Article Date: 08 Oct 2010 – 1:00 PDT

A systematic review of research into the use of nutritional supplements for the treatment of anxiety disorders has found strong evidence for the use of extracts of passionflower or kava and combinations of L-lysine and L-arginine. Researchers writing in BioMed Central’s open access Nutrition Journal pooled the results of 24 studies involving a total of more than 2000 participants, showing that some nutritional and herbal supplements can be effective, without the risk of serious side effects.

Read in Full:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/203874.php

 

Article Date: 08 Oct 2010 – 0:00 PDT

Millions of people with common, but untreated, mental, neurological and substance use disorders can now benefit from new simplified diagnosis and treatment guidelines released today by WHO. The guidelines are designed to facilitate the management of depression, alcohol use disorders, epilepsy and other common mental disorders in the primary health-care setting.

The Intervention guide extends competence in diagnosis and management to non-mental health specialists including doctors, nurses and other health providers. These evidence-based guidelines are presented as flow charts to simplify the process of providing care in the primary health-care setting.

“In a key achievement, the Intervention guide transforms a world of expertise and clinical experience, contributed by hundreds of experts, into less than 100 pages of clinical wisdom and succinct practical advice,” says Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization. 

Read in Full:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/203827.php

 

 

By Davin White

 

CHARLELSTON, W.Va. — Many autistic students in Berkeley County go without regular instruction from a teacher certified to teach children with autism, Berkeley Superintendent Manny Arvon told state Board of Education members Wednesday.

 

Fifteen of the 32 who teach autistic students in the Eastern Panhandle county are uncertified, Arvon said.

 

With at least 130 students diagnosed with autism and several more expected next year, Arvon said his county’s biggest challenge is certifying and retaining qualified autism teachers.

 

The certified teachers almost always get the tough cases, he said.

 

“What happens is they leave, ’cause we burn them out,” he said.

 

Pat Homberg, director of the state Department of Education’s Office of Special Programs, agreed that it’s difficult to find enough certified teachers for autism across the state.

 

During the 2001-2002 school year, fewer than 400 students in West Virginia were diagnosed with autism. That number has increased to 1,230 students this year.  

 

State Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine noted that West Virginia has a very high percentage of special education students, who are expensive to educate.  

 

Read in Full: 

http://wvgazette.com/News/201010061138

Relationships And What Mimicking One’s Language Style May Mean

Article Date: 06 Oct 2010 – 0:00 PDT

People match each other’s language styles more during happier periods of their relationship than at other times, according to new research from psychologists at The University of Texas at Austin.

“When two people start a conversation, they usually begin talking alike within a matter of seconds,” says James Pennebaker, psychology professor and co-author of the study. “This also happens when people read a book or watch a movie. As soon as the credits roll, they find themselves talking like the author or the central characters.”

This tendency is called language style matching or LSM. It is the focus of Pennebaker’s and co-author Molly E. Ireland’s study published in the September issue of Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

“Because style matching is automatic,” says Ireland, a psychology graduate student, “it serves as an unobtrusive window into people’s close relationships with others.”

Read in Full:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/203525.php

Snapshot of America’s Sexual Behaviors

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on October 5, 2010

In the most comprehensive study of its kind, researchers have revised the little black book on America’s sexual and sexual health behaviors.

Indiana University scientists believe the new findings provide an updated and much needed snapshot of contemporary Americans’ sexual behaviors.

Understanding gained from the new study includes a description of more than 40 combinations of sexual acts that people perform during sexual activities, patterns of condom use by adolescents and adults, and the percentage of Americans participating in same-sex encounters.

The National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB) was conducted by researchers from the Center for Sexual Health Promotion (CSHP) in Indiana University’s School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER).

Read in Full:  http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/10/05/snapshot-of-americas-sexual-behaviors/19181.html

8 Habits of Lousy Listeners

By Marie Hartwell-Walker, Ed.D.

Most people know that one of the keys to success in relationships is good listening.

Experts tell us to use “active” listening, “I messages,” and open-ended questions. Articles urge us to stop talking when someone speaks, to use our body language effectively to encourage the other guy, and to work to understand what is meant as well as what is said. We’ve been told that men are from Mars and women are from Venus and we’ve been taught how to translate the gender languages. Yet despite all that, developing good listening skills continues to be a challenge for some people.

Generally, it’s better to emphasize the positive and teach folks useful skills. But at least some people some of the time find it equally useful to have the negative pointed out and explained. They want guidelines for what not to do. So here are eight ways that lousy listeners louse up communication and probably louse up their relationships.

