News & Views
NEWS & VIEWS NOVEMBER 2008
Oct 28, 2008, 14:19
HORSE SENSE ON NPR
(September 9, 2008) NPR's "All Things Considered" featured a piece on The Horse Institute located in Ancramdale, NY, which specializes in "equine assisted learning". The founders: Marie-Claude and Larry Stockl, are consultants who believe horses can help companies learn teamwork, produce creativity and learn better communication skills. For more information contact Sandra Adams, Marketing Coordinator for the Summit Marketing Group, Hendersonville, NC, 828-692-2450.
ANTI-PSYCHOTICS HAVE OWN DANGERS
(September 19, 2008) The Dallas Morning News reports a government study in Texas shows new anti-psychotics are no better than generics for kids nor did they perform any better, and both drugs led to unhealthy weight gain.
DOCS TOLD TO REDUCE RITALIN
(September 24, 2008) The Times Online in the UK reports doctors have been told to curb use of Ritalin in hyperactive children; that it is used too freely to calm hyperactive children and should only be used in severe cases.
US CHILDREN MORE MEDICATED
(September 25, 2008) United Press International reports a study by the US, Germany and Dutch researchers found U.S. children are three times more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medications than children in Europe, which may be due to regulatory practices and cultural beliefs about medications and emotional/behavioral problems.
YOUNG BOYS DO BETTER WHEN TAUGHT BY MEN
(September 30, 2008) The Independent .co.uk reports a recent study of over 1000 men for the Training and Development Agency, found almost half cited male primary school teachers had the most impact on them and challenged them to work harder.
AUTONOMY KEY TO SCHOOL SUCCESS
(September 30, 2008) BBC News reports a University of Buckingham report found that independent schools get better results than state schools because they have the freedom to tailor teaching to the needs of their pupils.
TEEN THUGS BLAMED ON HORMONES
(October 1, 2008) Mail Online reports a Cambridge University study of teenage boys found a link between levels of stress hormone Cortisol and anti-social behavior, whereas teenage thugs could be suffering from hormone imbalance.
AFTER 12 YEARS, MENTAL HEALTH PARITY ACT IS LAW
(October 3, 2008) The Associated Press reports mental health advocates have won the passage of legislation, the Wellstone Mental Health Parity Act that requires insurance companies to treat mental health on an equal basis with physical illnesses when policies cover both.
MENTAL HEALTH PARITY LAW INCLUDED IN BAILOUT
(October 5, 2008) The mental health parity legislation: The Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, was added to the Wall Street bailout bill and will take effect January, 2010.
UK'S FATTEST TEEN LOSES WEIGHT IN N.C. WELLSPRING
(October 5, 2008) Wales Online.co.uk reports in an interview with her mother, a 15 year old teen from Britain has lost "Three Stones" since her enrollment on September 1, at Wellspring Academy in North Carolina, through healthy eating, exercise and weight loss therapy.
NY TO BUILD SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOLS
(October 12, 2008) The New York Times reports the state of New York is working to create residential, special needs schools, to bring special education students back from out of state private schools.
PLAY ENHANCES EXECUTIVE FUNCTION
(October 12, 2008) Author Richard Louv discussed the effect of nature on our brains or "executive function", which he described as the function that governs your ability to digest lots of different information and to make choices as a result. The best way to develop this is through imaginative made up games through independent play and nature.
PROBE LINGERS IN BOOT CAMP DEATH
(October 13, 2008) Pensacola, FL, A federal inquiry remains open on the investigation and possible trial of seven juvenile Florida boot camp guards and a nurse acquitted last year of state charges in the death of a 14-year-old boy.