Michael Guggenheim's dysgraphia, a learning disorder that impairs his writing, spurred him to open a nonprofit that teaches homeless students how to use computers.
He is 12, a sixth-grader at Los Encinos School in Encino. He can't drive, vote or write much with a pencil, but he started a nonprofit when he was 11 and teaches computer skills to elementary students once a week.
He doesn't regard his dysgraphia, a learning disorder that severely impairs writing, as a disability. Instead, he has turned it into a driving force.
Read LA Times story here.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Chromosome abnormality linked to autism, study finds
Researchers have identified a chromosomal abnormality that seems to increase a person's chances of developing autism.
A group of U.S. researchers, associated with a group of Boston-based hospitals known as the Autism Consortium, conducted complete genome scans of 1,400 samples of DNA from families of autistic children.
They found that in one per cent of people with autism, or similar disorders, a portion of chromosome 16 is either absent or duplicated. This is not inherited from the parents.
Read the rest here
A group of U.S. researchers, associated with a group of Boston-based hospitals known as the Autism Consortium, conducted complete genome scans of 1,400 samples of DNA from families of autistic children.
They found that in one per cent of people with autism, or similar disorders, a portion of chromosome 16 is either absent or duplicated. This is not inherited from the parents.
Read the rest here
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Length of sleep key in regulating kids' behaviours: study
From the CBC News
How long children sleep every night can affect their behavioural patterns and lead to changes in eating habits, a new study suggests.
The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Auckland, found that the less time a child slept, the more likely they were to have behavioural problems.
Children who slept for less than nine hours were also more likely to become overweight or obese, according to the study.
How long children sleep every night can affect their behavioural patterns and lead to changes in eating habits, a new study suggests.
The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Auckland, found that the less time a child slept, the more likely they were to have behavioural problems.
Children who slept for less than nine hours were also more likely to become overweight or obese, according to the study.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Multimedia whiteboards found to help learning
A study of multimedia whiteboards used in schools has found that they lead to more creative teaching and help to improve student concentration.
The research by Dr Miriam Judge of Dublin City University, is based on use of the technology in eight Dublin schools.
It is estimated the high tech boards have replaced blackboards in 15% of schools around Ireland.
Watch the report here
Plus here's a second CBS report 'Smart Boards': School Wave Of Future?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/23/earlyshow/main1931179.shtml
The research by Dr Miriam Judge of Dublin City University, is based on use of the technology in eight Dublin schools.
It is estimated the high tech boards have replaced blackboards in 15% of schools around Ireland.
Watch the report here
Plus here's a second CBS report 'Smart Boards': School Wave Of Future?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/23/earlyshow/main1931179.shtml
Saturday, November 24, 2007
"Do Schools Kill Our Kids Creativity?"
"Do Schools Kill Our Kids Creativity?"
Interesting presentations from a conference on education and creativity.
TED: Ideas worth sharing.
Here's Ken Robinson's talk funny and thought provoking
Wonderfully enigmatic presentation by artist and writer Maira Kalman that will lift your spirits.
Interesting presentations from a conference on education and creativity.
TED: Ideas worth sharing.
Here's Ken Robinson's talk funny and thought provoking
Wonderfully enigmatic presentation by artist and writer Maira Kalman that will lift your spirits.
Monday, November 12, 2007
BBC Panorama on ADHD
What's next for Craig?
Most of the estimated half million children in Britain with the behavioural condition Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) receive no treatment at all.
Those that do, tend to be given powerful stimulant medication like Ritalin and Concerta. These drugs can help inattentive and unruly children focus and have been the first choice for doctors treating ADHD over the last decade.
However, stimulant medication is not without its problems.
Similar to amphetamine, it can cause insomnia and suppress the appetite, causing weight loss and stunt growth. There have even been reports of children becoming suicidal on them
Read the rest here
To watch the programme click here
Most of the estimated half million children in Britain with the behavioural condition Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) receive no treatment at all.
Those that do, tend to be given powerful stimulant medication like Ritalin and Concerta. These drugs can help inattentive and unruly children focus and have been the first choice for doctors treating ADHD over the last decade.
However, stimulant medication is not without its problems.
Similar to amphetamine, it can cause insomnia and suppress the appetite, causing weight loss and stunt growth. There have even been reports of children becoming suicidal on them
Read the rest here
To watch the programme click here
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Disgraceful: BC government fails learning-disabled kids
Shame on the BC Government and Shame on Education Minister Shirley Bond. Vancouver is due to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. This article will describe the disgraceful funding situation in the Province for children with learning disabilities. Think about this when the Olympics is flashing across your screens in 2010. Consider amid the beautiful shots of mountains and forests and ski hills that the situation for learning disabilities in BC is an international disgrace.
