hgh dhea metformin

Calendar

February 2011
M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28  

Pages

Archives

Recent Posts

Blogroll





Archive for February, 2011

Physicians & Social Media

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on February 15, 2011


“Physicians on Twitter” was the subject of a research letter in the Feb. 9 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, documenting some instances of unethical and unprofessional content online by doctors.


Up to 3 percent of tweets posted on Twitter in the study were found to be unprofessional — they included profanity, potential patient privacy violations, sexually explicit material, or discriminatory statements.


Researcher Katherine Chretien, M.D., F.A.C.P., associate professor of medicine at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, called for greater accountability and guidelines for physicians who are regular users of Twitter.


“This research helped us to identify how physicians are using social media and has helped us gauge whether or not there is need for greater accountability for physicians who use social media,” said Chretien.


“While the majority of tweets were potentially helpful, the ethical breaches and unprofessional content raised a red flag.”


The study, approved by the Washington, D.C., VA Medical Center, was initiated to describe the characteristics of self-identified physicians on Twitter and how they use Twitter, with a specific focus on professionalism.


The researchers examined 5,156 tweets from 260 self-identified physicians with 500 or more followers between May 1 and May 31, 2010.


They found that three percent of the tweets were categorized as “unprofessional,” meaning that they included profanity, potential patient privacy violations, sexually explicit material, or discriminatory statements.


Read in Full:

http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/02/15/physicians-need-guidelines-on-use-of-social-media/23526.html



Eating Disorders

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on February 15, 2011


Women suffering from or prone to eating disorders can be diagnosed with a low-cost but effective method, according to a new study — drawing.


Israeli researchers from the University of Haifa, Soroka University Medical Center and Achva Academic College determined that women with anorexia or bulimia draw themselves with prominently different characteristics than women who do not have eating disorders and who are considered of normal weight.


The research utilizes a simple, non-intrusive self-figure drawing, said co-author Rachel Lev-Wiesel, Ph.D. The study, conducted by Lev-Wiesel alongside Dr. Jonathan Guez, Shimrit Valetsky, Dr. Diego Kruszewski Sztul and Dr. Bat-Sheva Pener, examined 76 women, 36 of whom had been diagnosed as anorexic or bulimic; 20 had no eating disorders but were overweight, and 20 had no eating disorders and were considered normal weight.


Each of the participants completed two standardized questionnaires for screening eating disorders and were then asked to draw themselves. Besides being asked to draw themselves, no guidelines or limitations were set for the drawing.


The research team then evaluated the drawings and found various differences between the groups in four aspects:


    • The neck: women suffering from anorexia or bulimia tended to draw a larger neck, a disconnected neck or no neck at all;
    • The mouth: this feature was more emphasized in drawings by women suffering from anorexia or bulimia;
    • The thighs: women with eating disorders drew wider thighs than the other groups in the study;
    • The feet: women with eating disorders tended to draw pictures without feet or with disconnected feet.

The study also revealed that self-figure drawings can differentiate between anorexic and bulimic women: those with anorexia tended to omit breasts from their drawings, drew less defined body lines and smaller figures relative to the page size.


Read in Full: http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/02/15/self-drawings-identify-women-with-eating-disorders/23520.html


Beating ANA



Social Anxiety

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on February 15, 2011


For many mental conditions, treatment options include medications or psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.


Despite the frequently comparable benefits of either of the modalities, and the often documented adjunctive benefit of using both approaches at the same time, researchers currently have a better understanding of how medications affect the neurological function of the brain.


To balance this representation, a new study looked at how psychotherapy alters the brain in patients suffering from social anxiety disorder. A team of Canadian psychological scientists set out to discover how the brain changes when psychotherapy is helping someone recover — in this case from social anxiety disorder.


Medication and psychotherapy both help people with this common disorder, marked by overwhelming fears of interacting with others and expectations of being harshly judged. But research on the neurological effects of psychotherapy has lagged far behind that on medication-induced changes in the brain.


“We wanted to track the brain changes while people were going through psychotherapy,” said McMaster University Ph.D. candidate Vladimir Miskovic, the study’s lead author.


To do so, the research team used electroencephalograms, or EEGs, which measure brain electrical interactions in real time. They focused on the amount of “delta-beta coupling,” which elevates with rising anxiety.


