by Dr. Gina Madrigrano | Oct 26, 2010 | Parenting
Taken directly from the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario website:
“Learning Disabilities” refers to a variety of disorders that affect the acquisition, retention, understanding, organization or use of verbal and/or non-verbal information. These disorders result from impairments in one or more psychological processes related to learning a, in combination with otherwise average abilities essential for thinking and reasoning. Learning disabilities are specific not global impairments and as such are distinct from intellectual disabilities.
Learning disabilities range in severity and invariably interfere with the acquisition and use of one or more of the following important skills:
oral language (e.g., listening, speaking, understanding)
reading (e.g., decoding, comprehension)
written language (e.g., spelling, written expression)
mathematics (e.g., computation, problem solving)
Learning disabilities may also cause difficulties with organizational skills, social perception and social interaction.
The impairments are generally life-long. However, their effects may be expressed differently over time, depending on the match between the demands of the environment and the individual’s characteristics. Some impairments may be noted during the pre-school years, while others may not become evident until much later. During the school years, learning disabilities are suggested by unexpectedly low academic achievement or achievement that is sustainable only by extremely high levels of effort and support.
Learning disabilities are due to genetic, other congenital and/or acquired neuro-biological factors.
They are not caused by factors such as cultural or language differences, inadequate or inappropriate instruction, socio-economic status or lack of motivation, although any one of these and other factors may compound the impact of learning disabilities. Frequently learning disabilities co-exist with other conditions, including attentional, behavioural and emotional disorders, sensory impairments or other medical conditions.
For success, persons with learning disabilities require specialized interventions in home, school, community and workplace settings, appropriate to their individual strengths and needs, including:
specific skill instruction; the development of compensatory strategies; the development of self-advocacy skills; appropriate accommodations.
1a The term “psychological processes” describes an evolving list of cognitive functions. To date, research has focused on functions such as:
• phonological processing; • memory and attention; • processing speed; • language processing;
• perceptual-motor processing; • visual-spatial processing; • executive functions; (e.g., planning, monitoring and metacognitive abilities).
This definition is supported by a background document entitled Operationalizing the New Definition of Learning Disabilities for Utilization within Ontario’s Educational System, LDAO, 2001.
For more information, follow this link : Operationalizing The New Definition Of Learning Disabilities for Utilization within Ontario’s Educational System, LDAO, 2001
Don’t forget to consult the Learning Disability Association of Ontario (LDAO) website for a wealth of information.
by Dr. Gina Madrigrano | Oct 20, 2010 | Parenting, Web Reviews
Join guest Dr. Karyn Purvis, author of The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family and Director of the Institure od Child Development at Texas Christian University to discuss how to establish the bonds of connection with your adopted child.
The content of this podcast is also quite relevant for non-adoptive families, foster families of children taken from their homes by children services. This podcast educates us about attachment problems due to early childhood neglect, abandonment or mistreatment. It also gives hope and a new view on the soon-to-be-old diagnosis Reactive Attachment Disorder, which appears more like a permanent problem that can’t be fixed! Complex Developmental Trauma might become the new diagnosis.
The author speaks of investment parenting, homeschooling, and other strategies adapted to the difficulties of this type of child…. Basically how to reorganize priorities with regard to raising children who have suffered at such a young age.
Clic on the following link:
by Dr. Gina Madrigrano | Oct 17, 2010 | Parenting
A colleague of mine recommended these little interactive self-help workbooks to help children cope with anxiety, negativity, anger, problems with sleep, and OCD. The author uses lively metaphors and illustrations to make the concepts and strategies easy to understand. The author is Dawn Huebner, Ph.D. She is a clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of children and their parents.
I highly recommend these titles and they are available at Chapters/Indigo and at Amazon.
