Abstract This paper opposed the 2001 U.S. Supreme Court decision to prohibit capital developmentaldelay capital punishment for the mentally retarded. It objects to the Court leaving the States power to define who is mentally retarded, instead of looking at who is capable of standing trial.
From the Paper "It was on Friday 2001 when the Supreme Court took the final decision of prohibiting or banning the capital punishment of the mentally retarded. There were around fifteen states out of the 38 states that excused the mentally retarded from its reach, as done by the federal government. While, on the other hand, the remaining thirty-eight states had permit death penalty (Wilson, 2002). However, lately a group of retired American diplomats insisted the Supreme Court to ban such executions in general, and argued that the lack of such a ban "will strain diplomatic relations with close American allies (Fournier, 2002)."
Abstract The science fiction literary classic, "Flowers for Algernon", details the story of a young, mentally handicapped man named Charlie Gordon, who becomes the subject of an intelligence experiment by a group of researchers. The paper highlights one of the most striking aspects of Charlie's mental and social journey; the sense of profound isolation that surrounds him at both poles of his intellectual progression. The paper powerfully portrays the difficulties involved in educating a developmentallydelayed child and a gifted child. The paper emphasizes the message of the book; special children must have their individual needs fulfilled, yet must also have a healthy social environment and be part of a normal peer group and family.
From the Paper "The divide between what is considered normal can be as cataclysmic for a gifted child as it is for a developmentally delayed child. Such is the lesson conveyed by Flowers for Algernon. The book details the story of a young, mentally handicapped man named Charlie Gordon, who becomes the subject of an intelligence experiment by a group of researchers. The researchers have enhanced the intelligence of a mouse, the Algernon of the title, so that it is capable of beating Charlie at a series of intelligence tests. Charlie volunteers to be the first human subject of such intellectual enhancement experimentation."
Abstract This paper discusses developmental theory and applies it to a specific case of a student in elementary school with ADHD, hyperactivity disorder. Within the paper the practice of developmental theory is discussed, and then the theory is applied to the pertinent case. In this instance the child will need to be observed for what he is doing, and assessments made to provide him with a treatment plan.
From the Paper "The concept of developmental theory relies on the examination of an individual's life experiences, as well as the person's emotional and physical growth within their society. While there may be standard expectations of growth within certain age groups, there are also elements of growth that can only be determined within each individual (Maier, 1994, p. 58). This is evident when it is considered that each person has varying experiences within life, and that these experiences have a direct affect on the development of every individual. Within the realm of developmental theory a child can be evaluated in several areas. These may include life transitions, personal values, attachments to others, personal interactions, and "trials and errors" (Maier, 1994 p. 59)."
Abstract This paper describes a research project which attempted to determine techniques and modalities that have been shown to be effective in the treatment of developmental disabilities in general. A specific emphasis was placed on how these issues affect this population in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A review of the peer-reviewed and relevant literature is followed by an assessment of the significance of the research and its implications for policymakers and practitioners. A summary of the research is provided at the conclusion.
Outline:
Abstract
Disabled in Albuquerque
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Importance of the Study
Review and Discussion
Developmentally Disabled in Albuquerque Today
Creating a Collaborative Environment among Service Providers
Significance of Analysis
Implications for Policymakers
Implications for Healthcare Practitioners
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "Because resources are by definition scarce, it is important to identify the most effective treatment modality available for helping people who are developmentally disabled. While most healthcare practitioners today may debate the fine points, a virtual consensus has emerged in recent years that suggests a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment is the most effective clinical intervention available because it makes the most of the resources that are available. By treating children and adults with developmental disabilities in an interdisciplinary setting characterized by culturally sensitive practitioners, the knowledge and expertise of a wide range of practitioners can be brought to bear on these challenging problems."
Abstract This paper attempts to address the topic of developmental psychology, also known as human development. This scientific area of study within the field of psychology focuses on the study of the gradual psychological changes that take place in human beings as they mature. The paper discusses how, historically, this subject area dealt primarily with the psychological development in infants and children, and later expanded its focus to other periods of psychological and physical change, such as adolescence and aging.