The study recruited 25 adults with social anxiety disorder from a Hamilton, Ontario clinic. The patients participated in 12 weekly sessions of group cognitive behavior therapy, a structured method that helps people identify—and challenge—the thinking patterns that perpetuate their painful and self-destructive behaviors.


Read in Full: http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/02/15/therapy-helps-mend-brain-in-social-anxiety-disorder/23515.html



Henry's Demons: Living with Schizophrenia, a Father and Son's Story

Patrick Cockburn’s son Henry was diagnosed seven years ago with schizophrenia. Together they have written a book, called Henry’s Demons, describing how it has affected the whole family.


Patrick, a foreign correspondent, was in Afghanistan writing about the fall of the Taliban when he learned from his wife Jan that Henry was in a mental hospital suffering a breakdown.


Marjorie Wallace, Chief Executive of the mental health charity Sane, says the book is important as it shows the family trying to understand each other’s perspective.


Source/View Video[05:31]: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12381659



To Purchase a Copy:


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Henrys-Demons-Living-Schizophrenia-Father/dp/1847377033/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297793508&sr=1-1


http://www.amazon.com/Henrys-Demons-Living-Schizophrenia-Father/dp/1847377033/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297793508&sr=1-1



Ann Jackson

Garland Special Education Examiner

February 12th, 2011 10:14 am CT


There is hope for the many parents of children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and who have wondered how their children will ever become self-sufficient.  The national Autism Society reports that an overwhelming percent of adults with autism are unemployed.  ASD people may be average to above average IQ, and often possess marketable skills, especially in the technology arena, but are still unemployable.  This is because ASD people have difficulty with interpersonal relationships, specific environments, and may have other related debilitating conditions deemed unacceptable in the average workplace.


How does a society engage trainable, intelligent, and sometimes gifted people who are unable to adapt to standard work environments or traditional classrooms?  This may have stymied society as a whole, but founders of the nonPareil.Institute in Plano have met the challenge head-on.  www.npitx.org


‘Putting Autism to Work’ was an idea conceived by co-founders Dan Selec and Gary Moore, who worried about the futures of their autistic sons. Dan and Gary decided that living on welfare or on minimum wage were not acceptable options for their sons or for other unique and talent individuals on the autistic spectrum.  Recognizing that ASD students gravitate toward technology, they tested their idea of training ASD students to create software for video games and iPhone apps.  The first model for nonPariel was developed in Dan’s kitchen.


Read in Full: http://www.examiner.com/special-education-in-garland/autism-and-asperger-s-hope-for-employment-part-1-1



Father and Daughter, Qld, Australia

HEADLINES


“Gang of four jailed for sadistic murder”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/01/gang-of-four-jailed-for-sadistic-murder/


“Tasmania: He should be alive”:

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/01/20/201211_scalesofjustice.html


“Thomas James Dunn dies saving autistic student from oncoming bus”:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/06/thomas-james-dunn-dies-sa_n_805284.html


“Dad in ‘worst category’ appeals jail term”:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/bad-dad-appeals-jail-term/story-fn6e0s1g-1226000436838


“Community supports murder victim’s son”:

http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/Community_supports_murder_victims_son_112655534.html?ref=534


“Missing TN autistic child found”:

http://www.examiner.com/special-needs-kids-in-nashville/missing-tn-child-with-autism-found


“Judge dismisses charges against classroom aide”:

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20110128/NEWS01/101280327


“Fraudulent faker exposed as trouble maker”:

http://www.examiner.com/special-needs-kids-in-portland/fraudulent-faker-exposed-as-trouble-maker


Sydney, Australia “Ordered to have vaccine”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/01/sydney-australia-ordered-to-have-vaccine/


“Nobel settles U.S. discrimination suit”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/01/nobel-settles-u-s-discrimination-suit/


“Autistic man asks Prime Minister to reconsider cuts”:

http://www.craegmoor.co.uk/industry-news/article/800369453/autistic-man-asks-prime-minister-to-reconsider-cuts/


“NAS launches new guide to challenging local service cuts/Autistic man asks Prime Minister to reconsider cuts”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/01/nas-launches-new-guide-to-challenging-local-service-cutsautistic-man-asks-prime-minister-to-reconsider-cuts/


