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The Role of Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Get PDFThis paper evaluates the development, core principles, efficacy, and controversies surrounding applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy in treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a developmental disorder that affects behavior, social, and communication skills. The diagnosis of ASD continues to rise, highlighting the importance of understanding effective interventions as early as possible, which is critical for improving long-term outcomes. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the National Library of Medicine’s® (NLM) database PubMed®. Filters were applied to include peer-reviewed articles from the past five years, focusing on clinical trials, meta-analyses, and reviews published in behavioral pediatrics and psychology journals. The search used keywords such as ABA therapy, ASD treatment, efficacy, ethical considerations, and history of ABA. A total of 21 articles were selected for review. The findings show that ABA therapy, especially when initiated early, significantly improves language, social skills, and adaptive functioning in individuals with autism. Studies report a medium to large improvement in communication gains and reductions in maladaptive behaviors. However, several barriers limit its acceptance due to the high costs, time demands, lack of qualified professionals, and ethical criticisms. Despite these challenges, ABA remains the gold standard in treatment, supported by evidence-based data offering measurable improvements in quality of life and independent living skills. The research highlights the importance of developing ABA practices to be more compassionate as well as culturally and neurodiversity-affirming. Future research should focus on increasing access to ABA, integrating telehealth options, and improving ethical standards to be more neurodiversity-affirming
Wild Women, Wild West: Queer Women’s Sexuality and Gender Presentations on the Western Frontier
Get PDFThe Effects of Stress on Injury and Sickness Rates of Middle-distance and Distance Division III Athletes
Get PDFRunning training intentionally stresses the body to experience positive physiological changes, however, maladaptions such as suppressed immune function and growth hormone production may occur without adequate recovery. Male distance and middle distance athletes (n = 14) participated in this study. For 6 weeks, heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate (HRrest), perceived stress, and cortisol levels were assessed as indicators of recovery and stress. It was anticipated that indicators of physical stress, such as higher resting heart rates and lower heart rate variability, would correspond with greater perceived stress and higher occurrence of injury and sickness. Cortisol (n = 2, p = 0.449), heart rate variability (p = 0.59), and perceived stress (p = 0.31) did not significantly differ across the six weeks. Resting heart rate did show significant changes across time (p = 0.006, week 1: 46.2±9.3 bpm vs week 6: 53.1±12.1 bpm) and was also higher each week in those who experienced an injury or illness (n=6) versus those who did not (p = 0.026). During most weeks (2, 4, 5, and 6), HRV and HRrest were negatively correlated. Perceived stress did not correlate with either HRV or HRrest. These data could be useful as more measures can be implemented to predict and prevent injuries before they occur in the athletic realm. Future research should examine these variables over a full calendar year to examine all phases of the competitive running season
ADHD and its Relationship with Impulsivity and Delay of Gratification in Terms of Reward Seeking
Get PDFAbstract ADHD is one of the most common disorders in the world with a prevalence rate between 8-12%. Previous research has shown potential struggles for those with ADHD when it comes to being able to delay their behaviors in multiple facets of their lives. These studies have investigated their ability to fulfill waiting periods in both physical and technology based tasks, as well as incorporating impulsivity levels into the mix. The present study utilized a self-report survey to measure participants\u27 risk for ADHD (ASRS), and placed them into a high risk or low risk category based on their scores. These two groups were evaluated on their impulsivity levels (BIS-11), ability to delay gratification (DGI-35), number of comorbidities, average daily screen time, and proneness to boredom (SBPS) all via self-report. Utilizing independent-samples t-tests it was found that as hypothesized, participants in the high risk of ADHD group expressed worse ability to delay gratification, as well as higher screen time, and higher proneness to boredom. Going against the hypotheses, there were no statistically significant differences between high risk and low risk in terms of impulsivity scores. The results show consistency with a multitude of previous research within this same domain, expressing the difficulties ADHD presents in terms of fulfilling waiting periods and achieving significant rewards. These findings provide support that ADHD influences decision making and show why it is critical to be understanding and patient of those with this condition, while trying to strengthen their ability to have a futuristic mindset about the decisions and choices they make
The Effects of E-cigarettes and Oxidative Stress on Cognitive Function and Adolescent Academics
Get PDFElectronic cigarettes are the fastest growing method of tobacco consumption in the United States despite an overall decline in smoking rates. Evidence has shown that enticing flavor and trendy marketing campaigns have increased use among younger consumers. Nicotine use is a risk factor among younger individuals for damage to brain development and cognitive impairment, and electronic cigarettes are no exception. This paper attempts to review and clarify previously observed health impacts of electronic cigarette use among younger individuals, as measured by academic grades and scores. A focus on the effect of oxidative stress on the body and the resulting academic performance of subjects displays a need for further research into the chronic effects of electronic cigarettes. This paper attempts to highlight those areas of need and link potential contributing factors
Political Polarization and Voter Turnout: A New Political Paradigm?
Get PDFPolitical polarization has characterized most recent U.S. elections through further widening the gap between the two parties to the point that many people fear a second U.S. Civil war is approaching. This begs the larger question of how polarization impacts the electorate? Does it turn voters off or push them to vote? Does it have a negative impact on American elections, or is it merely a next step in the grand experiment we define as American democracy? This paper uses Logistic regression (via SPSS Statistics) with data from American National Election Studies (ANES) to address these questions by analyzing the motivations of voter turnout for the Presidential elections of 1992, 2008, and 2020, and whether certain factors including polarization either encourages or discourages voter turnout. Evaluated factors are polarization, race, family income, gender, education, partisan ID, and age. Previous scholarship is unclear with some arguing that polarization increases voter turnout while others believe that factors such as income or education have the most influence on voter. This study found that polarized citizens are more likely to vote than non-polarized citizens in all three elections, with progressively decreasing p values of \u3c.1 to \u3c.001 from 1992 to 2008 to 2020. Also, this study found a direct correlation (p values ranging from \u3c .1 to \u3c.001) between family income and education as related to a person’s likelihood to vote. Overall, this study confirms past scholarship supporting political polarization being a driving factor for voter turnout