Parents' experiences of applied behaviour analysis (ABA)-based interventions for children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder

Applied behaviour analysis (ABA)-based programmes are endorsed as the gold standard for treatment of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in most of North America. This is not the case in most of Europe, where instead a non-specified 'eclectic' approach is adopted. We explored the social validity of ABA-based interventions with 15 European families who had experience with home-based, mainly self-managed, ABA-based programmes for their own child/ren with ASD. The results of the study highlighted the overwhelmingly positive impact that ABA-based interventions had on their children in areas such as social skills, challenging behaviour, communication, gross and fine motor skills, concentration, interaction, independence, overall quality of life and, most importantly, a feeling of hope for the future. Implications for European policy on ASD are discussed. © 2013 NASEN.

Awareness and knowledge of autism and autism interventions: A general population survey.

Recent figures show that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects at least 1 in 88 of the population, yet for years, international public awareness of ASD was limited. Over the past 5-10 years intense efforts have been made to raise autism awareness in the general population in countries such as UK and US. In this paper we report data from a large-scale general population survey (n=1204) in which we assessed autism awareness, knowledge about autism, and perceptions about autism interventions in Northern Ireland. We found high levels of autism awareness, in fact over 80% of the sample were aware of ASD and over 60% of these respondents knew someone with ASD in their own family, circle of friends or work colleagues. Generally, knowledge of strengths and challenges faced by individuals with ASD was relatively accurate. However, perceptions of interventions and service provider responsibilities were vague and uncertain. Results show that local and international autism awareness campaigns have largely been successful and that the focus should shift towards disseminating accurate information regarding intervention and service provider responsibilities.

Interventions to prevent steroid-induced osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Protocol)

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows:

Primary objective: To assess the effects of interventions to delay or treat osteoporosis in DMD patients treated with glucocorticoid steroids.

Secondary objectives: To assess the effects of interventions to delay or treat osteoporosis in DMD on the frequency of vertebral fragility fractures and long bone fractures in DMD patients treated with glucocorticoid steroids.

Interventions for enhancing adherence to treatment in adults with bronchiectasis

Background: Bronchiectasis is characterised by a widening of the airways, leading to excess mucus production and recurrent infection. It is more prevalent in women and those in middle age. Many patients with bronchiectasis do not adhere to treatments (medications, exercise and airway clearance) prescribed for their condition. The best methods to change these adherence behaviours have not been identified.
Objectives: To assess the effects of interventions to enhance adherence to any aspect of treatment in adults with bronchiectasis in terms of adherence and health outcomes, such as pulmonary exacerbations, health-related quality of life and healthcare costs.
Search methods:We searched the Cochrane Airways Gr oup Specialised Register (CAGR), which contains trial reports identified through systematic searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and PsycINFO, from inception to October 2015.
Selection criteria: We planned to include randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adults with bronchiectasis that compared any intervention aimed at enhancing adherence versus no intervention, usual care or another adherence intervention. We excluded studies of those who had bronchiectasis due to cystic fibrosis.
Data collection and analysis: Two review authors (AMcC and ET) independently screened titles, abstracts and full-texts of identified studies.
Main results: Searches retrieved 36 studies reported in 37 articles; no eligible studies were identified.
Author's Conclusions: We did not identify any studies that assessed the effect of interventions to enhance adherence to treatment in bronchiectasis. Adequately powered, well-designed trials of adherence interventions for bronchiectasis are needed.

Does intergenerational contact reduce Ageism: When and How Contact Interventions Actually Work?

Although the past two decades have seen concrete attempts to reduce ethnic and racial prejudice, relatively little has been done to diminish age related prejudice. In this paper, we review intergenerational contact interventions have been applied in a real world setting, the results are mixed. While contact interventions are not a panacea, they do constitute a main plank in efforts to redress ageism. We, therefore, examine the types of interventions that are effective, the processes underlying their enhanced impact, and clarifying when and how intergenerational contact can predict more positive attitudes towards the elderly. Finally, we highlight ways in which findings might be applied to the development of more effective interventions aimed at combating a pervasive stereotype of aging, drawing out lessons for theory and implications for practice.