Avoid 'Overvaluing' Your Child to Prevent Narcissism

Study Finds 17% of College Students Misuse ADHD Drugs

[Source: Medical News Today]

At college, students can come under a lot of pressure to achieve good results, but, unfortunately, a large number may be resorting to risky methods to deal with expectations. A recent literature review reports that 1 in 6 college students misuse stimulant medications prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

There is a widespread belief that stimulant ADHD medicine can improve academic achievement, despite a lack of any scientific evidence demonstrating its success in people without ADHD.

Rett Syndrome Treatment May Lie in Targeting 'Long Genes'

[Source: Medical News Today]
 

A new study suggests targeting long genes could be a new treatment avenue for the devastating childhood disorder Rett Syndrome. The authors found that lack of the MeCP2 protein that is the hallmark of the disease causes subtle - but widespread - overexpression of long genes with functions important for the brain.

Rett Syndrome is caused by the absence of MeCP2, a protein that regulates the expression of genes.

Disney Faulted In Disability Access Complaints 

[Source:  Disability Scoop] 

A civil rights commission has found reason to believe that Disney discriminated against theme park visitors with developmental disabilities after altering its disability access policy.

In five cases, the Florida Commission on Human Relations has found that "reasonable cause exists to believe that unlawful public accommodation practices occurred" at Disney parks.

The panel's determinations, dated Feb. 13, but released publicly this month, represent a blow to Disney. The company has insisted that proper accommodations have been offered to guests with disabilities despite making significant changes to its access policy in 2013.

Robot Model Shows Bodily Posture May Affect Memory & Learning

[Source: Science Daily]

An Indiana University cognitive scientist and collaborators have found that posture is critical in the early stages of acquiring new knowledge.

Better Breakfast Better Grades

[Source:  Medical News Today]

University of Iowa research shows free breakfasts improve performance of schools with more students from low income familis.  

A new study from the University of Iowa reinforces the connection between good nutrition and good grades, finding that free school breakfasts help students from low-income families perform better academically.

The study finds students who attend schools that participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's School Breakfast Program (SBP) have higher achievement scores in math, science, and reading than students in schools that don't participate.

Hot Job of the Week:  Pediatric Clinical Lead - Oklahoma City, OK

Hot Jobs of the Week:  School OT and COTA Jobs - Auburn, NY  

PediaStaff is searching for an Occupational Therapist and a COTA to work in a school based setting near the beautiful Finger Lake Region of New York.  The position is based in Auburn.  You will have the opportunity to work with children in grades K-12.  Part time and full time caseload schedules are available on either a contract or direct hire basis.  The schedules are flexible and you may consider short or long term assignments.  The opportunity to work in other pediatric settings may be an option over time. 

This area boasts a rich historical legacy - Ithaca is the birthplace of the Ice Cream Sundae!  Throughout the year, you will find an array of arts and cultural attractions.  Enjoy family friendly shopping on pedestrian malls, or wander through the diverse theatre and museum offerings. No matter 

 Learn More About / Apply for This Job on our Blog

Placement of the Week:  OTR Fayetteville, AR

Congratulations to Julie L., on her new Occupational Therapy position with PediaStaff's outpatient client in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Julie will be working in a multi-disciplinary team in a variety of settings, including the clinic and Head Start with children ages birth to school-aged.

Great Job, Julie!

School Psych Resource:  Managing Big Emotions: Printable Poster

[Source: Childhood 101]
 

Whenever I ask parents what their biggest parenting struggle is, patience is always right there at the top of the list. We struggle to keep our cool in all sorts of situations - when we are rushing to get everyone out the door, when we have asked our child 272 times to do something, when they whine and whinge, when siblings squabble, and the list goes on.

Often it is when our children are having the most trouble keeping their cool that we also lose ours. Which we all know is pretty unhelpful in the scheme of things, especially as our children are 

Fine Motor Activity of the Week:  Clothes Pin Silly Faces  

[Source: Your Therapy Source]

Here are some FREE printables to make these fun clothes pin silly faces.  Print the download from Your Therapy Source.  Add some clothes pins and let the children create their own silly hair.  It would be even more fun if you had some hair extension clips that you could add.  They encourage strengthening of the fingers and hands and eye hand coordination. 

Plus, they are just plain cute!
 

SLP Resources of Week: 25+ Dinosaur Themed Resources for SLPs

Autism Resource of the Week: Aspergers 101