Journal of Exceptional Childre
Year:2006 | Volume:6 | Issue:1 (19)|Papers Count:5

Objective: This study compares the psychological characteristics in students with and without orthography in West Azarbaijan province. Method: 160 3rdgrade elementary students from the north, centre and south of West Azarbaijan (cities included Maku, Urmieh, and Ushnavieh) took part in this research. First, after random selection of the cities and schools, the students with orthography were screened on the basis of their performance in Slowsen Intelligence Test, their dictation marks and sound sensory functioning. In the second phase, the measures were administered, and the data were analysed using MANOVA. Results: the findings showed that 1) students in the two groups were significantly different in terms of psychological features such as anxiety-depression, social maladjustment, and lack of attention, but not in terms of aggression hyperactivity and antisocial behaviors; 2) the data analysis displayed a significant difference in terms of psychological variables related to visual and auditory memory and sensitivity. Conclusion: This study suggested that psychological characteristics in children with orthography should be considered in clinical treatments.        

Objective: The goal of this study is to compare the verbal interaction between mothers and stuttering and non-stuttering children. Method: The subjects were 40 Farsi speaking mother-child pairs, including 20 mothers with stuttering children and 20 mothers with non-stuttering children. The subjects were matched according to age, gender, sensory health, and some psychological variables. The subjects had interaction with each other for 10 minutes and with the experimenter for 5 minutes while completing a puzzle. The interactions were audiotaped. Results: The results showed significant differences for all communicative items. The mothers of stuttering children use more words (p< 0.5), the stuttering children also use more words (p< 0.5). Conclusion: The results lend tentative support for the notion that the interaction between these two groups are different in some aspects, which must be taken into consideration in treatment.    

Objective: The purpose of this research was adaptation and finding psychometric properties of Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Youth Self-report (YSR), and Teacher's Report Forms (TRF) for Farsi-speaking children. Method: The forms were completed for 1437 (748 boys and 689 girls) students in Tehran by their parents, teachers, and by the students. The sample was selected by means of multistage stratified random method Classical test theory was used to estimate psychometric properties of items and scales of the forms. Internal consistency of each scale was obtained by using Cronbach alpha for each gender and age group. Results: Ranges of these coefficients were .63 to .95. To examine stability of the forms, 134 subjects were selected randomly from the normative sample and the forms were completed for them with an interval of 5 to 8 weeks. Cross-informant agreement was examine. Ranges of these coefficients were .09 to .67. Content, criterion and construct validity of the forms were studied by appropriate methods, including inter-correlation of scales, item-total correlation, group discrimination, discrimination power, and factor analysis. Conclusion: The results showed that reliability and validity of all three forms were high and they could be used to assess emotional and behavioural problems of children aged 6 - 18 years.      

Objective: This study investigates the impact of life skills training program (developed by World Health Organization, 1993) on mental health and socio-emotional aspects in women with physical-motor disabilities. Method: 16 women with physical-motor disabilities were randomly selected and assigned into experimental and control groups. First, GHQ was administered for the both groups as the pre-test. Then, ten weekly training sessions were administered for the experimental group, and in each session one of the basic skills propounded in life skills was trained. At the end of sessions, GHQ was again administered for the both groups as post-test. Results: The covariance analysis showed that life skills training could enhance the mental health (p < 0.01), and could decrease anxiety and social maladjustment, but not depression. Conclusion: This study has helped to get a better understanding for delivering mental health service for the targeted groups.      

Objective: This study examines thropometric specifications of mentally retarded children with microcephalia, macrocephalia, and idiopathic etiology, and comparing them with normal children. Method: For this field study, 15 subjects were selected for each group. For measuring the specifications we used balance, meter, and caliper. Results: The ANOVA and Sheffé post hoc tests analysis displayed significant differences in physical indications in the groups such as weigh, sitting and standing position size, circumference of head, width and length of nose, and some other features. Conclusion: These results suggest significant differences in the physical characteristics in children with different etiologies. Clinical implications and related limitations have been discussed.