1. Lousy listeners are attending to other things when you are speaking.

Proud of their ability to multitask, they continue to scan the newspaper, pick up the living room, text, or clean their desk while being addressed. An occasional ‘uh-huh’ is supposed to cue you that, really, they are with you. They’re not — or at least not totally. Their mind is distracted. Chances are they miss important pieces of your message — even if they protest that they don’t.

Read in Full:  http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/10/05/8-habits-of-lousy-listeners/

The allure of the lady (and man) in red

When female chimps are nearing ovulation they display red on their bodies. Male chimps respond by masturbating and attempting to mount them. A new study claims we humans have moved on from this, but not a lot. Daniela Kayser‘s team found that when a lady wears red it prompts men to ask her more intimate questions and to sit closer to her. Surprisingly, this is the first time that the effect of colour on human sexual attraction behaviour has been studied. Past research has relied on asking participants to report their attraction rather than measuring their actual behaviour.

Twenty-three heterosexual or bisexual male undergrads were shown a photo of a blonde-haired, blue-eyed female rated in pilot work by men as moderately attractive. Half the participants saw a version in which she wore a red shirt, the other half saw an identical version bar for the fact that the shirt was green. Next the participants were asked to select 5 questions from a choice of 24 to ask the woman (these ranged from ‘Where are you from?’ to ‘How could a guy get your attention at a bar?’). The key finding was that men who’d viewed the woman wearing red opted to ask more intimate questions.

Read in Full:  http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2010/10/allure-of-lady-and-man-in-red.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BpsResearchDigest+(BPS+Research+Digest)

Proof Positive: Can’t Buy Me Love, But What About Happiness?

By Daniel Tomasulo, Ph.D.

Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.”
– Will Smith

“What’s a soup kitchen?”
– Paris Hilton

Daniel Gilbert, Harvard psychologist and author of the best-selling Stumbling on Happiness, gave the keynote address at the American Psychological Association convention earlier this year. He challenged the three things he said his mother told him would make him happy: marriage, money and children. I’ve discussed the first one in talking about how, or if, relationships can make us happy. But now it is time to ask to ask the $64,000 question. Which, as it turns out, is the $75,000 question.

I’ll explain.

Can money make you happy? Is it true that those who say money can’t buy happiness don’t know where to shop? The general, mumbled answer you get from most people on the question is that money won’t do it. But what did the expert say? “Money can definitely make you happy,” Dr. Gilbert said at the convention, “and if you don’t think it does, give me yours.”

He pointed to data showing a direct relationship between a country’s per capita income and its reported degree of happiness. Poverty fosters a host of physical and emotional problems. It eclipses a sense of well-being and leaves in its wake a dearth of happiness. “Lack of money is the root of all evil,” as George Bernard Shaw said.

Read in Full:  http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/10/04/proof-positive-cant-buy-me-love-but-what-about-happiness/

 

By John M Grohol PsyD

Today is the annual “National Depression Screening Day,” an effort to help people learn if they have the “common cold” of mental disorders — depression. Depression is characterized by feelings of never-ending sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, trouble with sleep, trouble with eating, and trouble with enjoying things in life that only yesterday seemed to bring a smile to your face (or some combination of those and similar kinds of symptoms).

In order for depression to be diagnosed, you must have felt these kinds of symptoms without a break for at least two weeks. Most people who experience depression, however, suffer in silence with their symptoms for a lot more than 2 weeks — some suffer for months or even years before finally seeking help for the problem.

When National Depression Screening Day began 20 years ago, it made a lot of sense. The quickest way to evaluate clinical depression is by an experienced mental health professional, like a psychologist.

But in this day and age of the Internet, I’d argue there’s little need to see a professional just to get a screening for depression. Our online depression screening quiz has been available for nearly 15 years and is a reliable, instant screening tool that you can take from the comfort of your home. Join the over 3 million others who’ve already taken the test, and share it with your friends and loved ones.

And frankly, the diagnosis of depression isn’t rocket science. You can review the symptoms of clinical depression yourself and see if you or a loved one may be at risk for it.

