| 1. |
- Bejnö, Hampus, et al.
(författare)
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Adapting the Preschool Environment to the Needs of Children on the Autism Spectrum in Sweden : A quasi-experimental study
- 2023
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1103-8128 .- 1651-2014. ; 30:3, s. 278-297
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND Children on the autism spectrum may receive Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) in Sweden to support development by providing learning opportunities. However, research suggests a need to improve the quality of their learning environment.AIM This pre-registered study (#NCT03634761) aimed to evaluate the Swedish Autism Program Environment Rating Scale (APERS-P-SE) as a means to promote the quality of the pre-school learning environment for children on the autism spectrum, along with outcomes for these children, and their pre-school staff.MATERIAL AND METHODS In a quasi-experimental study, pre-school staff (n = 35) conducted either EIBI supported by in-service training and on-site coaching based on APERS-P-SE assessment (at k = 9 preschools) or EIBI only (k = 8), during an 8-months period.RESULTS The quality of the immediate learning environment (primary outcome) increased significantly in the EIBI/APERS-P-SE preschools. However, changes in child and pre-school staff measures were not significant.CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE In-service training and on-site coaching based on APERS-P-SE assessments can increase the quality of the learning environment in Swedish pre-school. Studies of longer duration and larger sample size are required to determine if using the APERS-P-SE can also achieve desired behavioural change for children-, and impact pre-school staff applying EIBI.
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| 2. |
- Bejnö, Hampus, et al.
(författare)
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Cross-Cultural Content Validity of the Autism Program Environment Rating Scale in Sweden
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of autism and developmental disorders. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0162-3257 .- 1573-3432. ; 49:5, s. 1853-1862
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Increasing rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and younger age at diagnosis pose a challenge to preschool intervention systems. In Sweden, most young autistic children receive intervention service in community-based preschool programs, but no tool is yet available to assess the quality of the preschool learning environment. This study adapted the Autism Program Environment Rating Scale Preschool/Elementary to Swedish community context (APERS-P-SE). Following translation and a multistep modification process, independent experts rated the content validity of the adaptation. Findings indicate high cross-cultural validity of the adapted APERS-P-SE. The cultural adaption process of the APERS-P-SE highlights similarities and differences between the American and Swedish preschool systems and their impact on early ASD intervention.
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| 3. |
- Bejnö, Hampus, et al.
(författare)
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From Someone Who May Cause Trouble to Someone You Can Play With : Stakeholders' Perspectives on Preschool Program Quality for Autistic Children
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of autism and developmental disorders. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0162-3257 .- 1573-3432. ; 52:9, s. 3890-3908
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In Sweden, young autistic children typically attend community-based preschool programs, which may not be adapted to their needs. In the current study, stakeholders to autistic children receiving Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention were interviewed following a quasi-randomized study (#NCT03634761) aimed at improving the preschool program quality using the Swedish version of the Autism Program Environment Rating Scale (APERS). Stakeholders provided their perceptions and experiences concerning key factors for high quality preschool programs as well as well as their experiences of the abovementioned APERS study. Applying thematic analysis, stakeholder groups differed in what they emphasized, but all highlighted staff’s competence, children’s inclusion and participation, collaboration, and the learning environment as key program areas that had been positively influenced by the APERS-based intervention.
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| 4. |
- Gladh, Maria, 1970-, et al.
(författare)
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Social validity and psychometric properties of Teacher Impression Scale – A pilot study
- 2022
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Ingår i: European Journal of Special Needs Education. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0885-6257 .- 1469-591X. ; 37:3, s. 461-476
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Teachers of inclusive early childhood education (ECE) are responsible for monitoring children’s social skills achievement, and promoting social play between children with and without special educational needs (SEN). The Teacher Impression Scale (TIS) is an observational assessment developed for this purpose. This study aims to explore the social validity of the Swedish version of TIS, TIS-S, and to evaluate its effectiveness in identifying participants for peer-mediated interventions in Swedish preschools; by also testing the internal consistency, and the construct and criterion-related validity of the scale. The teachers (N = 16) observed children with SEN (n = 16) and without SEN (n = 16) in social play situations with TIS-S and subsequently answered a survey. Data were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results demonstrate that the TIS-S has high internal reliability. The TIS-S also discriminated between the groups of children with and without SEN, which provided evidence of construct and criterion validity. Social validity was verified as the teachers reported that TIS-S was suitable for recognising individual children’s need for support in interactions with peers, planning for adaptations for all children in the social learning environment, and reflecting on the complexity of children’s social behaviour in play.
