Special education for students with autism during the COVID-19 pandemic: "Each day brings new challenges".

LAY ABSTRACT: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disrupted how special educators provided supports and services for students with autism spectrum disorder. School closures and the related pivoting between learning modalities (i.e. virtual, hybrid, and face-to-face) were difficult for all students, but especially for students with autism, who rely on routine and require individualized instruction. In this study, we surveyed 106 special education teachers, behavior specialists, and speech pathologists who work with autistic students to learn about how they adapted instruction to comply with the complex social distancing rules and changing expectations of the pandemic. Participants reported "making the best out of a bad situation" and "constantly using 'trial & error' to find the best way for our students to eLearn." They emphasized the importance of collaboration with parents, who helped deliver intervention and monitor progress across settings. They made alterations to Individualized Education Programs, by adding individualized contingency learning plans, adjusting service minutes, and sometimes eliminating social goals. Participants were surprised that while students with more intense needs struggled, others actually preferred virtual instruction. This raises concerns for what will happen in the future, when social expectations resume. Despite the overwhelming challenges posed by COVID-19, participants demonstrated remarkable resiliency and an innovative ability to adapt instruction.

Latent but not absent: The 'long tail' nature of rural special education and its dynamic correction mechanism.

The 'long tail' nature of rural special education (RSE) suggests that it simultaneously possesses the private nature of discreteness and the public nature of externalities, which can easily cause provision insufficiency. However, this mismatch may have a dynamic intertemporal correction mechanism impacted by different expenditures of supply sectors (governments and other social sectors). This paper uses different models and data from 30 provinces in China from 2003-2014 to analyze this dynamic correction mechanism. This research finds that different kinds of expenditures from different suppliers have divergent effects on this correction. Capital expenses (especially infrastructure construction) have significantly positive effects on the correction, but administrative expenses have significant dual effects on the correction. These effects may be caused by the various governance efficiencies and motivations of all stakeholders in RSE. This paper concludes that we should pay more attention to the accurate recognition and effective satisfaction of RSE affected by the governance efficiency and motivation of different suppliers to achieve this dynamic correction.

How is COVID-19 Affecting the Mental Health of Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and Their Families?

Parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in the UK (n = 241) were asked to describe the impact of COVID-19 on their own mental health and that of their child. An inductive content analysis of the data was undertaken. Both parents and children appear to be experiencing loss, worry and changes in mood and behaviour as a result of the rapid social changes that have occurred. Some parents reported feeling overwhelmed and described the impact of child understanding and awareness. Finally, a minority of parents reported that COVID-19 has had little impact on mental health in their family, or has even led to improvements. Implications for how to support these families in the immediate future are discussed.

Identifying School-Based Factors that Predict Employment Outcomes for Transition-Age Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

There is a growing need to provide appropriate services to help students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) transition to employment. Limited research has investigated what aspects of support should be prioritized when preparing youth with ASD for employment. By conducting structural equation modeling using a nationally-representative dataset on high school students receiving special education services (NLTS-2), this study examined the malleable predictors of employment during the transition and developed a model to examine the relationships between predictors and employment outcomes. The findings suggested two pathways for youth with ASD. For youth with higher daily functioning skills (DFS), academic performance mediated the relationship between parent participation and employment. For youth with lower DFS, school-based transition supports was the key mediator.

Psychosocial Wellbeing of Nigerian Teachers in Special Education Schools.

While there is evidence that impaired psychosocial wellbeing can compromise the effective performance of work-related roles, little is known about the wellbeing of teachers working with children with developmental disabilities. We interviewed 68 special education schoolteachers (response rate = 70.8%) in a Nigerian state with 12-item General Health Questionnaire and an adapted Zarit Burden Interview. About four in every ten teachers had psychological distress, representing many-fold the rates reported in the general population, and significant burden was prevalent in 51.5%. Perceived burden correlated significantly with psychological distress, anxiety/depression and social dysfunction (rs = .3). While increased burden predicted psychological distress, longer teaching experience was protective against distress. These findings underscore the need for psychosocial support for special education schoolteachers to enhance their wellbeing and roles.

Schooling for Pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Parents' Perspectives.

The current study, based on a survey of 1799 parents, explored parental perspectives of school absence in relation to approved grades, challenges, demands and obstacles in education for children with autism spectrum disorder. The results revealed a relatively high rate of school absenteeism for reasons other than illness. Girls had higher rates of absenteeism than boys for short durations of absence. Absenteeism was primarily caused by a lack of teacher competence regarding autism and inadequate adaptation of teaching. There were no significant differences between genders in approved grades, but the rate of failure to achieve approved grades was approximately 50%. The most common form of educational support was support from special needs teachers and adapted pedagogy.

