Abstract
The Relationship between Challenging Behaviour and Social StoryTM Interventions: A Pilot Study in a Naturalistic SettingBackground: Research into Social StoriesTM, an intervention to aid social understanding in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), has shown variable effectiveness. Several factors have been proposed to influence treatment response, including function, functional congruence and adherence to social story guidelines.
Method: A case series ABA+ design was used. Participants were 16 young people aged 5-13 years with a diagnosis of ASD across 5 schools. Teachers completed questionnaires around behavioural function and social skills, and behaviour recording forms for 5 days before and after the social story intervention.
Results: Eleven participants showed reduced behavioural frequency, suggesting social stories were an effective intervention for challenging behaviour. Associations between treatment response and function and functional congruence were non-significant. Associations between other variables were also non-significant, including magnitude of change in frequency of behaviour, change in social skills, comprehension and social story structure.
Discussion: Findings challenges the influence of several factors previously associated with treatment response to a social story intervention. Considerations were also raised around feasibility of research in naturalistic settings, and the importance of adherence to social story guidelines was questioned. Areas for further research include investigating the independent contribution of social stories on challenging behaviour and social skills.
Sex and Relationships Education for Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis: A Service-Directed Approach
Background: Increasing life expectancy within Cystic Fibrosis (CF) raises challenges around previously neglected topics such as sexual and reproductive health (SRH). The study aimed to gather retrospective experiences of service provision around SRH to consider the role of the CF service, age of information provision and unmet needs highlighting possible improvements to provision.
Method: Phase 1: An Adult CF team participated in a consultation session generating survey questions around SRH. Phase 2: A 22-item online survey was constructed and disseminated to adult CF patients.
Results: Unmet needs were found in SRH provision in paediatric and adult CF services, with further information required by patients on topics including parenthood and fertility.
Conclusions: Results support previous research findings highlighting the need for standardised provision around SRH. Age of SRH provision suggested individual differences in need within the paediatric service. Further research could explore format and specific age of SRH information provision.
Self-Report Cognitive Factors Maintaining a Failure to Speak in Selective Mutism
Background: Selective mutism, typically a childhood disorder, is characterised by a failure to speak in certain settings. Several theories exist around underlying mechanisms, including anxiety, behavioural inhibition and emotion regulation. Research into cognitive factors is limited; largely based on observer report. This review aims to address the gap in literature through synthesising evidence of cognitive factors based on participant self-report.
Method: A systematic literature search was conducted, using search terms and inclusion/exclusion criteria, with systematic extraction of demographic and methodological data. Self-report data relating to cognitive factors in a failure to speak was extracted and synthesised using qualitative inductive content analysis.
Results: Seventeen studies were included in the review. Seven main categories and seven sub-categories were identified, with a failure to speak due to anxiety being the most frequent cognitive maintenance factor. Other factors included beliefs about control of speech, the expectations of others about speaking and mutism as protective.
Discussion: Despite methodological issues and limited research, the review synthesises current evidence around cognitive factors in selective mutism, including factors beyond anxiety. Clinical implications include broader assessment and intervention planning around maintenance factors. Areas for further research include developing a cognitive model and constructing measures of cognitive processes in selective mutism.
| Date of Award | 20 Sept 2017 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Ailsa Russell (Supervisor) & Catherine Butler (Supervisor) |
Keywords
- Clinical psychology
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