Objectives Psychosocial stressors faced by patients with fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and their caregivers have not been systematically explored. FXTAS is a neurodegenerative disease occurring in approximately 45% of elderly male carriers and 8–16% of female carriers of the FMR1 premutation. This study investigated subjective needs of patients with FXTAS and their family caregivers, by utilizing Q-sort methodology. Method Patients with FXTAS and their caregivers seen during January 2005 to June 2007 participated. The Q-sort was composed of 17 (8 formal, 9 informal) items, designed to explore emotional, informational, and instrumental needs of patients with FXTAS and their caregivers. Item scores were generated, from 1= least important, to 7 = most important. Analysis included descriptive statistics for all the demographic and outcome variables. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify which of the need domains were perceived as most important by the participants. Results 24 patients (79% men, mean age 65.6 ± 6.4 years) with FXTAS and 18 caregivers (11% men, mean age 63.6 ± 6.2 years) completed the Q-sort. Both patients and caregivers rated informational needs as most important, followed by emotional and, lastly, by instrumental needs. Participants lacked many important resources, in particular those addressing instrumental needs. Conclusion Providers should be educated and able to provide timely information and referrals to formal services, as well as to informal resources, including the National Fragile X Foundation online support network (www.fragilex.org).

The authors of this research project developed a survey to gather information from graduate students about the experiences using a virtual synchronous platform, called Adobe Connect. While the format of the virtual classroom should encourage robust discussion, the authors found this not to be the case in the online virtual synchronous courses in education. Curious as to why the quality of discussion was poorer than expected, the authors surveyed graduate students enrolled in their virtual, hybrid (combination of face-to-face and virtual), and face-to-face classes over four semesters. Analysis of respondents’ Likert Scale ratings and answers to open-ended questions about various aspects of virtual synchronous, hybrid, and face-to-face course presentations were conducted, with a major focus on virtual synchronous online experiences. Results indicated that a learning curve exists when taking virtual synchronous course delivery. In other words, the more courses the students took the more competent and satisfied they became.

This survey-based, quantitative research investigated Early Intervention teachers' perception about Early Intervention services in Mecca Region in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This research focused on the cultural influences in the provision of services by professionals. Two options were offered to subjects to complete the survey: 1) an online survey and 2) a hard copy of the survey which was distributed to teachers in Early Intervention Centers. The majority of the participants completed the online survey. Data was collected and analyzed. The results showed that the teachers in Mecca Region in Saudi Arabia indicated that they considered the culture of the children and families when determining curriculum and services in their programs.