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Archive for January, 2011

 FUN AND GAMES: Parachute games featured regularly during the activity week the students ran for special needs children

FUN AND GAMES: Parachute games featured regularly during the activity week the students ran for special needs children 

10:00am Thursday 25th November 2010

By Richard Crease »

FROM the minute we entered the classroom greeted by hugs and kisses, we knew we’d never see life the same way again.

We had been in Ethiopia for just 24 hours and were still trying to adjust to the shocking conditions in one of the world’s poorest countries.

In hindsight, I don’t think that any of us were quite prepared for the huge impact the week was going to have on us.

As a member of the local community I was accompanying a group of 17 students from Oakmead College of Technology in Bournemouth, who together with The Cred Foundation were running The Zone, an activity week for special needs children in the slums of the capital Addis Ababa.

Hosted by the Integrated Holistic Approach Urban Development Project, they work with the poorest communities to identify, prioritise and then put into action sustainable programmes in housing upgrading, community development and primary healthcare.

The children we were working with had a range of autism-related disorders, resulting in them being relegated to the bottom of the pecking order.

And when it comes to living on the equivalent of a few pounds a month, their families have a tough choice to make.

Thanks to the work at this much-needed project, which provides schooling and a hot meal, there is some hope.

But these children need so much more.

The Zone week not only provides them with some fun and the luxury of one-to-one attention but also some respite and support for the few overstretched staff.

On a more practical level we were also able to re-stock their cupboards with resources, equipment and toys donated by family and friends at home.

It was an emotional week for all of the team but the way the students rose to the task was admirable.

The word I’d use to describe the trip is “challenging”, both physically and mentally.

We were immersed in the overwhelming needs of this beautiful country and its amazingly friendly and generous people.

We experienced what true community spirit is in the face of such adversity.

It’s what you have when you have nothing but you still want to share that.

Source:  http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/8686131.Giving_hope_to_special_needs_children_in_Ethiopia/



 IDF

At behest of school for autistic teens, army will place 10 autistic soldiers in equipment bases

David Regev

Published:  11.25.10, 12:24 / Israel Activism

Zohar Pe’er, 21, was one of 10 young men to make history Monday by becoming the IDF’s first autistic soldiers.

After a short recruitment ceremony, the new soldiers will head to various equipment bases to begin volunteering in their workshops.

“This is great,” Zohar, who generally does not express much emotion, whispered as he prepared for the big day. His mother agreed, saying she was waiting expectantly to see her son in uniform.

In recent years the IDF has been enlisting into its ranks more and more diverse populations. A few months ago Yedioth Ahronoth reported that youths suffering from mental disorders can volunteer as well.

The most recent change in policy was brought about by Leah Rabin Middle School in Petah Tikva, which caters to autistic teens. The teachers, who believe their students have much to contribute to the state, appealed to the IDF with the suggestion.

The army decided to take the school up on its offer, and visited the school in order to learn of the special treatment needed for autistic teens. Meanwhile, parents toured the equipment bases at which sons are to serve.

“We learned up close how to communicate with autistic people and cooperate with them so that we can properly escort them through their army service,” Captain Moran Cherney-Cohen, who chairs the Central Command’s volunteer department. 

“It’s hard to know what Zohar is feeling ahead of the draft,” says his mother, Efrat Etzion-Pe’er. “He doesn’t show many signs, but I know he’s waiting for the ceremony and wants to wear the uniform.”

Meanwhile, Cherney-Cohen says the IDF is prepared to welcome its new recruits. “In addition to professional trainers who will accompany them during their first days, there will also be officers who underwent special training with them at all times,” she explained.

Source:  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3977783,00.html



 Storms over Albuquerque, New Mexico

HEADLINES


“Woman admits making autistic son drink bleach”:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20101115/tuk-woman-admits-making-son-drink-bleach-45dbed5.html


“Felony child abuse charges for former autism center staff member”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/felony_child_abuse_charges_for_former_autism_center_staff_me.htm


“Washoe County School bus driver fired for incident on special needs bus”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/washoe_county_school_bus_driver_fired_for_incident_on_specia_1.htm


“Missing autistic man is found”:

http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/mahwah/112310_Missing_man_with_autism_is_found.html


“Mason Alert to be combined with Take Me Home program to prevent autism wandering”:

http://www.examiner.com/dc-in-national/mason-alert-to-be-combined-with-take-me-home-program-to-prevent-autism-wandering


“Indiana parents told drop disabled kids at shelters”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/indiana_parents_told_to_drop_disabled_kids_at_shelters.htm


“Families denied legal aid for epilepsy drug court case”:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11707386


“Vulnerable young people trapped in justice system”:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/nov/24/vulnerable-young-people-trapped-in-justice-system


“Legal help for vulnerable at risk”:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-11735006


UK “New CAMHS Tier 4 Service for young autistic people opening December”:

http://www.einnews.com/pr-news/243398-new-camhs-tier-4-service-for-young-people-with-autism-opening-december


“Government to empower 1million people to decide their own personal care through individualised state funded budgets”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/government_to_empower_1_million_people_to_decide_their_own_p.htm


“Cameron warns on child carer cuts”:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11764267


“CADD bemoans shortage of speech therapists”:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/cadd-bemoans-shortage-of-speech-therapists/


“Europe to knock down barriers for disabled”:

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/europe-to-knock-down-barriers-for-disabled-2139568.html


Airport Incident “ Beck: Shirtless little boy patted down by the TSA is autistic”:

http://hotair.com/archives/2010/11/24/beck-shirtless-little-boy-patted-down-by-the-tsa-has-autism/


“Call to fix web’s inaccessible sites”:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11746150


Stargardt’s Macular Degeneration “Stem cells could help blind to see within six weeks”:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/stem-cells-could-help-blind-patients-to-see-within-six-weeks-2140301.html


“Comic Mackenzie Taylor takes his life at 32”:

http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2010/11/20/12191/comic_mackenzie_taylor_takes_his_life

HEALTH & RESEARCH


“Autism expert: Unproven treatments may do harm”:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/education/news/article.cfm?c_id=35&objectid=10688116&ref=rss


“Study finds evidence of gender bias toward diagnosing boys with autism”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/study_finds_evidence_of_gender_bias_toward_diagnosing_boys_w.htm


“Researchers create autistic neuron model”:

http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=207612


“Learning disabilities more likely in children with high blood pressure”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/learning_disabilities_more_likely_in_children_with_high_bloo.htm


“Social skills training for autistic children: Not all group therapies are the same”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/social_skills_training_for_autistic_children_not_all_group_.htm


“The cure for autism, mainly understanding”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/the_cure_for_autism_mainly_understanding.htm


“Aspergers and Autism: What’s the difference?”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/aspergers_and_autism_whats_the_difference.htm


