Functional assessment

Previous studies suggested that the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ-10)
has minimal ethnic bias and that a shorter version (FAQ-6) can equally diagnose MCI
and dementia. Objective: We analyzed whether FAQ-6 is similar to FAQ-10 in
diagnosing MCI and dementia. We examined their applicability across European
Americans (EA) and Hispanic Americans, and how scores correlated to beta amyloid.
Method: 222 participants (116 EA) completed a neuropsychological battery, FAQ, and
PET scans, and were classified as cognitively normal (CN), MCI, or dementia. The
diagnostic capacity of FAQ-10 and FAQ-6 were compared for the total sample and across
ethnic groups. Scores were correlated to beta amyloid. Results: Both versions showed
good item discrimination. Ethnicity did not affect scores when controlling for diagnosis
and education. Both versions classified CN and dementia, and positively correlated to
beta amyloid. Conclusions: Results suggest FAQ-6 and FAQ-10 similarly predict
diagnosis and is adequate in these ethnic groups.

The importance of employment in our society is unmistakable. The financial outcome of employment allows us to provide for ourselves and others. Furthermore, our employment status, and the work in which we engage, play a part in defining our self-concept. For many people, however, sustained employment remains elusive. The unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities is staggering, and the consequences of being without a job affects those who are unemployed, their families, and our society. There are many issues that directly challenge the employment status of people with disabilities. Some of these include funding for supported employment programs, employer bias, and the outcomes of our country's educational system. Another issue that affects the employment of individuals with disabilities is the manner in which they are prepared prior to employment and coached while on the job. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of performance feedback delivered via covert audio coaching on the job performance of supported employees. A multiple baseline design across participants and work tasks was used to evaluate the effects of the intervention on the participants' work performance (accuracy and speed of task completion). The results demonstrated that the supported employees made substantial improvements on their accuracy and speed of completing the selected work tasks. The results also showed that the improvements maintained for 4-5 weeks following the removal of the intervention.