Psychology

Therapy framework reveals promise for intensive pediatric rehabilitation for children with motor disabilities

A Fralin Biomedical Research Institute study in Behavioral Sciences highlights effective therapeutic interactions and improved outcomes for children with motor disabilities. Dory Wallace, a therapist at the Fralin Medical Research … READ MORE

The Human Touch

From cradle to grave, touch brings us comfort, pleasure and sometimes pain, reminding us of our countless connections to the world and to humanity — including our own. pxfuel image By Meredith McGroarty, USC Dornsife Magazine … READ MORE

Taking vitamin D could help prevent dementia, study finds

University of Calgary launches national research project to discover more insights to protect the brain while we age. Dr. Zahinoor Ismail is a neuropsychiatrist and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University … READ MORE

Dramatic change from pandemic brought on stress for mothers

First large-scale study of mothers shows those who experienced greatest amount of pandemic-related change experienced symptoms of traumatic stress. Charles Deluvio, Unsplash. CC0 Public Domain By Hope Hamashige, Keck School of … READ MORE

For young adults with disabilities, the future of work can be hard to envision

Young adults with disabilities are not looking too far into the future. Instead, they’re more focused on the present and the more pressing need of finding a job with supportive work conditions. Their health needs today can make it … READ MORE

Pedestrians choose healthy obstacles over boring pavements, study finds

Up to 78% of walkers would take a more challenging route featuring obstacles such as balancing beams, stepping stones and high steps, research has found. The findings suggest that providing ‘Active Landscape’ routes in urban areas … READ MORE

Toward early detection of pathological social withdrawal, Hikikomori

Researchers develop a questionnaire that may identify hikikomori in its early stages. Kyushu University researchers have developed a new ‘Hikikomori Questionnaire’ in an effort to detect the condition at an earlier stage. … READ MORE

Saying they can’t hire me because I have cerebral palsy broke me because I can’t change that about myself

Do people around me see me as a liability and not as a human being? Lionel is an advocate for individuals with disabilities. He shares his experiences having trouble finding employment and being told a company can’t hire him because … READ MORE

Users care about assistive devices’ look, feel and smell

A new study by North Carolina State University researchers found that people often considered the look, texture and, occasionally, the smell of two assistive devices – compression gloves and a knee brace – in online reviews of the … READ MORE

Siblings of children with chronic health conditions may have increased mental health risks

Siblings of children with chronic health conditions could be at an increased risk for depression, according to a new report. Twins David (left) and Luke Bridle, 11, pictured after Luke heroically saved David from drowning in the bath. … READ MORE

Creating social access for autistic children, what does it take?

Autistic children have indeed potential: most of their emotional abilities improve with age, concludes developmental psychologist Boya Li in her research on the emotional development of autistic children. Leiden University 10 November … READ MORE

Siblings of children with disabilities may have greater cognitive empathy

Children who had a sibling with a developmental disorder scored higher in cognitive empathy than those who had typically developing siblings. However, there were no differences in emotional empathy or prosocial behaviors between those … READ MORE

Helping children with autism and hyperlexia learn to understand what they read

Hyperlexia is a condition where preschool children display an intense early interest in letters in a way that is very advanced for their age. Q&A with Gigi Luk, Dianne Macdonald and Eve-Marie Quintin. ScoopSquare24 Frédérique … READ MORE

When mom talks, are infants with ASD listening?

‘Baby talk’ isn’t just cute gibberish, it’s an innate form of early communication and bonding, but in infants and toddlers with autism, research suggests their brains often don’t tune in. Baby talk between parent and child … READ MORE

New study clarifies sensory processing in autistic children

Results of a recent study on sensory abilities in autistic children may have positive consequences to the way supports are provided to them, helping increase their quality of life. Child plays with sensory-based objects during a day … READ MORE

Horse riding confirmed as a viable mobility treatment for cerebral palsy

The study shows that functional mobility in children with cerebral palsy can be improved through physical interaction with horses. Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship, Mt. Kisco, NY. Endeavor provides a wide scope of fun filled … READ MORE

Large dose of intensive therapy better for children with Cerebral palsy

Children with cerebral palsy can gain greater use of an impaired arm and hand with larger doses of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy. Scientific findings have supported the benefits of pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy, … READ MORE

Increased exercise could boost children’s cognitive skills, study suggests

Children who are fitter performed better than their peers in cognitive tasks, a new study found. Terri Anne Allen. Pixabay Nottingham Trent University 07 October 2021 Research by sports scientists at Nottingham Trent University showed … READ MORE

How teachers can help students with special needs navigate distance learning

Kids with disabilities are often shortchanged by pandemic classroom conditions. Here are three tips for educators to boost their engagement and connection. By Rebecca Branstetter, Greater Good Magazine, UC Berkeley October 19, 2020 … READ MORE

Number diagnosed with autism jumps 787 per cent in two decades, study shows

The number of people diagnosed with autism has jumped by 787 per cent in the past two decades, a new study shows, likely an effect of increasing recognition. The research suggests increases could be due to increased reporting and … READ MORE

Science backs nature as key to children’s health

The presence of greenspaces near homes and schools is strongly associated with improved physical activity and mental health outcomes in kids, according to a massive review of data from nearly 300 studies. Leo Rivas on Unsplash … READ MORE

Taking the brain out for a walk

A recent study shows that spending time outdoors has a positive effect on our brains. If you’re regularly out in the fresh air, you’re doing something good for both your brain and your well-being. Emma Simpson, Unsplash … READ MORE

Autistic children can benefit from attention training – new study

Attention training in young people with autism can lead to significant improvements in academic performance, according to a new study. Thomas Park photo Unsplash Beck Lockwood, University of Birmingham 06 July 2021 Researchers at the … READ MORE

Canadian innovators use video games to help children with neuro-development disabilities

Dino Island improves attention and executive function in children with neuro-developmental disabilities. Dino Island Intervention Program Therapeutic Video Game. University of Victoria Yvonne Chiang, HealthTech Connex Inc. March 8, … READ MORE

Therapeutic horseback riding combined with cognitive exercises can help children with ADHD and Autism

Therapeutic horseback riding combined with brain-building exercises can improve the dexterity, coordination and strength of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, shows a study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science. Whispering … READ MORE

New research documents how COVID-19 multiplies stress and trauma for people with disabilities

The COVID-19 pandemic has induced stress in everyone this year, but for those marginalized by disabilities, and especially those already dealing with social inequity and poverty, the pandemic has dealt additional blows. Anjali … READ MORE

Kids’ physical activity before age 5 matters so much because of the developing brain

Both when planning family activities and choosing a child care provider, parents should be mindful of how much physical activity their children are getting. Family Influence. 2020 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for … READ MORE

Adolescents with cerebral palsy report similar quality of life to their able-bodied peers

“Our results are encouraging. Across 10 different areas of life, adolescents with cerebral palsy only ranked their quality of friend and peer relationships as on average lower than adolescents in the general population, … READ MORE

How does helping people affect your brain?

Study shows neurobiological effects of providing support to others. Both younger and older participants in the Intergenerational Care Project have expressed excitement and joy at being able to interact with each other. Griffith … READ MORE

We’re not addicted to smartphones, we’re addicted to social interaction

Neurobiology of mobile-device habits stems from a healthy human need to socialize, rooted in evolution, McGill researchers find. Phubbing – Social rules of courtesy for the use of smartphones must be created. Protectora Justin … READ MORE

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