Unexpected changes of itinerary – adaptive functioning difficulties in daily transitions for adults with autism spectrum disorder

Adaptive functioning skills, also known as adaptive behaviours, refer to a multifaceted concept defined as behaviours necessary for age-appropriate, independent functioning in social, communication, daily living or motor areas. In light of the growing population of children with ASD who will eventually become adults, increased understanding of adaptive functioning during the transition to adulthood is of importance, but current research in this area lacks first-hand evidence presenting adaptive skills difficulties among older adolescents and adults with ASD. This article focuses on adaptive functioning skills in daily transitions for adults with Asperger’s syndrome (AS) or high-functioning autism (HFA). It draws on evidence from 12 interviews with individuals on the autism spectrum age 16–43, and 2 focus groups with 8 family members of people affected by ASD. Particular emphasis is placed on impact of adaptive functioning difficulties on well-being and quality of life for adults with ASD. Grounded theory approach has been used to analyse the gathered data. Interviewees reflected on daily challenges associated with unexpected changes in routine, sensory difficulties and social interactions. These in turn had an impact on their adaptive functioning skills by introducing complications in the process of making transitions between different contexts and decreasing interviewees’ ability to tackle challenges of daily life. Importance placed on societal expectations towards meeting bespoken standards and conforming to norms ruling the structure and interactions of daily life were also widely discussed. Frequently such expectations did not allow for factoring in the developmental nature of ASD and related difficulties, which as a result triggered additional complexity in managing daily transitions for adults on the spectrum. Further research addressing adaptive functioning skills in daily transitions for adults with ASD is needed.     

知识经济与青年创新力培养

知识经济的发展要求我们注重全民族创新意识的提高,特别是青年创新力的培养.而传统文化和当今教育严重阻碍青年创新人才的涌现.因此,必须消除青年创新力发展的障碍,努力增强我国青年创新力.     

浅谈新形势下高校共青团工作

高等教育体制改革,高校扩招,后勤社会化,网络技术的发展,给高校共青团工作带来了新的挑战和机遇。在新形势下,必须明确方向,理清思路,创造性的开展工作,才能推动学校共青团事业实现新的发展。     

Potential for knowledge in action? An analysis of Korean green energy related K3–12 curriculum and texts

While understanding green energy development and what drives it are important, there is increasing consensus that sustainability transitions concerning usage need to be viewed in terms of the place specific contexts, including education, that critically mold them. In order to support sustainability transitions, information and knowledge building are not enough; knowledge must be turned into action. This research examines the potential efficacy of Korea’s efforts in this regard via an analysis of K3–K12 geography education curriculum and texts vis-à-vis green energy content. There is scant disconnect between the curriculum and the texts analyzed, and, aside from the small shortcomings unearthed, analyses suggest that Korea is cogent of the ability of geography education and education for sustainable development to turn knowledge into action, thereby empowering civil society to drive its green energy transitions going forward.     

Global Social Responsibility: Developing a Scale for Senior High School Students in Japan

This research was conducted with the aim of clarifying a concept of “global social responsibility.” A total sample of 395 senior high school students in Japan responded to a pool of items mostly adapted from a scale developed by Starrett (1996) and provided additional data concerning their social experiences. The data were used in the development of a Japanese version of the Global Social Responsibility (GSR) scale. It was found that “global altruism,” “active involvement with society,” and “understanding of interdependence” constituted a construct of global social responsibility. It was also found that females, those who discussed social problems with their family, those who revealed a high awareness of responsibility and those who had multiple experiences of volunteer activities for community service showed high GSR scores. The scale provides both an awareness of the concept and a measure for determining levels of global social responsibility. Counseling professionals are encouraged to consider their roles from a global and social perspective, with the notion of responsibility being seen as central to the concepts of freedom and personal development.     

The urban and the natural in education reform: the development of Hamburg Schullandheime (rural school hostels) in the 1920s

ABSTRACT

The desire to be close to nature and live in tune with it grew as industrialisation, urbanisation and the impact of technology became increasingly ubiquitous at the turn of the twentieth century. Throughout Europe, model schools were established in rural environments. These private reform schools could not solve the problems of public urban schools. Founded on the initiative of teachers and parents, the Schullandheim (rural school hostel) emerged as a new form bringing urban education and schooling close to nature after the First World War in Germany. Even if related pedagogic activities developed at that time in other countries there is no evidence for comparable institutions. Besides tracing the development of Schullandheime, the article shows how the school hostel idea was embedded in the contemporary educational discussion about the influence large cities had on youth and explores the educational and cultural differences within the school hostel movement through the use of visual material.     

习近平青年工作思想对高校辅导员专业化的指导价值

党的十八大以来,习近平总书记围绕青年和青年工作的重大理论和实践问题,进行了全面系统的战略谋划和决策部署,为做好新时代青年工作提供了价值导向、理论指引和方法路径。高校辅导员应遵循高校思想政治工作革新,把握贯彻习近平青年工作思想,顺应青年工作的"事""时""势",从增强职业认同、理顺职业角色、提升职业素养、提高职业能力和提高思政工作亲和力等方面,提升高校思想政治工作育人成效。     

Mental toughness and transitions to high school and to undergraduate study

Mental toughness can be conceptualised as a set of attributes that allow people to deal effectively with challenges, stressors and pressure. Recent work has suggested that it may be a valuable construct to consider within educational settings. The current studies explored the associations between mental toughness and educational transitions. Study 1 examined the relationships between mental toughness and concerns about moving to a new school in 105 children aged 12–13 years of age. The results revealed significant relationships between several aspects of mental toughness, but particularly confidence in abilities, and children’s concerns. Study 2 examined the relationships between mental toughness and adjustment to university in 200 undergraduate students at various stages of their course. The results revealed a role for several aspects of mental toughness; commitment, control of life, control of emotion, confidence in abilities and interpersonal confidence. The results are discussed in terms of implications for educational practice. It is suggested that measures of mental toughness could be used to identify individuals who may benefit from additional support during transition to a new school or to university, and that future research should explore the potential benefits of mental toughness training.     

中国原创青少年科普期刊办刊探索与实践——以《问天少年》为例

近年来,科普的重要性得到社会广泛认同,青少年是科普的重要对象。为提升中国青少年科学素养,同时提升期刊原创科普能力,航空知识杂志社在纸刊日渐衰退的时代,逆势创办科普期刊《问天少年》。本文就为什么办以及如何办好原创青少年科普期刊进行了探讨。针对青少年这一特殊群体,以《问天少年》为例,总结了原创优质青少年科普期刊的显著特点,并分享了创办青少年科普期刊的探索与实践经验。     

高职院校青年教师激励机制研究——以重庆市高职院校为例

青年教师作为高职院校教师队伍的生力军,正承载着为社会直接培养高素质的应用性技术人才的重任。通过分析青年教师需求特征,提出建立适度倾斜的薪酬制度、创建青年教师个人发展的平台等有效激励机制。