Imagine The World In 2030, Fully Inclusive Of Persons With Disabilities

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In September 2015, the General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Building on the principle of “leaving no one behind”, the new Agenda emphasizes a holistic approach to achieving sustainable development for all.

The SDGs also explicitly include disability and persons with disabilities 11 times. Disability is referenced in multiple parts of the SDGs, specifically in the parts related to education, growth and employment, inequality, accessibility of human settlements, as well as data collection and the monitoring of the SDGs.

Although, the word “disability” is not cited directly in all goals, the goals are indeed relevant to ensure the inclusion and development of persons with disabilities. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development holds a deep promise for persons with disabilities everywhere.

The year 2016 marks the first year of the implementation of the SDGs. At this critical point,  #Envision2030 will work to promote the mainstreaming of disability and the implementation of the SDGs throughout its 15-year lifespan with objectives to:

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• Raise awareness of the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the SDGs for persons with disabilities;

• Promote an active dialogue among stakeholders on the SDGs with a view to create a better world for persons with disabilities; and

• Establish an ongoing live web resource on each SDG and disability.

 

The campaign invites all interested parties in sharing their vision of the world in 2030 to be inclusive of persons with disabilities.

Please forward your comments, suggestions, references and/or new information on the SDGs and persons with disabilities to   enable@un.org or follow us @UN_ Enable and @UNDESASocial on  Facebook and Twitter and use hashtag #Envision2030 to join the global conversation and help create a world in 2030 that is fully inclusive of persons with disabilities.

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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Spotlight On Older Persons In Emergencies

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The  World observed Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on 15 June, this year DESA programme on ageing, in partnership with the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), focused  on the theme, "Spotlight on Older Persons in Emergencies," to highlight the critical need to protect and support older persons during crises. Established by the United Nations in 2011, WEAAD aims to raise awareness about the abuse, neglect, and exploitation that older persons face, while promoting respect and dignity for this population. WEAAD 2024 also emphasizes the importance of education and training for emergency responders, caregivers, and the public. By increasing awareness about the specific challenges faced by older persons in emergencies, we can foster a more inclusive and protective environment. 

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Legal  Case News about Persons with Disabilities

15 May 2024 :  On Complaint By Visually Impaired Individual, Court Of CCPD Asks Ola Cabs To Make Its App Accessible To Persons With Disabilities.  The Court of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities has issued a series of recommendations to Ola Cabs aimed at improving accessibility features within their application, following a complaint filed by one Amar Jain, a person with 100% visual impairment. The complaint highlighted various accessibility barriers encountered while accessing the Ola app, including unorganized services.

The top points from the CCPD's order are:

• Allow users to disclose their disability in profile and conduct targeted disability-specific sensitization for its driver partners

• Appointment of an Accessibility Auditor and a Grievance Redressal Officer 

• Clear direction from the company’s CEO to ensure accessibility of all existing and new features

• Submission of an undertaking by the company to the CCPD for compliance with accessibility standards and mandating self-certification on an annual basis.

Ola Cabs has to submit a compliance report in 90 days from the issuance of this order, failing which the matter will be reported to the Parliament.

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30 Apr 2024 :  Accessibility Workstations, Vulnerable Witness Rooms In Delhi HC, District Courts To Be Utilized To Allow Accused With Disabilities To Attend Hybrid Hearings.

 

The direction has come from Acting Chief Justice Manmohan in terms of a judgment of a single judge which directed the Delhi Government to provide infrastructure of accessibility workstations in the e-Sewa Kendras, set up in this Court and all the Delhi District Courts in addition to the Vulnerable Witness Rooms, be utilised as the room for the accused Persons with Disabilities to attend.

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28 Mar 2024 : Notify Guidelines To Make Cinema More Accessible For Visually, Hearing Impaired Persons Before July 15: Delhi High Court To MIB….

