MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'developmental'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:50:52 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077869&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fresearch-byte-support-for-age.html From the recent issue of Journal of Individual Differences. Got to love the figure:)Click on images to enlarge.- iPost using BlogPress from my Kevin McGrew's iPadintelligence IQ tests IQ testing IQ scores CHC intelligence theory CHC theory Cattell-Horn-Carroll human cognitive abilities psychology school psychology individual differences cognitive psychology neuropsychology neuroscience psychology special education educational psychology psychometrics psychological assessment psychological measurement IQs Corner general intelligence intelligent IQ testing validity dedifferentiation hypothesis BIS model Generated by: Tag Generator (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077869 Sat, 30 Jul 2011 02:36:00 +0100 5077869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062293&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F25%2Fchange-in-relationships-what-to-do-when-your-partner-changes%2F Your once sort of neat partner becomes a sloppy mess. Or they start spending more time on the golf course. Or worse, when you first met they wanted to have children, but now say they’re not interested. What do you do when your partner changes in small or big ways? Here, Terri Orbuch, Ph.D, clinical psychologist and author of 5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great, offers her insight on change in relationships. Myths about Change It’s a myth that people or relationships don’t change, Orbuch said. In fact, it’s inevitable. Relationships go through different developmental stages and situations, such as job loss, health problems, financial issues and family conflict. So it’s natural for changes to occur. Another myth, according to Orbuch, is that change is bad. So m... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062293 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:48:21 +0100 5062293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050721&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F18%2Fbed-sharing-seems-okay-for-toddlers%2F While not particularly popular here in the U.S., bed sharing arrangements are a little more common in many other countries, especially when sleeping quarters may be scarce. A new study just published suggests that such bed sharing between parents and their toddlers and young children probably don’t result in any kind of long-term psychological or social problems. The study followed a sample of 944 low-income families who were enrolled in the Early Head Start program, and followed the toddlers and parents over the course of five years. Once other factors were accounted for — such as the family’s socioeconomic status, the mom’s educational level, ethnicity and parenting style — the negative outcomes associated with bed sharing went away. This suggests that bed s... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050721 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:06:36 +0100 5050721 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992820&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F07%2Flaw-review-article-maroney-2011-on.html The following has been added to the ICDP Law Review Article blogroll.Maroney, T. A. (2011). ADOLESCENT BRAIN SCIENCE AFTER GRAHAM V. FLORIDA. Notre Dame Law Review, 86(2), 765-793.- iPost using BlogPress from my Kevin McGrew's iPadintelligence intelligence testing Atkins cases ICDP blog psychology school psychology neuropsychology forensic psychology criminal psychology criminal justice death penalty capital punishment ABA IQ tests IQ scores adaptive behavior AAIDD mental retardation intellectual disability Graham v Florida adolescent brain science neuroscience and law Generated by: Tag Generator (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992820 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:00:00 +0100 4992820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984575&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fresearch-bytes-working-memory-training.html Click on images to enlarge- iPost using BlogPress from my Kevin McGrew's iPad (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984575 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:26:00 +0100 4984575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953136&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fresearch-byte-age-related-cognitive.html Note that the final model (above) is consistent with prior research I included in McGrew (2005) and which is also online here. There is clearly strong evidence for the primary role of processing speed (Gs) playing a indirect role on cognition mediated via working memory.- iPost using BlogPress from my Kevin McGrew's iPadintelligence IQ tests IQ testing IQ scores CHC intelligence theory CHC theory Cattell-Horn-Carroll human cognitive abilities psychology school psychology individual differences cognitive psychology neuropsychology neuroscience psychology special education educational psychology psychometrics psychological assessment psychological measurement IQs Corner general intelligence working memory executive function cognitive control processing speed working memory Gsm Gs aging cogni... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953136 Sun, 19 Jun 2011 16:45:00 +0100 4953136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841889&cid=t_100796_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F18%2F2011-asco-annual-meeting-abstracts-including-ovarian-cancer-made-publicly-available-today%2F More than 30,000 cancer specialists from around the world will gather at the 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting to discuss the latest innovations in research, quality, practice and technology in cancer. More than 30,000 cancer specialists from around the world will gather at the 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841889 Wed, 18 May 2011 22:43:10 +0100 4841889 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841742&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fresearch-bytes-spatial-and-verbal.html Hale, S., Rose, N. S., Myerson, J., Strube, M. J., Sommers, M., TyeMurray, N., & Spehar, B. (2011). The Structure of Working Memory Abilities Across the Adult Life Span. Psychology and Aging, 26(1), 92-110.(italics emphasis added by blogmaster)The present study addresses three questions regarding age differences in working memory: (1) whether performance on complex span tasks decreases as a function of age at a faster rate than performance on simple span tasks; (2) whether spatial working memory decreases at a faster rate than verbal working memory; and (3) whether the structure of working memory abilities is different for different age groups. Adults, ages 20–89 (n = 388), performed three simple and three complex verbal span tasks and three simple and three complex spatial memory tasks.... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841742 Wed, 18 May 2011 15:20:00 +0100 4841742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734337&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fneuropsychological-abilities-related-to.html Very interesting study on the neuropsychological constructs related to beginning writing. The abstract, initial CFA/SEM model, and the final CFA/SEM model are presented below. The initial model was not found plausible due to significant multicolinearity between a number of the measures (variance from some measures could be perfectly predicted from other tests, either singly, or in linear combination with other measures). Most intriguing conclusion for me is the clear importance of executive functioning (very broadly operationalized in the final model) for beginning writing. A good article for this interested in early writing and writing disabilities to get and digest.Double click on each image to enlarge.- iPost using BlogPress from my Kevin McGrew's iPadintelligence IQ tests IQ testing IQ... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734337 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:48:00 +0100 4734337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684325&cid=t_100796_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F04%2F07%2Fthimerosal-from-the-1930s-to-2011%2F Thimersol DOES have neurotoxic effects on infants and toddlers! That’s a scientifically derived conclusion that’s been viciously kept from health consumers probably due to not wanting to have to scrape egg off the universal face of Big Pharma vaccine manufacturers, the medical professions, and government health agencies. Or, is there a more sinister reason? You be the judge after considering Dr. F. Edward Yazbak’s exceptional review of the literature regarding Thimerosal and vaccines at (http://www.vaccinationnews.com/20110405Thimerosal…) There are three parts to this incomparable report regarding Thimerosal that every healthcare professional, federal, state, and local health agencies personnel should read to get the down and dirty facts about what’s been going on under their... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684325 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 06:01:07 +0100 4684325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4580893&cid=t_100796_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpregnant-women-and-exposure-to-paint%2F2011.03.13 I came across an article the other day about paint and pregnancy. Yes, that paint — the kind that you put on a canvas or slap on your walls. Did you know that paint is made of pigment particles in a liquid base called a medium? Oil paints are thinned or cleaned with paint thinners. Latex paints are thinned or cleaned with water. Most paint that’s used in the home is latex. Can environmental forces affected pregnancy? The short answer is “yes,” according to the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), whose mission is to study malformations of the unborn. Regarding paint and pregnancy, the amount of exposure is important. A one-time household exposure causes fewer problems than ongoing exposure through a work setting. And there have been medical stu... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4580893 Sun, 13 Mar 2011 22:00:06 +0100 4580893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4532381&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fresearch-byte-file-under-gh-domain-in.html In this study, 72 children (2½–5 years of age) and 20 adults explored unfamiliar objects either haptically or visually and then chose a visual match from among three test objects, each matching the exemplar on one perceptual dimension. All age groups chose shape-based matches after visual exploration. Both 5-year-olds and adults also chose shape-based matches after haptic exploration, but younger children did not match consistently in this condition. Certain hand movements performed by children during haptic exploration reliably predicted shape-based matches but occurred at very low frequencies. Thus, younger children’s difficulties with haptic-to-visual information transfer appeared to stem from their failure to use their hands to obtain reliable haptic information about objects.- iP... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4532381 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:02:00 +0100 4532381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4377671&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fresearch-bytes-brief-exec-funct.html Clicking on images should make them larger and more readable- iPost using BlogPress from my Kevin McGrew's iPadintelligence IQ tests IQ testing IQ scores CHC intelligence theory CHC theory Cattell-Horn-Carroll human cognitive abilities psychology school psychology individual differences cognitive psychology neuropsychology psychology special education educational psychology psychometrics psychological assessment psychological measurement IQs Corner neuroscience neurocognitive cognitive abilities cognition domain-specific domain-general cognitive decline aging executive functioning (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4377671 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:17:00 +0100 4377671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4360982&cid=t_100796_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fkids-with-dyslexia-predicting-their-reading-skills-with-mri%2F2011.01.17 An international team of researchers has developed a rather reliable test that predicts the future improvement of reading abilities in kids with dyslexia. The method uses functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) to scan the brain, and data crunching software to interpret the data. The researchers hope that the finding will help parents and therapists uniquely identify which learning tools are best for each child. From the announcement by Vanderbilt University : The 45 children who took part in the study ranged in age from 11 to 14 years old. Each child first took a battery of tests to determine their reading abilities. Based on these tests, the researchers classified 25 children as having dyslexia, which means that they exhibited significant difficulty le... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4360982 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:02 +0100 4360982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309670&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FccNpzWKBI_4%2F URL: http://addmoms.com/Welcome to ADD Moms! If you are a mom with Attention Deficit Disorder, or a mom with an ADD child (no matter what the age), and you need information, support, or coaching, you’ve come to the right place! For: Anyone, ConsumersTopics: ADHD, Child and Adolescent, Clinical Psychology, Common Factors, Developmental, Educational Psychology, Emotional Health, General Psychology, Mental Health, Parenting, YouthFeatures: Articles, Clinical Tools, Commentary and Blogs, Information, Research, Research Tools, ebookWelcome to ADD Moms! If you are a mom with Attention Deficit Disorder, or a mom with an ADD child (no matter what the age), and you need information, support, or coaching, you’ve come to the right place! My name is Brenda Nicholson, and I am an ADD mom as well as... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309670 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:00:17 +0100 4309670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4230156&cid=t_100796_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fan-interview-with-a-developmental-disability-nurse%2F2010.12.05 For my first interview, I thought I’d interview someone who would tolerate my novice interviewing abilities — my mother. Ginny, RN, BS, DDRN has been a nurse for over 30 years, most of that time in the Intensive Care Unit. (The apple did not fall far, did it?) She currently works as Developmental Disabilities Nurse and has done so for nine years. A developmental disability is defined by Wikipedia as “a term used in the United States and Canada to describe life-long disability attributable to mental and/or physical impairments, manifested prior to age 18.” Ginny says that her clients have a range of mental and physical disabilities including cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, mental retardation, and autism, with autism being the most prevalent. Her clients live in normal houses a... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4230156 Sun, 05 Dec 2010 22:00:12 +0100 4230156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214193&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FzbZFkpmpl_0%2F URL: http://www.thearc.org/page.aspx?pid=2530We are the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We encompass all ages and all spectrums from autism, Down syndrome, Fragile X and various other developmental disabilities. For: Anyone, ConsumersTopics: ADHD, Academia, Aspergers, Common Factors, Developmental, Foundation Website, Health Promotion, Mental Health Promotion, Quality of Life, Social SupportFeatures: Articles, Collaborative News, Commentary and Blogs, Community and Social Networking, Group Management, Information, Links, Networking, Societal or Organizational MembershipWe are the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectua... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214193 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:00:15 +0100 4214193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4207337&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FP_10EkZettQ%2F URL: http://www.awakeningsproject.org/index.shtmlThe Awakenings Project is a grass-roots initiative whose mission is to assist artists with psychiatric illnesses in developing their craft and finding an outlet for their creative abilities through art in all forms. The Awakenings Project also works to raise public awareness and acceptance of the creative talents of people living with psychiatric disorders who work in the fields of fine art, music, literature, and drama. For: Anyone, ConsumersTopics: Behaviour Management, Developmental, General Psychology, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Mental Health Promotion, Psychology and the Media, WritingFeatures: Advertising, Careers, Community and Social Networking, Group Management, Presentations, Public Events, PublishingThe Awakenings Project is a gras... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4207337 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 06:36:20 +0100 4207337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197211&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FmwLJROCT-s0%2F A child’s brain is a perfect example of neuroplasticity: As the child learns basic and complex skills, his or her brain changes, connections between neurons are strengthened or eliminated. Here are 10 top questions and answers to explore the developing brain and get a better window on young minds. Following the Q&A find related relevant resources (links, documentaries, and books) to go further. . 