Language Acquisition in the News:  Brain Appears Hardwired for Some Aspects of Language 

A new study discovers that human brains share common linguistic restrictions on the sound pattern of language.

The understanding that language is hard-wired helps to explain why language is so constrained. For example, people blog, they don't lbog, and they schmooze, not mshooze.

The groundbreaking study is published in PLOS ONE by psychologist Dr. Iris Berent of Northeastern University and researchers at Harvard Medical School.

Investigators discovered the brains of individual speakers are sensitive to language universals. Syllables that are frequent across languages are recognized more readily than infrequent syllables.

ADHD in the News:  Scientists Discover Brain's Anti-Distraction System  

[Source:  Science Daily]

Two Simon Fraser University psychologists have made a brain-related discovery that could revolutionize doctors' perception and treatment of attention-deficit disorders.

This discovery opens up the possibility that environmental and/or genetic factors may hinder or suppress a specific brain activity that the researchers have identified as helping us prevent distraction.

The Journal of Neuroscience has just published a paper about the discovery by John McDonald, an associate professor of psychology and his doctoral student John Gaspar, who made the discovery during his master's thesis research.

Prenatal Health & Autism in the News:  Prenatal Exposure to SSRIs Associated with Autism and Developmental Delays in Boys   

[Source:  Medical News Today]

Down Syndrome in the News:  Link Uncovered Between Down Syndrome and Leukemia    

[Source: Medical News Today]

Although doctors have long known that people with Down syndrome have a heightened risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during childhood, they haven't been able to explain why. Now, a team of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators has uncovered a connection between the two conditions.

In a study posted online by the journal Nature Genetics, the researchers track the genetic chain of events that links a chromosomal abnormality in Down syndrome to the cellular havoc that occurs in ALL. Their findings are relevant not only to people with Down syndrome but also to many others who develop ALL.

The Mechanisms Behind Eating in the News: Biting vs. Chewing: Cutting Their Food Helps Kids Behave Better

Editor's Note:   So maybe when we "rip into our food," somehow our base animal instincts come out?   The study doesn't give any theory for these results.   Very small sample size, but quite intriguing.  We would love to see more!

[Science Daily]

There's a new secret to get your child to behave at the dinner table - cut up their food and they'll relax.

During a 4-H summer camp, 12 elementary children were observed for this 2-day study.

A new Cornell study published in Eating Behaviors, found that when 6-10 year old children ate foods they had to bite with their front teeth - such as drumsticks, whole apples, or corn on the cob - they were rowdier than when these foods had been cut. "They were twice as likely to disobey adults and twice as aggressive toward other kids," said Brian Wansink, Professor and Director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab

Learning Through Literacy in the News:  Study Suggests Storybooks as Effective as Vocabulary Books for Learning Facts

PediaStaff Therapy Placement of the Week:  SLP in Southwestern Indiana  

Congratulations to Sierra S., SLP who has just landed a school-based speech and language position through PediaStaff in southwest Indiana. They had a need for an SLP for an elementary aged caseload to work from October until late May and Sierra fits the bill! The caseload includes general education, moderate to severe and transitional classes. One school location. Hours are 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Great job, Sierra!

PediaStaff Job Search Tip of the Week:  Is Your Best Face Forward on Facebook?  

Would you want a potential employer to see your Facebook page as it stands today?

A recent study commissioned by Career Builder, has found that 37 percent of hiring managers use social networking sites to research job applicants, with over 65 percent of that group using Facebook as their primary resource. 34 percent of hiring managers said they had come across something that caused them not to hire a candidate. In nearly half of these cases, the person posted a provocative photo or had made reference to drinking or drug use.

How do YOUR Facebook (Twitter and Instagram) accounts reflect you? Chances are, if there is something on your page that you wouldn't want your grandmother to see, you should delete it.    Also, double check your privacy settings to make sure that nothing compromising or embarrassing is visible to the public.

Featured Job of the Week:  School Speech-Language Pathologist - North Charlotte, NC  

Therapist Tip of the Week:  Printing Sticky Notes for Executive Function Help  

Disclaimer: I don't know about you, but I have a ton of clients who avoid writing like the plague. And that isn't even an over dramatization. There is so much anxiety around it for so many of my students. Whether is sensory, motor planning, task initiation ... they all have a valid reason for their dislike. I'm a firm believer in "picking your Alamo", and writing just is not one of them for me. I may make a few OTs angry at me with this post but I'm going to say it: I let my clients avoid writing. Heck, I even help them! Here's why: I get a very short amount of time with them each week (40 minutes). I am NOT going to spend 20 of it convincing them to START writing. There are different topics that take a priority for us. Not better, not worse. Just different. Ok, now that is out of the way...

Speech-Language Activity of the Week:  Beginning Sound Letter Hunt  

Pinterest Pin of the Week:  Alphabet Match Fine Motor Activity  

[Source: Teacher Resources for Parents]

This activity is really easy to put together and is perfect for kids that are learning their letters. It is also a great way to work on fine motor skills.