The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre to notify by July 15 the guidelines to make films accessible to persons who are hearing and visually impaired. Justice Prathiba M Singh said accessibility was enforceable as a legal right and even private parties have to take "reasonable accommodation measures" to enable greater accessibility for the hearing and visually impaired persons. The court observed that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has framed the “Draft Guidelines of Accessibility Standards in the Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres for Persons with Hearing and Visual Impairment”, and was in the process of finalising the same. “The guidelines shall now be finalised by the MIB and shall be notified on or before 15th July, 2024. It is made clear that the said guidelines shall make the provision of accessibility features mandatory and provide a reasonable period for compliance by all stakeholders, in an expeditious manner,” the court ordered recently. “A hearing or visually impaired person, may get easy physical access to a film theatre but may not be able to enjoy the film at all, if measures to make it enjoyable are not taken by the other stakeholders, including producers, theatre managers, OTT platforms, etc,” the order said. The court stated that non-provision of accessibility features would constitute an offence under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and the State has a positive obligation to ensure that all reasonably possible steps are taken to ensure access to them.

The petitioners -- a law student, two lawyers and a disability rights activist -- have contended that under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPWD Act), the government has to take measures to ensure access to content to those suffering from disabilities. While three of them are visually impaired, the fourth one is hearing impaired

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4 Mar 2024 : Inclusive Infra, Vocational Training, Interpreters And More: Gauhati High Court Frames 'Equal Opportunity Policy For Persons With Disabilities'

The Gauhati High Court has framed and notified 'Equal Opportunity Policy for Persons with Disabilities' for all the Courts under its jurisdiction. The policy statement dated February 27, 2024 read:“The Gauhati High Court is committed towards eliminating all forms of discrimination (direct and indirect) and harassment and denial of reasonable accommodation to PwDs.”

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4 Jan 2024 : Persons With Disabilities Must Be Given Choice To Be Posted At Preferred Place, May Be Exempted From Rotational Transfers: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has recently said that it is the state’s objective to ensure that transfers/job postings of the persons with disabilities are in a manner that they get a choice to be posted at their ‘preferred place’ and “may even be exempted from rotational transfers as mandated for other employees”. The HC was hearing a plea by an ‘orthopaedically handicapped person with 72 per cent locomotor disability’ named Bhavneet Singh who is working as a deputy manager HRM at Human Resource Management Department in a government company incorporated by the central government (Ministry of Railways) under the Companies Act. The petitioner challenged the order issued on August 22, 2022, passed by the company transferring him to Chhattisgarh Rail Project from the company’s corporate office in Delhi as well as the August 23, 2022 relieving order. Bhavneet Singh claimed that there would be no one to help him with his “everyday chores and most basic daily needs” if he was transferred to Chhattisgarh. It was also argued that he would be deprived of the constant medical care and access to health care that he needs “due to his special and severe medical condition.

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A single judge bench of Justice Chandra Dhari Singh in his order said, “India being a welfare state embarks on ensuring that there is provision of equal opportunity to the persons with disabilities. Moreover, it aims at ensuring that the persons with disabilities are not subjected to any discrimination either at place of education, place of work, any public place, etc and further aims at ensuring of giving them access to the requisite education training, medical facilities, etc and therefore, the State has enacted various laws, and has signed various international treaties to fulfil the said objective”. The HC, thereafter, observed that it is a well-settled principle that while “adjudicating upon such delicate matters”. It said courts have to be “more sensitive and empathetic to the plight of persons with disability” and to ensure that values provided in Articles 14, 15, 16 and 21 of the Constitution of India are protected.

After considering the petitioner’s medical condition and his ongoing treatment, the HC said that the petitioner should not be transferred to any other state as it may “create hindrances to the treatment of the petitioner” and thereafter set aside the transfer and relieving orders. Justice Singh observed that the respondent company acted in violation of the Article 14 of the Constitution “since it ignored the special needs of the petitioner and posted him to a far- off place”. Justice Singh further said the state shall ensure that the persons with disabilities are not subjected to “unnecessary and relentless harassment by being transferred/posted at places where they are unable to get an environment which is conducive for their working”. Furthermore, the court said, the state aims at ensuring that the persons with disabilities shall have the requisite medical facilities, etc. available at the place they are posted.

