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1 – 10 of over 13000Purpose – This chapter examines the relationship between prenatal testing, Down syndrome identification, and selective termination practices, and it does so by considering whether…
Abstract
Purpose – This chapter examines the relationship between prenatal testing, Down syndrome identification, and selective termination practices, and it does so by considering whether the selective termination of fetuses with Down syndrome might constitute genocidal practices.
Methodology/approach – Exploratory and speculative in nature, this chapter brings the phenomenon of prenatal testing and selective termination practices together, and explores whether the increasingly widespread termination of fetuses with Down syndrome fits within definitions of genocide.
Findings – Addressing perceptions of Down syndrome and disability, and integrating aspects of crip politics and definitions of genocide, this chapter concludes that the phenomenon of selective termination involving fetuses with Down syndrome can constitute genocide when particular definitions and interpretations are adopted.
Originality/value – This chapter is perhaps the first academic text to critically evaluate the relationship between prenatal testing, selective termination of fetuses with Down syndrome, and criminological genocide scholarship. Importantly, it does not evaluate individual decision-making practices regarding termination, but instead focuses on collective practices and conditions that work to minimize the number of people with Down syndrome in society.
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Michele Modina and Stefano Zedda
In this study, a panel of 74,128 Italian SMEs was analyzed to verify whether any syndromes could be identified and defined through financial ratios. Defining relevant syndromes…
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, a panel of 74,128 Italian SMEs was analyzed to verify whether any syndromes could be identified and defined through financial ratios. Defining relevant syndromes (i.e. the set of correlated signs and symptoms often associated with a particular disorder) can be of importance for assessing which specific intervention can solve a firm's difficulties.
Design/methodology/approach
To identify the main syndromes involved in company defaults, firstly, financial data on defaulted firms for each of the main economic sectors were examined through a cluster analysis; the results obtained for each sector were then compared to verify whether syndromes recur across sectors. Finally, the effects of each syndrome were compared with possible default causes, as described by previous literature.
Findings
Results show that a significant share of corporate insolvencies is characterized by a set of recurrent signs and symptoms so that the main syndromes can be identified. The results also show that these syndromes recur across sectors, even if specific values characterize each sector.
Research limitations/implications
The approach adopted in this study sets a new direction for the analysis of default risk, as the study shows that certain key syndromes can be defined and described, and the study suggests that different problems can induce different risk patterns. Further analyses of other samples could confirm whether the same syndromes recur over countries and over time.
Originality/value
This is the first study aimed at identifying and describing the syndromes affecting SMEs, conducted by means of balance-sheet ratios.
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Kelsey Prena and John L. Sherry
Video games have the potential to improve brain plasticity in people with Down syndrome. However, little has been done to understand video game preferences in this population. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Video games have the potential to improve brain plasticity in people with Down syndrome. However, little has been done to understand video game preferences in this population. The purpose of this paper is to describe a brief exploration of video game preferences in children with Down syndrome.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was used to collect information from parents of children with Down syndrome about their child’s favorite video games and why they like video games.
Findings
Children with Down syndrome, as reported by their parents, most frequently play action/adventure games, and have several motivating factors for game play including overcoming challenges to gain reward and having fun engaging in the game world.
Research limitations/implications
The current study only recruited from a small sample of the Down syndrome population and therefore may lack generalizability.
Practical implications
Gaining a better understanding of which aspects of video games appeal to children with Down syndrome. Knowing what they prefer will enable us to design games that are engaging and cognitively beneficial.
Originality/value
This paper proposes the importance of video game play to promote development in children with Down syndrome.
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Sharna McQuillan, Sunny Kalsy, Jan Oyebode, Dave Millichap, Chris Oliver and Scott Hall
Adults with Down's Syndrome are at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in later life. This paper gives an overview of the current research in the area and discusses the…
Abstract
Adults with Down's Syndrome are at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in later life. This paper gives an overview of the current research in the area and discusses the implications it raises for individuals, carers and service providers. Information on the link between Down's Syndrome and Alzheimer's disease and prevalence rates are given. The clinical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and a stage model documenting the progression of the disease are presented. Attention is drawn to the problems inherent in assessing and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in a person with a pre‐existing learning disability. The importance of a thorough assessment procedure and guidelines for assessment methods are highlighted. The paper also discusses the management of Alzheimer's disease and focuses on care management practices and recommendations for service provision. Guidelines for supporting individuals include maintaining skills, adopting a person‐centred approach, implementing psychosocial interventions and multidisciplinary care management. Finally, high prevalence rates of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down's Syndrome and increasing life spans are highlighted as a particular concern, and recommendations for the future include increasing education and awareness, implementing screening services, improving assessment methods and developing appropriate services.
