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Snow-covered Deliso Hall
No full textFront view of a snow-covered Deliso Hall. A sign that says Western New England College Founded 1919 is to the front right of the building.https://digitalcommons.law.wne.edu/ua_buildings/1645/thumbnail.jp
Students gathered on lawn
No full textA large group of students sit on the lawn, all watching something off camera. Two female students walk behind the crowd.https://digitalcommons.law.wne.edu/ua_buildings/1652/thumbnail.jp
Evaluation of the Performance Diagnostic Checklist-Human Services in Identification of Problem and Treatment
Full text linkThe Performance Diagnostic Checklist – Human Services (PDC-HS) is an assessment tool used to identify factors influencing employee performance in human service settings. Although prior research supports its effectiveness in identifying performance barriers, little is known about the accuracy of the intervention selection process. This study examined the accuracy with which participants scored the PDC-HS and selected appropriate interventions. In Study 1, 23 participants watched video vignettes of mock PDC-HS interviews, completed the assessment, and identified indicated domains and interventions. Scoring accuracy was consistent with prior research, but intervention selection accuracy was highly variable, with most errors occurring in the final selection phase. Given these findings, Study 2 focused solely on intervention selection, comparing the decisions of 40 Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and direct therapists (DTs). Participants were provided with completed PDC-HS forms created based on published studies and were asked to complete the intervention planning portion. BCBAs were more likely to select interventions aligned with effective interventions from the published studies, and 60% of selection responses were unaligned with the literature. These findings highlight the need for clearer guidelines and training in the intervention selection process when using the PDC-HS
The Effectiveness of Cannabis and Its Impact on Daily Activities
Full text linkMental and physical health struggles have become increasingly prominent for individuals in all phases of life to various degrees. These struggles negatively impact a person\u27s ability to effectively complete preferred daily tasks and occupations, specifically if untreated. Current literature indicates that although there are multiple prescription medications to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, chronic pain, and sleep issues, these medications come with a long list of short-term and long-term side effects and can also be expensive and unaffordable without insurance, especially when considering that these four symptoms are often identified as comorbidities. These factors highlight why there is an increased need for research on other alternative treatment options. Data gathered from previous studies was used to determine cannabis as a viable treatment option for various medical diagnoses. With this knowledge, the doctoral experiential capstone project aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cannabis and its impact on daily activities through a mixed methods survey posted on University Posts and flyers distributed at WNE Blake Law building and participating dispensaries (see appendix B). The survey focused on how and why participants used cannabis, attitudes towards cannabis, and the impact, both positive and negative, cannabis has on daily occupations. Through data analysis, common and significant themes were identified, and with current literature, used to create a poster, educational packet, and modules for participating dispensaries (see appendix H, I, J) and an in-service presentation to be given to WNE OTD hybrid year 1 students (see appendix G). This in-service provided education and a platform to discuss cannabis as an alternative method of treatment for clients experiencing various medical diagnoses, along with adverse effects, additional benefits, legality, and other factors associated with cannabis use. There is a need for more research and education on cannabis as an alternative treatment method as many studies cite small sample size, high risk of bias, and federal restrictions as limitations
Promoting Community Integration for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Through the Use of Community Simulations
Full text linkAbstract
Allied Community Programs (ACP) supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across the Greater Hartford and Tolland County areas. ACP provides valuable opportunities through volunteering, recreation, vocational placements, and self-advocacy. This needs assessment was conducted focusing on Enfield Ct and ACP. The assessment revealed that not all participants at ACP get the same opportunities to go out into the community, primarily due to staff shortages, training and the need for higher level social skills education.
To address these gaps in care, mock community simulations such as a restaurant, bank, and grocery store, were developed to allow the clients to safely practice their social skills and daily tasks before integrating them in community settings. These simulations will help participants feel more confident, improve their communication and transaction skills, and learn how to be more independent in everyday situations. By using these mock simulations, ACP can fulfill its mission of empowering individuals with disabilities to live productive, independent, and fulfilling lives while strengthening their inclusion in their community.
Keywords: community integration, Allied Community Programs (ACP), intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), social skills training, mock community settings, communication skills, transaction skills, independent, fulfilling lives, and inclusio
The Use of Concurrent Progressive Magnitude Schedules to Scale Reinforcer Efficacy
Full text linkEffective reinforcement-based treatment requires the identification of stimuli that function as potent reinforcers. In practice, reinforcer efficacy is commonly measured via stimulus preference assessments. These data are typically summarized as a percentage of trials with selection and, although they identify hierarchies of reinforcing quality, they do not clearly provide a quantitative description of the relative reinforcing effects of the stimuli assessed. Quantitative methods for scaling reinforcer efficacy may offer more precision but are less common in practice. Drawing from the preference assessment and quantitative analysis of behavior literature bases, we designed and evaluated the use of a concurrent progressive-magnitude schedule analysis by increasing the magnitude of unselected stimuli across trials of a concurrent schedule and using the switch point as a dependent measure. These methods produced orderly data in a relatively brief period while maintaining many procedural elements of stimulus preference assessments already commonly utilized by clinicians
