Research Paper
Mokhtar Malekpour; Sara Aghababaei; Ahmad Abedi; Mojgan Shooshtari
Volume 3, Issue 9 , April 2013, Pages 1-20
Abstract
The aim of this research is to investigate into the efficacy of working memory training on executive functions and academic performance of students with spelling learning disability. In this semi-experimental research, 30 3rd grade elementary female students with spelling learning disability are selected ...
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The aim of this research is to investigate into the efficacy of working memory training on executive functions and academic performance of students with spelling learning disability. In this semi-experimental research, 30 3rd grade elementary female students with spelling learning disability are selected through multistage random sampling. These students are randomly assigned into two groups (one experimental group and one control group, each consisting of 15 students). The instruments used in the study are NEPSY test, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), Checklist for Identifying Students with Spelling Learning Disability, Clinical Interview and Spelling Academic Performance Test. The data was analyzed by Analysis of Covariance. The findings indicated that working memory training can improve executive functions and spelling performance of students. So in can be concluded that working memory training can be used as an intervention method in improvement of executive functions and spelling difficulty in students with spelling learning disability.
Research Paper
Abolghasem Yaghoubi; Hosein Mohagheghi; Maryam Ghafoori Asar; Khosro Rashid
Volume 3, Issue 9 , April 2013, Pages 21-32
Abstract
This research aims at studying the effects of Fernald multi-sensory & Frostig visual perception methods on improvement of reading performance in 2nd grade dyslexic male students in elementary schools in Hamedan. The subjects are 45 2nd grade dyslexic male students in elementary schools in Hamedan, ...
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This research aims at studying the effects of Fernald multi-sensory & Frostig visual perception methods on improvement of reading performance in 2nd grade dyslexic male students in elementary schools in Hamedan. The subjects are 45 2nd grade dyslexic male students in elementary schools in Hamedan, out of which 15 students are placed in Fernald multi-sensory experimental group and 15 others in Frostig visual perception experimental group. The remaining 15 students are considered as the control group. The subjects are selected from a population through dyslexia check list based on teachers’ idea. In order to homogenize the groups, Raven's Children IQ Test is used. After performing the pre-test, Multi-sensory experimental group receives Fernald multi-sensory instruction, and the visual perception experimental group receives Frostig visual perception instruction for 10 sessions. However, the control group does not receive any instructions. Falah Chay Reading Test (1995) is administered for the three groups as pre-test and post-test. For data analysis, T-Test and Analysis of Covariance are used. The results show that the groups trained with Fernald multi-sensory and Frostig visual perception methods perform better in reading, comprehending the meaning of sentences and reading performance than the control group. Meanwhile, the group trained with Fernald multi-sensory has a better performance in reading and comprehending the meaning of sentences in comparison with the one receiving the Frostig visual perception method. It can therefore be concluded that the above said methods can improve the reading performance in dyslexic male students, and among these two methods, Fernald multi-sensory method may be applied as the more effective method in improvement of the reading performance in these students.
Research Paper
Abolghasem Shakiba; Ali Akbar Seyf; Hassan Asadzadeh; Soghra Ebrahimi Ghavam
Volume 3, Issue 9 , April 2013, Pages 33-56
Abstract
The main purpose of this study isto examine the effect of local and global text cohesion on improving the reading comprehension of students with low and high prior knowledge. The subjects with high prior knowledge consist of 80 senior high school students(61 females, 19 males),and the subjects with low ...
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The main purpose of this study isto examine the effect of local and global text cohesion on improving the reading comprehension of students with low and high prior knowledge. The subjects with high prior knowledge consist of 80 senior high school students(61 females, 19 males),and the subjects with low prior knowledge are 80 senior high school students(70 females.10 males), who are randomly selected using multistage sampling method. Participants with high and low prior knowledge are randomly assigned into four groups. The reading materials of the group members consist of texts with low local and high global cohesion, high local and low global cohesion, low local and high global cohesion, and high local and global cohesion. The research instruments are:1)experimental text,2)comprehension test, and 3)prior knowledge test. The subjects should read the text and then answer the questions of reading comprehension test. The collected data are statistically analyzed. The results show that there is interaction between local and global text cohesion and the reader’s prior knowledge. High local and global cohesion text significantly improved comprehension, compared to the low local and global cohesion text. It is also found that readers who know little about the domain of the text benefit more from text with high local and global cohesion, whereas high-knowledge readers benefit from a minimally coherent text
Research Paper
Ghorban Hemmati Alamdarloo; Sedigheh Rezaei Dehnavi; Mohammad Mehdi Teymoori
Volume 3, Issue 9 , April 2013, Pages 57-74
Abstract
The aim of this study is to compare responsibility between siblings of students with and without intellectual disabilities. The statistical population of this research includes the whole adolescents (aged between 12 and 18) who have siblings with and without intellectual disabilities in Shiraz city. ...