Hayley Starkey, Shelley Bevins and Simon Bonell
People with Down's syndrome are at increased risk of developing early onset Alzheimer's disease. It has been recommended that all adults with Down's syndrome receive baseline…
Abstract
Purpose
People with Down's syndrome are at increased risk of developing early onset Alzheimer's disease. It has been recommended that all adults with Down's syndrome receive baseline neuropsychological testing for dementia. In certain areas prospective screening of people with Down's syndrome takes place to ensure the early diagnosis of the condition. However, little has been published on the value of this type of screening. The purpose of this paper is to report on a prospective screening programme and asks whether the programme is effective in identifying dementia-related changes in people with Down's syndrome and whether the current screening intervals are appropriate.
Design/methodology/approach
All adults with Down's syndrome in Plymouth (UK) are identified and offered a comprehensive test battery at baseline at the age of 20 and then have testing biennially from 40 to 50 and annually after 50. All individuals diagnosed with dementia between 2001 and 2013 were identified and their case notes examined. The symptoms at the time of diagnosis were identified and whether these symptoms had been identified through the screening programme or by other routes were recorded. Prevalence data and age at diagnosis were also recorded.
Findings
In total, 26 people were diagnosed with dementia during the study period. Of these, the diagnosis of dementia followed concerns being identified during the routine screening programme in 54 per cent of cases. In the younger age group (age 40-49) 63 per cent of people were identified through the screening programme. At the time of diagnosis a mean of 5.5 areas of concern were in evidence.
Research limitations/implications
Limited by small sample size, however service development not original research. Implications for the use of prospective dementia screening in people with Down's syndrome.
Practical implications
Implications for how services choose to run their Down's syndrome and dementia screening programmes, including the frequency of screening.
Originality/value
The paper adds to a growing evidence base around the value of prospective dementia screening in people with Down's syndrome. It is also one of a few studies exploring the frequency of screening. Additionally, it adds further data about prevalence of dementia in people with Down's syndrome.
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The purpose of this paper is to estimate the size of the population of people with Down’s syndrome in Scotland in order to provide a basis for estimating likely numbers of people…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to estimate the size of the population of people with Down’s syndrome in Scotland in order to provide a basis for estimating likely numbers of people with dementia in Down’s syndrome at a range of ages.
Design/methodology/approach
Recorded data were requested from all general practitioner (GP) services in Scotland on people with an identified READ code denoting Down’s syndrome. A statistical weighting model was then applied to account for non-response bias.
Findings
There were 3,261 people with Down’s syndrome estimated by the application of a statistical weighting model. Of these, 1,118 people (34 percent) were aged between 40 and 59. This age banding includes the age groups reported as having the highest incidence of early onset dementia in Down’s syndrome.
Research limitations/implications
It is not possible to apply a benchmark to the percentage of observed data which gives an indication of how accurate the estimates produced are. Rather, the quality of the estimates depends on the response rate itself and the extent to which response is correlated with the outcome variable. In short, the quality of the final weighted estimates depends on the extent to which the biasing effect is mitigated by the weighting. As a result, a different response rate to this survey would have resulted in variations in the weighting model and therefore provided a different set of estimates.
Social implications
Adults with Down’s syndrome have an elevated risk of developing dementia significantly earlier than the general population and require specific age appropriate supports and services to meet their needs both pre and post-diagnosis. The reality of this is currently not fully realized in either standard practice or national policy concerning the issue.
Originality/value
This is the first set of data collected from GP services in Scotland to examine this issue and attempt to identify the population of people with Down’s syndrome in Scotland as a whole.
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The purpose of this paper is to integrate impostor syndrome and leadership research to identify antecedents of impostor syndrome, their impact on sustainable leader behaviors. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to integrate impostor syndrome and leadership research to identify antecedents of impostor syndrome, their impact on sustainable leader behaviors. The paper also postulates the moderating effect of mindfulness and leader member exchange on impostor syndrome and sustainable leader behaviors, respectively.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper relies on an integrative approach of literature review on impostor syndrome and leadership. After identifying gaps in impostor syndrome research and its intersectionality with the constructs of contextual leadership theory, an integrative conceptual framework was formulated incorporating antecedents, consequences and moderators of impostor syndrome.
Findings
Three antecedents of impostor syndrome were identified from the literature, namely, gender, family/social role expectation and personality traits. Additionally, this paper also unearths contextual factors as yet another antecedent to impostor syndrome. Negative impact of impostor syndrome on leader behaviors such as managerial decision-making, innovative work behavior (IWB) and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) were established by connecting those to the three primary characteristics of impostor syndrome, namely, low self-efficacy, fear of failure and perceived fraudulence, respectively. Finally, the paper also posits the moderating role of leader member exchange and mindfulness and proposes mindfulness training as an effective intervention for impostor syndrome.