Outline:
Introduction
History
Categorization by Age and Stage in the Lifecycle
Some Important Theories
Stage Theory
Incremental/Continuous Theories
Social Contextualism
Ecological Systems Theory
Methods Adopted in the Field
Conclusion
From the Paper "The thoughts of the Soviet researcher Lev Vygotsky are gradually gaining more popularity in the field of American psychology. In the field of developmental psychology, in specific, his ground-breaking work relating to the significance of social interactions and the so-called "zone of proximal development" is now recognized. Vygotsy based his theory on three premises namely: (a) humans are associated with the physical world and each other by processes of cultural mediation that utilize both psychological and technical tools of the surrounding culture, (b) cultural mediation and, therefore, human psychological functions go through uninterrupted and lifelong alterations, and (c) human psychological functions arise from practical activity in specific contexts. Thus cultural groups have a significant impact on cognition and its development and cognition is a dynamic activity in which the individual both shapes and is shaped by the environmental surroundings. (The Vygotsky Project)"
Tags:developmental, Psychology, Human Development, Piaget, Infancy, Childhood
This is a case study depicting the educational, social, physiological and motor abilities of a four year old girl who attends a preschool for children with special needs.
Abstract This is a case study that goes in depth to the problems and abilities of A.M., a developmentallydelayed 4 year old girl from NYC. The Peabody Development Motor Scale was the test used to assess the abilities of A.M. Gross and Fine motor skills are assessed, as well as social and cognitive abilities. Treatment ideas are given, as well as short term and long term goals.
Outline
Visual/Perceptual Motor Skills
Questions that Need to be Further Investigated
Theory/Frame of Reference
Further Clinical Evaluations
Goals for the Treatment Plan
Theoretical Rationale
From the Paper "Background Information: A.M. is a half African-American and half Hispanic four-year-old girl who is the youngest of six children that resides with their mother in the Bronx; her oldest sibling is twenty-two years old. With A.M., her mother had a normal full term pregnancy without any complications. A.M. is able to see her father "often," but according to her mother, they do not know where her father lives. She was referred to occupational therapy by her pediatrician for language and speech delays. According to school staff, A.M. has behavioral regulation problems which are targeted in treatment."
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of the first few years of child development for social, mental and emotional formation. It examines the regular pace of child development and discusses the possible causes of delays. The paper discusses the impacts of developmentaldelays on children, how they can be diagnosed and the importance of treatment.
From the Paper "In homes where drug abuse takes place, people who are not related to the child are often in and out of the house taking time away from the parent-child relationship. Young children are even expected to take on the household chores like cleaning and cooking and babysitting their even younger siblings or elderly grandparents who may be present. While they must already face the difficulty of growing up and developing slower than their peers, they deal with these kinds of things at home adding aggressiveness, anxiety, defensiveness, anger, fear, and tiredness to their delays. Some children even develop physical symptoms because of drug abuse in the home while they are developing that stay with them for long periods of time if not permanently."
Abstract Autism refers to a complex brain disorder that impairs a person's ability to communicate, respond to surroundings or to form relationships with others. The paper discusses the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder and examines methods of treatment for each of the characteristics appearing in the paper. The specific characteristics explored in the paper are learning disabilities, communication disorders, social withdrawal, developmentaldelay and language disorders.
From the Paper "One of the obvious characteristics of autism spectrum disorder is learning disability. People with this disorder exhibit both verbal and non-verbal learning disabilities. The non-verbal learning disabilities are more marked than the verbal ones. Learning problems make it difficult for the children to benefit fully from the normal school educational programs. A number of intervention techniques can be taken to minimize learning handicaps for the autistic children. First, the parents of autistic children ought to understand their children's learning styles and strengths, and to reinforce them. They need also to teach them simple and practicable learning skills. According to Lovaas (1987), the children should be taught basic learning skills, language skills and skills for participation in Least Restrictive Environment. The schools with these children should set functional learning objectives for them. They must not set targets that are too high for them, since this will discourage them from learning. Another intervention technique is motivating the children to learn. Both parents and teachers should pay attention to motivational factors that give impetus to these children, to learn, and reinforce those factors. They must also recognize factors that interfere with learning, and try to eliminate them. Parents must be equipped with behaviour management techniques and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) to promote learning (Bloch, 2005)."