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17 Nov 2023 :  High Court Seeks Delhi University’s Response On Physical Infrastructure, Accessibility For Persons With Disabilities In Campus Law Centre

Delhi HC seeks DU's reply on accessibility for persons with disabilities on campus The HC was hearing a plea by a university student, Jayant Singh Raghav who was visually impaired and raised the issue of providing assistance devices to students with disabilities during exams.

The Delhi High Court has granted a last opportunity to Delhi University to file a comprehensive affidavit on the implementation of provisions of the Right of Persons with Disability Act. The court also asked the varsity to file the affidavit to satisfy how the suggestions or report of the amicus curiae on physical infrastructure and accessibility for persons with disability have been implemented in the Campus Law Centre (CLC), Delhi University and further said that the university was supposed to file a status report regarding the implementation of the provisions of the RPWD Act, taking into consideration the reports and suggestions made by the amicus curiae.

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The potential health and economic impact of new tuberculosis vaccines in India

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India is among countries with the heaviest burden of tuberculosis globally, accounting for almost one in three. As recently as 2021, there were almost three million cases in the country, with over 500,000 deaths. The need for better preventative & therapeutic measures is urgent.

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The government of India has long attempted to control tuberculosis in India, with the latest plan being the National Strategic Plan to End Tuberculosis in India 2020–2025, developed by the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). The goals include reducing disease transmission, preventing TB, and improving social factors that promote the disease. At present, there are 16 candidate vaccines at various stages of development. One of them is M72/ASO1E, which has completed its phase IIb trial. This showed it to be effective in preventing disease in adolescents and adults, reducing the risk of TB by half after a follow-up period of three years. Another phase IIb trial looked at the effectiveness of providing a second dose of the primary TB vaccine, Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG), to people in their teens who have not yet been infected.

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The results of this study showed that a repeat dose of BCG and M72/ASO1E vaccination are potentially effective in reducing the burden of tuberculosis in India at an affordable rate. The models predicted greater cost-effectiveness for BCG revaccination, with incremental programs costing about eight times more for M72/AS01E per year. Health-wise, the M72/AS01E vaccine was predicted to prevent tuberculosis in both infected and uninfected people effectively, provided they did not have active disease. In contrast, BCG revaccination would work only in uninfected people and would prevent infection.

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The greater spectrum of coverage of M72/AS01E, and the faster results obtained, gave it a 40% higher impact on health compared to BCG revaccination, which would show results only after a longer period, corresponding to the period required for active disease to set in following first vaccination and then infection. This is consistent with previous work showing more rapid impact on disease of a vaccine that prevents disease directly in those currently infected.” The actual efficacy of these vaccines is still not very clear, It is not known if M72/AS01E works well in uninfected individuals or if BCG revaccination protects against disease in adults. Further studies are required to elucidate these key points and to understand the mechanism of action of these vaccines. Also,we cannot solely rely on M72/AS01E and BCG-revaccination in case the realized characteristics differ considerably from expectations. Investment in multiple vaccine developments and delivery should be increased to raise the probability of success.”

 

Journal reference: Clark, R. et al. (2023). New tuberculosis vaccines in India: Modelling the potential health and economic impacts of adolescent/adult vaccination with M72/AS01E and BCG-revaccination. MedRxiv. doi: 10.1101/2023.02.24.23286406. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.02.24.23286406v2

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New talking therapy shows promise in treating depression

A new talking therapy for depression has shown encouraging early signs of being more effective and cheaper to deliver than the current best practice of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

