Other Noteworthy News
Researchers Explore Connection Between Anxiety, Autism
About 40 percent to 60 percent of people with autism have a diagnosable anxiety disorder or an atypical anxiety driven by irregular fears or unusual social anxiety, said Kerns, assistant professor at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute. Researchers are looking for better ways to assess and treat anxiety in individuals with autism. This article examines the connection between autism and anxiety and some ongoing studies on the link. The Philadelphia Inquirer (12/28)
A Note from Helen: My research has shown that there is a strong connection between anxiety and autism. Many individuals with ASD are living in a distorted and unpredictable environment which is constantly changing and morphing which causes anxiety. Irlen Spectral Filters reduce anxiety by eliminating the distortions in the environment, making the world calm, clear, and stable.
Wisconsin District Tries New Ways to Help Calm Students
Students with disabilities in a Wisconsin school district have access to weighted vests and blankets that are designed to help provide calm and focus. “They can be used for just heightening alertness and can be used with kids with dexterity problems and difficulty with coordinated movements,” occupational therapist Karen Armstrong said. Kenosha News (Wis.) (12/28)
More Than 50% of Antipsychotics Prescribed Off Label
More than half of the prescriptions for antipsychotics in the United Kingdom are prescribed to individuals with no diagnosis of a serious mental illness (SMI), a major study of primary care records has revealed. Investigators at University College London also found that off-label antipsychotic prescribing is more likely to occur in women, older people, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
“In this study of antipsychotic prescribing in a large primary care database representative of the UK, approximately half of the prescriptions for first-generation and second-generation antipsychotics are issued to people who have no record of SMI…in their clinical notes,” the researchers, led by Louise Marston, PhD, write. "Furthermore, they are more likely to be prescribed to older people, who may be more sensitive to adverse effects such as movement disorders and cardiometabolic risk," they add. The study was published online December 18 in BMJ Open.
Musical Training May Bolster Mental Function in Children
Learning how to play a musical instrument may help relieve anxiety and bolster emotional control and attention among children, according to a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Researchers said musical training was also tied to changes in brain areas associated with executive functioning, working memory, and organization. Medical News Today (12/29)
Study Assesses Use of ADHD Medication in U.K.
The U.K.’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends using interventions before medication to address attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in young children. However, a recent survey found medication in some cases is being prescribed as a first step for students under 6. The Independent (London) (tiered subscription model) (12/22)
Chart Compares, Contrasts Tablet Alternatives
The mobile device market continues to expand, and schools now have the option of choosing an alternative to the traditional tablet, including a phone-tablet device or a convertible notebook. This article offers a chart that contrasts and compares these devices. EdTech magazine online (1/7)
Study: Quality, Quantity of Sleep Affects Math, Language Performance
Children who get the most quality sleep perform better in subjects such as math and language, according to a recent study. “Short or poor sleep is a significant risk factor for poor academic performance that is frequently ignored,” lead researcher Reut Gruber said. PsychCentral.com (1/9)
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