Abstract In this article, the writer investigates various construction companies within Libya, to rank construction delay variables in accordance with their effect on delay and cost. Additionally, the researcher's aim includes reviewing the existing literature available on the construction industry to ascertain the primary causes of delays in construction processes. To achieve these aims, the author evaluates what are the primary causes of delays related to construction processes. Further, the writer discusses what construction companies exist in Libya and how these variables rank according to their effect on project delay and cost. The writer also examines how construction delays impact the cost of construction processes.
Outline:
Introduction
Objectives
Literature Review
Methodology
Analysis of Data
Implications
References
From the Paper "Ford notes that political leadership in Libya is ripe for encouraging foreign investment in multiple sectors. The country will need to increase its' production capacity to attract foreign investors particularly in underdeveloped fields. The country must also reintegrate itself in the international political arena by working on relations with the governments in major countries of western Europe and the U.S."
"Sebestyen notes that construction and modern manufacturing has along history that can be traced several thousand years. Changing technologies have impacted multiple arenas including construction, where the techniques, processes, materials, machines and information of technology must be embraced during production and used in different ways for different countries, even in the presence of international trends in construction. Technology has stimulated among other things better conditions within the construction industry, better quality, durability and increased opportunities for sustainable growth."
Abstract This paper states that delayed childbirth is a growing trend in the United States and will continue to increase. This paper discusses that the literature indicates both advantages and disadvantages associated with having children later in life but, despite the advantages, there are certain pregnancy and labor risks. The author believes that nurses need more training in ways to assist mothers who decide to put off having their first child.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Factors Influencing Delayed Childbirth
Advantages of Delayed Childbirth
Disadvantages of Delayed Childbirth
Pregnancy Outcomes for Mature Women
Nursing Interventions
Conclusions
From the Paper "In their discussion of disadvantages associated with delayed childbirth, the March of Dimes (1995) reports that women over 35 becoming pregnant for the first time are at increased risk for infertility and miscarriage, gestational diabetes, bleeding complications, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, cesarean section, and for chromosomal abnormalities and growth retardation in babies. Rates of premature delivery and stillbirth also are said to increase, as does the chance of having multiple births (e.g., twins, triplets or higher order births). It is further noted that since about half of all pregnancies for all women in the United States are not intended, including in women over 35, it is very important that all women of reproductive capacity follow guidelines to promote reproductive health and pregnancy."
Abstract This paper begins with a brief overview of the early years of Republican politician, Tom Delay and then takes a look at his political career. The paper describes Delay's entry into politics, his term in the Texas House of Representatives, his political service before becoming Majority Whip, and his role as House Majority Whip. The paper also discusses DeLay's political style, his voting record, his ideology and his standing in his own party.
From the Paper "In 1991, the lines of the district were redrawn, but in August 1996, the Supreme Court ruled that surrounding districts were unconstitutional because they were racially motivated, and thus ordered a new redistricting which in turn affected the twenty-second district. This increased the African American population of DeLay's district from approximately eight percent to eighteen percent. Although the Asian population of DeLay's district is one of the highest in Texas at approximately seven percent, (Jagers 422) it remained virtually unchanged, as did the Hispanic population."
Tags: united, states, congress, represent, constituents, legislative, level, government
Abstract This paper analyzes and examines the critical aspects of the current educational system in the United States. It provides a review of the literature pertaining to school readiness, delayed entry into kindergarten and parent education programs. It concludes by discussing overarching legal requirements regarding entrance to formal education in the State of California. The paper follows by describing the regulations of a school district and the role of a local preschool in an affluent community in Southern California: Mission Viejo. It presents demographic information regarding this community as well as pertinent information about the actual rates and attitudes in the city regarding delayed entry into formal education.
