Exploring the potential common psychotherapeutic factors: use of cognitive behavioural therapy,mindful yoga and positive psychology in enhancing the well-being of students with SENs in Hong Kong

This study examined the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindful yoga and positive psychology interventions and identified common psychotherapeutic elements that exert critical treatment effects on Hong Kong Chinese students with special educational needs (SENs). Forty-seven participants received CBT intervention while 42 and 41 participants received mindful yoga and positive psychology interventions, respectively (N = 130). Mixed ANOVAs revealed no significant interaction effect between time and intervention condition on any outcome variables. However, within-subjects ANOVA revealed significant improvements in some dimensions within each intervention, including areas of behavioural problems, positive feelings and positive relationships. Changes in negative automatic thoughts were also found to lessen negative emotions in all three interventions. This study ascertained the differential effects of the selected approaches in ameliorating negative emotion, reducing behavioural problems and enhancing positive relationships among students with SENs in various treatment approaches. In addition, this study highlighted several common psychotherapeutic elements, which could potentially serve as important factors and constitute the formulation of an integrative psychotherapeutic framework for enhancing the well-being of students with SENs in Hong Kong. Finally, implications for practice and the possible development of an integrative intervention model were discussed.     

将瑜伽手印练习用于视障大学生体育课的尝试

体育锻炼对身心健康具有重要的作用,有计划的体育锻练能够提高视障大学生的身体素质、促进其心理健康。以目前已掌握的残疾人及视障大学生普遍存在的心理问题的研究分析为基础,尝试性将瑜伽手印练习这一新颖的身心锻炼方式运用于视障大学生体育课,为今后残疾人大学体育教育提供参考依据。     

瑜伽体式锻炼对高校女生柔韧素质的影响研究

瑜伽作为一种减压减负、舒放身心、塑身美体的锻炼方式以及深厚的文化底蕴和独特的自身魅力深受青年女大学生的喜爱。本文以瑜伽体式锻炼为运动手段,观察长期进行瑜伽体式练习对高校女生柔韧素质的影响,为普通高校体育教学课程改革中瑜伽课型设计提供参考依据。     

国外学校心理学的发展及其对我国特殊教育的启示

本文首先回顾了学校心理学在欧美国家的发展历史,介绍了当前学校心理学在其他发达国家的发展现状及其特点。然后文章简单讨论了学校心理学在我国发展的条件和现状。在我国,学校心理学刚刚进入她的萌芽期,队伍的完善和职业规范也有待于长期的发展和建设。我国特殊教育的现状决定了特殊教育教师还将是特殊教育体系中服务于特殊儿童少年的孤独的主力军。在心理健康服务有待于提高的现状下,笔者对我国特殊教育的未来发展也提出一些参考性的建议。     

对瑜伽进入高校体育课程的研究

高校体育教学改革,应注重培养大学生的终身体育意识和能力,侧重新兴体育项目的引入和发展．瑜伽作为一项古老的体育运动对大学生的心理健康有着独特的功效,能使大学生的生理、心理、美育三者有机结合,帮助学生树立终身体育观念并建立良好的社会关系,从而促进大学生身心健康发展．     

A qualitative investigation of a mindfulness-based yoga program for educators: How program attendance relates to outcomes

Contemplative professional development interventions seek to help educators manage stress and improve emotion regulation, yet the mechanisms of action revealing how they result in positive psychological and physical outcomes remain unclear. Using focus groups based on levels of attendance, this qualitative study examined how educators with different levels of attendance perceived their experiences in Community Approach to Learning Mindfully (CALM), a mindfulness-based yoga program. Using theory-driven and data-driven codes, two researchers adopted a thematic analytical approach to independently code interviews. Results suggest that individuals across all groups indicated participation in CALM stimulated awareness of some kind—somatic, emotional, or awareness of thought patterns. However, participants who attended more frequently were more likely to practice mindfulness informally during routine activities. This increased skill integration was associated with improved outcomes. Program acceptability was high across attendance groups although those with low attendance felt stressed making time to attend the program. Collegiality emerged as an important benefit and catalyst for reinforcing practices. Implications for professional development are discussed, including the role of collegiality and the importance of program readiness.     

Living AnatoME: Teaching and learning musculoskeletal anatomy through yoga and pilates

Living AnatoME, a program designed in 2004 by two medical students in conjunction with the Director of Anatomy, teaches musculoskeletal anatomy through yoga and Pilates. Previously offered as an adjunct to the Gross Anatomy course in 2007, Living AnatoME became an official part of the curriculum. Previous research conducted on the program demonstrated its efficacy in providing relaxation and well-being to students who attended. In 2007, with all 144 gross anatomy students required to participate in a 1.5 hour Living AnatoME session on the upper and lower limbs, the impact of the program on students' comprehension of musculoskeletal anatomy was analyzed through the administration of 25-question pre- and post-tests, gauging knowledge in the following domains: upper limb, lower limb, muscle function, palpation, attachment/location, clinical correlate, and control (i.e., material not emphasized during the intervention). Analysis of postintervention tests revealed significant improvement in total Living AnatoME scores as well as in the domains of upper limb, muscle function, and palpation, indicating the possible efficacy of Living AnatoME in teaching anatomy. Performance on control questions also improved, although not significantly, which may indicate the role of other variables (e.g., additional study time) in increased performance.     

