Mapping the Neuron-behavior Link in Rhett Syndrome

ScienceDaily (Sep. 26, 2008) — A link between certain behaviors and the lack of the protein associated with Rett Syndrome – a devastating autism spectrum disorder – demonstrates the importance of MeCP2 (the protein) and reveals never-before recognized functions associated with aggression and obesity, said researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in a report in the current issue of the journal Neuron.

"This protein is critical for the proper function of majority of neurons," said Dr. Huda Y. Zoghbi, a BCM professor of pediatrics, neurology, neuroscience, molecular and human genetics and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator who is senior author on the paper. Zoghbi and her laboratory discovered the Rett gene.

Rett Syndrome affects between 1 in 10,000 females who express a wide variety of symptoms, most of them neurological.

To view this complete article, please click the title above.

Rare Genetic Disorder Gives Clues to Autism, Epilepsy, Mental Retardation

ScienceDaily (Sep. 25, 2008) — A rare genetic disorder called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is yielding insight into a possible cause of some neurodevelopmental disorders: structural abnormalities in neurons, or brain cells. Researchers in the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center at Children's Hospital Boston, led by Mustafa Sahin, MD, PhD, and Xi He, PhD, also found that normal neuronal structure can potentially be restored.

If this could be done safely in humans, it might be possible to ameliorate the symptoms of epilepsy, mental retardation and autism, which are frequent complications of TSC, say the researchers.

TSC causes benign tumor-like lesions, which can affect every organ in the body and are called tubers when they occur in the brain. In the study, Sahin, He, lead author Yong-Jin Choi, PhD, and colleagues show in mice that when the two genes linked to the disease, TSC1 and TSC2, are inactivated, neurons grow too many axons (the long nerve fibers that transmit signals). Normal neurons grow just one axon and multiple dendrites (short projections that receive input from other neurons). This specification of axons and dendrites, known as polarity, is crucial for proper information flow.

To view this complete article, please click the title above.

Antibiotics for Preterm Labor Linked to Cerebral Palsy

THURSDAY, Sept. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Not only do antibiotics not help pregnant women experiencing premature labor without ruptured membranes and no sign of infection, they may increase the risk of cerebral palsy in some children.

Two new studies followed children whose mothers had taken antibiotics at the end of their pregnancies. The children were followed up to the age of 7.

"This is a good study, because it's a large number of patients, and it shows that the use of antibiotics do not help and are possibly harmful for preterm labor in the absence of rupture of the membrane (broken water)," said Dr. Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

To view this complete article, please click the title above.

Web Accessibility Toolbar

There is an excellent FREE resource for "testing" web pages online, the Web Accessibility Toolbar.http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/ais/toolbar/

The Web Accessibility Toolbar is provided by the Accessible Information Solutions (AIS) team of Vision Australia.

It has been developed to aid manual examination of web pages for a variety of aspects of accessibility. It consists of a range of functions that:

• identify components of a web page


• facilitate the use of 3rd party online applications
  simulate user experiences


• provide links to references and additional resources
  It is very user-friendly!
  

There are also many features that make it accessible to people using assistive technology.

To view more, please click the link above.

TEDP Training October 2

Thursday, October 2, 2008 “Bridging the Telecommunications Gap for Hearing or Speech

Impaired Individuals in South Carolina”9:00am – 12:30pm Assistive Technology Resource Room, Midlands Center, Columbia

Presenter: Anne G. Bader, Outreach Coordinator for the South Carolina Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (SC TEDP)

Workshop Description: SC TEDP is a state supported program managed by the S. C. Office of Regulatory Staff and administered by the S. C. School for the Deaf and the Blind.

SC TEDP is aware of the daily challenges facing individuals who are hearing or speech impaired. Telecommunications equipment distributed by SC TEDP is carefully chosen to cover their various needs, and is distributed at no cost to qualifying South Carolinians. Qualifying disabilities are: hard-of-hearing, deaf, deaf-blind, blind/low vision with hearing loss, or speech impaired.

Educate attendees on the procedure to apply for telecommunications equipment available through SC TEDP.

Present a hands-on program that allows attendees to use various pieces of telecommunications equipment distributed by SC TEDP.

Provide statistics on hearing loss and how it affects everyone involved in that individual’s life.