“IQ scores fail to predict academic performance in autistic children”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/iq_scores_fail_to_predict_academic_performance_in_autistic_c.htm


“Do handwriting problems in autistic children continue into teen years”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/do_handwriting_problems_in_autistic_children_continue_into_t.htm


Handwriting “Autism or entrepreneurism? Part 1”:

http://www.examiner.com/child-entrepreneur-in-national/autism-or-entrepreneurism-part-i-review


“Autistic children have distinctive patterns of brain activity”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/autistic_children_have_distinctive_patterns_of_brain_activit.htm


“Selective Mutism: I stopped talking when I was six years old”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/selective_mutism_i_stopped_talking_when_i_was_six_years_old.htm


“Rett Syndrome mobilizes jumping genes in the brain”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/rett_syndrome_mobilizes_jumping_genes_in_the_brain.htm


“OCD: Decluttering – Is it therapy?”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/ocd_decluttering__is_it_therapy.htm


National Epilepsy Awareness Month “Autism and Epilepsy – A Missed Connection, Causes & Descriptions & More”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/national_epilepsy_awareness_month_autism__epilepsy__a_mis.htm


“Landau-Kleffner Syndrome is a form of epilepsy that can mimic autism”:

http://www.examiner.com/special-needs-parents-in-national/one-type-of-epilepsy-that-may-be-found-with-autsim-is-landau-kleffner-syndrome


“PTSD: Victims of Child Abuse & PTSD, Teaching Kids To Work Through Trauma, First Major Study Of Mental Health Of UK Armed Forces In Iraq & More”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/ptsd_victims_of_child_abuse__ptsd_teaching_kids_to_walk_t.htm


“Hope for the journey, PTSD research at VA”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/hope_for_the_journey_ptsd_research_at_va.htm


“Gene links to Anorexia found”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/gene_links_to_anorexia_found.htm


“Men get eating disorders too/Anorexia & unplanned pregnancies”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/men_get_eating_disorders_tooanorexia__unplanned_pregnancie.htm


“Latest Sleep Research: Sleep Deficits & Genetics, Drivers & Risk Perception, Podcast On PTSD & Sleep, Bedtime Texting & Internet Use Among Teens At Bedtime, Sleep Interrupted”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/latest_sleep_research_sleep_deficits__genetics_drivers__.htm


“Sleep program needed for IT Engineers”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/sleep_program_needed_for_it_engineers.htm


“Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome a personality disorder?”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/is_chronic_fatigue_syndrome_a_personality_disorder.htm


“Exhaustion Syndrome explored”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/exhaustion_syndrome_explored.htm


Surgeon burnout”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/burnout_surgeon_burnout.htm


“Latest Depression Articles: Suicide Prevention, Surge in Teen Suicides?, Follow-Ups Are Powerful Tool, Pregnancy & Depression Screening, Music Therapy & Depression & More”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/latest_depression_articles_suicide_prevention_surge_in_tee.htm


“80% of Uni students mentally stressed, Australia”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/80_of_uni_students_mentally_stressed_australia.htm


“BPS Research Digest: The Special Issue Spotter”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/bps_research_digest_the_special_issue_spotter_21.htm


“Mind Hacks: A Shrink among the Shady in 1920s New York”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/mind_hacks_a_shrink_among_the_shady_in_1920s_new_york.htm


“Mendocino Coast District Hospital Physician Neil Nathan published book to help those struggling with Chronic Poor Health”:

http://www.fox44now.com/Global/story.asp?S=13550276


“Psychology of Women Quarterly to be published by SAGE”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/psychology_of_women_quarterly_to_be_published_by_sage.htm


“Uncovered: The mental health magazine for women”:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1327290/Uncovered-The-mental-health-magazine-women.html


“Women get the health message, but not from men, Australia”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/women_get_the_health_message_but_not_from_men_australia.htm


“Do women have a special connection to nature?”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/do_women_have_a_special_connection_to_nature.htm


“How to flood your life with confidence”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/how_to_flood_your_life_with_confidence.htm


“Don’t do it! – How your inner voice really does aid self-control”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/dont_do_it__how_your_inner_voice_really_does_aid_selfc.htm


“Is there a ‘do good’ gene?”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/is_there_a_do_good_gene.htm


“5 steps to connecting to the good in life”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/5_steps_to_connecting_to_the_good_in_life.htm


Relationships “Man with Asperger’s syndrome finds love with first girl he was able to look in the eye”:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/2010/10/28/man-with-asperger-s-syndrome-finds-love-with-first-girl-he-was-able-to-look-in-the-eye-86908-22664220/


“Relationships: Falling Only Takes About A Fifth Of A Second, Flirting, Emotional Intimacy, Affair Prevention, Divorce, Couples, Resilience & Cancer, 10 Tips To Enhance Love Bonds & More”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/relationships_falling_only_takes_about_a_fifth_of_a_second.htm


“Virtual Hospital”:

http://www.uihealthcare.com/vh/

EDUCATION


Jane Groth Stewart “Parents, students remember founder of school for autistic”:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7304514.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+houstonchronicle%2Fmetro+%28chron.com+-+Houston+%26+Texas%29


“City Academy apologises over disabled girl rejection”:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11814690


“The fight for disabled children’s right to education in India”:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/journalismcompetition/disabled-children-education-india


“Disability advocates split on Restraint, Seclusion Reform”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/disability_advocates_split_on_restraint_seclusion_reform.htm


“Anti-Bullying Week starts 15th November”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/antibullying_week_from_15th_november.htm


“Bullying: Half of American HS children bullied during last 12 months, Safe Schools Policy, Teen’s take on Bullying, What if your child’s the Bully?”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/bullying_half_of_american_hs_children_bullied_during_last_1.htm


“Abstract: Bullying in School and Cyberspace: Associations with depressive symptoms in Swiss and Australian adolescents”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/abstract_bullying_in_school_and_cyberspace_associations_wi.htm


“Award for inspirational Erdington volunteer”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/bullying_award_for_inspirational_erdington_volunteer.htm


Specialist: The new Elizabethan School “Saved school wants ‘free’ status”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/specialist_new_elizabethan_school_saved_from_closure_request.htm


“Autistic students find iPad beneficial”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/autistic_students_find_ipad_beneficial.htm


“Autistic Zach to get the help he needs”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/exceptionally_gifted_autistic_boy_zach_finally_receives_su.htm


“Parents of autistic boy file suit against Gateway”:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10294/1096751-298.stm?cmpid=news.xml


“Perfect school for autistic son faces shutdown”:

http://www.theprovince.com/life/Perfect+school+autistic+faces+shutdown/3732398/story.html


“Local conference educates about autistic students’ transitions to college”:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39791975/ns/local_news-san_luis_obispo_ca/


