http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/conditions/11/30/autism.study/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29
Researchers have shown for the first time that if a child is diagnosed with autism as early as 18 months of age, offering the toddler age-appropriate, effective therapy can lead to raised IQ levels and improved language skills and behavior. Since 2007, pediatricians have been told to screen 18-month-old children for autism. But what the next step is once a young child is diagnosed has not been clear. Geraldine Dawson, chief science officer of the advocacy group Autism Speaks, and Sally Rogers, an author from the University of California-Davis M.I.N.D. Institute devised a trial involving 48 children with autism. All the children in the trial were between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 years old at the beginning of the study. Half of the children were given community-based interventions or therapies and the other half were enrolled in a 20-hour per week intervention program called "Early Start Denver Model" (ESDM), developed by Rogers. The goal of this research was to determine how much the debilitating effects of autism can be prevented or reduced. ESDM was a program that was designed for children as young as 12 months old. The therapy is delivered in a very unique way; in the form of play, in the child's own home. This kind of therapy is very happy and can be done anywhere. But most importantly it creates a very fun and loving relationship between the child and their therapist. Much different from the classic relationship between a child and their therapist when the therapy is given in an office while sitting at a desk. At the end of the two year trial all the children showed improvements. However, the children in the ESDM group had increased their IQ by nearly 18 points -- 10 points higher than the children getting the standard autism therapy offered in the community. Scores for listening and understanding as well as motor skills and self-care skills were all higher in the ESDM group. Dawson noted that many of the children in the ESDM group had virtually caught up to other children their age. Rogers said that many parents can learn how to give their child the ESDM therapy in a short amount of time and on their own. She also noted that the ESDM therapy is much more cost efficient as well as effective. Although there is no known cure for autism, when it is detected at a young age and proper therapy is given, its damaging effects can be soothed.
In my opinion I don't see why they are waiting to put this form of therapy into use. This study obviously proves that it is much more effective and comfortable for all involved. And if they are a little uncertain about it, why not combine it with the traditional therapy until they are comfortable with it. It can't hurt anything. I think ESDM is a much more positive form of therapy and one that a child won't not look forward to participating in. Afterall, it is just play and interacting. I think the relationship that is built between the child and the therapist is much more healthy in the ESDM therapy than in traditional therapy. I think that because in traditional therapy the therapist sits on one side of the desk and the child sits on the other. It takes place in a formal setting, most commonly in offices. And the child is asked to perform certain tasks that are broken down into smaller components, while receiving reinforcements. And that's the therapy; "Good job!" That doesn't help a child with autism. A child with autism is just a little bit behind their peers. They are children that need that extra bit of attention to catch up to their peers and get socialized. And they are children that may need to be taught something ten different ways before they will learn how to do it themselves, they just need the time to be spent with them. And that is something that parents can do themselves, they don't need some fancy college graduate to do it for them. It's their kid and they know them the best. They can easily learn from someone how to give the therapy to their child without actually giving their child formal therapy. Also, it is much more comfortable for the child and not something they are apt to be embarrassed about as they get older. Where as visiting a therapist on a weekely basis, that's embarrassing for a child. But having a therapist come to their home, or their parents give them therapy without really giving them therapy, that's not something to really be embarrassed about, no one would ever know anyways. So, I believe that the results of this study speak for themselves. Spending time with a child while they are in their everyday environment is much more beneficial to them than sending them to traditional therapy on a weekly basis.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
21 abducted, killed in 'gruesome massacre' in Philippines
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/11/23/philippines.hostages/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29
In Manila, Philippines gunmen killed 21 people. 13 women and 8 men. Among those 21, 12 were journalists. According to the Filipino media some of the bodies were beheaded and the killings most likely were politically motivated. Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu was a man wanted to run for governor in the Maguindanao province in May but had received threats that he would be killed if he filed the candidate nomination papers himself. So, he sent his wife and sister to file the papers instead. He thought "that women would have some protection," journalist Maria Ressa told CNN. She also said, "It was supposed to be a media event, to let the public know that this politician would run for governor." But Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu was wrong in thinking that his wife and sister would be safe in doing the nomination for him, because they were 2 of the 21 that were killed. When the 'massacre' happened a group of about 100 gunmen surrounded the group of 40 and ordered them out of their vehicles. They then took the victims hostage to a mountainous region where many of the women were raped and tortured. The military has said the gunmen are loyal to the governor of Maguindanao, Andal Ampatuan. Andal Ampatuan, has held control of the area for the past decade and is a longtime ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Neither one has commented on the issue. Maguindanao is a Muslim providence in the Philippines. Since the attacks the Filipino government has increased security in the Maguindanao area.