Emphasis is placed on helping individuals become more independent through use of this free, state supported program. SC TEDP classes are presented on Power Point to facilitate a stress-free learning environment for attendees who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. ALS interpreters are available upon request.

Registration and Cost: There is no fee to register for this class, but pre-registration is required. Attendance is limited to 18. To register for this workshop:

Option 1: Complete the online registration form at http://www.sc.edu/scatp/forms/trainingregform10-2-08.html
Option 2: Email Sally Young at Sally.Young@uscmed.sc.edu
Option 3: Call Sally Young at (803) 935-5263 or 800-915-4522.
Option 4: Fax your registration information to (803) 935-5342. Please include your name, organization, address, email address, phone.

Key Advance In Treating Spinal Cord Injuries Found In Manipulating Stem Cells

ScienceDaily (Sep. 19, 2008) — Researchers in Rochester, N.Y., and Colorado have shown that manipulating stem cells prior to transplantation may hold the key to overcoming a critical obstacle to using stem cell technology to repair spinal cord injuries.

Research from a team of scientists from the University of Rochester Medical Center and the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, published today in the online Journal of Biology, may lead to improved spinal cord repair methods that pave the way for victims of paralysis to recover the use of their bodies without the risk of transplant-induced pain syndromes.

The research focuses on a major support cell in the central nervous system called astrocytes. When nerve fibers are injured in the spinal cord, the severed ends of the nerve fibers fail to regenerate and reconnect with the nervous system circuitry beyond the site of the injury.

To view entire article, click on the link above.

Puberty and Lifestyles Workshop

Puberty and Lifestyles of Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Special Needs Workshop

All children go through puberty regardless of their social maturity. The brain does not tell the body to stop growing, even if the developmental level is younger than their chronological age. Therefore, our goal is to provide you with information that will help you make informed decisions when dealing with hard, personal questions. The information will be detailed in order to empower you and is not intended to embarrass you or change your family values. A portion of the workshop will be dedicated as an open forum. This time will be used to address questions and hear the advice others.

Our speakers:
Lisa Cheyette, PhD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and RDI® Program Certified Consultant who specializes in autism. She works with children, adolescents, and adults.

Mariana D’Amico is an Occupational Therapist with 25+ years experience working with clients across all age spans. She has spent many of those years working with adolescents and young adults with Developmental Disabilities.

When: Saturday, October 18th, 2008; Registration Begins at 9:30 AM
Where: Cedar Creek Church, Aiken, SC
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Cost: $5.00 or Donation; A refreshment break will be provided!

For directions to the church, please click the title above.

The Ticket That Helps People go to Work

By Chris Jenkins, Public Affairs Specialist
Social Security Admininstration

Six years ago the Ticket to Work program was launched to help people with disabilities go to work. Since then, more than 150,000 people who get Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits have used their Tickets to obtain free vocational rehabilitation, job training and other support services.

The Ticket to Work program is voluntary. Social Security and SSI beneficiaries who receive a Ticket are not required to work, but may choose to use their Tickets to attempt to go to work. The number of people using their Tickets is expected to continue to grow as more Americans with disabilities become familiar with the opportunities the program has to offer.

A disability beneficiary can use the Ticket with either a private sector employment network or a State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. Together the beneficiary and service provider design an individual employment plan outlining the services to be provided that will help the beneficiary reach his or her job goals.

The Ticket to Work program removes many barriers that had previously faced people with disabilities receiving benefits. Social Security disability beneficiaries are eligible for Medicare, and most Social Security disability beneficiaries now are protected by Medicare for up to eight years and six months after they go to work. Medicare coverage continues even if an individual no longer receives a monetary benefit from Social Security.

If you or someone you know is a Social Security or SSI disability beneficiary who would like to learn more about how the Ticket to Work program can help, just visit Social Security’s website at www.socialsecurity.gov/work. Or you can call Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Your Ticket to Work leaflet (Publication No. 05-10061).

For more information, please click the title above.

Lowcountry Buddy Walk PSA's available to preview online!

The 2008 Lowcountry Buddy Walk is only 3 Weeks Away!

Sunday, October 5th will be here before we know it.

Watch for (and Listen for) Lowcountry Buddy Walk Public Service
Announcements on local TV & Radio!

