Video Modeling May Be Effective for Stuttering

Predictors of Independent Walking and Cerebral Palsy

[Source:  the journal Physical Therapy via Your Therapy Source]
 

Physical Therapy published research on 80 children with cerebral palsy (ages 2-6 years old, GMFCS Levels II-III) to examine what skills help to determine independent walking to help guide physical therapy decision-making.  One year prior to walking postural control, reciprocal lower limb movement, functional strength, and motivation were measured.  Family support to child and support to the child's family was measured seven months after study onset.

Infants Use Expectations to Shape Their Brains

[Source:  Medical XPress]
 

A series of experiments with infants ages 5 to 7 months has shown that portions of babies' brains responsible for visual processing respond not just to the presence of visual stimuli, but also to the mere expectation of visual stimuli, according to the researchers from Princeton University, the University of Rochester and the University of South Carolina.

Poverty's Most Insidious Damage is to a Child's Brain

[Source:  Science Daily]
 

An alarming 22 percent of U.S. children live in poverty, which can have long-lasting negative consequences on brain development, emotional health and academic achievement. A new study, published July 20 in JAMA Pediatrics, provides even more compelling evidence that growing up in poverty has detrimental effects on the brain.
 

First and Last Syllables Encoded Better From Birth On

Source:  Science Daily]
 

The cognitive system encodes the first and last syllables of words better than middle syllables. Researchers at SISSA, in collaboration with Udine Hospital (Azienda Ospedaliera di Udine), have demonstrated for the first time that this cognitive mechanism is present from birth. The study was published in the scientific review Developmental Science.
 

Deciphering Sounds Over Background Noise May Dx Reading Probs

[Source; Education News.org] 

In an effort to determine whether children are at risk for later learning difficulties, new research has found it may be possible to predict which preschoolers will struggle with learning to read. 

Studies are showing that the predictor has to do with how the brain deciphers speech in the midst of a noisy background. Lauran Neergaard of Associated Press writes that researchers from Northwestern University have analyzed brain waves of children as young as three and drawn remarkable conclusions.

Hot Job! Pediatric Hospital NICU OT- San Antonio, TX  

We have a wonderful opportunity for a NICU experienced OT.  We are working with a hospital facility in San Antonio who is in need of an Occupational Therapist in the NICU full time starting as soon as possible.  Hours are Monday through Friday with a Saturday rotation.  Hours can either be 7:30 - 4:00 or 8:00 - 4:30 dependent on the patients needs.

Can only accept candidates with at least 1 year's direct NICU OT experience

Hot Job! Pediatric School SLP - Los Alamos, NM 

PediaStaff is hiring now for a school in Los Alamos, New Mexico.  As a Contract Speech Therapist, you will become part of a professional team, dedicated to providing the very best care to the students of the school system for the 2015-2016 School Year. This position will involve working with Middle and High School students with a variety of diagnoses. The school year ends the end of May 2016.

Qualifications: MS in Communication Sciences, a current state license (or eligible) if applicable.

Hot Jobs! School-Based School Psych & SLP - Sonora, CA

PediaStaff is seeking a school-experienced School Psychologist and an SLP to work in a district in beautiful Sonora, California.   This is a beautiful area located near the National Parks that border Nevada. 

Pediatric Tx Activity of the Week: Puppet Crafts and Activities 

[Source:  Inner Child Fun]
 

Puppet crafts and activities are a great way to foster creativity for kids (or the kid-in-you). Many types of puppets can be made using common household items. Once the kids are finished creating their puppets, invite them to put on a show of their own. Later, you can watch movies with puppets streaming on Netflix. Below you will find some of our favorite family-friendly flicks. 

OT Activity of the Week: 2D Lego Circus Design Lego Mosaics  

These mosaics are fun for primary/elementary school aged children, as they really are more challenging then you might think. There is lot's of sorting, matching, counting, adding, subtracting, even dividing and multiplying involved in completing each picture as the patterns don't actually tell you which Lego bricks to use. There are lots of different brick combinations that can work in completing each picture.

Download These Through a Link on our Blog

Following Directions Activity: Make a Boat Craft! 

[Source: Chapel Hill Snippets] 

A long time ago, I blogged about a boat craft I did with the kids using Pictello.  This was a great activity, and Pictello has only gotten better through the years.  I used this activity again this summer and the kids loved it, making a substantial flotilla of little boats, all seaworthy!

 I now have a set of printable or displayable directions for all of you.  This summer, during Extended School Year, I didn't have access to a printer, so we simply displayed the directions/pictures 

SLP Activity of the Week:  Summer Foldable Minibook