Babies Born in Winter Crawl Earlier Than Those Born in Summer

Autism, Attention Deficit Marked by Opposing Brain Changes

[Source:  Simons Foundation]

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention Effective for Autism  

[Source:  Best Practice Autism.com]
 

It is well established that early intervention is a critical determinant in the course and outcome of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) is considered a central feature of intervention programming for children with autism. EIBI programs are among the most and best researched of the psychoeducational interventions.

A new comparative effectiveness review prepared for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) finds that there is substantially more evidence for behavior therapy in treating autism than just a few years ago. The report, Therapies for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Behavioral Interventions Update, is based on research conducted by the Vanderbilt Evidence-based Practice Center and brings practitioners up to date about the current state of evidence related to behavioral interventions.

Early Intervention Can Curb Aggression in Kids 

[Source: Psych Central]
 

Timely new research discovers aggressive children are less likely to become violent criminals or psychiatrically troubled adults if they receive early school and home-based interventions.

The Fast-Track Project study, by researchers at Duke, Pennsylvania State, Vanderbilt universities and the University of Washington, began in 1991 with the screening of nearly 10,000 five year-old children in Durham, Nashville, Seattle, and rural Pennsylvania for aggressive behavior problems.

Nearly 900 children were deemed at high risk, and of those, half were randomly assigned to receive the Fast Track intervention, while the other half were assigned to a control group.

Postural Control in Very Preterm Children

Recent research assessed the postural control of 90 very preterm (VPT) children (<30 weeks gestation) and 36 full term children (>37 weeks gestation) at four years old. Using a Wii Balance Board, various tasks were assessed including static two-limbed standing with eyes open, eyes closed, eyes open on a foam mat, eyes closed on a foam mat, single leg standing on each limb and a cognitive dual task (involved showing the participants a series of pictures that appeared on screen at 2-second intervals). 
 

Brain's White Matter Highly Predictive of Reading Acquisition

UC San Francisco researchers have used brain scans to predict how young children learn to read, giving clinicians a possible tool to spot children with dyslexia and other reading difficulties before they experience reading challenges.
 

In the United States, children usually learn to read for the first time in kindergarten and become proficient readers by third grade, according to the authors. In the study, researchers examined brain scans of 38 kindergarteners as they were learning to read formally at school and tracked their white matter development until third grade. The brain's white matter is essential for perceiving, thinking and learning.
 

The researchers found that the developmental course of the children's white matter volume predicted the kindergarteners' abilities to read.

Job of the Week:  Part-Time, Autism Specific SLP, North Texas 

Our client provides autism-specific outpatient therapy for children and adults in North Texas. They provide a warm and accepting therapeutic environment which will lead their patients toward effective language, communication, social skills and sensory integration.

They seek a part time Speech-Language Pathologist with their C's and some experience working with children, adolescence and/or adults on the spectrum. Applicant should have a comfort level when dealing with patients that have irregular behaviors. Clinic provides occupational and physical therapy and plans to add ABA therapy soon. This is one of several sites across Texas specifically geared to the multitude of children with some form of autism. If you're interested in working with this population in a rewarding and supportive environment, then apply today to find out more. This position could become a full time opening in a few short 

Ask PediaStaff: I've Filled out My Application, What Happens Next?  

After you have completed your screening questionnaire/interview, your profile and resume will be sent to the appropriate PediaStaff Staffing Consultant(s) for your geographic area. You will receive a notification from the PediaStaff career center confirming your application has been received as well the contact information for your assigned staffing representative.
 

Please note that as much as we would like to place everyone who comes to us for assistance, market factors don't always make that possible. PediaStaff does pledge however to get with you as soon as possible even if we don't think we will be able to help you.

Placement of the Week: Early Intervention PT

Congratulations to Wendy B., LPT on her full time position with one of PediaStaff's Early Intervention clients in the DFW Metro area!

Wendy will be serving young children throughout Northwest Dallas in their natural environments in this salaried, direct hire position.
 

Great Job, Wendy!

SLP Activity of the Week: Talk Like a Pirate Day Freebie  

[Source:  Speechie Freebies and Activity Tailor blogs]
 

Ahoy, me Hearties!  "Talk Like a Pirate Day" is right around the corner (9/19) and a true pirate always has a trusty parrot on his shoulder.  Here's a chance to catch one for yourself!

You will need:

• A copy of the worksheet (print b&w or in color) for each student.
• A die.

Attn: School Nurses!  Instagram Post of the Week - DIY Ice Packs  

Here is a great idea for School Nurses with a Limited Budget!
 

Make disposable ice packs with ziplock freezer bags and Dawn dish soap.   The Dawn doesn't freeze completely and makes a gel like the soft type you can buy.  

Please note:  These are *just* as cold as any other ice packs, so make sure you give good instruction and place a towel of some type between the ice pack and the child's skin. 

Video:  What's Going on Inside A Dyslexic Student's Brain?  

[Source:  Ted-Ed via Mind Shift]
 

There's no such thing as a "normal brain." In fact, there's a lot of diversity in how different brains process information - a challenge for educators tasked with teaching a diverse group of learners. Dyslexia is a common variation that affects how kids read, but what's really going inside the brain of someone affected by it? Kelli Sandman-Hurley's Ted-Ed video explains

Sensory Activity of the Week:  Sweet Potato Play Dough