You can also preview them on the Buddy Walk website!

Also check out the "How to Buddy Walk" info and the wonderful lesson
plans available to promote Diversity and Inclusion in classrooms while you
visit the Buddy Walk website .

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, October 5, 2008
5th Annual Lowcountry Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome at Etiwan Park on
Daniel Island benefiting the Down Syndrome Association of the Lowcountry (DSAL).

Click on the title above to go to the DSAL web site.

SCATP TRAININGS THIS WEEK

Thursday, September 18, 2008
Trash to AT Treasures
8:00am * 11:30am
Assistive Technology Resource Room, Midlands Center, Columbia

Presenters: Carol Page O’Day, PhD, CCC-SLP, ATP,
SC Assistive Technology Program, USC School of
Medicine-Center for Disability Resources;
Patricia Quattlebaum, MSP, CCC-SLP, Developmental
Pediatric Clinic, USC School of Medicine-Center for Disability Resources

Class Description: Many assistive technology
devices are available for communication, switch
access, computer access, activities of daily
living, and literacy. Assistive technology
devices can be very expensive, but they don’t
always have to be. Many examples of how to make
assistive technology devices using common objects
around the home will be demonstrated. The
fundamentals of appropriately selecting and using
various assistive technology devices will also be
reviewed. The workshop will conclude with a
make-and-take opportunity for participants to
choose from different projects to construct and
then take the finished product home with them.

Target Group: Speech-language pathologists,
special-education teachers, occupational therapists, parents and caregivers.

Agenda:
8:00-8:30 Registration
8:30-10:00
I. How to Get Started
II. Low Cost AT Solutions: Communication Devices
III. Basic AT Considerations
* Low Cost AT Solutions: Switches
* Low Cost AT Solutions: Computer Access
* Low Cost AT Solutions: Activities of Daily Living

10:00-10:15 Break
10:15-11:30 Make and Take
Cost: $15.00, payable to the University of South
Carolina. Mail checks to: Sally Young, SC
Assistive Technology Program, USC School of
Medicine, CDR , Columbia, SC 29208. Checks or
purchase orders must be received by
9/12/08. This workshop is limited to 14 attendees.

To register for this workshop:
* Option 1: Complete the
online
registration form
* Option 2: Email Sally Young at
Sally.Young@uscmed.sc.edu
* Option 3: Call Sally Young at (803) 935-5263 or 800-915-4522.
* Option 4: Fax your registration information
to (803) 935-5342. Please include your name,
organization, address, email address, phone.

----------
Friday, September 19, 2008
Accessible PDFs! Making PDF Documents User
Friendly and Geared for Accessibility
8:30am - 4:00 pm
South Carolina Archives and History Auditorium
8301 Parklane Road
Columbia, S C 29223

Download Flyer (pdf)
Download Adobe Reader

Presenter: Jon Brundage,
Jon Brundage and Associates
Jon Brundage is a nationally known accessibility
trainer and author. He has provided many sessions
on all aspects of accessibility to corporations,
governments, and educational institutions. In
scores of sessions over the years he has trained
several thousand individuals on Section 508
requirements and the W3C Web Accessibility
Initiative. Jon, as managing editor, was one of
the founders of Accessible Content magazine. Mr.
Brundage is also a web developer and has
performed analysis of the accessibility conformance level of many web sites.

Cost: Free. Limited to 200 attendees.

This workshop will address the creation, analysis
and remediation of PDF Documents for
Accessibility. Participants will gain knowledge
of the potential barriers to accessibility that
Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Files (PDF) pose.
An understanding of PDF technology will be
learned. Class members will gain understanding of
creating source files that convert to accessible
PDF. In addition, the tools available in Acrobat
Professional will be covered for analysis and
remediation of existing PDF files. An explanation
of PDF tags and their role will be covered. Join
us as Jon Brundage walks us through creating
source files that convert to accessible PDF.

Target audience: Anyone who creates, maintains,
distributes, examines, or develops PDFs for the
web or as document storage files. Focus will be
on Acobat versions starting at 7 and higher (the
version that added accessibility tools).