“Jasper’s parents’ plea finally heard”:

http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/local/news/jaspers-parents-plea-finally-heard/3927728/


“School district forbids autistic boy’s service dog”:

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/nov/13/school-district-forbids-autistic-boys-service-dog/


“7 things you should know about students diagnosed with High Functioning Autism”:

http://www.examiner.com/special-education-in-tacoma/7-things-you-should-know-about-students-diagnosed-with-high-functioning-autism


“College students help non-verbal children communicate, many for the first time”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/college_students_help_nonverbal_children_communicate_many_.htm


“Communication: Fast ForWord for Reading Disabilities & Language Delays: Does it Work?, Language Intervention For Pre-School Children, The Bilingual Advantage Etc”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/communication_fast_forword_for_reading_disabilities__langu.htm


“Education: Adolescents in Private School Cope Better, Parent’s Efforts Key To Children’s Performance & More”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/education_adolescents_in_private_school_cope_better_parent.htm


“Help children develop better listening skills”:

http://www.suite101.com/content/help-children-develop-better-listening-skills-a312188


“In NJ autism education, some say standards are lacking”:

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010101116133


“In New Jersey special-education system, specialized care comes at a price”:

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010101117120


“School for autistic children in London”:

http://www.materialicious.com/2010/11/school-for-autistic-children-in-london.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+materialicious+%28materialicious%29


“Working with autistic children”:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/working-with-children-with-autism.html


From the Archives “New York Times: Students on the Spectrum”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/05/education/edlife/traits.html?ex=1320382800&en=ed013200a8615e5f&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

EMPLOYMENT


“Project Search helps students with disabilities learn skills on the job”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/project_search_helps_students_with_disabilities_learn_skills.htm


“NAS concerned by increased sanctions for those looking for work”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/nas_concerned_by_increased_sanctions_for_those_looking_for_w.htm


“Incapacity benefit tests face overhaul after damning report”:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/nov/23/incapacity-benefit-test-review


“Disabled people among the hardest hit by spending review”:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/oct/20/spending-review-disabled-people


“Spending Review 2010: Key points at-a-glance”:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11569160


“Creative Support Ltd”:

http://www.creativesupport.co.uk/ 

 

“Autelligent Laboratories

We believe all people have a contribution to make and deserve an opportunity to be productive.

With your caring and excellent help, we are creating jobs for the 40 million people worldwide who are diagnosed with Autism and Asperger Syndrome. Today less than one in five of us are currently employed. We are motivated and competent and we deserve equal employment. Help make this a reality.

Autelligent Laboratories is dedicated to creating a space where autistic software engineers can more than contribute, we can excel.”:

http://www.autlabs.com/


Luxury Quality Scented Candles “Humbolt Candles – Autism & Disability Employment Company”:

http://www.humboldtcandles.com/index.html


“Auties.org”:
Individuality, Diversity, Equality, Achievement

Auties..org is an Aspie & Autie friendly site for all people on the Autistic Spectrum who are ready to dare reach out to occupation and employment, open the doors to the community and market their abilities directly to the public and for those interested in supporting these pioneers.

http://www.auties.org/


“Prospects”:

http://www.autism.org.uk/our-services/employment-support/prospects-for-job-seekers.aspx


“AutismJobs”:
Linking job seekers with vacancies in work related to autism, Aspergers and ASDs

http://www.autismjobs.org/?section=00010009


“Employment within the NAS”:

http://www.autism.org.uk/en-gb/working-with/a-career-in-autism/career-opportunities-with-the-nas.aspx


For further employment information, please view”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/employment_on_the_autism_spectrum.htm

GENERAL/HUMAN INTEREST


“Temple Grandin talks about autism (Video: 03:45)”:

http://www.topix.net/health/autism/2010/11/temple-grandin-talks-about-autism


“Autism has a voice: The remarkable story of Carly Fleischmann”:

http://www.examiner.com/special-needs-kids-in-colorado-springs/austism-has-a-voice-carly-fleischmann-s-story


“Teen uses experience to become autism advocate”:

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/lif/2010/10/21-67/Teen-uses-experience-to-become-autism-advocate.html


“A Manhattan Beach Eagle Scout earns honor”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/eagle_scout_earns_honor.htm


“I’m Right Here: Rudy Simone on life as an “Aspergirl”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/rudy_simone_im_right_here_life_as_an_aspergirl.htm


“Bringing Vincent home”:

http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/full/25/1/231


“Autistic children practice traveling on mock flights”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/autistic_children_practice_travelling_on_mock_flights.htm


“Positive Perspective “Brain Schedules, a mother’s poetic perspective on autism”:

http://www.examiner.com/autism-parenting-in-portland/brain-schedules-a-mothers-poetic-perspective-on-autism-1


“Asperger Syndrome child inspires Texas Grandma to become blogger”:

http://www.topnewspress.com/autism-asperger-syndrome-child-inspires-texas-grandma-to-become-blogger/87972/


Letter “Inspirational story”:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Editorials/1212379.html


“David Blunkett pays tribute to his guide dog Sadie”:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1321416/DAVID-BLUNKETT-pays-tribute-guide-dog-Sadie.html?ito=feeds-newsxml


“Global award for Grace App that aids communication”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/global_award_for_grace_app_that_aids_communication_in_autist.htm

 

Happy Thanksgiving To All Who Are Celebrating …

THANKSGIVING


“Help your autistic child have an enjoyable Thanksgiving”:

http://www.examiner.com/autism-parenting-in-glendale/help-your-child-with-autism-have-an-enjoyable-thanksgiving


“Mercy House Call: Holidays can be a stressful time for autistic children, parents”:

http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=13565440


“Autistic children create Thanksgiving cartoon”:

http://www.fox44now.com/Global/story.asp?S=13548084

Turkey

“Don’t let your Thanksgiving turn into a real turkey, Tips for avoiding Stress-Outs”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/dont_let_your_thanksgiving_turn_into_a_real_turkey_tips_fo.htm

“Thanksgiving Articles ~ On Coping, Inclusion Tips, History, Art, Craft & Recipes”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/thanksgiving_articles__on_coping_inclusion_tips_history_.htm


“Expert offers ways to practice “Safe Stress” during the Holidays”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/expert_offers_ways_to_practice_safe_stress_during_the_holi.htm


“Holiday shopping for your autistic child”:

http://www.examiner.com/special-needs-parents-in-chicago/holiday-shopping-for-your-child-with-autism

Oreo Turkey Cookies

Oreo Turkey Cookies

“Holiday Planning and ASD Part 1”:

http://www.examiner.com/autism-parenting-in-dallas/holiday-planning-and-autism-spectrum-disorder-1


“Holiday Planning and ASD Part 2”:

http://www.examiner.com/dc-in-national/mason-alert-to-be-combined-with-take-me-home-program-to-prevent-autism-wandering


Supporting the NAS this Christmas …

“NAS Christmas Cards”:

http://www.autism.org.uk/shop/christmas-cards.aspx

Thanksgiving Wreath

NEW MEXICO

 New Mexico State Flag, Zuni Indian sun symbol:The yellow field and red symbol colors are the colors of Spain. First brought to New Mexico by Spanish explorers in 1540. On New Mexico’s flag we see a red sun with rays stretching out from it. There are four groups of rays with four rays in each group. This is an ancient sun symbol of a Native American people called the Zia.

