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 'disabilities'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:53:19 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169544&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F8O-7TWWsOwk%2F More than 1.7 million Americans are currently living with limb loss, and each year, more than 150,000 more face either full or partial amputation. For many of these people, the option of prosthetics proves invaluable, allowing them to maintain their quality of life. And now, other members of the animal kingdom are getting in on the act! As HuffPost’s Weird News reports, Winter the dolphin, of Clearwater Beach, Fla. is one such fortunate recipient of a prosthetic limb. Winter, who lost her tail to a crab trap at only three months old, had her quality of life restored when experts from Hanger Prosthetics were able to successfully design her a prosthetic tail. For her part, Winter earned a starring role in the forthcoming Warner Brothers film, Dolphin Tale. You can read the full HuffPost st... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169544 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:00:10 +0100 5169544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159201&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F24%2Fis-it-really-mind-over-matter-the-mind-and-body-are-one%2F You have probably heard the phrase mind over matter, which implies the mind and matter are separable.  Or maybe you have heard it’s all in your head, or it’s mental.  Both of these phrases imply the separation of mind and brain (or body). So to explore this issue, I’d like to share some videos that discuss the unity of mind-body.  They can help us better understand how inseparable the mind and brain (body) really are. Mind vs. Brain: In the above video, Yale psychologist Paul Bloom says, “The mind is a product of the brain.  The mind is what the brain does.” Can we overload our brains? Steven Pinker, a scientist at Harvard, discusses the mind-brain myth in the video above.   Substance Dualism *Mirror* This is an excellent video (above) that discusses and re... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159201 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:29:31 +0100 5159201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139619&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F19%2F15321%2F Title: Access to Work and Driver Support  Scan or click to download ‘Access to Work and Driver Support’ The Skinny: Report from ecdp which notes a recent change to Access to Work guidance means that people who receive ‘driver support’ from their Personal Assistant can no longer receive that support if the PA is using their own car. This leaves Access to Work users with the following options in order to maintain their employment arrangements: To insure their PA to drive the Access to Work user’s own car (if they have one) Have their PA insured on a company car provided by the Access to Work user’s employer Use a taxi. This change has been reflected in guidance issued to Access to Work advisers, and has already started to take effect for people who receive Access to... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139619 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:38:49 +0100 5139619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008450&cid=t_105409_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fim1unD-albg%2F Great article in the Wall Street Journal today: Unlocking Dyslexia in Japanese. Quotes: - “Experiences like that of the Lundays are providing scientists and educators with clues about how people with dyslexia learn and how best to teach them. Researchers have long observed that some dyslexics have an easier time with languages like Japanese and Chinese, in which characters represent complete words or ideas, than they do with languages like English, which use separate letters and sounds to form words.“ – “Learning experts don’t suggest that studying Chinese or Japanese will help dyslexics learn to read English; there’s no getting around the fact that reading English well requires being able to identify and blend sounds. But improved understanding of the way dyslexics absorb char... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008450 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:56:17 +0100 5008450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952800&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FofDEWKTgXJc%2F By Walter OlsonIn today’s decision in Wal-Mart v. Dukes, the Supreme Court unanimously found that the Ninth Circuit had jumped the gun in certifying what would have been one of the largest class actions in history, a job-bias action against the giant retailer on behalf of female employees. A five-justice majority led by Justice Scalia found that the plaintiffs had clearly not met the requirements needed to have the case certified for class treatment; four dissenters led by Justice Ginsburg would have sent the case back for more consideration. While some press commentary simplistically treated this case as a “Which Side Are You On” parable of workplace sexism, both the majority and the dissent spend much time grappling with more lawyerly issues specific to class actions a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952800 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:57:44 +0100 4952800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4762849&cid=t_105409_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F8izzhHbkdFE%2F Darold Treffert, M.D. is considered one of the foremost experts on savantism in the world. Dr. Treffert has published two books on savant syndrome: “Extraordinary People: Understanding Savant Syndrome” in 2006 and “Islands of Genius: The Bountiful Mind of the Autistic, Acquired and Sudden Savant” in 2010. […] In his efforts to raise public understanding about autism and savant syndrome he has regularly appeared on programs such as 60 Minutes, Oprah, Today, CBS Evening News and many others. Dr. Treffert was a technical consultant to the award-winning movie Rain Man that made “autistic savant” household terms and he maintains a very popular website at www.savantsyndrome.com hosted by the Wisconsin Medical Society. Dr. Treffert was gracious enough to have a wide-ranging conve... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4762849 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:06:39 +0100 4762849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734433&cid=t_105409_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FfyrcNn_z3M0%2F Nick Vujicic was born with no arms and no legs, and struggled through his formative years with self esteem. Realizing that his condition could inspire others, he started a non-profit organization called Life Without Limbs when he was 17, and even wrote a book with the same name. He was nominated in 2005 for the Young Australian of the Year Award, and is now a motivational speaker touring schools around the globe. He explains how hard someone may think they have it, but when they take a look at him, it seems to put everything in perspective. Vujicic’s main goal is for people to realize how important and precious they are, and to never think they’re less than worthy. On top of that, he has a wicked funny-bone. Watch Vujicic’s story and inspirational message below, and I def... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734433 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:58:55 +0100 4734433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734341&cid=t_105409_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fresearch-bytes-ms-gs-numerical.html Denney, D. R., Gallagher, K. S., & Lynch, S. G. (2011). Deficits in Processing Speed in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Evidence from Explicit and Covert Measures. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 26(2), 110-119Cognitive slowing in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been documented by numerous studies employing explicitly timed measures in which speed of responding is an obvious focus of task performance. The present study examined information processing speed in MS patients and controls with a computerized battery of covertly timed as well as explicitly timed measures. The explicit measures were derived from two tests requiring rapid serial processing of visual stimuli, the Stroop Test and a Picture Naming Test. Covert measures were derived from the Rotated Figures Test, ... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734341 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:10:00 +0100 4734341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684431&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F06%2Fshould-you-tell-your-employer-you-have-autism%2F April is Autism Awareness Month, and in helping to promote awareness of autism, I’m pleased to provide an excerpt from the book, Living Well on the Spectrum by author Valerie L. Gaus, Ph.D. The book is a self-help book that helps a person with an autism spectrum disorder identify life goals and the steps needed to achieve them. One of the concerns I often hear from people with an autism spectrum disorder is about work and their career. In fact, just last evening while hosting our weekly Q&A on mental health issues here at Psych Central, the question came up whether a person should tell a potential employer about their Asperger’s (the mildest form of autism). While I am not a lawyer, my suggestion was that it probably wasn’t relevant for many jobs and not something tha... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684431 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:16:41 +0100 4684431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4631569&cid=t_105409_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fdisabled-parking-about-to-take-a-hit-in-seattle%2F In a move parking officials in Seattle see as a way to “free up hundreds of [parking] spaces,” our city council is looking to limit free parking for people with legitimate disabling issues… in the neighborhoods around hospitals! According to flyers posted around the proposed “test” area, the city wants to impose a 4-hour limit on people who need extra time to get around because, “[Disabled parking] placards represent golden tickets to free parking, especially in downtown Seattle where monthly parking is so expensive.” Mr Mayor, City Council of Seattle: I am offended! So my disability – the medical condition that slows everything from my thinking to my ability to move around my city – is a Golden Ticket in your eyes?!?!?! Are You Kidding Me? Don’t get me wrong. I... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4631569 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:29:22 +0100 4631569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4605934&cid=t_105409_129_f&fid=27216&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifewithadhd.com%2Fadhd-research%2Fwhich-learning-disabilities-challenge-half-of-adhd-sufferers.php It is very common to have a learning disability together with ADHD. Research shows that thirty percent of people diagnosed with ADHD also have a learning disability. Beyond learning disabilities, over fifty percent of individuals suffering from ADHD have some other type of brain-based disorder; this explains why depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder and other similar disorders occur at an incidence that is higher than normal in ADD clients. One type of learning disability that almost every person with ADD will have is an integrative processing deficit. This is the ability to take in information, process it quickly and make use of it. Most people with ADD are either slower than others in performing this process, or have trouble performing it at all; it is not that they do not understa... Life With ADHD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4605934 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4605934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4580981&cid=t_105409_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fresearch-bytes-wisc-iv-adhddcd-rapid.html Double click on images to view larger versions of abstracts- 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 ADHD dyslexia temporal processing DCD WISC-IV 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=4580981 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 01:50:00 +0100 4580981 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4580893&cid=t_105409_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=4482880&cid=t_105409_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F02%2Ffyipost-70-dyslexia-support-links.html This is an FYI link request that may be of interest to IQs Corners readers, that comes from another blog, Onlinecollegecourses."Since we write in a similar niche, thought you might want to share a recent article of ours, "70 Excellent Links for Dyslexia Support", with your readers. .- 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=4482880 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 13:00:00 +0100 4482880 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424324&cid=t_105409_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fspecial-journal-issue-on-forensic.html Thanks to Karen Salekin for alerting me to a two-part special issue of Psychology, Crime and Law: Forensic Research in Offenders with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities. I've provided picture images of the table of contents below. The actual TOC and articles for the two issues can be accessed here and here.Double click on images to enlarge - 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 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=4424324 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:24:00 +0100 4424324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4382759&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fn4nr7ZdVKdM%2F Blogger Concetta Tomaino who participated in the December 1st Event is truly a disruptive woman as described in the post below.  By Hope Ditto. We’re used to our Disruptive Women bloggers being on the cutting edge in their fields and doing amazing things every day. We’re used to them saving lives, fighting for those without a voice and revolutionizing the world around us. Still, it’s not every day that a major motion picture being featured at the world-famous Sundance Film Festival is directly connected to their work. Not that we’re bragging, but we feel pretty fortunate to call Dr. Concetta Tomaino, D.A., MT-BC, LCAT, one of our own these days. Besides having her work featured in The Music Never Stopped (and having Julia Ormond, the actress playing the music therapist in the m... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4382759 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:01:15 +0100 4382759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4360982&cid=t_105409_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=4241678&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F08%2Fnursing-times-2010-vol-106-no-47%2F This article examines strategies for toilet training using a five step appraoch to achieve bladder and bowel control. Contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Assessment, Continence, Learning Disabilities (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241678 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:14:17 +0100 4241678 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4230156&cid=t_105409_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=4203228&cid=t_105409_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fresearch-byte-temporal-processing.html An interesting article suggesting that temporal processing (temporal sampling) may play a crucial roles in various forms of reading disabilities (dyslexia). IMHO this theory may explain a good portion of individuals with dyslexia, but no single theory or causal mechanism can account for the diversity of causes that have been suggested for severe reading disabilities. Nevertheless...the prominent role of temporal processing is interesing.As per usual when I make a research byte/brief post, if anyone would like to read the original article, I can share via email---with the understanding that the article is provided in exchange for a brief guest post about it's contents. :) (contact me at iap@earthlink.net if interested). Also, if figure/images are included in the post, they can usually be ma... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4203228 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 21:38:00 +0100 4203228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098059&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F21%2Fgeorgia-mental-health-joins-the-21st-century-with-settlement%2F I guess “better late than never” applies to how we, as a society, treat the chronically, seriously mentally ill, and those who are typically in lower socio-economic classes. Georgia joins the 21st century by agreeing to stop shuffling patients into its antiquated, poorly-funded state hospitals, and allowing patients instead to seek out and receive services within their own local community. This is apparently the first settlement with the federal government that invokes the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) to suggest that public inpatient psychiatric hospital care isn’t integrated within the community enough (at least in Georgia’s case). The agreement was reached as a settlement with the federal government to give patients more choices when it comes to how they r... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098059 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:10:51 +0100 4098059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3969001&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FpFZGiZAcU4Q%2F By Walter OlsonOn September 3 John Stossel’s Fox Business show took an unsparing look at the seldom-criticized Americans with Disabilities Act on its 20th anniversary (I was a guest commentator during part of the show, including this segment.) Now the American Association of Persons with Disabilities has reacted with outrage and urged its constituents to fire off protest letters to Stossel, to Fox, and also to me since my criticisms of the law were featured on the show. But it didn’t play fair. In a related syndicated column, after recounting some of the abuses and excesses associated with ADA litigation — including settlement mills that file assembly-line suits against Main Street businesses and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission demands that alcoholics in rehab be... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3969001 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:15:48 +0100 3969001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3969052&cid=t_105409_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=3965549&cid=t_105409_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fdissertation-dish-brief-neuropsych.html The objective of this study was to determine whether an abbreviated neuropsychological battery, decreasing both time and cost could effectively identify reading disorder. 78 children, ages 6-18, were administered the Woodcock Johnson Academic Achievement Scales, Third Edition (WJ-III) Broad Reading Index, the California Verbal Learning Test for Children (CVLT-C), the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), and the Matrix Reasoning, Similarities, Block Design, and Vocabulary subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children, Fourth Edition (WISC-IV). Of these 78 children 52 had been previously diagnosed with reading disorder, while the remaining 26 had no diagnosis. A discriminant function analysis resulted in a significant Wilks' Lambda and the abbreviated battery ... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3965549 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 05:16:00 +0100 3965549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3929220&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FfsrhCElgO7c%2F By Walter OlsonI’m a guest on tonight’s John Stossel program on the Fox Business Network, on the subject of the consequences of the twenty-year-old Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The show was shot live to tape yesterday in New York and was fascinating throughout; even those who think they know this subject well will learn a lot. I’m also quoted in John’s latest syndicated column on the same issue. Among the highlights of the taping: a disabled-rights lobbyist defended several extreme applications of the law, including the notion that it might be appropriate to force networks to hire someone who suffers from stuttering as on-air television talent. We also shed some light on the state of California’s up-to-$4,000-a-violation bounty system for freelancers... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3929220 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:33:06 +0100 3929220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3924943&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F01%2Fthe-r-word-sticks-stones-and-rosas-law%2F “What you call people is how you treat them. What you call my sister is how you will treat her. If you believe she’s ‘retarded’ it invites taunting, stigma. It invites bullying and it also invites the slammed doors of being treated with respect and dignity.” –14-year-old Nick Marcellino, Rosa’s brother, in testimony to the Maryland General Assembly Say what you will about New Jersey. Yeah, we are called the Soprano state, and, yeah, everyone in Jersey is rumored to have an attitude. You got a problem with that? But I couldn’t be more proud of its recent legislation. The U.S. Senate passed the bill known as Rosa’s Law in August 2010, and in September it goes before the House. Terms such as “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” will... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3924943 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:55:39 +0100 3924943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3920785&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F31%2Fnursing-times-2010-vol-106-no-31%2F This article discusses possible causes of this higher prevalence nad examines interventions to reduce obesity and associated risks. Contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Current Awareness, Journals, Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Cardiovascular Diseases, Care Pathways, Interventions, Learning Disabilities, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Obesity (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3920785 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:08:40 +0100 3920785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808667&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-doctors-feelings-about-caring-for-abnormal-kids%2F2010.08.01 I’ve been practicing for sixteen years now, doing both internal medicine and pediatrics. One of the joys of that is watching kids under my care grow up and not having to give up their care just because they get older. The spectrum is wide, with some kids growing up in “normal” families with “normal lives,” others in “abnormal” families, and yet others with inherently “abnormal” lives due to illness or disability. But the kids aren’t the only thing that has changed over the past sixteen years. Their doctor has changed as well. My comfort zones have widened, not getting rattled by “abnormal” as I once did. I used to feel uncomfortable with the mentally and emotionally disabled, now I am not. I used to feel sorry for parents with “abnormal” children. I used to feel... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808667 Sun, 01 Aug 2010 14:00:16 +0100 3808667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3798681&cid=t_105409_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2F20-years-on-what-has-the-americans-for-disability-act-done-for-me%2F I’m not going to lie to you. I began writing this blog over the weekend and it was supposed to be posted on Monday. I’ve had a very difficult time trying to find the right angle to address this week’s 20th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). There can be no doubt that the law has changed the very face of cities in which I’ve lived, sites I’ve frequented, and constructions projects with which I’ve been involved. I have also seen how non-compliance can adversely affect people more severely impacted with mobility issues than myself. How, though, have the pages of this important legislation, now two decades old, had an impact on me? I remember living in New England back in the 1980s, when our nephew would visit in his wheelchair, and how difficult old building... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3798681 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:18:22 +0100 3798681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790749&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F26%2F20-years-of-the-americans-with-disabilities-act%2F Twenty years ago, George W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a broad civil rights law that forbids discrimination based on any kind of disability — physical or mental. It gives similar protections against discrimination to Americans with disabilities as the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Some see it as a broad government boondoggle, but it’s the law that makes a simple thing like a curb cut a federal mandate because local governments just didn’t care about the people within their communities who live with a physical or mental disability. Navigating a crosswalk seems like such a simple thing for most of us. But try it in a wheelchair when the curbs don’t have ramps and suddenly it becomes an opportunity to be hit by a car. More importantly, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790749 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 01:35:39 +0100 3790749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790684&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FLwzsNG-0NUs%2F By Walter OlsonToday marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and celebratory discussions, events and rallies are underway (sometimes with taxpayer help) in Washington, D.C. and around the country. Few if any of the events will include any panelists who are skeptical about the law, and indeed much press coverage nowadays treats the ADA as if it were uncontroversial, with at best a nod to libertarian commentators who see it as a coercive and fabulously expensive government venture into what ought to be private decision-making. When Kentucky Senate candidate Rand Paul recently voiced some relatively mild criticism of the law, he drew heated criticism for days. Which is not to say the ADA and related legislation does not continue to generate startling and unsettling... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790684 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:42:03 +0100 3790684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776375&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FGenspaPxPc8%2F By Stephanie Mensh. During the next week or so, various Federal, state, and local government agencies as well as consumer organizations will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the landmark legislation, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990.  My husband suffered a stroke that resulted in speech and mobility impairments around the time that the ADA became law.  The ADA continues to help my husband and family by increasing awareness and accessibility for people with disabilities to fully participate in our community, to go to school, work, shop, movie theaters, restaurants, and hotels, to use public transportation, to access hospitals and health care, and to have a place to call “home.” The ADA rights also extend to caregivers of people with dis... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776375 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:36:27 +0100 3776375 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3761425&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FTPUSPtic6HM%2F By Santi Bhagat, MD.  It seems that children with chronic medical conditions and disabilities (CMCD) just disappear into thin air when they grow up.  No-one tracks these young people, so we have no idea what happens to them.  We don’t know if they have insurance and doctors; are sick and in emergency rooms; go to school and have jobs; and/or live independently and have social lives. It is estimated that 600,000 young people with CMCD enter adulthood every year, into a system devoid of any supports and services, a system that is completely unprepared for them.   To help improve things for children with CMCD as they transition into young adults , Physician-Parent Caregivers (PPC), is launching EMERGE–a new campaign  next week…stay tuned…I will be blogging mor... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3761425 Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:51:32 +0100 3761425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3733125&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F07%2Fa-not-so-random-act-of-kindness%2F “Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” – Anne Herbert Penn Station, New York City, noon, the beginning of summer. Eighty degrees: A perfect day. Everyone who can be outside is outside. But I have to go in to catch the train back to Jersey. I am not at full sprint, but I am moving, hungry. No breakfast, no lunch. A morning consult brings me in once a month to YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities. I’ve done it hundreds of times. Winters, summers, I know my way around Penn Station. I have it down to a science. I get a sandwich – make the train. There is a deli near the Seventh Avenue exit that has the best grilled vegetable panini sandwich I’ve ever had. I swear I would do the consult just to buy this sandwich. The staff at YAI/NIPD... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3733125 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:30:50 +0100 3733125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595533&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F25%2Fnursing-times-2010-vol-109-no-19%2F This article describes the development and implementation of a fast track referral service pathway for patients with learning disabilities needing to access palliative care. Contact the library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Care Pathways, Learning Disabilities, Palliative Care (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595533 Tue, 25 May 2010 12:42:48 +0100 3595533 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3577325&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F19%2Fvaluing-people-now-a-new-three-year-strategy-for-people-with-learning-disabilities-2%2F Title: Valuing people now: a new three-year strategy for people with learning disabilities (Executive Summary) Skinny: Valuing people now sets out the Government’s strategy for people with learning disabilities for the next three years following consultation. It also responds to the main recommendations in Healthcare for All, the independent inquiry into access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 101p. Published: 19/03/2010 Filed under: Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, NHS Tagged: Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, Strategic Planning (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3577325 Wed, 19 May 2010 15:16:54 +0100 3577325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3577328&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F19%2Fvaluing-people-now-transfer-of-funding-and-commissioning-of-social-care-for-adults-with-learning-disabilities-from-the-nhs-to-local-government-final-returns-201011-by-31-march-2010%2F Title: Valuing people now: transfer of funding and commissioning of social care for adults with learning disabilities from the NHS to local Government: final returns 2010/11 by 31 March 2010 Skinny: From April 2009, funding and commissioning of social care for adults with learning disabilities transferred from the NHS to local authorities. This letter to PCT and Local Authority lead commissioners gives guidance on implementation and requests final returns for 2010/11 by Wednesday 31 March 2010 Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 4p. Published: 17/03/2010 Additional Documents: Pro-forma and Mediation Flowchart Filed under: Adults, Commissioning, Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, Local Authorities, NHS, Social Services Tagged: Commissioning, Dear Colleague Letters, Grey Literature, L... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3577328 Wed, 19 May 2010 13:48:26 +0100 3577328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3549302&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FqbcaGHJpKKY%2F By Stephanie Mensh.  House and Senate Appropriations health subcommittees are in full swing this month. On May 5, the National Institutes of Health Director testified to the Senate subcommittee.  I follow NIH funding because they have a leadership role in understanding and treating cardiovascular and neurological diseases. For example, NIH sponsored the recently-reported landmark CREST study comparing surgery to stenting for patients with carotid artery disease related to stroke, conducted in 117 centers over 9 years.  NIH also sponsored historic research on the clot-buster tPA treatment that reduces morbidity and mortality in acute stroke patients when initiated within three hours of onset.  Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in adults. So,... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3549302 Mon, 10 May 2010 14:37:03 +0100 3549302 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533769&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F05%2Fa-better-future-a-consultation-on-a-future-strategy-for-adults-with-autistic-spectrum-conditions-the-government-response%2F Title: A better future: a consultation on a future strategy for adults with autistic spectrum conditions. The government response Skinny: During the summer of 2009 the Department of Health undertook  A better future: a consultation on a future strategy for adults with autistic spectrum conditions. This is the government response to that consultation. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 75p. Published: 09/03/2010 Filed under: Autism, Disabilities, Grey Literature, NHS, Parenting, Social Care, Social Policy Tagged: Autism, Consultations, Grey Literature, Strategic Planning (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533769 Wed, 05 May 2010 10:02:46 +0100 3533769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533772&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F05%2Fprimary-medical-services-directed-enhanced-services-england-directions-2010%2F Title: Primary Medical Services (Directed Enhanced Services) (England) Directions 2010 Skinny: Directions replacing the 2008 DES Directions and the associated 2009 DES amending directions.  Their primary purpose is to roll forward the following five directed enhanced services so that they apply for the period from 1st April 2010 to 31st March 2011.  The five directed enhanced services relate to extended hours access, alcohol related risk reduction, ethnicity and first language recording, learning difficulties health checks and osteoporosis diagnosis and prevention. These amending directions need to be read in conjunction with the The Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2010. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 20p. Published: 09/03/2010 Filed under: Clinical Gove... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533772 Wed, 05 May 2010 09:37:05 +0100 3533772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533773&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F05%2Fthe-statement-of-financial-entitlements-amendment-directions-2010%2F Title: The Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) Directions 2010 Skinny: Latest in a series of changes made to the Statement of Financial Entitlements published in April 2005.  Their primary purpose is to introduce payment mechanisms relating to the following five directed enhanced services: extended hours access – section 7GA; alcohol related risk reduction – section 7HA; ethnicity and first language recording – section 7IA; learning difficulties health checks – section 7JA; osteoporosis diagnosis and prevention – section 7LA. Annex F is amended to effect further changes to the QoF related “Adjusted Practice Disease Factor”  calculation (the prevalence calculation). There are also some minor changes to: section 4 (Quality and Outcom... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533773 Wed, 05 May 2010 09:32:56 +0100 3533773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3524323&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F02%2Fi-need-to-write-a-letter-to-my-boss%2F [* THIS POST IS A PART OF BLOGGING AGAINST DISABLISM DAY 2010] Or perhaps, just deliver an explanatory document to my boss and the HR (Human Resources) person at my second job. My annual review was okay; very good on some things, okay on others, some recommendations (there always are — no one is perfect [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3524323 Sun, 02 May 2010 07:10:34 +0100 3524323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3432875&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Ft8RF0ckq3_A%2F By Santi Bhagat, MD, MPH. Health Care Reform is off to a good start.  A couple of days ago, I blogged on the debate between the insurance industry and the administration about the interpretation of this new law.  Hats off to insurers for making the right choice, right away, to heed regulations that are forthcoming from Health and Human Services.   I first heard this through the grapevine at the Disruptive Women Breakfast Series this week from Stephanie Cohen, the expert panelist representing the insurance industry. The law is intended to require insurers to issue policies that provide a full range of benefits for all children with pre-existing conditions starting in September 2010.  That means insurers can no longer refuse to cover children with pre-existing conditions under their par... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3432875 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:07:29 +0100 3432875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416020&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnschdata.org%2Fviewdocument.aspx%3Fitem%3D256 By Santi Bhagat, MD, MPH.  The health care reform bill is touted to cover all children with pre-existing conditions this year, but the insurance industry claims this is not so.  Policymakers and insurance industry have different views on how this critical provision plays out.  Insurers are interpreting bill language to mandate coverage of pre-existing conditions of children only if they are currently enrolled in plans, but not for new, uninsured child customers with pre-existing conditions.  The administration vows to fix this by having Health and Human Services (HHS) issue regulations next month to clarify the law’s intent to both provide access to insurance and coverage of benefits for all children with chronic conditions this year.  Insurers plan to act on legislation language. ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416020 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:40:53 +0100 3416020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3322427&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F02%2Fre-tailored%2F Golly, it’s been some time since I’ve written a post. It’s not for a lack of thoughts, but rather energy.  My sleep has been disturbed by nightmares for, well, months, and the cumulative effect wears me down in the evenings. This I had posted over years back.  As the saying describes, Friends come and go, but [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3322427 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:01:51 +0100 3322427 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302269&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F24%2Fnursing-times-2010-vol-106-no-6%2F Nursing Times 16 February 2010 Vol. 106 No. 6 p19-20 Fade Fave: Sex education for children with learning disabilities; rolling out a national resource Fade Skinny: A children’s learning disability nursing team carried out an audit which highlighted the sex education needs of children with learning disabilities are not being met. As a result of this audit, a resource was developed to support professionals in delivering sex and relationship education has now been launched as a national document. Contact the Library for a copy of this article Filed under: Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: Children, Children's Services, Educational Programme, Learning Disabilities, Nursing, Relationships, Sex Education (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302269 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:05:38 +0100 3302269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3248516&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F06%2Fchildrens-community-equipment-proposals-for-funding-and-dh-workshop%2F Title: Children’s community equipment: proposals for funding and DH workshop Skinny: Dear Colleague letter inviting each strategic health authority to submit proposals for funding for innovative activities within and across PCTs to help achieve transformation of children’s community equipment and related services, taking account of the findings of a recent consultant’s report. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 94p. Published: 03/02/2010 Filed under: Children, Disabilities, Grey Literature, NHS, Young People Tagged: Children, Disabilities, Equipment, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, Procurement, Young People (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3248516 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:18:22 +0100 3248516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3248518&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F06%2Fmodels-and-options-for-childrens-equipment-and-related-services-csed-consultants-report%2F Title: Models and options for children’s equipment and related services: CSED consultant’s report Skinny: Independent report for the Department of Health that identifies in many areas the commissioning and provision of children’s equipment is poor. It analyses the various factors underlying this, concluding that mainstreaming transformation of children’s community equipment services would require change in four major areas: governance, pathways, sourcing strategies and management of equipment once bought (equipment stores). Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 94p. Published: 03/02/2010 Filed under: Children, Disabilities, Grey Literature, NHS, Young People Tagged: Care Pathways, Children, Disabilities, Equipment, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, Procurement, Youn... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3248518 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:09:35 +0100 3248518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3189093&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F20%2Fvaluing-people-now-real-jobs-for-people-with-learning-disabilities%2F Title: Valuing people now: real jobs for people with learning disabilities Skinny: Dear Colleague Letter from the National Director for Learning Disabilities providing an update on the Valuing Employment Now resource pack and a reminder of the business case for investment in supported employment. Employment will remain a top priority. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 2p. Published: 20/01/2010 Posted in Employment, Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities Tagged: Dear Colleague Letters, Employment, Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, Social Services, Supported Employment (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3189093 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:41:10 +0100 3189093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3185275&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F19%2Fadult-autism-strategy-consultation-a-summary-of-the-submissions-received-in-response-to-the-online-consultation%2F Title: Adult autism strategy consultation. A summary of the submissions received in response to the online consultation Skinny: Report highlighting the findings from the consultation including the importance of training, awareness raising and better diagnosis pathways. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 248p. Published: 19/01/2010 Posted in Adults, Autism, Diagnosis, Disabilities, Education, Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, NHS, Quality, Vulnerable People Tagged: Adults, Autism, Consultations, Diagnosis, Grey Literature, Stakeholder Engagement, Training (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3185275 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:20:51 +0100 3185275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3167057&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F13%2Foverarching-report-of-findings-from-the-adult-autism-strategy%2F Title: Overarching report of findings from the Adult Autism Strategy Skinny: Summary of the findings from the consultation on the future strategy for adults with autustic spectrum conditions (ASC).  It sets out the approach taken, and the key themes and priority actions identified by respondents.  These were: Raising public awareness and acceptance of ASC. Improving key professionals’ level of training. Improving local leadership. Personalising services. Taking account of sensory issues. Improving the diagnosis pathway. Ensuring adults with an ASC can access the healthcare they need. Cross cutting themese were: Awareness raising and training Data collection Exclusion and discrimination Funding and resource issues Priority areas are: Diagnosis and support Support in the community ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3167057 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:39:33 +0100 3167057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142485&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F04%2Fconservatives-draft-manifesto-2010-chapter-one-our-reform-plan-for-the-nhs%2F Title: Conservatives Draft Manifesto 2010 Chapter One Our Reform Plan for the NHS The Skinny: First shot in the general election campaign as the Conservative Party issue Chapter 1 of their draft manifesto which details proposed NHS Policy.  Widely presaged in the mass media over the weekend.  If elected they plan to: Scrap process targets Ensure innovation by ensuring NHS Providers become autonomous NHS Foundation Trusts Make NHS data on performance freely available to all Focus on key areas such as cancer/stroke survival and infection control Enable patient rating of the quality of services Ensure patients have choice of providers meeting NHS standards Putting patients in charge of their own records and which providers they wish to share them with Open up the NHS to private and third ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142485 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:48:24 +0100 3142485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3133555&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F31%2Fdisabled-childrens-access-to-childcare-pilot-activity%2F This report has been published to share information and learning to date and to make early information about Disabled Children’s Access to Childcare (DCATCH) pilot activity available to a wider audience. It summarises learning from DCATCH pilot areas for the information of local authorities and children’s trusts as they prepare new childcare sufficiency assessments for 2011 and develop strategies to expand the range, quality, and affordability of childcare available to families with disabled children. Publisher: DCSF Size of Publication: 36p. Published: 30/12/2009 Posted in Children, Disabilities, Grey Literature, Quality Tagged: Aiming High for Disabled Children, Childcare, Children, Disability, Equity, Financial Management, Grey Literature, Health Economics (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3133555 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:49:36 +0100 3133555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3126552&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F29%2Fimproving-health-supporting-justice%2F Title: New Horizons: the next stage of mental health policy The Skinny: Briefing on the national delivery plan of the Health and Criminal Justice Programme Board which aims to aid early identification, by providing easier read materials, and assisting front-line professionals to develop skills and a knowledge base to support them in managing offenders with learning disabilities more effectively. This delivery plan contributes to key Government initiatives around protecting the public, reducing health inequalities, reducing reoffending and health improvement and protection.  Key points are: Offenders are more likely to experience mental health problems, have learning disabilities or have problems with drugs and alcohol. Improving outcomes for this group will reduce re-offending rates and ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3126552 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:26:53 +0100 3126552 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111369&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F22%2Fusing-the-cquin-payment-framework-an-addendum-to-the-policy-guidance-for-201011%2F Title: Using the CQUIN payment framework – an addendum to the policy guidance for 2010/11 Skinny: The Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) payment framework makes a proportion of providers’ income conditional on quality and innovation.   This is an addendum to the Using the Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) payment framework – 2008 guidance that should be read in the context of the NHS operating framework for England for 2010/11 and the national standard contracts for acute, ambulance, community, mental health and learning disability services. These contracts require commissioners to make 1.5% of contract value available for providers to earn if they achieve locally agreed quality improvement and innovation goals and, for acute providers, two nati... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111369 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:51:40 +0100 3111369 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3100732&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F18%2Ftransfer-of-commissioning-and-funding-of-social-care-for-adults-with-learning-disabilities-from-the-nhs-to-local-government-final-returns-for-200910-by-15-january-2010%2F Title: Transfer of commissioning and funding of social care for adults with learning disabilities from the NHS to local Government: final returns for 2009/10 by 15 January 2010 Skinny: This letter to lead commissioners in primary care trusts and local authorities gives further guidance on the transfer of funding and commissioning of social care for adults with learning disabilities from the NHS to local authorities.  