Table of Contents:
Executive Summary
Statement of the Problem
Literature Review
Methodology of the Proposed Intervention
Mission Viejo, California
Local Preschools and Parents
Aims of the Intervention
Method
Recruitment
Description of the Intervention & Procedures
Training Sessions
Pacific Preschool Skills Assessment Development Scale
The Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory
Parenting Stress Index Short Form
Parenting Efficacy for Helping Children Succeed in School
Parental Beliefs Regarding Delayed Entry Questionnaire
Analysis
Pilot Study
Appendix
From the Paper "Parents are choosing to K-Shirt their age appropriate, academically prepared children due to social immaturity (B. Bruce, E. Fineberg, L. Way, personal communication, 2005; Emond, 2005; Holloman, 1990; Meisels, 1992;). The risk is that at the age of 18, the State of California will allow any child to drop out of high school. The K-shirted child could attain the age of 18 by the summer prior to their junior year in high school. As most states allow dropping out of school by the age of 16, this issue of immaturity can arise anywhere. However, in this proposal we are examining a specific population of parents who are only looking at a small amount of data around the first few years of schooling. The drop out age is raised only to inform readers that there are other aspects of immaturity to be considered."
Abstract The paper relates that although critics and scholars have offered many different reasons for Hamlet's delay in avenging the death of Denmark's King, none of these possible causes have received unanimous acceptance. The paper then examines the various plausible explanations for Hamlet's delay in killing Claudius. The paper also explains that there is some degree of certainty that Hamlet's obvious madness, whether it was feigned or real, had a great deal of influence on his actions.
From the Paper "It has also been said that Hamlet's delay was caused by doubt about Claudius's action or the motive of the ghost. It is seen that Hamlet does suspect the motives of the ghost when he wonders if it could be a devil trying to lure him to commit the hideous crime. But this doubt is soon settled during the play scene and Hamlet is still unsure of his reaction and leaves for England. Morality is also out of question as the possible cause because Hamlet feels no remorse or burden on his conscience when Rosencrantz and Guildenstern die. (V.ii.58) This shows that he fully understood the difference between killing an innocent man and killing an offender."
Abstract This work attempts to describe various aspects of parents? coping styles with their developmentally challenged child, assuming that, with the help of therapeutic intervention, both the developmentally challenged child and the family system as a systematic unit, and, of course, each one of its members individually, will draw much benefit and gain the power to efficiently cope with their life.
Outline
The Birth of a Developmentally Challenged Child
Emotional Difficulties in the Family of the Developmentally Challenged
Child
Coping with Stressful Situations in the Family
Coping Theory According to Menushin's Family Therapy
The Structural Approach ? Therapeutic Conclusions
Family in Therapy
Generation of the Therapeutic System Therapeutic Intervention by Way of Therapeutic Group
From the Paper "The crisis of change stems from the sudden change that occurred in the parents? perception of themselves, their family and their future. Each parent has plans for the new born. The expectations are broken when they receive the new that their child was born with mental deficiency and diminished capacity, and they are replaced with an attempt of the parents to rehabilitate their world in light of the sad news."
Tags: guilt, denial, protection, grief, deficiency, disability, handicapped, different, normal
Abstract This paper considers the many challenges and obstacles encountered by individuals with developmental disabilities and the caretakers of those individuals. The paper discusses the stress of caring for someone with a developmental disability, the harmful effects caused by negative stereotyping of the developmentally disabled and functional difficulties that the developmentally disabled experience in society.
Outline
Societal View
Stereotypes
Challenges for Families
Functioning in Society
Assisting Transitions
From the Paper "The societal view of people with developmental disabilities such as autism, down's syndrome, and mental retardation is complicated. On the one hand, there is a tradition in Western healthcare of institutionalizing these clients and keeping them separate from society. On the other hand, there is a growing movement for the integration of these individuals into productive roles into society through assisted living, independent living, and other alternatives stressing independence and empowerment of the disabled individual. This is sometimes known as the respective eras of institutionalization and deinstitutionalization in respect to individuals with developmental disabilities and how society views them. Seltzer et. al (2001) remark that "Many agencies that provide services to individuals with mental retardation were created in the era of deinstitutionalization (sic) and many still serve individuals who previously lived in state institutions whose families may not be highly involved."