Increase In Communication Skills Research Articles

Therapeutic Doll Interventions for People Living with Dementia in Care Homes: A Scoping Review.

Doll therapy is a psychosocial intervention that has been commonly used within dementia care for many decades. The practice of doll therapy involves supporting people with dementia to engage with a therapeutic doll and this has been associated with positive changes in a person's wellbeing and behavior. While there have been several systematic reviews that have focused on behavioral outcomes, limited reviews have explored the broader psychosocial outcomes associated with doll therapy in care home settings. A scoping review of the literature was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Four electronic databases were searched systematically (CINAHL Plus, Medline, PsycINFO, and PubMed). Twelve primary research studies from the past ten years (2013-2023) were included in this review. Primary data were synthesized using a narrative synthesis methodology. The three main themes from this review relate to a reduction in levels of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), increased communication skills, and a reduction in caregiver distress. Doll therapy has the potential to be an effective person-centered intervention that can enhance quality of life for people living with dementia in care home settings.

“Zoom pals:” a pilot evaluation of a virtual service-learning program to address social isolation in long-term care residents living with dementia

ABSTRACT A mixed-methods, embedded case study design was used to triangulate the effects of a virtual service-learning paradigm, “Zoom Pals,” on participants and community partners including Communicative Disorders students, adults with dementia, and long-term care facility (LTCF) staff. Zoom Pals was designed to provide an experiential learning opportunity for students while addressing social isolation for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. A convenience sample of 18 adults with dementia residing in an LTCF, eight student volunteers, and three LTCF staff members participated. Results of this exploratory study showed active engagement and consistent communication across sessions for older adults, although individuals with mild dementia were more responsive than those in moderate stages. Themes from resident interviews included positive emotions, a sense of novelty, and decreased loneliness. Students endorsed significantly increased communication skills and comfort and a trend toward improved dementia knowledge. Students’ post-experience surveys emphasized learning communication strategies, making a difference, empathy, reciprocal benefits, and realizing the complexity of a dementia diagnosis. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of delivering remote service learning and social interventions for adults with dementia and provides a useful road map for others interested in increasing their reach by adapting in-person group behavioral interventions for remote delivery.

Peningkatan Kemampuan Berbicara di Depan Umum Melalui Pelatihan Public speaking pada SMA Pasundan 1 Kota Bandung

This research aims to improve the public speaking skills of Pasundan 1 High School students in Bandung City through public speaking training. The problems faced by students are a lack of understanding and awareness of the importance of public speaking skills, limited opportunities and platforms to apply these skills in the school environment, as well as a more theoretical teaching approach. The solution offered is to hold public speaking seminars and workshops with an interactive and practical approach, as well as encouraging the development of extracurricular programs that focus on improving public speaking skills. This training was carried out in three stages: preparation, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. The results of the activities showed an increase in students' self-confidence, a reduction in anxiety about speaking in public, as well as an increase in communication skills and critical thinking abilities. This research makes a significant contribution to improving students' public speaking skills, which is vital for their future personal and professional development.

Unlocking success: The power of critical thinking in the group facilitation, coaching and team meetings

The absence of a unique and coordinated effort to adapt the promoting of the old philosophical principle to the present need of the people has inspired me to come up with a possible viable solution that I present for your further consideration. I propose two main ideas as the objectives of the paper that, later on, the reader can evaluate which is the best approach to maximize the usage of philosophical services and consulting for the general public. The first idea is to present the impact of mixt approaches between critical thinking and group coaching or group facilitating and the second idea is to target the companies as priority clients and their providers as secondary clients. I present three conflicts, five perspectives and two instruments that can be enhanced by elements of critical thinking in order to achieve the objectives above. What is the utility of philosophical skills in other fields and how should we promote philosophical practice so that philosophy can return to the people in the agora. What I propose is to focus on a bigger market - the profitable companies around us that could provide a big steady source of income - and to look at the other suppliers of services as therapy, coaching, training as partners and not as competitors. These suppliers could and should also become our paying clients and we should work with all of them and not compete against them for some individual residual clients. The practical applications from using philosophical skills in other fields are: controlling emotions using elements of critical thinking, facilitating or managing groups using philosophical counseling principles, increasing communication skills using elements of critical thinking skills, increasing coaching methods using elements of critical thinking skills and facilitating better meetings using elements of critical thinking. It doesn’t matter who was first - Philosophical Practice, critical thinking or coaching, mentoring, therapy or any other. We all know that philosophy was the root of all scientific branches that exist in our days. What really matters is whether all of these approaches can help each other grow and change people’s lives and the way they think about themselves and the world.

