Managing child behavior in school settings poses potential injury risk, to both staff and students, resulting in increased use of questionable practices.  In the past decade, schools have witnessed an unprecedented rise in the use of various forms of restraint to control child behavior: medication of children, use of seclusion rooms, and physical restraint.  To protect children with behavior problems and their staff, it is imperative that schools take proactive measures by establishing effective child behavior interventions and policies in an effort to avoid use of restraints.  Continue reading here.

Multitasking raises total technology use amount from 8 to 11 hours on average per day!
Kaiser Foundation reports children aged 8-18 years of age use an average 8 hours per day using of a combination of technologies, with 'multitasking' allowing them to pack a total of 11 hours worth of media content into those ~ 8 hours!  Over 30% of children surveyed state they have no "rules" imposed on them restricting technology use; those that do report 3 hours LESS use per day.
News release - http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia012010nr.cfm
Full report - http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/8010.pdf

2010 study shows ADHD medication results in LOWER academic function by a factor of TEN TIMES, and causes LONG TERM heart changes!
Study performed by researchers from the Government of Western Australia, Department of Health, report reduced academic performance and increased risk of heart malfunction in children who receive ADHD medication. "We found that stimulant medication did not significantly improve a child's level of depression, self perception or social functioning and they were more likely to be performing below their age level at school by a factor of 10.5 times." Prof Landau said the study also suggested that a child's heart function may be affected by long-term stimulant use and may remain affected even after stopping medication.
http://www.health.wa.gov.au/publications/documents
/MICADHD_Raine_ADHD_Study_report_022010.pdf

Antidepressants - Do they work or don't they?
Here is yet a fifth study showing that anti-depressants are no more effective than a placebo in an adult population.  Why then are we giving them to kids?
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=antidepressants-do-
they-work-or-dont-they&sc=CAT_MB_20100303

Crimes of Technology - Teachers Caught Under the Spell
The following commentary by Cris Rowan is a response to the unchecked rise in use of technology in the classroom, best represented by the following article printed in the Coast Reporter February 26, 2010.

http://www.zoneinworkshops.com/editorial-submissions/
crimes-of-technology-teachers-caught-under-the-spell/

http://www.coastreporter.net/article/20100226/SECHELT0101/
302269975/-1/sechelt/technology-in-the-classroom

CBC DocZone Feature
Cris Rowan will be featured on CBC's DocZone, a TV documentary speaking on the topic of "Info Overload" to be aired in 2010.
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/doczone/archive.html

Child behavioural diagnosis, medication and therapy: who really benefits?
Read Cris Rowan's article in this months BC OTLine journal:
Are Canadian children really mentally ill and learning disabled, or has the proliferation of the medical system into schools unwittingly created a diagnostic and medication mania, serving an industry that will eventually bankrupt governments and cause an end to childhood as it was once known?
http://www.bcsot.org/pdf/OTLine/OTLine_Winter_2010.pdf

Mother Guilty of Murder - Pediatric Bipolar Disorder Innocent
On February 9th a jury at the Plymouth Superior Court in Massachusetts convicted Carolyn Riley of second degree murder of her daughter, Rebecca, a 4 year old, who died three years ago.  A county coroner determined an overdose of the medication, clonidine obtained from a child psychiatrist, caused Rebecca's death.  Prosecutors maintained that the parents intentionally overdosed their daughter to "keep her quiet". Apparently the jury didn't accept the parents' defense which had them "just following the doctor's orders."  
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-last-normal-child/201002
/mother-guilty-murder-pediatric-bipolar-disorder-innocent

Mothers of Bad Boys
A website by mothers and everyone who works with boys who aren't "bad", but somehow got labeled that way!
http://www.mothersofbadboys.com

Suffer the Children
4 minute video by Cris Rowan showing problems associatiated with technology overuse by children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dbtg5w87yU

Balanced Technology Management
6 minute video by Cris Rowan showing solutions to address technology overuse, creating sustainable futures for all children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMIfPtDuDiw

Sensory Processing
Fine Motor Development
Attachment and Addictions
Technology Balance
Science of Attention and Learning
Successful Schools
Teacher Training Program
Early Intervention
Early Intervention - First Nations
Human Productivity
Foundation Series Comprehensive

Compare all of our workshops here.

If you're unable to make it to one of the below workshops, and you'd like Cris to come to your area, contact us to make it happen!

March 6, 2010 - Courtenay, BC
Keynote and Healthy Interactions

March 30, 2010 - Oklahoma City, OK
Healthy Interactions and A Cracked Foundation

May 11, 12 & 13, 2010 - Vancouver, BC
Foundation Series Comprehensive

We are pleased to offer our Foundation Series Workshops online!  We have scheduled live, interactive workshops the first and third Wednesday of each month!  Can't make it?  Buy our workshops on DVD!


 
 
March 17, 2010 - A Cracked Foundation - Register Now!
3:30 - 6:30pm Pacific Time
Disconnection from self, others, nature and spirit is resulting in child mental health and behavior disorders that are readily being diagnosed and medicated.  Healthy attachment and personal connections between teachers, therapists, parents and children are the basis for ability to pay attention and learn.
 
April 7, 2010 - Healthy Interactions - Register Now!
3:30 - 6:30pm Pacific Time
Critical factors for healthy early child development of movement, touch and connection are reviewed, and practical strategies offered to enhance infant, toddler and early child development.

April 21, 2010 - Mixed Signals - Register Now!
3:30 - 6:30pm Pacific Time
Child physical, mental, social and academic disorders are on the rise.  Is 8 hours per day technology use the culprit?  Come learn what you can do to manage balance between activities children need to grow and succeed with use of technology.
 
May 5, 2010 - Why Can't Children Sit Still? - Register Now!
3:30 - 6:30pm Pacific Time
Children's bodies need to move to pay attention and learn.  Organized movement and access to nature are attention-restorative, and can easily be incorporated into classroom routines.

May 26, 2010 - Diminishing Returns - Register Now!
3:30 - 6:30pm Pacific Time
Learn how to restructure classrooms, gym and playground settings to improve productivity and enhance literacy though use of a variety of sensory and motor strategies.
 
Book a CUSTOMIZED WEBINAR on your Pro-D day!  Contact Amy Dickson at adickson@zonein.ca or 1-888-896-6346 for more information.

 

Training for occupational therapists to become certified Foundation Series Workshop Instructors.

May 10 - 14, 2010 - Vancouver, BC

© Zone'in Programs Inc. 2009
www.zonein.ca