MEDIA SEXUALIZATION IS UNHEALTHY
(February 19, 2007) The American Psychological Association (APA) reported evidence that "proliferation of sexualized images of girls and young women in advertising, merchandising, and media" results in negative effects on girls including "cognitive functioning, physical and mental health, and healthy sexual development."

CHILDHOOD OBESITY - GLOBAL EPIDEMIC
(March 7, 2007) MSNBC reported according to the World Health Organization data, prevalence of childhood obesity increased in almost all countries. It is going to be the first generation to have a lower life expectancy than their parents.

ATTENTION PROBLEMS DISMISSED AS CHILDISH BEHAVIOR
(March 9, 2007) According to a study sponsored by Cogmed America, Inc. eighty-seven percent of parents mistake attention problems for normal childish behavior.

ANOTHER MENTALLY RETARDED SCANDEL
(March 23, 2007) In addition to the building controversy over the Texas Youth Authority for incarcerated youth, a new report criticizes the care by the state of the mentally retarded and states that 186 had died in state custody in an 18 month period. More...

SPINS ANNUAL SPRING RESOURCE FAIR
(March 26, 2007) Students & Parents' Information Network Support, Inc. (SPINS), Bronx, NY, 718-558-9593, announced their 2nd Annual Spring Resource Fair for families of students with learning differences on May 8, 2007. For further information, contact Nanci Brody at 212-679-7007 or Theresa Peduto at 718-885-1150.

UK PROPOSING MONITORING CHILDREN
(March 27, 2007) The Daily Mail reports a proposal by the UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to monitor all children throughout their lives to detect those at risk of turning into criminals.

FINDERS FEES SCANDAL HITS COLLEGE LOANS
(March 28, 2007) The New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced plans to file a lawsuit against an educational loan firm that pays fees to institutions that steer loans to the firm. For the full story, go to www.thephoenix.com

BINGE DRINKING INCREASES PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS
(April 2007) Crime Times, a publication linking brain dysfunction to negative behaviors, reported a study that concluded that binge drinking during pregnancy is a predictor of future psychiatric disorders in children.

COGMED BRINGS ADD/H TRAINING TO US
(April 2, 2007) A research-validated program focused on training "working memory" to improve attention deficits is being introduced to the US. According to Petras Kuprys of Sheffield Marketing Partners, 630-310-5192, the Cogmed Working Memory Training™ shows more than 80 percent of participants of see lasting positive effects after five weeks. Further validation testing is ongoing in the US, at several North American universities, including Harvard, Notre Dame and NYU.

BRIBING KIDS LEADS TO ENTITLED CHILDREN?
(April 16, 2007) Martha Irvine writes about reports indicating parents increasingly reward (bribe) their children to behave in positive ways and suggests this has a possible result in the children becoming entitled. More...

DRUG ABUSE INCREASING ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
(April 19, 2007) Caitlin Mahon, writing for the Daily Targum, a publication for Rutgers University, reported a study issued in March by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) that use and problems from stimulant prescription drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall are on the increase nationwide.

ARE MEDS TO BLAME FOR VA TECH RAMPAGE?
(April 23, 2007) WorldNetDaily.com published a story with a long list of school shooting sprees that seem to show there might be some link between those shooting sprees and psychiatric drugs