Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Kiernan

Publications and source records attributed to C Kiernan.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

A strategy for research on the use of nonvocal systems of communication.

This paper discusses problems with current research on the use of nonvocal communication systems with special reference to the severely and profoundly mentally retarded. A strategy for research, designed to provide a method whereby critical practical and theoretical issues can be isolated, is described. The approach involves surveys of use, development of procedures for assessment and program monitoring, the development of teaching methods for use with neglected groups, and experimental investigations of the interaction of system variables and subject characteristics. The strategy is illustrated with examples from ongoing research.

Child↗
PubMed1979

Spoken words and manual signs as encoding categories in short-term memory for mentally retarded children.

The release from proactive inhibition paradigm was used to test differential encoding of manual signs and spoken words by six severely retarded children. Scores for shift conditions were significantly different from scores for nonshift conditions on the last trial, indicating that manual signs were encoded differently from spoken words for short-term memory storage. Implications of separate encoding categories for the investigation of language processes were discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The prevalence of challenging behaviors: a total population study.

A total population study was undertaken in two areas of England to identify the situation and characteristics of people reported to exhibit challenging behaviors. We found that: (1) challenging behaviors are shown by 10-15% of people with mental retardation who are in contact with educational, health or social care services for people with mental retardation; (2) the most common forms of challenging behaviors reported were 'other' behavior (shown by 9%-12% of all people screened), aggression (7%), destructive behavior (4%-5%) and self-injury (4%); (3) the majority of people identified showed two or more of these four general forms of challenging behavior; (4) approximately two-thirds of the people identified were boys/men; (5) close to two-thirds of the people identified were adolescents or young adults; (6) approximately 50% of the people identified as showing more demanding challenging behavior were living with their families; (7) people who showed more demanding challenging behavior were more likely to need greater levels of assistance in eating, dressing and washing, be incontinent and have more restricted expressive and receptive communication.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Predicting the persistence of severe self-injurious behavior.

Information was collected on 95 people with mental retardation who had been identified seven years previously as showing severe self-injurious behavior. At follow up 71% of participants were still showing self-injurious behavior of a severity which presented a management problem for care staff. The occurrence of specific topographies of self-injury was extremely stable among the group showing persistent self-injury. Finally, self-injury status at follow-up was predicted with 76% accuracy by a logistic regression model containing three variables: site of injury (higher persistence being shown by people exhibiting head directed self-injury); reported (greater) stability of self-injury when first identified; and (younger) age.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Staff stressors and staff outcomes in services for adults with intellectual disabilities: the Staff Stressor Questionnaire.

This paper reports on the development, psychometric properties, and validity of a self-report measure designed to assess potential stressors among staff in services for people with intellectual disabilities, the 33-item Staff Stressor Questionnaire (SSQ). A questionnaire including the SSQ and scales measuring staff outcomes was administered to 512 staff across seven services for people with intellectual disabilities. The SSQ was factor analyzed to produce seven subscales reflecting different potential stressors for staff: user challenging behavior; poor user skills; lack of staff support; lack of resources; low-status job; bureaucracy; and work-home conflict. The SSQ subscales showed adequate internal reliability in terms of Cronbach's alpha and mean inter-item correlations. Associations between SSQ subscale scores and different staff groups, and patterns of associations between SSQ subscales and a range of staff outcomes, provided evidence suggestive of the face-, construct-, and criterion-related validity of the questionnaire. The SSQ shows promise as a measure for assessing potential stressors for staff in services for people with intellectual disabilities. Further studies to examine the reliability, validity, and utility of the SSQ are recommended.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Toward a curriculum for the profoundly retarded, multiply handicapped child.

An approach to formulating programmes for the profoundly retarded child is described. It is suggested that the basis for programming should be an analysis of the child's ability to operate on, and find out about, his environment. This analysis can be approached by asking questions about blocks to development, needs and preferences, socialization and communication and play and sensori-motor coordination.

Child↗