Toronto Mom Carries Sign to Alert Strangers About Son's Autism

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin D May Control Brain Serotonin 

[Source: Medical News Today]
 

Although essential marine omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D have been shown to improve cognitive function and behavior in the context of certain brain disorders, the underlying mechanism has been unclear. In a new paper published in FASEB Journal by Rhonda Patrick, PhD and Bruce Ames, PhD of Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute CHORI), serotonin is explained as the possible missing link tying together why vitamin D and marine omega-3 fatty acids might ameliorate the symptoms associated with a broad array of brain disorders.

New Genetic Syndrome Found 

[Source:  Science Daily] 

Analyzing a puzzling multi-system disorder in three children, genetic experts have identified a new syndrome, shedding light on key biological processes during human development. The research also provides important information to help caregivers manage the disorder, and may offer clues to eventually treating it.
 

Progress Needed on Dyslexia Research & Diagnosis

[Source:  Psych Central]
 

Children with dyslexia must be diagnosed early and given treatment as soon as possible, say experts. The current state of dyslexia research and treatment are discussed by Robin L. Peterson, Ph.D., and Bruce F. Pennington, Ph.D., of the University of Denver, in a seminar article in the Lancet.

They explain that dyslexia involves slow and inaccurate word recognition, although comprehension is normal. Those affected do not tend to have intellectual impairments or sensory problems.

Attendance at schools exposed to high levels of traffic-related air pollution is linked to slower cognitive development among 7-10-year-old children in Barcelona, according to a study published by Jordi Sunyer and colleagues from the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Spain, published in this week's PLOS Medicine.

Infants' Gut Bacteria Linked to Food Sensitization

[Source:  Medical News Today]
 

A recent study reveals new clues on how changes to the mix of bacteria in the gut of young babies may offer a way to predict the future development of food allergy or asthma.

Researchers suggest patterns of gut bacteria in young babies may serve as biomarkers of future disease.
 

The finding is the work of researchers from the University of Alberta and University of Manitoba in Canada and is published in the journal Clinical & Experimental Allergy.

Therapy Placement of the Week:  Special Educator in Oregon! 

Congratulations Eden, M., on your new Special Education position in North West Oregon.

Eden will work with a caseload of about 20 students in a Life Skills Resource Room.  In addition to managing the caseload, she will coordinate evaluations with a school psychologist and provide small group instruction in a special education classroom setting. 
 

Great Job, Eden!

Hot Job: Pediatric Outpatient BCBA - Richardson, TX

One of our long time clients would like to start up a BCBA program at her clinic.  This pediatric outpatient clinic is therapist owned and growing!  They seek a BCBA to join their team at their Richardson office.  Full time hours are typically from 9:00AM - 6:00PM.
 

They see a variety of diagnoses and have state of the art equipment and materials.   For full time employees they offer 8 major holidays, two weeks vacation, continuing ed and travel allowance as well as licensure reimbursement.   Individual insurance plans are also available.
 
Therapists work for this clinic because they love what they do and they love their work environment. 

Learn About / Apply for This Job on our Blog 

Featured Jobs:  Pediatric Therapists -All Disciplines, Throughout NM

PediaStaff is now hiring Pediatric Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists,  Physical Therapists, SLPAs, COTAs and PTAs in the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico for school-based and home-based early intervention settings.

Are you interested in providing early intervention services in the natural environment?  Come to New Mexico.  We have choices!  Our first priority is birth to three.   Mixed caseloads in school and EI. The positions are predominately southern NM. But contact us. We are expanding!!

OT Resource of the Week:  Fun, Free, Pencil Grip Video  

Thank you, Ingrid King for sending us this complimentary video off of her new "Songs and Games for Fantastic Fingers" product.

Fantastic Fingers, is a fine motor school readiness resource that OTs, parents and teachers can use with children ages 4-6 years.  It consists of 100 activities and 100 worksheets along with songs and videos.   

Very nice work!

Language Activity of the Week:  Duplo Rhyming Game

[Source;  No Time for Flash Cards]
 

This Duplo rhyming game is fantastic because you can make a bunch or just a few and it gives you another way to use these awesome blocks even if your kids insist they are too bog for them now. Rhyming is an important building block for reading and a fun one to work on with kids if you only have a few minutes. This only takes a couple of minutes to put together and while I used stickers if you have a talent for drawing you could draw the images too. Do not worry about using permanent markers on Duplo, I'll show you a trick at the end of the post to get it all off when you want to. Check out all the fun we had with these simple Duplo rhyming game.

Book Review:  New Book By Lindsey Biel! 

Book by Lindsey Biel, OTR/L;   Review by:  Tamara Hill, MS

For many of us, large department stores like Macy's can lead to sensory overload. We walk in and are assaulted by bright lights, crowds, noisy customers, colors everywhere, and the smell of very strong perfume. For me, personally, I know that if I stay too long I can begin to feel trapped, frustrated, or overwhelmed. You might also feel this way when trying to find the dairy section in a newly reorganized supermarket, or during the honking of rush hour traffic.

Speech Freebie of Week: St. Patrick's Day: Capture the Gold Game

[Source:  Speech 2 U via Speechie Freebies]
 

I wrote about my valentine day blow dart game on my blog last month.  My clients had such a good time with this activity, that I made up a FREEBIE version for St. Patrick's Day that I am really excited to share with you.  
 

You will need straws, some Q-tips and the leprechaun targets.  Students take turns putting a cotton swab in the straw and shooting it at the leprechauns in an attempt to win the pot of gold.  A great way to get a lot of repetitions in a session.  Want to get your copy?