“New Mexico Autism Society”

PO Box 30955

Albuquerque NM 87190-0955

(Bernalillo County)

(505) 332-0306 (Main Phone)

E-Mail address: nm-newmexico@autismsocietyofamerica.org

Website:  http://www.nmautismsociety.org

Red Rock Balloon Rally

Red Rock Balloon Rally Gallup, New Mexico (Held annually on the first weekend of December)http://www.redrockballoonrally.com/index.html

 

“The Santa Fe Autism and Asperger’s Community Connection”:

http://aspergers.meetup.com/cities/us/nm/albuquerque/

New Mexico

New Mexico is a southwestern state in the United States of America. Over its relatively long history it has also been occupied by Native American populations and has been part of the Spanish viceroyalty of New Spain, a state of Mexico and a U.S. territory. Among U.S. states, New Mexico has simultaneously the highest percentage of Hispanic Americans (some recent immigrants and others descendants of Spanish colonists) and the second-highest percentage of Native American (mostly Navajo and Pueblo peoples). As a result, the demographics and culture of the state are unique for their strong Spanish, Mexican, and U.S. Amerindian cultural influences. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the state population was 1,954,599 in 2006, a 7.45% increase since 2000.

“Rio Rancho New Mexico Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician Doctors”:

http://www.medicinenet.com/asperger_syndrome/rio-rancho-nm_city.htm

Anasazi Arch, Cox Canyon

Anasazi Arch, Cox Canyon

“Santa Fe NM Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician Doctors”:

http://www.medicinenet.com/asperger_syndrome/santa-fe-nm_city.htm

New Mexico Cactus Flower

New Mexico Cactus Flower

“New Mexico Autism News”:

http://autism.einnews.com/newmexico/

New Mexico Storms

New Mexico Storms: New Mexico has one of the highest, if not the highest, lightning strikes in the nation. That combined with brilliant sunsets makes it one of the reasons it is called the land of enchantment.

Lighting the Way

Lighting the Way

Electric Sunset

Electric Sunset

Approaching Storm

 Approaching Storm: Heron Lake State Park, New Mexico

“New Mexico Guide”:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/united-states/new-mexico-guide/?source=A-to-Z

The Blues

 The Blues, Heron Lake State Park

“New Mexico Facts”:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/united-states/new-mexico-facts/

Wheeler Peak

Wheeler Peak(the highest point in New Mexico) rises over 13,000 feet in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in Northern New Mexico.

Sandia Mountains

Sunset in the Sandia Mountains after a snow storm.

“New Mexico Map”:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/united-states/new-mexico-map/

Earthshadow at White Sands

Earthshadow at White Sands

“Photo gallery: Santa Fe Attractions”:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/santa-fe-attractions-photos-traveler/

Flight of the Snow Geese

A feeding flock of Snow Geese take flight after being scared from the cornfield at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. Often it’s a coyote that spooks them or other predators. While not equal in flock size to the morning fly out, these “fright flights” are an impressive spectacle in and of themselves.

Morning Launch

 A portion of the wintering population of Sandhill Cranes at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. Nothing like the running crane with the bit of splash.

 That's Mr Buck to you

That’s Mr. Buck to You

“World Heritage: Pueblo de Taos”:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/world-heritage/pueblo-de-taos/

Chillies, Santa Fe

Chillies, Santa Fe

“Photo Camp: Taos, New Mexico”:

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photos/photo-camp-taos/

Blue Door, Santa Fe

Blue Door: Doors in Santa Fe, New Mexico are as varied as the art styles.

“New Mexico Tourism Department”:

http://www.newmexico.org/

Storefront in Cerrillos after a snowstorm

 Storefront in Cerrillos, New Mexico after a heavy snow storm.

Architecture, New Mexico

Architecture, New Mexico

“Best New Mexico Restaurants”:

http://www.urbanspoon.com/lb/234/best-restaurants-New-Mexico

Luminarias, Adobe Architecture

 Luminarias, Adobe Architecture, Santa Fe

Doorway at Aztec Ruins

Doorway at Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico
This is a 3-D stereo photograph that can be viewed in the third dimension with red/cyan glasses.

Aztec Ruins

The Aztec Ruins National Monument. This site was home to ancestral Pueblo peoples — the Anasazi. Scholars once thought the Aztecs migrated to Mexico from the southwestern U.S. Later, commercial maps and early settlers mistakenly called these monumental ruins along the Animas River the “Aztec” ruins and the name stuck. For more information, see: www.nps.gov/azru

Restored Kiva

Aztec Ruins – Restored Kiva

The Chandelier

Carlsbad Caverns: One of the most spectacular sites in Carlsbad is “The Chandelier,” a closely-grouped set of long, elegant stalactites. 

Carlsbad Caverns

The Carlsbad Caverns are a huge network of limestone caves in southeast New Mexico. They are not lit with coloured lights as are some caves, so the colours on the caves are completely natural.

Fajada Butte

Fajada Butte, 6623 ft (2019m) near the Visitor Center of Chaco Culture National Historical Park. This image was selected as the cover photo of GuestLife New Mexico.  www.guestlife.com/media/GuestLife/New-Mexico/Annual-2009/

Anasazi Chacoan Village Ruins

 Ruins of an Anasazi Chacoan village at Chaco Canyon.

Acoma Pueblo

 Acoma Pueblo competes with Taos in being the oldest settlement in the US. Likely to be built some time between the 10th and 12th centuries, it is spectacularly located on top of a sandstone mesa that is about 100 meters high. Once a healthy community with some one thousand denizens, starting with the Spanish conquest, population has now dwindled down to a few hundred. Acoma’s long history contains many tragic episodes. In 1598, the Conquistador Don Juan de Onate stormed the pueblo killing many men and throwing their bodies off the cliffs. The surviving men over 25 had one foot cut off. Young girls were enslaved and sent off to Mexico, while others were made servants. Acoma was also last to surrender to the Spanish in the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.

