Reading is Fundamental

Reading is paramount in your child’s development.  It serves to enhance your child’s language development, creativity and ability to think. It also builds strong social emotional ties and encourages cognitive development.   Additionally, it is a perfect venue to spend quality time with your child.  Even if your baby does not yet understand words, by reading to them, they will begin to recognize and enjoy the sound of your voice.  Reading to your child will assist in creating parent/child bonds that will build your child’s sense of self and safety.  These connections are necessary precursors to spoken language.  Children who form secure relationships early in life with their parents and caretakers are likely to be able to develop healthy social emotional connections with peers and others later in their lives.  Furthermore, as you read to your toddler and begin to identify objects in books and ask wh questions, you are building their vocabulary, their ability to form sentences and narratives as well as enabling them to respond, question and reason.  Children who grow up reading are more likely to pick up words quickly, choose books rather than television, and develop a healthy respect for books.  All of which will lead to a strong foundation for a successful life and academics.

Here are some recommendations for just a few books that you and your children will love...
On Top Of Spaghetti
There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly
Caps For Sale
A Very Special House
Madeline (series)
One Fish - Two Fish - Red Fish - Blue Fish

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)

According to the NIH, Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) refers to a group of disorders including Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Rett's Syndrome. PDD is characterized by delays in many areas of development. While symptoms of PDD may appear as early as infancy, the typical age of onset and diagnosis is around 3 years of age. A child with PDD may demonstrate delays and problems across all realms of development including receptive and expressive language, social and emotional interactions, sensory motor, and play. A child with PDD may also exhibit difficulty transitioning from one activity to the next, s/he may also appear to be unable to attend to a communication partner, activity or task, demonstrate repetitive body movements, and may be unable to sit in one position for any length of time.


Children with PDD will vary greatly in their abilities. While some children may not speak at all, others may have limited language, and still others may appear to have typical age appropriate language. Many children with PDD will exhibit limited play skills and will not interact socially nor will they play collaboratively with other children. Rather they will exhibit peripheral parallel play. Some children with PDD may exhibit sensory defensiveness and react unusually to light, touch, and sounds, while others may seek out and desire these sensory stimuli.

Early intervention services are paramount in the treatment of PDD. If you suspect that your child has PDD it is important that you express your concerns to a qualified pediatrician. S/he can refer you for a proper evaluation which can determine the need for early intervention services. Very often, speech-language therapy when paired with occupational and physical therapy, and special instruction can serve your child’s needs and support him/her in his/her journey upon a successful life.

Conference on Autism

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder; From Basic Science to Intervention

An Autism Symposium for the Community

Hunter Weill Cornell

Saturday

April 16, 2011

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM