Frugalism...

Apologies for epic lull in posting; will be gathering up lots of interesting stuff to add to the blog in the coming months.

Here's an article that caught my eye: I'm sure many parents will relate to these cutbacks and this also may impact the kinds of therapies and extra support parents will be able to seek to help children struggling with dysgraphia or output issues. In the next while I'll also be looking at lower cost solutions and adding suggestions.

From today's New York Times

WHEN Wendy Postle’s two children were younger, saying “yes” gave her great joy. Yes to all those toys. The music lessons. The blowout birthday parties.

SALE Wendy Postle, with Kaitlyn, 15, has an eye on the register.
But as her son and daughter approached adolescence, yes turned into a weary default. “Sometimes it was just easier to say, ‘O.K., whatever,’ than to have the battle of ‘no,’ ” said Mrs. Postle, a working mother who lives in Hilliard, Ohio, a middle-class suburb of Columbus.

...as the economy totters, many families have no choice but to cut back, which may lead to a shift in their thinking about money and permissiveness.

Entire article, including excellent cartoon is here

ADHD in youth may be misdiagnosed for sleep disorders

BALTIMORE - Frenzied and restless behavior in a teenage son or daughter may signal they need more pillow time.


Teens do not exhibit the same signs of sleepiness as adults, and therefore distracted or overexcited behavior caused by fragmented sleep may masquerade as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, said Dr. Robert Meny, a sleep specialist at the Sleep Center at Franklin Square in Baltimore City.

“A tired child is an irritable, hyper child,” he said, whereas adults tend to be more subdued when they are sleepy.

more here

Panorama documentary on Seroxat

Here is a link to a BBC Panorama documentary on the drug Seroxat (not sure if the name differs in North America). I post this link because the documentary concerns the drug being prescribed to teenagers and it's possible that young people/ children could be prescribed this drug for symptoms of anxiety or depression and so it's useful viewing for parents who may be advised to medicate their children for whatever reason. It's a compelling documentary that raises important questions.

Secret emails reveal that the UK's biggest drug company distorted trial results of an anti-depressant, covering up a link with suicide in teenagers.
Panorama reveals that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) attempted to show that Seroxat worked for depressed children despite failed clinical trials.

Click on watch now to view the documentary.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/panorama/default.stm