Workshop Schedule:

8:30 - 9:00 AM - Registration

9:00 - 10:00 AM - Introduction to PDF technology.
What is a PDF? How is the technology a potential
barrier for accessibility? Changes made by Adobe to make PDFs accessible.

10:10 - 11:00 AM - Creating source files that
transform to accessible PDFs (MS Word * MS Excel
* MS Power Point). Document structure, alternatives for text, and data tables.

11:10 - Noon - Acrobat Professional accessibility
tools overview (Analysis * Reading order * Text alternatives * Tables * Forms)

1:15 - 2:15 PM - Demonstration- create source
files and convert to PDF Make analysis of
converted files Examine tag tree and manipulate the tags

2:30 - 3:30 PM - Remediation of Legacy PDF files
Analysis using built-in tools present in Acrobat
professional. Review the results. Make necessary
remediation of files ( Create logical reading
order * Add text alternatives for images * Create
usable data tables Optimize the repaired file)

3:30 - 4:00 PM - Resources : Question and answers

To register for this workshop:
* Option 1: Complete the
online
registration form
* Option 2: Email Sally Young at
Sally.Young@uscmed.sc.edu
* Option 3: Call Sally Young at (803) 935-5263 or 800-915-4522.
* Option 4: Fax your registration information
to (803) 935-5342. Please include your name,
organization, address, email address, phone.

Click on the title above to go to the SCATP web site.

70 Years Old and Going Strong with Down Syndrome and no Dementia

ScienceDaily — In the world of Down syndrome, 'Mr. C' is a rarity. A real person whose progress has been tracked for the past 16 years, at seventy, 'Mr. C' has well surpassed the average life expectancy of a person with Down syndrome, currently in the late fifties, but in the teens when 'Mr. C' was born. Further, 'Mr. C' does not exhibit clinical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, which is almost a given for people with typical Down syndrome over 65 yeas of age.

'Mr. C', while remaining nameless, puts an optimistic face on the future of aging for people with Down Syndrome, as scientists ask the critical question: What is it about 'Mr. C''s individual characteristics and experiences that have made him not only live longer, but also age successfully despite having Down syndrome? The case of 'Mr. C', including descriptions of comprehensive cognitive, behavioral, and genetic analyses and implications for research is published in the June 2008 issue of the journal, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

To view this complete article, please click the title above.

Teen Drivers with ADD a Problem on the Road

"It was hard to miss the bright yellow Student Driver bumper sticker on the back of the car driven by Tosha Mulligan.

Getting a driver's license is a rite of passage for many teenagers, but the process was a bit more challenging for 19-year-old Mulligan of Acworth, Georgia. She has attention deficit disorder.

When she gets behind the wheel, she said, 'Sometimes my mind wanders off.'

She's not alone. Researchers reported driving can be a serious problem for teens with ADD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Motor vehicle accidents already are the leading cause of death among teenagers in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Experts such as Russell Barkley say ADD and ADHD compound the problem.

Barkley, a psychiatry professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, is a widely recognized expert on ADD and driving. He has investigated the topic for 15 years and conducted a half-dozen studies, some of which have been published in peer-reviewed journals.

Teen drivers with ADD or ADHD 'are impulsive, highly distractible and clumsy, can't pay attention to the roadway and they get bored easily,' he said."

To view this complete article, please click the title above.

To Infinity and Beyond: A Sparkling Survival Story

(CNN) -- Walter Marino shouted to his 12-year-old son, Christopher, as he drifted farther away in the Atlantic Ocean.

"To infinity," the father yelled.

"And beyond," Christopher replied.

After a rip current swept the boy and his father out to sea Saturday, darkness fell, and the sound of rescue helicopters and boats grew faint until they were nonexistent.

Despite the danger, Christopher, who has autism, was enjoying himself, his father said. The boy lacks a fear of death because of his autism and finds comfort in the water, Marino told CNN.

Marino finds comfort in his son. Their unique circumstances helped keep them alive for more than 12 hours in the open ocean, Marino said.

"With many kids with autism, the thing that is so dangerous is that they have no concept of fear or fear of death," Marino said. "In this case, though, it perhaps saved him -- that and the fact that water is one of his favorite things. Whenever he goes missing or tries to run away, we can always find him near water ... even at the mall if it is just near a fountain."

To view this complete article, please click the title above.