81. Physicians for Human Rights (PHR)

Since 1986, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) has used medicine and science to document and call attention to mass atrocities and severe human rights violations. PHR was founded on the idea that physicians, scientists, and other health professionals possess unique skills that lend significant credibility to the investigation and documentation of human rights abuses.

PHR's specialized expertise is used to advocate for persecuted health workers, prevent torture, document mass atrocities, and hold those who violate human rights accountable.

PHR's work focuses on the physical and psychological effects of torture and sexual violence, the forensic documentation of attacks on civilians, the unnecessary and excessive use of force during civil unrest, and the protection of medical institutions and health professionals working on the frontline of human rights crises.

Go to: http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/

Children's Rights and Early Intervention conference in Sweden 2016 – call for papers

sweden100 Abstracts are invited to address a wide range of topics in the field of early childhood intervention involving research, training, service models, and policy issues.

Among the topics of special interest are assessment, policy and children's rights, children with specific disorders, cultural issues, curriculum innovations, developmental studies, evaluation and accountability, families, inclusion, institutional care and deinstitutionalization, intervention outcomes, mental health, peer relations, policy development, and professional development.

Questions can be sent via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

or visit our website for more information: www.isei.washington.edu

Early Childhood Development and Disability: A discussion paper by WHO and UNICEF

From WHO website: Despite being more vulnerable to risks which could harm their development, young children with disabilities are often overlooked in mainstream programmes and services designed to ensure child development.

Early Childhood Development and Disability: A discussion paper, jointly produced by WHO and UNICEF, aims to stimulate discussion, planning and action on issues related to disability, early childhood development and related interventions.

Children with disabilities and their families are confronted by barriers including inadequate legislation, policies and services; negative attitudes; and a lack of accessible environments.

If they and their families are not provided with timely and appropriate intervention, support and protection at an early stage of their development, their difficulties can become more severe - often leading to lifetime consequences, increased poverty and profound exclusion.

This discussion paper provides an overview of disability in early childhood and highlights the importance of providing opportunities during this period to ensure children with disabilities can reach their development potential and participate meaningfully in their home, schools and communities.

The evidence presented underscores the urgent need to strengthen and scale up early childhood development initiatives for young children with disabilities and their families.

Read more and get link to the paper here: http://www.who.int/disabilities/media/news/2012/13_09/en/

Severity of autism linked to stress levels

The severity of a child's autism may be directly linked with the level of stress or anxiety they experience on a day-to-day basis, a new study suggests.

Levels of the stress-hormone cortisol remain significantly higher throughout the day in children with low-functioning autism as compared to typically-developing kids and those on the high-functioning end of the spectrum, according to findings published* in the Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities.

Read more here at Disability Scoop in an article by Shaun Heasley: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/06/03/autism-severity-stress/20354/

* Study here: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10882-015-9428-2