Scott McNamara, Melissa Bittner and Sean Healy
Physical activity professionals often lack the experience and knowledge to implement the pedagogical and behavioral strategies required to successfully work with people with…
Abstract
Purpose
Physical activity professionals often lack the experience and knowledge to implement the pedagogical and behavioral strategies required to successfully work with people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To enable individuals with ASD to achieve the benefits of exercise, physical activity professionals must be knowledgeable and skilled in relation to delivering evidence-based practices (EBP). The recent worldwide coronavirus disease pandemic highlights the value and necessity of effective online learning. Recent research has suggested that online settings are a viable setting for professional learning. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to assess an online course’s impact on physical activity professionals’ frequency of use and self-efficacy toward using EBPs with individuals with ASD.
Design/methodology/approach
The online program was developed to provide training for a wide-range of professionals interested in working with people with ASD. A survey was administered to participants prior to and after completion of the online course to collect data on sample demographics, and the participants’ perceived frequency and self‐efficacy in using EBPs. Eighty-six physical activity professionals participated in the study.
Findings
Overall, their self-efficacy toward EBPs and frequency at which participants reported to use EBPs increased significantly from pretest to posttest (p < 0.05). The participants also reported using three of the nine covered EBPs more frequently at post-course completion. In addition, participants’ self-efficacy toward eight of the EBPs was significantly higher post-intervention.
Originality/value
Findings from this study suggests that a well-structured online intervention has promise for preparing physical activity professionals to work with people with ASD.
Details
Keywords
Melissa Schaefer Morabito, Amy Watson and Jeffrey Draine
The purpose of this paper is to examine the predictors of officer attitudes toward Crisis Intervention Teams, a new innovation designed to improve police response to people with…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the predictors of officer attitudes toward Crisis Intervention Teams, a new innovation designed to improve police response to people with mental illnesses.
Design/methodology/approach
The current study uses data from a larger study of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program. CIT and Non‐CIT officers were surveyed in four districts. To examine the predictors of officer perceptions of crisis intervention teams, OLS regression is used.
Findings
Neither CIT nor non‐CIT officers seem to show the kinds of negative views of CIT that have undercut other social welfare based police innovations. Among CIT trained officers, those who had the opportunity to practice their new skills by responding to mental health related calls for service had more positive attitudes toward the program than those who did not.
Originality/value
This paper adds to both the Crisis Intervention Team and innovation literatures by examining an important aspect of the CIT implementation process. A model is developed that explores the correlates of officer support for the innovation and the conditions necessary for its successful implementation.
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Melissa S. Morabito, Meggen Tucker Sixbey and Cameron Burke
This study aims to provide foundational information about the nature and extent of calls responded to by a university co-responder team to better understand how these teams are…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide foundational information about the nature and extent of calls responded to by a university co-responder team to better understand how these teams are utilized by the university community.
Design/methodology/approach
We use data collected from the University of Florida Police Department (UFPD) co-responder program from 2022 to 2024.
Findings
We find that UFPD co-responder teams respond to a diverse population. Use of force and arrests are low frequency events.
Originality/value
Little is known about how campus police agencies adopt co-responder teams and how encounters involving people with mental illnesses are resolved.