高校瑜伽改革的必要性分析研究

瑜伽起源于印度文明,是一种由内而外、心灵控制身体达到最佳状态的绿色运动。本文通过文献资料法等科研方法对高校瑜伽教学的现状进行分析和研究,并提出瑜伽改革的必要性改革的可行性建议,旨在全面提高瑜伽教学的整体效果,实现高校瑜伽教学的健康、可持续发展。     

An inclusion initiative in Singapore for preschool children with special needs

This paper describes a preschool inclusion initiative in Singapore, which currently has no mandate for integrating children with special needs in mainstream schools. This very small-scale qualitative study involving children with mild learning disabilities discusses a therapy outreach programme by a local children's hospital. It explores the supports and challenges of this experience based on interviews with therapists, teachers, principals, and parents. Facilitators of inclusion included communication, collaboration, availability of training and resources, and a readiness for inclusion. Barriers to inclusion included person-related hindrances, structural obstacles, gaps in programme delivery, and limited specialized training and resources. We learned that in the absence of mandatory provisions for inclusion, children with special needs can be supported in regular education when there is “buy in” for early inclusion and intervention amongst key stakeholders. Practical strategies toward this end are discussed.     

高校女生体育教学推广瑜伽课的可行性研究

通过研究和实验分析,论证了在高校女生体育教学中推广瑜伽课的可行性。教学实践表明,这种新的教学尝试,能充分利用现有教育资源条件,促进学生个性发展和终生体育意识的建立,并能为体育教学改革提供一定的理论和实践参考依据。     

Excellence for all children false promises! The failure of current policy for inclusive education and implications for schooling in the 21st century

This paper argues that the claims of current UK education policy, for children with special educational needs (SEN) toprovide excellence and equality of opportunity, are false. Critically examined are issues of social justice and equity in relation to the work of disability theorists and this critique is then applied to recent policy in education, in particular the Green Paper Excellence for All Children; Meeting Special Educational Needs, to demonstrate that as long as the organization of schooling, the curriculum, and assessment and testing procedures remain unchallenged, equal educational opportunity will remain amyth. In conclusion, having shown that the central energy in educational change seems to be devoted to perpetuating the status quo, thus reinforcing inequality and discrimination and precluding excellence for all children, this paper attempts toset anew agendafor the 21st century that might possibly offer agenuine entitlement for all children to an equal educational opportunity. Although the paper is centrally concerned with a critique of policy in the UK, it is believed that the implications have international relevance as they are fundamental issues relating to human rights and equity.     

A journey of self‐discovery: an intervention involving massage,yoga and relaxation for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties attending primary schools

This study reports on an intervention involving massage, yoga and relaxation delivered to young children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Children (n = 126) were invited to participate in the Self‐discovery Programme (SDP) with parental consent. A total of 107 children aged 8–11 years completed the SDP and all measures. Children were allocated to a Control (n = 54) or Intervention (n = 53) group. The results indicate that children in the Intervention group showed improvements in self‐confidence, social confidence, communication and contributions in class. Children in the Intervention group were noted by teachers to use skills learned on the SDP during the school day.     

现代多媒体教学法在瑜伽教学中的运用

瑜伽教学过程中有效的提高学生对瑜伽文化、知识、技能的掌握是瑜伽教学的重中之重。本文主要通过文献资料、访谈等研究方法,对现代多媒体教学法在瑜伽教学中的运用进行研究,其研究结果表明,现代多媒体法在瑜伽教学中运用对提高学生对瑜伽文化的认知以及重难点技术的掌握以及瑜伽教学效果的有效提高有着积极的推动意义。     

Inclusive special education: development of a new theory for the education of children with special educational needs and disabilities

Inclusive education and special education are based on different philosophies and provide alternative views of education for children with special educational needs and disabilities. They are increasingly regarded as diametrically opposed in their approaches. This article presents a theory of inclusive special education that comprises a synthesis of the philosophy, values and practices of inclusive education with the interventions, strategies and procedures of special education. Development of inclusive special education aims to provide a vision and guidelines for policies, procedures and teaching strategies that will facilitate the provision of effective education for all children with special educational needs and disabilities.     