New Mexico Petroglyph

New Mexico Petroglyphs; Spirits in Stone:  Somewhere between 300 & 700 years ago the local and or migrating Native Americans (Pueblo, Apache & Navajo) created these petroglyph’s by pecking or striking a stone against these rocks to knock a small bit of the darker surface off the basalt boulder revealing the lighter basalt beneath. These are in the Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico and they are if you will; a sort of a very early monochromatic pointillism. More accurately, as it says on the www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm website “These images are inseparable from the cultural landscape, the spirits of the people who created, and who appreciate them.” As you walk among the boulders you can not help but feel the spirit of these people that they left behind on this land, these stones, these pieces of the earth.

Pueblo Warrior

Northern New Mexico Pueblo Warrior. The Northern Pueblos are the Jewels of New Mexico.

Celebration

 A young dancer from the Powwow in the Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe… Many such celebrations run parallel to the famous Indian Market, where members of all tribes, as well as other local artisans display their crafts. One of a kind pottery, jewellery, etc. are sold at very high prices.

Zuni

 The Zuni People have made their home in these lands for 60,000 years, and tell the tale of their people, this place, and the Earth itself through their music.

Colours of Life

Colours of Life, New Mexico: Without the storm clouds we would not have the colours at sunset. And with out troubles in our life, we would not know the difference between a good day and a bad day. Therefore, look for the good within the storm and know that it will bring colour to your life.

Red Wine Sky

Red Wine Sky:Thunderstorm as sun sets in Albuquerque.

Moon in Jet Trail

Moon in Jet Trail

Meadowlark

 Meadowlark

Pronghorn Antelope

Pronghorn Antelope

San Miguel Mission

San Miguel Mission, also known as San Miguel Chapel, is a Spanish colonial mission church in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is claimed to be the oldest church in the United States. Built between approximately 1610 and 1626. The church was damaged during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 but was rebuilt in 1710 following the Spanish reconquest and served for a time as a chapel for the Spanish soldiers. The wooden reredos, which includes a wooden statue of Saint Michael dating back to at least 1709, was added in 1798. Though the church has been repaired and rebuilt numerous times over the years, its original adobe walls are still largely intact despite having been hidden by later additions. The church is a contributing property in the Barrio De Analco Historic District, which is a U.S. National Historic Landmark.

 Albuquerque

Albuquerque

Restored Neon, Albuquerque

 Restored neon sign at the El Don Motel along Route 66 in Albuquerque.

Route 66 Diner

 Route 66 Diner, Albuquerque

The Biggest Show in New Mexico

The Biggest Show in New Mexico: State Fair held for 17 days in September at Expo New Mexico.

Virtual Tour:  http://www.virtualalbuquerque.com/VirtualABQ/StateFair/

International UFO Museum, Roswell

 The International UFO Museum and Research Center, Roswell.

Pueblo Needlepoint

Pueblo Pot Needlepoint Twinchy based on motifs and colors found in pueblo pottery of New Mexico.

A Taste of New Mexico

New Mexico Pottery

Colours of the Rainbow

Colours of the Rainbow: Santa Fe International Folk Art Market

Display of Southwest Indian Weavings

Display of Southwest Indian Weavings, Santa Fe.

ADD/ADHD


“Gene tied to ADHD jams brain networks”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/gene_tied_to_adhd_jams_brain_networks.htm


“Daydreaming linked to ADHD gene”:

http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=25711

 

“New research on developmental co-ordination disorder”:

http://www.bris.ac.uk/news/2010/7337.html

 

“Sluggish cognitive tempo”:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/sluggish-cognitive-tempo.html


“ADHD students in the classroom”:

http://www.natural-holistic-health.com/adhd-students-in-classroom/

 

“Prescriptions: Beware the seductive strawberry”:

http://missionlocal.org/2010/11/prescriptions-beware-the-seductive-strawberry/


“Albany mom watches daughter with ADHD spiral into drug addiction”:

http://www.examiner.com/adhd-in-albany/albany-mom-watches-daughter-with-adhd-spiral-into-drug-addiction

“ADD & ADHD”:

http://www.yourheartofillinois.com/2010/10/add-and-adhd.html

 

“Ten tips to manage stress and help to manage ADHD”:

http://www.examiner.com/adhd-in-toronto/ten-tips-to-manage-stress-and-help-to-manage-adhd

 

ADRES “Adverse Drug Reaction Electronic System(Adverse Drug Reactions Website)”- This website provides patients, doctors, and other medical professionals with a comprehensive examination of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), side effects, and other safety information for both prescription and over-the-counter medications.. Our goal is to allow users of our website make informed decisions when taking (patients) or prescribing (doctors) drugs. We are providing unmatched information and analysis tools.

http://www.adverse-drug-reaction.net/

 

“adders.org”:
Our objective is to promote awareness to AD/HD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and to provide information and as much free practical help as we can to those affected by the condition, both adults and children, their families in the UK and around the World via this website.

http://www.adders.org/

 

“ADDISS” The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service…

http://www.addiss.co.uk/index.html

 

“ADDA”:

http://www.add.org/index.html

 

“hi2u ADHD Pages”:

http://www..adhd..org.uk/

 

“CHADD”:

http://www.chadd.org/am/CustomPages/home/CHADD_Home.htm?CFID=2282059&CFTOKEN=38105335&jsessionid=f2303343221169802693562


SPORT


“Trek Mount Kilimanjaro – 8-19 Oct 2010/2-13 Feb 2011/13-24 July 2011”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2200

 

“Trek the Great Wall of China – 9-18 Oct 2010/8-16 October 2011”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2356

 

“Trek to Everest Base Camp – 5-21 November 2010/25 March – 10 April 2011/4-20 Nov 2011”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2354

 

“Trek to the Home of the Dalai Lama – 17-28 March 2011 and 15-26 Sept 2011”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2602

 

“Trek the Inca Trail – 14-23 May 2011”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1863

 

“Icelandic Lava Trek – 20-24 July 2011”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2611

 

“Sky Diving – All Year Round”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1726

MUSIC


*Archives “Autistic Musicians: 7 Year Old Gina Marie Incandela Launches Inspiring Musical Career”(Video 02:12):

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gina-marie-incandela-7-year-old-overcomes-speach-disability-to-release-cd-a


“Music4ASD”:

http://www.music4asd.com/

http://www.autism.org.uk/directory/resources/7923.aspx


“The AutisMusic Project”:

http://www.autismusic.com/

ART


“Amanda LaMunyon – Impressionistic Artist”:

http://www.amandalamunyon.com/


GLIMPSE – the talents of the autism community

They are painters, sculptors and photographers; poets and storytellers; musicians and creators of amazing video games. They are kids, teens and adults. Last year, a new online publication arose to celebrate the talents of autistic individuals and other developmental disabilities: GLIMPSE, offered by ICDL (The Interdisciplinary Council of Developmental and Learning Disorders). In late 2008, Volume 2 of GLIMPSE was released, and was expanded into a print book and notecards. The works are serious, humourous, deeply personal and illuminating. See it for yourself, share it with others, submit your own/your child’s work for inclusion in Volume 3, to release later this year. Find information and ordering details at www.icdl.com

