Scientists Unravel Neural Circuit That Could be Key in Autism  

[Source: Medical News Today]

The insular cortex is an integral "hub", combining sensory, emotional and cognitive content. Not surprisingly, alterations in insular structure and function have been reported in many psychiatric disorders, such s anxiety disorders, depression, addiction and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). 

Scientists from Harvard University and the Max-Planck Institute of Neurobiology in Martinsried now describe consistent alterations in integrative processing of the insular cortex across autism mouse models of diverse etiologies. In particular, the delicate balance between excitation and inhibition in the autistic brains was disturbed, but could be pharmacologically re-adjusted. The results could help the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. 

New Frontiers for Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Loud Noises Change How Brain Processes Speech

[Source:  Medical News Today]

A new study shows for the first time that prolonged exposure to loud noise changes how the brain processes speech, suggesting the damage such exposure causes is not limited to physical changes in the ear itself.

According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), the organization that funded the study, prolonged exposure to noise levels at 85 decibels and above increases people's risk for hearing loss.

And it is a sobering thought that many devices children use today have noise levels much higher than this threshold - for example an MP3 player on its loudest setting is giving out sound at 105 decibels, which is 100 times more intense than 85 decibels.

In Kids w/Autism, Blood-Oxytocin Levels are in Normal Range 

[Source:  Health Day via Philly.com]

The "love hormone" oxytocin has a tremendous effect on kids' ability to function socially, Stanford University researchers report.

Children blessed with naturally high levels of oxytocin are more savvy at communicating with others and interpreting social signals or situations, said study author Karen Parker, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Stanford.

Study Shows ABA Helps Children with Autism 

[Source:  Science Daily]

Vanderbilt researchers this week reported updated findings regarding the benefits of behavior-focused therapies for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).The review, conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)-funded Vanderbilt Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC), updates a prior systematic review of interventions for children (up to age 12) with a focus on recent studies of behavioral interventions.

Study authors said the quality of research studies has improved dramatically since AHRQ's 2011 review of studies on ASD, when authors reported that there were significant gaps in research available to document the benefits of treatments.

Inclusive Play for Children with Physical Disabilities

[Source: Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics via Your Therapy Source]

Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics published research on including children with physical disabilities during play. A comprehensive review of the research was completed to determine what factors help children with physical disabilities participate in play in childcare centers.
 

The following results were reported: 

2. The role of the adult facilitator included customizing approaches to a specific child's needs, being self aware of their (meaning adult facilitator) prescence, prompting and praise and promoting fairness, equity and play interaction.

Interview Question of the Week:  Tests and Assessments  

What tests/assessments do you have experience with? How will you handle a situation when a standardized assessment doesn't go as planned?

What alternatives to standardized assessments are there that you like or have used? How have you adapted testing situations when a child cannot 

Featured Jobs of the Week:  SLPs for San Antonio Area Schools  

Book Review:  The Special Needs School Survival Guide

Book by Cara Koscinski, MOT, OTR/L
Review by Lindsey Biel, M.A. OTR/L

Every so often a book comes along that you know youhave to recommend to the families  and caregivers of the kids you work with. This wonderful, self-published book by OT by Cara Koscinski is one of those must-have publications that everyone involved with your school-age client will benefit from reading from cover to cover and referring to again and again.

Easy-to-use and written in a warm, accessible way through a question and answer format, The Special Needs School Survival Guide advises parents and other caregivers step-by-step as they navigate the oftentimes confusing world of educating a child with special needs. It's also a great tool for teachers and therapists working in special needs programs since it provides quick reference to some of the very best activities and techniques used to help students thrive in the classroom.

SLP Activity of the Week: Minecraft Emotions  

[Source: Miss Melissa's Speech]

For any of you that know exactly what Minecraft is, it's probably no surprise that many of our students are very "interested" in this.  They come dressed in Minecraft shirts, talk about playing Minecraft at home, and ask me if I have Minecraft on my iPad (I don't).  I've explained this before, but the curriculum 

OT Activities of the Week:  Hand Strengthening Activities

Speech Activity of the Week:  Initial Sound Blackout