Associations of self-perceived competence,well-being and sense of belonging among pre- and in-service teachers encountering children with diverse needs

ABSTRACT

In this article, we sought to determine the extent to which pre-service and in-service teachers’ self-perceived competence is associated with sense of belonging and well-being during special education teacher studies, as well as determine whether there are differences among these factors between pre-service and in-service teachers. These are areas in which there is currently a shortage of research. Our data were collected using a survey with close-ended questions. The respondents consisted of 58 in-service and 29 pre-service teachers, aged 21–56 years. Data were analysed utilising quantitative methods. The findings revealed that the respondents demonstrated generally high levels of engagement and low to moderate levels of burnout. The results further indicated that the respondents reported themselves to be most competent when dealing with children of drug-related family abuse and less competent in working with children with severe disabilities. Although well-being and self-perceived competence were associated, we could not find any association between these factors and the sense of belonging. Given the theoretical and empirical evidence, a deeper understanding of the factors relating to teachers’ ability to encounter diverse needs is unquestionably needed. The key findings are discussed in detail, and practical implications for teacher education are given.     

Exploring the views and beliefs of parents of typically developing children about inclusion and inclusive education

Background: The inclusion of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SENDs) in regular classrooms has been identified as a high priority in many policy documents published by both European and international organisations. Its implementation, however, is influenced by a number of factors, some of which are directly related to the participation and attitudes of different stakeholders, including parents of typically developing children. Parents, as a social group, can act in favour of inclusion or they can support more segregated educational environments.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore, in a Greek context, the views and beliefs of parents of typically developing children about different aspects of the education of children with disabilities, with a particular focus on inclusion and inclusive education.

Method: Interviews were held with 40 Greek parents representing 40 typically developing school-aged children who were educated in six different primary education schools, from the broader area of central Greece. All of the children, at the time of the study, were educated in mainstream classes, in which an in-classroom support system was applied. Open-ended interview questions focused on parents’ views and beliefs about the implementation of inclusive educational programmes. Data were analysed according to the principles of an inductive data-driven approach.

Findings: The research findings indicate that most of the participant parents did not feel informed about specific school policy practices relevant to inclusive education; they were not aware of the notion of ‘inclusion’ or approached inclusion from an integrationist point of view. Within this context, they hold positive to neutral attitudes towards inclusion, on the basis that a child with SENDs can cope with the school requirements.

Conclusions: This small-scale, exploratory research study suggests the importance of informing and involving parents of typically developing children in efforts to promote more inclusive practices.     

大学体育瑜伽课程团队教学模式的实践研究

重庆文理学院瑜伽教师根据本校体育教学的实际情况,采用瑜伽团队教学模式,提高该校瑜伽课程教学的有效性。通过实践研究,为重庆文理学院瑜伽课程教学提供理论参考。     

Early intervention in Portugal: family support and benefits

This study investigated the support and benefits of early intervention (EI) in families with children with special needs. Data were gathered through a written questionnaire, ‘Family Benefits Inventory’, completed by 126 families with children with special needs supported by EI teams, with ages from six months to six years in Portugal. The global results obtained in this study allowed us to conclude that families considered that they obtained benefit from EI and received support most of the time in the different dimensions of the questionnaire. Furthermore, support given by an EI professional had a positive influence on families' perceptions regarding the benefits of EI.     

Mental health and subjective well-being of staff in a secondary school for adolescents with severe and profound multiple learning difficulties

The main purpose of this study was to explore the mental health and subjective well-being of staff working with adolescents with severe and profound multiple learning difficulties. The participants were 19 teachers and 25 teaching assistants working in an inner London, local authority, specialist day provision. A demographic questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Positive Affect Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were used as data collection tools. The inferential statistical tools used were t-tests and correlational analyses. The study brought to light a high number of borderline and abnormal anxiety scores among all staff. The study also found a significant difference in the resilience scores of teachers and teaching assistants, with teaching assistants scoring higher on the resilience scale. The results, alongside findings from previous research, call for better mental health support for teachers and staff working in the field of special educational needs and disabilities. The study highlights the emotional toll on educators, and the need for mitigation strategies that promote good mental health outcomes for both teachers and students.     

Parents' reflections on their children being excluded

Abstract

The human cost of exclusion is not confined to the student. Parents of excluded students feel they are judged as unworthy parents and are mere observers to a decision that has radical implications for their son's/daughter's future education. As partners in the educational enterprise of their child, they are often powerless in the exclusion process and are voiceless in the discourse that surrounds the decision to exclude as well as the decisions regarding future education options. The parents' experience of exclusion is a side of the exclusion story that is not often heard. This article describes how a group of parents experienced their son's/daughter's mainstream schooling and exclusion from a mainstream secondary school. The parents' story is passionate, painful and poignant. It highlights the need for the continued development of inclusive practices in mainstream schools.