Current News in Mental Health
Striking Evidence for Structural Changes in Brain Resulting
from Learning
Timothy Keller and Marcel Just at Carnegie University have demonstrated that
there are a number of significant structural changes in childrens' brains
following intensive remedial reading training. The children in the study
showed increased efficiency of signal transmission within the white matter of
the brain following 100 hours of intensive reading training over a six month
period. Changes in white matter functioning were highly correlated with
measured improvements in reading skills in the children studied. Keller
has previously conducted research that examined the involvement of white matter
in autistic conditions.
Early Intervention Proven to Improve Outcomes in Children
with Autism.
A new carefully controlled study suggests that structured interventions with
children under two years of age can significantly improve social functioning,
language development and general adaptive behavior. The study followed 48
children aged 18 to 30 months for approximately five years and compared children
and families using the Early Start Denver Model to a control group receiving
standard community-based services over the same time period. At the end of
the study, children in the Denver model condition showed an average gain of 18
IQ points as compared to a 4 point gain among controls. The program
emphasized professional training of parents using Applied Behavioral Analysis
techniques in concert with relationship-building active play.
Parents Unfortunately Tend to Underestimate Children's
Stress
A recent APA survey indicates that children and teens report higher levels of
stress than their caregivers estimate. As a result, parents may fail to
provide adequate support to their children in times of need and may ignore
signals that warrant intervention. The survey also measured adults' levels
of stress and preferred stress-management practices.