La ville intelligente-numérique vise à développer et intégrer une infrastructure basée sur les technologies de l’information et de la communication pour améliorer la qualité de vie de l’ensemble des ...citoyens et pour obtenir plus rapidement des informations et des services gouvernementaux. Toutefois, l’arrivée de cette nouvelle ère entraîne de nouveaux enjeux, dont celui de la fracture numérique. Basé sur le contexte et les enjeux des personnes ayant une déficience intellectuelle, cet article présente un modèle d’engrenage de l’accessibilité au monde numérique, des pistes de solution de même que trois recommandations pour développer des partenariats entre les citoyens et les institutions permettant de créer une communauté intelligente-numérique.
The COVID‐19 pandemic has meant a rapid transfer of everyday activities to the online world. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have become more embedded than ever in people's lives. ...This investigation addresses how this change has affected the lives of people with intellectual disabilities (ID). A two‐step design was used. A rapid review was conducted on empirical studies published between January 2019 and June 2021. Search terms related to ID, ICT use and COVID‐19. A qualitative international bricolage was also conducted corresponding to author nationalities. Data gathered from the review and bricolage were analysed separately using thematic analysis and relationally synthesised. Digital solutions to provide access to COVID‐19 information and guidance seemed inadequate but were seldom empirically studied. Digital poverty, literacy and exclusion remain significant issues for people with ID internationally. People and their carers experienced reduced and removed service provision, loneliness and impoverished daily lives during the pandemic; amelioration of which was facilitated by digital solutions. One solution often used was videoconferencing. Prior experience of digital participation, adequate finances, connection, support and digital literacy mentoring for both people with ID and those providing services and support facilitated digital inclusion. Digital exclusion during COVID‐19 was exacerbated by sociopolitical, structural, individual and support‐related barriers. Although awareness of digital exclusion appears to have been raised, the extent to which this has led to action and change remains unclear. Despite digital exclusion and digital participation benefitting continuation of life, social and emotional well‐being and autonomy, COVID‐19 has not provided the impetus to eradicate digital poverty for people with ID. Governmental support, digital education, creativity and problem solving are required to enable people with ID the human right to be included in the digital world at this essential time and into the future.
Although most persons with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) wish to have romantic and/or sexual relationships, little is known about self-report sexuality of adolescents/young adults with ASD. In ...this exploratory study, 172 male and female adolescents/young adults (68 with ASD and 104 without ASD) completed an online version of the Sexual Behavior Scale-Third edition. Although many more similarities than differences were observed between the groups for views and desires about romantic relationships (e.g., wishing to have a girlfriend/boyfriend), fewer participants with ASD (mostly boys) had experience with a variety of sexual/dyadic behaviors, and approximately half of girls with ASD reported negative sexual experiences. Significantly higher rates of participants with ASD felt their knowledge about sexuality was limited and found it difficult to understand sexual education compared with typically developing (TD) participants. Significantly lower rates of participants with ASD reported that they identify to their assigned gender compared with TD participants. Multiple regressions revealed that being older at first diagnosis and possessing better knowledge about sexuality were significant predictors of both positive and negative sexual experience. This study explores strengths and challenges related with the sexual health of adolescents/young adults with ASD and implications for clinical and educational practice are discussed.
•Overall, 15.1% were bullies, 36.3% were victims, and 25.2% were bully-victims.•High prevalence rates of physical, verbal and relational victimization were found.•Bullying experiences differed ...according to studies’ characteristics.•Differences between groups (with or without disabilities) were mixed and inconclusive.•Correlates of bullying perpetration and victimization remain understudied.
Recent literature reviews show that bullying perpetration and victimization are major public health concerns for typically developing (TD) youth. Nevertheless, the magnitude of this phenomenon among youth with intellectual disabilities (ID) remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to provide a synthesis of the empirical studies examining the prevalence and correlates of bullying perpetration and victimization among youth with ID. A systematic literature search was performed and 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings from these studies showed weighted mean prevalence rates of general bullying perpetration, bullying victimization and both of 15.1%, 36.3%, and 25.2%, respectively. Weighted mean prevalence rates of bullying perpetration and victimization differed according to the characteristics of the studies (e.g., assessment context, school setting, information source, type of measures, time frame). Additionally, high weighted mean prevalence rates of physical (33.3%), verbal (50.2%), relational (37.4%), and cyber (38.3%) victimization were found among youth with ID. When youth with ID were compared to youth with other disabilities or TD peers, no clear differences were found. Finally, the present review shows that correlates of bullying perpetration and victimization in this population remain understudied.
