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| Topics in Clinical, Family and Behavioral Medicine: Applied Research |
| Tuesday, November 14, 2017 |
| 4:00 PM–4:50 PM |
| Studio DE, Niveau 2 |
| Area: CBM |
| Instruction Level: Intermediate |
| Chair: Renee Cachia (Monash University) |
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| The Experience of Grandparenthood Among Grandparents of Children With Autism in the Arab-Bedouin Society |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| HAGAR BINOUN-CHAKI (Ben-Gurion University; Soroka University Medical Center) |
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| Abstract: Studies have investigated grandparents' perceptions relating to their grandchildren with disabilities. Literature on grandparenthood focuses on the Western grandparents. Autism within the Arab populations has also being investigated. Moreover, the Bedouin population can also be seen in various studies related to different experiences and different perceptions about disabilities in general and among children in particular. However, no studies were found on grand parenting a child with autism in Bedouin society. This study combines three areas of knowledge, to create a new knowledge domain. The aim of this study was to learn about the experience of grand parenting an autistic child in the Bedouin Arab society, to examine how it affects the grandparents' relationships, feelings, and functioning within the family, and as individuals, as well as to examine their coping mechanisms and their social support networks. This study is significant and unique as it is the first to examine autism and grandparents among the Bedouin Arab population in Israel, a population that has unique socio-demographic, cultural and traditional characteristics. The study revealed three themes concerning the meaning of grandparenthood to be associated with family continuity, how autism is perceived, and the importance of religion. It suggests a new category the status of the elderly in the Arab-Bedouin family. It is recognized that the role of the elderly is held in high esteem, and can be affected by the grandchilds autism. |
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How can Mindfulness Enhance Outcomes in Children Engaging in an Applied Behavior Analysis Program? |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| RENEE CACHIA (Monash University), Angelika Anderson (Monash University), Dennis W. Moore (Monash University) |
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| Abstract: Parenting a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often associated with reduced quality of life, high stress, depression and anxiety due to the ongoing nature of care. A proliferation of recent research has demonstrated that mindfulness-based interventions potentially have long-term positive effects on stress levels and psychological wellbeing in parents of children with ASD, in addition to enhancing their child's behavior. The current study examined the impact of a mindfulness intervention which was tailored to parents involved in an ABA program. Parent stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, in addition to their heart-rate and blood pressure were outcome measures. A multiple base-line design was adopted to measure the child's ABA program over 24 weeks, with emphasis on their imitation and receptive language skill acquisition. The results and implications for future research and clinical directions will be discussed. |
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