I don't think there is a logical reason for this massacre. I do believe that it was politically motivated because it had to do with filing papers to run for governor. However, there is no justification for killing. I get the feeling that the Filipino government is good and in control of the area(s) that it is in control of, but the area(s) that they are not in control of they are really not in control of. I feel like there really is no reason for racial problems in the world anymore. Look at America, we have every race of people in our country and we get along just fine for the most part. We respect eachother's beliefs and tolerate different styles of life. The Filipinos are having a problem accepting one race of people; the Muslims. Or the Muslims are having trouble accepting the Filipinos. Either way, there is something going on there. And I don't think it is that difficult to just accept the other and go on with life. Yes, they have different beliefs, dress differently and have a different style of life, but just accept that, tolerate that, and move on. I figure life is too short to get caught up in stupid conflicts like that. I don't understand the point. Just because a person wants to run for governor they fear for their life because they have been threatened of it. That's not right. If a person wants to run for governor, they should be able to run for governor. And they should be able to do it without fearing their life. I figure if the people want to change who is representing them after ten years they have the right to vote someone new into office. Fair is fair.
In Manila, Philippines gunmen killed 21 people. 13 women and 8 men. Among those 21, 12 were journalists. According to the Filipino media some of the bodies were beheaded and the killings most likely were politically motivated. Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu was a man wanted to run for governor in the Maguindanao province in May but had received threats that he would be killed if he filed the candidate nomination papers himself. So, he sent his wife and sister to file the papers instead. He thought "that women would have some protection," journalist Maria Ressa told CNN. She also said, "It was supposed to be a media event, to let the public know that this politician would run for governor." But Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu was wrong in thinking that his wife and sister would be safe in doing the nomination for him, because they were 2 of the 21 that were killed. When the 'massacre' happened a group of about 100 gunmen surrounded the group of 40 and ordered them out of their vehicles. They then took the victims hostage to a mountainous region where many of the women were raped and tortured. The military has said the gunmen are loyal to the governor of Maguindanao, Andal Ampatuan. Andal Ampatuan, has held control of the area for the past decade and is a longtime ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Neither one has commented on the issue. Maguindanao is a Muslim providence in the Philippines. Since the attacks the Filipino government has increased security in the Maguindanao area.
I don't think there is a logical reason for this massacre. I do believe that it was politically motivated because it had to do with filing papers to run for governor. However, there is no justification for killing. I get the feeling that the Filipino government is good and in control of the area(s) that it is in control of, but the area(s) that they are not in control of they are really not in control of. I feel like there really is no reason for racial problems in the world anymore. Look at America, we have every race of people in our country and we get along just fine for the most part. We respect eachother's beliefs and tolerate different styles of life. The Filipinos are having a problem accepting one race of people; the Muslims. Or the Muslims are having trouble accepting the Filipinos. Either way, there is something going on there. And I don't think it is that difficult to just accept the other and go on with life. Yes, they have different beliefs, dress differently and have a different style of life, but just accept that, tolerate that, and move on. I figure life is too short to get caught up in stupid conflicts like that. I don't understand the point. Just because a person wants to run for governor they fear for their life because they have been threatened of it. That's not right. If a person wants to run for governor, they should be able to run for governor. And they should be able to do it without fearing their life. I figure if the people want to change who is representing them after ten years they have the right to vote someone new into office. Fair is fair.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Teen vanished during Hurricane Andrew
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/13/grace.coldcase.occhi/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29
Leigh Occhi was 13 years old when she dissappeared from her home the morning of Hurricane Andrew. (August 27, 1992) She and her mom had a breakfast together that morning and talked about her plans to attend her school's orientation later that day. The plan was her mother was going to leave for work at about 8am and Leigh's grandmother would come pick her up to bring her to her orientation later that day. Leigh's mom was not at work very long before the weather from the hurricane began to get pretty bad, so she left the office and went home to check on her daughter. It was the first time Leigh had ever been left alone. Leigh's mom returned to the house a few minutes before 8:30am and discovered every mother's worst nightmare. Blood and blood trails all over the house, Leigh's clothes out of place and some missing, and most of all Leigh was missing. Leigh's mom checked everywhere for her but could not find her. She called 911 at 8:30am and the police responded immediately. They had blood hounds trying to track her scent but with the bad weather they could not hold the scent long enough. So once the weather let up they started a helicopter search. But they never were able to find Leigh. Today, Leigh would be 30 years.