 

“ARTROOM ………where under 17s can make and display art online”:

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artroom/index.php

MOVIES/ENTERTAINMENT


“Night of Too Many Stars’ was all for autism: Red Carpet Slide Show”:

http://www.examiner.com/celebrity-headlines-in-national/night-of-too-many-stars-was-all-for-autism-red-carpet-slide-show-photos


“Expressive Therapies grow community with OCU Children’s Theatre”:

http://www.examiner.com/oklahoma-city-in-oklahoma-city/expressive-therapies-grow-community-with-ocu-children-s-theatre


“Actors for Autism”:
http://www.actorsforautism.com/

BOOKS


“RNIB celebrates 75 years of Talking Books”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/rnib_celebrates_75_years_of_talking_books.htm


“One Book for Greater Hartford 2010: “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”:

http://www.courant.com/community/hc-community-articleresults,0,5942637,results.formprofile?Query=37353HC


“Eric Carle books are magic for autistic children”:

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/articles/tyler-119387-animals-children.html


“Common SENse for the Inclusive Classroom”

How Teachers Can Maximise Existing Skills to Support Special Educational Needs

Richard Hanks

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849050579


“Creative Expression Activities For Teens: Exploring Identity through Art, Craft and Journaling”

Bonnie Thomas

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849058421


“Trainman: Gaining Acceptance … and Friends … Through Special Interests”

Barbara Kavan

http://www.asperger.net/bookstore_9062.htm


Board Game “The Choices Game: Staying Safe in Social Situations”

Christopher McMaster

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849051897


“Music for Special Kids: Musical Activities, Songs, Instruments and Resources”

Pamela Ott

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849058582


“The Social and Life Skills MeNu: A Skill Building Workbook for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders”

Karra M. Barber

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849058612


“Drawing a Blank: Improving Comprehension for Readers on the Autism Spectrum”

Emily Iland, M.A.

http://www.asperger.net/bookstore_9056.htm


“Business for Aspies: 42 Best Practices for Using Asperger Syndrome Traits at Work Successfully”

Ashley Stanford

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849058452


“Strategies at Hand: Quick and Handy Positive Behavior Support Strategies”

Tracy Mueller, Ph.D. And Robin Brewer, Ed.D.

http://www.asperger.net/bookstore_9051.htm


“Apple iPhone and iTouch Apps”

http://www.asperger.net/bookstore_iphone_HC.htm

CINEMA

“Unstoppable” PG-13

Release Date: November 24, 2010.

Official Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM-0Ywc7wNY


Synopsis: Unstoppable, a 20th Century Fox drama about a runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals. Pits an engineer and his conductor in a race against time. They’re chasing the runaway train in a separate locomotive and need to bring it under control before it derails on a curve and causes a toxic spill that will decimate a town.


Review: As fast, loud, and relentless as the train at the center of the story, Unstoppable is perfect popcorn entertainment — and director Tony Scott’s best movie in years.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/unstoppable-2010/

“Megamind” 3D PG

Release Date: December 3, 2010.

Official Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z3E2f9sGbM


Synopsis: Megamind is the most brilliant super-villain the world has ever known… and the least successful. Over the years, he has tried to conquer Metro City in every imaginable way. Each attempt has been a colossal failure, thanks to the caped superhero known as “Metro Man,” until the day Megamind actually defeats him in the throes of one of his botched evil plans. Suddenly, the fate of Metro City is threatened when a new villain arrives and chaos runs rampant, leaving everyone to wonder: Can the world’s biggest “mind” actually be the one to save the day?


Review: It regurgitates plot points from earlier animated efforts, and isn’t quite as funny as it should be, but a top-shelf voice cast and strong visuals help make Megamind a pleasant, if unspectacular, diversion.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/megamind/

VIDEO GAMES

“Super Mario All-Stars – 25th Anniversary Edition (Wii) 3+

Release Date: December 3, 2010.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Super-Mario-All-Stars-25th-Anniversary/dp/B004AE1V6O/ref=pd_nr_vg_h__5?ie=UTF8&s=videogames

 

“Disney Epic Mickey (Wii) U

Release Date: November 26, 2010.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Disney-Epic-Mickey-Wii/dp/B003S3RLRG/ref=pd_nr_vg_h__7?ie=UTF8&s=videogames

 

“Gran Turismo 5: Collector’s Edition” 3+

Release Date: November 24, 2010.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gran-Turismo-5-Collectors-PS3/dp/B003YC1MNK/ref=pd_nr_vg_h__6?ie=UTF8&s=videogames


“Spectacular new Star Wars game reviewed”:

http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/blog/article/16402/star-wars-the-force-unleashed-ii.html


“Back to the Future: Meet the new Marty McFly”:

http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/blog/article/16256/back-to-the-future-meet-the-new-marty-mcfly.html


“Another surprising hero from Sonic creator Yuji Naka”:

http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/blog/article/16367/another-surprising-hero-from-sonic-creator-yuji-naka.html


“Motion-sensing games console showdown”:

http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/blog/article/16529/motion-sensing-games-console-showdown.html


“Inside the race to hack the Kinect”:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19762-inside-the-race-to-hack-the-kinect.html


“Top Ten Arcade Classics”:

http://www.reghardware.com/2010/11/19/top_ten_arcade_classics/

TECH

“Is This The Most Realistic CGI You’ve Ever Seen?”

Are the best computer animators only as good as the technology they use, or does natural talent distinguish their work from the rest? The question has been debated online this week after a new super-realistic computer-generated video appeared on YouTube.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19765-is-this-the-most-realistic-cgi-youve-ever-seen.html

HEALTH

“Blind Mice Can See Where They Run”

A prosthetic device capable of deciphering the code that allows the brain to make sense of visual stimuli has allowed blind mice to see clearly. A human version could one day give back vision to the millions of people who have lost their sight through retinal degeneration.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19744-blind-mice-can-see-where-they-run.html


Take Care,

Julie

New Mexico Sunset

New Mexico Sunset



 

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on November 23, 2010 

A new research paper from Sweden discusses the condition termed exhaustion syndrome, also called burnout and exhaustion depression.

Investigators believe the condition leaves objectively measurable changes in the brain — including reduced activity in the frontal lobes and altered regulation of the stress hormone cortisol.

A research team at Umeå University wanted to study whether this patient group had any susceptibility factors that could explain the development of their disorder.

The patient group is distinguished by being anxious and pessimistic, with a weak sense of self, common in many psychiatric disorders. What was special about this group was that they stood out as persistent, ambitious, and pedantic individuals.