COMMUNICATION SKILL ENHANCEMENT AND MATHEMATICAL REASONING MADRASAH ALIYAH STUDENTS BY MODEL TYPE COOPERATIVE LEARNING GAMES TEAMS TOURNAMENT

Communication skills and mathematical reasoning are two of the objectives study of mathematics. Communication is defined as the ability to write, read, listen, examine, interpret, and evaluate ideas, symbols, terms, and mathematical information. Mathematical reasoning is a habit that when the brain is well developed and consistent will facilitate the mathematical communication both written and oral. Therefore, the necessary relevant learning model is needed to optimize, improve, and develop the communication and mathematical reasoning abilities of students. One of the learning model is a cooperative learning model called Teams Games Tournament (TGT). The aim of this study is to determine: (1) the increase in communication and mathematical reasoning abilities that students acquire with cooperative learning model TGT better than students who receive conventional learning approaches, and (2) the attitude of students towards learning mathematics with cooperative learning model TGT. This research is an experimental research design with a pretest-posttest control group design. The populations in this study were all students of class XI MAN 2 Aceh Besar, which consists of five classes. While the sample is composed of two classes of experimental classes and control classes were taken by random sampling. The instruments used to obtain research data communications test and mathematical reasoning ability, and attitude scale questionnaire. The statistical test used for analyzing data to increase communication skills and mathematical reasoning is two lanes ANOVA test, while the attitude scale questionnaire is calculated based on a percentage. The results showed that overall improvement in communication and mathematical reasoning abilities that students acquire learning with the cooperative learning model Teams Games Tournament better than students who received study with conventional approaches. The results of student questionnaire concluded that, in general the students have a positive attitude towards learning mathematics using the cooperative learning model TGT.

ПОСТРОЕНИЕ ОРГАНИЗАЦИОННОЙ МОДЕЛИ В ДЕЛОВОЙ ИГРЕ ПО ИЗУЧЕНИЮ БИЗНЕС-ТРЕНИНГА В ЦИФРОВОМ ПРОСТРАНСТВЕ

In modern business in the investment market, the system of training digitalization is considered in the process of socially responsible investment, which has not infrequently become used in digital online. The paper actualizes the very relevance of the communicative game model in educational technologies, and offers an example of a business game model of business training in a digital environment. A method is presented in a digital game for balancing in the process of acquiring knowledge by students. To achieve the goals of a group discussion, the moderator needs to calculate the communicative parameters of the participants. The task of the moderator is to form a common semantic space in which the group could express itself as a subject of collective mental activity. The method of creative marketing, invented by Alex Osborne, one of the founders of the BBDO advertising company, is considered. The moderation method is also considered, as an educational methodology, formed in the 60s -70s of the twentieth century in Germany; the method of active psychological and pedagogical influence proposed by A.V. Lazarev. To increase the effectiveness of business trainings, it is necessary to strengthen motivation on the part of students, which creates the presence in the organization of a clear understanding of the need for training, the finiteness of human resources with the required qualifications in the labor market. It is also possible to increase the effectiveness of business trainings by introducing modern training methods using the resources of the digital environment and improving the mobility of corporate training structures. The use of business trainings by cadets and university students can prepare for realistic conditions of interaction in the human resources market of civil society, increase professional competencies, creativity, and communication skills.

Feasibility Study of Music Therapy Based Autism in Children

With the significant increase in the number of children with autism in the last decade, it has attracted extensive attention from the society. Autistic children always have to bear a very high pressure of social opinion, while they themselves experience physical pain at the same time. At the same time, the families of autistic children need to bear very great financial pressure, and they need to pay high treatment costs and medication costs. The cost of time also increases as they need to spend more attention on the care of the autistic child. This is why autism treatment is especially important and relevant in today's society. The most common method used by healthcare providers today is the traditional applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. However, traditional applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy have always ignored the uniqueness of each autistic child and how to integrate into society and increase communication skills. These shortcomings can be solved by the introduction of music therapy, and music therapy can help autistic children better control their emotions and soar in social skills. What is also not to be overlooked is that music therapy reduces the cost of therapy and has greater tolerance and possibilities for the therapeutic environment and equipment. This undoubtedly overcomes some of the drawbacks associated with traditional treatments and improves the efficiency of healthcare while reducing healthcare costs. This paper attempts to analyze the role of music therapy in the treatment of children with autism and to provide feasible recommendations. It also calls on the society to pay more attention to the group of autistic children and light up a light for them.