In my opinion I don't think Leigh's mom should have any guilt or her grandmother. It was not their fault. And it was the first time that Leigh had ever been left alone. Leigh was 13 years old and plenty old enough to be left alone just like every other kid, it was just bad luck that she was left alone and something bad happened. However, I would question Leigh's mother leaving her home by herself, for the first time, during a hurricane...? That is questionable in my opinion. But, I feel that Leigh was of age to take care of herself and be left alone for a short period of time. However, it is impossible to gaurantee anyone's safety these days which is too bad. I think if the weather wouldn't have been like it was, the blood hounds probably would have been able to track her scent and follow her path, unless her capturer took her away in a vehicle. I don't understand why the police never moved the investigation to Booneville where the package that was addressed to Leigh's home, to her father who no longer lived there, was mailed from. I think it is possible that whoever took Leigh probably knew her father. And I think it would have been helpful if police focused more on him rather than her mother because obviously whoever took Leigh probably knew her father and her father probably knew him. They polygraphed Leigh's mother less than a week after the incident and again a few weeks later. I don't either of those polygraphs were accurate because a mother who just lost her daughter is going to react very oddly when questioned about her involvement in her own daughter's dissappearance which she had nothing to do with. I don't think either of her parents were involved in her dissappearance, but I do think her father could have possibly known who did take Leigh. I think chances are very slim of Leigh ever being recovered knowing that she would now be 30 years old. However, there is always a chance.
Leigh Occhi was 13 years old when she dissappeared from her home the morning of Hurricane Andrew. (August 27, 1992) She and her mom had a breakfast together that morning and talked about her plans to attend her school's orientation later that day. The plan was her mother was going to leave for work at about 8am and Leigh's grandmother would come pick her up to bring her to her orientation later that day. Leigh's mom was not at work very long before the weather from the hurricane began to get pretty bad, so she left the office and went home to check on her daughter. It was the first time Leigh had ever been left alone. Leigh's mom returned to the house a few minutes before 8:30am and discovered every mother's worst nightmare. Blood and blood trails all over the house, Leigh's clothes out of place and some missing, and most of all Leigh was missing. Leigh's mom checked everywhere for her but could not find her. She called 911 at 8:30am and the police responded immediately. They had blood hounds trying to track her scent but with the bad weather they could not hold the scent long enough. So once the weather let up they started a helicopter search. But they never were able to find Leigh. Today, Leigh would be 30 years.
