5 S's

This is a wonderful video which highlights the 5 S's plan as described by Dr. Harvey Karp in his book "The Happiest Baby on the Block".  I loved this clip especially because we can see a wonderful dad getting involved and perfecting this method.  The 5 S's are: swaddling, shushing, side/stomach position, swinging and sucking.
One very important thing to note here however, is the importance of being calm.  If we react anxiously and reluctantly, babies very often pick up on these non-verbal cues and physical reactions (eg. faster heartbeat, shaking).  Breath deeply and calmly, and if you are unable to be calm at that moment, ask your partner for help...

Dyslexia and creativity...

"It is important for us to stop seeing dyslexia as a learning disability and start seeing it as an alternative way of perceiving and processing the world, with benefits as well as drawbacks, and with the potential to contribute creative approaches to our world’s problems." (Lydia K.)

With this a blog entry by Lydia K., an MIT student, concludes.  This entry is Ms. K's final paper for her Science Journalism class.  It is a beautifully written paper which sheds light on the truth behind Dyslexia; unveiling the facts and potentials behind a learning difficulty, that she, an I personally, believe should be viewed as a learning DIFFERENCE.  She quotes in her paper:

According to Brook and Fernette Eide, authors of The Dyslexic Advantage, the cognitive flexibility associated with dyslexia can manifest itself in noteworthy talents. “Dyslexic brains are organized in a way that maximizes strength in making big picture connections at the expense of weaknesses in processing fine details,” says Fernette Eide. These talents include improved spatial reasoning, enhanced ability to view events from multiple perspectives and draw analogies, and a tendency to remember facts as experiences and stories rather than as abstractions. (Lydia K.)

The paper/blog entry is well researched and her writing style is very accessible and easy to comprehend.  I invite you to read this full paper, and follow the links provided by Ms. K for extra information.  It is important, however, not assume generalizations when reading such an article nor undermine the very real struggle people with dyslexia face.  Creativity and/or exceptional talents have often been associated with learning differences and some developmental delays/disorders (such as Autism Spectrum Disorder), but this is not always the case.  It is wise for us to take each child as an individual case.  This paper, however, provides the very important message that Dyslexia should be seen as a difference in perception and experience, rather than an unmanageable obstacle. 

***A very special thank you to a wonderful reader, Ms. Hanadi, for sharing this article with me.  This is exactly why I created this blog, as a place to share and exchange ideas.

Be The Difference

"It feels like everybody just turned against me. It was like nine of them, nine or ten of them, calling me stupid and dumb, and they started throwing things at me, and one of the guys said something to me, and he threatened me ..."

-JA’MEYA

"If it involves repeated, malicious attempts to humiliate a helpless victim, if the victim is fearful, does not know how to make it stop, then it’s bullying."

- Kim Zarzour

These are just some of the quotes collected by a wonderful multidisciplinary team of directors, producers, parents, professionals and students who are involved with the Bully Project.

The Bully Project highlights solutions that both address immediate needs and lead to systemic change. Starting with the film’s STOP BULLYING. SPEAK UP! call to action, The Bully Project will catalyze audience awareness to action with a series of tools and programs supported by regional and national partners.

The Bully Project is a collaborative effort that brings together partner organizations that share a commitment to ending bullying and ultimately transforming society.

Bully, is the movie that is the cornerstone of this project.  I leave you to watch the trailer, as the movie speaks for itself.

Do visit their website for some wonderful resources such as: toolkits for parents, educators, students and advocates.  They also provide a helpful and easy PDF file with an introduction on bullying that you can share with others (this is where the quotes above came from).

BE THE DIFFERENCE

April Truths...

April is Autism awareness month... Most people have heard about Autism, and are filled with questions, anxieties and concerns.  Let us instead armor ourselves with information and educate ourselves on how to best help our little ones...  This linked article is worth reading to give you basic information on Autism.

HealthyChildren.org - Is It Autism?

These are some of the "Red Flags" the article mentions...

This broad label covers five related developmental disorders: autism, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett syndrome, and “pervasive developmental disorder” (PDD).

ASDs (referred to here as “autism”) are difficult to define in broad terms because the symptoms and their severity vary from person to person. However, the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development has created a list of typical “red flags” that may point to autism.

Consider having your 18-month old screened if he:

• Doesn’t respond to his name
• Is slow to develop language skills
• Doesn’t point or wave “bye-bye”
• Used to say a few words or babble, but now he doesn’t
• Throws intense or violent tantrums
• Seems to tune people out
• Is not interested in other children
• Doesn’t smile when smiled at
• Resists changes in routine
• Has poor eye contact
• Doesn’t pretend or play “make believe”

Parent workshop: Communication Skills

A great opportunity for parents!!! 

Kuwait's Applied Behavior Center (ABC) is providing a workshop on teaching communication skills to your kids.  ABC of Kuwait provides early intervention for kids with Autism and related disorders.  This specific training will focus on the communication aspect of developmental delays.  All relevant information is below.  Book now as seats are very limited!

Note: If you cannot make it to this event, please make sure you call and ask to be part of ABC's contact list.

Teaching Functional Communication Skills

Applied Behavior Center of Kuwait will be hosting a parent workshop focusing on teaching communication skills to children with speech delays. The workshop will be presented by Certified Behavior Analyst, Amy Atwell of the New England Center for Children.  

This workshop will demonstrate how incorporating B. F. Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior, as well as an understanding of how to capture & contrive motivation, promotes the development of functional communication. This would help in decreasing challenging behavior through teaching your child how to have their needs and wants met without resorting to inappropriate behavior. Specifically, parents & caregivers will be given the following:

·       The technical definition of “positive reinforcement” & strategies for identifying your child’s reinforcers

·       Guidelines for selecting functional communication targets

·       Teaching, prompting, & error-correction procedures to be utilized when conducting communication training

·       How to contrive situations to teach functional communication

·       How to make every the environment and any experience a learning opportunity

The workshop is open to all parents interested in learning about language development.  A certificate of attendance will be provided to all attendees. The workshop also meets the requirement for Continuing Education Units (CEU’s).

Date: 8^th of April

Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Place: Burj Jasim Tower, 23^rd floor, Soor St, Kuwait City (opposite the Discovery Mall / Ice Rink)

Fee: KD15

Please contact ABC of Kuwait at 2296-0991 to reserve a seat or for further information.  Please feel free to visit our website www.abckuwait.com. 

Bigger size, worsened value

Even though I blog from Kuwait and often talk about culture specific problems, the issues tackled in this blog are global.  I got an email from a design team from the U.S.  who worked on an "infographic" which aims to raise awareness and educate people around the issue of obesity.  It is very well done, and is a true eye-opener especially since we can see the same rise in obesity rates here in Kuwait.  I agreed to share the graphic hoping someone in Kuwait can work on one for us as well...  It ALL starts with education.  Educate yourselves, and let us educate our youngsters.  They deserve to live a better, healthier and longer life...

http://www.medicalcodingcareerguide.com/fat-future-of-america

***Follow the link on the picture for a larger view

Provided by: MedicalCodingCareerGuide.com

Happy Mothers' Day

Yaaayyy!!! Another excuse for me to be cheesy...  This song reminded me of my school days (I won't say which school days precisely:P) and it is a wonderful mixture of cheesiness and tenderness... 
 

Happy Happy Mothers' Day

 Enjoy!