It informs them that Final returns for 2009/10 must be completed and returned to the Department by Friday 15 January 2010. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 6p. Published: 17/12/2009 Additional Documents: Proforma for return by 15 January 2010 Proforma for return by 31 March 2010 Letter to strategic health authorities and deputy regional directors of social care Posted... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3100732 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:14:23 +0100 3100732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092650&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Faiming-high-for-disabled-children-improving-data%2F Title: Aiming High for Disabled Children Improving Data Skinny: Explores how data on disabled children is collected, managed and used at a local (Primary Care Trust and Local Authority) level, identifying and describing effective practice in these areas. Publisher: York Health Economics Consortium Size of Publication: 86p. Published: 15/12/2009 Posted in Children, Disabilities, Grey Literature Tagged: Children.Grey Literature, Disabilities, Grey Literature, Information Systems (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092650 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:00:44 +0100 3092650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3039738&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F30%2Fthe-lancet-2009-volume-374-issue-9704%2F Contents Page Fade Fave: Research priorities for health of people with disabilities: an expert opinion exercise Fade Skinny: Finds the leading research priority was identification of barriers that people with disabilities have in accessing health services at different levels, and finding the best possible strategies to integrate their needs into primary health-care systems and ensure local delivery. Results showed that addressing specific impairments is secondary to ensuring that health systems provide adequately for all people with disabilities. (Print Subscription Held by the Fade Library) Posted in Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Current Awareness, Disabilities, Journals, Research (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3039738 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:00:55 +0100 3039738 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999502&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FthQcqA0cvW4%2F Ezra Klein defends an individual healthcare mandate against charges that it’s unconstitutional, and what’s striking to me is that the argument seems awfully wobbly even if you’re on board with a lot of the post–New Deal jurisprudence about the scope of federal power.  Sez Ez: The summary is that you can look at the individual mandate as a tax, which is constitutional, or as a regulation forcing private actors to engage in a certain transaction, much like the minimum wage, which is also constitutional. I’ve also heard scholars mention auto insurance, which is an obvious analogue, and the Americans With Disabilities Act, which proved that the government can order businesses to install ramps, despite the fact that the constitution doesn’t explicitly give the f... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999502 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:52:41 +0100 2999502 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950688&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F02%2Fmeans-to-an-end%2F Title: Means to an end (summary) Skinny: Reviews the joint financing and integrated care arrangements between NHS bodies and councils with adult social care responsibilities. It builds on our previous publication, Clarifying joint financing arrangements, that explained the practical implications and legislative framework for joint financing. The focus is on on learning disability, mental health and older people – areas where service users most often need health and social care. It provides recommendations and good practice aiming to help national and local bodies better understand the options available, how to use them and to achieve better outcomes for service users. Publisher: Audit Commission Size of Publication: 68p Published: 29/10/2009 Posted in Decision Making, Disabilities, E... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950688 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:03:03 +0100 2950688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2930906&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F27%2Fadvice-for-mainstream-schools%2F Title: Advice for Mainstream Schools and Advice for Special Schools Skinny: Advice for schools resulting from a recognition that some groups are particularly vulnerable to any illness, including swine flu. This can include some children and young people with particular health conditions, including some complex disabilities such as cerebral palsy that can make it more difficult for them to fight off viruses. Publisher: Health Protection Agency (HPA) Size of Publication: 2p and 3p Published: 27/10/2009 Posted in Children, Disabilities, Grey Literature, Infection Control, Influenza, Young People Tagged: Children, Disabilities, Grey Literature, Guidance, H1N1, Infection Control, Influenza, Pandemic, Schools, Young People (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2930906 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:46:04 +0100 2930906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2924764&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F25%2Fdraft-statutory-instrument-relating-to-health%2F Draft SI 2009 No. 000. Health Care And Associated Professions. The Health Professions (Hearing Aid Dispensers) Order 2009 Posted in Disabilities, Legislation, Statutory Instruments Tagged: Dispensing, Hearing, Hearing Aids, Legislation, Statutory Instruments (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2924764 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:01:46 +0100 2924764 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2924861&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F24%2Fthe-catch%2F I’ve been having intermittent bouts of vertigo (some severe), along with worsening tinnitus and resulting difficulty understanding what people are saying. My GP said I got poor results on the tympanogram, and is sending me to an ENT, whom I see next week.  I’m no longer driving on the highway, and take extra care if [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2924861 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:52:18 +0100 2924861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904871&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fc30deq4ND7g%2F This report is based on an exhaustive review of the published literature on the definitions, measurements, epidemiology, economics and interventions applied to nine chronic conditions and their risk factors. These are asthma, cancer (palliative care), depression, diabetes, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, hypertension, tobacco smoking and tuberculosis. In the intervening years since the WHO issued its report, adherence has become more problematic.  Numerous reports highlight the ongoing challenges, which are especially critical in the mental health arena. A study in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that close to 60% of schizophrenics who were prescribed anti-psychotic drugs did not take the medication as prescribed by their physicians.  “We looked at adherence to anti-psychotic medic... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904871 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:55:04 +0100 2904871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2890587&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F13%2Fdont-write-me-off%2F Title: Don’t Write Me Off Skinny: Report that identifies those with autism are not getting the support they need to find a job, and many more cannot access the benefits they need to live on.  Finds that: one third are currently without work or benefits over half have spent some time without work or benefits, some for as long as 10 years just 15% have a full-time job but 79% of those on Incapacity Benefit told us that they want to work. Publisher: National Autistic Society Size of Publication: 46p Published: 13/10/2009 Campaign Website: Don’t Write Me Off Posted in Adults, Autism, Employment, Equity, Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities Tagged: Autism, Employment, Grey Literature, Social Security (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2890587 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:20:23 +0100 2890587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886523&cid=t_105409_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FiEtrGrsAN8w%2F It’s not often you’ll read of a book review in a health blog or on a health site that is not related with losing weight or living a healthier lifestyle, or some such topic. But this book, The Side-Yard Superhero, by Rick D. Niece belongs here too. I was asked if I wanted to review this book about a boy and his childhood friendship with another boy, one who had cerebral palsy. The release was timed to coincide with October and Celebrating Disabilities Awareness Month. When I received the book, I saw that it wasn’t very long, so I decided to squeeze it in between other books I have in my pile. It’s funny because this is Thanksgiving weekend for us in Canada – and the book just seemed very fitting at the same time. Rick Niece, Rickie to his friend Bernie Jones, ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886523 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:37:45 +0100 2886523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2875955&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F09%2Fpostgraduate-medical-journal-2009-vol-85-no-1008%2F Contents page Fade Fave: A UK consensus on the management of the bladder in multiple sclerosis Fade Skinny: Following a meeting of stakeholders it was agreed that in the majority of cases, successful management could be based on a simple algorithm which includes using reagent sticks to test for urine infection and measurement of the post micturition residual urine volume. This is in contrast with published guidelines from other countries which recommend cystometry. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Posted in Access from Home, Access from Work, Access in the Library, Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals Tagged: Athens Password, Continence, Current Awareness, Disabilities, E-Journals, Management, Multiple Sclerosis (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2875955 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:20:17 +0100 2875955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855508&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F02%2Fsupporting-learning-disability-partnership-boards-to-implement-the-national-carers-strategy%2F Title: Supporting Learning Disability Partnership Boards to implement the National Carers Strategy The Skinny: Offers guidance to Learning Disability Partnership Boards to help them ensure carers of people with learning disabilities, and carers with learning disabilities are: supported in their own right, and involved in local service developments which affect their lives, and the lives of the people they care for. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 20p Published: 02/10/2009 Posted in Carers, Disabilities Tagged: Disabilities, Grey Literature, Independence, Learning Disabilities (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855508 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:09:40 +0100 2855508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2851760&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FBCTsPxTgNHA%2F October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and to celebrate, our Man of the Month is Paul Berger. Paul is the award-winning author of “How to Conquer the World With One Hand… And an Attitude,” chronicling his adventures in returning to work and to a meaningful life after suffering a severely disabling stroke at the young age of 36. On Wednesday, Paul spent the day with about 100 other dedicated stroke and heart disease advocates visiting members of Congress to urge enactment of legislation to make health insurance more accessible, affordable, and adequate. Paul’s stroke is one of those “pre-existing conditions” that can make insurance inaccessible and unaffordable. And many policies have inadequate benefits to cover the rehabilitation services needed after strok... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2851760 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:28:30 +0100 2851760 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828147&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F24%2Finterim-policy-on-prosecuting-assisted-suicide%2F Title: Interim policy for Prosecutors in Respect of Assisted Suicide Issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions The Skinny: Consultation with interim guidance on prosecution for cases of assisted suicide. The public interest factors in favour of prosecution identified in the interim policy include that: The victim was under 18 years of age; The victim’s capacity to reach an informed decision was adversely affected by a recognised mental illness or learning difficulty; The victim did not have a clear, settled and informed wish to commit suicide; for example, the victim’s history suggests that his or her wish to commit suicide was temporary or subject to change; The victim did not indicate unequivocally to the suspect that he or she wished to commit suicide; The victim did no... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828147 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:55:33 +0100 2828147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2823915&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F23%2Fkeep-warm-keep-well-a-guide-for-people-over-60%2F Title: Keep Warm, Keep Well: A guide for people over 60 The Skinny: Aims to help older people maintain good health during winter and take advantage of the financial help and benefits available. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 16p Published: 18/09/2009 Similar Materials: Keep Warm, Keep Well: A guide for families Keep Warm, Keep Well: A guide for people with disabilities or long-term health conditions Keep Warm, Keep Well: Supporting vulnerable people during cold weather Posted in Grey Literature, Older People Tagged: Chronic Diseases, Disabilities, Families, Grey Literature, Health Education, Health Promotion, Hypothermia, Older People, Patient Information, Winter Pressures (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2823915 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:00:53 +0100 2823915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2814366&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F21%2Fthe-case-for-change-why-england-needs-a-new-care-and-support-system-engagement-findings-2009%2F Title: The case for change: why England needs a new care and support system – engagement findings Skinny: Summarises public and stakeholder responses to the Government’s ‘Care, Support, Independence’ engagement process about the future of adult care and support in England, which took place between May and November 2008. Includes debate on the question: what should be the balance of responsibility between the family, the individual and the Government? Report is divided into following chapters: Executive summary Stakeholder engagement events User-led organisations – stakeholder top-up engagement report Written responses from stakeholders Toolkit responses Citizens’ events Inclusivity research Website, email and letter responses Annexes Publisher: DOH Size of ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2814366 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:54:06 +0100 2814366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774571&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F08%2Faiming-high-for-disabled-children%2F Title: Aiming high for disabled children: delivering improved health services The Skinny: Report for Primary Care Trusts to aid them achieve the following outcomes by providing case studies of best practice. Short breaks: ensure that disabled children with complex healthcare needs and their families can enjoy the same opportunities for short breaks as other children. Community equipment: the NHS to work with partners to ensure there is timely and comprehensive assessment of the complete needs of the disabled child, taking account of clinical, social and education needs, and the needs of the family and carers; and to improve the timely provision of equipment. Wheelchairs: to improve access to powered wheelchairs for children who need them, and reduce waiting times for assessment and provis... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774571 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:38:01 +0100 2774571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774572&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F08%2Fhouse-of-commons-public-accounts-committee-supporting-carers-to-care-forty%25e2%2580%2593second-report-of-session-2008%25e2%2580%259309-report-together-with-formal-minutes-oral-and-written-evidence%2F Title: House of Commons Public Accounts Committee: Supporting Carers to Care: Forty–second Report of Session 2008–09: Report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence The Skinny: Report from the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee on support to carers. Findings and Recommendations are: The Department of Work and Pensions approach to providing carers’ benefits is complex, making it difficult for carers to access financial and other support.  Some applicants ineligable for Carer’s Allowance have to apply for it in order to recieve Carer’s Premium or the Additional Amount added to existing benefits. Direct application for these should be enabled. Communications can be lengthy, incomprehensible and confusing for carers.  All communication should be in plain e... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774572 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:13:26 +0100 2774572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772484&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F07%2Fguidance-on-direct-payments-for-community-care-services-for-carers-and-childrens-services-england-2009%2F Title: Guidance on direct payments for community care, services for carers and children’s services: England 2009 The Skinny: Guidance to assist local councils in making direct payments. Together with the Annexes, it also provides guidance on how local councils might manage and administer direct payments. It has been updated to reflect recent legislative changes that extend direct payments to previously excluded groups. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 116p Published: 04/09/2009 Posted in Decision Making, Disabilities, Financial Management, Grey Literature, Local Authorities, Social Services Tagged: Direct payments, Disabilities, Financial Management, Grey Literature, Local Authorities (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772484 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:10:13 +0100 2772484 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772485&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F07%2Fa-guide-to-receiving-direct-payments-from-your-local-council%2F Title: A guide to receiving direct payments from your local council The Skinny: Updated guidance offering advice to people who are thinking about or who are already getting direct payments from their local council social services department. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 76p Published: 04/09/2009 Posted in Disabilities, Grey Literature, Local Authorities, Social Services Tagged: Direct payments, Disabilities, Financial Management, Grey Literature, Local Authorities, Patient Information (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772485 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:03:56 +0100 2772485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2733990&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F26%2Ftransfer-of-learning-disability-social-care-funding-and-commissioning-from-the-nhs-to-local-government%2F Title: Transfer of Learning Disability Social Care Funding and Commissioning from the NHS to local Government The Skinny: Further guidance on capital transfers and other financial and practical issues is provided following the transfer of funding and commissioning responsibility of social care for adults with learning disabilities from the NHS to local authorities. Publisher: DH Published: 25/08/2009 Posted in Commissioning, Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, Local Authorities, NHS Tagged: Capital Transfers, Commissioning, FAQs, Financial Management, Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, Local Authorities, NHS (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2733990 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:30:58 +0100 2733990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2712049&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F18%2Festimating-future-numbers-of-adults-with-profound-multiple-learning-disabilities-in-england%2F Title: Estimating future numbers of adults with profound multiple learning disabilities in England The Skinny: Estimates change in the future numbers of adults with profound multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) in England over the period 2009 to 2026. The report considers changes arising from one of four key factors: Change in birth rates in the general population; Change in the incidence of children being born with or acquiring PMLD; Change in infant and child mortality among children being born with PMLD; Change in mortality among adults with PMLD; Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 15p. Published: 23/07/2009 Posted in Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, Statistical Data Tagged: Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, Mortality, Statistical Data (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2712049 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:59:13 +0100 2712049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2695490&cid=t_105409_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_105409_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_105409_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=2621736&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F20%2Fcoercion-and-consent-monitoring-the-mental-health-act-2007%25e2%2580%25932009-the-mental-health-act-commission-thirteenth-biennial-report-2007%25e2%2580%25932009%2F Title: Coercion and consent monitoring the Mental Health Act 2007–2009: The Mental Health Act Commission Thirteenth Biennial Report 2007–2009 The Skinny: Provides an overview of the care provided to people detained under the Act. MHAC found examples of people receiving good care during their visits to services and meetings with patients. But the report also indicates that there is variation across services. Publisher: TSO Published: 19/07/2009 Size of Document: 250p Posted in Mental Health Tagged: Acute Services, Adolescent Psychiatry, Child Psychiatry, Children, Communication, Community Care, Consumer Participation, Ethnic Groups, Gender, Grey Literature, Information Technology, Internet, Learning Disabilities, Legislation, Mental Capacity, Mental Health, Mobile Telephony, Patient Con... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2621736 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:39:44 +0100 2621736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2616674&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F20%2Fsafeguarding-adults-report-on-the-consultation-on-the-review-of-no-secrets%2F Title: Safeguarding adults: report on the consultation on the review of No Secrets The Skinny: Report on the consultation on the review of No Secrets. It analyses around 12,00 responses to the consultation and the Government response will be published when this has all been carefully considered. Publisher: DH Published: 16/07/2009 Size of Document: 154p Posted in Clinical Governance, Consent, Governance, Health and Safety, Learning Disabilities, Local Authorities, Mental Health, NHS, Quality, Risk Evaluation, Social Services, Standards, Voluntary Sector, Vulnerable People Tagged: Adults, Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, Vulnerable People (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2616674 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:50:42 +0100 2616674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2591409&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F10%2Fresearch-and-development-work-relating-to-assistive-technology-2008-09%2F Title: Research and development work relating to assistive technology 2008-09 The Skinny: Covers research and development work carried out by or on behalf of any government department in relation to equipment that might increase the range and independence of older and disabled people.  Outlines the role of assistive technology in making independent living easier for older people and disabled adults and children. The report describes the wide range of government-funded projects supporting the development, introduction and evaluation of assistive technology.  Relevant projects funded by the EU  have also been included. Publisher: DH Size of Document: 105p. Posted in Disabilities, Grey Literature, NHS Tagged: Adults, Assistive Technology, Children, Disabilities, Grey Literature, Older Pe... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2591409 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:32:06 +0100 2591409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2591417&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ppc-inc.org%2FPPC_Policy_Brief_2009.pdf As our nation brainstorms the best way to reduce the millions of uninsured, we need to focus on the largest and fastest growing portion: 13.7 million young adults: 18-29 year olds make up just 17% of the population but 30% of the uninsured, and Entering adulthood triggers a serious risk of becoming uninsured as the rate almost triples from 11% to 29%. As we look at this age group, it is critical to hone in on young adults with chronic medical conditions & disabilities (CMCD) since they cannot afford a single day without coverage. Aware of the need to continue care, they, or their parents, are inclined to seek coverage. However, young adults with CMCD encounter many obstacles: Only 54% are able to attend college or work, usual prerequisites for insurance; Relying on individual covera... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2591417 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:43:31 +0100 2591417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2553140&cid=t_105409_122_f&fid=35065&url=http%3A%2F%2Feideneurolearningblog.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fcreativity-for-non-visual-thinkers.html "A thought may be compared to a cloud shedding a shower of words." - L.S. VygotskyHad an email last week from someone with a nonverbal learning disability - and he asked us a great question...that given that visual imagery seems to be so important in creative work, was there hope for NLDer's in the Conceptual Age? Of course! We apologize for not giving as much attention to non-visual thinking on this blog (part of the reason is our interest and large clinic population of dyslexics), so we'd like to correct this slight right now.Verbal thinkers tend to have less trouble than visual thinkers in conventional K-12 school tasks... but if visual perceptual and organization problems also exist (e.g. nonverbal learning disabilities), more struggles await them in their adult years, driving and rea... Eide Neurolearning Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2553140 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:05:00 +0100 2553140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510175&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F23%2Fidentifying-and-teaching-children-and-young-people-with-dyslexia-and-literacy-difficulties-an-independent-report-from-sir-jim-rose-to-the-secretary-of-state-for-children-schools-and-families-june-2%2F Title: Identifying and Teaching Children and Young People with Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties:  An independent report from Sir Jim Rose to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families June 2009 The Skinny: This review aims to help policy makers and providers strengthen practice, and assure parents that provision for children with dyslexia will be as good as possible.  Identifies: What is dyslexia? Identification of children with dyslexic difficulties Tackling reading difficulties Services children with dyslexia and their families Tackling difficulties beyond reading that are also associated with dyslexia Publisher: DCSF Size of Document: 216p Published: 22/06/2009 Posted in Children, Disabilities, Young People Tagged: Children, Dyslexia, Education, Grey Literature, You... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510175 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:20:27 +0100 2510175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452312&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fsupporting-people-with-autism-through-adulthood%2F (Executive Summary) from the National Audit Office focus’ on Value for Money issues relating to the support needed for those with autism it finds: People with autism may use a very wide range of public services, two key areas exist where the effectiveness of existing services can be improved: better strategy and planning, based on good information and raising levels of knowledge and awareness of the nature of autism and the potential needs of autistic people. Identifies scope for better targeted support for people with high-functioning autism/Asperger Syndrome. Explores the possible impacts of providing specialised health, social care and employment support for adults with high-functioning autism. This would require additional expenditure, for example an estimated £40 million per ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452312 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:13:26 +0100 2452312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441183&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FBsnDc2QO91o%2F The AP reports on a plan unfolding in Arizona to help keep foster children and kids with disabilities in schools of their choice: Republican-backed legislation to create new tax credits to help hundreds of foster children and disabled children attend private schools is advancing in the Legislature. On a special session’s second day, Senate and House committees on Tuesday endorsed the bill creating new corporate and insurance premium tax credits for donations for private school tuition grants. Priority would go initially to foster and disabled children who received vouchers that have been ruled unconstitutional by the Arizona Supreme Court. The Arizona Supreme Court has specifically and emphatically upheld education tax credits, so this effort should succeed if passed and signed. The ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441183 Wed, 27 May 2009 12:46:17 +0100 2441183 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441655&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F26%2Fcartfuls-of-spoons%2F They’re out.  Or, Out.  We have the exquisite “Privilege of Being Clouted By Cabbage” and are navigating the hazards of the supermarket.  