In my opinion I don't think Leigh's mom should have any guilt or her grandmother. It was not their fault. And it was the first time that Leigh had ever been left alone. Leigh was 13 years old and plenty old enough to be left alone just like every other kid, it was just bad luck that she was left alone and something bad happened. However, I would question Leigh's mother leaving her home by herself, for the first time, during a hurricane...? That is questionable in my opinion. But, I feel that Leigh was of age to take care of herself and be left alone for a short period of time. However, it is impossible to gaurantee anyone's safety these days which is too bad. I think if the weather wouldn't have been like it was, the blood hounds probably would have been able to track her scent and follow her path, unless her capturer took her away in a vehicle. I don't understand why the police never moved the investigation to Booneville where the package that was addressed to Leigh's home, to her father who no longer lived there, was mailed from. I think it is possible that whoever took Leigh probably knew her father. And I think it would have been helpful if police focused more on him rather than her mother because obviously whoever took Leigh probably knew her father and her father probably knew him. They polygraphed Leigh's mother less than a week after the incident and again a few weeks later. I don't either of those polygraphs were accurate because a mother who just lost her daughter is going to react very oddly when questioned about her involvement in her own daughter's dissappearance which she had nothing to do with. I don't think either of her parents were involved in her dissappearance, but I do think her father could have possibly known who did take Leigh. I think chances are very slim of Leigh ever being recovered knowing that she would now be 30 years old. However, there is always a chance.
Monday, November 9, 2009
ISSUE #1 -Comprehensive vs. Incremental Health Care Reform
Many people involved in the political spectrum believe that universal health care is the solution to reducing the number of uninsured Americans, or even eliminating them. (That is getting them to be insured.) Supporters of universal healthcare believe that the best way to ensure equal access to medical care is to overhaul the financing of the nation's healthcare system. They think that decades of government funded provided programs like Medicare and Medicaid have contributed to the increased costs of medical care. Some supporters of universal health care say that the government could become a single purchaser, acting on behalf of all patients. In that way, the government could force health care providers to rein in charges and hold them accountable for the quality of care. Another proposal for comprehensive reform relies on mandating government subsidies in which the poor receive tax credits or money that enables them to purchase insurance. Finally, some policymakers favor a hybrid system of universal health care vouchers that includes government funding for basic health care, plus elements of choice and competition. Basic care would be universal, and there would be no means-testing for eligibility. However, participants could choose from competing plans and opt to purchase additional coverage. Others do not oppose the idea of universal healthcare but they disagree in how the goal of it should be reached. In particular, they contend that a government-sponsored medical program would result in less competition among providers and would ultimately produce poor care. They say that in countries like Canada and the United Kingdom, countries that have universal healthcare, have long waiting periods before a patient receives care. So they believe that universal run healthcare would only drive up the cost of healthcare, but also make it more ineffcient. Other critics say that the American healthcare system is a vital part of our economy and if it is to become universal many working Americans will lose their jobs. So, people with this viewpoint think that certain changes should be made to the healthcare system. Changes such as enhancing tax-free Health Savings Accounts and offering tax deductions for people who buy their own health insurance. In general, detractors of universal coverage favor empowering consumers with greater information on medical costs and quality. By making consumers pay greater shares of health care insurance and medical expenses from their own pockets, these policymakers believe that the market will naturally rein in medical costs.
In my opinion I believe that the healthcare system is set up to benefit the elderly right now. I think that is how it should be because the elderly are the ones that face the most health problems, but younger people face health problems as well. And I feel that everyone has the right to healthcare IF they want it. I don't think a college student, who doesn't want healthcare, should be forced to have it and pay for it. It should be a personal choice. I think the system with medicare is a good one right now, kind of like social security, you get out of it what you put into it. But with all the baby boomers hitting that critical age of 65 right now the medicare system is a bit overwhelmed. That is where I feel something needs to change with our healthcare system. Because right now if a family is receiving government funded healthcare for example, they are only allowed to receive care at certain places with that healthcare, and I don't think that is right. If they have a serious health problem they should be able to go see the expert just like every other American. My view on health savings accounts, I don't like the idea. I don't want to be forced to put so much of each of my paychecks into a government account each month. This is America, the land of the free, and I want to be free to do what I want with my money that I earn. And I want the freedom to choose if I want healthcare or not. So my solution to decreasing the large number of Americans that don't have healthcare, create competition between the different healthcare companies. Right now, these companies are free to raise their prices as much as they want and are making a killing because of it. If competition is created, prices will decrease and healthcare should become more affordable for the average American. Or, have a halfly run government healthcare system, have government healthcare available to those who want it. And let those people have health savings accounts and pay the government a chunk of their paycheck each month. But as for me, I will take care of my own healthcare. It's my health, my responsibility, no one else's.
