by Joan Burns Seems like just yesterday (seven years ago) a tiny bundle of love was handed to me, his bright eyes seemed to say “thank you for being my mom.” This was and is true of our son as he shows his love and appreciation for everything we teach him. “Your son has Down…
Robert J. Doman Jr. Minute for minute, the single strongest influence on a child’s development is that of his or her father. Whether that influence be positive or negative, constructive or destructive, helpful or unhelpful, is largely determined by the father’s knowledge, awareness, and true involvement. Through my work with children and families, the status…
Robert J. Doman, M.D. Normal brain activity produces a constant flow of minute electrical waves which flow from every cell of the cortex (gray matter) as well as the cerebellum and the thalamus within the brain. These electrical waves vary in their strength, which when measured on the EEG (electroencephalogram) would represent the height or…
Lynda W. Bates When NACD parents become actively involved in their child’s developmental process they discover two scarcely known truths, truths which many parents and professionals have yet to realize. First of all, parents discover that direct involvement with their child strengthens the parent-child relationship like few things can. Involvement, for NACD parents, means consistently…
Robert J. Doman, M.D. The NACD Foundation speaks of persons who ineffectively pass through or miss critical developmental brain levels as being neurologically dysorganized. This simply means they have a brain which is inefficient in its ability to receive, process, store and utilize information. Depending upon which level or levels of the brain that are…
by Robert J. Doman Jr. HOW TO EVALUATE AUDITORY AND VISUAL SHORT-TERM MEMORY AUDITORY SHORT TERM MEMORY To test the auditory digit span, the parent should slowly (1 digit per second) say number sequences beginning with 2 digits (Example, 4 – 1 sec. Space – 2). Have the child attempt to repeat the sequence. If…
Robert J. Doman Jr. The most important factor in how much and how well children learn is the learning environment itself. If a child’s learning environment does not instill a self-perception of success, it can inadvertently discourage his or her development. Ultimately, how much children learn is a reflection of how much they like to…
Robert J. Doman Jr. Special Education Twenty-five years ago, special education was in its infancy. It was virtually impossible for the parents of children with severe problems to obtain any services from their school systems. With the recent development of special education and the passing of legislation providing for children with special needs, funds are…
Robert J. Doman, M.D. There are many causes of seizures. Listed below are some of the common causes. Organic Brain Injury: This includes birth trauma, blood incompatibilities, premature separation of the placenta, oxygen deprivation from delayed or obstructed breathing or the umbilical cord wrapped around the child’s neck, tuberous sclerosis, vascular accidents and malformations, trauma…
Robert J. Doman, M.D. Head trauma or injury is the leading cause of death of persons between the ages of one and forty-four. The leading causes of head injuries include vehicle accidents, industrial accidents, assaults, sports injuries, falls, gun shot wounds, etc. Head injuries may be divided into closed injuries in which the brain is…