A systematic review of autism spectrum disorder and substance use and abuse was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis protocol guidelines (an ...internationally recognized standardized methodological framework for conducting systematic review). The objectives of the review were to update and extend findings reported by Arnevik and Helverschou’s review of the autism spectrum disorder and substance use literature by (1) evaluating study quality via the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool; (2) examining autism spectrum disorder and substance abuse diagnostic measures; (3) reporting on the prevalence of co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and substance abuse; and (4) identifying risk, protective, and positive treatment factors. Twenty-six studies on substance use and abuse in autism spectrum disorder were identified through a search of MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Google Scholar. Average study quality score was 75.4%. Prevalence rates of substance abuse among samples with autism spectrum disorder ranged from 1.3% to 36%, but due to variability in sample characteristics and diagnostic measures, a general prevalence rate could not be established. Risk and protective factors, recognized in the general population, such as familial substance abuse and comorbid externalizing disorders, and factors, which may be more likely to occur in individuals with autism spectrum disorder compared to the general population, such as few social resources (i.e. sense of social belonging, breadth of social support networks, and level of social capital) and low sensation-seeking, were identified. One intervention study was identified; however, methodological limitations preclude any conclusion regarding positive treatment factors at this time. More research, using standardized measures and comparable samples, is needed to understand risk and protective factors and to determine the prevalence of co-occurring substance abuse and autism spectrum disorder.
Lay Abstract
Symptoms characteristic of autism spectrum disorder were initially believed to protect individuals with autism spectrum disorder from developing substance abuse. However, recent studies suggest that up to 36% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder may have a co-occurring issue with substance abuse. In addition, substance abuse may worsen the difficulties with daily functioning some individuals with autism spectrum disorder experience. It is important to understand occurrence rates, and risk, protective and positive treatment factors of co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and substance abuse in order to promote the best possible support for this special population. This review aimed to find and synthesize evidence regarding risk, protective and treatment factors, and determine a general prevalence rate of co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and substance abuse from all studies on substance use and abuse in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The review also aimed to assess study quality and identify a diagnostic measure for substance abuse in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Twenty-six studies on substance use and abuse in autism spectrum disorder were included in the review. The rates of substance abuse among those with autism spectrum disorder identified by included studies ranged from 1.3% to 36%, but due to large differences in study methods, a general prevalence rate could not be determined. Risk and protective factors, recognized in the general population, such as familial substance abuse and co-occurring mental health issues, and factors which may be more likely to occur in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, such as limited social resources and low sensation-seeking, were identified. No diagnostic measures specific to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and substance abuse were identified. This review identified only one exploratory study on an adapted intervention for co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and substance abuse. However, there were many methodological challenges in this study that limit the conclusions that can be drawn from the data. More research, using consistent methods, is needed to understand risk and protective factors and to determine the prevalence of substance abuse among individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The potential for co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and substance abuse should be considered by professional working in both autism spectrum disorder and substance abuse services, as finding suggests substance abuse is possible among individuals with autism spectrum disorder and may occur more frequently than previously believed. In addition, autism spectrum disorder and substance abuse service providers should be sensitive to specific risk and protective factors identified by the review that may impact substance abuse course and outcomes.
Background
Studies demonstrate that youth are vulnerable to online sexual solicitation. However, no study has estimated this risk for youth diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability ...(IDD).
Methods
A literature review of the risk factors associated with online sexual solicitation in youths was done using electronic databases, such as PsychInFO, ERIC, MEDLINE and Scopus.
