EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY SCHOOL NETWORKING FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM: PERSPECTIVES OF TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

Objective: In order to provide equal educational opportunities, community school networking is an emerging trend to facilitate inclusion of children with mild-moderate Autism. This quantitative research aims to investigate the effectiveness of community networking for children with Autism from Pakistani lower socio-economic stratum of society. Study Design: Qualitative Research Design Study Settings and Participants: Six mild-moderate autistic children were enrolled in three mainstreams schools and a liaison between these schools, and a rehabilitation center located in the same area was created to facilitate inclusion. The researchers interviewed six teachers from mainstream schools, three school administrators and one administrator of rehabilitation regarding the effectiveness of community school networking for children with Autism after eight months of this collaboration. Data Collection Tool: Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews Results: All participating administrators and teachers underscored the changes in social and behavioral patterns of autistic children which included an imitation of positive behaviors from peers, acceptance, and awareness as strengths of community school networking model. However, major challenges faced were unacceptability from parents of normal children, learning differences, curriculum modifications, time constraints and dependency on the resource teacher. The administrators and teachers recommended that creating awareness programs for parents of normal children, curriculum modifications and in-house psychologists can further facilitate inclusion of children with disabilities. Conclusion: It was concluded that community school networking model can assist inclusive education and encourage engagement for all children, including those who are autistic.

Production of Xylooligosaccharides from Agricultural Wastes for Preparation of Syniobotic Food

Xylooligosaccharides (XOs) were produced from four indigenous agricultural by-products including corncob, rice husk, almond shells and sheesham wood (Dalbergia sissoo) dust through chemical and enzymatic hydrolyses to evaluate potential of local agricultural wastes for XOs production. The methodology comprised of preparation of xylanase enzyme using Trichoderma harzianum with optimum reaction conditions found at pH 5.5 and temperature 28°C. When compared with commercially available enzyme, no significant difference was observed in xylan hydrolysis. Two types of chemical pre-treatment with acid and alkali were performed to enhance enzymatic hydrolysis. The pre-treatment with alkali improved the process in terms of lower yield of by-products. Resultant slurries were subjected to steaming at 145 ̊C for 30 min and the substrates were pulverized to facilitate enzymatic hydrolysis with xylanase (5 U/g) at 50 ̊C, pH 5.5. After refining, the XOs solution was spray dried. Both crude and refined XOs were determined with HPLC. Highest yield of the XOs was obtained from corncobs followed by sheesham wood dust, almond shells and rice husk. Asserted health effects of the XOs intake were evaluated through biological studies. XOs supplemented diet improved the body weight gain and serum biochemical profile of normal and diabetic rats. Also gastrointestinal health got better after 3 weeks study period indicated by low fecal pH, augmented CFU of Bifidobacteria. The XOs were incorporated in yoghurt by replacing CHO at different ratios for preparation of synbiotic food product. The pH, titratable acidity, total solids, fat, viscosity and whey separation with sensory characteristics of yoghurt samples were determined at 0, 7, 14 days interval. No significant difference (P<0.05) in sensory characteristics was observed with XOs incorporation up to 2.5% level; however physicochemical properties were affected