AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & DENTISTRY BY H. BARRY WALDMAN DDS, MPH, PHD, RICK RADER, MD; STEVEN P. PERLMAN DDS, MSCD, DHL (HON) AND MISHA GAREY, DDS A review of the three latest federal government reports on individuals with disabilities in the U.S. did not find a single reference to “acquired disabilities.” “The World Health Organization defines disability as loss of function at the level of the whole person, which may include inability to […]
BY PEG GRAFWALLNER “Summer fun” is an oxymoron for many parents of special needs children. In truth, the summer can be an anxious time for parents and child. The routine of school has ended and parents are thrust into the role of travel guide, event planner, taxi cab driver, and concierge – roles for which most parents are ill-prepared. The summer is spent, for most of us, finding opportunities and activities for our children that […]
BY SARAH ROTH A yoga instructor based in New York City has developed a school of inclusive yoga to provide group instruction in yoga and mindfulness for kids with a range of developmental abilities. Inhale, arms overhead. Exhale, forward fold. For many years, yoga has allowed practitioners around the world to improve breathing control, decrease physical tension, and discover the boundaries of the body. The practice of yoga can foster a sense of physical, emotional […]
BY KAREN KABAKI-SISTO, M.S. CCC-SLP While external rewards like a prize or a special sweet treat can be effective for short-term gains, maximizing your child’s internal motivation leads to a more consistent desire for physical activities. Does your child enjoy the playground and sports, or would he or she prefer to sit on the couch engrossed in TV shows or video games? Brain-based research shows that physical activity can increase attention span and memory, prepare […]
HEALTHY CHOICES, HEALTHY LIFESTYLES BY BARBARA B. MINTZ, MS, RD Doctors commonly prescribe taking probiotics to “repopulate” the digestive tract with healthful bacteria. Bottom line, the good bacteria help “crowd out” bad bacteria. We usually think of bacteria as something that causes diseases. But did you know that your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad? Probiotics are often called “good” or “helpful” bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy. These organisms […]