When things are done the way they’re supposed to be, going to pick up a few groceries is just as boring, or as Dave discovered, lonely, for disabled people as much as it [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441655 Tue, 26 May 2009 05:06:21 +0100 2441655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2423992&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F20%2Fcommon-assessment-framework-for-adults-demonstrator-site-programme-overview-of-phase-1-sites%2F provides an overview of the 9 demonstrator sites (Stockport providing the North West interest). Posted in Governance, Grey Literature, Local Authorities, NHS, Social Services Tagged: Assessment, Grey Literature, Information Sharing, Learning Disabilities, NHS, Social Services (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2423992 Wed, 20 May 2009 16:27:27 +0100 2423992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405876&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35124&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Faspergerwoman%2F%7E3%2Fo7KIthqMZ1o%2Fautism-work-poor-people-dropouts.html A Dutch newspaper yesterday published an article about “working poor people”. For many people money is not the most important thing in their job. About shattered dreams, respect and meaningful ways to fill your life. In Holland there seems to be a forgotten group of 1.5 million people . They work very hard in a very low paid regular job and earn just a minimum loan. An example of those working poor people is a Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam based cleaner . He was interviewed for the article and told he is sometimes just ignored as a human being during his job. He works 55 hours in 5 days, has two jobs and is often up to 16 hours a day from home. He is divorced and takes care of three home living children. For many people interviewed for the newspaper article the thing they want to earn mo... The Art of Being Asperger Woman blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405876 Wed, 13 May 2009 08:18:00 +0100 2405876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2399079&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35124&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Faspergerwoman%2F%7E3%2FGVSi56eu6Ek%2Fwhat-is-sense-of-autism.html Yes, I know God or whoever created the world has made many different types of people. Still I wonder what the sense is of being autistic? I mean if you have an impairment you can not walk, your brain might work normally though. I mean the kind of impairment does not have to intend you can not communicate in a proper way with the world. What is the sense of being on a grey island of miscommunication, desperation and loneliness? Life is often happy for me, but can someone tell me what the sense of autism is? There are so many happy things that can happen between people if communication just works out fine. What did God intend to prove when he made autism?What was his aim to make us so vulnerable, so lost in our world and being totally mistunderstood by the rest of the world? I try to to soun... The Art of Being Asperger Woman blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2399079 Sat, 09 May 2009 07:29:00 +0100 2399079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2313534&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F04%2F08%2Fliz-spikol-is-a-threat-to-your-library%2F Liz Spikol has a great entry today about the Treatment Advocacy Center’s (TAC) press release about how mental illness affects our nation’s public libraries. The Treatment Advocacy Center is the organization that prefers that anyone who has mental illness get treatment, even if it’s against their will. Think of it as a stodgy old grandfather from the 1800s that might say, “Hitting a child is necessary and good for the child; the more often the better! Teaches them some manners…” Liz details the problems with the survey by TAC of librarians: Are library employees qualified to determine who has serious psychiatric disorders? I doubt it. I suspect they wouldn’t identify me as one of those people, but I’m guessing every disheveled person gets tarred wit... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2313534 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:59:26 +0100 2313534 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2313481&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F01%2Fthe-very-model-of-a-social-disability%2F BayDisability has begun blogging about prosopagnosia, and how it affects her life.  Because hers is an acquired case, it has affected her profoundly.  (Amazingly, it’s not some strange story she came up with to create “lesbian drama”! Oy.) I have to say that from the self-reports I’ve read, faceblindness due to injury is much more disabling [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2313481 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:37:06 +0100 2313481 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2284178&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F19%2Fhealth-action-planning-and-health-facilitation-for-people-with-learning-disabilities-good-practice-guidance%2F aims to describe and clarify good practice in health facilitation and health action planning and support localities to make progress on this and on reducing health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities. It builds on previous DH guidance and reflects the learning that has taken place since 2002 along with key recommendations of relevant recent reports and research. Posted in Equity, Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, NHS, Quality Tagged: Equity, Good Practice, Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2284178 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:29:04 +0100 2284178 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2255629&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F11%2Fimproving-the-patient-experience-sharing-success-in-mental-health-and-learning-disabilities%2F aims to raise awareness and understanding among NHS staff about how to bring about practical, value-for-money environmental improvements. Posted in Grey Literature, Mental Health, NHS, Quality Tagged: Good Practice, Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, Value fo Money (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2255629 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:07:11 +0100 2255629 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2228362&cid=t_105409_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fintelligencetesting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fchc-selective-referral-focused-testing.html I just posted Part B of the mini-skills workshop I just made at NASP 2009 Boston (CHC COG-ACH Relations Research Synthesis:  What We've Learned From 20 Years of Research) as on on-line viewable PPT at SlideShare, and my SlideShare space in particular. You should view the prior description of this project and presentation at the link above.  The second part of this presentation is the application of the results of the research synthesis vis-a-vis the demonstration of "CHC selective (branching tree) referral-focused testing scenarios" that are grounded in the research synthesis.  The direct link to the slide show can be accessed by clicking here.The description included with the slide show follows:This is the second half of the a mini-skills workshop made at NASP 2009 in Boston (CHC COG-A... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2228362 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:08:00 +0100 2228362 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2276203&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35124&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Faspergerwoman%2F%7E3%2FK_WzXMUFZic%2Fautism-and-immigrationintegration.html While I watch another tv discussion program on Integration of Foreigners in our society I can not help to get annoyed by this subject. I wish there was an equal amount of money and media attentions spent on autism matters. In my homecountry The Netherlands one of the main issues in general and political discussions is about how to deal with Integration of Foreigners Issues. There are many foreign employees working here. They were asked to come here and do our dirty jobs during the sixties and seventies. They contributed not only in the our prosperity but have also created a culture of their own. Many people from Turkey and Maroc, especially elder man and imported brides- do only speak their own language. For years the foreigners could, due to our policy, just live their own life in our cou... The Art of Being Asperger Woman blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2276203 Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:57:00 +0100 2276203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2222641&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F28%2Fsmaller-than-a-breadbox%2F Some Day, Some day, some blessed day, when we have a departmental staff meeting or a district staff-development event, I hope there is something to eat besides  doughnuts-bagels-pastries-muffins-cinnamon rolls-deli sandwiches-pizza-pretzels-cake-cookies-brownies or pie.  Oh sure, when the school had a holiday luncheon for the staff, the caterer also brought a green salad in addition to the lasagne, [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2222641 Sat, 28 Feb 2009 02:10:22 +0100 2222641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2188077&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F14%2Ffor-the-first-time-in-28-years%2F I have not bought a Valentine’s present for my husband. I am divorcing him. Disabilities can change how the processes of falling in love, joining, living together, loving together, and separating happen. For most disabled people, their disabilities affect how others perceive them as even being interested or capable to find love or sex. (WTF?!) For many disabled [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2188077 Sat, 14 Feb 2009 19:07:09 +0100 2188077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2121503&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F20%2Fvaluing-people-now-a-new-three-year-strategy-for-people-with-learning-disabilities%2F (executive summary) sets out the Government’s strategy for people with learning disabilities for the next three years following consultation. It also responds to the main recommendations in Healthcare for All, the independent inquiry into access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities. Valuing people now: the delivery plan Summary of responses to the consultation on valuing people now: from progress to transformation Equality impact assessment Posted in Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, NHS, Strategic Planning   Tagged: Grey Literature, Learning Disabilities, NHS, Strategic Planning    (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2121503 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:16:30 +0100 2121503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2094715&cid=t_105409_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=2078722&cid=t_105409_109_f&fid=34730&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychiatrist-blog.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fi-need-non-human-help.html In "Creature Comforts" (the NYTimes mag, of course), Rebecca Skloot discusses all forms of comfort and service animals. There's a difference, and yup, Ducks make the cut. There are miniature guide horses for the blind, monkeys for quadriplegics, and an assistance parrot for a man with bipolar disorder who is subject to tempter outbursts.----------What qualifies as a service animal? .... Can any species be eligible? There are two categories of animals that help people. “Therapy animals” (also known as “comfort animals”) have been used for decades in hospitals and homes for the elderly or disabled. Their job is essentially to be themselves — to let humans pet and play with them, which calms people, lowers their blood pressure and makes them feel better. There are also therapy horse... Shrink Rap blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2078722 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:46:00 +0100 2078722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2073994&cid=t_105409_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fcensus-and-americans-with-disabilities.html The U.S. Census Bureau has released a report which recounts important and thought-provoking information regarding the millions of Americans who are currently living with disabilities. (The report can be downloaded as a pdf file here).The report, based on the most recent census data available, reveals that 54.4 million Americans (18.7 % of the population) are currently classified as disabled, and 35 million (12%) of Americans qualify as severely disabled. Both percentages have risen since the last census, and the numbers are most likely expected to rise again in subsequent studies of a significantly aging American population.In terms of needing assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), 11 million people (4.1 % of the population) ov... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2073994 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:47:00 +0100 2073994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2073795&cid=t_105409_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=2067678&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F4YXywSgetHo%2F And here’s autism on a list of CNN’s top 10 health issues of 2008, with more than a nod to the vaccine issue …… and from Mark Miller’s special needs blog, his list of the “top 10 moments” in disability policy and politics. Your top 10 of 2008? Tags: asd, asperger syndrme, autism, cnn, disabilities blog, disability, Health, john mccain, pdd-nos, sarah palin, special needs, top 10, vaccineShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2067678 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:12:30 +0100 2067678 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052840&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F3ewwARh2ST4%2F The Florida legislature has declared the first half of October as Disability History and Awareness Weeks, today’s West Volusia Beacon notes. Indeed, the legislature is said to be “trying to change the negative image, perception and treatment of people with disabilities.” The article highlights programs for disabled students throughout the county, such as Deltona High School’s Multi-VE program. VE stands for varying exceptionalities. Multi-VE students’ disabilities and challenges include hearing or language impairments, mental handicaps, emotional and behavioral disorders, multiple physical handicaps and disorders all across the autism spectrum. Located in Building Z on the 92-acre campus, Deltona High School’s Multi-VE program serves more than 50 students, ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052840 Sat, 20 Dec 2008 01:51:37 +0100 2052840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052844&cid=t_105409_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=2040116&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FAFWB42Dnwvo%2F Arne Duncan, the superintendent of the Chicago school system, has been chosen as the new Secretary of Education by President-Elect Barack Obama, as noted yesterday in EdWeek and on the New York Times’ The Caucus blog. From EdWeek: As Chicago schools CEO, Duncan tapped a panel to craft curriculum-based assessments to guide teaching, bolstered spending on anti-violence prevention measures, and tested out a program allowing teachers to evaluate one another. Duncan supports the basic framework of the No Child Left Behind Act. In testimony before a congressional committee in 2006, he called on lawmakers to “maintain the law’s high expectations and accountability” but to amend the law “to give schools, districts, and states the maximum amount of flexibility possible... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2040116 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:29:37 +0100 2040116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2040117&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FwDPuBSUJEMI%2F Yes, it’s today, Tuesday, Dec 16th  – 9AM, 12:30 PM and 8 PM (Pacific Standard Time). Autism Twitter Day is open to Twitter members, specifically those who are members of the autism community, whether you’re a parent, sibling or relative, and too those on the spectrum. Prizes will be given out, most geared to children and young adults with autism or Asperger syndrome; lots more information about the day is here. The hashtag to be used for autism twitter day is #ASD. So, if you post a tweet today on the topic of autism / positive autism awareness, please use the hashtag, either in front or at end of the tweet. You can open up a window at www.summize.com and input #ASD to follow along with the conversation at the specified times; conversations may well run longer than one hour... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2040117 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:48:13 +0100 2040117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2040118&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F7QBg4H8cu4U%2F While I’m contemplating where to locate twinkling bike lights and as it’s the holiday season, I thought I’d make a confession: Charlie’s never sat on Santa Claus’s lap. We have tried, when he was much younger and we found ourselves in a mall in New Jersey, the land of malls and mallrats. Or maybe we had gone to the mall that day for that sole purpose. Something about “mall air” and the deliberately smiling velvet-clad elves/Santa’s helpers, and the line of overly excited, bored, or wandering about children, led Jim to say, quite wisely: “Let’s get out of here.” We never really brought up the matter after that. Charlie was around 4 or 5 then and he wasn’t too inclined to sit on anyone’s lap for too long, and we wo... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2040118 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:48:34 +0100 2040118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2040119&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FIY_IiAIUdGM%2F There’s been studies about older parents, both fathers and mothers, being more “at risk” of having an autistic child, and especially if it’s their first-born child—-now, a study published in Oxford University’s Schizophrenia Journal is suggesting that being a younger dad means you’ll have healthier children. From today’s Science Daily: “There is a growing body of data showing that an advanced age of parents puts their kids at risk for various illnesses,” says Dr. [Mark Weiser from Tel Aviv University’s Sackler School of Medicine]. “Some illnesses, such as schizophrenia, appear to be more common the older parents get. Doctors and psychologists are fascinated by this, but don’t really understand it. We want to know how it works.” To... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2040119 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 01:33:13 +0100 2040119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2040120&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FqyPMQQEcbQQ%2F ‘Tis the holiday season and I have pretty much finished shopping for everyone on our list, from relatives to my sister to multiple cousins, office staff, the letter carrier, Charlie’s teacher and aides, Jim—-and I’m down to one last person. Charlie. What do you get for the boy who doesn’t seem to want anything? Today’s Chicago Tribune captures this dilemma: Parents struggle with whether to oblige the child who desires nothing more than church directories, word puzzles, spinning toys or even cleaning supplies—all real examples from youngsters’ wish lists. Friends might see the child’s exotic interests as humorous or cute. But the youngster’s family recognizes that the obsession represents their child’s special need for a coping t... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2040120 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:31:48 +0100 2040120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2040121&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F3ESPTdPo7yg%2F 16 months ago, Olivia Agbonlahor and her 7-year-old twins, Great and Melissa, were deported from Clonakilty, County Cork, in Ireland, to Nigeria. Great is autistic and, as reported in the Irish Indepedent, he is considered “wicked” and “possessed by voodoo” in Africa. Great’s autism is simply not recognised due to the common stigma in Africa against autism. “I have to do my best, but it is not easy,” said Olivia. “His behaviour is getting worse every day — that is the problem. He cannot play with other children. People ask ‘what is wrong with this boy’ all the time,” she said from her home in Ghana. While the teachers that helped the family when they lived in Clonakilty and Killarney have sent over computer learning ai... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2040121 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:22:15 +0100 2040121 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2039843&cid=t_105409_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F15%2F1949%2F A set of resources from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to help care staff, GPs and carers to recognise and treat pain in people who have a learning difficulty and dementia. People with learning difficulties are living longer, which means they are more likely to develop the conditions of older age, such as dementia. Someone with a learning difficulty and dementia may not be able to communicate that they are in pain and it can be ignored or mistaken for challenging behaviour. These resources, which are free to download, build on research published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in 2006, include: a poster highlighting symptoms and common causes of pain in people with a learning difficulty and dementia; a factsheet for care staff and carers, summing up key findings from the research; a gui... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2039843 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:00:51 +0100 2039843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035853&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FK2fLwbKGN0w%2F My son Charlie is, as I’ve noted here, 11 1/2 years old. He’s been attending middle school since September and it hasn’t been easy, and we’ve started to get the feeling that it’s not going to get easier. Charlie is in a self-contained classroom, located in a large middle school in our school district. There are three other boys—all older than him by a year or two, and all shorter than him—a teacher, and four aides in the room. He starts the day with Adapted Physical Education (APE) around 8.30am) and has speech therapy briefly with a speech therapist most days of the week. An occupational therapist sets up programs on specific skills, like writing and washing his face, that he works on throughout the day. He has a really good teacher and behavior c... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035853 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:03:48 +0100 2035853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035854&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F6a5FhWI7D8M%2F So says 15-year-old Roderick Robertson, who takes care of his younger brother, Tim, every day. Tim has autism and his older brother is his regular caretaker, today’s Courier-Mail reports: Roderick, who also lives with his stepfather, two stepsisters and stepbrother, describes home life as “hectic” but says it with a smile. There are times when he misses out on social outings with friends because he looks after Tim and school holidays aren’t always as fun and carefree as they are for many of his peers. “I have a roster of when I need to be at home to look after Tim over the school holidays,” he says. “I take him to the park, muck around with him - that sort of thing.” Sounds like how I spend many any afternoon with Charlie, and many moments th... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035854 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:05:45 +0100 2035854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035855&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F7CpE78ha8Ms%2F Sports “tap into an autistic person’s basic needs for social and physical interaction and participation in purpose-driven tasks,” according to Chantal Sicile-Kira, whose autistic son is an adult and who’s written three books on autism. Sicile-Kira is quoted in an article in today’s Orange County Register about the first school-district sponsored sports league for autistic children. The league was started by Kathy Murphy, a speech language pathologist at Harbor View Elementary in Newport Beach; soccer, T-ball, and track are offered. No one keeps score and, during a soccer game, “……everybody, no matter what team they were aligned with, cheered when a player found the back of the net.” My son Charlie’s been in Challenger league t-bal... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035855 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:04:29 +0100 2035855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035856&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fnq3q-zLkyuk%2F The terrible two’s are really just another name for “regressive autism spectrum disorder”?????—-so suggests a professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Temple University. From yesterday’s UPI.com: Gerry A. Stefanatos of Temple University in Philadelphia said regressive autistic spectrum disorder describes children who have been diagnosed with autism who demonstrate a history of a regression. The regression refers to a marked loss of previously acquired developmental skills such as language or social ability. “Often children with regression aren’t being seen by professionals at the time of the loss of skills,” Stefanatos said in a statement. “The parents are aware of a problem, but not sure what it is so they don’t seek ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035856 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:00:36 +0100 2035856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035857&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FJ9vZGdd_fzg%2F As in, school closures and budget cuts to programs for autistic children. In Brooklyn, a nationally recognized program for speech and language delayed children, The Little Room, will either be moved from its location in the Brooklyn Heights Montessori School or closed, according to the December 13th New York Times. The Little Room, which has been in operation since 1970, is “one of the most popular and best regarded [preschools for special education students], not just for those enrolled but for dozens of other families who receive evaluations and support services at the school.” Among the factors being cited as reasons for moving or closing The Little Room are the costs incurred from maintaining a small class size (The Little Room’s classes are capped at nine students) a... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035857 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:45:18 +0100 2035857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035858&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fv3UB4FiJwVA%2F In the midst of talk of diagnosis and disability rights, of treatments and of what’s an appropriate education for an autistic student, we took a hands-free cold walk last weekend to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza, and passed a wall of snowflakes too. Age of Diagnosis and the Apparent Increase in Autism A study in the December Archives of Pediatrics and General Medicine examines autism prevalence trends over time in Denmark and states that “the apparent increase in autism in recent years is in part attributable to a decrease over time in the age at diagnosis. Recovery Distracts How the notion of “recovery from autism” colors—not for the better— parents’ decisions about “treatments” and “therapies” for autism, and also on the popular percept... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035858 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:36:32 +0100 2035858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035859&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F-WtfDf89Z3U%2F A potentially double-good plan involves (1) preserving one of the last strips of undeveloped land within Dubuque’s city limits and (2) creating a residential facility with an on-site farm for autistic adults: Today’s THOnline tells more about an effort to preserve green space and provide a place to live, and to work, for autistic adults. $985,000 has to be raised to purchase the property and the whole project could cost some $2million, so there’s a lot more to do. Says Craig Beytien, whose autistic son is 15 years old, “‘We’ve got the passion and some ability, but does the economic model support it?’”Goes without saying—hoping that it can, and will.  Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, disabilities blog, disability, dubuque, Educ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035859 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:00:30 +0100 2035859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035860&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FftHoVlF9GxE%2F Children with autism and other disabilities, and more of them, are “actually getting arrested for having tantrums at school,” Minnesota’s WCCO reports. 13-year-old Dakota Jacobson was charged with a felony after he was found carrying a pocket knife in his coat: [Dakota] didn’t threaten anyone, but bringing any kind of weapon to school is a felony in Minnesota. While most kids understand why you wouldn’t want to do that, Dakota did not. “He’s 13 and he’s autistic,” explained his mother [Kathryn Jacobson]. Children with autism can have trouble understanding rules. His mom says he was just trying to be like his dad, Brian. “Brian is on the volunteer fire department, carries a knife hooked up to his belt, so he kind of likes to emulat... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035860 Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:36:19 +0100 2035860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035589&cid=t_105409_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=2033258&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F43dWxgLWU5o%2F Earlier this week, mega-autism-organization Autism Speaks announced the appointment of three new board members, Artie Kempner, lead director for the NFL and NASCAR on FOX; Billy Mann, President of International A & R - Labels and President of Global Artist Management, EMI Music; and Jack Schneider, managing director of Allen & Co.. Kempner and Mann are both fathers of autistic children. It’s been noted (by Lisa Jo Rudy at About.com) that the new board members include no one who’s autistic. With the rise of self-advocacy organizations like ASAN, and also GRASP and many others, the absence of an autistic member on Autism Speaks’ board seems more and more puzzling. The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee lists Stephen Shore, a self-advocate, on its roster, and ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033258 Sat, 13 Dec 2008 07:51:20 +0100 2033258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033259&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F73blwjze_fA%2F Autism a factor in swallowing magnets, is the headline for a story in UPI today. The actual reference to autism in the news story does not make such a clear link about autistic individuals and magnets: U.S. researchers said a child’s medical or psychological status — such as autism — was a factor linked to swallowed magnets. “Not all children will be inclined to swallow magnets, but if a particular child displays tendencies to eat or swallow inappropriate objects, flags should be raised and special attention should be paid to ensuring that toys do not contain any type of magnetic components,” study author Dr. Alan Oestreich of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center say in a statement. A study in Pediatric Radiology is cited and it’s note... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033259 Sat, 13 Dec 2008 01:39:12 +0100 2033259 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033260&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FZsTTvmqgD64%2F In her Domestic Disturbances column today, Judith Warner writes about “emotional enmeshment,” which she defines as “the boundary collapsing” that, she thinks, is the “signature characteristic of motherhood (and parenthood) in our time.” Warner scrutinizes her relationship with her two daughters, aged 11 and 8. While she notes that she’s sought to establish boundaries between herself and them: I despised the cliché “you can only be as happy as your least happy child.” What drivel this was, I thought. What self-indulgence. Wasn’t it a parent’s responsibility to remain whole in the face of a child’s unhappiness, the better to buoy him or her through difficult times? As the years passed, I refused to be a good Suzuki mother and sit in on my ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033260 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:00:15 +0100 2033260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033261&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F-l3FWYBuQ98%2F Back in August of 2007, University of Georgia mathematics professor Shuzhou Wang was charged with making terroristic threats at Cedar Shoals High School during a parent-teacher conference for one of his children; Wang is the father of two autistic children. As reported in the Athens Banner-Herald, a grand jury did not indict Wang, noting that he did not intend to terrorize anyone: At least one school official felt threatened by his remarks, according to the indictment prosecutors presented. Wang “did threaten to commit a crime of violence with the purpose of terrorizing (the official) by threatening to kill people in the county,” the court document states. The professor and his wife struggle to raise two children with autism, and he was frustrated during the meeting and said th... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033261 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:00:59 +0100 2033261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033262&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fmrd9ldllxJQ%2F The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) is meeting today from 9am to 4pm, at the National Institutes of Health Neuroscience Center, Conference Room A (6001 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20892). You can listen in virtually via a webinar: Use this link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/446892042 Or, you can attend via conference call at these numbers: USA/Canada Phone Number: 888-455-2920 International Phone Number: 212-287-1838 Access code: 3857872 The agenda for today’s meeting is to complete the review of the IACC Strategic Plan for ASD Research Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan addressed six questions: 1) When should I be concerned? • What are the early warnings signs? • Are there typical characteristics that are part of an ASD diagnosis? • How much v... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033262 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 07:36:47 +0100 2033262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033263&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FRj1cEpmQOdo%2F A review of special needs education in the UK has found that “parents feel the system is not on their side,” today’s BBC reports: [Inquiry chairman] Brian Lamb wrote: “A major concern for parents is the lack of transparency and lack of information about school and local authority SEN policies”. And he said no-one discussed with parents what their hopes and aspirations were for their children. I suspect the situation is not so different for parents in the US…… Tags: arizona, asd, asperger, autism blog, bbc, disabilities blog, disability, education autism, Health, parenthood, special education, special needsShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033263 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:00:14 +0100 2033263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033264&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FarDyYzTlSrY%2F Life 101: That’s how the University of Arizona’s Chapel Haven West program is referred to in a story on yesterday’s ABC News. The program helps young adults with autism learn “to live independent and productive lives.” “Just friendships, job interviews, actually filling out resumes and bringing them to a job, having a roommate,” said Betsey Parlato, president of Chapel Haven. “These are all things that you and I take for granted, but for someone with autism it’s a monumental challenge.” In a social skills class, University of Arizona teaching assistants show the students the “hidden rules” that help them navigate their surroundings and interpret changing social cues. “Not to stare inappropriately and that kind of... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033264 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:06:47 +0100 2033264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033265&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FfbXMZNloCH8%2F An editorial in today’s Palm Beach Post reports that Alex Barton’s mother is hopeful that a request for private schooling will be settled soon. A “bigger problem” is also noted: The bigger problem, as public schools have to deal with more problems with less money, will be seeing that all children get the testing and help that they need - without wasting a lot of time. If Alex had received help more quickly, the Survivor scandal might never have happened. If training about autism and special needs kids in the classroom had been provided……… if there’d been more and real understanding of what it’s really like to have Asperger’s Syndrome……. if…………… Tags: alex barton, asd, asperger, autism, aut... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033265 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:11:18 +0100 2033265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027193&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FJZqMcLgGO5I%2F Thanks to all who sent the kind birthday regards. My birthday coincided with the last day of classes at my college and the morning was packed with review sessions prior to exams and a couple of phone calls about matters that needed to be figured out by today (meaning Wednesday, i.e., yesterday) and some missing files of a rather important nature. (Two found, one still missing.) At 11am a student came in to talk about her graduate school applications; she had a bag lined in red tissue paper (a little soggy from the rain) and gave it to me. Inside was a hardcover version of my Latin textbook. Since I first taught my student Elementary Latin four years ago, I’ve been through three or four paperback versions of the book. The cover inevitably gets ripped off and the book’s spine spl... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027193 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:46:08 +0100 2027193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027194&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FKYZXtFhvO64%2F All That Noise Is Damaging Children’s Hearing, said an article in yesterday’s New York Times—noise from headphones, video games, computers, TVs, “power mowers, leaf blowers, snow blowers, car and house alarms, sirens, motorcycles, Jet Skis, loudspeakers, even movie previews,” not to mention music from weddings, parties, rock concerts…………………. All of which falls rather ironically on my ears since the only reason Charlie is wearing headphones is because he’s become so sound-sensitive and needs to block out noise…………………. Tags: alarms, arizona, asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, cars, disabilities blog, disability, Education, headpones, Health, hearing, hearing loss, lawnmowers, ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027194 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:19:02 +0100 2027194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027195&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FpQubl1wZPHo%2F 12-year-old Joshua Wilson has made it all the way to the base camp of Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world, today’s Bournemouth Echo reports. Wilson, who’s autistic, is believed to be the youngest ever to trek that far. Talk about climbing every mountain………. Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, base camp, bournemouth, climbing, disabilities blog, disability, Education, Health, mt everest, nepal, parenthood, special needsShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027195 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:15:52 +0100 2027195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027196&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F1tKB_p7qnzI%2F Washington’s first private school specifically for autistic children, Wintros Academy, closed its doors last Friday, according to yesterday’s Whidbey News Time Reporter: Founders of the academy say local school districts are partly to blame after months of failed talks with special education departments. It’s a problem a spokesperson with the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) called “common.” In order for Wintros to receive state funding, it first needed sponsorship by a school district to be certified as a non-public agency, instead of a private school. But no Whidbey school district would sign on. “A district would need to extend their liability to the school, which is where problems can start,” Doug Gill of OSPI said. Wintros Academy h... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027196 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:00:20 +0100 2027196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027197&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fn1WgatgCdvs%2F I grow old … I grow old … I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled. I write fairly frequently here about Charlie growing up. Of course, he’s not the only one around here getting older: It’s my birthday today, and I’m 40. Fout-ohmygod, as one my mom-blog-friend puts it. Like the narrator in T.S. Eliot’s poem, I grow old, I do grow old, and I actually do roll the bottoms of my trousers (ok, pants), because I’m too lazy to get out a needle and thread and hem them. My mother did teach me to hem, years ago, and it really is years ago, due to this birthday thing. She taught us the basics; I think my first “creation” was a pocket made of fabric from the scraps of the Halloween costumes and jumpers and curtains and pillows she used to mak... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027197 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 07:08:38 +0100 2027197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027198&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FmNvwhs2L-t8%2F On October 12, while presiding as the honorary chair for an Autism Speaks walk on the campus of Ohio State University, President Gordon Gee made remarks including the statement that “‘It [autism] should not exist.’” Melanie Yergeau, a 2nd-year Ph.D. student in English, wrote this letter, which is posted on the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network blog. As Yergeau, who notes that she has Asperger’s Syndrome, writes: Until very recently, I have felt incredibly welcome at Ohio State—due to the interdisciplinary work of the Disability Studies Program and the Department of English, the Office of Disability Services, and the programs for high-functioning/Asperger’s adults at the Nisonger Center. I would urge you, as you continue in your autism advocacy, to consider wh... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027198 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:30:50 +0100 2027198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027199&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FMPYmCT5kYLs%2F Charlie’s bus ride home from school seems to take some 15 minutes, hence my daily rush from work to get to home. The December 8th Newsday reports that more than 1000 special needs children are”sent off Long Island for education and sometimes housing, costing schools and the state millions of dollars.” Two New York state lawmakers and parents are calling on education officials to change regulations that currently limit how many children can be educated at “special sites” on Long Island. How far does your child—or do you—travel to school? (Not, it’s hoped, two hours.) Tags: arizona, asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, disabilities blog, disability, Education, Health, long island, new york, parenthood, Schoolbus, special needsShare This (Source:... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027199 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:54:13 +0100 2027199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027200&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FiL1ipKgmG44%2F Experimental drugs that are said to “correct” symptoms of Fragile X, Rett Syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex are now in early-stage human trials, the MIT Technology Review reports. The drugs reduce the activity of a receptor called metabotropic glutamate receptor 5, or mGluR5, and have previously been tested on mice, as reported in the June 25-29 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. From the MIT Technology Review: People with fragile X, the most common form of heritable mental retardation and a leading cause of autism, have a mutation in the FMRP gene, which normally inhibits protein synthesis stimulated by a receptor called metabotropic glutamate receptor 5, or mGluR5. Last year, [lead researcher and MIT neuroscientist Mark Bear] and Gul Dolen, al... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027200 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:59:01 +0100 2027200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027201&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FKfyGG7tbK7Q%2F One of my students is writing her senior thesis on environmental psychology and classrooms for special needs students. This is the fourth year I’ve known her; she’s an education major and has a special needs sibling, and I’ve long shared stories with her about Charlie and found her a sympathetic and supportive presence. Early yesterday afternoon, she stopped by my office and she asked me a series of questions, as research for her thesis, and I’ve been reflecting on her questions and my answers to them. What do you worry most about for Charlie? I’m afraid this one was too easy to answer: A job and a place to live, I said. And paused. I said: What happens to Charlie when we’re gone……. The other questions evoked less overtly existential sorts of... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027201 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:05:26 +0100 2027201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027067&cid=t_105409_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D5510 What can a motley group of young men with various disabilities (blindness, deafness, Asperger & Down syndromes, and autism) do? Why form a Rock Band. Here’s Australia’s Rudely Interrupted performing in a music video Rudely Interrupted in Myspace The group recently performed at the the UN HQ on occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2008 (via Medgadget.com) from the Malaysian Medical Resources Don’t break my heart (music video) (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027067 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2027067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2021577&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FhAHohdak74s%2F A 5-year-old Arizona boy was bound at his hands and feet with duct tape by his father, as reported in today’s AZFamily.com. Jasper Smalley has been diagnosed with “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bi-polar Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome.” Here’s what allegedly occurred: [Jasper’s mother, April Smalley] says one day her ex-husband found out Jasper was caught hitting other children at daycare. “He called me after he had taped him up and told me he had duct-taped our son. I asked him to remove the tape immediately, and he said he wouldn’t. He said he was being punished.” It was a punishment that made its mark in Jasper who was bound at his wrists and ankles. April explains, “There were red abrasions on his wrists. It looked almost like where the tap... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2021577 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:04:35 +0100 2021577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2021578&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fq7WzIwVwu68%2F Those with savant syndrome have “quite remarkable, and sometimes spectacular, talents”—such as being able to recite prime number after prime number or to draw the city of Rome with photographic precision—while also having “serious mental or physical disability” (according to one website). Garrett Heaney in Wishtank describes an exchange two individuals who have been diagnosed with savant syndrome, Kim Peek (the model for Raymond in the movie Rain Man, though Raymond is referred to as “autistic” and as an “autistic savant”) and Daniel Tammet, the author of Born on a Blue Day). In particular, Heaney considers this exchange of words between Peek and Tammet: Towards the end of their first encounter, Kim hugs Daniel and says to him “... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2021578 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:35:49 +0100 2021578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2021579&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FDWbLLJ5vfJc%2F Four years ago, Larry and Judy Vardon’s house was extensively remodeled thanks to ABC-TV’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, in part to accommodate their blind, autistic now-16-year-old son, Lance. Now the family faces the loss of the house: The family’s mortgage payment has almost doubled since the makeover and their medical insurance does not cover medical, dental, and other therapies for Lance. Both Larry and Judy Vardon are deaf and the renovations included the installation of cameras and flat-screen monitors for them to monitor their son. As reported in today’s Associated Press via MLive: Adding to their insecurity, Larry Vardon, 50, works at Chrysler LLC’s Sterling Heights stamping plant. The company is on the brink of bankruptcy as it and the other Detroi... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2021579 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:35:46 +0100 2021579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2021580&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FcOAoIKZVBG0%2F In the December 8th Bangalore Times, the need to research ayurvedic treatment for autism is noted: For children identified with autism spectrum disorders, ayurveda has a range of internal medications and external treatments that are done for an average of 21 days and repeated periodically. These contribute significantly to improved social interaction, improved eye-to-eye contact, reduced hyperactivity, improved communication and also improvement in metabolism and other associated complaints….. Many ayurvedic medicines can contain dangerous quantities of heavy metals, including lead, mercury, thallium and arsenic, a recent study in the International Journal of Environment and Health reported. Be careful what you “treat” autism with. Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2021580 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:49:00 +0100 2021580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2021581&cid=t_105409_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FTop1OO0F-ks%2F A couple of years ago, I stopped holding Charlie’s hand on our regular walks around the neighborhood. He was starting to let go more and more, to pull away when he wanted to walk on the grass or stop to examine a crack in the pavement. At first, this seemed like not the best turn of events. How was I to stop Charlie when we came to an intersection? What if he started running away? At first, I made a point of walking reallyclose and our walks were a bit nerve-wracking, for me at least. And I realized that, for me, the first thing I had to work on was my nerves: I had to stay calm and carry on. Charlie doesn’t talk a lot (in words, that is) but he certainly understands a great, great deal of what he hears, and picks up a lot of non-verbal communication; it’s long been evide... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2021581 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:17:55 +0100 2021581