No funding for technology whatsoever for children with Written Output Disorder. If your child needs a keyboard in the classroom, they will not fund it. If they live in Ontario they can get one, but not BC. The whole system is a big fudge, which assigns codes to children and then gives certain codes absolutely no support. The government passes the buck to the school board, while providing no funding, and the school board are just as ineffective in their own unique way. Meanwhile the children are abandoned. Disgraceful. No one cares. No possible recourse for parents trying to get Learning Assistance in the school to aide children struggling with writing. It's like they are completely invisible. Little or no assistance for dysgraphia. No occupational therapy treatment in schools. How can you be an Education Minister and so woefully neglect some of our most vulnerable and fragile children. Shame on you Shirley this is an area you have the power to change in the morning.
From the Georgia Straight Jessica Werb's article:
It's time to name and shame these governments and School Boards who collect tax dollars and do next to nothing to support Learning Disabilities and Written Output Disorder. Send your stories and links of disgraceful neglect by local governments, who don't give a toss about these children. Equally send stories of School Boards and governments who have progressive and technological support in place.
No funding for technology whatsoever for children with Written Output Disorder. If your child needs a keyboard in the classroom, they will not fund it. If they live in Ontario they can get one, but not BC. The whole system is a big fudge, which assigns codes to children and then gives certain codes absolutely no support. The government passes the buck to the school board, while providing no funding, and the school board are just as ineffective in their own unique way. Meanwhile the children are abandoned. Disgraceful. No one cares. No possible recourse for parents trying to get Learning Assistance in the school to aide children struggling with writing. It's like they are completely invisible. Little or no assistance for dysgraphia. No occupational therapy treatment in schools. How can you be an Education Minister and so woefully neglect some of our most vulnerable and fragile children. Shame on you Shirley this is an area you have the power to change in the morning.
From the Georgia Straight Jessica Werb's article:
"Watching her kids struggle, McIntyre says, "is devastating".
How did the McIntyre family end up in this predicament? The answer lies in recent history. In 2002, the B.C. government "detargeted" $230 million from special education, allowing school districts full discretion on spending. At the same time, the ministry changed its data reporting so that school districts were no longer required to outline expenditures related to high-incidence (relatively frequent) special-education needs. According to the B.C. Teachers' Federation, many school districts stopped providing extra funding for students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia. The consequence, says BCTF first vice-president Susan Lambert, is that "we're just not designating those kids."
....Other startling findings of the survey included that only 18 percent of students were receiving resource-room support, although 44 percent had a severe learning disability. Learning assistance outside the regular-education classroom was being provided for only 28 percent of students. Fifty-nine percent of parents reported a decrease in their child's service levels from the previous year, and 56 percent paid for private support services. Only three percent of parents indicated that the system was fully meeting their needs.
It's time to name and shame these governments and School Boards who collect tax dollars and do next to nothing to support Learning Disabilities and Written Output Disorder. Send your stories and links of disgraceful neglect by local governments, who don't give a toss about these children. Equally send stories of School Boards and governments who have progressive and technological support in place.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
BBC: Fear stops child development
From the BBC
Youngsters are missing out on their childhood because we over-protect them, a child play expert claims.
A reluctance to let children take risks could stop them developing vital skills needed to protect themselves, he adds.
Tim Gill's new book says that instead of creating a "nanny state" we should build a society where communities look out for each other and youngsters.
...In No Fear: Growing Up in a Risk Averse Society, Mr Gill argues that childhood is being undermined by the growth of risk aversion and its intrusion into every aspect of children's lives.
Youngsters are missing out on their childhood because we over-protect them, a child play expert claims.
A reluctance to let children take risks could stop them developing vital skills needed to protect themselves, he adds.
Tim Gill's new book says that instead of creating a "nanny state" we should build a society where communities look out for each other and youngsters.
...In No Fear: Growing Up in a Risk Averse Society, Mr Gill argues that childhood is being undermined by the growth of risk aversion and its intrusion into every aspect of children's lives.
School creativity 'needs support'
From the BBC
Creativity in schools needs to be taken "far more seriously" if it is to avoid being squeezed out of a crowded curriculum, says a report from MPs.
The Commons education committee warns that creativity is a "second-order priority" in England's schools.
The MPs say creativity should be a fundamental part of learning and should receive adequate funding.
"Successful schools are creative schools," said the committee chairman, Labour MP Barry Sheerman.
Creativity in schools needs to be taken "far more seriously" if it is to avoid being squeezed out of a crowded curriculum, says a report from MPs.
The Commons education committee warns that creativity is a "second-order priority" in England's schools.
The MPs say creativity should be a fundamental part of learning and should receive adequate funding.
"Successful schools are creative schools," said the committee chairman, Labour MP Barry Sheerman.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Children who can’t write their own name
From The Times
Forty per cent of children struggle to write their own name or to sound out letters to form simple words such as “dog” or “red” by the age of 5, government figures show.
The annual assessments of children’s progress during their first year in school also show that more than a fifth of youngsters have problems stringing a coherent sentence together by the time that they enter their reception year.
Forty per cent of children struggle to write their own name or to sound out letters to form simple words such as “dog” or “red” by the age of 5, government figures show.
The annual assessments of children’s progress during their first year in school also show that more than a fifth of youngsters have problems stringing a coherent sentence together by the time that they enter their reception year.
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