Evaluating the efficacy and generality of a skill-based approach for promoting universal behavioral readiness.

Behavioral readiness can take the form of communication and self-control skills during challenging situations that are correlated with the development of problem behavior. A skill-based approach can teach behavioral readiness using procedures that involve synthesized reinforcement, probabilistic reinforcement, and contingency-based delays; however, this approach is commonly used to address severe behavior under specific situations. There is limited research evaluating a skill-based approach to teaching behavioral readiness and addressing emerging problem behavior. Also, it is unclear whether teaching effects under specific situations transfer across other, functionally distinct, situations. We evaluated the generality of a skill-based approach by teaching skills systematically across primary challenging situations involving the interruption of play, presentation of instructions, and removal of reinforcers. Teaching increased communication and self-control skills, and most skills transferred to secondary challenging situations (treatment extension probes) and caregiver-implemented sessions. We discuss challenging situations that required teaching, the generality of teaching, and procedural considerations.

Association between patient choice ofprovider andpatient-reported experience.

Health providers are striving to create a more positive, patient-centred experience. However, existing scholarly research about the association between determinants of patient choice of provider and patient-reported experience remains insufficient to effectively promote patient-centredness in healthcare systems. This study used a sample from the nationally representative 2020 Healthcare Experience Survey. Among the respondents (n = 12 133), 6809 who used outpatient services were selected for analysis. The variable of interest was the determinant of the patient choice of provider, and the dependent variables were patient-reported experiences (e.g. general satisfaction, experience with doctors, and experience with health providers and nurses). Data were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model by correcting for covariates. General satisfaction was positively associated with providers' expertise factors and public image factors [providers' expertise factors: odds ratio (OR), 2.96; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.44-3.59; public image factors: OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.02-1.55] satisfied more general satisfaction. Similar results were found for experience with doctors (providers' expertise factors: OR, 4.50; 95% CI, 2.77-7.32; other factors: OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.16-0.81) and experience with health providers and nurses (providers' expertise factors: OR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.99-3.57; image factors: OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.09-2.14). Our study's findings suggest that to improve patient-reported experience, health providers must better manage providers' expertise factors and public image factors. Health providers can improve patient-reported experience by increasing communication skills and proper information about the nature is important. Moreover, health providers must manage public image factors comprehensively and continuously by maintaining good quality of care and to brand patients.

Communication coaching for sonographers (CCS): Preliminary evaluation of a novel intervention to improve unexpected news delivery

ObjectiveObstetric ultrasound scans provide real-time results. In some organisations and countries, the immediate communication of results by sonographers to patients is standard practice, but there is a lack of evidence-based training to support them with this challenging task. This pilot study evaluated a novel communication coaching intervention to improve sonographer communication. MethodsCoaches met with sonographers(N = 15) three times. Sonographers collected three audio recordings of scans involving unexpected news communication at baseline(R1), post-Session 1(R2) and post-Session 2(R3), which were rated for communication skills. Participants self-reported communication confidence and burnout before(T1) and after(T2) the intervention. Feedback was collected at T2. Data were analysed using paired-samples t-tests with bootstrapped significance estimates. ResultsN = 10 sonographers completed the intervention. There were significant increases in communication skills(R1 m = 4.85, SD = 1.07; R3 m = 6.73, SD = 1.80, p = 0.003) and communication confidence(T1 m = 28.00, SD = 6.27; T2 m = 32.80, SD = 6.05, p = 0.005). There were no significant changes in burnout(p > 0.05). All respondents said they would recommend the intervention and most strongly agreed it was engaging(n = 8; 89%) and imparted useful skills(n = 8; 89%). ConclusionCommunication coaching is an acceptable, potentially effective tool for improving communication of unexpected news by sonographers in ultrasound. InnovationThis is the first evaluation of an intervention to support obstetric sonographers with news delivery.

