Timing Key During Motor Activity - Revealed by Birdsong Study

Effectiveness Of Cerebral Palsy Treatment Weighed

[Source: Disability Scoop]

A child with cerebral palsy can have a surgery in which a muscle is disconnected from the front of the knee and reattached to the back of the leg.
 

The surgery could improve the child's mobility by correcting the way the muscles move. Or it could make the child even more likely to lose balance and fall while tripping.
 

Right now, there's no way to know for sure which children with cerebral palsy could be helped by the surgery, which is done fairly frequently. But, thanks to research by a University of Tennessee doctoral student, in a couple of years doctors may be able to predict which children would do well with the surgery and which ones would be better off without it.

A Promise of Outstanding Occupational Therapy Care  

Editor's Note:  What a wonderful video!  What do you promise to do?

[Source: St. Louis University OT Department]

As the Class of 2015 Master of Occupational Therapy Students at Saint Louis University complete their coursework and get sent off to Level 2 Fieldwork, they made a promise to provide outstanding occupational therapy services to all their future clients. 

Memory in Fragile X Strengthened by Multiple/Short Sessions

[Source:  Medical News Today] 

A learning technique that maximizes the brain's ability to make and store memories may help overcome cognitive issues seen in fragile X syndrome, a leading form of intellectual disability, according to UC Irvine neurobiologists.
 

Christine Gall, Gary Lynch and colleagues found that fragile X model mice trained in three short, repetitious episodes spaced one hour apart performed as well on memory tests as normal mice. These same fragile X rodents performed poorly on memory tests when trained in a single, prolonged session - which is a standard K-12 educational practice in the U.S.
 

"These results are dramatic and never seen before. Fragile X model mice trained using this method had memory scores equal to those of control animals," said Gall, professor of anatomy & neurobiology and neurobiology & behavior. "Our findings suggest an easily implemented, noninvasive strategy for treating an important component of the cognitive problems found in patients with fragile X syndrome."

Delay Cutting Cord Two Minutes for Better Newborn Development 

A study conducted by University of Granada scientists (from the Physiology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Departments) and from the San Cecilio Clinical Hospital (Granada) has demonstrated that delaying the cutting of the umbilical cord in newborns by two minutes leads to a better development of the baby during the first days of life.This multidisciplinary work, published in the journal Pediatrics reveals that the time in cutting the umbilical cord (also called umbilical cord clamping) influences the resistance to oxidative stress in newborns.

Preeclampsia During Pregnancy Raises Autism Risk

Hot Job:  Pediatric Outpatient OT - Huntsville, TX  

Our client has a need for a high energy, pediatric Occupational Therapist to work full time in their outpatient facility in Huntsville, TX.  Huntsville is just north of the most sought after Houston addresses.  It is an easy commute north of The Woodlands, Conroe, Spring and so on.   The area of Huntsville is quickly becoming another bedroom community of Houston.  It's a reasonable and easy commute from areas in and around Conroe.  If you're looking to get out of the hustle and bustle, head north! Real estate, educational facilities and shopping is growing fast along this corridor.

Our client recently moved into a brand new facility.  Referrals keep arriving.

Hot Job: Bilingual School SLP - San Francisco, CA - CFs Welcome!  

We are seeking a Bilingual Spanish Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) to work with the kiddos from K-8 grade for a school in San Francisco, California.  This full time position is to start as soon as possible and go through June, 2015 with the possibility for summer school.  

Qualifications: Must hold a Masters degree in Communication Sciences; a current state license (or eligible).  CFs with School Fieldwork will be considered.  A support team and supervision is available.  
 

Hot Job:  School Based Contract OT - DuPage County, IL  

We are working with a school district in DuPage County who is in need of an OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST to work full time for the 2015 school year.  You will work between a few schools in close proximity in the Villa Park and Addison areas.    Caseload consists of one middle school and two high school with some transitional kids.   Contract rates commensurate with experience.
 

Qualifications: Must hold appropriate Degree in Occupational Therapy; a current state license (or eligible) if applicable. 

Therapist Resource of the Week:  The Safe Lifting Portal  

[Source: The Safe Lifting Portal]

Did you know that physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other rehabilitation practitioners are just as susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries as RNs and patient caregivers?

The Safe Lifting Portal encourages Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists to practice safe patient handling at all times.

Pinterest Pin of the Week:  Articulation Christmas Tree  

Editor's Note:  This week's pin of the week is from a currently inactive blog.   I believe Speech Lady Liz is not currently working in pediatrics.  Regardless, this blog still has some fantastic ideas for school based speech and language clinicians.
 

[Source: Speech Lady Liz]
 

We made Christmas trees out of articulation words that are winter themed.  Colored the pictures green, added a star on top and these labels so parents knew what this activity was all about. 

Featured App of the Week:  InPromptu for ADL Video Modeling  

Resource of the Week:  Speech Book Shelf