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Mothers' views of their experiences with their child with high functioning autism (HFA) have not been thoroughly investigated in previous research. Thirty mothers of children with high functioning autism participated in a semi-structured interview in the present qualitative study. The collected data were generally coded into five broad categories: diagnosis, intervention, social dynamics, advocacy, and coping skills. Diagnosis of HFA typically was not made until ages nine to 13. The participants created individualized interventions that were reality and strengths-based. Social dynamics included both the child's social interactions with peers and the social dynamics within the family system. The participants related having to advocate for their children with HFA with school, social service, and medical professionals. The participating mothers also found their own techniques for coping. The present study provides insights into mothers' experiences with each of these areas that would be useful for professionals to understand when working with families who have children with HFA.

Background and objectivesNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) disproportionately affects Hispanic boys. Further, obesity and insulin resistance are major risk factors for NAFLD. No gene localization studies had been performed on children with biopsy-proven NAFLD. This study aims to identify genomic variants associated with increased adiposity and insulin resistance in a population of children with varying histologic severity of NAFLD.MethodsWe conducted a genome-wide association scan (GWAS) including 624,297 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed among all 22 autosomal chromosomes in 234 Hispanic boys (up to 18 years of age) who were consecutively recruited in a prospective cohort study in the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network Studies. Traits were examined quantitatively using linear regression. SNPs with P value 5% were considered potentially significant.ResultsEvaluated subjects had a median age of 12.0 years, body mass index (BMI) of 31.4, and hemoglobin A1C (Hgb A1C) of 5.3. The prevalence of NAFL, borderline NASH, and definite NASH were 23%, 53%, and 22%, respectively. The GWAS identified 10 SNPs that were associated with BMI z score, 6 within chromosome 2, and 1 within CAMK1D, which has a potential role in liver gluconeogenesis. In addition, the GWAS identified 9 novel variants associated with insulin resistance: HOMA-IR (6) and HbA1c (3).ConclusionsThis study of Hispanic boys with biopsy-proven NAFLD with increased risk for the metabolic syndrome revealed novel genetic variants that are associated with obesity and insulin resistance.

The goal of this study was to utilize a phenomenological case study design to investigate the individual and social identity development of an adolescent male who had been placed in a high-security group home setting. The participant had been identified with emotional disturbance (ED), and 48, XYYY karyotype. The participant described his social and emotional development as being impacted by his environment, his level of personal control, and his view of the future. (Contains 1 table.)

Introduction Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) are a high risk population with complex medical issues and needs. It is challenging to care for them in a busy, pediatric practice without understanding how many exist and how best to allocate resources. EMRs can be adapted to develop registries and stratify patients to promote population health management. Methods Adaptations were made to the EMR in September 2013 to capture CSHCN and the associated risk level during well-child visits prospectively. All physicians were trained on the definition of CSHCN and on risk stratification levels 1, 2, 3A and 3B. An analysis using one-way ANOVA for children ages 0-21, seen between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2015, who were identified and stratified after September 2013, was conducted to determine utilization patterns on hospital admissions, emergency department (ED), subspecialty, and primary care visits. Results A total of 4687 CSHCN were identified during the study period. Of the CSHCN, 45% were Level 1, 41% Level 2, 7% 3A and 7% 3B. There were significant differences in utilization across the tiers of CSHCN with the highest level of stratification (3B) demonstrating the most hospital admissions and primary care visits. Level 3B and level 3A (unstable) had significantly more ED visits. Additionally, as tiers increased from level 1 to 3B there was an increase in subspecialty provider utilization (p < 0.0001). Discussion The EMR adaptations developed for CSHCN identified the expected number of CSHCN and predicted utilization patterns across primary, subspecialty, ED and in-patient care., Author(s): L. Adriana Matiz [sup.1] [sup.2] , Laura Robbins-Milne [sup.1] [sup.2] , John A. Rausch [sup.1] [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (Aff1) 0000 0001 2285 2675, grid.239585.0, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University [...]