PENGARUH MODEL SCIENTIFIC CRITICAL THINKING (SCT) TERHADAP SELF-EFFICACY DAN KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR KRITIS MAHASISWA BIOLOGI

A person's success in mastering a material is caused by the belief he has, because it is this belief that will cause a person to behave in such a way that the belief will materialize. One source of belief is the level of self-confidence. ability (self-efficacy). The Scientific Critical Thinking (SCT) model is a model that can be applied to material on the human respiratory system in class A1 and A2 biology lessons at Lancang Kuning University. This study aims to determine critical thinking skills, communication skills and self-efficacy of biology students in the application of the SCT model to the material on the respiratory system. The method in this study was a quasi-experimental study with a post-test nonequivalent control group design. The sample of this study were students in class A1 biology (experimental class) and class A2 biology (control class). Retrieval of data in research using test and non-test techniques. Data analysis techniques used in this study are descriptive and inferential. The results showed that (1) there was an increase in critical thinking skills (2) an increase in communication skills and (3) an increase in self-efficacy. The experimental class was better than the control class in training biology students' critical thinking skills, communication skills, and self-efficacy in learning material on the human respiratory system.
 

Improving Coffee Processing Towards Community-Based Agritourism

The quality and flavor of coffee products are influenced by the processing used. Good processing methods can increase coffee products' quality, flavor, and bioactive content. Better coffee quality can support the agritourism development program in the Harapan Maju group. This community service aims to improve the knowledge and skills of the Harapan Maju group on processing coffee and to increase communication skills in English to sell and promote their products. The methods used in this program are surveys, observation, and transfer of knowledge and skill. mentoring, documentation, as well as practicing. There are 28 participants from the group were joined in this activity. The result showed that the knowledge and skill of the group members are increasing; therefore, the Harapan Maju group can produce coffee products with good quality and flavor to support agritourism programs. Otherwise, the ability of English communication skills also increases and can support agritourism development in the future. However, the group continuously needs mentoring and guidance from the University and government.

Use of an online gaming tool, the Veterinary DialogueTrainer, for teaching clinical communication skills to bovine veterinary practitioners.

Effective clinical communication is essential for bovine veterinary practitioners to establish and maintain positive client relationships. When applied properly in herd health consultancy, it increases client satisfaction and adherence to veterinary advice, and improves patient health and welfare. Although communication skills are often taught by providing feedback on simulated conversations, this has limitations, including time constraints, subjective assessments, and cost. The Veterinary DialogueTrainer (VDT) is an online serious game platform using 'digital role-play' with avatars, recently developed to enhance and assess learning outcomes, improve use of learned skills, and increase cost-effectiveness of communication training. The objective was to evaluate its suitability and applicability. Finnish (n = 24) and Swedish (n = 21) bovine veterinarians participated in communication training using VDT for training and assessment. Participants completed the provided scenario at least twice. After playing a bovine health communication simulation, participants received their scores and feedback on selected conversation options. VDT scores measured multiple aspects of communication on a 0-100% scale, based on motivational interviewing methodology and Calgary-Cambridge guidelines. Mean (±SD) number of attempts participants played the scenario was 4.1 (±2.6, Finland) and 3.9 (±1.3, Sweden), with highest total score reached after a mean of 3.5 (±2.1, Finland) and 3.1 (±1.1, Sweden) attempts. On the first attempt, 39 participants (87%) scored <50% of the highest possible score, whereas most (n = 34, 76%) achieved a higher score on the second attempt. Mean total score increased from 15 (±14) to 77% (±33) for Finish participants and from 40 (±22.0) to 87% (±19.4) for Swedish participants. The majority (n = 33, 73%) of participants reached a score >80% after 4.0 (±1.6, Finland) or 2.8 (±1.0, Sweden) attempts. Net Promoter Score of the training was +89 (Finland), +88 (Finland) and + 83 (Sweden) on a scale from -100 to +100, indicating that most participants were very likely to recommend the training to other veterinarians. Use of VDT increased communication skills scores but whether it will improve communication skills in practice requires further study. We concluded there is a likely benefit of using the VDT in teaching and monitoring veterinary communication competencies and preparing for offline role-plays and real-life conversations in veterinary practice.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF PhET-ASSISTED INQUIRY-BASED ELECTRONIC WORKSHEETS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION SKILLS

Communication and collaboration skills are part of the 21st century skills that are very important for students to possess. Science learning with certain characteristics can be a means to develop these abilities. The aims of this study were: 1) to develop a viable PhET-assisted inquiry-based electronic worksheets, (2) to find out the practicality of the developed products based on student responses, (3) to test the effect of using the product to increase communication skills, and (4) to test the effect of using the product to increase collaboration skills. This research was a Research and Development (R&amp;D) with a 4-D model consisted of define, design, develop, and disseminate. Product trial design using one group pretest-posttest on 32 students of class VIII B at SMPN 05 Depok. The data collection instruments consisted of product validation sheets, student response questionnaires, communication skills observation sheets and collaboration skills observation sheets. The product viability data were examined qualitatively and quantitatively descriptively. The paired sample t-test and effect size analysis were used to check the effect of the product toward communication and collaboration skills. The results show that PhET-assisted inquiry-based electronic worksheets are: 1) declared suitable for use in science learning, (2) considered practical for use in science learning, (3) effective in improving communication skills, (4) effective in improving collaboration skills.

