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Is Adaptive Behaviour too Normal to be Normally Distributed?

SPREAT, Scott
2017

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Purpose: This study attempts to ascertain if adaptive behaviour complies with the characteristics of a normal distribution.

 

Methods: Adaptive behaviour data collected from two large state samples of 2900 were reviewed to determine the shape of their distributions. A smaller convenience sample of 37 adults without intellectual disability was similarly reviewed.  

 

Results: Findings suggest that the shape of the distribution of adaptive behaviour increasingly deviates from normal as cognitive abilities increase.   

 

Conclusions/Implications: It does not appear that adaptive behaviour is normally distributed. This will impact the diagnosis of intellectual disability because while IQ scores two standard deviations below the mean reliably cut off about 2% of the population, a similar cut-off cannot be assumed for adaptive behaviour.

Development and Standardization of a Test of Motor Proficiency in Children with Intellectual Disabilities in India

KALGOTRA, Ritu
WARWAL, Jaspal Singh
2017

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Purpose: To develop a scale for the assessment of gross and fine motor skills of the children with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities so that their skills could be assessed and accordingly interventions in physical activities could be specifically designed for them.

 

Method: Thirty-eight items for the Test of Motor Proficiency scale was developed after initial try out, pilot study and final try-out by the researchers. Fifty children with mild intellectual disabilities (n = 26), and moderate intellectual disabilities (n = 24) aged between 6 to 17 years fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected from special schools in Jammu district, J&K (India).The Test of Motor Proficiency was administered on the selected sample.

 

Results: Internal consistency as calculated through Cronbach's Alpha was .906, indicating very good reliability. There was a highly significant correlation between the two independent assessments in inter-rater reliability r (48) = .95, p< .05 and  also within the domains of motor proficiency, Visual-Motor control r (48) =.728, p< .05, Upper limb speed and dexterity r (48) = .98, p< .05 , Running speed and agility r (48) =.99, p< .05, Bilateral coordination   r (48) =.96, p< .05, Strength r (48) =.95, p<.05, upper limb coordination r (48) =.62, p< .05. Concurrent validity of Test of Motor Proficiency was established against BASIC- MR; the correlation of BASIC-MR (M = 151.92, SD = 18.08, N = 50) and Test of Motor Proficiency (M = 49.22, SD = 12.23, N = 50) was highly significant r (48) = .76, p< .05. The construct validity assessed through test retest was r (48) =.97, p< .05.

 

Implications: The Scale can be used in the assessment of gross and fine motor skills of children with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities for clinical and research purposes.

Positive and Negative Impacts on Caregivers of Children with Intellectual Disability in India

ADITHYAN, G S
SIVAKAMI, M
JACOB, John
2017

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Purpose: The factor integral to the empowerment of children with intellectual disability is the presence and active involvement of support mechanisms such as their family and their caregivers. This study assesses both positive and negative impacts on parents/caregivers of children with intellectual disability in Oddanchatram block of Dindigul District in Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Method: Mixed method techniques (quantitative and qualitative) were used.

 

Results: Although many disturbing realities in the family situation were revealed, there were also positive impacts which were a hopeful sign.

 

Conclusion: Empowering the caregivers of children with intellectual disability is the first step towards inclusion of these special children in society. Various strategies to achieve this goal are discussed in the study. 

Effect of Music Intervention on the Behaviour Disorders of Children with Intellectual Disability using Strategies from Applied Behaviour Analysis

KALGOTRA, Ritu
WARWAl, Jaspal Singh
2017

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Purpose: The effect of music intervention on mild and moderate Intellectually disabled children was studied in non-randomized pre-test post-test control group design at an Indian state (Jammu) J&K.

 

Method: The mild and moderate intellectual disabled children fulfilling inclusive and exclusive criteria were placed into control and experimental group. BASIC-MR part-B (pre-test) was administered on both the groups. Intervention in music activities using strategies from Applied Behaviour Analysis was introduced sequentially to the experimental group. Children in the control group were not involved in any additional activity. Both the groups were assessed after 6 months (post-test) to find out the effect of intervention.

 

Results: The mean difference between both the groups of mild and moderate intellectually disabled children was significant. In both mildly disabled children, F (1, 2) = 36.937, p = .026 and moderately disabled children F (1, 13) =71.686, p = .000, the effect of the music intervention was highly significant.

 

Conclusion: Music intervention program produced significant changes in the domains of violent and destructive behaviour and misbehaviours with others domains of children with mild intellectual disability. In children with moderate disability, music intervention produced significant changes in the domains of violent and destructive behaviour, misbehaviours with others, self-injurious behaviours, repetitive behaviours, hyperactivity, rebellious behaviours, and anti-social behaviours. Both mild and moderate intellectually disabled children didn’t show any significant change in temper tantrums, odd behaviours and fears domains of behaviour disorders.

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