My Library DV is a broadband service that local libraries can subscribe to for their patrons. All you need to get free movies is a library account in good standing and high speed internet access. This is a great service for getting movies in a hurry and without having to get in the car and go to the library. If you are in need of immediate access to a video, you do not need to wait for another patron to return it or for your library to acquire it on inter library loan as is often the case with popular titles. (more…)

New findings by Harvard researchers reveals new genes that are implicated in autism. Scientists discovered, that the genes that are involved in autism, are those that are involved in learning.

Three newly discovered “autism genes” are particularly intriguing, because unlike some other defective genes linked to autism that are permanently disabled, the new genes are simply idle — present, but not turned on for one reason or another.

“That gives us the potential, in the long run, to develop therapies that may be able to reactivate those genes that are silent,” said Dr. Christopher Walsh, chief of genetics at Children’s Hospital in Boston, who led the study.

Read more at ABC News Autism Genes Unlock Disorder’s Mystery.

Christopher Dawson, a teacher and IT administrator for Athol, MA High School and regular contributor of ZDNet, has an interesting take on a story about a small group of homeschoolers selling freshly-roasted coffee to learn about business development, marketing, and accounting.

Dawson tells his readers: “Homeschooling isn’t for everyone, but their original motivation of providing hands-on, practical, experience-based lessons to kids really should be.”

Read more at Homeschooling + marketing = great coffee?

A recent study, done by an international team of researchers, provides some of the best evidence to date that breast-feeding can make children smarter. The longitudinal study revealed that babies in the breast-fed (and encouraged) group scored significantly higher in the reading, writing, math and other subjects at school than those who were formula-fed or whose mothers were not encouraged to breast feed during the first 6 months of birth.

These results give a new impetus for the current moms and moms-to-be to consider breast feeding as it not only provides great health benefits but also raises their kids’ IQ. The researchers seemingly attribute the latter to the bonding between the mother and the baby. Although it remains speculative. (more…)

It is very exciting to see an organization develop for the sole purpose of helping families of newly diagnosed children battle autism head on. Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) does just that. It gives people timely information, offers resources, and supports families affected by autism.

TACA’s goal is to empower parents to effectively treat children newly diagnosed, speeding up the recovery of their children and strengthening the autism community by connecting families with other families and professionals who can assist them, allowing them to share their stories and successes. (more…)

Write, Mama, Write has a great little post up about making nature prints with the kids and the pictures will make you want to try them. If you haven’t used polymer clay (such as Sculpey) and would prefer to work with something that you don’t have bake, an alternative material to try is Makins Clay. They have an air dry polymer clay, it’s easy to find at your local craft store. Look for the bright green wrapper. (more…)

I often joke that a year ago we could have been considered the “Mc Talty” family for all the times we would frequent McDonald’s. My then two year old was so familiar with the place that he felt compelled to point it out whenever we passed one in our travels. We’ve made a complete turn around since then, thanks in large part to our oldest son’s diagnosis of a chronic tic disorder and our subsequent discovery that he is allergic to wheat and corn and highly sensitive to gluten– three foods we since eliminated and made all the difference for him in his recovery.

This recipe is unique. What makes it special? It is not so much about the ingredients as it is about the preparation. You see, this Little Chef Salad is literally a salad made by my little chef, age 3, a former chicken nugget man turned foodie, a fella not diagnosed, but gluten free through association, and loving it. (more…)

Our boys received a wonderful gift this year for the holidays- a beautiful hardcover copy of Zoolidays, Written by Bruce Glassman and illustrated by up and coming artist Rolandas Kiaulevicius, and if that wasn’t enough they also got tickets to a wonderful show about that book and more called GIRO.

This book is a wonderful read, and the show is a fabulous must see for any emergent reader and budding artist. My boys absolutely loved the book from cover to cover, and the show really delighted their imaginations in a way that the book alone couldn’t do. (more…)

You don’t need to rely on a future preschool teacher or the television set to teach your child literacy. Proactive parents can do quite a bit for their children at a very young age to set the stage for early reading and lifelong success at school. A child who feels successful has confidence, and as we all know, one who struggles with failure will often times develop poor coping skills and very low self-esteem. Don’t wait until your child is formally enrolled to start thinking about literacy. Start now. There are 10 very simple things parents can do with their toddlers that will ensure future success at school. (more…)

On the heels of Jenny McCarthy’s new book, Louder Than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism, and several different national television appearances with celebrities such as Oprah and Larry King, ABC’s Good Morning America gives us a closer look at the Gluten-free/ Casein-free diet and its potential benefits, not just for children suffering from Autism, but for any child suffering from developmental delays. Watch the interview on October 15, 2007: Can a New Diet Help Autistic Kids?

If you are considering a gluten and casein free diet for your child, visit our forum for more information and recipe ideas.