USING THE SENSORY INTEGRATION TECHNIQUE FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS DURING TRAINING AT THE CLIMBING SECTION.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To analyze the practical application of the sensory integration technique for individuals with autism spectrum disorder at a climbing section, and to investigate the impact of physical activity on improving their proprioceptive and vestibular systems. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The method of included participant observation at the climbing classes with constant recording the behavior (desirable and undesirable) was used. The sensory screening (developed by J. Ayres) was applied for recording and determining the sensory systems of the people with ASD before the start of training and again after a month. The scale of Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) was used for assessing certain aspects of participants' sensory processing or perception according to the goals set during the climbing classes. RESULTS: Results: The results of the research showed that the application of the sensory integration technique for individuals with ACD at a climbing section promoted the dynamics of changes in their sensory system during training considering the characteristics of their sensory system. The positive changes were observed in the way the people with ACD felt about their own bodies and their involvement in sports activities that in its turn made it possible to be active and develop their sensory system. It has been identified that while planning training for the people with ASD it is necessary to take into account sensory modulation (reading sensory signals) and apply exercises for stimulating sensory sensations that will improve the motor activity of persons with ASD, their social interaction, and safety, as well. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: During training at the climbing section sensory information processing of the individuals with ASD have the impact on their body control, hand-eye coordination, and hand sensitivity during training. The improvement of sensory information processing in its turn enables people with ASD to master climbing.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC LIFESTYLE: STUDENTS MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To determine how quarantine restrictions affect the lifestyle of Ukrainian students, and their mental health. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: 37 student essays were submitted to the university contest held at Lviv Polytechnic University in May-June 2020. They were analyzed with the help of qualitative thematic analysis and standard qualitative analysis method. Essays are focused on a list of issues important for assessing the social well-being of students during quarantine. Each fragment of essay's answer was coded into the data matrix system according to either multiple or single themes, built in the statements. The thematic analysis identified several categories that determine students' attitude to the pandemic situation and its consequences for them. RESULTS: Results: It is determined that students' lifestyle, including study and leisure, has changed significantly, which has affected their mental health. Learning online provoked a number of emotional disorders. At the same time, the desire for communication in person and self-improvement increased. «Quarantine lessons¼ were divided into categories: challenges, threats and opportunities. Threats and challenges were considered at the global level, while opportunities affected rather the personal level. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Mental health of students disorders: anxiety, restlessness, fear, self-doubt, feelings of loneliness, panic, sleep disturbances, and increased fatigue indicate the negative effects of the pandemic. At the same time, recording such facts as the feeling of satisfaction from communication with loved ones, the ability to help them, the desire for self-improvement, etc. allows to say about the positive effects.

MOTIVATION FOR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTIONS BY ADULTS: TRADITIONS OR AN ATTEMPT TO SOLVE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS (EXEMPLIFIED BY THE CITY OF LVIV AND LVIV REGION, UKRAINE).

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To clarify motivation trends of alcohol consumption by adults in the city of Lviv and Lviv region and their mental health risk factors as compared to the specificity of motivation for alcohol consumption by the representatives of other European countries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The study is based on the data of the representative survey of Lviv region residents (1,200 persons) following the methodology RARHA adjusted for Ukraine and its statistical processing. RESULTS: Results: The results of the study point to the prevalence of social and recreational, traditional motives for alcohol consumption by Lviv region residents (consumption during solemn ceremonies and celebrations). Extremely important, as compared to other European countries, are social motives (the sense of belonging to an important social group). The importance of social factors for the respondents decreases a bit with age and considerably depends on the specific features of religious practices. A wide-spread motive is the striving for changing the emotional state, combined with higher abuse risk as compared to the people who drink on social occasions. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The results of the study characterize the specificity of the motivational structure of alcohol consumption by Ukrainians as compared to the general European trends and can be used for the development of targeted regional prevention programs.