The role of negative affect in the persistence of nicotine dependence among alternative high school students: A latent growth curve analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has demonstrated how negative affect (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress) is often a correlate of and precursor to nicotine dependence. Although recent evidence shows a gradual decline in tobacco use in the United States, subgroups that report higher levels of negative affect may continue to be at risk of becoming dependent on nicotine. One high-risk subgroup is students who attend alternative high schools. The current longitudinal investigation examined the effect of negative affect on nicotine dependence in this youth population. METHODS: 1060 students from 29 alternative high schools in Southern California completed a series of attitudinal and behavioral measures once per year over a three-year period. The main outcome was nicotine dependence i.e., feeling a strong urge to use nicotine products or experiencing withdrawal symptoms after a period of abstinence, measured using a version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire designed for adolescents. A latent growth curve model was utilized to examine the effect of negative affect on nicotine dependence during this timeframe. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that negative affect had both a concurrent and prospective relationship with nicotine dependence. Moreover, the association between negative affect and nicotine dependence in the present was not statistically significant once the influence of negative affect reported one year earlier was accounted for. CONCLUSIONS: Negative affect may play a critical role in the persistence of nicotine dependence among high-risk youth. Providing resources to help manage negative affect may be critical to curtailing nicotine dependence in this population.

Effect of first aid training on teams from special education schools.

OBJECTIVES: Analyze the effect of first aid training on the knowledge of multidisciplinary teams from special education schools, in school accidents. METHODS: A quasi-experimental, before-and-after study with a single comparison group. Descriptive statistics and McNemar's test were used to evaluate the effect of the intervention. RESULTS: This study had the participation of 162 higher education professionals, predominantly teachers (82.1%), female (97.5%), aged over 40 (69.2%). An increase in correct answers was observed, with statistical significance (≤0.05), especially in proper handling in case of fall with traumatic brain injury, electric shock, and burn due to hot liquid (98.1%, 98.1% and 96.9% of proper response, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: First aid training for child accidents, through content exhibition, in a dialogical and practical way, proved to be efficient for multidisciplinary teams from special education schools for people with disabilities.

Mothers' Perspectives on the Inclusion of Young Autistic Children in Kuwait.

There is a lack of information on early childhood inclusive education and the parental perspectives towards the inclusion of autistic children in Kuwait. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives and experiences amongst mothers of young autistic children regarding the inclusion of their children in general education kindergarten settings. Focus group and individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with (n = 34) Kuwaiti mothers of children with (ASD). The study participants were of the opinion that the behaviours unique to (ASD) can only be managed in highly structured special education settings. The themes that emerged from the interviews demonstrate that the general view amongst the study participants is that the inclusive educational model will not meet the autistic children's needs.

Effect of first aid training on teams from special education schools / Efecto de la capacitación sobre primeros auxilios en accidentes para los equipos de escuelas de enseñanza especializada / Efeito de capacitação sobre primeiros socorros em acidentes para equipes de escolas de ensino especializado

ABSTRACT Objectives: Analyze the effect of first aid training on the knowledge of multidisciplinary teams from special education schools, in school accidents. Methods: A quasi-experimental, before-and-after study with a single comparison group. Descriptive statistics and McNemar's test were used to evaluate the effect of the intervention. Results: This study had the participation of 162 higher education professionals, predominantly teachers (82.1%), female (97.5%), aged over 40 (69.2%). An increase in correct answers was observed, with statistical significance (≤0.05), especially in proper handling in case of fall with traumatic brain injury, electric shock, and burn due to hot liquid (98.1%, 98.1% and 96.9% of proper response, respectively). Conclusions: First aid training for child accidents, through content exhibition, in a dialogical and practical way, proved to be efficient for multidisciplinary teams from special education schools for people with disabilities.

RESUMEN Objetivos: Evaluar el efecto de la capacitación sobre los primeros auxilios ante accidentes escolares en el conocimiento del equipo multidisciplinario de escuelas de enseñanza especializada. Métodos: Estudio cuasiexperimental con análisis antes y después de un único grupo de comparación. Se realizaron la estadística descriptiva y la prueba de McNemar para evaluar el efecto de la intervención. Resultados: Participaron 162 profesionales de nivel superior, principalmente profesores (82,1%). El sexo y el grupo de edad predominantes fueron el femenino (97,5%) y la edad superior a 40 años (69,2%). Se observó un incremento de aciertos con significancia estadística en todas las cuestiones abordadas (≤ 0,05). Se destacan el manejo correcto ante la caída con traumatismo craneal encefálico, el choque eléctrico y la quemadura por líquido caliente (con un 98,1%, un 98,1% y un 96,9% de aciertos, respectivamente). Conclusiones: La capacitación sobre primeros auxilios ante accidentes, por medio de exposición de contenido de forma dialogada y práctica, fue eficaz para el equipo multidisciplinario de escuelas de enseñanza especializada para personas con discapacidad.