Results
Fifty‐seven published papers were found relevant. However, only two pertained to the population with IDD. Sexual and physical abuse, social isolation, loneliness, depression, and chatting were found to increase the risk of being prey to sexual solicitation on the Internet. Many of these risk factors are even more prevalent in youth with IDD than in the general population.
Conclusion
Recommendations are made for future research to help understand and prevent sexual cybersolicitation.
Very little is known about how people with intellectual disability (ID) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) use the Internet. However, we do know that many of them have limited social circles. ...Electronic social media could facilitate the development of relationships, increase social participation and reduce social isolation for these people. However it may also expose users to unwanted encounters. Our exploratory study attempts to get a glimpse of Internet experiences of young adults with ID or ASD. Eight participants (five with ID and three with ASD) whose mean age was 25 years participated in this preliminary study. A sociodemographic and Internet use questionnaire was administered with the help of the participants’ support worker. Seven participants agreed to be interviewed by one of the researchers in a separate meeting, in the presence of their support worker. Results show that all participants enjoyed using the Internet for communicating (e.g. Facebook, e‑mail, chatrooms, dating sites) or entertainment (e.g. watching videos, listening to music). Three male subjects played games online, and only participants with ASD (without ID) created content (e.g. website or blog). All interviewees with ID and two of the three with ASD had distressing experiences including: being insulted online, having false rumors spread, receiving threats or being targets of sexual cyber-solicitation. Users with ID have had to rely on friends, parents or social workers to avoid or rectify cyber-victimization episodes. Internet access has opened a wide window of opportunity for people with ID and ASD, but more education and support is needed to ensure safe and positive Internet use by this population.
•Studies mostly observed a reduction in weight, body mass index, and fat mass (in kg).•Mixed and inconclusive findings were found for changes in percentage of fat mass and waist ...circumference.•Changes in healthy lifestyle and in secondary health conditions represent an under-researched area.
Over the past three decades, the potential effects of lifestyle interventions targeting changes in body weight and composition (weight, body mass index, fat mass, waist circumference) among adults with an intellectual disability (ID) have been examined in various systematic reviews. Nevertheless, since the middle of the 1980s, the potential effects of these interventions for youth with an ID remain an open question. The purpose of this article is to review the effects of lifestyle interventions targeting changes in body weight and composition among youth with an ID. This review will focus on changes in body weight and composition, healthy lifestyle, and secondary health conditions. A systematic review of English- and French-language studies, published between 1981 and 2013, was performed on Academic Search Complete, PsycARTICLES, Medline and Scopus. The nine studies included in this review focused mainly on: a sample with a wide age range (e.g., 7–22 years); males; overweight-obese youth having a mild-to-moderate ID with Down or Prader-Willi syndrome; physical activity interventions; cohort pre- and post-test designs with/without a control group; and changes in body weight and composition. Taken together, results from these studies suggest successful changes in weight, body mass index and fat mass. However, intervention effects on healthy lifestyle and secondary health conditions are scarce and inconclusive. Given the weaknesses of the reviewed studies, the present findings should be considered preliminary and indicative of the need for future research.
Purpose
Many citizens face situations where they have difficulty accessing and understanding information, particularly due to insufficient literacy skills. Although strategies have been proposed for ...improving comprehensibility of texts or web sites, there is no consensus on the standards to favor, nor is there any one single approach that addresses this issue. This article defines the expression “access to and understanding of information,” with the aim of guiding designers in their quest to develop inclusive information resources.
Method
A literature search was performed. The investigation led to the identification of elements that could serve as dimensions or indicators for the conceptualization of access to information. In a co-construction process, the co-authors compared these elements with the dimensions and indicators from Fougeyrollas et al.’s (2015, 2019) conceptualization of “access” in order to adjust and complement these so that they may apply in the context of access to information.
Results
First, the expression “access to and understanding of information” is clarified because it is not well defined in the scientific literature. Then, a theoretical conceptualization of access to information is proposed in order to clarify what this term encompasses; also elaborating on its dimensions and indicators and on ways to measure them.
Conclusion
This conceptualization stems from a literature search and a co-construction of the “access to information” concept. It is still evolving because we aim to enrich it in step with social, technological, and knowledge developments, with the objective of meeting users’ needs.