Instructional redesign: Developing learning communities in academia

Traditionally, learning is provided in a unidirectional manner from instructor to learner. This practice can be limiting to all individuals involved in the learning process. To develop quality instructional materials, the learning team can participate in instructional design and development (ID) as partners. This article discusses a proposed learning community to be created during the process of course redesign. Human performance technology and ID professionals who use learning community practices can improve their designs by including all relevant stakeholders.     

Association of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Perinatal Maternal Depression with Early Childhood Behavioral Problems: An Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Study

This study examined the association of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), prenatal, and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms with externalizing, internalizing, and autism spectrum problems on the Preschool Child Behavior Checklist in 2379 children aged 4.12 ± 0.60 (48% female; 47% White, 32% Black, 15% Mixed Race, 4% Asian, <2% American Indian/Alaskan Native, <2% Native Hawaiian; 23% Hispanic). Data were collected from the NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program from 2009-2021. GDM, prenatal, and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms were each associated with increased child externalizing and internalizing problems. GDM was associated with increased autism behaviors only among children exposed to perinatal maternal depressive symptoms above the median level. Stratified analyses revealed a relation between GDM and child outcomes in males only.     

Advancing autism technology

The purpose of this review is to broadly identify technological advances in supports and evaluation for individuals on the autism spectrum. Literature review with commentary on the evolving technologies supporting and/or evaluating social-emotional, behavioral, academic, and cognitive domains. There has been an increasing synthesis of technology within the education domain. A growing body of research has investigated the potentiality and efficacy of technological interventions, specifically in the area of support for individuals on the autism spectrum. This growth must also factor in sustainability and feasibility to be practical within the school setting. Continued research is also necessary to ensure the equity of technology supporting individuals on the autism spectrum.