RESUMO Objetivos: Analisar o efeito de uma capacitação no conhecimento da equipe multidisciplinar de escolas de ensino especializado sobre primeiros socorros diante de acidentes escolares. Métodos: Estudo quase experimental do tipo antes e depois com grupo único de comparação. Realizou-se estatística descritiva e teste de McNemar para avaliar o efeito da intervenção. Resultados: Participaram 162 profissionais de nível superior, predominantemente professores (82,1%). Sexo e faixa etária preponderante foram, respectivamente, feminino (97,5%) e idade acima de 40 anos (69,2%). Houve aumento de acerto em todas as questões abordadas com significância estatística (≤ 0,05). Destacam-se o correto manejo diante de queda com traumatismo craniano encefálico, choque elétrico e queimadura por líquido quente (respectivamente: 98,1%, 98,1% e 96,9% de acertos). Conclusões: A capacitação sobre primeiros socorros diante de acidentes, por meio de exposição de conteúdo de forma dialogada e prática, se mostrou eficiente para a equipe multidisciplinar de escolas de ensino especializado para pessoas com deficiência.

Lipid Profiles at Birth Predict Teacher-Rated Child Emotional and Social Development 5 Years Later.

The fetal environment has been increasingly implicated in later psychological health, but the role of lipids is unknown. Drawing on the ethnically diverse Born in Bradford (BiB) birth cohort, the current study related levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and triglycerides in umbilical cord blood to 1,369 children's teacher-rated psychosocial competence approximately 5 years later. Results of ordinal logistic regressions indicated that low levels of HDL, high levels of VLDL, and high levels of triglycerides predicted greater likelihood of being rated as less competent in domains of emotion regulation, self-awareness, and interpersonal functioning. Furthermore, these results generalized across ethnic background and children's sex and were not accounted for by variables reflecting mothers' psychological or physical health, children's physical health, or children's special education status. Together, these results identify fetal exposure to anomalous lipid levels as a possible contributor to subsequent psychological health and social functioning.

Special Education Service Use by Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

In the last decade, the prevalence of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disability (ID) in schools has increased. However, there is a paucity of information on special education placement, service use, and relationships between service use and demographic variables for children with ASD without ID. This study aimed to describe and explore variation in type and amount of special education services provided to (N = 89) children with ASD. Results indicated that the largest percentage of children received services under the Autism classification (56.2%) and were in partial-inclusion settings (40.4%). The main services received were speech (70.8%) and occupational (56.2%) therapies, while few children received behavior plans (15.7%) or social skills instruction (16.9%). Correlates with service use are described.

Criminal Behavior and School Discipline in Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth with Autism.

The objective was to delineate the prevalence of criminal behavior and school discipline in juvenile justice-involved youth (JJY) with autism. A sample of 143 JJY with autism was matched to comparison groups of JJY without a special education classification, JJY with learning disabilities, and JJY with other special educational needs (N = 572). Results showed that JJY with autism committed significantly fewer property crimes. With regard to school discipline, JJY with autism were least likely to receive policy violations, out-of-school suspensions, and in-school suspensions. Finally, regardless of special education classification, JJY who had a history of fighting in school were more likely to recidivate. Our results suggest that JJY with autism are not more likely to commit crimes compared to JJY without SEN.

Special education use in elementary school by children with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts.

BACKGROUND: Children with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (NS OFCs) may require exceptional children's (EC) services for academic delays. We examined EC service use of children with and without NS OFCs in NC in elementary school. METHODS: We included 559 children with NS OFCs and 6,822 children without birth defects who had NC educational records. We estimated prevalence ratios, trends in enrollment, and characteristics of eligibility classification using descriptive statistics and logistic regression by cleft subtype and race/ethnicity. We estimated the odds of third grade retention by EC enrollment using logistic regression with inverse probability of treatment weights. RESULTS: Children with NS OFCs were 3.02 (95% CI: 2.50, 3.64) times as likely to receive third grade special education (SE) services compared to unaffected peers. The prevalence odds was highest among children with CL+P (OR: 4.61, 95% CI: 3.49, 6.09) declining by 54% by fifth grade. The prevalence odds of SE for white children was approximately 1.50 times that for African American children in fourth and fifth grades. Approximately 33% of children with NS OFCs within each racial/ethnic group received SE in third grade. African American children were twice as likely to receive services under specific learning disability. Children with NS OFCs receiving EC services were 44% (OR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.13, 2.38) less likely to be retained in third grade compared to children with NS OFCs who were not receiving services. CONCLUSIONS: Children with NS OFCs are more likely to receive SE services in elementary school compared to their unaffected peers. The eligibility category differed by racial/ethnic group.