Being ambitious, fastidious, and overachieving also appears to make a person more prone to exhaustion syndrome.

Regulation of the stress hormone cortisol is also impacted in the group, with altered sensitivity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis).

According to Agneta Sandström’s dissertation, individuals with exhaustion syndrome show reduced brain activity in parts of the frontal lobes. Her paper addresses whether it is possible to use neuropsychological tests to confirm and describe the cognitive problems reported by patients suffering from exhaustion syndrome.

Above all, patients with exhaustion syndrom demonstrate problems regarding attention and working memory. Patients were asked to perform working memory tests while lying in a functional magnetic resonance imaging machine.

Exhaustion syndrome patients proved to have a different activity pattern in the brain when they performed a language test of their working memory, and they also activate parts of the frontal lobe less than healthy subjects and a group of patients who had recently developed depression.

Read in Full:  http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/11/23/exhaustion-syndrome-explored/21139.html



 

Article Date: 23 Nov 2010 – 3:00 PST

Students majoring in communication disorders at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, are ahead of their peers nationwide who are working toward careers in speech pathology because of a one-of-a-kind program that gives the undergraduates more hands-on experience than most graduate students in the field.

The student-clinicians work at the Baldwin-Wallace Speech Clinic in one of two programs: a summer camp that runs two days a week; and a ten-month program that meets once a week during the academic year. The students interact with children who have diagnoses (sometimes multiple diagnoses) such as Autism, Rett syndrome, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, and are considered functionally non-verbal.

Through their work, the students are achieving unparalleled successes in helping non-verbal children communicate, many for the first time. “There is nothing like this program anywhere else in the country,” said Colleen F. Visconti, chair of the communication program and director of the Speech Clinic. “We have an advantage with the energy and focus of our undergrads–students who really want to learn–being able to engage and help the children.”

The clinic started as a summer camp for Cleveland-area children in 2007 and was so successful that the longer program was added in 2009. The program was also recently expanded to include B-W students majoring in pre-physical therapy who also work with the children to help improve their motor skills. “Word is spreading,” says Visconti, “and we have already been contacted by parents from across the country expressing interest.”

Visconti and Christie Needham, Clinical Supervisor of the Speech Clinic, developed their own testing that measures changes in the children’s form of communication. They ask: Did the child look at you and get you to look at them? Are they greeting people when exiting or entering a room? Do they seem to be commenting more on activities taking place? Are their social skills improving? Are they able to identify some of their emotions and to take turns in a game without getting upset with others taking turns.

A handful of Baldwin-Wallace student clinicians, a clinical supervisor and a part-time supervisor work closely with the children, who are an average age of seven or eight.

“Our undergraduate students are getting access to these patients working with 12 different children, while in graduate school a student might work with one or two children at the most,” says Visconti. “It’s because of the way our program is set up,” she explains. “Our big drive is to have our students work in a clinic as an undergraduate. Our students are graduating with about 100 client contact hours, and the national average is only about 40.”

A typical session will begin with families dropping children off in the morning for greeting time and then breaking out into small groups and individual situations. “Similar to a circle time at preschool, we talk with the children a lot about feelings, when they’re happy and when they’re sad or mad, and we even talk about the weather,” says Christie Needham, Clinical Supervisor. “We then have art and game activities, a snack and a literacy project, and throughout the session the children are learning to communicate with technology or their voices, if they can.”

Some of the newest and most costly technological devices the Clinic uses are on loan from manufacturers in the industry, but they also use iPads and iTouches that the children are able to use to communicate via pictures.

“When the families start coming to the program, they’ve usually tried everything, and nothing is working and their child is still not talking,” says Needham. “We have been able to give them the opportunity to see how they’re children can succeed in communicating.” She adds: “They are also able to have a better relationship with their child, instead of frustration they’re able to start understanding their child better.

One example is a parent who always thought her child liked the color blue. Once her daughter began to communicate via pointing at pictures on a device, the mother learned that her daughter actually preferred pink and wanted a pink wheel chair and her bedroom painted pink. “Prior to the program, her mother thought she was a tomboy!” Needham says.

Visconti says that many people outside of the field would consider the children as unable to accomplish much, but that’s not the case. “We just need to find the right mode of communication for these children and it will open a whole new world for them,” she explains. Most importantly, she points out: “They will be able to communicate in a new way.”

Source: Academy Communications  

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/208940.php



 

Article Date: 22 Nov 2010 – 1:00 PST

SAGE has partnered with Division 35 of the American Psychological Association (APA) to publish Psychology of Women Quarterly (PWQ), the official journal of the Society for the Psychology of Women. The journal is transferring from Wiley-Blackwell to SAGE with the March 2011 issue.

“The Society provides an organizational base for all feminists, women and men of all national origins, who are interested in teaching, research, and practice in the psychology of women,” said Jan Yoder, Editor. “By coming to SAGE in our 35th anniversary year, PWQ has realized the dream of its founding editor, Georgia Babladelis, who approached SAGE on behalf of APA’s Division 35 in 1976. Publishing in the 21st century is nothing like what Dr. Babladelis imagined, and we are now excited to be partnering with SAGE to put the journal at the cutting edge of technological opportunities that will get our high quality scholarship into the hands of the people who can make good use of it.”

PWQ joins SAGE’s strong journals portfolio in psychology and gender studies. Highly citied, the journal’s 2009 Impact Factor is 1.297 and it is ranked 48 in multidisciplinary psychology; and third in women’s studies.

“The Society has created a strong journal that publishes the best in qualitative and quantitative research on women and psychology,” said Jayne Marks, SAGE Vice President and Editorial Director, Library Information Group. “We look forward to building on that base and helping to broaden the dissemination of this important scholarship.”

Source:
Jim Gilden
SAGE Publications

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/208698.php



 

Article Date: 22 Nov 2010 – 2:00 PST

Scientists at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia have identified both common and rare gene variants associated with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa. In the largest genetic study of this psychiatric disorder, the researchers found intriguing clues to genes they are subjecting to further investigation, including genes active in neuronal signaling and in shaping interconnections among brain cells.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) affects an estimated 9 in 1000 women in the United States. Patients have food refusal, weight loss, an irrational fear of weight gain even when emaciated, and distorted self-image of body weight and shape.

Women are affected 10 times more frequently than men, with the disorder nearly always beginning during adolescence. AN has the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric disorders, and successful treatment is challenging.

Twin studies and other family studies have suggested that AN is strongly heritable. “However, despite various genetic studies that identified a handful of candidate genes associated with AN, the genetic architecture underlying susceptibility to AN has been largely unknown,” said study leader Hakon Hakonarson, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Center for Applied Genomics at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The research appeared online in Molecular Psychiatry on Nov. 16.

