Psychosis Risk from Early Childhood Bereavement

Inner-ear Dysfunction Common to ADHD, Dyslexia and Autism

[Source:  Special Ed Post] 

Breastfeeding Helps Children Grow Friendly Gut Bacteria

[Source:  Medical News Today]

The presence of lactic acid bacteria in intestinal flora is important for the healthy development of the immune system in children's early years. Now, a Danish study that tracked over 300 children in their first 3 years of life, found that longer breastfeeding encouraged lactic acid bacteria to flourish in their guts for longer.

The study, led by the National Food Institute at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU-Food) in S�borg, is published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

Previous studies have shown that breastfed babies tend to be a little slimmer and grow more slowly than formula-fed infants. Breastfeeding has also been linked to lower risk of obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and allergies later in life

Child Focused and Context Focused Therapy Are Equally Effective

[Source:  Your Therapy Source via the Can Child Centre]

A group of researchers at the CanChild Centre in Canada completed research comparing child focused therapy and context focused therapy for children with cerebral palsy.  The participants included 128 children with cerebral palsy who received one sessions of therapy per week by an OT or PT of either child focused therapy or context focused therapy.  

The child focused therapy consisted of therapy sessions trying to change the child's mobility, body alignment, muscle strength and coordination.   Therapy also focused on improving a child's skills through practicing movements and activities.

Promising Results from Clinical Trial of Rett Syndrome Drug  

[Source:  Medical News Today]

Rett syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes mental retardation, autism, and physical deformities, has no cure. However, a small clinical trial has found that a growth factor known as IGF1 can help treat some symptoms of the disease.

Children who received the drug for four weeks showed improvements in mood and anxiety, as well as easier breathing, in a trial led by researchers at Boston Children's Hospital. MIT scientists first identified IGF1 as a possible treatment for Rett syndrome in 2009.

To Immunize Kids Against Illiteracy, Break Out A Book In Infancy   

[Source:  NPR.org]

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:   It's ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News. I'm Audie Cornish. Read to your children.   This isn't the first time you've heard that advice. But now parents with infants will start hearing it officially from pediatricians starting from birth. The American Academy of Pediatrics announced new guidance today for parents to quote, "immunize their children against illiteracy." 

To find out more, I spoke with Susan Neuman, Professor of Early Childhood and Literacy Education at New York University. She says, this all might sound obvious but researchers have found there's even more to it.

Alaska and Adventure are Calling  

Featured Job of the Week:  School Based PT - Reistertown, MD

OT Activity of Week:  3 Pre-Writing Activities Using Craft Sticks  

Therapy Idea of the Week:  Spelling with Tin Can Drums  

More Therapy Ideas of the Week:  Stick & Say Alphabet Game  

Free App of the Week:  Chain of Thought  

Editor's Note: Here is a great game for your High School speech and language clients!

[Source: Bridging Apps]

Chain of Thought is a game of word association for teens and adults. The app has three levels of play Easy, Medium and Difficult. The option is available for solo play, pass'n play and online play.

The game begins with a single word inside the silhouette of a brain such as jet. The user is presented with ten words to try to make a compound word. For example, jet - pack, rat, etc. After the user links five words together, they are given another set of words. This continues until they cannot make any more words.