What vaxxers and anti-vaxxers are missing: Autism isn't the worst thing to happen to a child
it's ableist. Here are some typical arguments put forward by parents who choose not to vaccinate their otherwise healthy child (by "healthy" I meant they're not asking for an exemption because the child is immunocompromised or otherwise couldn't medically tolerate vaccinations). For this example, I will pull quotes directly from a recent New York Times Article, "Vaccine Critics Turn Defensive over Measles": "It's the worst shot," [Missy Foster, mother to an 18 month old daugh
Study Looks to Tap Strengths of ADHD Students
People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), some studies suggest, are more creative and more willing to take risks. Those traits are exactly what the field of engineering needs, say a team of researchers, but the traditional model of teaching is driving away potential pioneers in the field. With funding from the Research in Engineering Education, a program of the National Science Foundation (NSF), they're embarking on a study designed to find a better way to
These High-Tech Shirts and Pants can Help Protect Kids with Autism
By Damon Beres, associate editor of Huffington Post: Tech Many children with autism are prone to wandering away from their home or supervised space. While parents of these children face the daunting task of keeping tabs on them at all times, a GPS-equipped clothing line designed specifically for these families aims to help. Nearly half the parents of children with autism said their youngster had tried to wander off or run away at least once after age 4, and most said the chil
The One Question Your Child Should Ask After Having an Anxious Thought
By Renee Jain, contributor to PsychCentral and creator of the GoZen! anxiety relief program Sixth grade history was a tough subject for me. Anytime Mr. Brown asked a question, I desperately averted my eyes or doodled in my notebook to look busy. Once in a while he called on me anyway. That triggered my anxiety: "What if I get the answer wrong?" "What if everyone laughs at me?" "What if...?" I usually hemmed and hawed because even if I did know the answer, I preferred to doubl
My son has autism - and I am not anti-vaccine
By Carrie Cariello, contributor to The TODAY Show and author of the blog, "Carrie Cariello: Exploring the Colorful World of Autism" Article as originally appeared on her blog under the title, "I Know What Causes Autism" I was surfing the Internet and came across a headline proclaiming autism and circumcision are linked. I couldn't help myself. I laughed out loud. In no certain order, I have read the following explanations for autism over the years: Autism is caused by mercury
How can Children Overcome Anxiety?
By Helen Nieves, LMHC, contributor to the "Mental Health Awareness" Blog on PsychCentral.com Anxiety is very common and normal emotion that we all experience. If you are a parent of an anxious child, you know what it is like to be a hostage and so does your child. Children who worry too much go to lengths to avoid situations that they perceive as frightening. They ask anxiety related questions and the answers that are provided to them do not offer any relief. The anxiety simp