Read in Full:  http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/10/07/national-depression-screening-day-2010/

HEADLINES

“Psychiatrist of autistic boy’s killer says she remains mentally unfit”:

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/Psychiatrist+autistic+killer+says+remains+mentally+unfit/3606582/story.html

“Modesto mom arrested in autistic son’s stabbing”:

http://www.kcra.com/news/25176044/detail.html?source=sac

“Modesto woman jailed for stabbing autistic son”:

http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/09/27/2094434/modesto-woman-jailed-for-stabbing.html

“Autistic teen clings to life after stabbing”:

http://cbs13.com/local/modesto.autistic.boy.2.1935009.html

“Autistic boy moved after alleged attack by mom”:

http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/09/29/2097666/autistic-boy-moved-after-alleged.html

“Attorney shocked to see deadly mistake at Seattle Children’s Hospital”:

http://www.mynorthwest.com/category/local_news_articles/20100929/Attorney-shocked-to-see-second-deadly-mistake-at-Children%27s/

“Parents say district knew of autistic girl’s abuse”:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39540372/ns/local_news-delaware_valley_panj/

“Quebec orchard accused of refusing autistic kids”:

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2010/09/26/15480266.html

“Congress changes intellectual disability wording”:

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

“Neurodiversity, Autistic Self-Advocacy and New Constituencies in the Disability Rights Movement”:

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

“Wired Exclusive: First Autistic Presidential Appointee speaks out”:

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

“HHS gives 1.87 million towards establishing national autism resource center … The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network and Self Advocates Becoming Empowered will partner with The Arc in this initiative. The official name will be: Autism NOW: The National Autism Resource and Information Center.”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/hhs_gives_187m_towards_establishing_national_autism_resourc.htm

“Blind man banned from FlyDubai flight”:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/travel/news/blind-man-banned-from-flydubai-flight/story-e6frezi0-1225934659977

“Autistic boy has blue badge withdrawn”:

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2010/october/4/autistic_boy_blue_badge_fight.aspx

“Mary Colley R.I.P.”:
http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/mary_colley_rip.htm

HEALTH & RESEARCH

“APA announces start of field trials for DSM-5”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/apa_announces_start_of_field_trials_for_dsm5.htm

“Mental Health Awareness Week”:

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

“Girls with Autism Spectrum or ADHD symptoms not taken seriously”:

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

“For many on the autism spectrum, reading facial expressions is a struggle”:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10270/1090621-51.stm

“Language delays found in siblings of autistic children”:

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

“iPads, iPod touch may help autistic children speak”:

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

“Autism and Visual Perceptions”:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5836040/autism_and_visual_perceptions.html?cat=5

“Pica: Taking the Sponge”:

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

“Identification of possible biomarker to identify seizure-related stress may lead to a better understanding of the pathology of conversion disorders”:

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

“What is Risperidone prescribed for”:

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

“No link found decrease in suicide and newer antidepressants”:

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

“Astrazeneca UK receives positive decision for Seroquel XI(R) (Quetiapine Prolonged Release) as an add-on treatment Major Depressive Disorder”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/astrazeneca_uk_receives_positive_decision_for_seroquel_xi9r.htm

“Reflections of a Season”:

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

“Lab discovery could lead to new meds for psychosis”:

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

“Medication switching in schizophrenic patients”:

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

“Medical profession needs special training to handle self-harm, says international review”:

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

“Stigma for mental illness high, possibly worsening”:

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

“Support fund to help musicians with Bipolar Disorder”:

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

“Risky sexual actions linked to mania”:

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

“Can a virtual world help young adults with mental health issues?”:

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

“Men respond to stress by shutting down”:

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

“When does too much anxiety become a mental health disorder?”:

http://www.sys-con.com/node/1551346

“8 ways to manage anxiety on an anniversary”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/8_ways_to_manage_anxiety_on_an_anniversary.htm

“When stress is a danger to health, a new method for assessing it”:

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

“Why anxious minds can’t think right”:

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

“Brief, early intervention slows PTSD in children”:

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

“Impulse control findings may lead to ADHD, Addiction treatments”:

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

“Addictions: “I Want To Get High”:

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

“Getting Sober: Hope in the rooms and online”:

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

“Fraser-Kirk and Adjustment Disorders”:

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

“Early separation from mother leads to issues”:

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

“Social rejection literally affects the heart”:

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

“3 words that may save your life”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/3_words_that_may_save_your_life.htm

“BPS Research Digest: The Special Issue Spotter”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/bps_research_digest_the_special_issue_spotter_19.htm

“Evidence based treatments for children, teens”:

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

“iPods and more insidious noise ruining teens hearing”:

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

OCD “Psychodynamic therapy appears to be of little help for obsessions”:

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

“Scientists find migraine gene link”:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20100927/tuk-scientists-find-migraine-link-gene-6323e80.html

