learned the target signs and they learned …

Using Commercially Available Picture Activity Schedules And System Of Least Prompts To Teach Lego Assembly, Lauren A. Sherrow

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

This study investigated effects of commercially available picture activity schedules (PAS) and system of least prompts (SLP) to teach recreation skills to four high school students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and intellectual disabilities using Lego sets. Results were evaluated through a multiple probe across participants design and indicate that a combination of PAS and SLP was effective for teaching the students to build Lego sets. All students improved their ability to build and were able to generalize the skill to novel sets after the completion of intervention. Limitations and implications for future practioners are discussed.

"I See Their Purpose": Looking At The Role Of Family Advocates In Partnering With Families And Advocating For Children In Guatemala City, Sierra K. Leonard

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The purpose of this study was to get an in-depth, complete picture of a social worker and child/family advocate in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The intent was to study the participant’s work and responsibilities in order to examine how she processed and completed her dual role as social worker/advocate and mother to a group of children in a children’s home. A focus on responsibility, the effect of her dual role, and the influence of her personal and religious convictions emerged throughout the study. The participant’s unique position in a dual role offered insight into the various aspects of advocacy and intervention …

Quality Of Life Among Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd): Comparative Study Between The Three Presentations Of Adhd, Amani A. Kettaneh

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been the subject of much research and controversy. Although ADHD was once believed to affect only children, recent research indicates that the symptoms of ADHD persist past childhood and adolescence, well into college age and adulthood. ADHD negatively impacts several life domains, such as perceived general health, college education, employment, social life, and psychological health. For some, this negative impact results in lowering the level of quality of life (QOL) or life-satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to describe the experiences that influence the level of QOL among different presentations of adults with …

Obituaries - Volume C Part 1, Rowan County Historical Society

Rowan County Histories Collection

Obituaries from Rowan County, Kentucky. Compiled circa 2015.

Animal-Assisted Therapy: Mental, Physical, And Emotional Benefits Provided Through Occupational Therapy, Madeline C. Greene

Honors Capstones

The idea of animal-assisted therapy seems like it may be a new alternative of therapy, but in reality it dates back to ancient Egypt and dogs were considered sacred and used as a healing power (Fine, 2000). AAT is commonly used in Occupational Therapy where benefits can be identified physically, mentally, and emotionally. Using existing accredited research the benefits of the three health pillars will be analyzed to investigate whether or not AAT within Occupational therapy is beneficial to patients. AAT is not biased, any race, disability, and culture is able to use this form of alternative therapy (Winkle, 2012). …

The Use Of Restraint And Seclusion On Disabled Students Is A Violation Of Their Procedural And Sustantive Due Process Rights, Jennifer Noud

Nova Law Review

In public and private schools, disabled children are being restrained

and secluded against their will.1 One Florida disabled student was restrained

in a hot dog roll, which is when teachers roll the student up in blankets

Family Resilience Following Disability: Enhancing Counselors’ Skills, Susan Stuntzner, Michael Hartley

Counseling Faculty Publications

Resilience is a relatively new research concept that has yet to receive the attention it needs to be adequately applied to individuals with disabilities and their families. Resilience as an approach, solution, or set of skills has scantly been applied to families dealing with the advent of disability. The information provided is intended to change this trend. Counselors can enhance their work with families living with a disability by understanding ways disability may influence family functioning and how familial coping impacts personal coping and adaptation to disability, as well as utilizing strategies to help families become more resilient following disability.

Resilience: A Pathway To Healthier And Happier Living, Susan Stuntzner

Counseling Faculty Publications

Resilience….What does it mean? How does a person acquire it? What is its relationship to disability, employment, and quality of life? These are some questions people may ponder when they hear it used in conjunction with disability, employment, and healthier living.

While the expectation of being resilient following a traumatic or life changing event is an embedded value within our culture, resilience is not a topic often discussed or readily understood. It is either assumed it will just materialize or it is simply expected. Such beliefs are not necessarily helpful because there are times in all peoples’ lives when situations …

Stuntzner's Forgiveness Intervention: Learning To Forgive Yourself And Others, Susan Stuntzner

Counseling Faculty Publications

In an effort to help persons with disabilities learn to forgive and to achieve a more peaceful and serene way of life, a seven module forgiveness intervention has been developed. While the full intervention consists of seven modules, some professionals, depending on the person, group, or situation, may tailor the process to only six modules. This is because an additional but specific module (i.e., Module 2) was added for women with disabilities. While many of the experiences, feelings, beliefs, and personal hurts or offenses are similar regardless of gender, it was felt that an additional module be included for women …

A Systematic Review Of Using Weighted Vests With Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Christopher J. Taylor

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the current literature on the use of weighted vests with individuals with autism spectrum disorder. A literature review using the What Works Clearinghouse Standards was conducted. The results of the review show that the use of weighed vests with individuals with autism spectrum disorder is not an evidence-based practice.