10 questions and answers about a child’s brain development Q: Does brain development depend only on genes? A: No, brain development is the result of a complex interaction between both genes and environment. Brain development begins in utero. Billions of neurons are generated. They migrate from their birthplace in the embryo to their final positions. Axons and dendrites grow and c... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197211 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:56:31 +0100 4197211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133999&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fresearch-bytes-inconsistency-and-not.html Conclusions: For both outcomes, greater inconsistency was associated with a greater likelihood of being in a maladaptive group 5 years later. Variability based on moderately cognitively challenging tasks appeared to be particularly sensitive to longitudinal changes in cognitive ability. Mean rate of responding was a comparable predictor of change in most instances, but individuals were at greater relative risk of being in a maladaptive outcome group if they were more inconsistent rather than if they were slower in responding. Implications for the potential utility of intraindividual variability in reaction time as an early marker of cognitive decline are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)ntelligence IQ tests IQ scores CHC theory Cattell-Horn-Carroll hum... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133999 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:31:00 +0100 4133999 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098062&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FVT5lekdzgnM%2F URL: http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=368Family Caregiver Alliance is a public voice for caregivers, illuminating the daily challenges they face, offering them the assistance they so desperately need and deserve, and championing their cause through many means. For: Anyone, ConsumersTopics: ADHD, Anxiety, Aspergers, Behaviour Management, Child and Adolescent, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Eating Disorders, Emotional Health, General Psychology, Life, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Mental Health Promotion, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Personality disorders, Attachment, Clinical Decision Making, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Fitness, Common Factors, Developmental, Health and Social Services, Life, Lifestyle, Quality of Life, RelationshipsFeatures... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098062 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:00:35 +0100 4098062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4025618&cid=t_100796_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fadhd-is-it-genetic%2F2010.10.02 British scientists announced that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been linked to deleted or duplicated DNA segments (copy number variants), which leads to developmental difference in the brains of children with the condition. Researchers scanned genomes of 366 children with ADHD and compared them with 1,047 unrelated, ethnically matched control subjects. They reported full results in The Lancet. Rare copy number variants were almost twice as common in children with ADHD compared to the other children. Researchers commented to Reuters that there was a significant overlap between copy number variants found in ADHD and elements of the genome linked to autism and schizophrenia, specifically in a region on chromosome 16. *This blog post was originally published at AC... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4025618 Sat, 02 Oct 2010 19:00:00 +0100 4025618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994361&cid=t_100796_155_f&fid=38409&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropathologyblog.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fbest-post-of-march-2010-rara-avis-has.html The next in our Best of the Month series is from March 11, 2010: I was recently sent a specimen from the cerebellum of a 27-year-old female patient who, during a routine funduscopic exam at her optometrist, was found to have papilledema and retinal hemorrhages. She was completely asymptomatic -- which of course suggests that we are dealing with a slowly progressive process. A head MRI was obtained:An image-guided craniotomy ensued, yielding a cerebellar specimen. Photomicrographs of that specimen, at progressively higher magnification, follow:The top picture exhibits normal cerebellar cytoarchitecture on the right giving way, on the left, to an internal granule cell layer that has transformed into larger gangliocytic neurons. The bottom picture demonstrates the cytologic appearance of thes... neuropathology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994361 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 01:17:00 +0100 3994361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3969052&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F14%2Fintroducing-autism-aspergers-and-beyond%2F In this day and age, we seem to increasingly medicalize mental disorders and their treatment, even in very young children. I believe this has significant repercussions in a child’s development, when parents turn to a psychiatric drug as the sole remedy for their child’s concerns. While no parents wants to see their child suffer needlessly, medications have become the “go to” treatment despite the efficacy and greater safety of other treatments. I’m pleased to welcome you to Autism, Asperger’s and Beyond, a blog by Diane Yapko, MA. Diane is a speech-language pathologist who for the past 30 years has specialized in working with the pediatric population in the areas of autism spectrum disorders and other developmental and neurological disabilities. After listening to her speak on ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3969052 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:08:00 +0100 3969052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3854521&cid=t_100796_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fschizophrenia-caused-by-the-cat%2F2010.08.10 From the front page of [the August 1st] Baltimore Sun: Researchers Explore Link Between Schizophrenia, Cat Parasite. Frank D. Roylance writes: Johns Hopkins University scientists trying to determine why people develop serious mental illness are focusing on an unlikely factor: a common parasite spread by cats. The researchers say the microbes, called Toxoplasma gondii, invade the human brain and appear to upset its chemistry — creating, in some people, the psychotic behaviors recognized as schizophrenia. If tackling the parasite can help solve the mystery of schizophrenia, “it’s a pretty good opportunity … to relieve a pretty large burden of disease,” said Dr. Robert H. Yolken, director of developmental neurobiology at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. (more... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3854521 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:00:00 +0100 3854521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3802383&cid=t_100796_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcan-vocal-analysis-help-detect-autism-early%2F2010.07.29 Identifying autistic kids as early as possible is very important so that appropriate clinical interventions and upbringing can have the most beneficial effect. Now a new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has shown that analyzing the unique signature of children’s pre-speech vocalizations can be a pretty good way to identify potential cases of autism. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Medgadget* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3802383 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:00:54 +0100 3802383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790801&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fresearch-bytes-7-26-1-lots-of-good.html Usual offer -- would you like to read the actual article...in exchange for a brief guest blog post at IQ's Corner?  Contact blogmaster (iap@earthlink.net) if interested. Ferrer, E., &  McArdle, J. J. (2010). Longitudinal Modeling of Developmental Changes in Psychological Research. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 19(3), 149-154.In this article we provide a review of recent advances in longitudinal models for multivariate change. We first claim the need for dynamic modeling approaches as a way to evaluate psychological theories. We then describe one such approach, latent change score (LCS) models, and illustrate their utility with a summary of research findings in various areas of psychological science. We then highlight the most prominent features of LCS models. W... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790801 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:57:00 +0100 3790801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750092&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34743&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDevelopingIntelligence%2F%7E3%2Fydk8B9gf3Wo%2F4_things_to_keep_in_mind_when.php A nice 2010 Human Brain Mapping paper by Church, Petersen & Schlaggar covers a number of interpretational issues confronting modern neuroimaging. Their particular application is pediatric neuroimaging (I will also use developmental examples), but the general issues apply to nearly all fMRI studies. So here are some important things to keep in mind whenever you read an fMRI study: Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Developing Intelligence) Developing Intelligence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750092 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:29:08 +0100 3750092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750093&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34743&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDevelopingIntelligence%2F%7E3%2Fp21GoT3oV6Y%2Fdevelopmental_divergence_in_un.php A 2010 FINS paper from Cohen et al. demonstrates that multivariate patterns in neural recruitment during response inhibition across the brain are significantly predictive of response inhibition ability and age of the scanned subject, and shows that other factors (such as response variability and reaction times) cannot be similarly predicted from the same data. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Developing Intelligence) Developing Intelligence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750093 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:08:05 +0100 3750093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3706779&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fresearch-bytes-6-28-10-aging-research.html Discussion focuses on the role of fluid cognitive ability in daily stress processes. Technorati Tags: Psychology, school psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology, forensic psychology, neuropsychology, special education, intelligence, cognitive abilities, cognition, intelligence theories, CHC theory, Cattell-Horn-Carroll, factor analysis, cross battery assessment, IQs Corner, IQ, IQ tests, IQ scores, neuroscience, aging, decision-making, Gf, Gsm, Gs, stress and IQ (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3706779 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:23:00 +0100 3706779 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3511609&cid=t_100796_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2Fy_fl2QFkSP8%2F           Autism is a developmental disability that comes from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain.  It is characterized by the abnormal development of communication skills, social skills and reasoning.  Males are affected four times as often as females.  Children may appear normal until around the age of 30 months.  Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) varies significantly in character and severity, it occurs in all ethnic and socioeconomic groups and affects every age group.  Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have ASD.  The cause of autism remains unclear, but a psychological one has been ruled out.  Neurological studies seem to indicate a primary brain dysfunction, and a genetic component is sugges... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3511609 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:35:04 +0100 3511609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3487127&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FxZ9BwwSrydE%2F URL: http://www.fmsfonline.org/This is the home page of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation. This site provides information about, and mailing lists related to, False Memory Syndrome (FMS) and a link to Internet resources connected with FMS. For: ConsumersTopics: Abnormal, Academia, Anger, Anxiety, Behaviour Management, Child and Adolescent, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Developmental, Diagnosis, Emotional Health, Family Therapy, General Psychology, Health and Social Services, Life, Lifestyle, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Personality disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Quality of Life, Schizophrenia, Self-harm and suicide, Social Psychology, Substance Abuse, Varied DisordersFeatures: Articles, Commentary and Blogs, Information, Links, e-learning ... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3487127 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:00:20 +0100 3487127 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3359239&cid=t_100796_155_f&fid=38409&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropathologyblog.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Frara-avis-has-flown-under-my-microscope.html I was recently sent a specimen from the cerebellum of a 27-year-old female patient who, during a routine funduscopic exam at her optometrist, was found to have papilledema and retinal hemorrhages. She was completely asymptomatic -- which of course suggests that we are dealing with a slowly progressive process. A head MRI was obtained:An image-guided craniotomy ensued, yielding a cerebellar specimen. Photomicrographs of that specimen, at progressively higher magnification, follow:The top picture exhibits normal cerebellar cytoarchitecture on the right giving way, on the left, to an internal granule cell layer that has transformed into larger gangliocytic neurons. The bottom picture demonstrates the cytologic appearance of these transformed ganglion cells.This is an example of dysplastic cer... neuropathology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3359239 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:23:00 +0100 3359239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335475&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fdevelopmental-neuropsychology-infant.html Available from BBC Radio 4:In Our Time: The Infant Brain: Listen Here.Description, from the BBC source link:Melvyn Bragg and guests Usha Goswami, Annette Karmiloff-Smith and Denis Mareschal discuss what new research reveals about the infant brain.For obvious reasons, what happens in the minds of very young, pre-verbal children is elusive. But over the last century, the psychology of early childhood has become a major subject of study. Some scientists and researchers have argued that children develop skills only gradually, others that many of our mental attributes are innate. Sigmund Freud concluded that infants didn't differentiate themselves from their environment. The pioneering Swiss child psychologist Jean Piaget thought babies' perception of the world began as a 'blooming, buzzing con... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335475 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:13:00 +0100 3335475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3318437&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FDqxuGwkgZxA%2F URL: http://www.add.org/mc/page.do;jsessionid=B658664123E606E0F32B75B46476FB0F.mc0?sitePageId=92488The Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) is the world’s leading adult ADHD organization. Our mission is to provide information, resources and networking opportunities to help adults with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) lead better lives. We are an international non-profit organization, founded twenty years ago by adult ADHD support group leaders to share information, resources and provide support for one another. In the 20 years since its inception, ADDA has grown to become the source for information and resources exclusively for and about the adult ADHD community. For: AnyoneTopics: ADHD, Academia, Behaviour Management, Developmental, Educational Psychology, Gene... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3318437 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:00:05 +0100 3318437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146100&cid=t_100796_123_f&fid=39035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liddlekidzblog.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fspanking-decreases-iq.html New research demonstrates what many of us could guess . . . Being spanked as a child is linked to having a lower IQ, according to a study presented today at the International Conference on Violence, Abuse and Trauma in San Diego. The relationship between spanking and intelligence is found in children around the world, said the lead author of the study, University of New Hampshire professor Murray Straus. Children in the United States who were spanked had lower IQs -- by 2.8 to 5 points -- than those who were not spanked, Straus found. Straus studied 806 children ages 2 to 4 and 704 ages 5 to 9. Both groups were retested four years later. How often parents spanked influenced IQ score. "The more spanking, the slower the development of the child's mental ability," Straus said in a news relea... Liddle Kidz Infant and Pediatric Massage Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146100 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:47:00 +0100 3146100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950936&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fhands-free-hair-washing.html The hygiene of my children is very much a hands on affair. Having overcome the seasonal changes from baths in the winter, to showers in the summer and then back again, I can honestly say that the painful transition period has shortened considerably over the last decade, from months to a mere few weeks, testimonial to the fact that they continue to grow. I’m uncertain if I’m there in the bathroom to prevent escape, provide entertainment or minimize carnage, but in any event I consider that I could probably be using my time in a more constructive manner, elsewhere.That said it comes to my attention late in the day, that the all elusive ‘independence’ factor is adrift. It would appear that originally I was present at bath-time to prevent babies from drowning, ten years later I’m sti... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950936 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:44:00 +0100 2950936 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2839067&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fgreat-ormond-street-hospital-for.html Neuropsychology at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and the UCL Institute of Child HealthView the website hereFrom the homepage:"The Paediatric Neuropsychology Service consists of the Clinical Neuropsychology Department at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Unit based at the Institute of Child Health (ICH). The academic and clinical staff in the Service work collaboratively to offer a comprehensive neuropsychology service for children, adolescents and their families." (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2839067 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:41:00 +0100 2839067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2879669&cid=t_100796_123_f&fid=39041&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrnabong.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fhow-your-baby-develops-9-months.html 9 month old9 month old babies can start to pull to a stand and cruise on furniture. The world is a great big playground and they are starting to discover new things. They will try to put everything in their mouths. Some babies will be crawling all over the place at this time. They will be grabbing objects using a pincer grasp. They love to play peek-a-boo. They will start to imitate speech and they understand "no" and "bye". They can say mama and dada randomly. If you build a bond with them they will start to show stranger anxiety. Hopefully by this time your house is fully childproofed. (Source: Dr Nabong's Pediatric Blogs) Dr Nabong's Pediatric Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2879669 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:28:00 +0100 2879669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2879670&cid=t_100796_123_f&fid=39041&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrnabong.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fhow-your-baby-develops-6-months.html 6 month oldYour baby will be moving a lot more at 6 months. She will start to sit with minimal support. Most babies can now roll from back to front and front to back at the same time. Since they are starting to be mobile at this ]time , I tell parents to start childproofing the house. Make sure they have the POISON CONTROL (1-800-222-1222) number at a visible location. She will start to transfer objects from hand to hand. Turns to sounds and you will hear babbling with somewhat different intonations. At this age, she can definitely communicate if she likes or dislikes something. I usually tell the parents to advance her diet as tolerated. Prevention is the key to avoid a lot of accidents at this age. We do not recommend walkers because the baby is more mobile than they can handle. They ten... Dr Nabong's Pediatric Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2879670 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:07:00 +0100 2879670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2738031&cid=t_100796_155_f&fid=38409&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropathologyblog.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fclassic-example-of-iniencephaly.html Iniencephaly is a rare neural tube defect involving the occiput and inion combined with rachischisis of the cervical and thoracic spine and retroflexion of the head. The first syllable of "iniencephaly" is derived from the word inion, which in turn is derived from the Greek word for 'nape of the neck'. The inion is the most prominent posterioinferior projection of the occipital bone of the skull. The inion appears to fuse with the spine resulting in no discernible neck.This image is from the SUNY Upstate pathology department website. (Source: neuropathology blog) neuropathology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2738031 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:32:00 +0100 2738031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2730130&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=37784&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpsychblog%2F%7E3%2FQh8sfRtLjpw%2Fmind-changers-938.html Mind Changers is a recent series exploring the development of the science of psychology during the 20th century. More information available from the BBC Radio 4 website. Four excellent episodes for you to listen to. Enjoy. The Pseudo-Patient Study Claudia Hammond revisits David Rosenhan’s Pseudo-Patient Study The Hawthorne Effect The 1920s experiment in a Chicago factory that gave rise to the Hawthorne Effect Harlow’s Monkeys Revisiting Harry Harlow’s surrogate mothers experiment, which revolutionised parenting. Tags: developmental, podcast, Rosenhan (Source: PsychBLOG.co.uk) PsychBLOG.co.uk blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2730130 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:50:43 +0100 2730130 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2695490&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Feunice-kennedy-shriver-nih-statement.html From a National Institutes of Health (NIH) press release:Statement of Duane Alexander, M.D., DirectorEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentNational Institutes of Health On the Contributions of Eunice Kennedy Shriverin Advancing Research in Child Health, Human Development, and Intellectual DisabilityThe entire world owes a debt to Eunice Kennedy Shriver for her foresight in calling for an institute at the National Institutes of Health to study the myriad aspects of human development, both as it unfolds without problems and when medical and environmental factors prevent it from doing so.In 1961, Mrs. Shriver persuaded her brother, then-President Kennedy, to include in his first health message to Congress the proposal for an NIH institute focusing on c... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2695490 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:14:00 +0100 2695490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691621&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fin-wide-world-two-kennedy-centers.html The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentBethesda, MDhttp://www.nichd.nih.gov/The Rose F. Kennedy University Center for Excellence in Developmental DisabilitiesBronx, NYhttp://www.aecom.yu.edu/cerc/kennedy.htm (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691621 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:08:00 +0100 2691621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2688784&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fobit-eunice-kennedy-shriver.html Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 88; member of Kennedy clan, founder of Special OlympicsBy Bryan MarquardBoston Globe Staff / August 11, 2009"Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who planted the seeds for the Special Olympics when she launched Camp Shriver on the lawn of her Maryland home, and then with force of will and the clout of her family name spread her vision of lifting the developmentally disabled "into the sunlight of useful living," died this morning at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis."Read full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2688784 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:19:00 +0100 2688784 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2688786&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_10.html CONCLUSIONS: These data support the importance of experience-dependent changes in cerebellar structure and highlight the role of the cerebellum in higher cognitive functions.PMID: 19660739 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2688786 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:39:00 +0100 2688786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645366&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34616&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeldoctor.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fhealth-care-reform-and-retardation.html Some are getting upset because the House of Representatives health care reform bill uses the term "retarded".The New York Post (via Drudge) reports:The bill refers to: "A hospital or a nursing facility or intermediate-care facility for the mentally retarded . . ." I don't see what the problem is. "Mental Retardation" is a valid medical/psychiatric term. Other more PC terms such as "developmentally disabled" have a slightly different meaning. The term "developmental disability" includes not only mental retardation but also autism and several other coniditions. There are various legal and medical definitions of developmental disability.As someone who treats adults with mental retardation as well as autism I use the terms "mental retardation/mentally retarded" and "developmental disability/de... Rebel Doctor Web Log blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645366 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:27:00 +0100 2645366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2584270&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fapplied-psych-test-design-part-g.html The seventh  in the series Art and Science of Applied Test Development is now available.The seventh module (Part G:  Psychometric/technical statistical analysis:  External) is now posted and is accessible via SlideShare.In addition, I've made some new edits and additions  to prior presentations (Part A-F)....so if you've viewed the prior modules you may want to revisit them again.This is the seventh in a series of PPT modules explicating the development of psychological tests in the domain of cognitive ability using contemporary methods (e.g., theory-driven test specification; IRT-Rasch scaling; etc.). The presentations are intended to be conceptual and not statistical in nature. Feedback is appreciated.This project can be tracked on the left-side pane of the blog under the heading of ... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2584270 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:20:00 +0100 2584270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2580365&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fapplied-psych-test-development-series_07.html The sixth in the series Art and Science of Applied Test Development is now available.The sixth module (Part F--Psychometric/technical statistical analysis:  Internal) is now available.In addition, I've made some edits and additions (esp. summary "Tools, Tips, and Troubles" and "Advanced Topics" slides) to prior presentations (Part A-E).This is the sixth in a series of PPT modules explicating the development of psychological tests in the domain of cognitive ability using contemporary methods (e.g., theory-driven test specification; IRT-Rasch scaling; etc.). The presentations are intended to be conceptual and not statistical in nature. Feedback is appreciated.This project can be tracked on the left-side pane of the blog under the heading of Applied Test Development Test Development Series.T... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2580365 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:41:00 +0100 2580365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2561400&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fdifferntiation-of-cognitive-abilites.html The following manuscript, which analyzed the WJ III norm data [conflict of interest--I'm a coauthor of the WJ III), has been accepted for publication in the journal Developmental PsychologyDifferentiation of Cognitive Abilities across the Lifespan. Elliot M. Tucker-Drob, Department of Psychology University of Virginia Charlottesville, V.A.AbstractExisting representations of cognitive ability structure are exclusively based on linear patterns of interrelations. However, a number of developmental and cognitive theories predict that abilities are differentially related across ages (age differentiation-dedifferentiation) and across levels of functioning (ability differentiation). Nonlinear factor analytic models were applied to multivariate cognitive ability data from 6,273 individuals, ages 4... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2561400 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:45:00 +0100 2561400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2448000&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fdont-hold-your-breath.html Hosted by "Tracy" at "Mother May I," but the photo-picture below will whizz you right there with one click.Just call me snap happy.I mean it’s not like they’re cast in stone but generally speaking a parent knows their children well. Over the years some things are just given. We know their likes and dislikes. Things that are possible and things that shall remain impossible, forever. On the whole, there is no point in perseverating over the impossible things. Far better to accept that the impossible things will remain impossible, forever. Better still to work on their strengths, to enhance them and encourage them.Writing or penmanship skills would fall into the later category around here. I put my faith in technology. I accept that they will never willingly write anything, ever. It is a ... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2448000 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 06:59:00 +0100 2448000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405865&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35131&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzoe.bromage.org%2Fnotes%2Farchives%2F2009_05.html%23004855 Zoë: What is "My Big Fat Greasy Wedding" rated?* Me: What? There's no such thing as "My Big Fat Greasy Wedding". Zoë: Yes, there is. It's a DVD! Me: No. We have "My Big Fat GREEK Wedding". Zoë: No, GREASY! Me: Show me. Zoë goes off and returns with the DVD case. Me: Look. Greek. G-R-E-E-K. Not greasy. It's "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", and it's rated G. Zoë skips off with the DVD, and a few minutes later I hear the Greek music that begins the film... (I don't know if she'll enjoy the film or not, but it's one of my favourites!) * Lately both kids have been utterly fascinated with the whole idea of ratings for films and television shows. They're always asking what things are rated. We're having a hard time making them understanding that the rating is on... Zoe Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405865 Tue, 12 May 2009 07:17:31 +0100 2405865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2398788&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=37784&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpsychblog%2F%7E3%2FImI5Gq1RntI%2Fis-a-home-smoking-ban-enough-to-stop-teen-smoking-808.html We all know the power of role models and I have written about the effect of role modes on behaviour many times before: from the moving ‘Children See, Children Do‘ campaign to talking about the effectiveness of the pictures of death and destruction that now adorn our fag packets. All these ideas are supported by the Behaviourist Bandura and his Social Learning Theory which proposes that children especially learn their behaviours through the observation and imitation of role models.  Bandura demonstrated this in his 1961 research where he exposed children to aggressive role models who acted violently (both physical and verbal violence) towards an inflatable bobo-doll. He found that children who were passive witnesses to this violent act were more likely to imitate this behaviour... PsychBLOG.co.uk blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2398788 Sun, 10 May 2009 10:22:01 +0100 2398788 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349338&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fcircuitous-route.html If you had asked me a year ago, I would have been pretty categorical about quite a few things:-He will not go outside willinglyHe has a close affinity with cats and is fearful of dogsIf it’s not yellow or golden it is less preferredHe has no interest in plants or gardeningHe only eats 7 to 13 food itemsHe is obsessed with Pokemon and electronics, and has no interest in anything elseI am always hunting for motivatorsWhilst these points are more or less true, at the time they seemed quite overwhelming. It can be difficult to see the big picture when you’re concentrating on the minutiae. However perspectives alter as children grow, and all children grow even when they exist upon such a narrow and restricted diet.All to often something unexpected clicks into gear and we shoot off in an ent... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349338 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:59:00 +0100 2349338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2320435&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fbrain-investment-return-rate-of-early.html Fascinating post re: research on the rate-of-return for investing in brain development via early education.  Check it out at the Frontal Cortex.Technorati Tags: psychology, brain fitness, plasticity, early education, IQ, IQ enhancement, intelligence, cognition, school psychology, education, educational psychology, neuropsychology (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2320435 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:49:00 +0100 2320435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2879566&cid=t_100796_123_f&fid=39035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liddlekidzblog.