“Call for ban on codeine”:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20827812.600-call-for-ban-on-codeine.html

“Neurosurgery simulated”:

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

“Secret to Long Life: Just Enough Sleep”:

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

“Tackling insomnia through Twitter”:

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

“Can a Singer make a Scientific Discovery? The Case of Manuel Garcia”:
http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/can_a_singer_make_a_scientific_discovery_the_case_of_manuel.htm

“Sensory Experiences: The Taste of the Past”:

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

“10 challenges for parents with chronic illness”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/10_challenges_for_parents_with_chronic_illness.htm

“Children are swearing more often, at earlier age, Children and plagiarism”:

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

“Language and Experience”:

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

“Spanking in the USA: A Sad State of Affairs and Why Spanking Is Never OK”:

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

“New MSU research sheds light on how we become altruistic”:

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

“Is thrill seeking hard-wired?”:

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

“Sexism in the new Facebook World”:

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

“The Pitfalls of Seeking Happiness”:

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

“Relationships: Positive Relationships, Do Opposites Attract?, Objectum Sexuality, The Best Way To Meet Someone Etc”:

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

“Relationships: Men Prefer A Pretty Face For A LTR, Seeking Happily Ever After: Tips For Singles, Evolutionary Perspective On After-Sex Behaviors, Fight Styles/Conflict Resolution & More …”:

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

“Virtual Hospital”:

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

EDUCATION

“Retired educator receives Order of B.C. for work on autism”:

http://sunpeaksnews.com/retired-educator-receives-order-of-b-c-for-work-on-autism-3123.htm

“Autistic boy discriminated against by school, says mum/Incident at Petersburg School has autistic boy’s mother worried”:

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

“Pace University’s BOSS program gives autistic students authentic college experience”:

http://weblogs.wpix.com/news/local/morningnews/blogs/2010/09/boss.html

“My Jakarta: Maureen, volunteer at school for children with learning difficulties”:

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/myjakarta/my-jakarta-maureen-volunteer-at-school-for-children-with-learning-difficulties/397715

“Carpe Diem Academy caters to special needs kids”:

http://www.communitynewspapers.com/2010/09/carpe-diem-academy-caters-to-special-needs-kids/

“Autistic children mainstreamed”:

http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/30/stories/2010093062220300.htm

“Autistic kids need behavior management plans”:

http://www.metrokids.com/MetroKids/October-2010/Behavior-Management-Plans-for-Autism/

“Playing white noise in class can help inattentive children learn, but hinder others”:

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

“Classroom canines stimulate children’s love of literacy”:

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

“Top 10 interactive museums, UK”:

http://uk.travel.yahoo.com/p-promo-3359912

EMPLOYMENT

“New Equality Rights in Workplace come into force/Equality Act – A Health Warning for the sick and disabled”:

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

“Autistic adults face unique employment challenges”:

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

“Ministers agree on benefits reform”:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20101002/tuk-ministers-agree-on-benefits-reform-dba1618.html

“If the Peter Principle is right, organizations should randomly promote people”:

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

“High turnover among women executives”:

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

“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

“Asperger’s diagnosis a life-changer for outsider”:

http://www.wbur.org/npr/130078010/aspergers-diagnosis-a-life-changer-for-outsider

“UGA gets $1.2M federal grant to develop autism app”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/uga_gets_12m_federal_grant_to_develop_autism_app.htm

“Multi-sensory room offers escape”:

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

“Autistic children find independence, comfort with specially trained dogs”:

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/rss/article/1237382

“Autistic boy’s life starts with severe food allergies – first in a 4 part series”:

http://www.examiner.com/autism-parenting-in-portland-me/autistic-boy-s-life-starts-with-severe-food-allergies-first-a-4-part-series

“Autistic boy is sensitive to many things, including dirt (part 2 of 4)”:

http://www.examiner.com/autism-parenting-in-portland-me/autistic-boy-is-sensitive-to-many-things-including-dirt

“Autistic adults”:

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

“Trick or treat? Halloween for autistic kids”:

http://www.examiner.com/autism-parenting-in-orlando/trick-or-treat-halloween-for-autistic-kids

“Halloween Extravaganza at Sesame Place – Free event for families”:

http://www.examiner.com/autism-parenting-in-newark/halloween-extravaganza-at-sesame-place-free-event-for-families-with-autism

ARIZONA

“Autism Society Greater Phoenix Chapter”:

PO Box 10543

Phoenix AZ 85064-0543

(Maricopa County)

(480) 940-1093 (Main Phone)

Jim Adams, President

E-Mail address:info@phxautism.org

Website:http://www.phxautism.org/

Arizona

“Autism Society Greater Tucson Chapter”:

PO Box 44156

Tucson AZ 85733-4156

(Pima County)

(520) 770-1541 (Hotline)

Jennifer Davis

E-Mail address:asapcc@tucsonautism.org

Website:http://www.tucsonautism.org

The Horseshoe Bend is one of the most exquisite and unique natural land forms imaginable. It’s a meander of the Colorado River near the city of Page in Arizona.

