Researchers Pinpoint Chemo Effect on Brain, Link to Autism?

Video: Young Athlete Pushes the Limits of a Crippling Disease

[Source:  ESPN Via ABC News]
 

Entering her senior year at Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Kayla Montgomery had big goals-to win the Cross-Country State Championship. It was a goal that seemed completely impossible just three years earlier, when Kayla was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis-an often debilitating disease that in in Kayla's case causes her to lose all feeling from the waist down during a race.

Bilingual Cognitive Advantage May Be Less than Advertised

[Source: Psych Central]

A new study challenges the idea that bilingual speakers have a cognitive advantage.

The research suggests that a publication bias in favor of positive results may skew the overall literature on bilingualism and cognitive function.
 

The research is published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
 

"Publishing only 'successful' studies means that we do not have access to many valuable studies that could increase our understanding of the actual effects of bilingualism," said lead researcher Angela de Bruin, psychology doctoral student at Edinburgh University.

Research: Distracted to Learn? Maybe Not 

[Source: Psych Central]

Surprising new research may rewrite learning theory as Brown University scientists contend that distractions do not necessarily impede the learning process of a motor task.
 

Investigators discovered that if attention was as divided during recall of a motor task as it was during learning the task, people performed as if there were no distractions at either stage.

Early Parental Writing Support is Key to Children's Literacy

[Source: Science Daily]
 

Children of the Information Age are inundated with written words streaming across smartphone, tablet, and laptop screens. A new Tel Aviv University study says that preschoolers should be encouraged to write at a young age - even before they make their first step into a classroom.
 

A new study published in the Early Childhood Research Quarterly explains why early writing, preceding any formal education, plays an instrumental role in improving a child's literacy level, vocabulary, and fine motor skills. The research, conducted by Prof. Dorit Aram of TAU's Jaime and Joan Constantiner School of Education in collaboration with Prof. Samantha W. Bindman of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and other colleagues in the US, assessed the merits of early parental mediation of children's literacy and language in English, and recommended useful techniques to that end.

Designer Focuses On Interiors For Those With Autism    

[Source:  Disability Scoop]  

A.J. Paron-Wildes' home, a walk-out rambler in suburban Oak Park Heights, Minn., is a study in calm - all clean, uncluttered spaces and earthy, neutral hues that echo the autumn leaves framing the view of the St. Croix River. On an autumn afternoon, daughter Eva, 6, is having an after-school snack, while son Devin, 19, sketches intently, seated at the studio desk in his orderly bedroom.

This peaceful environment is entirely by design. When you have a child child with autism, calm is a precious commodity - and Paron-Wildes has become an expert at creating it, starting in her own home.

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PediaStaff Placement of Week:  PediaStaff Places Part-Time Too!  

Congratulations to Jennifer W., on her new part-time position with PediaStaff's client in West Suburban Boston!  
 

She will be working as a Physical Therapist 6-10 hours a week for the remainder of the school year.

They have one other PT working with the district, but the caseload has grown. Assistance is needed at two school sites in close proximity to one another. The district estimates that 6 hours of direct service and one hour of consultation is needed weekly, with fill-in when necessary.

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New Grad Job of the Week:  School Based SLP - Four Corners, NM  

Hot Job:  School Psychologist - San Francisco, CA

Hot Job: Be a "Twilight" SLP - Richmond, Texas

Every thought how nice it would be to have the mornings to yourself and start work a bit later?  Then maybe this "Twilight SLP" job is for you!  All experience levels welcome to apply!
 

Our client is an outpatient clinic on the west side of Houston in Richmond. They are seeking a direct hire  Speech Language Pathologist to work in their clinic Monday-Thursday 12 noon to 8:00PM and Fridays 3:00PM-7:00 PM. Caseload ranges in age 0-21.  37 hours/wk guaranteed.

Pinterest Resource of the Week -  Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Too!  

Literacy Resource of the Week: Best Picture Books of 2014  

Many of the wonderful titles below could stand shoulder to shoulder with the best of any year, and leading the charge is a marshmallowy fellow with a scotch-taped crown determined to do the unimaginable.

Handwriting Activity of Week: "Frozen" Inspired Salt Writing Tray  

SLP Activity of Week: Christmas Would You Rather Questions

We love this one!   Here are some fun Would You Rather Questions to use during the Holiday Season. 

Great for stimulating conversation!

[Source:  Minds in Bloom]