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fbabies-born-almost-full-term-may-face.html Thinking your baby is full term at 37 weeks, ready for your little one to come meet the world . . .Scheduling a C-Section or inducing their arrival . . . you might want to think again!According to a new study published in this month's Pediatrics Journal Babies born up to a month early have been recently referred to as "near-term" infants, but recent studies have shown that they may develop problems shortly after birth that are similar to those affecting babies who have been born very premature, though not nearly as severe. These include breathing difficulties, problems regulating body temperature and jaundice.Those problems usually require newborns to remain hospitalized for several days. The new study involved only late term babies born early, sent home within three days of birth, who wer... Liddle Kidz Infant and Pediatric Massage Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2879566 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:04:00 +0100 2879566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2313538&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F04%2F07%2Fwine-hope-and-autism%2F What most people who have a mental or developmental disorder want is something that’s hard to dole out — hope. We just want to know that it’s going to be okay, someday, and that we have a chance of finding “normal.” That’s why it touched my heart to read about a bunch of winemakers in Japan (not typically known for its wine). But these winemakers were different — the staff is made up of more than 100 developmentally disabled and autistic individuals. Not only do they work at the winery, they live there too, and there’s a school there as well. This comprehensive, 360 degree approach is hope-giving. It provides people who society otherwise does not give a chance a place to feel special and like they belong. And belong they do: Hiromitsu Watan... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2313538 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:14:19 +0100 2313538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2313403&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F05%2Fthe-interior-situation-of-intergenerational-poverty%2F From The Economist, here are some excerpts of a summary of research exploring the interior situation of how poverty is passed from one generation to the next. * * * That the children of the poor underachieve in later life, and thus remain poor themselves, is one of the enduring problems of society. . . . But nobody has truly understood what causes it. Until, perhaps, now. The crucial breakthrough was made three years ago, when Martha Farah of the University of Pennsylvania showed that the working memories of children who have been raised in poverty have smaller capacities than those of middle-class children. Working memory is the ability to hold bits of information in the brain for current use—the digits of a phone number, for example. It is crucial for comprehending languages, for read... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2313403 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 04:01:23 +0100 2313403 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2320450&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fdivergent-thinking-creative-problem.html Results from a large scale study (n=1300+) of German subjects (Kuhn & Holing, 2009;  European Journal of Psychological Assessment) suggests that the factor structure of divergent thinking (idea generation, creative problem solving, etc.) abilities may be domain-specific (numerical, verbal, figural), consistent with the BIS intelligence theory (which was the framework for the study).  My only criticism is that no attempt was made to relate (test a model?) or interpret the results as per the divergent abilities that are subsumed as the fluency/rate factors under Glr in the CHC theory of intelligence.  Without detailed descriptions of the tests in the manuscript, it is not possible to do a post-hoc BIS-CHC "cross-walk."  My hunch is that the content-classified divergent thinking tests... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2320450 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:41:00 +0100 2320450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2293087&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Ftoday-big-picture-scaffolding-theory-of.html Today's Big Picture is the Scaffolding Theory of Aging and Cognition (STAC) as reported in the latest Annual Review of Psychology.[Double click image to enlarge}Technorati Tags: psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, neuropsychology, aging, developmental, neuroscience, STAC, scaffolding, IQs Corner (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2293087 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:06:00 +0100 2293087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2296872&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FbQZyZ7z86jo%2F As an occasionally delinquent autism mom, I don’t keep up with the literature on autism and developmental disabilities. I guess I blew all my research energy on the last few months of being pregnant with Alex and the year-long hospital stay. He’s clearly a boy with a developmental difference, and that’s that. photo by Finsthwait But Mel Levine,  North Carolina pediatrician, and author of “A Mind at a Time” and innovator of the Floor Time technique of allowing a child on the spectrum to direct play activities, always seemed like someone whose instincts were fairly sound. I often thought, I should read one of those books. So it’s disappointing that he’s no longer in the helpful camp. Can you honestly separate someone from his actions? I’m no... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2296872 Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:44:17 +0100 2296872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2259385&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fiabstract-cognitive-reserve-hypothesis.html Double click imagebto enlarge (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2259385 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:42:00 +0100 2259385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2196263&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fchc-cog-ach-research-synthesis-project.html I just posted another update to the on-line PPT SlideShare show that presents my current interpretation of the results of a "CHC cognitive-achievement relations research synthesis" project that I've been working on.   The newest feature is the inclusion of a set of "cheat-sheet" summary slides to be used by assessment professionals to engage in more selective referral-focused cognitive assessments.  These research-to-practice summary slides (click here if you want to see an example) are intended to take the research synthesis results (the first 100 slides....yes...the show has 130 in total and is not yet finished) and make the results practical.This presentation presents an update of the "CHC COG-ACH correlates research synthesis" project described and hosted at IQ's Corner and IAP. The... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2196263 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:33:00 +0100 2196263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2130079&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Freading-and-dyslexia-should-ran-run-and.html This article suggests that the hype around RAN may have been over-exaggerated, due to specification error in a ton of the hot and sexy reading research that has dominated our professional journals and conferences this past decade. But don't get me wrong, there is a good body of evidence that suggests that the processes underlying RAN are probably important for early reading. My point, which is buttressed by this article, is that maybe it has been given too much credit....and needs to be knocked down a notch. I would be remiss if I did not also criticize this current study for also failing to include other potentially important predictors of reading. For example, I would have liked to see the authors also include measures of working memory (Gsm-MW), lexical knowledge (Gc-VL) or vocabulary, ... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2130079 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:43:00 +0100 2130079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2130080&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fcognitive-plasticity-brain-fitness-in.html As noted previously, the journal Psychology and Aging recently had a special section devoted to plasticity, cognition, brain fitness and aging. I simply don't have time to read it all...nor is adulthood my area of focus (I'm more focused on school-age children). Click here if you want to read the editors introduction article re: the various articles.PDF-Guest Post Quid-Pro-Quo offer......you want to read one or all of these articles? I'll make pdf copies available to you (via email) in exchange for a guest blog post summary. Any takers?Technorati Tags: psychology, aging, geriatric, school psychology, educational psychology, developmental psychology, plasticity, neuroscience, neuropsychology, Psychology and Aging, APA, brain fitness (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2130080 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:25:00 +0100 2130080 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2130083&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fiabstract-excercising-your-nraim-review.html Double click image to enlarge. See prior post for additional info on iAbstract deals. (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2130083 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:40:00 +0100 2130083 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2116893&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=37784&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpsychblog%2F%7E3%2FG5b_koKDkrw%2Fthe-pressures-of-being-a-role-model-768.html If you’ve ever seen the Channel 4 comedy Teachers then you might understand why the GTCE is considering implimenting a ‘role model’ code.  But is this really needed or necessary?  Yes, role models are influential, especially in the earlier years of childrens’ development, but shouldn’t they be allowed a private life? Teachers are  set to get a ‘role model’ code outlining what behaviour is seen as ‘acceptable’ both in and out of school.  We could face losing our status if we get drunk and into arguments while out socialising, or do not get help for drink or drug problems if a draft GTCE code it approved.  Obviously, as we know from Behaviourist theories like Social Learning Theory (SLT) that children are impressionable and will, if... PsychBLOG.co.uk blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2116893 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:00:05 +0100 2116893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2094715&cid=t_100796_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F01%2Fdeath-by-indifference-medically.html Regular SHSers will recall the horrific case of Martin Ryan, an adult with Down syndrome who, after a stroke left him unable to talk, was allowed to starve to death over 26 days in a UK hospital. I have done some Googling, and found some more on the story. Martin's and other deaths came to light because of a campaign by MENCAP, an NGO, to bring to light abuses in the medical context against people with developmental disabilities.There is apparently something of a pattern in this and other appalling deaths of people with developmental disabilities. From the Telegraph coverage: The six cases were raised by Mencap in a report entitled Death By Indifference. A spokesman for the charity said last night: "These people were completely and unacceptably failed by the treatment they received. " It w... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2094715 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:10:00 +0100 2094715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2073795&cid=t_100796_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F12%2Frhode-island-developmental-disabilities.html The Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council has picked up on my call to defend human exceptionalism. Here's the link. I am most pleased. (Source: Secondhand Smoke) Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2073795 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:45:00 +0100 2073795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2063129&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fchc-cog-ach-research-syntheis-project.html [Double click on image to enlarge]I'm pleased to announce an update and major revision to the the Cattell - Horn - Carroll (CHC) Cognitive Abilities-Achievement Research Synthesis project, a project first described in a prior post. This is a work "in progress". The purpose of this project is to systematically synthesize the key Cattell-Horn- Carroll (CHC) theory of cognitive abilities designed research studies that have investigated the relations between broad and narrow CHC abilities and school achievement.The status of the project can be accessed via a clickable MindMap visual-graphic navigational tool (similar to the image above...but "active" and "dyanamic") or via the more traditional web page outline navigational method. You can toggle back and forth between the different navigation ... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2063129 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:42:00 +0100 2063129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052844&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FBl61jJRNTPs%2F It’s said to be something that parents of children with developmental disabilities experience. An article by Amy Basking and Heather Fawcett coins the terms “Empty Nest Envy,” as noted in today’s Orangeville Banner: While most parents can look forward to children spreading their own wings, there are some who look to the future with trepidation and uncertainty. Not just for themselves, but more importantly for their adult children who have developmental disabilities. These parents, when their children graduate from high school, suddenly find themselves supporting their adult child full-time. The reality for these parents can be daunting. In the article, the authors talk about how for one family their 28-year-old son remains with them. Despite thinking that he would b... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052844 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:43:57 +0100 2052844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035589&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F12%2F13%2Fmass-closing-4-of-6-state-institutions%2F For years, Massachusetts has attempted to catch up with the rest of the nation in de-institutionalizing some of its most disabled residents. It runs six institutions — full-time, inpatient settings where people spend most of their lives — for people with developmental disabilities and mental retardation. The state has targeted four of these institutions, housing nearly 500 residents, for closure within the next few years, starting with its most notorious one, Fernald. The ARC of Massachusetts hailed the planned closures — “It’s a victory!” said its executive director yesterday. While most residents will, by choice, be moved to community settings — group homes — the state thinks about 160 residents will choose to move instead to one of the ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035589 Sat, 13 Dec 2008 12:16:30 +0100 2035589 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2026967&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34743&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDevelopingIntelligence%2F%7E3%2F480070697%2Fhow_the_temporal_trajectory_of.php In an update to their groundbreaking earlier demonstration that high-IQ children initially show a thinner cortex, and later show an initially thicker one than their average-IQ peers, Shaw et al. have now documented those trajectories of cortical thickening which are invariant to socio-economic status and IQ, but vary between regions of the brain. These videos show the peak in gray matter in cortex between the ages of 5 and 15 years, as assessed from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 375 subjects of varying ages. And another video below the fold... Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Developing Intelligence) Developing Intelligence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2026967 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:00:00 +0100 2026967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2019277&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fiq-scholar-spotlight-david-geary.html Another IQs Corner IQ Scholar Spotlight - Dr. David GearyDr. David Geary (listed under IQs Corner IQ Scholar section) is a tremendous researcher and thinker. I try to read every think he writes. I've been particularly interested in his excellent research on the cognitive skills related to the development of mathematical abilities---he is, IMHO, one of the top researchers in this area. His writings on evolutionary psychology, which recenty have focused on educational implications, are very thought provoking. I particularly enjoyed his recent article on "evolutionary aspects of math disabilities." A definite must scholar to keep tabs on. Click here for prior IQs Corner posts that have mentioned Geary.Technorati Tags: psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, neuropsychology, cog... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2019277 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:40:00 +0100 2019277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2005912&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F7O5AhJ55fMY%2F There’s a new study by Molly Helt et al. out about recovery from autism in the December Neuropsychology Review. Kev at Left Brain/Right Brain has an overview; here’s the abstract: Although Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are generally assumed to be lifelong, we review evidence that between 3% and 25% of children reportedly lose their ASD diagnosis and enter the normal range of cognitive, adaptive and social skills. Predictors of recovery include relatively high intelligence, receptive language, verbal and motor imitation, and motor development, but not overall symptom severity. Earlier age of diagnosis and treatment, and a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified are also favorable signs. The presence of seizures, mental retardation and genetic synd... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2005912 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:32:15 +0100 2005912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1999136&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FomE9MKGDkYA%2F An article in the December Pediatrics examines the health care experiences of families with autistic children in the US. Researchers looked at a nationally representative 2005-06 survey of nearly 40,000 children with special health care needs; the children’s needs were “physical and mental,” and required medical care that was more than usual, yesterday’s Associated Press (via AZ Central) reports. 2,088 children of those children had autism. The article is entitled A National Profile of the Health Care Experiences and Family Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children in the United States, 2005–2006, by Michael D. Kogan, Bonnie B. Strickland, Stephen J. Blumberg, Gopal K. Singh, James M. Perrin, Peter C. van Dyck. The Associated Press notes that Compared ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1999136 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:36:54 +0100 1999136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1999139&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FPFKbscC6jug%2F A new national strategy for screening for Down syndrome in Denmark has halved the number of Down Syndrome births and led to a 30% increase in infants diagnosed with the condition. The Danish National Board of Health issued guidelines for prenatal screening and diagnosis for Down Syndrome in 2004; these guidelines (from Science Daily) included the offer of a combined test for Down Syndrome (based on combination of maternal age, plus serum and nuchal screening) in the first trimester. This test gave women a risk assessment for Down Syndrome at an early stage in the pregnancy. Women whose risk was higher than a defined cut off were referred for invasive diagnostic tests (chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis). The study is published in the November 27th British Medical Journal.It was rec... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1999139 Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:32:37 +0100 1999139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1999140&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FXiM59l6LYbM%2F Actually, that title should read, “It’s just like I thought it would be,” as said by Jim. It was Saturday night and we were having dinner at a restaurant on Mott Street, in Chinatown in New York. We’d avoided the whole Black Friday business/madness and decided also to avoid the crowds going to see the Christmas tree on Rockefeller Plaza near Radio City Music Hall. We’d spent the day around home, with a late breakfast and midday nap for Charlie, and then a bike ride. And then, we drove to Jersey City and took the PATH train into the World Trade Center site—there’s construction going on all the time and you can see some of it—-and then walked past City Hall and into Chinatown. Charlie had said no to any snacks, even after an hour-long bike ride... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1999140 Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:38:57 +0100 1999140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1990891&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FuVlMHfSgK80%2F I have been thinking more than ever about where Charlie will live as an adult since hearing about the services offered in different states at last Friday’s IACC meeting. The pressing, pressing, pressing need for staff with appropriate training, for facilities, and for much much more was more than made apparent—the November 10th death of 28-year-old Tara O’Leary highlights just how pressing these needs are. Tara O’Leary had severe developmental disabilities and was a client in a community care residence in Hunterdon County in central New Jersey. Her death is being investigated by both the state Department of Human Services and the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office. According to yesterday’s FOX News, O’Leary had brain deformities, scoliosis, and o... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1990891 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:02:12 +0100 1990891 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1984963&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FfrkLG4oBxc4%2F Six deep-sea divers have been enlisted by the city of New York to repair a valve at the bottom of a 700-foot shaft in Dutchess County, yesterday New York Times reports. The shaft is located in the Rondout-West Branch tunnel, which is 45 miles long, 13.5 feet wide, up to 1,200 feet below ground” and which brings half of the water supply to New York city from reservoirs in the Catskill Mountains. For more than a month, the six divers have to live in a sealed 24-foot tubular pressurized tank complete with showers, a television and a Nerf basketball hoop, breathing air that is 97.5 percent helium and 2.5 percent oxygen, so their high-pitched squeals are all but unintelligible. They leave the tank only to transfer to a diving bell that is lowered 70 stories into the earth, where they work... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1984963 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:48:20 +0100 1984963 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1984964&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FaS2BWKrGbMw%2F I think this is, potentially, the perfect t-shirt for Charlie. Yes, I’ve ordered him one. Tags: asd, asperger, australia, autism, autism blog, condiments, developmental disabilities, Diagnosis, disabilities blog, disability, food, ketchup, mustard, relish, shirt, t-shirtShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1984964 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:11:21 +0100 1984964 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1984966&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F5_OLxvYYeok%2F Connecticut’s Pilot Program For Autistic Adults which “adults of normal intelligence with diagnoses on what is called the autism spectrum” is in danger due to budget cuts. Today’s New Haven Register reports that Governor M. Jodi Rell has ordered all state government agencies to submit proposals that will cut up to 10 percent from their upcoming budgets. Prior to the program’s inception in 2006 (with $1 million from the state), no services were provided to autistic adults of normal intelligence (adults with diagnoses of both autism and mental retardation did receive services). The program received an additional $500,000 in July 2008 and is financed through June 2009. Currently, 52 people with autism and Asperger’s syndrome in in the greater New Haven and Hart... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1984966 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:43:37 +0100 1984966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1975223&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FdS5nKtPQNo8%2F So what is autism? Chances are, if you’re reading this, you know, and are quite prepared to explain at the drop of the hat “what autism is.” But what if you’re asked: Why is there this separate term, “PDD-NOS”? What is child disintegrative disorder and what does that have to do with autism, plain and simple? (as if there is such a “plain and simple autism”) If a child has Fragile X, that means they don’t have autism……right….no….which? Does “high-functioning autism” mean “Asperger’s Syndrome” only? What’s the connection between autism and ADHD? Can you have both? Can where you are and what culture a child is raised in influence diagnosis? Is autism necessarily a life-long diagno... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1975223 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:21:24 +0100 1975223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1968957&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FcS4aI67rjkI%2F While studying drug abuse and addiction, researchers at the Ohio State University College of Medicine have found a link between nicotine addiction and autism. Neurexins are proteins that, along with neurologins, are thought to play a key role in the formation and functioning of synapses, of connections between nerve cells. In the new study, a protein made by the neurexin-1 gene was found to have a very particular role, as noted in today’s Science Daily: The discovery identified a defining role for a protein made by the neurexin-1 gene, which is located in brain cells and assists in connecting neurons as part of the brain’s chemical communication system. The neurexin-1 beta protein’s job is to lure another protein, a specific type of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, to the synaps... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1968957 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:20:37 +0100 1968957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1968959&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fkwz1kNK1OR0%2F The November 13th Newsweek has an article, More Than Just Quirky, about girls and women with Asperger’s Syndrome: Are girls and women sometimes not diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum because they do not have the same symptoms as boys and men do? Girls, it’s noted, have more “socially acceptable” obsessions—”horse and books,” perhaps, rather than “vacuum cleaners or oscillating fans”: “Girls tend to get obsessed with things that are a little less strange,” says Elizabeth Roberts, a neuropsychologist at the Asperger Institute at the New York University Child Study Center. “That makes it harder to distinguish normal from abnormal.” That observation is consistent with a 2007 study of 700 children on the spect... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1968959 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:22:45 +0100 1968959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964145&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35131&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzoe.bromage.org%2Fnotes%2Farchives%2F2008_11.html%23004718 There are some cold cooked sauages in the fridge at the moment. I'm going to put them into a casserole for dinner tonight. Just now I caught Zoë with one. Well, she heard me coming and I actually caught her with a mouthful of sausage, sausage on her face and hands, and a guilty look on her face as she tried to swallow the sausage in her mouth without choking on it. I looked in the fridge and one of the sausages was missing the end. I made my displeasure clear and sent her to the bathroom to wash her hands and face. All the way down the hall she was howling (obviously, she'd swallowed the incriminating sausage by that point), "It was Miranda! Miranda did it! It was Miranda!" She stayed in the bathroom for a while, all the time screaming or howling and insisting that "Miranda did it... Zoe Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964145 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:53:34 +0100 1964145 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964133&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FdxMo7-zXLW8%2F The woman I spoke to at the birthday party yesterday told me that her brother had been institutionalized at the Cambridge State Hospital. Originally called the Minnesota Colony for Epilectics, it became a state hospital for the developmentally disabled and for those with “mental deficiencies” in 1949; it reached its peak population of 2008 in the 1960s. In 1972, a class action suit was filed against the state’s six State Hospitals by the parents of some of the residents ” who felt that the conditions, care, treatment and training did not meet constitutional standards” (this photo says why). This started a movement to move individuals with developmental disabilities into community settings such as group homes where they might live as independently as possible,... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964133 Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:43:10 +0100 1964133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964135&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FH2nOs6vw9sI%2F Neurologist Oliver Sacks wrote about animal scientist professor Temple Grandin as an “anthropologist on Mars” and she has referred to herself as an anthropologist from Mars“—-last night, we went to Mars. Ok, it was Mars 2112 on 51st and Broadway in Manhattan, a “space-themed restarant” that is (according to its website) a “spectacular mingling of fantasy and reality, a 35,000-square-foot, bi-level, multi-dimensional, immersive environment that catapults travelers to a completely new world.” That is: A below-ground restaurant in midtown Manhattan with the usual kidfood and a lot of glowing red lights emanating from the floor via grills and out from behind some clearly synthetic Mars-sort of rock formations on the walls, and a couple of Martian... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964135 Sat, 15 Nov 2008 08:03:46 +0100 1964135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1962547&cid=t_100796_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fresearch-bytes-3-friday-pm-intelligence.html Friday afternoon factor analysis fest!I just posted information on a CFA study examining the constructs of broad cognitive processing speed (Gs) and sustained attention (SA).  A few other factor-analysis based articles caught my eye in my e-inbox.Blaga et al. have an "in press" study in the journal Intelligence that examined the continuity of the structure of cognitive development from infancy to preschool with a longitudinal research design.  Support was found for strong continuity of cognitive development.  To learn more...Also in press in Intelligence is a very intriguing article by Demetriou et al. that attempts to go beyond the hot research topic/hypothesis that fluid reasoning (Gf) or g (general intelligence) may be strongly influenced by working memory (Gsm-MW) and indirectly by ... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1962547 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:23:00 +0100 1962547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1955301&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F3yhgrsgYScQ%2F Yes, I overparent. It often seems to me that it’s harder than not to do this when you’ve a child with a disability. In yesterday’s Arizona Daily Star Johanna Eubanks writes about the ongoing difficulties that she, and other mothers of autistic children, have to take time for themselves; to take care of themselves. Of course, there are marked differences in the overparenting I’m talking about, and the “helicopter”/”hothouse”/”death-grip” parenting parents who aim every effort from pregnancy on to making sure their child will be material for the Ivies as described by Joan Acocella in the November 17th New Yorker. Overparenting is kind of a way of life around here, whether in directing your every energy to taking care of a disabled s... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1955301 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:36:55 +0100 1955301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1955302&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FU0JXO9naSBA%2F As I note regularly here, finding the right school and teachers for Charlie, and making sure the education he’s receiving is appropriate, challenging, tailored to his needs, are our constant concern. ABC News visits the Community School in Decatur, Georgia; the school was the subject of a recent article in the New York Times magazine. The school doesn’t seem quite suited to what Charlie might need, but the focus on educating older—adolescent, teenaged—autistic students really interests me. Sometimes it seems the last time that most of us felt sort of confident that we had an idea about the right sort of educational setting and programming for Charlie was when he was preschool age—–elementary and now middle school remain territory for which there’s ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1955302 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:57:14 +0100 1955302 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1955304&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FT-CElDbvRR4%2F Teachers need autism training, as Cam Ward writes in the November 11th Shelby County Reporter (Alabama). Ward suggests that one way to provide teacher training is by making use of ACCESS, a distance learning infrastructure. Yesterday’s Guardian also highlighted why there’s an immediate and seemingly ubiquitous need for training teachers about teaching autistic students. A report from the University of Birmingham’s Autism Centre for Education and Research “shows that too many teachers and support staff are unfamiliar with the needs of autistic children and struggle to teach them effectively”: …….instead of recognising the atypical development of children and young people on the autistic spectrum, teachers tend to view them through a “typical l... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1955304 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:16:10 +0100 1955304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1951987&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FGJcL7nX_Gww%2F No question that the prevalence of autism has increased significantly in the past couple of years. Rod Welford, the education minister of Queensland (Australia) attributes the rise in his state—which is, according to the Australia Broadcasting Corporation, “much higher” than in other states—–to “over-” and “mis” diagnosis. Parents, says Winter, are seeking an autism diagnosis falsely, so their children may “receive more resources from the Education Department.” Talking about “over-” and “mis” diagnosis of autism seems quite opposed to the argument that rise in the prevalence rate is due to a better understanding and identification of autism, and to better diagnosis—-somehow I don’t think f... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1951987 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:20:59 +0100 1951987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1951989&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FPFNDJmYLcX0%2F In just about one month, I turn 40. Charlie is 11 1/2—-so when I’m 50, he’ll be 21, and when I’m 65, he’ll be 36, almost as old as I am now. Where will he be living? (With us?) What will he be doing? (School will be long over.) What opportunities will there be for him, or not? Yesterday’s Bergen Record describes Debbie Legutko, whose two adults sons—24-year-old Derek and 21-year-old Frank—live with her and her husband. Derek is autistic and holds two part-time jobs. Frank requires intensive medical care and is on a ventilator and oxygen. The Bergen Record notes that some 8,000 individuals with developmental disabilities are on the waiting list for residential supports and services at New Jersey’s Department of Human Services’ Division... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1951989 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:31:27 +0100 1951989 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1927853&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F02%2Ffruit-flies-like-a-banana%2F “Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.” Some of my special interests are insects, science and special education. The three subjects rarely intersect, but you can bet that when they do, it’s going to be interesting! Populist politics is once again — or rather — still degenerating into vast bogs of anti-intellectualism.  As [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1927853 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:11:34 +0100 1927853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1870895&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F11%2Fthe-sum-of-good-intentions%2F Feel free to insert the more familiar or acceptable word of your choice.  But regardless of your word choice, the equation stands: Good Intentions plus Bullshit still equals Bullshit It doesn’t matter if you are a parent earnestly trying to help your child improve lagging developmental skills — if the information you are disseminating to newbies or [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1870895 Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:55:21 +0100 1870895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1868578&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fweym2Zyqu54%2F This post references an article from back in May in the Herald Tribune, but the topic is as timely as ever: Have you ever visited your child’s classroom and noted that the aide your child most liked is long gone, and that there’s at least one new aide, if not two? The Herald Tribune notes that there have been at least four substitute teachers for students in a special ed class, after their teacher was arrested on allegations of child abused in February. The article comments on the high turnover rate of special education teachers: The turnover rate among special-needs teachers is one of the highest in the profession, with Florida losing about 14 percent of the educators in this area each year. The high stress of the job, along with what teachers say is limited support and resour... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1868578 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:00:49 +0100 1868578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1844655&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34743&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDevelopingIntelligence%2F%7E3%2F407622927%2Fquick_whats_closer_to_1150_150.php If you said 1/1000, you've given the answer provided more often by second graders than by undergraduates. And you're also right. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Developing Intelligence) Developing Intelligence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1844655 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:51:53 +0100 1844655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1834593&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34743&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDevelopingIntelligence%2F%7E3%2F404014035%2Fsocial_vs_cognitive_developmen.php My friend Geoff once said that "all cognition is social." Smugly, I reminded myself that the conclusions of cognitive psychologists are drawn on evidence where social cues are kept constant. But even in the absence of confounding social cues, perhaps the underlying cognitive processes themselves are caused by social factors. A great example of this comes from today's issue of Science, in which Topal et al describe how a well known "cognitive" phenomenon - perseveration - may be dramatically influenced by social cues. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Developing Intelligence) Developing Intelligence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1834593 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:32:45 +0100 1834593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1806351&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F51Lp1emZfis%2F In a speech on Monday in Golden, Colorado, Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin noted that, along with energy policy and government reform, “special needs” would be one of the issues she would focus on, should she and Senator John McCain be elected. The September 17th, Education Week notes that Gov. Palin’s reference to “special needs” is followed by mention of curing “our most dreaded diseases.” Here’s what she said: I’ve told Senator McCain a few things I’ve learned as a senator and as a mom. Ever since I took the chief executive’s job up north, I’ve pushed for more funding for students with special needs. It’s touched my heart for years, especially about 13 years ago with the beautiful addition to our exten... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1806351 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:30:20 +0100 1806351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1806255&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2F395411701%2F URL: http://www.scilife.net/SciLife provides a map of the scientific landscape enabling the research community to connect and to profit of interdisciplinarity in an easy way. For: Clinicians, Researchers, Students, TeachersTopics: Developmental, General Psychology, General Science, Medico-Legal, Research Methods, Research ProgramFeatures: Articles, Community and Social NetworkingSciLife provides a map of the scientific landscape enabling the research community to connect and to profit of interdisciplinarity in an easy way. In close cooperation with Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden we developed this platform. And here it is: SciLife - made by scientists for the scientific community. Made for you! So what can you do on SciLife? Based on the functionaliti... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1806255 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:01:37 +0100 1806255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1794452&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fg4QEL322p8M%2F Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin on the issues she intends to focus on should John McCain and her be elected in November, from Jonathan Martin’s blog on today’s Washington Examiner: “John and I have worked out a plan, what I want to concentrate on and what he would like to kind of tap into me to help with,” Palin said at a rally just outside Denver this morning. “My mission is going to energy security and government reform. And another thing near and dear to my heart, it’s going to be helping families who have special needs and children with special needs. And we’re going to be pushing for innovative cures for diseases.” Martin notes that Palin has a child with Down Syndrome and an autistic nephew. From her statement, it seems that she views w... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1794452 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:50:35 +0100 1794452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1791670&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F-68Poq4J5Co%2F The September 13th St. Paul Pioneer Press notes this about Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s “track record” on spending for special needs: In the budget she signed into law earlier this year, Palin approved a dramatic raise in spending on children who have what Alaska officials call “intensive needs,” including children who need nurses full time or cannot breathe without ventilators. When Palin took office, the state was spending $27,000 a year on each such child. The budget she signed this year raises funding to $49,000 per child. In three years, the amount will rise to $74,000, roughly equal to the $75,000 a year cost of educating such children. The public school teachers union in Alaska, the National Education Association-Alaska, has lauded Palin&#8... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1791670 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:05:23 +0100 1791670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1739255&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F8vsnPES5KVk%2F Hillary Clinton mentioned autism in her speech at the Democratic National Convention and, last night, Bill Clinton did too (”I will never forget the parents of children with autism and other severe conditions who told me on the campaign trail that they couldn’t afford health care and couldn’t qualify their kids for Medicaid unless they quit work or got a divorce”). Will Obama; will McCain…….. More than sadly, the mother with cancer and two adopted autistic children mentioned by Hillary Clinton has died. Tags: Adoption, asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, bald, barack obama, cancern, democracts, democratic convention, developmental disability, Disability Rights, Family, hillary clinton, mothering blog, parent, parenting blog, pdd-nosShare This (Source: Au... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1739255 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:42:26 +0100 1739255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1734062&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FwNzVWBozA-8%2F Just after the introductory section of her speech at the Democratic Convention (transcript), as her first example of her “35 years in the trenches, advocating for children, campaigning for universal health care, helping parents balance work and family, and fighting for women’s rights here at home and around the world,” Hillary Clinton said: I will always remember the single mom who had adopted two kids with autism. She didn’t have any health insurance, and she discovered she had cancer. But she greeted me with her bald head, painted with my name on it, and asked me to fight for health care for her and her children. Comments Wonkette who liveblogged the Senator’s speech: A single mom, two kids, autism, cancer, painted bald head…This is the most tragic woman in Americ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1734062 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:10:50 +0100 1734062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1729481&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FHvTTDsgxWjU%2F After a priest filed a restraining order against the parents of 13-year-old Adam Race back in May, there was a lot of (often very heated) discussion about the exclusion and inclusion of autistic individuals in public spaces. The August 22nd Morning News reports on The Point at Bella Vista, a church meant for families with a relative who has special needs. Ginny Thornburgh, director of the American Association of People with Disabilities Interfaith Initiative in Washington, notes that “the trend is to acknowledge the gifts and challenges children and adults with disabilities bring to the congregation…….. All people of all faiths have a right to be honored and welcomed - a right to worship, study, serve and learn.” Hope that this is a trend that will certainly continu... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1729481 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:30:48 +0100 1729481 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1709267&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F3lR9qZ90FKY%2F This Associated Press story about autistic children and disruptive behavior has been making the rounds of news outlets and websites—-Jen Miller of Tacoma, whose daughter is autistic, writes this in the News Tribune: ….it’s funny how easy it is for some to complain when they haven’t walked a day in an autistic parent’s shoes. Miller refers to a number of instances of autistic children whose “disruptive behavior” has been the subject of more than a little public discussion and judgment and reminds us, you just never know what might be going on. Tags: adam race, asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, California, catholic, developmental disability, dog, Family, father, mothering blog, New Jersey, parent, parenting blog, pdd-nos, ReligionShare This (Source: Autism Vox... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1709267 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 02:38:54 +0100 1709267 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1709289&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35131&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzoe.bromage.org%2Fnotes%2Farchives%2F2008_08.html%23004624 Zoë is going to a birthday party this weekend, for her friend, Charlie. They've been in the same class at school for three years now, so she really knows him well. She informed me today that he's her "boyfriend". I checked, and that's pretty much what she meant. She didn't mean "a friend who is a boy" she actually seems to have meant that he's her boyfriend. I'm okay with that. Charlie's a good kid, and I like his parents. We'll see how they're going when they get to high school or so. Today I gave her a skivvy (note to Americans: turtleneck sweater) to wear to school. Normally, she wears a short-sleeved sport shirt with a collar, with a windcheater (note to Americans: sweatshirt) over the top, but it's been quite cold and so I put out the skivvy, instead. I asked her just now if ... Zoe Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1709289 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:45:02 +0100 1709289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1704768&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FlAELNeJqbi0%2F In the ocean this morning with Charlie, I noted a boy about his age looking more than a few times in our direction. Charlie’s a super swimmer, and clearly comfortable in the water, and still has to have someone out there with him. This morning it was me. The waves were perfect—big but soft and just a bit cold—and Charlie was vocalizing his excitement, though not in words. After the other boy had looked in out direction a few times, I smiled and said, “Charlie’s autistic.” “Yes, my friend has a brother who has that,” said the boy. I asked how old he was; the boy said he was ten, same as himself, and that “all he does is play video games and beat people up.” “My son doesn’t do either of those,” I said, quickly, and... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1704768 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:30:31 +0100 1704768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1696268&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F11%2Fwhen-humor-is-not-a-laughing-matter%2F When we watch old movies or programs, read old books, listen to old audio recordings, it quickly become apparent that tastes in humor change, mostly due to evolving senses of what is appropriate for being laughed at. There are racist and sexist and disableist jokes that are only painful to hear, because it is embarrassing [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1696268 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:49:43 +0100 1696268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1693719&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FJ-k2zJE2LvE%2F Compassion Deficit Disorder is the title of an August 7th article by writer Judith Warner in the New York Times. Starting with Michael Savage’s over-the-top claims that autism is incorrectly diagnosed in 99% of cases and that it’s just a way to seek “undue sympathy, victim status, and services” for autistic children, Warner writes in the next paragraph about comments by Rick Davis, Senator John McCain’s campaign manager, last week about Barack Obama as ….[playing] “the race card” by noting that Republicans appeared to be trying to suggest to voters that the Democratic candidate “doesn’t look like all those other presidents on those dollar bills.” There’s a perception—amorphous and not fully acknowledged—out there, Warner writes, t... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1693719 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:07:07 +0100 1693719 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1692208&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F09%2Fnot-flapping-my-lips%2F (”Flapping one’s lips” is American slang meaning to stand around talking, usually about nothing important, or gossiping, e.g., the disdainful address, “Don’t you just be standing around there flappin’ your lips.” ) “All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” ~Edmund Burke “It is very tempting to take the side of [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1692208 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 05:08:23 +0100 1692208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1689058&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F07%2Fthe-crystal-ball-crackd%2F The Kid recently took the ACT test, which like the SAT, is frequently used by colleges to determine scholastic abilities, and in his case helped place him for which college writing class he needed.  