“Autism Society Northern Arizona Chapter”:

PO Box 2014

Flagstaff AZ 86003-2014

(Coconino County)

(928) 523-4870 (Other)

Brent and Lynn Morrison, Co-Presidents

E-Mail address:az-northernarizona@autismsocietyofamerica.org

Website:http://www.nazasa.org

A view of the Arizona Capitol Museum in Phoenix. In the foreground stands a replica of the Liberty Bell, donated in 1950. Designed by J. Riely Gordon and constructed between 1898 and 1901, the building served as the territorial capitol until Arizona was granted statehood in 1912. The building continued to serve as the state capitol, but the building eventually proved to be too small and cramped for the growing state. Eventually, all official government functions moved out of the building: the Legislature to adjoining buildings in 1960 and the Executive Branch to an adjoining tower in 1974.

“Arizona Resources”:

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=arizona

Grand Canyon, Arizona: Weather in the Grand Canyon varies according to elevation. The forested rims are high enough to receive winter snowfall, but along the Colorado River in the Inner Gorge, temperatures are similar to those found in Tucson and other low elevation desert locations in Arizona. Temperatures vary wildly throughout the year, with summer highs within the Inner Gorge commonly exceeding 100 °F (37.8 °C) and winter minimum temperatures sometimes falling below zero degrees Fahrenheit (-17.8 °C) along the canyon’s rims.Average annual precipitation on the South Rim is less than 16 inches, with 60 inches of snow, the higher North Rim usually receives 27 inches of moisture, with a typical snowfall of 144 inches and the weather is different on the north rim and south rim.

“Arizona Guide”:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/united-states/arizona-guide/

O’Neill Butte from Yaki Point at Sunrise, Grand Canyon

“Arizona Facts”:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/united-states/arizona-facts/

Sunset from Hunts Mesa, which is backdoor of Monument Valley.

“Arizona Map”:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/united-states/arizona-map/

Close-up of “Desert Wildflower Towers”, one of artist Dale Chihuly’s glass art pieces on display at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona.

“Visit Arizona(Grand Canyon State): Arizona Office of Tourism”:

http://www.arizonaguide.com/places-to-visit

Saguaro Flowers, Tucson

“Arizona: USA Travel and Tourism Guide”:

http://www.usatourist.com/english/destinations/arizona/Arizona-Main.html

Bobcat – walking around an apartment complex in Oro Valley, Arizona (a suburb, basically part, of Tucson), early in the morning…

“Arizona: The pictorial beauty of the State of Arizona(Instant Music Alert):

http://objflicks.com/arizona.htm

Arizona Rattlesnake: This western diamondback rattlesnake has fabulous skin that makes it perfect for blending in with the features of the hot desert. It’s very common in the southwest. It bites hundreds of people a year, more than any other venomous snake in the United States. Death from its bite is rare but you should be treated as soon as possible to avoid serious illness or worse. Rattlesnakes hunt from late evening to early morning, crawling either sinuously like other snakes or rectilinearly like a caterpillar. If you seen them on a hiking trail, keep away and keep your children and pets away too. Like other rattlers, the Western Diamondback takes up residence among communities of small mammals such as prairie dogs, rabbits, gophers, chipmunks, ground squirrels, mice and rats. The more the better. It usually hunts at night. It ambushes victims along their trails or attacks them in their burrows, sometimes striking and swallowing an animal which weighs more than the snake itself.

“About Arizona: Explore the history and culture of Arizona! Fun facts, helpful resources and more”:

http://www.arizona.com/about_Arizona.html

Roadrunner – New Mexico State Bird(found in Arizona):

Some Roadrunner facts for you:

* Roadrunners are quick enough to catch and eat rattlesnakes.

*Roadrunners’ extreme quickness allows it to snatch a humming bird or dragonfly from midair.

* Roadrunners prefer walking or running and attain speeds up to 17 mph.