Attitudes and Perception of the REFLECT Communication Curriculum for Clinical Oncology Graduate Medical Education

Communication and interpersonal skills are essential components of oncology patient care. The REFLECT (Respect, Empathy, Facilitate Effective Communication, Listen, Elicit Information, Compassion, and Teach Others) curriculum is a novel framework to improve and refine physician/patient interactions for oncology graduate medical trainees. We seek to evaluate the attitudes and perceptions of the REFLECT communication curriculum among oncology trainees. Seven-question and 8-question Likert scale surveys (1 = not beneficial and 5 = beneficial) were distributed to resident/fellow participants and faculty mentors, respectively. Questions asked trainees and faculty about their perceptions of improvement in communication, handling of stressful situations, the value of the curriculum, and overall impression of the curriculum. Descriptive statistics determined the survey’s baseline characteristics and response rates. Kruskal–Wallis rank sum tests were used to compare the distribution of continuous variables. Thirteen resident/fellow participants completed the participant survey. Six (43.6%) Radiation Oncology trainees and 7 (58.3%) Hematology/Oncology fellows completed the trainee survey. Eight (88.9%) Radiation Oncologists and 1 (11.1%) Medical Oncologist completed the observer survey. Faculty and trainees generally felt that the curriculum increased communication skills. Faculty responded more favorably to the program’s impact on communication skills (median 5.0 vs. 4.0, p = 0.008). Faculty were more assertive about the curriculum’s capabilities to improve a learner’s ability to handle stressful situations (median 5.0 vs. 4.0, p = 0.003). Additionally, faculty had a more favorable overall impression of the REFLECT curriculum than the residents/fellows (median 5.0 vs. 4.0, p < 0.001). Radiation Oncology residents felt more strongly that the curriculum enhanced their ability to handle stressful topics, compared to Heme/Onc fellows (median 4.5 vs. 3.0, range 1–5, p = 0.379). Radiation Oncology trainees felt more consistently that the workshops improved their communication skills, compared to Heme/Onc fellows (median 4.5 vs. 3.5, range 1–5, p = 0.410). The overall impression between Rad Onc resident and Heme/Onc fellows was similar (median 4.0, p = 0.586). Conclusions: Overall, the REFLECT curriculum enhanced communication skills of trainees. Oncology trainees and faculty physicians feel that the curriculum was beneficial. As interactive skills and communication is critical to build positive interactions, further work is needed to improve the REFLECT curriculum.

Enhancing Students' Communication and STEM Reasoning Abilities Based on Gender Through Application of IT-based Chemistry Teaching Materials

Among the difficulties faced by instructors in delivering chemistry lessons are lack of information technology (IT)-based teaching materials that would very effectively support e-learning or face-to-face learning especially in effort to enhance students’ communication skills and STEM reasoning skills. Digital technology advancement provides the opportunities to help resolve this problem. This study aimed to enhance students’ communication skills and STEM reasoning abilities through application of IT-based (bandicame and canva applications) chemistry teaching materials that is integrated to Google Classroom platform and to identify the differences in students’ communication skills and STEM reasoning abilities based on genders. The research took samples of 50 students (19 male and 31 female) at an Indonesian senior high school by applying quasi experiment pretest-posttest control group design. Communication skills were measured by means of a questionnaire, while reasoning abilities were gauged using an essay test. The results were then analyzed descriptively focusing on increases in communication skills and STEM reasoning abilities scores and independent sample t-test. Findings of the study show that: (1) Students’ communication skills and STEM reasoning abilities can be enhanced through application of GC-integrated IT-based chemistry teaching materials; (2) Significant differences existed in the students’ communication skills based on genders, of which highest increase was identified on WCS indicator for females and SCS indicator for males; and (3) significant differences were identified in students’ STEM reasoning abilities based on genders with highest increase on RI indicator for females, followed by RD indicator for males, and RA for females.