“Independent Living Fund to be shut down by 2015”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/01/independent-living-fund-to-be-shut-down-by-2015-2/


“Autism strategy fails to impress parent group”:

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/Community/Health/article/9550/autism-strategy-fails-to-impress-parent-group.html


“Autistic adults’ needs not met, says Wales charity”:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12205372


“16th Annual ASD Symposium – March 10-11, 2011”:

http://www.examiner.com/special-education-in-providence/16th-annual-asd-symposium?cid=parsely#parsely


“WA, Australia: Diploma wins $9m contract for Autism centre”:

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/8744244/diploma-wins-9m-contract-for-autism-centre/


“Web of services helps battle the blues: depression”:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/web-of-services-helps-battle-the-blues-depression/story-e6frg8y6-1225991969173


Australia “A federal case for substantial change: mental health reform”:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/a-federal-case-for-substantial-change-mental-health-reform/story-e6frg8y6-1225991975684


HEALTH & RESEARCH


“Secret businesses aimed to exploit vaccine fears, British Medical Journal investigation finds”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/08/secret-businesses-aimed-to-exploit-vaccine-fears-british-medical-journal-investigation-finds/


“Phony research must not deter needed vaccinations”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/01/phony-research-must-not-deter-vaccinations/


“New Draft Guidance calls for improvements to NHS Autism Services for under-18s/NAS: Have Your Say on New Guidelines”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/02/new-draft-guidance-calls-for-improvements-to-nhs-autism-services-for-under-18snas-have-your-say-on-new-guidelines/


“NAS: Have your say on new guidelines to improve NHS services for autistic people under 18”:

http://www.autism.org.uk/en-gb/news-and-events/news-from-the-nas/have-your-say-on-new-guidelines-to-improve-nhs-services-for-under-18s-with-autism.aspx


“Autism diagnosis in children must improve, NHS told”:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jan/27/autism-diagnosis-children-nhs-guidance


“Relatively few young adults with autism spectrum disorders receive assistance after High School”:

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1992284/relatively_few_young_adults_with_autism_spectrum_disorders_receive_assistance/index.html


“Understanding the Autistic Mind: Upon Understanding Others’ Intentions”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/02/understanding-the-autistic-mind-upon-understanding-others-intentions/


“Aspergers syndrome: The new diagnosis for high functioning autism”:

http://www.helium.com/items/1372560-aspergers-syndrome-the-new-diagnosis-for-high-functioning-autism


“NAS: Do you experience light sensitivity?”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/08/nas-do-you-experience-light-sensitivity/


“What is an autism spectrum disorder?”:

http://www.examiner.com/special-needs-kids-in-seattle/what-is-an-autism-spectrum-disorder


“Girl has life-changing epilepsy op”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/01/girl-has-life-changing-epilepsy-op/


“Australia: Web of services helps battle the blues: Depression/Mental Health Reform”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/08/australia-web-of-services-helps-battle-the-blues-depressionmental-health-reform/


“Psychological preparations can help those facing cyclone threat, Australia”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/03/psychological-preparations-can-help-those-facing-cyclone-threat-australia/


“Heart Health: It’s National Heart Month!/Scientists Look to Stem Cells to Mend Broken Hearts/Heart Attack Symptoms in Men & Women”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/03/heart-health-its-national-heart-monthscientists-look-to-stem-cells-to-mend-broken-heartsheart-attack-symptoms-in-men-women/


“New treatment helps beat depression”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/01/new-treatment-helps-beat-depression/


“Abstract: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A): A Clinical Trial for Patients with Suicidal and Self-Injurious Behavior and Borderline Symptoms with a One-Year Follow-UP”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/01/abstract-dialectical-behavioral-therapy-for-adolescents-dbt-a-a-clinical-trial-for-patients-with-suicidal-and-self-injurious-behavior-and-borderline-symptoms-with-a-one-year-follow-up/


“NICE updates guidance on Generalised Anxiety Disorder”:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/214791.php


“Help for Panic Attacks & Panic Anxiety”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/03/help-for-panic-attacks-panic-anxiety/


“Possible off-switch for anxiety discovered”:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110111133258.htm


“Schizophrenia gene mutation found; Target for new drugs/Does schizophrenia need a new name?”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/03/schizophrenia-gene-mutation-found-target-for-new-drugs/