* The Roadrunner reabsorbs water from its faeces before excretion.

The roadrunner is one of the few animals that preys upon rattlesnakes. Using its wings like a matador’s cape, it snaps up a coiled rattlesnake by the tail, cracks it like a whip and repeatedly slams its head against the ground till dead.

The exceedingly rare Lucifer’s Hummingbird.

“Beautiful Sunshine”

Juggler at the 2010 Arizona Renaissance Festival

Tucson Arizona. A desert town an hour north of the Mexican border, full of color, flavor, and hospitality. This is the Tucson Visitors Center located in the colorful La Placita Village, within walking distance of the Tucson Convention Center and most of the historic downtown area.

Pima Air Museum, Tucson

Fancy a little Mexican? Casa Bonita Restaurant, Flagstaff, Arizona: http://www.casabonitaaz.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60971-d785756-Reviews-Casa_Bonita-Flagstaff_Arizona.html

The Museum Club, Flagstaff – http://www.museumclub.com/site/

San Francisco Peaks/Schultz Fire, Flagstaff. Taken from Scholz Lake outside of Flagstaff, Arizona. The Schultz Fire to the right (started 6/20/10) burns out of control and lays a heavy layer of smoke at sunset.

Meteor Crater is a meteorite impact crater located approximately 43 miles (69 km) east of Flagstaff, near Winslow in the northern Arizona desert of the United States.One of the interesting features of the crater is its squared-off outline, believed to be caused by pre-existing regional jointing (cracks) in the strata at the impact site.

Sand Dunes, Yuma: – open to ATV and dune buggy use.

Historic Train, Yuma – From the 1850s through the 1870s, Yuma was known for its steamboat crossing of the Colorado River. The steamboats transported passengers and equipment for the various mines and military outposts. Yuma served as the gateway to the new Republic (later State) of California, as it was one of the few natural spots to cross the very wide Colorado River. The Southern Pacific Railroad bridged the river in 1870 and helped continue Yuma as a major hub in the desert southwest. Yuma became the county seat for the area in 1864. Famous farm labor organizer Cesar Chavez was born and spent much of his life in Yuma.

Navajo Bridge and Colorado River, near Page, Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona

University of Phoenix

Sign at entry to the Prescott campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Alumni of ERAU include 7 astronauts, a U.S. Congressman, and Scott O’Grady, the F-16 pilot who evaded capture when shot down over Bosnia in 1995.

Architecture: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott

The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University plane. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University was founded only 22 years after the Wright brothers’ first flight. The curriculum at Embry-Riddle covers the operation, engineering, research, manufacturing, marketing, and management of modern aircraft and the systems that support them.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Plane

Downtown Phoenix

Native American crafts exhibited in Tusayan Ruin and Museum:A visit to Tusayan Ruin and Museum provides a glimpse of Pueblo Indian life some 800 years ago.  Tusayan Ruin is located three miles west of Desert View and is open daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

ADD/ADHD

“ADHD is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder, scientists reveal”:

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

“Gene disorder linked to ADHD”:

http://www.hon.ch/News/HSN/643724.html

“Can your relationship survive ADHD?”:

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2010/09/28/can-your-relationship-survive-adhd.html

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

“Volunteer at Olympic and Paralympic Games 2010 – NAS”:

http://www.autism.org.uk/news-and-events/news-from-the-nas/volunteer-at-the-olympic-and-paralympic-games-2012.aspx

“10-kilometre runs”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1816

“Trek the Sahara – 5-25 March 2010 or 29 Oct-8 Nov 2010”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2542

“Big Fun Run (See Link For UK Location Dates):

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2169

“Victory for Autism Bike Ride – 11 September 2010”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2409

“Land’s End to John O’Groat’s Bike Ride – 28 Sept-10 Oct 2010/3-15 May 2011”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2605

“Royal Parks Half Marathon – 10 October 2010”:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2208&a=19143

“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

“Music4ASD”:

http://www.music4asd.com/

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

“The AutisMusic Project”:

http://www.autismusic.com/

ART

“Renton autistic teen creating collage works of art”:

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

“Artists & Epilepsy: Doyle’s father, Sherlock’s first portrait artist, seized”:

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

“Edvard Munch in 100 words”:

http://aspie-editorial.blog-city.com/edvard_munch_in_100_words.htm

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

India “Akshay is upset with the word ‘Retard”:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Akshay-is-upset-with-the-word-Retard/articleshow/6611838.cms

