Monday, 5 November 2012

The effect of technology on children

While surfing the net I stumbled accross a very interesting blog titled Moving to Learn, which looks at the effect of technology on children, by a leading child development expect.

Follow the links below  to see some of her interesting blog posts. It is a must read for all parents.

http://movingtolearn.ca/2012/child-mental-disorders-illness-or-environment
http://movingtolearn.ca/2012/early-technology-use-limits-imagination
http://movingtolearn.ca/2012/video-games-linked-to-attention-problems

Sensory ideas for young toddlers

Follow link here>>> http://voices.yahoo.com/sensory-ideas-young-toddlers-preschoolers-10415263.html?cat=4

Sensory Integration Therapy - Pediatric OT


Explaining Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) to family members, teachers and children

Follow the link here>>>> http://chicagoplayproject.com/explaining-sensory-processing-disorder-spd-to-family-members-teachers-and-children/

Negative perceptions on mental illness


A mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life. But many people do not see it this way. Rather than viewing a mental illness just like a physical illness, people tend to view it as 'their own fault' and not as a result of an illness. According to research, social stigma associated with mental disorders is a widespread problem. Some people believe those with serious mental illnesses cannot recover, or are to blame for problems. Media coverage of mental illness comprises predominantly negative and pejorative depictions, for example, of incompetence, violence or criminality, with far less coverage of positive issues such as accomplishments or human rights issues.

 
Although I was aware of all of these facts, I recently I find myself reflecting more deeply on the stigma people with mental illness experience. Maybe it is because within my own communities I now clearly see many negative connotations and perceptions associated with having a mental illness. People feel they are 'mad' , 'retarded' or because they have this disability they cannot work or be part of society. In fact within our Indian community of South Africa it is common to label someone as "having nerves" because they may behave in socially inappropriate ways.  I myself  was initially scared and a little nervous to work in a psychiatric unit. Reflecting on that, my fear and nervousness probably stems from the stigma we have in our societies.

Brain Injury Linked To Crime In Young People

A new UK report finds there is a link between brain injury in childhood and crime in young people, and points to evidence that brain trauma can cause maturing brains to "misfire" and disrupt the development of self-restraint, social judgement and impulse control. It calls for more collaboration among health and criminal justice authorities to spot brain injuries early, treat them properly, and ensure they are taken account of throughout the criminal justice process.

Read the rest of the article here>>>> http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/251798.php

Bullies twice as likely to have disorder- ABC News

Mental disorders plague many adults who were bullied as children, but a new study suggests that those who had mental health disorders during childhood are three times more likely to become bullies. Researchers at Brown University analyzed survey responses from parents of nearly 64,000 children ages 6 to 17 who were identified as having a mental health disorder, and those who were identified as bullies. An estimated 15 percent of U.S. children in 2007 were identified as bullies by a parent or guardian, according to the responses, which were part of the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health.

Play


Signs of Dyspraxia