What parents need to know about the safety of mobile and Wi-Fi-enabled technologies

Many parents are giving these devices to their children to use. But there is a problem. Scientists and doctors are warning that children shouldn't be using them and yet very few people know about it.

Scientific studies have demonstrated that these technologies have serious and life-threatening side effects. There are so many studies now that mobile phones and Wi-Fi can no longer be considered safe.

With government and industry making so much money from mobile communications, they may not admit the damaging effects for some time. However, if you are aware of the risks then you have the opportunity to choose safe alternatives.

Mecasermin treatment for Rett Syndrome – Phase 1 completed successfully

The results from Boston Children's Hospital's Phase 1 human clinical trial in Rett syndrome came out today. A team of investigators successfully completed a Phase 1 clinical trial using mecasermin [recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)], showing proof-of-principle that treatments like IGF-1 which are based on the neurobiology of RTT, are possible.

The study deemed that IGF-1 is safe and well tolerated in girls diagnosed with Rett syndrome, and the data also suggests that certain breathing and behavioral symptoms associated with Rett syndrome were ameliorated after IGF-1 treatment.

The completed Phase 1 trial and the now current Phase 2 study are funded in part by the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF) to Dr. Omar Khwaja (first author on the publication) who initially led the Phase 1 study and to Dr. Walter Kaufmann (corresponding author) who completed the Phase 1 study and is leading the Phase 2 study at Boston Children's Hospital.

Kathryn Kissam, IRSF Board member said, 'Our sincerest gratitude goes to Dr. Khwaja and Dr. Kaufmann for their true dedication to find treatments for our girls and women today.'

Family Sign Language Curriculum. A free 2-day course by NDCS (England)

Are you a professional working with children aged 0-5 years old and interested in using the NDCS teaching resource? Then you might be interested in attending one of our free events.

The course is split into two days.

Day one will be delivered in BSL and English with colleagues from Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) at City University London and will focus on language acquisition of BSL, BSL linguistics, storytelling skills and Sign Bilingualism.
Day two will be delivered in BSL and will be more practice-based looking at how to deliver the FSLC, lesson planning, differentiation, creating resources, and micro-teaching activities.

2014 training dates:

1 & 2 April, Brighton
13 & 14 May, Cambridge
3 & 4 June, Manchester
23 & 24 September, Derby
11 & 12 November, Exeter
2 & 3 December, London

For further information, please follow this weblink: http://events.ndcs.org.uk/index.php?ref=E527A5982D3F4F

Three workshops from Siblings Australia in Tocumwal and Melbourne

Parent workshop Tocumwal NSW - for parents of a child with any disability - Tuesday April 1, 7-9pm

Details: http://siblingsaustralia.org.au/assets/events/tocumwal-parent-workshop-2014.pdf

Professional workshop Tocumwal NSW - for people working in disability, health, education, family/community services - Wednesday April 2, 9am-1pm

Details: http://siblingsaustralia.org.au/assets/events/tocumwal-professional-2014.pdf

Parent workshop Melbourne VIC - for parents of a child with any disability - Thursday April 3, 10am - 12 noon

Details: http://siblingsaustralia.org.au/assets/events/melbourne-parent-workshop-2014.pdf