Research limitations/implications
This being a conceptual paper will benefit from empirical studies that corroborate theoretical posits. The scope of studying the effect of impostor syndrome on sustainable leader behavior was limited to three major variables, namely, managerial decision-making, IWB and OCB. Thus, it calls for a more elaborate model of impostor syndrome including other relevant leader behaviors.
Practical implications
The model when applied in organizational context addresses the need for mindfulness training to reduce the effect of impostor syndrome among leaders. Leaders will exhibit sustainable behaviors when provided with the right kind of training.
Originality/value
The study attempts to integrate the two independent constructs, impostor syndrome and leadership to establish a novel and meaningful connection and throws light to the unaddressed antecedents, consequences and moderators of its impact on sustainable leader behaviors. From learning and development practitioners’ perspective, it also signifies the effectiveness of mindfulness training among employees’ personal and professional development.
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This paper provides a brief overview of research, knowledge and practice regarding Asperger's syndrome, an autistic spectrum disorder that has only recently been acknowledged by…
Abstract
This paper provides a brief overview of research, knowledge and practice regarding Asperger's syndrome, an autistic spectrum disorder that has only recently been acknowledged by clinicians. The paper reviews our knowledge of the degree and nature of the impairments of social understanding of such individuals, especially their problems with making and keeping friends, perception of social and emotional cues, understanding and management of emotions, and ability to recognise the thoughts and feelings of others. Difficulties with communication and conversation skills are explained, as well as the person's tendency to develop areas of expertise and special interests. People with Asperger's syndrome have an unusual profile of cognitive abilities; some have signs of movement disturbance and some are extraordinarily perceptive of sensory experiences. The prevalence and aetiology of Asperger's syndrome are discussed briefly.
The purpose of this paper is to critically examine reasons for disproportionately high levels of exclusion from the workplace of adults with Asperger syndrome.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to critically examine reasons for disproportionately high levels of exclusion from the workplace of adults with Asperger syndrome.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology adopted involves empirical analysis of secondary, qualitative datasets. The twin datasets applied are examined using labour process analysis.
Findings
The main findings highlight the role of new and subtle forms of management control, a deficient yet necessary conflict dynamic in the employment relationship, and a reluctance of employers to involve third parties, in the exclusion process.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited because of the use of secondary datasets. Further research should be based on primary data collection and analysis, particularly in terms of seeking the views of other important parties to the exclusion process.
Practical implications
The problem of exclusion is unlikely to be improved without considering strategies to address the challenging customary social relations between employer and employee.
Social implications
Improving employment inclusion is likely to reduce mental health problems for adults with Asperger syndrome and reduce the burden on those who play a broader supporting role.
Originality/value
The topic of Asperger syndrome and employment has yet to permeate the academic literature on human resource management, employment relations and organisation studies.
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Bożena Frączek, Katarzyna Plutecka, Anna Gagat-Matuła and Anna Czyż
The purpose of this study is to identify consumer buying behavior, sense of security on the market and basic economic knowledge among young people with autism spectrum disorder…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify consumer buying behavior, sense of security on the market and basic economic knowledge among young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – Asperger Syndrome, while the empirical goal is the development of conclusions and implications, which may be used in consumer strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
The research consisted of a pilot study and used the diagnostic survey method. A survey questionnaire of the own devising was used. The study used a purposive (arbitrary) sample. This was a non-probability respondent sample, consisting of subjective selection by researchers among a selected closed representative sample, the aim of which was to test the research tool (survey questionnaire) during the pilot study. The survey questionnaire was constructed on the basis of theoretical assumptions explaining consumer buying behavior and on a literature review regarding research conducted in this area. The study was conducted on adolescents aged between 16 and 19 years of age, 40 of whom suffered from ASD – Asperger syndrome and 50 of whom were without ASD – Asperger syndrome (control group).
Findings
The results indicate a limited range of consumer behaviors, a relatively poor sense of security in consumer (retail) spending and a limited understanding of fundamental consumer issues among young consumers with ASD – Asperger syndrome in comparison to people from the control group.
Practical implications
This study suggests that marketers should prepare diverse means of communication with consumers and a variety of sales strategies targeted at consumers with communication disorders. The research may be extended to include the large number of factors that influence consumer behavior among people with ASD – Asperger syndrome, together with the determination of the predictors. The factors contribute to a varying extent to constant changes in consumer behavior, which makes it necessary for longitudinal or even cyclical studies to be carried out. In further research, the research tool should be improved in terms of more precise questions relevant to a given issue and random sampling should be implemented.
Social implications
The research concept can be transferred to other vulnerable groups with communication disorders (e.g. with hearing disorders).
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to investigate selected aspects of consumer (and financial consumer) behavior among young people with ASD – Asperger syndrome.
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