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The aim of this study is to compare responsibility between siblings of students with and without intellectual disabilities. The statistical population of this research includes the whole adolescents (aged between 12 and 18) who have siblings with and without intellectual disabilities in Shiraz city. The sample size is 170 adolescents (80 adolescents having siblings with intellectual disabilities and 90adolescents with normal siblings) that are selected by purposeful sampling. Adolescents' Responsibility Questionnaire is used for measuring the responsibility. Analysis of the data using two-way analysis of variance test shows that the responsibility of siblings of students with intellectual disabilities is significantly more than the responsibility of siblings of students without intellectual disabilities. Moreover multiple variance analysis shows that except loyalty, all the other minor scales of responsibility in siblings of students with intellectual disabilities are significantly higher than sibling of normal students. According to the findings, it is suggested that the responsibility model in siblings of students with intellectual disabilities should be studied and used by normal families so that their children become more responsible
Research Paper
Hossein Ghamari Givi; Azimeh Sadat Seyyed Barzegar Saghezchi; Maghsoud Nader Pilehrood
Volume 3, Issue 9 , April 2013, Pages 75-92
Abstract
This study aims at investigating the effectiveness of group sessions in improving the quality of life and family relationships in children with mental disability.The research procedure is experimental with pre-test and post-test design and control group.The statistical population in this study includes ...
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This study aims at investigating the effectiveness of group sessions in improving the quality of life and family relationships in children with mental disability.The research procedure is experimental with pre-test and post-test design and control group.The statistical population in this study includes all families of mentally retarded boy and girl students studying in the exceptional schools in Ardabil. The studysampleis30 families selected via the convenient sampling method and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. For data gathering, the subjects are asked to complete the Quality of Life Questionnaire and Schaefer Family Assessment Device. The multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) is used to test the hypothesis. The results show that the group session has a significant effect on the quality of life and improves the family relationships in families with mentally retarded children (p≥ 0/01). Emphasizing enhancement of parents ‘awareness, free discussion on worries and learning ways of coping with children’s preoccupations and problem solving skills are effective in improving quality of life and family relationships. All the participants emphasized suggestibility, hostility and withdrawal in their children and insisted on controlling the parents fight over accusing and blaming one another. Researchers suggest that in order to improve parent-child relationship, it would be better if both parents participate in group sessions at the same time.
Research Paper
Maliheh Shahrestani; Abolfazl Karami; Mohsen Doostkam; Amir Hossein Alimohammadi
Volume 3, Issue 9 , April 2013, Pages 93-110
Abstract
The Effectiveness of Hope Therapy on Improving Depression and Quality of Life among Mothers of Intellectual Disability Children
This study aims at investigating the effectiveness of hope therapy on improvement of depression and quality of life among mothers of intellectual disability children. ...
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The Effectiveness of Hope Therapy on Improving Depression and Quality of Life among Mothers of Intellectual Disability Children
This study aims at investigating the effectiveness of hope therapy on improvement of depression and quality of life among mothers of intellectual disability children. The research procedure is quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test design and control group. Research population consists of mothers of intellectual disability whose children have been students of 28 exceptional schools in the academic year of 2011-2012 in Mashhad. 30mothers of intellectually disable children are selected by using multistage cluster sampling and are and randomly assigned in two experimental (15 persons) and control groups (15 persons). The experimental group receives hope therapy training for 6 sessions. The data are gathered by using Beck Depression Inventory-Õ and the brief form of quality of life questionnaires. Questionnaires are completed by both experimental and control groups in three stages before, after and 4 weeks after the intervention (follow-up phase). The results are analyzed with Moncova using SPSS 18 software. The Moncova analysis results show that there is significant difference between average scores of experimental and control groups in both post-test and follow-up stages )P<0/001). As a conclusion, hope therapy training is quite effective in improving depression and quality of life in mothers of intellectually children.