A core feature of depression is anhedonia (reduced interest or pleasure) and wellbeing deficits, but current depression psychotherapies like CBT fail to adequately target these components. Augmented Depression Therapy (ADepT ) has been developed to pay just as much attention to building wellbeing as it does reducing depressive symptoms. Professor of Clinical Psychology, Barney Dunn, from the University of Exeter led the trial and said: "Depression is widespread and a significant contributor to global disability, resulting in extensive social and economic costs. Only around 60 percent of people will recover during our current best treatments like CBT and about half of those will relapse within two years. In ADepT, we encourage clients to take a new perspective to their difficulties, aiming to learn to live well alongside depressed mood. The primary goal is to help clients identify what is important to them in key life areas, take steps towards living a life in a way that is consistent with these values, and to take opportunities and manage challenges while they do so that they can experience wellbeing and pleasure."

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The first pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of ADepT on 82 adults with moderate to severe depression, exhibiting features of anhedonia took part who were primarily recruited from NHS Talking Therapy (formerly known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapy) service waiting lists in Devon, UK.. Participants were assessed by researchers at the beginning of the pilot, as well as after six, 12, and 18 months. Results suggested that ADepT was definitely not worse than, and showed potential to be better than, CBT at building wellbeing and reducing depression at the end of treatment and over longer-term follow-up. Results also suggested ADepT was cost-effective, costing the same amount to deliver as CBT but resulting in greater gains in quality of life. If these findings can be replicated in a subsequent definitive trial, it would suggest that ADepT can have both clinical and economic benefits in healthcare settings. ADepT has also been designed so that existing CBT therapists will be able to deliver it with minimal additional training.

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Journal reference: Dunn, B. D., et al. (2023). Preliminary clinical and cost effectiveness of augmented depression therapy versus cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of anhedonic depression (ADepT): a single-centre, open-label, parallel-group, pilot, randomised, controlled   trial. Lancet, eClinical Medicine .doi.org/10.1016/j .eclinm. 2023. 102084.  

 

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A lower dietary carbohydrate/fat ratio may be effective in improving cognitive performance

A study published in the Current Developments in Nutrition Journal describes that a low dietary carbohydrate/fat ratio is good for cognitive health in older adults at risk for dementia. The impact of dietary components on cognitive health has been studied widely. Typically, digestible proteins in human diets provide 10 – 20% of total energy intake, whereas digestible carbohydrates and fats give approximately 80% of total energy intake. Dietary fibres, which are not absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal wall, can be converted into short-chain fatty acids by gut microbes. These fibres provide only 2% of total energy intake. Dietary carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and fibres are humans' major energy sources. These energy categories can be divided into several subcategories, including short-chain fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, sugars, starch, and specific amino acids. Despite the well-documented association between diet and cognitive health, evidence of the effect of each macronutrient on cognitive health is limited. In the current study, scientists investigated whether carbohydrate and fat consumption can influence global cognition in elderly people with an increased risk for dementia.

 

 A total of 1,251 participants for whom baseline data on diet and cognition was available were included in the study. The study analysis revealed a significant association between cognitive performance, self-reported carbohydrate, and fat consumption, and the carbohydrate/fat ratio in older adults with increased dementia risk. While carbohydrate intake and carbohydrate/fat ratio negatively correlated with global cognition, a positive association was observed with fat intake. These associations were more pronounced in the memory subdomain, highlighting the significance of macronutrient composition in Alzheimer's disease.   A significant correlation was observed between the carbohydrate/fat ratio and carbohydrate and fat intake. The point estimate for the carbohydrate/fat ratio fell between carbohydrate and fat. However, the carbohydrate/fat ratio was identified as the most independent predictor of global cognition. The association between carbohydrate/fat ratio and global cognition remained stable when adjusted for several covariates, including fibre intake and proportions of fat subtypes. Total energy intake was identified as the most powerful covariate, reducing the association magnitude by 20%. No significant association was observed between protein intake and global cognition. The saturated fat/total ratio showed a nonlinear association with global cognition. The study population belonging to the mid-quintile (36 – 39%) showed better cognitive performance compared to those belonging to the lowest and highest quantile. A quantile refers to division of a population into five equal parts based on the distribution of values of a particular variable.    

