Youth w/Autism Show Improved Social Function After UCLA Program

Study Sheds Surprising Light on the Causes of Cerebral Palsy

[Source:  Science Daily]

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of physical disability in children. It has historically been considered to be caused by factors such as birth asphyxia, stroke and infections in the developing brain of babies. In a new game-changing Canadian study, a research team from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) has uncovered strong evidence for genetic causes of cerebral palsy that turns experts' understanding of the condition on its head.

Trouble Spot in Brain for Down Syndrome Identified

[Source:  Medical X-Press]
 

Joking, Pretending with Your Toddler Important for Development

[Science Daily]
 

Parents who joke and pretend with their children are teaching them important life skills, research by the University of Sheffield has revealed.
 

New Blood Test May Detect Traumatic Brain Injury

[Source:  Psych Central]
 

A new quick blood test may be able to diagnose traumatic brain injury (TBI) and even determine its severity, according to a new study published in theJournal of Neurotrauma. The test could help determine the best type of treatment for each TBI patient.
 

Millions of Americans develop TBIs each year. These can range from mild concussions, causing only a headache or temporary blurred vision, to much more severe injuries leading to seizures, confusion, memory and attention problems, muscle weakness, or coma for many months. These symptoms, whether mild or more severe, are generally caused by damaged brain cells.

Study: Picky Eating Can Correlate with Mental Health Problems

[Source: Education News]
 

Kids don't always want to eat their vegetables - and that's ok. According to new research, parents of picky eaters generally don't have to fret over health and developmental concerns because their child is choosy child. However, research has also found that picky eating could be symptom of a larger psychological problem.
 

It's important to note that picky eating doesn't cause a psychological issue or vice versa, but there can be a correlation between the two, writes Rachel Rabkin Peachman for The New York Times. For 20% of kids, picky eating can signal a larger issue than what's obviously occurring.

Hot Job! Pediatric Home Health OT, San Antonio, TX

Hot Job:  Bilingual School SLP Job - Denver, CO

We have a great public school job opportunity north of Denver, CO for a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist. They boast a team of professionals who need to add an SLP team member for the 2015-2016 school year for three to five days a week, depending on the candidate's requirements. They are able to consider a full-time person if full-time hours are needed. The Speech-Language Pathologist selected will be working with elementary aged children at two school sites with another SLP as a team member. School experience is preferred. Bilingual skills are required. We need someone as soon as possible!
 

Qualifications: Must hold a Master's Degree in either Speech Language Pathology or Communication Disorders; a current Colorado license (or eligible). Bilingual skills necessary.

Hot Job: School Psychologist - Portland, OR  

We are searching for 3 school psychologists for the Greater Portland area.  Two of the positions are for elementary schools (two school coverage for each position), and one position is for a middle school and two charter schools.  This is a wonderful school district located in the eastern Portland suburbs.  The contract assignments begin in September and end in early to mid-June.
 

Qualifications: Must hold or be eligible for a license for School Psychology in the State of Oregon.

Therapy Activity of the Week: Minion Memory Mission  

[Source:  Jill Kuzma's SLP Social & Emotional Skill Sharing Site]
 

It is a wonder what a little summer cognitive rest can do for a person's creativity.  I cruised through June with very little motivation to do anything that required cognitive effort.  Early July brought forth worries that I would never have another creative idea.  Now, as I face mid-July, I feel like I am getting back into my groove.    The result = another FREE working memory activity for folks!

Freebie Activity! Giant Pattern Blocks for Toddlers  

[Source:  I Can Teach My Child]
 

I love everything about pattern blocks...the brilliant colors, the designs a child can make, the endless opportunities for play and learning.  The one thing I don't like about pattern blocks, however, is how small they are.  I rarely get them out because one will inevitably end up on the floor (and even more inevitably into Little Sister's mouth).

Literacy Activity of the Week:  Giant Letter Sounds Puzzle 

[Source: No Time for Flashcards]
 

Summer is the time for BIG fun activities, but just because they are big doesn't mean they can't work on very specific goals. I bought this roll of paper at IKEA for art, but it's perfect for this letter sounds puzzle activity too. The thing about big activities like this is that their actual physical size is part of their appeal. The novelty sparks interest and that can make or break this activity especially if it poses a challenge to your child. What I love about this floor puzzle is that you can do it with one child like I did or as a group activity. It's also super simple to clear and put back together again, which makes it a fun option for free choice or a literacy center in a classroom.

SLP Freebie of the Week:  Outdoor Games for Speech Therapy