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Background: Auditory brainstem response (ABR) to the level-specific (LS) CE-Chirp has been reported to provide optimum neural synchrony along cochlear partitions, theoretically improving ABR waveform resolution. Despite this promising finding, limited studies have been conducted to contrast the results between LS CE-Chirp and Click stimuli. The current study aimed to compare the results of ABR between the two stimuli (Click and LS CE-Chirp). Method: Sixty-seven normal-hearing infants, both with and without risk factors, aged less than 7 months old, participated in this study. The ABR test was conducted at 70 dBnHL using 33.3 stimulus repetition rates with both Click and LS CE-Chirp stimuli. The signal averaging was stopped at a maximum fixed signal average of 2,500 sweeps. Data were statistically compared between the two stimuli using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: The waves I and V ABRs elicited by LS CE-Chirp exhibited significantly larger amplitudes than the Click stimulus. However, the amplitude of wave III and absolute latencies were similar in both stimuli at a supra-threshold level. Conclusion: LS CE-Chirp has the advantage of larger amplitudes than the ABR from Click at the supra-threshold level (70 dBnHL) in normal-hearing infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study explored the views of teachers and an occupational therapist about the potential use of humanoid robots as an assistive tool in educating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children. Seven participants with extensive experience handling early intervention programs for ASD children were selected via purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussion (FGD) were applied as data collection method. Data gained were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four main themes were identified from the study, they are: (1) Teachers' knowledge about robots, (2) Robots increase children's engagement, (3) Roles of robots in intervention, and (4) advantages and disadvantages of using robots. All participants had observed a robot-mediated intervention involving interactions between ASD children and a humanoid robot. It was observed that most of the children at the center liked interacting with the robot, suggesting that the use of robots could benefit ASD children. However, these interactions must be monitored and limited to a certain period to avoid over-dependence on robot use. This study provides a novel perspective on robotics and a practical example of how to use robots to enhance learning outcomes for ASD children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Malay version of the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Parent Rating Scale of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) symptoms (M‐SNAP‐IV). For this purpose, the SNAP‐IV scale was translated into the Malay language and was pilot‐tested on 91 parents of children aged 8 to 11 years (ADHD [n = 36] and non‐ADHD children [n = 55]). The findings depicted that the M‐SNAP‐IV has excellent content validity, internal consistency, and test‐retest reliability. The M‐SNAP‐IV is a valid and reliable screening tool to detect ADHD symptoms in children and has the advantages to assess the specific presentation of ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Patient self-perceived handicap inventory is an important tool for modern health care including hearing loss. The HHIA is a self-reporting outcome measurement invented to verify the hearing-impaired patients' complaint and carry out for appropriate client-centered rehabilitation program. To the author's knowledge, none of the self-reported questionnaire for hearing loss is available in Malay language, therefore, further research is required. The aim of this study was to translate the English version of HHIA into Bahasa Malaysia and to psychometrically validate the questionnaire. Methods: The questionnaire was initially translated using forward-backward translation techniques by four-panelists (2 panels for each level). The translated questionnaire was then reconciled and harmonized for cultural and content by the researchers and two expert panels before being piloted among 10 hearing impaired patients. At the present stage, psychometric evaluations have been conducted among 30 adults hearing-impaired participants using Cronbach's α (for internal reliability) and Pearson's correlation for (inter-item correlation). All participants were recruited from IIUM Hearing and Speech Clinic. Results: Cronbach's α value was 0.96 for combined items. There were a strong correlation between the total score of the combined items with each of the sub-scale scores (social and emotional) and between each of the sub-scale scores (r=0.92-0.98, ρ<0.01). Conclusions: The preliminary finding suggests the translated version of HHIA has the potential to be a reliable and valid tool to evaluate the hearing handicaps among hearing-impaired patients in Malaysia. A large sample of subjects is needed for further evaluation to support this notion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]