Relationship Between Psychological Well-Being And Perceived Wellness In Online Graduate Counselor Education Students, Wendy Merryman, Magy Martin, Don Martin

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselor well-being is an important contributor to the effectiveness of the therapeutic relationship. This study examined the relationship between psychological well-being and perceived wellness in a sample (N = 100) of graduate students enrolled in two online counselor training programs. The issue of personal counseling was also addressed in this study. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between psychological well-being and perceived wellness.

Commencement Program (June 2015), Csusb

CSUSB Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Personality Factors And Nuclear Power Plant Operators: Initial License Success, Cynthia Catherine Devita-Cochrane

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Commercial nuclear power utilities are under pressure to effectively recruit and retain licensed reactor operators in light of poor candidate training completion rates and recent candidate failures on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license exam. One candidate failure can cost a utility over $400,000, making the successful licensing of new operators a critical path to operational excellence. This study was designed to discover if the NEO-PI-3, a 5-factor measure of personality, could improve selection in nuclear utilities by identifying personality factors that predict license candidate success. Two large U.S. commercial nuclear power corporations provided potential participant contact information and candidate …

The Effects Of Partnership-Based Collaborative Consultation On Treatment Integrity, Increasing Skill Acquisition, And Reducing Problematic Behaviors, Michael Mendicino

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a partnership-based model of collaborative consultation on the acquisition and implementation integrity of Competent Learner Model and the subsequent impact on learner outcomes including the development of competent learner repertoires. Treatment integrity measures were collected to assess the impact on learner outcomes. The participants were one teacher and one student. A Multiple baseline across behaviors design was used. Measures used were the Partnership Assessment in Community-based Research (PAIR), and the Instructional Session Performance Checklist (ISPC). The results showed moderate and sustained levels of treatment integrity with mixed results for …

Implementing A Holistic Approach To Enhance Career Opportunities For Transition Students With Disabilities, Susan Stuntzner, Bryan Austin

Counseling Faculty Publications

Transition services are vitally important and an essential component of successful employment, career planning, self-determination, and independent living for students with disabilities. Public schools strive to meet the federal mandates placed upon them to help this group of students reach graduation and beyond. However, students with disabilities oftentimes fall short and do not succeed following high school. In an effort to change this trend, information pertaining to transition services and ways it can be enhanced are provided. This chapter addresses: the necessity of transition services and its relationship to federal legislation, barriers that inhibit students’ successful transition to adult life, …

The Efficacy Of A Crisis Intervention And Resilience Building Training Program For Counselors-In-Training, Sameerah Sue Davenport

Wayne State University Dissertations

Because of the prevalence of potentially traumatic events, counselors-in-training may have to assist individuals in crisis, as early as the internship phase of their counseling program. However, counselors-in-training receive minimal training in crisis intervention, which may be deleterious to the counselor as well as the client. Similarly, counselors-in-training receive minimal training on resilience building, a key component of crisis intervention. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a crisis intervention and resilience building training program, grounded in REBT, for counselors-in-training.

This study used a quasi-experimental, switching replications design consisting of two groups and three waves …

The Role Of Intellectual And Academic Abilities In Detention Placement Among Dually-Diagnosed Juvenile Offenders, Melissa Mcwilliams

Psychology Theses

This study examined the moderating effects of IQ and academic skills in the relationship between dual diagnosis (i.e., co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders) and court-involved, non-incarcerated (CINI) juveniles’ detention placement at 12 months post court evaluation. CINI juveniles who underwent a court clinic forensic mental health evaluation (N = 249) completed a battery of assessments targeting demographic information, psychiatric symptoms, and cognitive/academic functioning (i.e., Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT-2), Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT-4)). Previous research demonstrated the predictive ability of co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders on CINI juveniles’ recidivism (Tolou-Shams et al., 2014). While we expected that …

The Journal Of Counselor Preparation And Supervision Fall 2015 Full Issue, Lauren Spinella

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

No abstract provided.

