Study IDs Teens Prone to Emotional Problems After Concussion

Oldest Case of Down Syndrome Discovered in 1,500-Year-Old Skeleton

[ABC News]

A 1,500-year-old skeleton has shed new light on how ancient civilizations viewed those with genetic disorders. French researchers have found the oldest confirmed case of Down syndrome after uncovering the skeleton of a child with the genetic disorder.

A case study published in the International Journal of Pathology showed pictures of the skeleton buried near a church in Chalon-sur-Sa�ne in eastern France. The skeleton featured a broad skull with flattened base and thinner skull bones, all telltale signs of Down syndrome

Coaching Parents on Toddler Talk to Address Low-Income Word Gap  

[Source: PBS News Hour via Reading Rockets]

JUDY WOODRUFF: Now: closing the education and language gap for kids from low-income families.

Special correspondent John Tulenko of Learning Matters reports on one program trying to tackle the problem by talking more to toddlers.

JOHN TULENKO: In Providence, Rhode Island, 2.5-year-old Nylasia Jordan is part of a closely watched experiment in language development. To boost the number of words she hears, under her shirt she's been wearing a small electronic word counter.

Before First Words, Babies' Brains Rehearse Speech Mechanics 

[Source:  Science Daily]

Infants can tell the difference between sounds of all languages until about 8 months of age when their brains start to focus only on the sounds they hear around them. It's been unclear how this transition occurs, but social interactions and caregivers' use of exaggerated "parentese" style of speech seem to help.

University of Washington research in 7- and 11-month-old infants shows that speech sounds stimulate areas of the brain that coordinate and plan motor movements for speech.

The study, published July 14 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that baby brains start laying down the groundwork of how to form words long before they actually begin to speak, and this may affect the developmental transition.

SLPs Rejoice! Weird Al Supports Proper Grammar!  

Oh my goodness!  I have been laughing at Weird Al songs since I was a teenager, this is one of his best.    Take a few minutes to enjoy this new Grammar Nerd parody of Blurred Lines.  He even mentions the concepts of figurative language and irony! 

ADHD and Handwriting in the News 

[Source:  Journal of Attention Disorders via Your Therapy Source]  

Journal of Attention Disorders published research on kinematically characterizing the handwriting of 14 boys with ADHD-combined type and 14 typically developing boys. The boys wrote a series of four cursive letter 'l's using a graphics tablet and a stylus.  

The results indicated the following:
1. Children with ADHD-CT had more inconsistent writing size than did TD controls.
2. ADHD-CT symptom severity, specifically inattention, predicted poorer handwriting outcomes.

The researchers concluded that children with ADHD-CT display subtle handwriting differences and exhibit handwriting impairments in a manner dependent on symptom severity.

Interview Question of the Week:  Strength That is a Weakness  

Here is another interview question to chew on. Write down your answer to this one and other questions for easy review the next time you have an interview or have to present yourself for a promotion or advancement.

"Sometimes a personality trait can be both a strength and a weakness. For example, confidence can sometimes spill into cockiness. Give me an example of a trait that you possess that is both a strength and also a weakness for you"

Hot Jobs of the Week:  School-Based SLPs - Close to DC!  

Our client is a school district located approximately 30 miles south of the Washington D.C. metro area. We are searching for a Speech Language Pathologist who will enjoy working with either elementary aged students or middle/high school students.

We have two positions available. Common diagnoses include autism spectrum disorders, LD, MR, CP, etc. Inclusion is desired, but some pull out is used as well. The majority of the caseloads are students with language and/or articulation impairments. Some travel between schools may be required, although the schools are a short distance apart. In addition to treatments, you'll do some evals and standardized testing for new kids needing IEP's.

More Hot Jobs:  OT and PT in Southern California!  

Our client in Southern Los Angeles County is seeking a school experienced Occupational Therapist.   

This is a great school district and we've had a very experienced team in place for several years.   We have a growth position at this time to come along side this "dream team" of therapists.  If you've wanted to be a part of the Pediastaff team and Southern LA county is a desired geography for you, we'd love to hear from you!  Applicants will be interviewed next week, so please don't delay!

This client also has part-time (2 days a week) position for a school-based PT with some availability.

Fine Motor Freebie: Printable Summer Inspired Sewing Cards  

A fun set of three little sewing cards your children will love...... all the while being an excellent activity for developing fine motor skills and improving hand-eye coordination and concentration.  

A quick download, paper punch, thread and a kid-safe needle is all it takes for elemental age children to enjoy this fun activity. They make for a great 'take-along' activity for family holidays and road trips too.

Apps of the Week: For Children Who are Hearing Impaired  

Instagram Post of the Week:  Articulators Craft!  

Sensory Activities of the Week:  Fun with Ice and Water  

It's hot here ( for us that means it's in the low 80s) and  all I want to do when it gets warm is cool off with some fun ice and water activities. I don't have to convince my kids that these are going to be fun, they are in their bathing suits as soon as I have suggested it! Here are some of our favorite ice and water activities for kids that we have fun with every summer. I should also say that most of these ideas do not use a huge amount of water for those wanting to be mindful of waste.