“NICE recommends Aripiprazole for schizophrenia in young people”:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/214788.php


“The XYZs of Body Dysmorphic Disorder”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/03/the-xyzs-of-body-dysmorphic-disorder-bdd/


“BPS Research Digest: The Special Issue Spotter”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/09/bps-research-digest-the-special-issue-spotter-30/


“BPS Research Digest: Introducing the forthcoming Occupational Digest”:

http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2011/01/introducing-forthcoming-occupational.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BpsResearchDigest+%28BPS+Research+Digest%29


“How Omega-3 fatty acids help prevent several forms of blindness”:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110209151255.htm


“What’s causing your headache? 5 surprising triggers”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/01/whats-causing-your-headache-5-surprising-triggers/


“NYTimes: Narcissistic Disorder to be eliminated in Diagnostic Manual”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/01/nytimes-narcissistic-disorder-to-be-eliminated-in-diagnostic-manual/


“The Benefits of Routine”:

http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=41792&cn=110


Relationships: “Facebook named as third party in post-Christmas divorce rush”:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/facebook-named-as-third-party-in-post-christmas-divorce-rush/story-e6frgakx-1225988238356


Relationships: “Marriage good for men physically and women mentally, both live longer”:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/215132.php


“Virtual Hospital”:

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


EDUCATION


“Fwd: Families Against Restraint and Seclusion”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/01/26/fwd-families-against-restraint-and-seclusion/


“President of ASAN, Ari Ne’eman on the Benefits of Inclusion: “Don’t isolate autistic students”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/08/president-of-asan-ari-neeman-on-the-benefits-of-inclusion-dont-isolate-autistic-students/


“NYTimes: More autism schools proposed for New Jersey/UK: Tough teacher powers under school reforms & More”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/02/education-nytimes-more-autism-schools-proposed-for-new-jerseyuk-tough-teacher-powers-under-school-reforms-more/


“Editorial: Silence on bullying a troubling response”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/02/editorial-silence-on-bullying-a-troubling-response/


“Hebrew school focuses on special needs kids(Requires registration to view)”:

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/long-island-now-1.1732330/hebrew-school-focuses-on-special-needs-kids-1.2614724


“Grant funding helps educators think outside the box”:

http://naperville.patch.com/articles/grant-funding-helps-educators-think-outside-the-box


“Granville woman pursuing dream of school for autistic youth”:

http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20110118/NEWS01/101180305/1002/Granville-woman-pursuing-dream-school-autistic-youth


“Autistic children preparing for college”:

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/articles/cameron-122234-mother-teacher.html


“How to choose a school for your child”:

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/01/24/parents.school.choice/


EMPLOYMENT


“Media Response: Incapacity assessments penalising those in genuine need”:

http://www.autism.org.uk/en-gb/news-and-events/news-from-the-nas/media-response-incapacity-assessments-penalising-those-in-genuine-need.aspx


“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”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/employment-on-the-autism-spectrum/


GENERAL/HUMAN INTEREST


“The upside of living with Aspergers”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/01/the-upside-of-living-with-aspergers/


“You are not alone”:

http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2011/1/16/health/7784904&sec=health


“Temple Grandin live and in person”:

http://www.swvatoday.com/living/article/strictly_observing_temple_grandin_live_and_in_person/8997/


“Airport Autism Access Program developed for autistic children”:

http://www.examiner.com/special-needs-kids-in-nashville/airport-autism-access-program-developed-for-children-with-autism


“The intelligence gene and Dorothy”:

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/443191/jilllybean/2011-01-14/intelligence-gene-and-dorothy


“Cricketers Rob Key and Derek Underwood at Beckenham sensory unit”:

http://www.bromleytimes.co.uk/news/cricket_rob_key_and_derek_underwood_at_beckenham_sensory_unit_1_786684


Lynn Hudoba “Mother raising autistic child finds audience making jokes on Internet”:

http://triblocal.com/downers-grove/2011/01/18/mother-raising-autistic-child-finds-audience-making-jokes-on-internet/


“Learning to embrace the chaos”:

http://downersgrove.patch.com/articles/learning-to-embrace-the-chaos


“I have turned my life around”:

http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-news/local-uxbridge-news/2011/01/26/i-have-turned-my-life-around-113046-28053573/