“Temple Grandin: My autism made me a cowgirl superstar”:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/8023603/Temple-Grandin-My-autism-made-me-a-cowgirl-superstar.html

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

BOOKS

“Essential new book, ‘Autism Tomorrow’, features Temple Grandin”:

http://www.pr.com/press-release/259958

“The Passionate Mind: How People with Autism Learn”

Wendy Lawson

Foreword by Rita Jordan

Illustrated by Lisa Simone

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849051217

“Asperger’s Syndrome and High Achievement: Some Very Remarkable People”

Ioan James

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843103882

“Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Asperger’s, Tourette’s, Bipolar, and More!: The one stop guide for parents, teachers and other professionals”

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843108108

“ADD and Me: Forty Years in a Fog”

Ken Patterson

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843107774

“Making Sense of the Unfeasible: My Life Journey with Asperger Syndrome”

Marc Fleisher

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843101659

“Caring for a Child with Autism: A Practical Guide for Parents”

Martine Ives and Nell Munro, National Autistic Society

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781853029967

“Living the Good Life with Autism”

Edgar Schneider

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843107125

“An Exact Mind: An Artist with Asperger Syndrome”

Peter Myers, Simon Baron-Cohen and Sally Wheelwright

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843100324

“Home Educating Our Autistic Spectrum Children: Paths are Made by Walking”

Terri Dowty and Kitt Cowlishaw

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843100379

“Choosing Home: Deciding to Homeschool with Asperger’s Syndrome”

Martha Kennedy Hartnett and Stephen M. Shore

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843107637

“Homeschooling the Child with Asperger Syndrome: Real Help for Parents Anywhere and On Any Budget”

Lise Pyles

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843107613

“Asperger Solution”

Kevin FoleyBA (Hons) Econ. PGCE

Having seen his son struggle with the demands of the mainstream, Kevin Foley now believes that:

“Too many children with AS suffer ‘meltdown’ as a result of being forced to operate in environments that test their immature executive, social, and emotional skills to breaking point – and beyond. We need to ‘personalise’ our children’s education so that this doesn’t happen. We need to cast a cold eye on what currently passes for ‘inclusion’ and be aware of the intrusion and exclusion that is the daily reality for many of our children in mainstream schools.”

http://www.aspergersolution.com/

CINEMA

“The Social Network”

Release Date: October 15, 2010. W’Wide

Official Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB95KLmpLR4

Synopsis: A story about the founders of the social-networking website, Facebook.

New York City Premiere at The Harvard Club(September 24, 2010)

…Impeccably scripted, beautifully directed, and filled with fine performances, The Social Network is a riveting, ambitious example of modern filmmaking at its finest.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the-social-network/

“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”

Release Date: October 6, 2010. W’Wide

Official Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=873PrTZkLsI

Synopsis: As the global economy teeters on the brink of disaster, a young Wall Street trader partners with disgraced former Wall Street corporate raider Gordon Gekko on a two-tiered mission: To alert the financial community to the coming doom, and to find out who was responsible for the death of the young trader’s mentor.

…It’s more entertaining than many sequels, but with Oliver Stone directing, a terrific cast, and a timely storyline that picks up where the original left off, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps should be better.

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

“Social Network” opens in NY to buzz, controversy”:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20100924/ten-uk-socialnetwork-3334b85.html

“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps review”:

http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/blog/article/43629/wall-street-money-never-sleepsreview.html

“Star Wars movies start 3D rollout in 2012”:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20100929/ten-uk-starwars-5fdf947.html

“Lovibond joins Jim Carrey penguin film”:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20100928/ten-uk-carrey-5fdf947.html

VIDEO GAMES

“Vanquish” 15+(UK) 18+(US) (Xbox 360, PS3)

Release Date: October 22, 2010

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sega-Vanquish-Xbox-360/dp/B003EYUFLI/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1286277757&sr=1-1

“Doctor Who Return to Earth” (Wii) 12+

Release Date: October 29, 2010.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Who-Return-Earth-Wii/dp/B0040JGNKI/ref=sr_1_2?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1286271114&sr=1-2

“Doctor Who Evacuation Earth” (Nintendo DS) 3+

Release Date: October 29, 2010.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Who-Evacuation-Earth-Nintendo/dp/B0040JGNJE/ref=sr_1_11?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1286270953&sr=1-11

“Video gaming prepares brain for bigger tasks”:

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

“Computer games help autistic children read faces”:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10270/1090682-51.stm?cmpid=news.xml

