News
New Research Pinpoints Promising Gene Target For Specific Language Impairment
A study from the University of Kansas recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Brain Sciences identifies a new gene target related to Specific Language Impairment (SLI). ...
Keeping the Value in Education: Postdoctoral Training
In 2002, Joan Lorden, provost at the University of North Carolina - Charlotte, was interviewed by Joy Simpson, a member of the National Association of Science Writers. ...
Science at a Time of National Emergency
The following is a 2002 Interview with Martin Apple, President and CEO, Council of Scientific Society Presidents, by Joy Simpson:...
Elderspeak – Is it helpful or just baby talk?
Like an automatic shift into low gear, we often revert to baby talk when communicating with seniors – regardless of the person's ability to understand and respond. This is called "Elderspeak." It is common, especially between young caregivers and older residents in a nursing home. Researchers in the field of...
Keeping the Value in Education: Graduate School
In 2001, Joan Lorden, provost at the University of North Carolina - Charlotte, was interviewed by Joy Simpson, a member of the National Association of Science Writers. ...
Recovery from Stroke: New research on hidden deficits from stroke
This following is the third in a three-part series with Susan Jackson and Susan Kemper:...
What is Speech-Language Therapy Like?
This article is the second in a three-part series with Susan Jackson and Susan Kemper:...
Recovery from Stroke: Aphasia and rehabilitation
So it happened to your father. A brain attack. That's what they call a stroke. He survived, but he has trouble speaking and understanding what people say to him. It's a condition called aphasia. What are his chances of full recovery? ...
Ten Things You Should Know About Children Coping with Terrorism
We know more about how adults react to war and disaster than we do children. But researchers are beginning to document how children are uniquely affected, and how they can best heal. Psychologists are increasingly called upon for help in recovery efforts. The facts presented below stem from a broad...
Frequently Asked Questions About Dyslexia
Dyslexia is difficulty learning to read and/or spell despite adequate instruction and opportunity to learn. It is a type of learning disability and is sometimes referred to as a specific reading disability. ...
10 Things You Should Know about Children with Specific Language Impairment
Specific Language Impairment has been actively studied for more than 40 years. Language acquisition is the primary area of concern as the child grows and develops. There are no obvious related causes such as hearing loss or low IQ. The condition appears in young children and is known to persist...
Brain Imaging: What Does it Tell Us About Reading?
The following is a 2004 interview with Guinevere Eden, Director of the Center for the Study of Learning and Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center:...
Building Blocks of Childhood: Prelinguistic Milieu Teaching - A Boost for Children Age 2
Prelinguistic Milieu Teaching (PMT) is an early intervention method that has been studied for 10 years. It involves one-on-one services for the child and a program of parent education. Its purpose is not to make the child talk, but to build the first stage of communication. This will lead to...
Building Blocks of Childhood: The Value of an Interactive Environment
Many parents create a wonderful training ground for language in the early years. They do this more or less naturally. When baby says "da-da," parents echo the cute sounds, cooing "da-da" back. This encourages baby to keep babbling. When baby reaches or points, mommy responds by giving him what he...
Building Blocks of Childhood: Signposts of Disability - What Parents Can Observe
Children typically produce words at some point between the ages of 12 and 24 months. There are many stages of communication, though. "Parents can be reassured that development is on track if their child hands them a toy, understands her name -- and many other kinds of interaction," says Steven...
Building Blocks of Childhood: What We Know About Communication Between Infants and Parents
Baby's first word is a day as jubilant as the first time she walks. It is a momentous occasion in the life of a family. ...
Self-Injurious Behavior: Genetics and the Environment – Two Heads of the Coin
"There are many possible genetic causes of Self-Injurious Behavior. The severe cases may very well be instances where genetics plays a significant role," says Stephen Schroeder. ...
Self-Injurious Behavior: Breakthroughs in Treatment
No drug to date has been created specifically for self-injurious behavior (SIB). To find a medicinal treatment, scientists are testing drugs approved for psychiatric disorders. ...
Self-Injurious Behavior: How Science is Delivering Answers
5 to 17 percent of persons with mental retardation and autism do serious harm to themselves by biting, pulling out hair, banging their head or gouging their eyes – on a regular basis. Unlike psychiatric disorders, this kind of self-destruction is not a suicide attempt. It is a repetitive ritual...