An Inclusive Early Childhood Intervention Program for Children With Disabilities: Possible Effects on Children and Nursery Teachers

Inclusive early childhood intervention provides opportunities for children with disabilities to receive education with typically developing children. The present study examined the effects of the AI-AI STEP Program, which is designed to help nursery teachers learn the methods of inclusive early childhood intervention for children with disabilities. This study involved 37 managers of 37 nursery schools in Japan, 48 nursery teachers, and 48 children with disabilities. The school managers, who had previously learned about the program through a seminar we offered, provided the nursery teachers with guidance on the program. The guidance provided to the nursery teachers consisted of combined structured explanations with a manual and on-the-job training. The program was performed for 6 months, and changes in the children's development and behavior and the school nursery teachers' self-efficacy and state-trait anxiety, were examined before and after using the program. Multivariate analysis was used to assess factors that had an effect on the children's developmental gains through the program. The developmental quotient of children significantly improved. In addition, “emotional symptoms” and “peer problems” on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire subscale markedly improved. The self-efficacy of nursery teachers significantly improved, and state anxiety decreased. There was a significant relationship between the improvement of the children's development quotient and a lower development quotient at baseline. The provision of inclusive early childhood intervention using the program promoted the children's development, and improved their behavior. Furthermore, it had a positive effect on the nursery teachers.

A influência da prática regular de natação no desenvolvimento motor global na infância (The influence of regular swimming practices on global motor development throughout childhood)

Apesar da natação ser um desporto usualmente praticado pelas crianças, pouco conhecimento existe sobre o seu efeito no desenvolvimento motor. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e comparar o desenvolvimento motor global em crianças de diferentes idades praticantes e não praticantes de natação. A amostra foi constituída por 116 crianças (58 masculinas, 58 femininas), com idades compreendidas entre os 5 e os 10 anos, pertencentes a dois grupos, nomeadamente os que frequentavam aulas de natação (n=57) e os que não frequentavam aulas de natação (n=59). O desenvolvimento motor global foi avaliado a partir do Test of Gross Motor Development-2. As crianças entre os 5 e os 10 anos de idade praticantes de natação demonstraram valores significativamente superiores no somatório das habilidades (52.23 ± 9.58 vs. 48.69 ± 9.64, p=.04) e no quociente global de desenvolvimento motor (68.16 ± 11.57 vs. 64.56 ± 12.04, p=.04). Estas diferenças entre os grupos foram evidenciadas claramente quando analisadas as diferentes faixas etárias, nomeadamente nas crianças de 7 e 8 anos (somatório das habilidades: 55.00 ± 8.44 vs. 48.25 ± 9.48, p=.008; quociente: 68.88 ± 10.90 vs. 6.38 ± 11.55, p=.005). Nas crianças com 5 e 6 anos, 9 e 10 anos, não se verificaram diferenças significativas. Os resultados sugerem assim um efeito positivo da prática regular de natação no desenvolvimento motor global das crianças entre os 5 e os 10 anos de idade, sendo que os resultados parecem sugerir que este é mais evidente nas idades intermédias (7 e 8 anos de idade). Resumen. Aunque la natación es un deporte que suelen practicar los niños, existe poco conocimiento sobre su efecto en el desarrollo motor. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar y comparar el desarrollo motor global en niños de diferentes edades que practican y no practican la natación. La muestra estuvo formada por 116 niños (58 hombres, 58 mujeres), con edades comprendidas entre los 5 y los 10 años, pertenecientes a dos grupos, los que asistieron a clases de natación (n = 57) y los que no asistieron a clases de natación (n=59). El desarrollo motor global se evaluó mediante lo Test of Gross Motor Development-2. Niños entre 5 y 10 años que practicaron natación mostraron valores significativamente más altos en la suma de habilidades (52.23 ± 9.58 vs. 48.69 ± 9.64, p=.04) y en el cociente de desarrollo motor global (68.16 ± 11.57 vs. 64.56 ± 12.04, p=.04). Estas diferencias fueron más evidentes en niños de 7 y 8 años (suma de habilidades: 55.00 ± 8.44 vs. 48.25 ± 9.48, p=.008; cociente: 68.88 ± 10.90 vs. 6.38 ± 11.55, p=.005). En niños de 5 y 6 años, 9 y 10 años, no hubo diferencias significativas. Así, los resultados sugieren un efecto positivo de la práctica regular de la natación sobre el desarrollo motor global de los niños entre 5 y 10 años, y los resultados parecen sugerir que esto es más evidente en niños de 7 y 8 años. Abstract. Although swimming is a sport usually practiced by children, little knowledge exists about its effect on motor development. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the gross motor development in children of different ages with or without regular swimming practices. 116 children (58 males, 58 females) aged between 5 to 10 years old, distributed in two groups, those who experienced swimming lessons (n=57) and those who did not have any swimming experience (n=59). The gross motor development was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2. Children aged between 5 and 10 years old showed significantly higher values in the sum of motor skills (52.23 ± 9.58 vs. 48.69 ± 9.64, p = .04) and the global motor development quotient (68.16 ± 11.57 vs. 64.56 ± 12.04, p = .04). These differences between the groups were more evident for children aged 7 and 8 years (sum of skills: 55.00 ± 8.44 vs. 48.25 ± 9.48, p = .008; quotient: 68.88 ± 10.90 vs. 6.38 ± 11.55, p = .005). In children aged 5 and 6 years, 9 and 10 years, there were no significant differences. The results thus suggest a positive effect of regular swimming practice on the gross motor development of children between 5 and 10 years old, and the results seem to suggest that this is more evident in the middle ages (7 and 8 years old) .

Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Neonatal Chikungunya: Follow-Up of a Series of Cases Till 1 Year

Objectives Short- or long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of Neonatal Chikungunya infection haven’t been well described. In this study, we describe neurodevelopmental outcomes of a series of 13 infants. Methods Study was conducted over a period of 1 year in high-risk follow-up clinic. Follow-up visits were conducted at 3, 6, 9, 12 ± 3 months. Primary outcome Development Quotient by Developmental Assessment Scales for Indian Infants. Secondary outcome: growth/anthropometric assessment, neuromotor/neurosensory and re-hospitalization rate. Results DASII was <85 in three infants. Two other had expressive speech delay. Two, three and four babies had head circumference, length and weight below third centile, respectively. Two infants had persistent hypertonia and one had hypotonia. Two infants developed strabismus. Two infants had seizures persisting at 12 months requiring re-hospitalization. Conclusion Neonatal Chikungunya infection portends a poor neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 year of age. Careful neurodevelopmental follow-up is required for identification and management of sequelae.

Discussion on the Introduction of Psychological Behavior Evaluation and Intervention Countermeasures in the Whole Process of Children's Health Care

<p>Objective: To explore the introduction of psychological behavior evaluation methods, intervention strategies and effects in the whole process of child care. Methods: From January 2017 to December 2018, 250 children who participated in health care services in our hospital were selected as data, and 125 children were randomly grouped. The control group was a traditional child health care model. The observation group increased children's psychological behavior assessment and intervention. The physical fitness and development quotient of the two groups after 1 year, and parents' awareness of children's health knowledge are compared. Results: The height, head circumference, weight, development quotient of children and parents' knowledge about children healthcare in the observation group (P &lt; 0.05, 96.00%, 94.40%, 95.20%, and 92.00%) were significantly higher than those in the control group (P &lt; 0.05, 81.60%, 76.00%, 77.60%, and 70.40%). Conclusion: The introduction of psychological behavior assessment and intervention application in children's health can promote the growth of children's physique and development quotient, which is conducive to healthy growth. It also enriches parents' knowledge of children's health knowledge. The value of intervention is high.</p>

Etiological Profile of Children with Global Developmental Delay: A Single Center Study

Global developmental delay (GDD) is a relatively common pediatric issue. It can have plethora of causes. Early intervention in these children by finding the cause of developmental delay is often challenging but can definitely improve ultimate developmental outcome. The study was undertaken to study the clinical profile of children with GDD to assess the etiology of delay in these children. The study was performed in the Department of Pediatrics, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, from June 2014 to May 2015. One hundred sixty-eight children with GDD attending the child development clinic with age ≤ 5 years and development quotient < 70% were enrolled. After detailed clinical history and thorough examination, specific investigations were obtained. Data analysis was done to determine the underlying etiology. Out of 168 children studied, etiology was detected in 155 (92.3%). Most common etiology was perinatal insult (63.1%) followed by genetic (8.93%), postnatal (7.14%), metabolic (5.95%), mixed (2.98%), cerebral dysgenesis (2.38%), and congenital infections (1.79%). Microcephaly was present in 100 children. Most common etiology was found to be perinatal insult, which is a preventable cause to much extent. Newer and sophisticated investigations such as metabolic profile, genetic studies should be incorporated in the planned investigations to increase the diagnostic yield.

