SLP Corner: The Essence of Childhood, Found

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Heidi

by Kim Rowe, MA, CCC-SLP

windowintoI have to admit that my daughter has great language skills. I’m so reluctant to say that because I know how hard some children struggle to grasp and use language. I know that many of you are here because your child finds communicating a challenge and I don’t ever want to seem like I’m bragging or like my family is in any way perfect. I’m also reluctant to say it because as a speech-language pathologist people tend to credit me with my daughter’s language skills. I hate that because it takes away from who my daughter is on her own. Really, language is all her. She seeks it out. She is a communicator always looking for meaning and understanding. That’s just her. And while she has other challenges (and trust me EVERY child does no matter how well behaved they appear at the restaurant or how sweet they are on the playground), language comes easy to her.

I chose to go off topic a little from the norm today and share about my daughter, because in her ability to communicate, her words have often become little windows into the mind of a child. As her mom I get to peek in, see her, and try to understand. Even more, I’ve been learning. Each time I peek inside one of her word windows, the view is like an important lesson perfectly illustrated in front of me. These images bound together form a picture book of life’s lessons in their truest form – pure and innocent,

Read the Rest of this Article on the Little Stories blog

Featured Guest Columnist / Organization:  Kim Rowe MA, CCC-SLP and Little Stories

Kim is a speech-language pathologist working in early intervention in Savannah, GA. She is Hanen certified and passionate about family-centered services. When she’s not working, Kim enjoys writing at Little Stories, spending time with her husband, volunteering with her therapy dog Charlie, and listening to her daughter’s story unfold as she develops language.

Please support our contributors.  Visit the Little Stories Early Speech & Language Development Blog!

 

 


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Science Tackles Mystery of the Teenage Brain

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Heidi

[Source: New York Times / International Herald Tribune]

teenagebrainLONDON — Science may have split the atom and put a man on the moon but it has yet to solve the mysteries of the teenage brain.

A research team at Cambridge University plans to fix that by scanning 300 young people, aged 14 to 24, to determine how their brains change as they grow older.

In a study that could help identify the emergence of mental disorders in young adults, the subjects will also be tested on their inclination toward impulsive and risk-taking behavior.

Advances in M.R.I. scanning technology will allow the researchers to study gradual changes as the brain adapts to powerful hormonal signals as individuals mature, helping them to control impulsive behavior.

“Arguably we’ve all been there and it’s a very awkward and complex and confusing time of life,” Dr. Becky Inkster, a Cambridge neuroscientist, told the BBC.

“So by the use of imaging and other tools we can really tap into these features of the adolescent brain and understand how they develop over time as they become a young adult,” she said.

Read the Rest of this Article on the New York Times / International Herald Tribune

 


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Preterm Infants Benefit From Massage Therapy

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Heidi

lovingtouch
Image Credit: Loving Touch

 

[Source:  Medical News Today]

It seems that even for the smallest of people, a gentle massage may be beneficial. Newborn intensive care units (NICUs) are stressful environments for preterm infants; mechanical ventilation, medical procedures, caregiving activities and maternal separation create these stressful conditions.

Born under-developed, preemies have an immature autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls stress response and recovery. For a preemie, even a diaper change is stressful and the immature ANS over reacts to these stressors. Since preterm infants can’t process stressors appropriately, interventions are needed to enhance ANS function and maturity.

Read the Rest of this Article on Medical News Today


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Worth Repeating: 5 Steps to Making the Most of Your Child’s Curiosity

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Heidi

Editor’s Note:  Nice Article to share with the parents/guardians of your kiddos

[Source:  I Can Teach My Child]

icanteach

Just recently my five year old daughter could not attend the swimming lessons that were part of her school program due to a nasty head wound. As she was so disappointed to be missing out on swimming, I wanted to be sure that we did something fun during the two extra hours a day we would have together, while also making the most of the time she would be away from school – being engaged, productive and learning together.

She had recently expressed a renewed interest in frogs, playing often with a collection of small frog figurines.  With the idea of using a short project-based approach to learning, I decided to make the most of her engagement and curiosity to set her a challenge – to create a home (habitat) for her frogs. As well as being good fun, the project process provided me with

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Breastfeeding May Reduce Risk of ADHD in Kids

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Heidi

[Source:  Special Ed Post]

breastfeedingadhd

by Christie Rizk 

Breastfeeding is generally thought to be healthier for newborn babies than bottle feeding. According to a new study published today in Breastfeeding Medicine, breastfeeding may even keep children from developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as they get older.

There are generally three ADHD subtypes, with patients classified as either primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive or impulsive, or both. Current research shows there may be a genetic component to ADHD, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Other possible risk factors include brain injury, environmental exposure to toxins like lead, and premature delivery. Treatment usually consists of a combination of behavioral therapy and medication.

Read the Rest of this Article on Special Ed Post


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