“This is the first genome-wide association study on a large anorexia cohort, as well as the first study of copy number variations in the disorder,” said Hakonarson. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) search for single-nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs-common gene variants that typically act as pointers to a gene region with a small effect on raising disease risk. The study team also performed a parallel search for copy number variations (CNVs), rarer variants that usually have a stronger impact on disease risk.

The sample size was the largest used in an AN gene study-DNA came from 1,003 AN patients, all but 24 of them female, from various sources, having an average age of 27 years. For comparison, there was a control group of 3,733 pediatric subjects (average age of 13), drawn from the Children’s Hospital pediatric network.

Read in Full:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/208726.php



 

ScienceDaily (Nov. 22, 2010) — Insomnia is bad news for software engineers’ quality of life and deserves greater recognition and attention, according to new research by Sara Sarrafi Zadeh and Khyrunnisa Begum from the University of Mysore in India. Their work shows that poor sleep has a bearing on quality of life — affecting physical and mental health in particular — in this group with high levels of job-related stress.

The paper is published online in Springer’s journal Applied Research in Quality of Life.

Insomnia, a disorder of insufficient or poor quality sleep, has been shown to have adverse daytime consequences ranging from fatigue, irritability and memory impairment to loss of productivity and relationship difficulties. Left untreated, it has also been linked to severe depression and coronary heart disease. Because the majority of insomniacs do not seek medical treatment, poor sleep is also thought to affect quality of life.

Sarrafi Zadeh and Begum believe that a high incidence of insomnia, alongside minimal recognition of the problem by healthcare professionals, has led to the tangible consequences of chronic insomnia being underestimated.

They studied the relationship between the amount of sleep and the quality of life of 91 software engineers aged between 21 and 45, working for a software company in Mysore, in order to determine the prevalence of insomnia among this group particularly prone to job-related stress. The participants completed two questionnaires: The first looked at insomnia and sleep quality; the second assessed their quality of life.

The authors found that 56 percent of the participants had mild (35 percent) or severe (21 percent) insomnia, compared to 23 percent in the general population. In contrast to what other studies have shown, younger engineers were more likely to be insomniacs than their older counterparts. In terms of gender differences, more women suffered from mild insomnia than men while more men suffered from severe insomnia than women.

Quality of life in general, and mental and physical health in particular, were significantly lower in subjects with insomnia than in other participants. The association between insomnia and poor quality of life was particularly strong for mental health. There were no gender differences in the effects of poor sleep on quality of life.

The authors conclude: “In view of the serious health consequences of insomnia in software engineers who are at high risk, suitable awareness programs should be developed as a preventative measure. Sleep assessment should be included as part of routine medical check-ups so that management of the problem is easier in the early stages. Lifestyle management programs which include sleep hygiene and care should be incorporated as a policy matter in the IT industry.”

Source:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101122093108.htm



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I’ve just revisited the indifferent indie classic Child Psychology by British band Black Box Recorder that has perhaps the only description of ‘selective mutism’ in pop music.

Selective mutism is a curious psychological disorder where children refuse to speak, or refuse to speak in certain situations (like school), despite having no speech problems.

The first verse of ‘Child Psychology’ describes the experience from the child’s perspective:

I stopped talking when I was six years old
I didn’t want anything more to do with the outside world
I was happy being quiet
But of course they wouldn’t leave me alone
My parents tried every trick in the book
From speech therapists to child psychologists
They even tried bribery
I could have anything, as long as I said it out loud

I’ve never been able to find out whether the singer is describing a real experience or it’s just poetic license for the sake of the song.

Rather ironically for a song about selective mutism, the song was banned from radio and MTV because of the chorus which goes “Life is unfair, kill yourself or get over it”.

Read in Full:  http://mindhacks.com/2010/11/20/i-stopped-talking-when-i-was-six-years-old/



 Scott Huff participates in Project Search by working in the print shop at the materials management facility for Carilion Clinic. He is one of 12 students in the program in this region.

 Photo by JEANNA DUERSCHERL The Roanoke Times

Project Search provides opportunities to students with disabilities, and employers can consider hiring them after their internships end.

By Sheila Ellis

Tamara Thomas, 18, has her own office complete with a leather-bound navy blue diploma from William Fleming High School atop her metal filing cabinet and a photo of her boyfriend on her desk.

It’s hard for her high school counselor to believe, because when Thomas was a freshman, she was painfully shy and uninterested in school, said Cindy Goldstein, transition specialist at William Fleming.

Thomas has a milder variant of an autistic disorder called Asperger’s syndrome. It affects her social skills mostly, said her mother, Katina Thomas. It’s hard for shy, introverted Tamara Thomas to make eye contact with people.

During Thomas’ senior year, Goldstein advised her to apply for a national program called Project Search, aimed at giving students with disabilities on-the-job training through internships to compete for jobs. She is now one of 12 students in the Roanoke Valley involved in the competitive program’s first year in Roanoke.

Thomas is an unpaid intern at a materials management facility for Carilion Clinic. There she keeps track of medical supplies for health care facilities.

“I really like my job here. People are so nice and treat me with respect,” she said.

Thomas’ goal is to get a permanent job with benefits and to be independent, she said.

Students such as Thomas rotate through work sites at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, the Carilion Clinic materials management facility and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. They work in various departments including nursing, materials management and food service.

Because Thomas is in a work environment where she has to communicate with people around her, she is talking more and becoming less shy, her mother said.

“Already in a short time, I have seen her coming out of her shell,” she said.

There are more than 40 Project Search programs nationwide. Roanoke’s program is one of five in the state and boasts the largest and most diverse collaborative effort in Virginia.

Partners in the program include school systems in Roanoke and Roanoke County, Botetourt and Franklin counties, and Salem; the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services; Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare; local parent representatives; Goodwill Industries of the Valleys; Carilion Clinic; and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute.

Funding for the program comes from each school district and the Department of Rehabilitative Services. Goodwill operates the program.

Students in the program must have a developmental and/or other significant disability, communicate effectively, meet state eligibility requirements and have independent daily living skills among other criteria.

Students attend morning classes at the Virginia Tech Carilion medical school that teach them career and life skills before heading to their internships for the rest of the day. Each student has a job coach on-site to help him or her develop skills. Students are encouraged to get to work on their own.

The program allows students to be treated like everyone else, said Michele Wells, vocational rehabilitation counselor for Project Search.

“It allows students to see what they can do for a company and the company to see what the students can do for them,” she said.

Carilion Clinic is the program’s sole corporate sponsor, and coordinators said they are seeking more businesses to become involved.

Project Search allows a company that may not have considered hiring someone with a disability to do so at little to no cost.

Hiring employees with a disability is a strength for a company, Goldstein said.

“It’s all about acceptance,” Goldstein said. “We need to focus on each student’s unique strengths instead of their disabilities.”

Source:  http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/268389