He had to ask his sister what the test was like, and her impressions about its difficulty level.  I could not [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1689058 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:42:44 +0100 1689058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1642718&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F341892300%2F Now we’ve got the New York Times weighing in on radio host Michael Savage’s savage language about “bratty” autistic kids. As About.com notes, Savage is “successfully sucking time, money and energy” from the autism community (and sucking in ratings, I would think). All I can say again is, ’nuff said! And, we have found the actual parasite. Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, buckhead, catholic, church, developmental disability, Disability Rights, exclusion, Family, father, matt savage, mothering blog, parent, parenting blog, pdd-nos, StereotypesShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1642718 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:00:03 +0100 1642718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1634974&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F338807823%2F It seems no wonder that right wing talker Michael Savage’s last name is, well, “Savage” after reading what he said about autism on his radio show. I’ll list the words he uses to refer to autism: moron, putz, idiot, fool, dummy, a girl, losers, beaten men More of Savage’s savagery is quoted on Left Brain/Right Brain. If Savage’s intent was to shock, using such words about autistic children is a no-brainer way to do it and perhaps ratings will spike as rightfully indignant autistic self-advocates and parents of autistic children respond. What troubles me in particular is Savage’s contention that autistic children are just brats behaving badly, and brats parented by laissez-faire “let it be” types of parents, especially in the wake of more... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1634974 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:22:44 +0100 1634974 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1634977&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F338213731%2F A Georgia mother and her daughters were kicked out of a Jackson restaurant because one daughter, 4-year-old Alyssa, who is autistic, was crying. Another customer—-Jackson Police Chief Dennis Rushton, it turned out—-said that her crying was “‘beginning to make [his] head hurt.’” Excluded, again. Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, buckhead, developmental disability, Family, father, georgia, mothering blog, parent, parenting blog, pdd-nos, restaurantShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1634977 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:08:58 +0100 1634977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1605961&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F332514633%2F I’ve started teaching summer school, in a special program for local high school students and a course on translating Virgil’s Eclogues. The Eclogues are pastoral poems about shepherds and poetry and…….ok, that’s a bit too far from the usual discussion on this blog. The other class is on Psychology and Literature and, as of today, we’ve read this, this, and this, and discussed Freud’s theories of psychosexual development (the oral stage, the anal stage…..) and Erik Erikson’s 8 stages of psychosocial development—-and I’ve been reflecting on how different Charlie’s development has been. I know that these theories are “just” theories; that they’re grids for stages and norms that no actual human being can ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1605961 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:51:57 +0100 1605961 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1596497&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35131&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzoe.bromage.org%2Fnotes%2Farchives%2F2008_07.html%23004574 Tonight we had reason to go to the customer service counter at the grocery store. As we were standing there, Zoë said, "Oh, I'm so scared!" I asked her why. She said, "I'm scared of the poison smoke." She was looking at the cigarettes. (Source: Zoe Notes) Zoe Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1596497 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:12:44 +0100 1596497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1552969&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2F321830408%2F URL: http://www.preventionaction.org/RSS: http://www.preventionaction.org/blog/feedPrevention Action is an online news publication reporting internationally on innovation and effectiveness among programs for improving children’s health and development. For: Clinicians, Researchers, AnyoneTopics: Philosophy, Child and Adolescent, DevelopmentalFeatures: Community and Social Networking, Societal or Organizational Membership, Articles, Commentary and Blogs, Information, Public Events, Research, Research Commentary (Source: PsychSplash) PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1552969 Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:45:38 +0100 1552969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1522064&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2F312618194%2F URL: http://www.my-incite.co.uk/index.htmlUK-based Incite provides training opportunities in the emerging fields of infant mental health, attachment, child and adolescent development, conduct disorder and substance abuse. For: CliniciansTopics: Attachment, Child and Adolescent, Developmental, Substance AbuseFeatures: Training (Source: PsychSplash) PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1522064 Sun, 15 Jun 2008 22:56:09 +0100 1522064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1643158&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=37784&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogcast.psychblog.co.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fcasts%2FBBCKittyGenovese.mp3 BBC Radio 4 is currently running an interesting series of programmes on classic and influential studies in psychology - all are interesting - but some are more appropriate to OCR than others. Already the series has covered the story of Kitty Genovese and Freud’s work with Little Hans. I’ve been listening to them today and they’re actually very good overviews of the two studies; the one on Genovese discusses the more recent findings that cast doubt on the original ‘38 people didn’t do anything’ hypothesis which is so disturbing. If you missed them on the BBC you can ‘listen again’ and hear the programmes again - and I’m in the process of saving these for use in class and as soon as I have done this I will get them up on PsychClips for al... PsychBLOG.co.uk blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1643158 Fri, 30 May 2008 20:46:28 +0100 1643158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1643159&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=37784&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fpsychblog%2F%7E3%2F299160779%2Fdont-be-a-bozo-390.html We all love and adore the Bandura’s study looking at the imitation of aggression in young children and if you’re anything like me it’s a great chance to get a ‘bobo’ doll and Sock him in the nose! For the last two years I’ve had to cope with a ‘Bob the Builder’ one but now we’re all in with the chance to get hold of a bona fide (well almost) Bozo doll just like the one that he used. OCR have 25 of these Bozo Dolls up for grabs and all you have to do to enter is get over to their ‘campaign site‘ where there’s loads of other free stuff for the new specification and pop your details into the little box. It’s as easy as that. I really want one of these - well actually I did try to buy one from the USA but it still h... PsychBLOG.co.uk blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1643159 Tue, 27 May 2008 15:37:05 +0100 1643159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1461031&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F295216806%2F Enough about exclusion—–tonight at 5.30 pm and at 8.00pm at the JCC in Manhattan, a film called Including Samuel will be shown. The film “examines the social and educational inclusion of youth with disabilities”; filmmaker (and Samuel’s father) Dan Habib, a nationally renowned photojournalist, will be present for a Q & A session. (Go here to read Habib’s thoughts on the film.) Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, autismadam race, California, catholic, developmental disability, dog, Family, father, mothering blog, movie, New Jersey, new york, parent, parenting blog, pdd-nos, ReligionShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1461031 Wed, 21 May 2008 18:00:49 +0100 1461031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1458602&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F294840733%2F Exclusion of autistic individuals from public places has been under heavy discussion in the wake of a Minnesota priest filing a restraining order against the parents of an autistic 13-year-old, Adam Race. In a short essay at the start of the guide Autism and Faith: A Journey Into Community entitled “Open the Door,” Linda Walder Fiddle writes: In 1993, when my son, Danny, was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) (that I later learned meant he was autistic), my first thought was not to run to my local synagogue for support……….. When I reflect back now I realize that the reason I did not look to my faith community for support was that I just couldn’t deal with the possibility of rejection. Quite frankly it was challenging enough to navigate... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1458602 Wed, 21 May 2008 07:03:06 +0100 1458602 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454775&cid=t_100796_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F294222743%2F The bill, which will be called the Access, Compassion, Care and Ethics for Seriously Ill Patients Act, would provide terminally ill patients with access to treatments prior to FDA approval. The legislation is being co-sponsored by Sam Brownback, a Republican Senator from Kansas, and Dianne Watson, a California Democrat in the House, who plan a Wednesday morning press conference in Washington DC. The effort comes after the US Supreme Court this past January refused to review a ruling that terminally ill patients have no constitutional right to be treated with experimental drugs even if that means the patient will likely die before the medicine is approved. Last August, a federal appeals court sided with the FDA and decided the government may deny access to drugs that have not gone through ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454775 Tue, 20 May 2008 11:43:40 +0100 1454775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1417882&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F282377329%2F That’s the question I keep seeming to run into among parents: Where to live to get the best possible services for an autistic child? Over at About.com, Lisa Jo Rudy asks where should families move for better autism resources and notes that “in the United States, autism resources vary radically from state to state, county to county, and even town to town.” (She notes that she has heard “good things” about New Jersey (where we live now; my husband is a native); Minnesota (where Charlie was diagnosed); and North Carolina (where Charlie has yet to visit….). Today’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution also asks “where are the best schools for autism around Atlanta.” And needless to say the search for a school to educate autistic children is hardly ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1417882 Fri, 02 May 2008 21:58:16 +0100 1417882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1392543&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Ftues-crash-bang-wallop.html Definitionwal·lop (wlp) Informalv. wal·loped, wal·lop·ing, wal·lops1. To beat soundly; thrash.2. To strike with a hard blow.3. To defeat thoroughly.To be a parent is to be ever vigilant, or rather, there is some combination of parental supervision and child development that will ensure that the fledgling eventually reaches adulthood. The trick, is to know what that combination might be?Many parents curl themselves into a question mark, hook their fingers through their babies’ and guide their first tentative steps. Some parents remain in this unnatural position for more years than is commonplace. These parents deserve a special label, neurotic or over protective come to mind. Every so often, these parents need a reality check.When my first daughter was born I admit that I was over pr... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1392543 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:13:00 +0100 1392543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1386868&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F274318838%2F Autism is often referred to as the “fastest growing developmental disability” in the US—-but is it (as today’s WINK news in Florida says) the “fastest-growing disability in the US? Tags: asd, asperger, autism, developmental disabiltiy, Diagnosis, disability, florida, Health, pdd-nos, StatisticsShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1386868 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:13:26 +0100 1386868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1385437&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F273646154%2F Is there an autism epidemic and why does it matter if there is, or isn’t? Do you show you’re “aware” with a car magnet, a wristband, a ribbon? More from last week: New Findings on Genetic Link Between Autism and Mitochondrial Disease Researchers at Medical Neurogenetics have found that there may be a genetic link between autism and mitochondrial disease, “a muscle-weakening disorder.” Just a Couple of Characters in the City On foot, in the subway, by car, beside the water: We spend a sunny Saturday in New York City. The Claim of the Autism Epidemic Is there truly some epidemic of autism caused by some external, environmental agent? Or, can the change be accounted for by diagnostic substitution, by our being better able and equipped to identify, diagnose, an... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1385437 Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:45:51 +0100 1385437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1380564&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F272476904%2F The state of New Jersey’s Department of Human Services is being sued by a legal advocacy group, New Jersey Protection and Advocacy Inc., for violating the rights of over 8000 developmental disabled people who have been waiting (over a decade, in some cases) to move into government-supported community housing. The department has a waiting list for housing, but few people ever leave the list except under emergency circumstances, as when a parent becomes ill or dies. From today’s Star-Ledger: “These individuals have been for years diverted to a so-called ‘wait-list’ for such services, with no guarantee, and little hope, of accessing the services they need,” said R. Scott Thompson of Lowenstein Sandler, which is representing the federally funded legal rights... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1380564 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:36:11 +0100 1380564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1643164&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=37784&url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.videoegg.com%2Fted%2Fmovies%2FSUSANSAVAGERUMBAUGH-2004_high.flv The question as to whether humans are the only ones on this planet who have the ability to comprehend and use language has been of great argument since the beginning of psychology. At the moment we follow the progression of Washoe (RIP) and her ‘learning’ of American Sign Language and with the arrival of the new 2008 specification we will see Kanzi’s abilities using a lexicon (click for image). Is it possible to teach a chimp to use a form of language to communicate? What are the boundaries of language? How do we interpret language? Kanzi understands thousands of words and he uses sentences, talks on the phone, and likes to gossip. In short, he uses language in many of the same ways humans do. But, that’s not supposed to be possible. Since the 1950s, linguists inclu... PsychBLOG.co.uk blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1643164 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:23:21 +0100 1643164 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1320560&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fphoto-op-for-old-battleaxe.html I notice an alarming new trend. Some little thief keeps pinching the digital camera. The result? When I load a new batch of photos onto the computing I come face to face with this tattered old woman, the poster child for "frownies." She always has the same slightly blurred expression, one claw hand extended in a reach to snaffle back the ownership of the camera.In an ideal world, this is a battle I should win because he is snapping photos whilst running backwards. Meanwhile I shall continue to fight my attitude if it continues to be captured on celluloid.Today I am also over "here" at "Trusera" with "For Frantic Parents."If you like what you read, send it to someone in 'need.' (Source: Whitterer on Autism) Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1320560 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:02:00 +0100 1320560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1643176&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=37784&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fpsychblog%2F%7E3%2F241971544%2Focr-psychology-for-as-with-dynamic-learning-cd-342.html Hodder Education presents OCR Psychology for AS a brand new text for the 2008 OCR AS Psychology specification, covering all 15 core studies, contextualising, presenting and evaluating each study in full, in order to make it relevant to the student. The textbook is highly accessible and readable, with useful guidance on comparing studies, applying themes, and learning key concepts and terminology. Each study is introduced in detail, with background, aims and methods to fully contextualise it and the book comes complete with a Dynamic Learning CD-ROM for students and a Dynamic Learning Network Edition CD-ROM for teachers. Fully tailored to the new 2008 OCR Psychology specification this resource is supported by Student CD-ROM and a Network Edition CD-ROM for teachers. Both the book and the s... PsychBLOG.co.uk blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1643176 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 08:28:19 +0100 1643176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1250214&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F02%2F22%2Fnot-so-lucky%2F The other day at the college I was waiting for an elevator (lift). It’s rather slow, but a sleet storm was heading in and I was especially achy. Just a few feet away was a bulletin board for a program the college runs, including a series of non-credit weekend classes for people [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1250214 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:31:10 +0100 1250214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1207500&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35131&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzoe.bromage.org%2Fnotes%2Farchives%2F2008_02.html%23004442 We went to church this evening for a sausage and pancake dinner (well, it is Shrove Tuesday, after all). Before we went, I went into my room to have a poke through my jewellery box. Zoë came to see what I was doing and then went to her own room and got her jewellery box. She emerged a few minutes later wearing a bracelet, a ring, a necklace, and, of course, earrings (she has pierced ears now and wears sleeper hoop earrings most of the time; she knows not to try to change them by herself). Announced Zoë, "I gots my jewelleries for to go to church!" And she put her "jewelleries" away when she got ready for bed, too! (Source: Zoe Notes) Zoe Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1207500 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:46:16 +0100 1207500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1149831&cid=t_100796_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F216486922%2F The Supreme Court refused this morning to review a ruling that terminally ill patients have no constitutional right to be treated with experimental drugs — even if that means the patient will likely die before the medicine is approved, the Associated Press reports. Last August, a federal appeals court sided with the FDA and decided the government may deny access to drugs that have not gone through extensive testing and received FDA approval, a process that can take years and, sometimes, angering cancer patients who are frustrated by FDA decisions, such as the controversy over the Provenge prostate cancer vaccine. The Abigail Alliance for Better Access to Developmental Drugs and the Washington Legal Foundation sued the FDA in 2003, seeking access for terminally ill patients to drugs that ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1149831 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:40:23 +0100 1149831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1146542&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=35666&url=http%3A%2F%2Fphineasgage.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F01%2F11%2Flearning-to-recognise-faces-perceptual-narrowing%2F That image certainly piques your interest, doesn’t it? Sugita (2008) was interested in addressing one of the ancient debates in face perception: the role of early experience versus innate mechanisms. In a nutshell, some investigators hold that face perception is a hardwired process, others that every apparently special face perception result can be explained by invoking the massive expertise we all possess with faces, compared to other stimuli. Finally, there is some support for a critical period during infancy, where a lack of face exposure produces irreparable face recognition deficits (see for example Le Grand et al, 2004). Unfortunately, save for a few unfortunate children who are born with cataracts, there is no real way to address this question in humans. Enter the monkeys, and... The Phineas Gage Fan Club blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1146542 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:38:48 +0100 1146542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1130977&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F01%2F04%2Fmeds-proven-ineffective-for-aggression-in-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities%2F Despite their widespread use amongst doctors who treat adults with developmental disabilities and mental retardation, a new study has found that a specific type of psychiatric medication — antipsychotics — to be ineffective in helping reduce these individuals’ aggressive behavior. Antipsychotics are generally not FDA-approved for the treatment of aggressive behavior, this has simply been an off-label and common practice by many physicians for years. The researchers followed 86 non-psychotic people with an intellectual disability (what we in the U.S. would term either a developmental disability or mental retardation) and aggressive or challenging behaviors. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups — an older antipsychotic (Haldol), a newer at... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1130977 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 01:43:56 +0100 1130977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1129412&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35131&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzoe.bromage.org%2Fnotes%2Farchives%2Fcat_speech_and_developmental_skills.html%23004404 For the past couple of days, Zoë and Miranda have been playing pirates, which mostly means they've been searching for treasure. This, happily, is some trinket or the paper treasure chest Zoë constructed of pink paper and sticky tape (she's extremely clever that way), and they're not rummaging around in my jewellery boxes or the closets or anything. Today, Zoë was playing with a tall, blue duster. You know, a stick with fuzzy stuff on it that you use to dust. One of those. I thought she was using it as a "feathersword" (like Capt Feathersword of The Wiggles), but as I watched her, she was holding it in front of her toward the ground and making a beeping noise. I finally asked her what it was. She informed me it was a "hunting finder". I then observed that when she "found" t... Zoe Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1129412 Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:46:01 +0100 1129412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1128681&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34743&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDevelopingIntelligence%2F%7E3%2F210625949%2Fbad_science_vindicating_cognit.php Over New Year's I had a brief discussion with a condensed-matter physicist who proclaimed that 1) "some developmental research is amazingly bad" and that 2) "they think they can tell what a baby has learned from what direction it looks," topping it all off with 3) "you guys don't even know what learning is!" I won't argue with the first point (there are bad researchers in every field, even condensed matter physics), and I'm too lazy to bother with the third (although the 2000 Nobel prize committee might disagree), but the second point - on the technique of preferential looking - I just can't disregard. Complaints about the rigor of developmental cognitive psychology are surprisingly common (e.g.), but all too often unjustified. Using this comment about the preferential looking paradigm ... Developing Intelligence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1128681 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:21:48 +0100 1128681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1126166&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34743&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDevelopingIntelligence%2F%7E3%2F210042086%2Fis_play_rational.php Play is more often simply observed than studied scientifically - play behaviors occur unpredictably and, when they do occur, are highly chaotic, making it very difficult to study them in the laboratory. Despite these challenges, new work is beginning to make play accessible from a rigorous scientific framework. For example, a recent article by Schulz & Bonawitz takes Piaget's notion of play as a mechanism for understanding causal relationships and recasts it into a testable prediction: children should be more likely to play with an object about which they have incomplete or confounded evidence. To test the idea, Schulz & Bonawitz carefully crafted two toys in the form of a simplified jack-in-the-box: each toy consisted of a box with a puppet inside; the puppet could be made to emerge fro... Developing Intelligence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1126166 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:54:25 +0100 1126166 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1123352&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35084&url=http%3A%2F%2Fballastexistenz.autistics.org%2F%3Fp%3D478 Just for reference, the former Left Brain/Right Brain group blog has been moved to Grey Matter/White Matter, with permission of the prior owner. The prior posters that could be found and who still want to blog there are still there. The name change is so people will know it’s under new management, but also to be in the same spirit as the original name. (Source: Ballastexistenz) Ballastexistenz blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1123352 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:31:46 +0100 1123352 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1123355&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F209125711%2F “We’re not required to provide the absolute best treatment.” So the December 30th Reno Gazette-Journal quotes Wendy Whipple, early intervention coordinator with EIS (Nevada’s Early Intervention Services), in an article entitled Parents Contend State Fails Autistic Children. Overwhelmed by long waiting lists, the Nevada EIS “can’t serve all the children who already have therapy plans — a violation of federal law, officials admitted last month. ………But when it comes to autism, some parents complained that EIS provides a minimum of help.” A number of parents of autistic children contend that the EIS’ ” workers ignored symptoms, provided minimum and, in some cases, inappropriate services and obstructed parents&#8217... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1123355 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:21:12 +0100 1123355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1119291&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F12%2F27%2Fepidemiology-bass-ackwards%2F Again. A short news item caught my attention today. Unfortunately, it looks like a fabulous example of bad science, with lousy sampling methods, correllation trying to equal causality, and a heavy dose of confirmation bias. Add in a big dose of well-connected media personalities, and it’s absolute chum-bucket for indiscriminate news sharks. Dr Lawrence Rosen thinks [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1119291 Thu, 27 Dec 2007 18:23:36 +0100 1119291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1096205&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35131&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzoe.bromage.org%2Fnotes%2Farchives%2Fcat_speech_and_developmental_skills.html%23004359 Another Zoë story, that is, a story told by Zoë, which doesn't start where most people would think to start a story. Miranda: Zoë has stickers on her dress. Me: Zoë, what are the stickers for? Zoë: For the winner. Me: The winner? Did you win something? Zoë: I won at bingo. Me: Oh, bingo. Where you get the numbers in a row? Zoë: Yes, I got the numbers in a row two times. (And she had two stickers.) Now, that seems pretty minor, I know, but it was a full conversation with a child who really didn't speak at all until she was well over three years old. That, however, is beside the point. The thing with the story is that most people would start the conversation with, "We played bingo today," or "I won playing bingo," or similar. Even if they didn't think ... Zoe Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1096205 Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:44:55 +0100 1096205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1082928&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fautistic-children-seldom-lie.html It's one of those "Theory of Mind" hic-cups. Some prefer to call is guileless or innocence. They don't dissemble or sugar coat the truth. What you see is what you get, quite refreshing in some respects. It's one of those developmental milestones that some children never reach. I grit my teeth and book the Respite worker for the three hour minimum. Every thing has been planned with careful precision. The parent teacher conference is only half an hour. Superior being that I am, I cannot be in two places at one time. The babysitter will come 45 minutes early, 30 minutes to become familiar [ish] and 15 minutes to allow me to drive to school. 30 minutes conference, 15 minutes home. One and a half hours work for three hours pay. This is the kind of job I want.I brief her. My only requirement is... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1082928 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 16:52:00 +0100 1082928 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1072415&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35084&url=http%3A%2F%2Fballastexistenz.autistics.org%2F%3Fp%3D470 This post has been forming itself in my head ever since I went to both a DD self-advocacy conference and MIT within the same week last May. I’ve just for whatever reason not had the chance to actually write it. I really enjoyed spending time at MIT. People there accepted me more or less as I was, and accepted a lot of other disabled people as well. In fact, their entire Human 2.0 symposium, that happened while I was there, dealt with the fact that disabled people get a lot of technology before other people do, and was about how technology that could enhance everyone’s lives was being developed specifically for disabled people all the time. At some point there, I had a bad migraine and needed to lie down. They allowed me to lie down backstage under a table. I expressed fear over... Ballastexistenz blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1072415 Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:09:29 +0100 1072415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1067809&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35131&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzoe.bromage.org%2Fnotes%2Farchives%2Fcat_speech_and_developmental_skills.html%23004333 Zoë and I had an interesting conversation on Sunday, when it was just the two of us at home (Dad and sister went out to a concert Nanna was playing for; Zoë and I stayed home and chilled). She informed me that we need "a new baby". After making sure she meant a real baby and not a baby doll, I asked her where she thought we might get a new baby. She pointed to my belly. I smiled and asked her why she thought we needed a new baby, and she said, "Because Miranda and I aren't babies any more." She suggest that, "Next weekend, you could go to hospital," (which, of course, is where most people get their new babies). I did tell her that it takes more than a week for a baby to grow, but I'm not sure she was that interested in my explanation. She then went on to insist that the new b... Zoe Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1067809 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:44:49 +0100 1067809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1017633&cid=t_100796_109_f&fid=34743&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDevelopingIntelligence%2F%7E3%2F182227825%2Ffluid_intelligence_in_asperger.php Asperger's disorder is a subtype of autism, characterized by deficits in social interaction, delays in nonverbal communication and possibly also deficits in nonverbal IQ (such as on a test known as Block Design). However, a new study in Brain and Cognition challenges this latter claim - with surprising results. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Developing Intelligence) Developing Intelligence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1017633 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:10:09 +0100 1017633 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1003649&cid=t_100796_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F180026840%2F 21-year-old Devon Carmans has an apartment of his own in the federally subsidized ABC Apartments on Corte Arango in El Sobrante, California; he has a roommate and a regular support staff. Gannet is 22 years old and has physical and developmental disabilities; in the film The Key of G he moves out of his mother’s apartment and into a new living arrangement: ……he leaves his mother’s home to share an apartment with a close-knit group of artists and musicians who support him, not only as paid caregivers, but also as friends. Together they create a uniquely successful model of supported living, and a compelling alternative to institutionalized care. You can watch a trailer of The Key of G at the Lateral Films website; I’m intrigued from what I saw. Let me know if y... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1003649 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:09:42 +0100 1003649