A team from Michigan State University that has been examining the effects of low birth weight has found that it may contribute to psychiatric problems in children who live in urban areas.

"Low-birth weight children were more likely to exhibit externalizing and internalizing problems than normal-birth-weight children in their community. 'An increased risk of attention problems was associated with low birth weight only in the urban community... in the suburban community there was no increased risk for attention problems associated with low birth weight...'"

The study examined the effect of low birth weight in 413 children from a "socially disadvantaged community" in Detroit and 410 children from a nearby middle-class suburb. Source: Kansas City InfoZine

Labels: birth-weight, income, psychology

An increasing number of doctors, counselors, and even scientist are expressing concern about the prescribing of ADHD related medications to young people. Some are concerned about misdiagnosis, while others wonder about the long term effects medications will have on still-developing bodies and their biological systems. Now, a new psychological treatment offers a unique alternative for some families.

"Child Development Institute, LLC now offers an easier way to obtain this much needed resource through Total Focus, a multimedia program for use at home by parents and kids working together as a team. The format allows busy mom & dads to receive parent education by listening to CDs on the way to work. The activities for the kids are fun can be fit into their free time."

The Total Focus program includes a variety of methods and treatment than can help with everything from self-esteem to motivation and problem-solving. Read more online.

Private schools for children with non verbal learning disorder can help in ways that public schools just can't. Cedars Academy accepts children with non verbal learning disorders as well as Asperger's Syndrome. New Leaf Academy helps girls with non verbal learning disorders and behavioral problems because of their LD.

Labels: medications, psychology, treatment