Glenn Beck shares a similar opinion to mine. You can read more about it at: http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/196/32213/
ISSUE #2 -Ensuring Quality Care for Medicare Patients
ISSUE #3 - Safe to Eat?
Monday, November 2, 2009
Father fights mother over baby's life
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/02/uk.baby.life.support/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
In London, England there is a baby with a severe birth defect called CMS. Because of this birth defect RB (the baby) is not able to breath on its own and must be connected to a respirator. The mother and doctors feel that the baby should be disconnected from the respirator because its life is "miserable, sad and pitiful." The first time the baby was taken off of the repirator it lasted 40 minutes, 30 minutes the second time, and only 5 minutes this last time. But the father says that the baby, now one year old, is able to play and recognize its parents and respond to the world around it. The Mayo Clinic said, "different forms of CMS vary widely in their symptoms, from mild to severely disabling. With accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapy, even potentially fatal forms can usually be treated successfully." So, there is another doctor coming Saturday to evaluate RB. One possible solution is a tracheostomy.
In my opinion this is a very tricky situation. I see both sides of the issue, but don't really feel comfortable saying "this is my opinon" without witnessing the situation first hand. I feel that a person would be able to tell by seeing the child if it is just miserable or if it is actually there. From what I have read I believe that the child is actually there because it doesn't sound like it is completely out of it and just unconsious to the world around it. I feel that having another doctor come to evaluate the baby is a good move because he may be able to help RB. I think a tracheostomy is kind of extreme, but if it is the only option and will help RB I think that step should be taken. I think it complicates the situation that the parents are divorced, but also explains why they are on separate sides of the issue. I think all opinions from all doctors and parents should be taken into consideration and after further careful analyzation a decision should be made. If the decision is made to disconnect the child it would be very sad, but best for the child if it is never going to be able to fully respond to its environment. But I am leaning towards letting the child get older and seeing where the future leads. If the child is kept connected to the machine and one day becomes stronger he could have a life that would have other whys been taken away from him. So, I believe that before a decision is made his case needs to be carefully evaluated and CMS needs to be understood by all involved.
In London, England there is a baby with a severe birth defect called CMS. Because of this birth defect RB (the baby) is not able to breath on its own and must be connected to a respirator. The mother and doctors feel that the baby should be disconnected from the respirator because its life is "miserable, sad and pitiful." The first time the baby was taken off of the repirator it lasted 40 minutes, 30 minutes the second time, and only 5 minutes this last time. But the father says that the baby, now one year old, is able to play and recognize its parents and respond to the world around it. The Mayo Clinic said, "different forms of CMS vary widely in their symptoms, from mild to severely disabling. With accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapy, even potentially fatal forms can usually be treated successfully." So, there is another doctor coming Saturday to evaluate RB. One possible solution is a tracheostomy.
In my opinion this is a very tricky situation. I see both sides of the issue, but don't really feel comfortable saying "this is my opinon" without witnessing the situation first hand. I feel that a person would be able to tell by seeing the child if it is just miserable or if it is actually there. From what I have read I believe that the child is actually there because it doesn't sound like it is completely out of it and just unconsious to the world around it. I feel that having another doctor come to evaluate the baby is a good move because he may be able to help RB. I think a tracheostomy is kind of extreme, but if it is the only option and will help RB I think that step should be taken. I think it complicates the situation that the parents are divorced, but also explains why they are on separate sides of the issue. I think all opinions from all doctors and parents should be taken into consideration and after further careful analyzation a decision should be made. If the decision is made to disconnect the child it would be very sad, but best for the child if it is never going to be able to fully respond to its environment. But I am leaning towards letting the child get older and seeing where the future leads. If the child is kept connected to the machine and one day becomes stronger he could have a life that would have other whys been taken away from him. So, I believe that before a decision is made his case needs to be carefully evaluated and CMS needs to be understood by all involved.
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