Background: Parents exert a significant effect on children's eating behaviors and physical activity levels, so it is imperative to find successful obesity prevention programs that target whole families in underserved communities. Purpose: To investigate the effects of a Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) on parents in the program over a 2-year period. Methods: Parents of kindergarteners ("n" = 277) in 7 schools participating in a CSHP that served an underserved, predominantly minority community were surveyed at 3 time points regarding their nutrition and physical activity knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KABs). Results after years 1 and 2 were compared with pre-intervention results using t tests. Effects of socioeconomic variables were investigated using multivariate linear regression. Results: Reported unhealthy behaviors were lower at the end of both year 1 ("P" = 0.03) and year 2 ("P" = 0.04). Numerous factors were associated with changes in KABs in the parents, including parental gender. Discussion: A CSHP may have lasting effects on parental behaviors in an underserved, predominantly minority community. Translation to Health Education Practice: Future studies should assess the effects of CSHPs in other populations and which factors most significantly affect parental attitude and behavioral changes so that program content may be tailored accordingly.

Background: Obesity is a public health concern that disproportionately affects underserved and minority communities. Purpose: To evaluate whether a comprehensive obesity prevention program that targets children and school staff in an underserved Hispanic community affects obesity related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among both students and staff. Methods: Using a longitudinal design over 2 years we administered surveys to fourth-grade students (N = 184) and school staff (N = 99) from 7 elementary schools involved in a comprehensive obesity prevention program. In year 2, a control group of students and staff from a neighboring school completed the same surveys for comparison. Results: Over 2 years, students and school staff participating in the program reported improved nutrition knowledge and behavior, and school staff reported improved self-efficacy for physical activity and a trend toward increased physical activity. In year 2 student nutrition behaviors improved preferentially for intervention versus control students. Discussion: Comprehensive programs that target students and school staff may be useful in underserved communities to improve certain knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to nutrition and physical activity. Translation to Health Education Practice: Working in concert with public health policy changes, these programs may help to address the disparity in the obesity rate.

This grounded theory study was designed to investigate the factors that influenced 20 "traditional" university freshmen to withdraw prior to the end of their first year at two Midwestern universities. A two-hour audio-taped interview was conducted with each of the participants, and the grounded theory method was utilized to analyze the interview data. Eighteen of the twenty participants had strong high school GPAs and ACT scores, and would not have been identified as being at-risk for attrition. The grounded theory that emerged from the participants' data indicated that an absence of clear educational goals, as well as individual and institutional distractions, interacted to contribute to the participants' withdrawal from their universities. (Contains 2 tables.)

Three focus groups were convened, consisting of 11 mothers of elementary-age students with various disabilities. Mothers viewed friendship as both an important and a worthy end in itself. Nine peer-specific friendship goals for friendship development were identified, along with 3 broader goals to which friendship was perceived to contribute. (Contains references.) (CR)

Examines the decisionmaking of children with emotional and behavioral disorders. These youths' socially dysfunctional boundaries and thwarted border crossings are revealed semiotically. (Author/VWL)

In 1995, Appalachian Catholic bishops released a pastoral letter stating that Appalachia, the nation, and the world stand at a crossroads concerning future development. One direction continues down the path of ecological and social devastation. The bishops encourage the path of sustainable development based on religious values of respect for people, appreciation of creation, and promotion of community. (TD)

This paper examines the press coverage of the 1993 Virginia and 1996 West Virginia gubernatorial elections. In both elections, the Democratic Party nominated female candidates, a first in both states. The research seeks to understand if the press was biased against the women candidates and whether or not that bias can be attributed to their gender. While the data collected from newspapers in both states show that the press was negative, the evidence suggests that the negativity was based primarily on issues other than gender. Keywords: Mary Sue Terry, Charlotte Pritt, press, gubernatorial campaigns, Virginia, West Virginia

Legislative term limitations have emerged as the political phenomenon of the 1990s. In 1990, voters in three states, Oklahoma, Colorado and California, approved citizen initiatives to limit state legislative terms. [...]

Mothers' views of their experiences with their child with high functioning autism (HFA) have not been thoroughly investigated in previous research. Thirty mothers of children with high functioning autism participated in a semi-structured interview in the present qualitative study. The collected data were generally coded into five broad categories: diagnosis, intervention, social dynamics, advocacy, and coping skills. Diagnosis of HFA typically was not made until ages nine to 13. The participants created individualized interventions that were reality and strengths-based. Social dynamics included both the child's social interactions with peers and the social dynamics within the family system. The participants related having to advocate for their children with HFA with school, social service, and medical professionals. The participating mothers also found their own techniques for coping. The present study provides insights into mothers' experiences with each of these areas that would be useful for professionals to understand when working with families who have children with HFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]