What to do when you Worry too much (for anxiety)
What to do when you Grumble too much (for negativity)
What to do when your Temper flares (for anger)
What to do when your brain gets stuck (for OCD)
What to do when you Dread your bed (for sleep problems)
I have used them in my own practice and find them quite useful and helpful to both the parents and their children.
by Dr. Gina Madrigrano | Oct 17, 2010 | Parenting, Web Reviews
I first came across Dunstan Baby Language while watching Oprah. It captured my attention as a
future mom and the need to be that “perfect” mom…but mostly out of the terror of not being able to understand my baby’s cries and it having an impact on our attachment. I did not watch the DVD before giving birth, but back home the first day, baby was crying hopelessly and i could not soothe her. It was 2 a.m. and we decided to turn on the lap top and watch the DVD. WOW… for us anyway…
we were able to understand why our baby was crying, and soothe her accordingly. You need to get your ear attuned to her cries but once you
get it… it’s easy and it works. Although there is no scientific validation of this technique, all that mattered to us was that it worked and it has worked for many parents. The technique can be used from newborn to about 3 months, if i recall well, while all
children are the same linguistically all over the world. Australian Priscilla Dunstan identified 5 specific cries or “sound reflexes” (Neh, Owh, Heh, Eairh, and Eh). Below, taken from Wikipedia, you can read a brief description of the meaning of each cry. The beauty of the DVD is that you get to hear and watch different babies cry; it’s really a hands on demonstration, not a theoretical explanation. This is what makes it easier to learn, and discern the different cries. It was well worth the purchase (see
https://www.dunstanbaby.com/). Watch the video below.
- Neh
I’m hungry – An infant uses the sound reflex “Neh” to communicate its hunger. The sound is produced when the sucking reflex is triggered, and the tongue is pushed up on the roof of the mouth.
- Owh
I’m sleepy – An infant uses the sound reflex “
Owh” to communicate that they are tired. The sound is produced much like an audible
yawn.
- Heh
I’m experiencing discomfort – An infant uses the sound reflex “
Heh” to communicate
stress, discomfort, or perhaps that it needs a fresh diaper. The sound is produced by a response to a skin reflex, such as feeling sweat or itchiness in the bum.
- Eairh
I have lower gas – An infant uses the sound reflex “
Eairh” to communicate they have
flatulence or an upset stomach. The sound is produced when trapped air from a belch that is unable to release and travels to the stomach where the muscles of the intestine tighten to force the air bubble out. Often, this sound will indicate that a bowel movement is in progress, and the infant will bend its knees, bringing the legs toward the torso. This leg movement assists in the ongoing process.
- Eh
I have gas – An infant uses the sound reflex “Eh” to communicate that it needs to be burped. The sound is produced when a large bubble of trapped air is caught in the chest, and the reflex is trying to release this out of the mouth.
| |
Your baby is talking to you. Now you can understand. Every baby is born with a natural ability to express their needs through sound. What was once thought of as crying is now known as a unique and universal language, thanks to Australian mom Priscilla Dunstan. Experience the
benefits of DUNSTAN BABY LANGUAGE for yourself.
Special Deluxe Boxed Set Includes: 2 DVDs, Booklet and Wall ChartFeaturing: Priscilla Dunstan AS SEEN ON OPRAH! |
by Dr. Gina Madrigrano | Oct 17, 2010 | Parenting
The last two weeks at the parent and child group at our local Waldorf school were simply nice. We met our new teacher… what a delight. She is so sweet and calm and great with the moms and the kids. Her assistant is beautiful too. The first time we handcrafted bracelets made out of decorative corn kernels and this week we made dolls with the husk of the corn. It’s my second year at Waldorf and I am amazed at the new things I learn and the beautiful people I meet. Last year i was initiated to wet and dry felting, using beeswax instead of play dough, candle making, lantern making, water colours, etc. The atmosphere is so serene and the setting simple and soothing. Toys are all-natural, mainly made of wood and natural fabrics such as cotton, silk, and wool. The snacks are healthy, homemade right there in the classroom. The aromas fill the air. Yummy. Last week we had apple sauce with raisins and this week brown rice with shredded carrots. Water for the children and moms and a nice tea is available for the moms… ginger, chamomille… all soothing treats. I’ve been to different playgroups but this one is by far my favourite. It simply fits best with our family’s philosophies of how to educate and raise children. I look forward to every week as it is always a nice surprise and I know me and my daughter will learn something new each time.
