Asperger's Conversations

More on Exercise and Learning

I talked about the benefits of exercise in a previous blog entry.  Former ADHD guru John Ratey of Harvard has been touting exercise for learning in general.  He mentions several studies that show that executive functioning, and even grades, improve when school kids have rigorous exercise before class (and the more rigorous, the better).  Here at Keene State College in New Hampshire (USA) we have just moved from a 3-credit to 4-credit model, which means 2-hour classes.  While I try to mix things up (some lecture, some discussion, some in-class writing) I still think it's just too damn long to sit in one spot.  What's really surprising:  Most students remain sitting during the 5-minute "half-time" break! 

Exercise (which optimizes learning and makes people feel good) is a problem of conflicting consequences:  Short-term discomfort for long-term gains.  So, if people tend toward "short-term" or "immediate" consequences, it is up to Professors, teachers, parents, and, yes, therapists, to get our clients, patients, students, children moving.  We can "put them in touch" with the longer term benefits by forcing the issue.  Simply put, insist they move their bodies...for their own good.  Of course, my "Gentle Teaching" friends out there aren't going to like this, since they believe that all decisions must emanate from the person, but I'll disagree.  I say start your class, session, or day with a brisk walk, run, swim, snowshoe...then get on with the business at hand.

More Medical Insurance Rant: How old is my child?

My insurance company, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare,  sent the card (below) to me in the mail just in time for my daughter's birthday a few weeks ago.  The Card congratulates me on my kid's first birthday and reminds me to stay up-to-date on innoculations.  The only problem is that my kid is 12 years old, not one.  Doesn't instill much confidence, does it?

High Speed Life: Thanks to the Keene Sentinel

Keene Sentinel reporter Anika Clark did a great job writing a profile about yours truly in this past Saturday's Keene Sentinel.  I was on the run, but my friend Larry on Kauai emailed the link to my friend AJ in Mumbai, India, who converted it to a PDF file (capturing it before the link on the Sentinelsource website becomes archived and disappears behind a pay wall).  He passed it on to his brother, George, in Singapore (or is George now at the East West Center in Hawaii???) who emailed me a few moments ago to say what a terrific job Anika Clark did.  So, where to park that PDF file??  Why not here:

Download sentinelProfile.pdf

I'm still amazed at how things fly on the web.  But have we become a society hooked on speed?  Faster internet connections, faster cars, faster food?!?  Is ADHD (Attention Deficity Hyperactivity Disorder) really a disorder or a cultural artifact?

Insurance Problems and Asperger's/Autism

Parents have a tough enough time as it is locating a good referral for either diagnosis or treatment of a spectrum disorder without having problems with insurance reimbursement.  Personally, I've had plenty of problems just getting my insurer to pay for specialty medical treatments (Cigna was the worst, Harvard Pilgrim only slightly better) that should obviously be covered.  I survived my Cigna nightmares and Harvard Pilgrim problems by ranting and raving (being nice doesn't help).  And the same is true for Asperger's/Autism...when parents are in HMO's and they are only offered low level assistance by therapists who don't know AS/Autism, then it may be time to get tough.  I say find out who in your area has experience or expertise in this area and demand that your insurer pay for that person (even if they are out of network).   Groups like The Asperger's Association of New England can provide good referrals, but it is up to parents to make sure their insurers will pay.  My suggestion:  If you are in the U.S., ask your state Insurance Office to help out.  Keep notes on all phone contacts with your insurer (always ask the name of the person you are talking to) and if you are getting nowhere...File a complaint with the State Insurance Office.

Sorry for the negative tone, but most agree that the U.S. medical insurance system is not working and ultimately we need to cut out the greedy middle guys who manage money, not care.

Asperger's Conversations Pauses: Time for a Snow Dance

With a monster snow storm brewing here in Southwestern New Hampshire, there is only one thing to do...stop working (my kid is doing her report on the Digestion System for Ms. Linn's class & I'm cleaning house)...and do the Spongebob Snowdance in Surry, New Hampshire:

Download SnowDance08.wmv (video: 9.5 MB; 2mins,30 secs)

Instructional Technology, Successful Classrooms, Asperger's: Podcast Interview with Sherry Newman

It was cold last week in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (just my luck!).  But that wasn't going to stop me from catching some sun...I sat outside and talked with Instructional Media Specialist Sherry Newman of Nova Southeastern University.  Sherry is working on her doctoral degree in instructional technology and working as a Middle School Technology/Media instructor.  We talked about kids and technology and the need to build more connecting and interactive classrooms.  And, we talked about where kids who are socially different, such as those with Asperger's, fit in and what they need from us to succeed in school and after school.

Click on the MP3 file below to listen to today's podcast interview:

Download Newman.mp3 (3.76MB; 10mins,57secs)

Jennifer Venditti's Billy The Kid: Podcast Interview

I spoke with documentary film director Jennifer Venditti about her new film, Billy The Kid, which follows a couple of weeks in the life of a 15 year old boy who has been diagnosed with Asperger's.   The film is engrossing and captures wonderfully the ups and downs of surviving high school while also living with personal social differences.  Catch the film if you can, but also check out the terrific clips posted on the web.

Click on the MP3 file below to hear today's podcast:

Download billtheKidMp3.mp3 (3.56MB; 10mins, 23 secs)

Billy The Kid by Jennifer Venditti

I am looking forward to interviewing Jennifer Venditti on Wednesday, the opening day in New York City of her new film about a teenager struggling with Asperger's and related problems. Check out the trailer above.

APA's Ethical Lapse on Torture (cont)

Democracy Now's Amy Goodman has been persistent in giving voice to psychologists who object to APA's refusal to preclude its members from participating in torture of military prisoners. I'm a bit embarrassed that I have only recently gotten up-to-speed on this issue (see previous post). I hope my fellow psychologists seriously consider resigning or withholding dues.

APA and torture

My very own American Psychological Association or APA has disappointed its members by refusing to follow the Amercian Psychiatric Association and others in not allowing its members to consult or participate in any way in torture of soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.  While condemming torture in their most recent statement, they failed to "go all the way" and ban psychologists involvement.  Blogger and psychologist Stephen Soldz has written of a movement by psychology departments in the US to protest APA's position by withholding dues.  A few hundred psychologists have already pledged to withhold dues as part of a formal protest of APA's weak stand on torture.  You can read about APA's explanation for their more moderate position which the ACLU has criticized for not going far enough.

The argument of military psychologists:  Better to be involved as consultants inorder to make sure it is done properly or humanely.  But is torture ever something that can be done "humanely?"  And can military psychologists truly be independent in a hierarchical system such as the military where many involved in torture hold higher rank than the consulting psychologists?  Just say no to your commanding officer??  I don't think so.

I'm considering attending more meetings about the topic such as the upcoming one in New York, but I think my fellow psychologists should consider either resigning or withholding dues.