New Laws Boost Concussion Treatments

Hyperglycemia in Some Kids w/ Diabetes Linked to Brain Changes

[Source:  Medical News Today]

Feds: IDEA Still Applies When Students Incarcerated

[Source:  Disability Scoop]

Kids with disabilities have the right to a free appropriate public education complete with academics, therapies and other supports even if they're locked up, federal officials say.

In new guidance, the Obama administration is reminding states and local agencies that students do not relinquish their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act if they are incarcerated.

"The fact that a student has been charged with or convicted of a crime does not diminish his or her substantive rights or the procedural safeguards and remedies provided under 

Study Identifies Part of Brain Key to Controlling Attention 

[Source:  Medical News Today] 

A team from McGill University in Canada have reported that a network of neurons located in the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) work together to filter visual information to enable focus while ignoring distractions.
 

Their work, published in Neuron, could have huge implications for people with neurological disease such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia, in which attentional focus is dysfunctional.

New Tools for Blind Students to Learn to Think Like Scientists

Human Speech's Surprising Influence on Young Infants

[Source:  Science Daily]

America's preoccupation with the "word gap"- the idea that parents in impoverished homes speak less to their children, which, in turn, predicts outcomes like school achievement and income later in life - has skyrocketed in recent years, leading to a rise in educational initiatives aiming to narrow the achievement gap by teaching young children more words.
 

Hot Job:  School Based BCBA - Cambridge, MA  

New Grad Job of the Week:  PT Needed in Fayetteville, AR  

Pediatric Physical Therapist needed to work with an energetic team in the Fayetteville, AR area.  If you are interested in working with a pediatric caseload (primarily age 3-6) and also doing Orthopedic work...then this is your next career challenge! 

Come join a "team-approach" to working with the kids of the area utilizing Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology in a team setting to accomplish goals.  This "direct-hire" job opportunity will keep you motivated and growing....but will also afford you the opportunity to live in one of the best locations in the U.S.  
 

Hot Job: Pediatric OT, Tulsa, OK

Our client is a provider of pediatric therapy services to the children of the Tulsa, OK area.   Come work with a multidisciplinary team of professionals providing the highest quality services possible in a clinic, home health, daycare, and Head Start setting.  

Your weekly schedule would have some variety....working 2 days per week on your own caseload with another 2 days per week doing evaluations and supervisory duties.  Your caseload would consist of about 25 to 30 hour-visits per week depending on your scheduling.  This equates to about a 40 hour week. 

Fine Motor Activity of the week: Q-Tip Painted Snowflakes

Book Review:  Difference or Disorder 

by Gina Glover, CCC- SLP
 

As a monolingual Speech-Language Pathologist, I often have to research languages that I need to assess or treat with an interpreter when there is no trained bilingual SLP available. This book has the phonemic systems, language patterns and cultural information all in one place for several languages we commonly encounter which will save me hours of research. I can't tell you how much I appreciate having so much in one easy to read and easy to understand book. This will be a valuable tool for me as an SLP and I recommend it to other SLPs, especially those who are monolingual like me. I particularly enjoyed the personal narrative or "Home Corner" as you call it where individuals share their personal experience.

Pediatric Therapy Activity of the Week: Icicle Craft for Kids  

[Source:  Hands on as We Grow]
 

We've finally had a good snow here in Iowa and I feel like I can finally get into winter crafts and activities. It was hard to get in the Christmas spirit over the holidays without there being at least a dusting of snow!
 

After we took down the Christmas tree, our front window looked a little bare. We decided to decorate it for winter with a super cute icicle craft the boys had fun making. And shh. I snuck in a little learningtoo.

It's been a long time since we've done a button craft. And they're always a favorite. It's hard to go wrong with them, buttons make everything incredibly cute.
 

 Learn More About this Activity on our Blog

SLP Freebie:  Pack of Pronouns - Winter & Valentine's Day Edition!  

[Source: Speechie Freebies]
 

Happy 2015! It's a cool 60* here in Florida so we are all excited to finally bust out our scarves and boots! This chilly weather has motivated me to get some winter themed activities created and into my speech room! Pronouns seem to be a difficult concept for some students, where visuals are always so helpful. So, I decided to create another edition to add to my Pack of Pronoun series!