Many in the autistic community have expressed concerns regarding the use of behavioral interventions with autistic children, suggesting that these interventions may not be socially valid. Though behavioral interventions have evolved to be more naturalistic and child-centered, little structured research has been done to explicitly seek autistic…

This study examines the feasibility and acceptability of manual-based phenomenological art therapy (PATd) as an intervention for adolescents with depression in child and adolescent psychiatry. Nine adolescents (13-17 years) underwent a 10-week utilizing the adapted youth version of PATd(y). Self-reported measurements were collected pre, during,…

Communication partners are instrumental in the successful use and implementation of augmentative and alternative communication systems (AAC), especially in schools, but stakeholder views from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are not well represented in the literature. Focus group interviews with seven professionals and three caregivers…

The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of mindfulness practices on the stress levels of teachers and students when those practices are integrated into the classroom in a systematic and purposeful manner. This study utilized qualitative case study methodology to investigate a mindfulness program's impact on teachers and students.…

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the Virginia Cooperative Extension internship program from the perspective of student participants and their supervisors. Three focus groups were conducted with internship supervisors from the summer of 2019. Student survey data was used to identify concerns from the student perspective to inform the…

In 2018 there were incidents of mass school shootings recurring monthly during the school year. Newspaper articles have reported since Columbine, many of the school shooters had been bullied during their school years; hence, the phrase "bullied turned bully" New Ways to Stop Bullying (2019), suggests bullying occurs most frequently from…

Peer mediated intervention (PMI) is an evidence-based approach to supporting social and communication development for children on the autism spectrum. For PMI to be integrated into everyday practice, it needs to be acceptable to stakeholders. This article engaged with autistic individuals, early childhood educators, parents, and speech and…

The community school strategy was first introduced in Baltimore City in 2012. Community schools are public elementary or secondary schools that provide comprehensive academic, social, and health services for students, families, and community members (U.S. Department of Education, 2023). In 2021, the state of Maryland made a substantial commitment…

Background: Snoezelen is often used for people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities, but scarcely evaluated. This study aimed to provide insight into the application and perceived effects of snoezelen from the perspective of support persons. Method: We conducted an international survey with professionals (n = 130) and relatives (n…

Alternative schools are vital spaces for students who are not successful in traditional schools. The knowledge of social and emotional learning (SEL) and the impact it has on students who attend alternative schools specifically is limited. The problem addressed by this study was the lack of success that explicit SEL programs have in meeting the…

Since the Tennessee Promise's 2014 launch, "free college" or "Promise" programs have proliferated rapidly and converged on design features: a "last-dollar" award and community college applicability. Researchers who study these programs' effects generally presume they are tuition-reducing endeavors. In contrast, we…

The number of individuals with dementia is on the rise, highlighting the need to create effective educational methods that can improve nursing students' understanding and attitude toward this group of people who require special care. Explore the effectiveness of introducing a new curricular course in improving nursing students' knowledge of and…

Climate change is a defining challenge that is impacting the globe, associated with harsher weather, increasing temperatures, and increased landfills. The problem addressed in this dissertation research study is understanding how to engage individuals to adopt environmental attitudes. Environmental education is known to support…

The purpose of the quantitative study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention by comparing the improvement in knowledge and attitudes of older adult and caregiver participants in South Carolina. Orangeburg County, a rural area in South Carolina, ranks 8th in the nation for Alzheimer's disease prevalence, according to…

The inclusion of all children in regular classrooms is an important aim in many European countries. For the implementation of inclusion some children rely on support via learning and support assistants. Despite the benefits assistants provide by enhancing student access and progress, assistants' support has also been criticised for contributing to…