Implementation of the Storytelling Method to Improve Early Children’s Language Skills

Language for early childhood is important as a means of thinking, listening, speaking, and reading and writing. The purpose of this study was to describe the application of an appropriate and effective storytelling method so that it can improve early childhood language skills in group B at Baitul A'la Lubuklinggau Kindergarten. This study used the Classroom Action Research (CAR) method or action classroom research using 3 cycles. Each cycle includes the stages of planning, implementing, observing, and reflecting. The subjects in this study were early childhood in group B of Baitul A'la Lubuklinggau Kindergarten, totaling 20 children. The results of the study showed that there was an increase in language skills from cycle I and cycle III seen from the class averages of (2.30), (3.00), (3.60) and an increase in mastery of learning outcomes in language skills from cycles I and cycle II by 30% increased in cycle II to 75% and cycle III to 100%. The application of an effective storytelling method to improve language skills for early childhood in group B of Baitul A'la Lubuklinggau Kindergarten, this is reflected in an increase in communication skills and social action.

Evaluation of a Less Invasive Cochlear Implant Surgery in OPA1 Mutations Provoking Deafblindness.

Cochlear implantation (CI) for deafblindness may have more impact than for non-syndromic hearing loss. Deafblind patients have a double handicap in a society that is more and more empowered by fast communication. CI is a remedy for deafness, but requires revision surgery every 20 to 25 years, and thus placement should be minimally invasive. Furthermore, failed reimplantation surgery will have more impact on a deafblind person. In this context, we assessed the safety of minimally invasive robotically assisted cochlear implant surgery (RACIS) for the first time in a deafblind patient. Standard pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry were performed in a patient with deafblindness as part of this robotic-assisted CI study before and after surgery. This patient, with an optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) (OMIM#165500) mutation consented to RACIS for the second (contralateral) CI. The applicability and safety of RACIS were evaluated as well as her subjective opinion on her disability. RACIS was uneventful with successful surgical and auditory outcomes in this case of deafblindness due to the OPA1 mutation. RACIS appears to be a safe and beneficial intervention to increase communication skills in the cases of deafblindness due to an OPA1 mutation. The use of RACIS use should be widespread in deafblindness as it minimizes surgical trauma and possible failures.

Impact of Self – Help Group in Case of Change in Income of the Rural Women in Cooch Behar District of West Bengal

Women empowerment through self- help group constitutes an emerging and rapidly expanding trend towards social and economic development of the nation. Self Help Groups (SHGs) are a cutting-edge and critically important concept to promote women's entrepreneurship, self-employment, and empowerment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of women Self-Help Groups on women empowerment through income generation, increased communication skills, decision-making ability and awareness, and improved social status. The study was conducted in Coochbehar-I and Coochbehar-II block of Coochbehar district. The present study used multi-stage, purposive and simple random sampling methods. The district was selected purposively and blocks, gram panchayats and respondents were selected randomly. The total number of respondents for the study was one hundred eighty (180) women SHG members. After joining SHG, changes in annual income among the members were in low level and changes in empowerment were in medium level among the members of women SHG after joining the women SHG. The prime reason for joining SHG of the women SHG members in the study area is for promoting their savings.

Reduction in Behavior Problems with Increase in Communication Skills Through Augmentative and Alternative Communication among Special Needs Children

Cerebral Palsy is one of the most prevalent physical handicaps in children. Sensory-motor problems such as communication and cognitive impairment are major symptoms of cerebral palsy. In Pakistan, lack of interventions for cerebral palsy children exists due to low health budget. Consequently, CP children are facing difficulty in having the treatment. The present study aims to implement an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) approach among nonverbal children with cerebral palsy living in Pakistan. Past research evidence has revealed the co-morbidity of communication problems with behavioral issues among cerebral palsy children. Keeping in view, the present study also aims to examine the behavioral issues of nonverbal children with cerebral palsy. For the said purpose, a pilot study employed the interventional research design (pre and post assessment) which was conducted in Pakistan. 10 nonverbal cerebral palsy children were selected from three different special needs centers by using non-probability sampling technique. Repeated measures, pre and post assessment t-test analysis was conducted to assess the impact of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention on the communication skills and behavioral problems of the participants. The results showed that AAC intervention has significantly improved the communication skills (t = -11.09, P < .001) and reduced the behavioral problems (t = 2.55, P <.005) of the participants which were nonverbal children with cerebral palsy. Thematic analysis on the open-ended questions from Pragmatic profile reported that participants have started to enjoy indoor and outdoor activities. After the intervention, significant improvement in communication has been observed in participants when they present needs/desire. Thus, this study recommends that implementation of AAC on cerebral palsy population would be effective in improving communication skills and reducing their behavioral problems.