“Ditch the glasses for lifelike 3D”:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20827805.800-ditch-the-glasses-for-lifelike-3d.html

“Nintendo suffers setback over 3D machine”:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100930/twl-nintendo-suffers-setback-over-3d-mac-3fd0ae9.html

TECH

“Extreme PowerPoint Places You In 3D Slide Show”

IT WILL either revolutionise your presentations or make “death by PowerPoint” worse. One thing is certain: by allowing you to touch and play with light, Microsoft’s LightSpace technology will make presenting more fun.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19538-extreme-powerpoint-places-you-in-3d-slide-show.html

“RIM unveils PlayBook tablet to compete with iPad”

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20100928/ttc-oukin-uk-rim-fe50bdd.html

“Mind Hacks: Towards an Operating System for Brain Hacking”:

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

LIFE

Oliver Sacks(Prosopagnosia)

“Oliver Sacks: Why I’m A Resident Alien”

Oliver Sacks, the neurologist who brought us Awakenings and The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat, tells David Cohen about his “lost years” in California, his subsequent life as an alien and how cancer gave him the opportunity to experiment on himself for his latest book …

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20827801.200-oliver-sacks-why-im-a-resident-alien.html

Take Care,

Julie

Arizona Sunset

 

 

 

The latest edition of The Psychologist has a fascinating article on ‘sensory history’ – the practice of investigating how people from the past differently interpreted and understood sensory experiences.

I was first alerted to the idea by a book review we covered back in 2009 which noted that the superstition of the ‘evil eye’ – where you can curse someone by looking at them – makes more sense when you realise people believed that the eyes actively emitted rays rather than passively receiving them.

This new article is by sensory historian Mark Smith, author of the book Sensing the Past, who examines how the meaning of the senses has changed over time.

This part particularly caught my eye (pun intended) as it describes how the print revolution made the sense of sight seem more ‘truthful’ and ‘objective’:

In part, at least, historians of the sensate attend to the nonvisual senses principally because we have, for so long, assumed the supremacy of the eye in the human sensorium. Historical interest in smell, sound, touch and taste has been animated often because of the assumed ascendancy of vision that emerged following the print revolution and the developments of the Enlightenment, many of which supposedly elevated the eye as the arbiter of truth, the producer of perspective and balance (courtesy of the invention and subsequent dissemination of visual technologies such as the telescope, microscope and camera) and, in the process, diluted the value placed on the nonvisual, often proximate senses of hearing, olfaction, tasting, and touching.

…  Link to ‘The explosion of sensory history’.

Read in Full:  http://mindhacks.com/2010/10/02/the-taste-of-the-past/

 

By Selena Chavis
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on October 2, 2010

A new study has identified six variables in the early treatment of schizophrenia patients to predict the oncoming need for switching the antipsychotic medication in order to meet long-term treatment needs.

As mainstays in the clinical treatment and management of schizophrenia, antipsychotic medications often have to be switched due to less than optimal responses from patients or lack of tolerance.

Recently published in the journal BMC Psychiatry, Haya Ascher-Svanum of Eli Lilly and Company and a team of researchers noted that minimal data exists on the frequency, timing and predictors of medication changes in schizophrenia patients.

“Previous studies evaluating predictors of switching assessed a relatively narrow range of variables and did so for patients who may not be representative of those treated in usual outpatient care settings,” the team wrote, adding that “furthermore, previous research assessed predictors of medication switching at discrete time points, thus providing a time-limited context for this dynamic treatment practice.”

Read in Full:  http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/10/02/medication-switching-in-schizophrenia-patients/19005.html

ScienceDaily

University of Alberta researcher Lori Friesen’s classroom assistants are very attentive, love to listen to children read and can keep their composure in a classroom full of energetic Grade 2 students. However, her assistants are more likely to lick the students’ faces than give them a gold star.

Friesen’s says her work with her “literacy dogs,” Tango and Sparky, in one city-area classroom yielded some highly positive successes for the children and her research.

In Friesen’s research, children signed up for weekly reading or writing sessions with her and one of the dogs. During that time, they would read student-selected, high-quality children’s literature, or work on the student’s writing.

Friesen said the small group work seemed to ease some children’s trepidation when it came to reading aloud. Using picture cues or clues to provide context in the story, Friesen helped students learn new words or overcome challenges with other words — lessons, she says, the students grasped and applied to try and help the dogs understand new words as well. She said that the students perceived her dogs as “little buddies,” whose presence encouraged the students to read aloud.

Read in Full:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101001105606.htm