Finding Silver Linings: A Mixed Methods Analysis of COVID-19's Challenges and Opportunities for College Students' Functioning and Outlook.

This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students' lives. A mixed methods approach, analyzing open- and closed-ended questions about challenges and opportunities, reveals numerous ways in which the pandemic has impacted students in general and differentially by gender, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, and family income. Cisgender male and heterosexual students generally reported less of a mental health impact from the pandemic. Gender and sexual minorities, and low- to middle-income students, also noted some effects of the pandemic more often than their peers. Finally, thematic analysis revealed that where students found challenges, they also found opportunities within the broad categories of Lifestyle and Routines, Academic/Professional, Health, Interpersonal, and Societal impacts, evidencing heterogeneity and resilience in finding silver linings despite the challenging pandemic. This research has implications for equitably deploying and tailoring university and mental health resources both during and beyond the pandemic to improve student well-being and success.

A smart-phone application and a companion website for the improvement of the communication skills of children with autism: clinical rationale, technical development and preliminary results.

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, one in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism. Lack of social interaction and problems with communication are the main characteristics displayed by children with ASD. The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a communication system where children exchange visual symbols as a form of communication. The visual symbols are laminated pictures stored in a binder. We have designed, developed and are currently testing a software application, called PixTalk which works on any Windows Mobile Smart-phone. Teachers and caregivers can access a web site and select from an online library the images to be downloaded on to the Smart-phone. Children can browse and select images to express their intentions, desires, and emotions using PixTalk. Case study results indicate that PixTalk can be used as part of ongoing therapy.