Category: Uncategorized

Believe it or not adolescence can last until you are 32 years old. Research at Cambridge University of 3802 people aged 0-90 years old found there are 5 stages of brain ageing: Childhood Adolescence Adulthood Early Ageing Late Ageing Detail of the characteristics of each stage are: CHILDHOOD This is when the brain undergoes huge…

Figures show a 40% increase in the number of children from pre-school to secondary school receiving support in England, Scotland and Wales since 2016-2017 according to data compiled by the European Agency for Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Education. Over 560,000 children received some form of SEN support in 2021-2022. By comparison the rise since…

Bath University researchers have found significant brain changes in children who exhibit prolonged bad behaviour.Brain scans showed reductions in the cortex outer layer which regulates behaviour & emotion. The amygdala associated with reasoning & language also had lower volume. The study was based on scans of 1185 children diagnosed with conduct disorders & were compared…

This is taking place 13-19th May, this year’s Mental Health Awareness week focuses on increasing people’s understanding of the positive effects that movement and staying active can have on our mental well-being. Did you know that Living Streets’ National Walking Month is back throughout the month of May and they are asking people to #Try20…

There has been an increase in an eating disorder which results in people avoiding certain foods. The condition was only medically recognised in 2013 and is called avoidant/ restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) Eating disorder charity Beat received more than 2000 calls about it last year an increase from 295 five years ago. Specialist care…

Scientists from Colorado State University have conducted research which shows that regular family routines are linked to children getting more sleep which has been associated with improved brain structure and emotional processing in their early years. Families eating together at the same time nearly every night, parents playing with their children, reading stories at bedtime…

Psychologists have identified the average age when Santa scepticism creeps in. Children begin to distinguish between fantasy and reality during pre school years but their belief in Santa continues until middle childhood. Researchers at the University of Texas interviewed 48 six to fifteen year olds who had stopped believing in Santa and 44 of their…

AI COULD DIAGNOSE AUTISM Artificial Intelligence could be used to diagnose autism according to a study from Louisville, Kentucky. A newly developed AI system that analyses MRI scans of the brain identified autistic children aged 24 to 48 months with a 98.5% accuracy. At the moment the traditional methods of diagnosis only become reliable around…

LEAD IN SCHOOL DRINKING WATER Using information from Environmental Information Regulations it shows that the toxic metal is still being found in water in schools at levels well above the standard of 10 micrograms per litre despite a ban on lead pipes in 1970. In 59 tests in 32 schools over the past decade lead…

AI TEDDIES Technology is now capable of generating customised stories for children including their name, school attended and friends names. Teddy bears could be fitted with this technology. However concerns have been raised about predators hacking into their smart devices and also that for children it could distort a child’s ability to discern between reality…