Asperger’s and Autism: Brain Differences Found – should this effect services received?

Advance for Speech Language Pathologists recently posted this news article about research conducted by Frank Duffy, MD, a neurologist at Boston’s Children Hospital:  The study looked at a group of 26 children with Asperger’s, to see whether measures of brain connectivity would indicate they’re part of autism group, or they stood separately. The study also included more than 400 children with autism, and about 550 typically-developing children, who served as controls. Children with Asperger’s syndrome show patterns of brain connectivity distinct from those of children with autism, according to a the study. The findings suggest the two conditions, which are now in one category in the new psychiatry diagnostic manual, may be biologically different. The researchers used electroencephalography (EEG) recordings to measure the amount of signaling occurring between brain areas in children. 

Please click here for the full article

Please share your views of the new diagnostic categories and whether you think Aspergers should be distinguished from Autism Spectrum in terms of services the children will receive.

]]>

Do You Work in a Department that Fosters Professional Development?

Professional development - Education rEsourcesPhysical and Occupational therapists have been increasingly called upon to meet the challenges of an evolving health care environment. Whether you work in pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, neurology, or another concentration, you will need to engage in lifelong learning in order to keep up with these changes.

A recent study pinpointed the desire to increase personal knowledge as the primary motivation for therapists seeking out continuing education classes. But what do you do if the environment you work in does not foster and encourage this? In an ideal world, your supervisor(s) would mentor you and want you to be the “best you can be”. Without this encouragement what can you do?

If you work in a state that mandates continuing education in order to renew your therapy license, you may not experience this dilemma, as there is no choice. However, for therapists who work in the rest of the country, it can be very problematic to not have the support of a supervisor to identify topics or learning objectives that would improve your skills, facilitate a day or two off, as well as offer funding a CE course.

We look forward to you sharing your ideas in this blog…if you have dealt with this work environment, what have you found successful? Do you engage in other forms of professional development such as research, attending or conducting in-services, etc?

]]>

Welcoming new babies to the Education Resources Office

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of two beautiful babies in the office.

Colleen has a beautiful new grand daughter, her fourth grandchild. 

Alyson, our Director of Market Development and Strategic Planning had her first baby, a perfect baby boy. A first grandson for Carol, our company director.

Everyone is doing really well, the grandmothers are both smitten and we in the office cannot wait to meet them!

Congratulations to all

]]>

Posted in: News

 

Disability Rights Documentary – a must see for PT’s and OT’s

Disability awareness - If you haven’t seen it already, we highly recommend the PBS documentary on Independent Lens called “Lives Worth Living” (see link below). As therapists who have been in the field for many years, we admit to being only vaguely aware of how people with disabilities were “warehoused” (for lack of a better term) until the 1970’s. But this documentary really brought it home, with rare footage of the Willowbrook State School as it existed until 1972 when Geraldo Rivera, then a TV reporter in New York, conducted a series of investigations uncovering the deplorable conditions. Eventually these reports led to a class action lawsuit filed against the state of New York, and the eventual closing of this school.

Subsequently, the Disability Rights Movement was spawned, based on the Civil Rights and Women’s Movement models. This movement advocated for people with disabilities to have the right to live dignified, independent lives, where they chose how and where to live, what to eat, what to wear, and when to go to sleep, among other very basic rights. Believe it or not, this was a new concept for that era. The goals of the movement were subsequently expanded for accessibility and safety in transportation, architecture and the environment, as well as equal opportunities in employment, housing, and education.

The Movement made slow progress, at first, and was stymied and stalled by some politicians who were taken by surprise. Eventually the 504 section of the Rehabilitation Act (1973), which prohibited discrimination in federal programs and services and any programs receiving federal funds was passed. This was truly the first civil rights law guaranteeing equal opportunity for people with disabilities.  In 1990, the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed, providing the most sweeping disability rights legislation in American history.

Here is the link to the documentary …well worth your time and a must see for physical and occupational therapists. Let us know what you think!

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/lives-worth-living/

 

]]>

Sensory Integration Discussion with OT faculty John Pagano

 

Sensory Integration Needs to Evolve

We would like to share this blog discussion from: John Pagano, a renowned member of Education Resources’ Faculty
 
John is teaching his popular conference:
Effectively Treat Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum and Other Sensory Challenges
September 20-21, 2013 – Orland Park, IL
October 18-19, 2013 – Cedar Knolls, NJ
November 8-9, 2013 – Hollywood, FL
Please click above for full course details, to download to register and the option to register.
 
Following its initial development by A. J. Ayres, Sensory Integration Intervention has been slowly evolving.   As a result of this slow evolution, two major problems threaten the sensory integration frame of reference.
First is the problematic discrediting of sensory integration research by some behaviorists and pediatricians who favor interventions that are too rigid or medication based to optimally help children.  Second is intervention borrowing sensory integration terminology with out adequate expertise in carrying out the strategies.  Increasing use of “brushing, sensory diets, sensory equipment, and comfort rooms” developed and used by teachers and mental health therapists with out adequate guidance from therapists trained in sensory integration significantly dilute the effectiveness of sensory integration intervention.

Read more here

We would welcome your thoughts and discussions, thank you

 

]]>