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| 5. |
- Gladh, Maria, 1970-, et al.
(författare)
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Structured observation of children’s play with Teacher Impression Scale : a test among Swedish preschool teachers
- 2019
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Children with special educational needs (SEN) are often less socially engaged than their typically developing peers. To design intervention programs to support social engagement in early intervention programs, it is important to have an assessment that is reliable and feasible for teacher to use in classrooms. The Teacher Impression Scale (TIS) is a 16 item scale (McConnell & Odom, 1999) designed to measure social engagement. The aim of the present study was to test the reliability of a Swedish version of the TIS for identifying children who might be in need of a social competence intervention and to assess its acceptability among teachers. Teachers (N=16) rated children (N=32) with and without SEN with TIS and rated the acceptability of the assessment. The results showed that TIS has high internal validity (α = 0.97), supported identification of suitable participants, and was perceived positively by teachers.
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| 6. |
- Gladh, Maria, 1970-, et al.
(författare)
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Supporting children’s social play with peer-based intervention and instruction in four inclusive Swedish preschools
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Education. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2504-284X. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This multiple case study investigated a peer-based intervention and instruction (PBII) for social play, Play Time/Social Time (PT/ST), in four inclusive Swedish preschools. PT/ST contains 28 learning activities where children playfully practice six social skills with significance for social play and friendships. One teacher in each preschool was trained and instructed to implement PT/ST, two with coaching early in the implementation, and two without. At each preschool, one child with special educational needs (SEN) in social play (n = 4) and one or two socially skilled peers (n = 6) participated. The study aimed to explore how the teachers perceived the influence of PT/ST on social engagement and social play skills in the children with SEN, with/without coaching, and if PT/ST supported social play between the children with and without SEN. It also aimed to examine the feasibility of PT/ST and the influence on preschool inclusion quality in the preschools, with/without coaching. Observational assessments and video observations were used. The results indicate that PT/ST was beneficial for the children with SEN to engage in social play with peers and practice social skills, and for the preschool’s inclusion quality regarding involvement in peer interactions and guidance in play, both with/without coaching for the teachers. However, the coaching strengthened the intervention fidelity. Social play occurred between the children with and without SEN in activities where they seemed similarly attracted by the toys and play materials and when they all could engage in the play goals, tasks, and roles. For this, they sometimes needed instructions and encouragement from the teachers.
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| 7. |
- Sedem, Mina, 1966-, et al.
(författare)
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Reliability and Validity of a Teacher Impressions Scale to Assess Social Play of Swedish Children in Inclusive Preschools
- 2022
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Ingår i: Assessment for Effective Intervention. - : Sage Publications. - 1534-5084 .- 1938-7458. ; 48:1, s. 52-61
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Play and peer interactions are crucial for children’s socioemotional development and growth. However, children with special needs, disabilities, and developmental delays may not participate in play with peers as much as typically developing children. Reliable and valid assessment information of children’s social behavior is necessary to design programs that support the socioemotional development of young children with and without special needs. The Teacher Impression Scale (TIS) is a behavioral rating scale based on systematic observations of children’s social behaviors in play. The study aimed to examine the internal structure evidence and the reliability of the Swedish version of the TIS. A sample of 46 preschool teachers used the TIS to rate the social behavior of 92 children. Teachers observed children with special education needs (SEN) and typically developing children (TD) during a 2-week time to assess the children’s social interactions in different play situations. The results showed that the Swedish version of the TIS, hereafter called TIS-S is reliable and can help teachers to identify the need of support for children in play and social interaction in inclusive preschool environments. Furthermore, the instrument could also be useful for identifying special educational strategies aimed at strengthening the social interaction between children.
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