Children with and without learning disabilities: a comparison of processes and outcomes following group counseling

Alliance-Outcome Associations in a Community-Based Social Skills Intervention for Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Although the alliance is a consistent predictor of treatment outcomes in psychosocial interventions, few studies have examined this association among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In particular, youth-therapist alliance has never been examined in social skills interventions (SSIs), a common modality for this population. In this study, thirty-four youth with ASD (M_age = 12.41; 79% male) participated in a community-delivered, group-based SSI in a summer camp format led by eight Head Therapists (M_age = 32.12; 50% male). Early alliance and change in alliance over the course of the treatment were assessed via self- and observer-reported measures. Both self- and observer-rated alliance were associated with positive treatment outcomes as reported by parents (decreased problem behaviors) and other peers in the group (reciprocated friendship and social preference). These results provide the first evidence of the role of the alliance in an SSI for youth with ASD and add to the growing body of literature that demonstrates the importance of assessing and addressing the alliance in treatment for this population.

In-session behaviours and adolescents' self-concept and loneliness: A psychodrama process-outcome study

As adolescents spend many hours a day in school, it is crucial to examine the ways in which therapeutic practices in schools promote their well-being. This longitudinal pilot study examined the contribution of school-based psychodrama group therapy to the self-concept dimensions and perceived loneliness of 40 Israeli adolescents (aged 13-16, 60% boys) in public middle schools. From a process-outcome perspective, we also examined the understudied trajectory of adolescents' in-session behaviours (process variables) and its associations with changes in their self-concepts and loneliness (outcome variables). Psychodrama participants reported increases in global, social, and behavioural self-concepts and a decrease in loneliness compared to the control group. In-session productive behaviours increased and resistance decreased throughout the therapy, but varied process-outcome relationships were found. The study suggests that conducting further research into the process-outcome relationships in psychodrama group therapy is warranted to pinpoint specific mechanisms of change. Suggestions for future studies are provided.

LIFE CYCLE PROCESS MODEL OF A MARKET-ORIENTED AND STUDENT CENTERED HIGHER EDUCATION

There is not a single definition/explanation about market-orientation education. Two opposite definitions/explanations of pure market-oriented education (Cato, 2010) and social-market-oriented education (Amaratunga, 2009) are provided in the paper. Integrated multiple criteria analysis at the micro-, meso- and macro-levels are needed to increase efficiency of the market-oriented higher education reforms. Market-oriented higher education reforms management involves numerous aspects that should be considered in addition to making educational, pedagogical, didactical, economic, political and legal/regulatory decisions. These must include social, culture, ethical, psychological, environmental, technological, technical, organizational and managerial aspects. This article presents a Life Cycle Process Model of a Market-Oriented and Student Centered Higher Education (developed during BELL-CURVE (Built Environment Lifelong Learning Challenging University Responses to Vocational Education) project's activities) for such considerations and discusses certain composite parts of it. To demonstrate the application of this research, two Case Studies from Lithuania are submitted for consideration.

[Performance of students with dyslexia, learning disabilities and learning difficulties in metaphonological abilities tests (PROHFON)]

PURPOSE

To elaborate a procedure of metaphonological evaluation, and to characterize the performance of students with developmental dyslexia, learning disabilities and learning difficulties and good readers in this evaluation.

METHODS

Metaphonological abilities tests were elaborated based on the necessary skills for reading and writing development. Participants were 134 students from 3rd to 5th grades of elementary school of both genders, with ages between 7 and 13 years, divided into GI (20 students with developmental dyslexia), GII (20 students with learning disabilities), GIII (20 students with learning difficulties) and GIV (74 good readers). The assessment of metaphonological abilities - PROHFON - was applied.

RESULTS

Students from GI and GII differed from GIV in most of the tests; GI differed from GII only in the phonemic synthesis and analysis test, and from GIII in abilities of deletion and combination of phonemes. GIII differed from GIV in counting, identification, rhyming, deletion, and combination abilities.

CONCLUSION

Students with developmental dyslexia, learning disabilities and learning difficulties, and good readers showed similar performances in identification, counting and combining phonemes, rhyme and alliteration abilities. The groups differed from each other regarding syllabic (counting, identification, synthesis and analysis, deletion, combination) and phonemic (deletion, synthesis and analysis) abilities. The PROHFON contributed to characterize the metaphonological profile of students with different learning deficits.