Arvans wins MMI’s 10th annual poster presentation

Rebecca Arvans

Rebecca Arvans, a doctoral student in pediatric psychology, took home top honors at the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s 10th annual Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) poster session.

Sponsored by the MMI interdisciplinary team, the event was held on April 8 in the Durham Outpatient Center.

Arvans’ research project, “A Systematic Evaluation of Data Collection and Data Evaluation Methods in Early Intervention Programs,” studied the various approaches used to record learning trials.

“Although her poster had stiff competition from other entries, Rebecca’s enthusiastic, knowledgeable and understandable presentation set hers above the other projects,” said Bob Pawloski, Ed.D., a program evaluator specialist in the education department at MMI and one of three judges. “Overall the posters provided a broad and enlightening sampling of the work that goes on in MMI.

“They illustrated how basic research, evaluation and treatment go hand in hand in the institute’s clinical setting.”

More posters The following is a list of the posters judged at the session. Assessment and Treatment of Elopement Exhibited by a Child Diagnosed with Autism — Falcomata, T.S. Computer-Led Home Practice for Childhood Apraxia of Speech: A Feasibility Study — Lester, A. Implemented Nutrition Practices Improve Growth in VLBW Infants. Dugick, L. Go Long! No, Go Narrow: How Step Width May Affect Functional Mobility in Children with Cerebral Palsy — Corr, B. Pediatric Sleep Disorder Nosology — Erkfritz-Gay, K. Diagnosis and Follow-Up Treatment within the Primary Care Setting for Children with ADHD: A Comparison Study — Greguson, L. Research About Enhancing the Living Skills of Young Women with Developmental Disabilities — Moen, K. & Hershey, A.

The poster session represents a chance for participants to share their research with other faculty members at MMI and UNMC, said Kellie Ellerbusch, MMI’s LEND training coordinator.

“It also gives trainees the opportunity to get some experience presenting their research activities in both an informal poster session and timed oral presentation,” she said.

Numerous disciplines are involved in the training, including developmental medicine, genetics, nutrition, occupational therapy, psychology, speech therapy, social work and physical therapy, among others.

Along with Dr. Pawloski, Tiffany Kodak, Ph.D., and Blake Lancaster, Ph.D., both assistant professors at MMI, also served as judges.