Mindfulness In Counselor Education: Student Perceptions Of Exposure And Training, Andra Jore Wheeler

Education

The purpose of the present study was to explore the perceptions that Master’s level counseling students have regarding their exposure to mindfulness throughout their coursework and training. A mixed-method design was utilized to gather both quantitative and qualitative data using a web-based survey. The survey was sent to students enrolled in CACREP accredited Master’s level counseling programs in the NCACES region. It was hypothesized that there is a lack of mindfulness training available to students in counselor education programs. A majority of participants reported being dissatisfied with the mindfulness training offered in their program. The results also indicated that students …

I Tie Flies In My Sleep: An Autoethnographic Examination Of Recreation And Reintegration For A Veteran With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Warren D. Price, Neil R. Lundberg, Ramon Zabriskie, Keith W. Barney

Faculty Publications

This autoethnographic account details the author's ongoing struggle with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and how leisure was integral in his journey toward recovery. By showing the mental and emotional struggles of life with the disorder, this paper offers an alternative viewpoint from the traditional scientific studies of PTSD, which bury soldiers' voices under layers of analysis. The purpose of this paper is to deepen and expand an understanding of both combat-related PTSD and the power of leisure in an individual's recovery from combat trauma.

Developing A Personal Guiding Theory Of Counseling : A Qualitative Exploration, Amy L. Barth

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative research study explored how counselors experience the development of a personal guiding theory of counseling. How counselors define their personal guiding theory, what factors have influenced their development, and how they incorporate their personal guiding theory into their counseling with clients was examined. Thirteen participants were recruited through reputational and snowball sampling. All participants held at least a master's degree in counseling, were a licensed counselor in their state of practice, and had at least 10 years of counseling experience. Participants engaged in a 2-part interview process following Seidman's Interview Structure. Portraiture methodology was used to analyze the …

Combination Of Music And Aromatherapy To Improve The Efficiency Of Motor Functions And Speech In Patients Paralyzed From Stroke., Mounica Bevara

UROP Posters

With the rapid development of medical technology, millions of dollars are being spent on discovering innovative methods of treating fatal diseases such as stroke that may also result in temporary paralysis. Physiotherapy treatments aimed at restoring brain function in patients paralyzed following a stroke is subjective to the patient and does not guarantee complete rehabilitation. While many practitioners have attempted to employ complementary and alternative methods of treatment such as massage therapy, acupuncture therapy, siddha, and marma therapy, none of them proved to be equally as effective as physiotherapy. However, prior studies support the notion that aromatherapy used in combination …

Steroid Psychosis, History Of Corticosteroid Use And Associated Side Effects: Implications For Rehabilitation Counselors, Mark E. Yasaitis

Research Papers

Throughout the medical community, corticosteroid medications are widely used for the treatment of ailments ranging from inflammatory disorders such as arthritic conditions and spinal cord injuries, to skin conditions such eczema and psoriasis. Additional conditions could also include such disorders as inflammatory bowel disease. Also associated with corticosteroid treatments is the anabolic steroid family. These types of steroids are most commonly used for the enhancement of human tissues such as muscle growth associated with athletes referred to as performance enhancing drugs. Additionally, the use of diuretics, predominately in women, have a base of some type of steroid. For the users …

An Evidence-Based Determination Of Whether Effective Leadership Competencies Are Universal And Transferable., John Michael Slade

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor executive leadership of organizations over the last 20 years has resulted in the destruction of stakeholder value, loss of jobs, and in some cases, risk to the entire enterprise. An executive search firm database, encompassing 16,000 leaders from 300 organizations, was analyzed to determine if the commonality and transferability of leadership competences could be used to improve executive assessment. Implicit leadership theory, where leaders are gauged by the individuals that surround them, served as the theoretical foundation. The study also relies on a leadership competency model used by the executive search firm that constructed the database and is based …

A Comparison Of Self-Acceptance Of Disability Between Thai Buddhists And American Christians, Roy K. Chen, Wilaiporn Kotbungkair, Alicia D. Brown

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

Having a disability can significantly change a person’s life in many aspects. Research has shown that people with disabilities collectively have diminished access and fewer opportunities to pursue education, find gainful employment, and engage in intimate relationships. Self-acceptance of disability is, therefore, critical to help build resilience, confidence, and psychological well-being in this population. The purpose of the study was to compare the self-acceptance of disability in international settings, specifically in the context of religions. The sample of the study included 98 Thai Buddhists and 95 American Christians with neuromuscular disorders. Constructs used for the study included demographic characteristics, Hope …