ADD/ADHD


“Decision Points: Medicating your ADHD child”:

http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/849319/131192/medicate-decision


Firefly “Canada: Children’s mental health agencies amalgamating”:

http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2970526


“Parents of children with ADHD report multiple conditions”:

http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/02/09/parents-of-children-with-adhd-report-multiple-conditions/23360.html


“Adult ADHD significantly increases risk of common form of dementia”:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/214030.php


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


MUSIC


“Sky Mundell: Pianist overcomes challenges to win competition”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/08/sky-mundell-pianist-overcomes-challenges-to-win-competition/


“The Vines will release new album ‘Future Primitive’ in April”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/01/the-vines-will-release-new-album-future-primitive-in-april/


“Music4ASD”:

http://www.music4asd.com/

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


“The AutisMusic Project”:

http://www.autismusic.com/


ART


Sarah Daisey “Artist and Autism”:

http://www.examiner.com/autistic-art-in-national/artist-and-autism-by-sarah-daisey-van-diesel


Amanda LaMunyon “Creative outlet opens doors for Enid girl with Asperger’s syndrome”:

http://newsok.com/creative-outlet-opens-doors-for-enid-girl-with-aspergers-syndrome/article/3535375?custom_click=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Newsok%2FLife+%28NewsOK.com+RSS+-+life%29


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


“Clare Danes wins the Golden Globe, as Temple Grandin shines”:

http://www.examiner.com/autism-parenting-in-national/clare-danes-wins-the-golden-globe-as-temple-grandin-shines


“Touch: Fox orders Tim Kring, Rob Thomas Pilots”:

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Fox-Orders-Tim-1028077.aspx


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


BOOKS


Author Will Hadcroft “The Chattath Factor – Episodes 1 & 2 now available for download”:

https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/02/02/will-hadcroft-doctor-who-radio-play-the-chattath-factor-parts-1-2-now-available-to-download/


“Will Hadcroft’s ‘The Feeling’s Unmutual’ on YouTube”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiOwAzlLdQs


Paul A. Offit “Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All”:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=recommended-feb-11

http://www.booktv.org/Program/12209/Deadly+Choices+How+the+AntiVaccine+Movement+Threatens+Us+All.aspx


“Business for Aspies”

42 Best Practices for Using Asperger Syndrome Traits at Work Successfully

Ashley Stanford

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


“Getting the Picture”

Inference and Narrative Skills for Young People with Communication Difficulties

David Nash

Illustrated by Oliver Allchin

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849051279


“60 Social Situations and Discussion Starters to help Teens on the Autism Spectrum Deal with Friendships, Feelings, Conflict and More: Seeing the Big Picture”

Lisa A. Timms

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849058629


“Group Music Activities for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities”

Maria Ramey

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849058575


“Understanding Fragile X Syndrome”

Isabel Fernandez Carvajal and David Aldridge

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843109914


“Social Skills, Emotional Growth and Drama Therapy: Inspiring Connection on the Autism Spectrum”

Lee R. Chasen

Foreword by Robert J. Landy

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849058407


“Beating Dyspraxia with a Hop, Skip and a Jump: A Simple Exercise Program for Home and School”

Geoff Platt

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849051712


For A Comprehensive List of Titles:

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/aspergerautism


Autism Asperger Publishing:

http://www.aapcpublishing.net/


Hope you are all doing well. For those who have been affected by floods or fires, you are very much in our thoughts(https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/01/25/australia-queensland-flood-crisis-4/)

The next Newsletter will be available on the 10th March and on a monthly basis from this point on. Thanks for your patience.


Take Care,

Julie

xx

Australia Day, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia

Australia Day, Eyre Peninsula, S.A.



Gamer Girl

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on February 2, 2011


In a new study of 11- to 16-year-old kids, Brigham Young University researchers found girls who played video games with a parent seemed to profit in a variety of ways.


The girls behaved better, felt more connected to their families and had stronger mental health, said the scientists.


“The surprising part about this for me is that girls don’t play video games as much as boys,” said lead author Dr. Sarah Coyne. “But they did spend about the same amount of time co-playing with a parent as boys did.”


The study is found in the Journal of Adolescent Health.