Research Paper
Elaheh Velayati; Esmail Zaraii Zavaraki; Mohammah Hasan Amirteimouri
Volume 3, Issue 9 , April 2013, Pages 111-128
Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of educational computer games on learning, retention and academic achievement motivationof elementary mathematical concepts among mentally retarded students. This study quasi-experimental study uses a design with pre-test and post-test with the control ...
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The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of educational computer games on learning, retention and academic achievement motivationof elementary mathematical concepts among mentally retarded students. This study quasi-experimental study uses a design with pre-test and post-test with the control group. In this study, the statistical population consists of all the 2nd grade female mentally retarded students in the exceptional education schools in Tehran in the academic year of 2011-2012. Using the convenient sampling method, an exceptional school located in District 15 of Tehran is selected for this research. Learning and academic achievement motivation pre-tests is performed in both experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, first the teacher taught the adding concept completely to students and used computer games as exercise for the taught concept. However, the teacher in the control group continued its traditional method of teaching the concept. Then, learning and academic achievement motivation post-tests is performed in both experimental and control groups. The retention test is administered two weeks after the learning test. The data obtained about the first and third hypothesis are analyzed using an independent T test and the data obtained about the second hypothesis are analyzed using the T test difference scores. Results show that the mathematical educational computer games increase learning and academic achievement motivation in students with intellectual disability as regards the addition concept. However, it does not increase the retention ability in them.
Research Paper
Majid Eydi Baygi; Mahtab Mehrabizadeh Honarmand; Yahya Akbari Shayeh; Bahman Zarezadegan; Ali Ahmadian
Volume 3, Issue 9 , April 2013, Pages 129-144
Abstract
The aim of this study is to compare the mental health and academic performance of epileptic and non-epileptic adolescent 12-18 years-old students of middle and high schools in Ahvaz in the academic year 2010-2011. The ex-post facto is the methodology used in this study. The sample includes 24 students ...
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The aim of this study is to compare the mental health and academic performance of epileptic and non-epileptic adolescent 12-18 years-old students of middle and high schools in Ahvaz in the academic year 2010-2011. The ex-post facto is the methodology used in this study. The sample includes 24 students with epilepsy homogenized with 24 normal students in middle and high schools in Ahvaz. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28)is administered individually in both groups. The GPA of students is considered to study the ir academic performance. The data are analyzed using MANOVA. The results show there are significant differences between the students with epilepsy and non-epileptic students in the overall mental health and all areas (except anxiety) and also in the academic performance (p<0/05). The refore students with epilepsy are poorer and in direr need in terms of general mental health, physical symptoms, social functioning, depressive symptoms and academic performance. The risk of epileptic seizures can reduce adolescent mental health and academic performance. It is recommended that students should receive mental health training. Also parents and teachers should receive training to improve the mental health and academic performance of their children.
Research Paper
Soghra Taheri; Azam Moradi; Sahar Pazouhesh
Volume 3, Issue 9 , April 2013, Pages 145-170
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to determine the share of self-efficacy, self-esteem and achievement motivation in predicting quality of life of physically disabled youth in Shahrekord. For sampling, 70 members of institutes for disabled persons in Shahrekordare selected randomly in spring of 2011. Subjects’ ...
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The purpose of this study is to determine the share of self-efficacy, self-esteem and achievement motivation in predicting quality of life of physically disabled youth in Shahrekord. For sampling, 70 members of institutes for disabled persons in Shahrekordare selected randomly in spring of 2011. Subjects’ quality of life, self- efficacy, self- esteem, and achievement motivation are measured by WHOQOL-BREF, general self-efficacy scale, Rosenberg's self-esteem scale, and Herman’s achievement motivation questionnaire respectively. For assessing demographic characteristics, a researcher-made questionnaire is used. Descriptive statistics and stepwise regression is used for data analysis. The results of stepwise regression show that self-efficacy can significantly predict the rate of quality of life in physically disabled young persons(P=0.002), but adding each one of self- esteem and achievement motivation variables to self-efficacy variable cannot increase significantly the power of prediction of quality of life in these subjects. As conclusion, self- efficacy has an important role in explaining the quality of life in physically disabled young persons.Thus, based on the findings of this research, it is suggested that the self-efficacy training programs be performed for individuals with physical disabilities at medical and educational centers.