Trends in the Educational Placement of Students With Intellectual Disability in the United States Over the Past 40 Years.

In 1975, federal law mandated that children with disabilities be educated in their least restrictive environment, or alongside peers without disabilities in general education classrooms to the maximum extent appropriate. More than 40 years later, I investigated how national trends in educational placement have changed over time for students with intellectual disability. Specifically, I examined the degree placements have trended toward less restrictive environments. I found historical trends of incremental progress toward less restrictive settings, but no evidence of such progress in recent years. Furthermore, most students were educated predominantly in segregated settings every year. I discuss how these findings relate to previous studies, as well as implications for individualized education program teams and advocates for educational inclusion.

Influencia del tipo de escuela (especial o regular) sobre el aprovechamiento académico del alumnado con necesidades educativas especiales / Influence of Type of School (Special or General) on the Achievement of Students with Special Educational Needs

Resumen En México, los niños con necesidades educativas especiales pueden educarse en escuelas regulares integradoras o en escuelas de educación especial (Centros de Atención Múltiple). En general, estos servicios promueven y apoyan el proceso de integración educativa. Sin embargo, existe poca evidencia sobre la posible influencia que ejercen sobre el aprovechamiento académico de los alumnos. En el presente estudio, se evaluó la influencia del tipo de escuela en 23 niños con necesidades educativas especiales, 12 de escuela regular y 11 de Centros de Atención Múltiple. Se aplicaron cinco pruebas de aprovechamiento académico de la Batería III Woodcock-Muñoz. Los resultados indican un mejor desempeño general y equivalentes de grado más acordes con la edad en alumnos de las escuelas regulares integradoras que los de Centros de Atención Múltiple, particularmente en alumnos que no presentan discapacidad. Sin embargo, de acuerdo con las normas de calificación, el rendimiento académico de los alumnos es en general muy bajo.

Abstract In Mexico, children with special educational needs may be educated in integrative general schools or special education schools (Multiple Care Centers). In general, these services promote and support the process of educational integration. However, there is little evidence of the potential influence they have on student achievement. The present study evaluated the influence of the type of school in 23 children with special educational needs, 12 from regular school and 11 from Multiple Care Centers. Five academic achievement tests of Battery III Woodcock-Muñoz were applied. Results indicate a better overall performance and grade equivalents, more consistent with age, of integrating regular school students than of those in Multiple Care Centers, this was particularly the case for students who do not have a disability. However, according to grading standards, students' academic performance is generally very low.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Association between Infant Hepatitis B Vaccine Exposure in Boys and the Risk of Adverse Effects as Measured by Receipt of Special Education Services.

The National Center for Education Statistics reported that between 1990-2005 the number of children receiving special education services (SES) rose significantly, and then, from 2004-2012, the number declined significantly. This coincided with the introduction of Thimerosal-containing hepatitis B vaccine in 1991, and the subsequent introduction of Thimerosal-reduced hepatitis B vaccine in the early 2000s. This study examined the potential relationship between infant exposure to mercury from three doses of Thimerosal-containing hepatitis B vaccine and the risk of boys being adversely affected (as measured by receipt of SES). This cross-sectional study examined 1192 boys (weighted n = 24,537,123) 7-8 years of age (born: 1994-2007) from the combined 2001-2014 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES). Survey logistic regression modeling revealed that an exposed population receiving three doses of infant Thimerosal-containing hepatitis B vaccine (weighted n = 11,186,579), in comparison to an unexposed population (weighted n = 704,254), were at an increased risk of receipt of SES. This association was robust (crude odds ratio = 10.143, p = 0.0232), even when considering covariates, such as race and socioeconomic status (adjusted odds ratio = 9.234, p = 0.0259). Survey frequency modeling revealed that receipt of SES for the population that was exposed to three doses of Thimerosal-containing hepatitis B vaccine in infancy (12.91%) was significantly higher than the unexposed population (1.44%) (prevalence ratio = 8.96, p = 0.006, prevalence attributable rate = 0.1147). Despite the limitation of this cross-sectional study not being able to ascribe a direct cause-and-effect relationship between exposure and outcome, it is estimated that an additional 1.2 million boys received SES with excess education costs of about United States (US) $180 billion associated with exposure to Thimerosal-containing hepatitis B vaccine. By contrast, exposure to Thimerosal-reduced hepatitis B vaccine was not associated with an increased risk of receiving SES. Therefore, routine childhood vaccination is important to reduce the morbidity and mortality of infectious diseases, but every effort should be made to eliminate Thimerosal from all vaccines.