Perkembangan motor kasar di kalangan murid orang asli berumur tujuh, lapan dan sembilan tahun di daerah Gua Gusang Kelantan

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti tahap perkembangan motor kasar kanak-kanak Orang asli yang berumur tujuh, lapan dan sembilan tahun serta membezakannya dengan menggunakan skala Gross Motor Development Quotient (GMDQ). Kajian ini berbentuk ex post facto yang melibatkan 120 orang subjek (L:67, P:53) yang berumur diantara tujuh, lapan dan sembilan tahun. Ujian perkembangan motor kasar Ulrich (2000) telah dijalankan untuk mengukur tahap perkembangan motor kasar murid-murid Orang Asli bagi kemahiran lokomotor dan manipulatif. Skor yang diperolehi ditranskripkan bagi mendapatkan skor GMDQ. Skor-skor ini dianalisis menggunakan perisian Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Versi 22.0 bagi membandingkan min pencapaian motor kasar murid-murid Orang Asli mengikut peringkat umur tujuh, lapan, dan sembilan tahun. Hasil dapatan menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan bagi GMDQ murid-murid Orang Asli berumur tujuh, lapan, dan sembilan tahun [F (2, 117) = 40.264, p< .05]. Bagi analisis Post Hoc Test, ketiga-tiga kumpulan umur murid-murid Orang Asli menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan bagi skor GMDQ (p < 0.05). Kajian menunjukan terdapat perbezaan GMDQ mengikut peringkat umur. Perkembangan motor kasar murid-murid orang asli yang berumur tujuh tahun boleh dikatakan berada dalam perkembangan yang normal, manakala murid-murid orang asli yang berumur lapan, dan sembilan tahun mempunyai perkembangan motor yang lemah. Kata Kunci: Motor kasar, Orang asli, skor GMDQ

Impact of malnutrition on head size and development quotient

Background: Malnutrition is one of the most common global health problem. It produces notable morphological changes in the brains which damage the intellectual potential and leads to reduced brain size, inferred from measurements of head circumference(HC). Aim is to study the impact of malnutrition on head size and development quotient(DQ) in children suffering with malnutrition.Methods: It is a hospital based study on 120 children including 100 moderates to severely malnourished children and 20 healthy controls aged 6-60 months admitted in malnutrition treatment center. Statistical analysis of head circumference and development quotient was done with severity of malnutrition and with each other.Results: Out of 120 children, 80 were severely malnourished (SAM) and 20 were moderately malnourished (MAM) and 20 age and sex matched controls were taken. Mean age was 19.00±8.54 months. 36.25% of severely malnourished, 5% of moderately malnourished children and none in control had microcephaly (HC<-3SD). Mean DQ was 57.46±14.98, 78.35±6.60 and 94.45±3.96 in SAM, MAM and control children respectively. Statistically significant association was found for head circumference and development quotient with severity of malnutrition and with each other.Conclusions: SAM adversely affects the developing brain of children as evidenced in our study by reduced head size and low DQ scores in children suffering from malnutrition. As seen in this study, prevalence of microcephaly and lower DQ scores increases with severity of malnutrition. Therefore, the study emphasizes the importance of early and timely intervention in such children before the severity of malnutrition increases to an extent of irreversible effects on brain and development.

The Effects of Mothers’ Voice on the Long Term Development of Premature Infants: A Prospective Randomized Study

Language acquisition appears to begin during fetal life. This is substantiated by the fact that the fetus recognizes and remembers the voice and melody of the mother's language. We hypothesized that Auditory Stimulation of preterm infants with their mothers' voice may also improve their language and overall development. 24 preterm infants were exposed on a daily basis 5 times for 30 minutes to the recorded voice of their mothers for 6 to 10 weeks beginning 1 to 3 weeks after birth. A control group of 24 infants (with comparable intensive care standards) had similar gestational age (24-30 weeks) and birth weight (650-1440g) as the treatment group. Developmental tests were done at the post-term age of 5 and 20 months (Griffiths Development Quotient), at 56 months (Columbia Mental Maturity Scales, active vocabulary; and a logopedic test of understanding) and 6 years (understanding and construct of sentences). Early developmental parameters were logged by the mothers upon discharge, through their use of a daily diary. This included assessment inquiries related to breastfeeding and mood. At 5 months of age, the Griffiths Development Quotient was significantly (p=0.007) higher in the stimulated infants (95± 15) when compared with the controls (80±20). Stimulated infants began earlier than the controls to use two-word sentences (17 vs. 20 months), in the same range than time-born infants; at 6 years the subtest "speech understanding” was significantly better in the stimulated group than in the controls (p<0.05). The mothers of the stimulated infants reported less burden and showed more stability. They breastfed their babies at 5 months after full term significantly more often as compared to controls (50% vs. 12.5%). Auditory Stimulation of preterm infants using recordings of mothers' voice appears to improve emotional stability of the mothers and development of their preterm infants. In particular, development of speech and understanding appears to improve through 6 years of postnatal age.