After a child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), many parents feel overwhelmed and experience high levels of stress. While this is a very challenging time, there are steps parents can take to accept the diagnosis and move forward. Parents typically want to spring into action to help their child, but taking time for themselves has long term benefits for the entire family.

According to Dr. Amy Keefer, a clinical psychologist in the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, “While it’s natural for a parent to put their child first, parents often don’t realize that they should let themselves experience the range of emotions that may accompany the diagnosis. There are a number of coping strategies parents should consider to help alleviate stress and continue on with their lives.” [continue reading…]

Can you really train your brain with simple exercises? Join the Brain Test Britain experiment

 
Millions of people worldwide do some form of computer-based brain training every day. It seems to make sense that by regularly ‘exercising’ your brain with special tests and puzzles, you can improve your ‘brain skills’ and become better at everyday thinking tasks. But does brain training actually work? Recent research suggests that the scientific evidence is lacking.

The Brain Test Britain experiment is a scientifically valid study, and it hopes that thousands of members of the public – including you! – will help  to answer, for the first time, the question: does brain training work?

Source: BBC

 

Roy Ziegelstein is vice chairman of the department of medicine at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and head of the depression and cardiovascular research group. In The Wall Street Journal he shares his own experience with recognizing the importance of depression in treating patients with heart disease…..continue reading How One Doc Discovered the Connection Between Heart Disease and Depression
Source: The Wall Street Journal