Editor's Note:   Not cause and effect but still interesting to note.

[Source:  Psych Central]

Athletes who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD) may be at greater risk for experiencing persistent  anxiety and  depression after a concussion, according to new research.

"These findings suggest that ADHD and concussion may have a cumulative effect on anxiety and depression beyond that of either ADHD or concussion alone," said study author Robert Davis Moore, M.S., Ph.D., of the University of South Carolina in Columbia. "Athletes with ADHD should be monitored with this in mind, as they may be more susceptible to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety following a concussion."

[Source: Disability Scoop]

A reality television show focusing on the lives of those with Down syndrome is in the running for multiple Emmy Awards.

The A&E Network hit "Born This Way" is nominated for four Emmys, including awards for casting, cinematography, picture editing and unstructured reality program.

The show, which will  return for its fourth season in August, centers on seven young adults with Down syndrome who are pursuing employment, relationships and independence.

[Source:  Science Daily]

Teens who are heavy users of digital devices are twice as likely as infrequent users to show symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the study finds. The association is persistent as researchers tracked nearly 2,600 teenagers for two years.

The study focuses on the mental health consequences of a new generation of ubiquitous digital diversions, including social media, streaming video, text messaging, music downloads and online chatrooms, among others. It differs from previous research that linked use of TV or video games to the illness.

Research in Developmental Disabilities published research on action planning and execution in children with cerebral palsy.  The goal of the study was to determine the differences in anticipatory visual patterns between 13 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (average age 6.8 years) and 15 typically developing children (average age 5.8 years).  In addition, visuomotor coordination was assessed in the children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

[Source: Science Daily]

Children with autism have structural and functional abnormalities in the brain circuit that normally makes social interaction feel rewarding, according to a new study from the Stanford University School of Medicine.

The study, which will be published July 17 in Brain, documented deficits in children with autism in a crucial reward circuit, called the mesolimbic reward pathway, that's buried deep within the brain. The degree of abnormality in this pathway predicted the degree of social difficulty in individual children with autism, the study found.

[Source:  Psych Central]

The health of a mother's microbiome during pregnancy may have a significant impact on her offspring's risk for autism, according to a new mouse study conducted by researchers at the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine. The microbiome is the collection of microorganisms that naturally live in the gut.

I love this! It's the cutest little thing to put on your desk... Or have the kids make themselves! Maybe you could have a whole classroom do them (color them of course) and then have them "check into class" by setting their mood for the day.

How would YOU use the Mood Bear for therapy or sped class?