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Abstract : Contributions to the Cognitive Study of Facial Recognition on Down Syndrome: A New Approximation to Exploring Facial Emotion Processing Style
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Abstract: Background:This paper aimed to explore the ability of people with Down syndrome (PWDS) in recognizing facial emotion by considering automatic cognitive processing levels of face recognition. Method:A sample of PWDS and participants with typical development (PWTD) participated in a set of two affective priming studies. In each study, participants had to categorize an emotional or neutral target face that was preceded by another emotional face. Stimuli presentation for each facial set (one face after another) was conducted by using an stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) of 300 ms with the inter-stimulus interval (ISI) set at 50 ms. The first affective priming study manipulated emotion congruency between prime and target emotional faces to explore emotion classification abilities and to identify the cognitive mechanisms underlying automatic recognition of some emotional faces. The second study explored the effect that gender of a face has over categorization of facial emotion and difficulty in recognizing negative facial expressions. Results:The results strongly suggest that not all of the PWDS present difficulties in recognizing negative facial emotions. PWDS’ performance pattern in categorizing emotion was similar to that of PWTDs if they had to use broad classification categories (e.g., emotion vs. no emotion). However, differences between both samples occurred if PWDS had to use a specific category task (e.g., classification of happiness, sadness, etc.). Conclusions:At least two emotion information processing styles can be identified in PWDS. Methodological and theoretical implications for exploring the emotional capabilities of people with DS are discussed. Keywords: Down’s syndrome, emotional facial recognition, affective priming paradigm, emotion appraisal, cognitive mechanisms.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Survey of Healthcare Providers after Continuing Education
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Abstract: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) occur as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure and are commonly associated with intellectual disability. Maternal alcohol consumption affects fetal development resulting in numerous lifelong physical, mental, and neurobehavioral abnormalities. To promote prevention of prenatal alcohol exposure and intervention to mitigate alcohol’s postnatal effects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides continuing education to healthcare providers through their FASD Regional Training Centers (RTCs). An online survey evaluated healthcare providers’ perceived competency after training. Cover letters with the survey link were electronically mailed to healthcare providers, who received training between 2002 and 2009 from the Midwest and Southeast RTCs. Eighty-two providers who treated women or children responded to the survey (7.5% response rate). Approximately 86% of providers who treated women have identified women ‘at risk’ for alcohol abuse with 90% indicating they would refer to Substance Abuse or Mental Health Services. However, over 25% perceived lack of training and limited time as barriers in treating women of childbearing age for at-risk drinking. Over 90% of providers who treated children reported feeling competent in recognizing FAS and other alcohol-related effects. Yet, only 23% of providers for children reported using FASD diagnostic schema and were more apt to use growth charts (70%) rather than lip philtrum guides (58%) or palpebral fissure length measurements (50%), tools typically used in FAS determination. These results suggest a need for training to focus on methodology that assists providers to easily incorporate screening, diagnostic, and treatment procedures into their daily practice. Keywords: Fetal alcohol syndrome, prenatal alcohol exposure, intellectual disability, healthcare training, practice behaviors.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Preterm Infants’ Follow-Up Program at a Public Hospital in Buenos Aires: Two-Decade Study
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Abstract: Objectives: To analyze temporal trends of mortality, morbidity, growth and neurodevelopment until 2 years of corrected age (CA) of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) born between 1986- 2005 in Ramon Sardá Maternal Infant Hospital (RSMIH). Methods: Descriptive temporal trend study divided in 5 quinquenniums.1255 VLBWI were born at RSMIH between 1986-2005; 46 were excluded (genetic syndromes, major congenital malformations, confirmed intrauterine infections), 84 were referred out and 1125 were studied. Birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA); morbidity; growth; neurodevelopment at 1 and 2 years of CA; neurological and sensorial disorders, antenatal steroids use, breastfeeding; rehospitalizations; mothers´ age and years of schooling and Unsatisfied Basic Needs Index (UBNI) were recorded. Results: Survival rates increased during the last two periods, especially in <1000g BW infants despite the decrease in GA and BW. Children receiving surfactant (Sf), parenteral nutrition (PN) and antenatal steroids (AS) in the last quinquennium obtained better results in growth (40 weeks GA and 1 CA). The use of these therapies increased greatly in the last decade. Also breastfeeding at 40 weeks GA and 4 months tended to be better. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) increased. Rehospitalizations (majorly attributable to lower tract infections) and UBNI stayed equal all along. Mothers’ years of schooling increased a little in the last two quinquenniums. Conclusion: In the last quinquennium children tended to be smaller in GA and BW due to an increase in the survival rate as a result of higher technology and appropriate interventions such as AS, PN, Sf, etc. Keywords: Preterm, growth, morbidity, mortality, neurodevelopment.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Protocol for Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Abstract: Legal mandates established under IDEA specify a student must be assessed in all areas of suspected disability. Never is this task more overwhelming than its application to the assessment of a student suspected of a diagnosis of autism. The assessment of an individual suspected of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis is a complex task and is dependent on the integration of information gleaned from assessments conducted by an array of professionals, each with their own distinct area of expertise. The purpose of this article is to introduce the Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Assessment Protocols-Autism Spectrum Disorder, referred to as the CMAPs, as a mechanism for organizing multidisciplinary team assessments. The CMAPs were developed in response to the challenges experienced by school-based assessment teams in developing appropriate and legally defensible assessment plans. The CMAPs provide teams a systematic, organizational, and comprehensive platform to organize the assessment of students across the spectrum of the disorder with the goal of making the task less overwhelming. Each assessment protocol considers the assessment needs of individuals with ASD using their communication skills as a preliminary starting point. Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder, assessment, multidisciplinary.Download Full Article |