The findings come with one important caveat: The games had to be age-appropriate. If the game was rated M for mature, it weakened the statistical relationship between co-playing and family connectedness.


The study involved 287 families with an adolescent child. “Mario Kart,” “Mario Brothers,” “Wii Sports,” “Rock Band” and “Guitar Hero” topped the list of games played most often by girls.


“Call of Duty,” “Wii Sports” and “Halo” ranked 1, 2 and 3 among boys.


For boys, playing with a parent was not a statistically significant factor for any of the outcomes the researchers measured (positive behavior, aggression, family connection, mental health). Yet for girls, playing with a parent accounted for as much as 20 percent of the variation on those measured outcomes.


Coyne and her co-author Dr. Laura Padilla-Walker offer two possible explanations for what’s behind the gender differences.


Read in Full: http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/02/02/teen-girls-benefit-from-video-gaming-with-parents/23116.html



Immunisation

ScienceDaily


Andrew Wakefield, the disgraced doctor who claimed a link between MMR and autism, planned secret businesses intended to make huge sums of money, in Britain and America, from his now-discredited allegations, according to a British Medical Journal investigation.


The scheme is exposed in the second part of a BMJ series of special reports, “Secrets of the MMR scare,” by investigative journalist Brian Deer. Last week we revealed the scientific fraud behind the appearance of a link between the vaccine and autism. Now Deer follows the money.


Drawing on investigations and documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the report shows how Wakefield’s institution, the Royal Free Medical School in London, supported him as he sought to exploit the MMR scare for financial gain.


It reveals how Wakefield met with medical school managers to discuss a joint business even while the first child to be fully investigated in his research was still in the hospital, and how just days after publication of that research, which triggered the health crisis in 1998, he brought business associates to the Royal Free to continue negotiations.


One business, named after Wakefield’s wife, intended to develop Wakefield’s own “replacement” vaccines, diagnostic testing kits and other products which only stood any real chance of success if public confidence in MMR was damaged.


Documents reveal the planned shareholdings of Wakefield and his collaborators, and how much Wakefield expected to receive personally. Financial forecasts made available for the first time today show Wakefield and his associates predicting they could make up to £28 million ($43,367,082; €33,290,350) a year from the diagnostic kits alone.


“It is estimated that the initial market for the diagnostic will be litigation driven testing of patients with AE [autistic enterocolitis] from both the UK and the USA,” said a 35 page “private and confidential” prospectus obtained by Deer, aimed at raising an initial £700,000 from investors. “It is estimated that by year 3, income from this testing could be about £3,300,000 rising to about £28,000,000 as diagnostic testing in support of therapeutic regimes come on stream.”


Deer’s investigation also reveals today that Wakefield was offered support to try to replicate his results, gained from just 12 children, with a larger validated study of up to 150 patients, but that he refused to carry out the work, claiming that his academic freedom would be jeopardised. His research claims have never been replicated.


Journal Reference:


  1. 1.  B. Deer. How the vaccine crisis was meant to make money. BMJ, 2011; 342 (jan11 4): c5258 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.c5258

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110111184129.htm



Light Sensitive

The Government has decided to make ‘old style’ incandescent light bulbs unavailable, causing concern among groups representing people who suffer from light sensitive conditions, such as migraine, epilepsy, Lupus and other auto-immune disorders.


For these groups, new energy saving forms of lighting can prove problematic.


There are anecdotal accounts of new forms of lighting causing sensory difficulties for some people with autism - but the scale of this problem is unknown.


We have been asked for our view on how the decision to make incandescent light bulbs unavailable affects children and adults on the autism spectrum. Our view will be provided to officials at the Department of Health who are currently considering this issue with the group Right to Light.


This is not currently a NAS campaign  – but we would very much like to have your views.


Please email richard.mills@nas.org.uk under the heading ‘Autism Lighting Survey’ by 14 February 2011 answering the following questions:

1. Are you or your child adversely affected by new forms of energy efficient lighting:


  • not at all
  • a little
  • a great deal
  • very severely

2. Do you keep a stockpile of incandescent light bulbs in your home?


Please also include your own comments and (optional) your name and address.


Source: http://www.autism.org.uk/news-and-events/news-from-the-nas/light-sensitivity-and-other-related-problems.aspx