LOS ANGELES: Imagine a three year old refusing to brush her teeth because it is too painful or crying out in pain whenever her hair is brushed. Imagine a child who has such a high sensitivity toward loud noises or sounds that she pleads for silence and tries to drown them out by covering her ears, or a child who does not adapt well to new situations, or complains about the feel of her clothing and has to have the tags removed. Imagine a child who is such a picky eater that she insists on consuming only a certain food and refuses to eat anything else.
These types of behavior are probably as baffling and frustrating for the child as they are for the parents who probably think they are just dealing with a difficult child who refuses to do any of the ordinary things that is expected of them in an ordinary day. These behaviors, however, may be symptoms of a deeper problem that is often mistaken for something other than a health condition that makes a child’s life a living misery.
Unbeknown to the parents, their child may be
experiencing Sensory Processing Disorder, --SPD, formerly known as sensory
integration dysfunction -- a neurological disorder that causes difficulties
with processing information through sights, sounds, touch, tastes, smells and
movement.
Sensory processing – sometimes called sensory
integration or SI – is a term that refers to the way the nervous system
receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate motor and
behavior responses. For those affected,
sensory information is sensed but perceived abnormally and processed by the
brain in an unusual way that may cause distress or confusion.
Research by the Sensory Processing Disorder
Foundation – originally called the KID Foundation -- that has been providing
hope and help to individuals and families living with SPD since 1979, indicates
that one in every 20 children experiences symptoms of Sensory Processing
Disorder that are significant enough to affect their ability to participate
fully in everyday life.
Sensory processing deficits can appear in many
different forms and no two children will be affected in the same ways. Children can experience mild, moderate
or severe SI deficits, all of which are treatable with therapy and a sensory
diet set up by an occupational therapist trained in SI.
According to the SPD Foundation, people who
reach adulthood without treatment also experience symptoms and continue to be
affected by their inability to accurately and appropriately interpret sensory
messages. Because adults with SPD have struggled for most of their lives, they
may also experience depression, underachievement, social isolation, and/or
other secondary effects.
There are a number of websites that
provide information regarding SPD. Several offer information on sensory
equipment and products that can be purchased to aid in the child’s treatment or
where to apply for financial assistance for testing costs which are usually not
covered by insurance. Other sites offer support lists and articles written by
members wanting to share their experiences.
Various websites provide checklists to help
parents and professionals who interact with children become educated about
particular signs of sensory processing dysfunction. This information, however,
is not intended as diagnostic criteria for labeling children with this
disorder, but should be viewed as an educational tool in gaining knowledge
about the condition. A child needs to be tested and diagnosed by a doctor to
determine if some behavior of SPD exists. And, of course, the earlier a
diagnosis is made and the appropriate treatment is begun, the better it is for
the child and family.
In keeping with its mission to heighten
awareness about Sensory Processing Disorder, the SPD Foundation is holding its 9th
International Symposium – SPD: Advanced Research and Innovative Practice --
October 9-10, 2009 in Chicago. The Symposium offers two days of workshops
featuring top researchers and leading clinicians presenting the latest research
and most innovative strategies in SPD.
A daylong Pre-Conference Institute preceding the Symposium provides
professionals an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge assessment tools and
techniques from experts in the field.
Symposium information and data about SPD research,
treatment, emotional and other impacts is available on the SPD Foundation
Website: www.spdfoundation.net.
CENTURY
CITY, CA – John Cena fans will be able to obtain his action thriller, 12 Rounds, when it hits the DVD stores June 30. From Twentieth Century Fox Home
Entertainment, 12 Rounds stars the WWE superstar in the role of a New Orleans
police detective who stops a brilliant thief from getting away with a
multi-million dollar heist. In the
process, however, the thief’s girlfriend is accidentally killed. After escaping from prison, the
criminal mastermind enacts his revenge, taunting the cop with a series of
near-impossible puzzles and tasks…12 Rounds…that Cena's character must somehow complete to
save the life of his fiancée. The film features intense supporting performances
from Ashley Scott and Aidan Gillen.
The DVD and Unrated Blu-ray disc are loaded with
special features including both the theatrical and extended “Extreme Cut” of
the film, commentary by Director Ronny Harlan (Die Hard 2, Deep Blue Sea), Cena
and first-time writer Daniel Kuna. Two behind-the-scenes featurettes offer two
alternative endings, a never-before Cena gag reel and more.
LOS ANGELES: International music icon, Charo has been nominated for an American Latino TV Award in the Favorite American Latino Hitmaker category.
Now in its third year, American Latino TV Awards
serves to recognize excellence and achievement in the American Latino community
and is a tribute to
the individuals, organizations and projects that have been featured in the
producers’ seven-season library of multi-award winning and groundbreaking
television shows. The awards
special showcases the best American Latinos in a variety of categories
including music, fashion, film, sports and more!
An nternational icon and world-renowned
guitarist and award-winning recording artist, Charo is best known in the U.S. as the
“cuchi-cuchi” girl who has, for decades, been entertaining audiences around the
world with her unique brand of hilarious comedy and unparalleled guitar
playing, singing and performance skills.
She’s now back on the Billboard charts with her
latest dance club hit, España Cañi, the traditional bullfighting song. Charo
teamed up with top-name DJs and producers from around the world, who added
their own dance mixes to her virtuoso guitar performance and ended up with
what’s become a huge hit at dance clubs around the world and earned Charo a
World Dance Music Award nomination.
Charo also teamed up with World of Wonder to produce the video, entitled “España Cañí: Dance, Don’t
Bullfight.” The video is Charo’s protest against bullfighting, which is
still practiced in many cities across Spain and Latin America. Charo,
like Pamela Anderson, Paul McCartney and Pink, is a member of PETA who speaks
out against animal cruelty.
Other nominees in the Hitmaker category include:
Julieta Venegas (Latin Alternative singer), Los Lonely Boys (Grammy-winning
trio from Texas), and Gustavo Santaolalla (Oscar-winning film composer).
Other nominees and categories include: Most
Inspiring American Latino: Danny Trejo (Veteran character actor), Linda Alvardo
(Co-owner of the Colorado Rockies baseball team), Tony Alva (Legendary
professional skateboarder), Sonia Manzano (Longtime actress on Sesame Street).
Favorite Alternative Athlete: Harlem
Globetrotters (World-renowned entertainment/basketball players), Alex Castro
(Star of hit television show, American Gladiator), Roger Huerta (Ultimate
Fighting star), Milka Duno (Professional Racecar driver.
Favorite American Latino Newcomer: Colby O’Donis
(Latino Hip-hop artist), Francisca Valenzuela (Burgeoning pop
singer/songwriter), Monte Negro (Eclectic Rock band), Girl in a Coma (Latina
Rockers).
Favorite Live Performance: In the Heights
(Broadway sensation), Fuerza Bruta (Experimental theater hit), Lucha Va Voom
(Lucha Libre meets Vintage burlesque), Circus Vargas (Latino-themed circus).
Most Outspoken American Latino: Perez Hilton
(Celebrity blogger), Kim Osorio (Hip-hop publisher/writer), Chingo Bling
(Hip-hop’s Tamale Kingpin), Steve Treviño (America’s next big comedian).
The American Latino Awards will be announced
during the awards special that will be broadcast via syndication in over 70
cities nationwide between July 14 and July 27, 2009. For station, broadcast date and time in your city, click www.AmericanLatino.tv/ALPresents
or check your local listings.
For more information about the awards and
nominees, visit www.americanlatinoawards.com.
NEXT POST:
Coming soon. Stay tuned.
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