Bilingual Babies’ Vocabulary Linked to Early Brain Differentiation

Babies and children are whizzes at learning a second language, but that ability begins to fade as early as their first birthdays. Researchers at the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences are investigating the brain mechanisms that contribute to infants’ prowess at learning languages, with the hope that the findings could boost […]

Vaccines Cleared Again As Autism Culprit

In the first comprehensive review of vaccine safety since 1994, yet another body of medical researchers is affirming that there is no link between vaccines and autism. The finding comes in a report released Thursday from the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, that was produced at the federal government’s request. […]

Writing problems common in kids with ADHD

Kids with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are more likely to have writing problems such as poor spelling and grammar than their peers, suggests a new study. And the difference may be especially conspicuous in girls with ADHD. Reading and math problems often raise red flags for teachers and parents, but “written-language disorder is kind of overlooked,” […]

The Benefits of Preschool in the News: The Best Job-Training Program

Thanks to Literacy Speaks for the heads up on this terrific story! [Source: NPR] Photo Credit: NPR and the Co-op School When economist James Heckman was studying the effects of job training programs on unskilled young workers, he found a mystery. He was comparing a group of workers that had gone through a job training […]

Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. Kids Diagnosed With ADHD

 [Source: Yahoo News/Healthday] THURSDAY, Aug. 18 (HealthDay News) Over the last decade, an increasing number of American children have been diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a new government survey reveals. Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that between 2007 and 2009, an average of 9 percent of children between […]

PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS IMPORTANT AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE

I think that nowadays we are so caught up in our day to day lives and completing our tasks, that we constantly fail to recognize things that are REALLY important. The other day, I was on a hike. I found that I was looking at the rocks and roots on the trail in front of me and wanted to get “there” […]

Thinking About the Future? Your Child’s Special Education Teacher Should Be

Aug 07 By Morgan Kolis, special educator Special Education Articles Add comments by admin Realistically, your child is going to grow older. Your child with autism, Down syndrome or any other genetic disorder or special need is growing each day and will become an adult. Are you thinking about this time? Your child’s teachers should […]

The Forces Pushing Deaf Kids Away From Sign Language

The Forces Pushing Deaf Kids Away From Sign Language Future deaf Americans could do a lot less signing and a lot more speaking. Cuts in Indiana could slash budgets for state schools for the deaf, forcing some children to attend “mainstream” schools, where they have less exposure to sign language. Sign language advocates are outraged. […]

New Brain Imaging Research Reveals Why Individuals with Autism Confuse Pronouns

 Autism is a mysterious developmental disease because it often leaves complex abilities intact while impairing seemingly elementary ones. For example, it is well documented that autistic children often have difficulty correctly using pronouns, sometimes referring to themselves as “you” instead of “I.” A new brain imaging study published in the journal Brain by scientists at […]