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
The purpose of this essay is to survey the ethical guidelines Red Cross personnel use to determine the appropriate course of action when faced with morally dilemmatic situations…
Abstract
The purpose of this essay is to survey the ethical guidelines Red Cross personnel use to determine the appropriate course of action when faced with morally dilemmatic situations, such as whether or not to accept private donations to fund humanitarian operations.
A review of the principles which buttress and guide all Red Cross action is presented along with two case studies – one in which the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society refused money from a controversial mining company, which could have been used to assist flood victims, and the other in which the Nigerian Red Cross Society accepted money from oil companies that have been historically ethically-challenged – which illustrate the necessity of contextual analysis in making these decisions.
The principles upon which all Red Cross actions are based – humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence – provide the guidelines by which to evaluate whether or not to accept private, corporate donations. The Red Cross principles-based ethics allows for seemingly contradictory decisions to be reached in different countries and contexts, but in manners which are ethically coherent and transparent.
This paper sets the foundation for future research into what guides humanitarian organizations as they carry out their life-sustaining operations. Organizations which use such ethical principles to determine the appropriateness of their actions should benefit from transparently demonstrating this.
Case studies from recent disasters demonstrate the value of using ethical guidelines to evaluate donor suitability. This rigor and transparency benefits not only the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations, but most importantly those rendered vulnerable by disaster around the world.
Details
Keywords
Laura Anne Bassette, Maddie Kujawski and Emma Donges
Previous research found that when exercise partners provided social support to each other, both participants engaged in higher levels of activity (Gellert et al., 2011). These…
Abstract
Purpose
Previous research found that when exercise partners provided social support to each other, both participants engaged in higher levels of activity (Gellert et al., 2011). These results suggest that there may be benefits to providing inclusive physical activity (PA) programming to individuals with autism; however, little research has explored specific strategies. The purpose of this study is to explore the use of a behavioral intervention consisting of visual social stories and additional intervention components (i.e. prompting, checklists) to teach adolescents/young adults with autism and their workout partners without disabilities to provide social support to one another during partnered PA.
Design/methodology/approach
A multiple probe across dyads was used to explore the effects of the intervention on social support (i.e. verbal encouragement and feedback).
Findings
The results indicate the treatment was effective during the intervention phase. When partners and settings changed during generalization, results were maintained in all but one participant.
Originality/value
Areas for future research and implications for practice to support inclusive PA for autistics are discussed.
Details
Keywords
Stephen O’ Reilly, John Flannery, Terence O’ Donnell, Andrew Muddiman, Gerard Healy, Michael Byrne and Sean Cian Ó Mathúna
Multilayer aircore inductors fabricated in a range of interconnection technologies which are MCM compatible are presented and compared. These consist of thick‐film, low…
Abstract
Multilayer aircore inductors fabricated in a range of interconnection technologies which are MCM compatible are presented and compared. These consist of thick‐film, low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC), printed circuit board (PCB) and fine‐line plated copper on ceramic (copper plating). From a comparison of simulated and measured results, it can be concluded that a predictive design capability has been achieved for inductance and self‐resonant frequency (SRF). Modelling of AC resistance and Q requires further investigation.