This article describes the development and results of behavioral training via telecommunication for three caregivers of children with autism. A single-subject, multiple baseline experimental design, replicated across caregivers, preschool children with autism, and tasks, was used to evaluate the effects of the training. Dependent measures were collected in vivo and via telecommunication and included parent, teacher, and child responses during naturalistic play. The intervention involved teaching caregivers methods to increase children's sociocommunicative behavior. Both child and caregiver behaviors increased during intervention and follow-up observations. The results indicate that training via telecommunication is a promising alternative for families that do not have access to evidence-based intervention and expertise. The results are discussed in the context of technological benefits and difficulties during data based consulting. Further development is important to understand technological variables that enhance or hinder the progress of rural children and their caregivers.

This study describes the development and evaluation of a behavioral parent training protocol via telecommunication for three parents of preschool children with autism, with limited access to behavioral expertise. A single-subject, multiple baseline experimental design across child behaviors, replicated across parents, was used to evaluate the effects of the training protocol. Dependent measures were collected via telecommunication for most assessments and included parent and child responses during naturalistic play. During intervention, the parents were taught methods to increase their child’s sociocommunicative behavior. All targeted skills increased during intervention. The increase was maintained with two families and some generalization to other settings occurred. The results indicate that training via telecommunication is a viable approach for rural families with low speed Internet connection. Continued development and refinement of telehealth training methods is discussed in context of technological challenges and procedures that fit telecoaching for rural families.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the diversity of Listeria monocytogenes strains from healthy sheep, winter feed and environment of sheep farms in Iceland. Methods and Results: A total of 104 L. monocytogenes isolates from animals, winter feed and environment on 10 Icelandic sheep farms were compared by serotyping, ribotyping, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis with ApaI and AscI. The isolates were divided into 24 genotypes, all identified as serovars 1/2a, 1/2b, or 4b. Nine genotypes were detected on more than one farm. On three of the farms there seemed to be a dominant strain of L. monocytogenes. Isolates from incidents of listeriosis in animals occurring on two of the farms belonged to the genotype most commonly found on the particular farm. Nine of the 24 genotypes found on the sheep farms have been associated with disease in animals and/or humans elsewhere in Iceland. Conclusions: Certain strains of L. monocytogenes seem to be widely distributed on Icelandic sheep farms. On some farms there appears to be a dominant strain of L. monocytogenes. Incidents of listeriosis in animals may tend to be associated with strains commonly found on the farm. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study demonstrates the diversity of L. monocytogenes present in healthy sheep and their environment.