The Amblyopia Treatment Index.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a questionnaire to assess the acceptability of amblyopia treatment and its effect on the child and family. METHODS: A 20-item parental survey was developed and pilot tested on 64 subjects, aged 3 to 6 years, participating in the Amblyopia Treatment Study, a randomized trial comparing patching and atropine as treatments for moderate amblyopia. The survey was administered after 4 weeks of treatment. A descriptive item analysis and an internal consistency reliability analysis were performed. RESULTS: Nineteen of the 20 items demonstrated adequate variability as evidenced by the frequency distributions for item responses. Only 4 (<1%) of 1280 possible item responses were missing, one each by 4 different respondents. Factor analysis identified 3 treatment-related factors--"adverse effects," "compliance," and "social stigma"--among 11 of the 20 items. The internal-consistency reliability alpha for the 5-item adverse effects subscale was 0.82, the 4-item compliance subscale alpha was 0.81, and the 2-item social stigma subscale alpha was 0.84. CONCLUSIONS: The Amblyopia Treatment Index appears to be a useful instrument for assessing the impact of amblyopia treatment in 3- to 6-year-old children.

Learning, school performance, and children with asthma: how much at risk?

Children with asthma may be at risk for decreased school functioning due to acute exacerbations, increased absenteeism, iatrogenic effects of their asthma medication, and the stress associated with a chronic illness. The purpose of this article is to critically review extant research pertaining to the school functioning of children with asthma, including studies of school attendance, school performance, the effects of asthma medications on learning and behavior, and the role of psychological variables in the development of functional impairments. There is not sufficient evidence to suggest that children with asthma are at significantly higher risk for poor school performance than children without asthma. Factors that may contribute to poor school performance among children with asthma include iatrogenic effects of oral steroids, poor medical management of the disease, and psychological problems. Recommendations for improving the school functioning of children with asthma are discussed.

Activities and games for group psychotherapy with sexually abused children.

As increasing attention is given to the practice of group psychotherapy with sexually abused children, clinicians are using games and activities designed to address issues related to sexual abuse and its prevention. This paper describes how specific games and activities can be used in group therapy with child victims. These games and activities include: prevention films, role plays, and communication board games. Benefits and risks associated with the use of these resources are also discussed.