 

Journal reference: Norgren J., et al. (2023) The Dietary Carbohydrate/Fat-Ratio and Cognitive Performance: Panel Analyses in Older Adults at Risk for Dementia. Current  Developments in Nutrition. doi: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2023.100096. https://cdn.nutrition.org/article/S2475-2991(23) 24769-1/fulltext#secsectitle0010

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Diet plays key role in ADHD symptoms in children
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who are consuming more vegetables & fruits and eating a healthy diet may reduce severe symptoms of inattention , a new study suggests.

The study that evaluated the effectiveness of the supplement showed that children who took the micronutrients were three times as likely to show significant improvement in their ADHD and emotional dysregulation symptoms than those who took a placebo. The data for this research was collected as part of the Micronutrients for ADHD in Youth (MADDY) Study, which examined the efficacy of a 36-ingredient vitamin and mineral supplement to treat
symptoms of ADHD and poor emotional control in the 134 kids aged 6 to 12.

Another study involving the same children, published earlier this year in the journal Nutrients, showed that kids whose families had higher levels of food insecurity were more likely than others to show more severe symptoms of emotional dysregulation, such as chronic irritability, angry moods and outbursts of anger. The three studies all paint a similar picture, Hatsu said: A healthy diet that provides all the nutrients that children require can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in children. "What clinicians usually do when kids with ADHD start having more severe symptoms is increase the dose of their treatment medication, if they are on one, or put them on medication whereas our studies suggest that it is worthwhile to check the children's access to food as well as the quality of their diet to see if it may be contributing to their symptom severity." 

Researchers believe that ADHD is related to low levels of some neurotransmitters in the brain -- and vitamins and minerals play a key role as cofactors in helping the body make those important neurochemicals and in overall brain function. Food insecurity may play an additional role. Everyone tends to get irritated when they're hungry and kids with ADHD are no exception. If they're not getting enough food, it could make their symptoms worse. Also, the stress of parents who are upset about not being able to provide enough food for their children can create family tension that could lead to more symptoms for children with ADHD.

Journal Reference: Lisa M. Robinette, Irene E. Hatsu, Jeanette M. Johnstone, Gabriella Tost, Alisha M. Bruton, Brenda M. Y. Leung, James B. Odei, Tonya Orchard, Barbara L. Gracious, L. Eugene Arnold (2022). Fruit and vegetable intake is inversely associated with severity of inattention in a pediatric population with ADHD symptoms: the MADDY Study. Nutritional Neuroscience, 1. DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2022.2071805
                                                                           

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Seven hours of sleep is optimal in middle and old age.
Seven hours is the ideal amount of sleep for people in their middle age and upwards, with too little or too much little sleep associated with poorer cognitive performance and mental health, say researchers.

Sleep plays an important role in enabling cognitive function and maintaining good psychological health. It also helps keep the brain healthy by removing waste products. As we get older, we often see alterations in our sleep patterns, including difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, and decreased quantity and quality of sleep. It is thought that these sleep disturbances may contribute to cognitive decline and psychiatric disorders in the aging population.

By analyzing the data, it is found that both insufficient and excessive sleep duration were associated with impaired cognitive performance, such as processing speed, visual attention, memory and problem-solving skills. Seven hours of sleep per night was the optimal amount of sleep for cognitive performance, but also for good mental health, with people experiencing more symptoms of anxiety and depression and worse overall wellbeing if they reported sleeping for longer or shorter durations. 

The team also found a link between the amount of sleep and differences in the structure of brain regions involved in cognitive processing and memory, again with greater changes associated with greater than or less than seven hours of sleep. Having a consistent seven hours' sleep each night, without too much fluctuation in duration, was also important to cognitive performance and good mental health and wellbeing. Previous studies have also shown that interrupted sleep patterns are associated with increased inflammation, indicating a susceptibility to age-related diseases in older people.

The researchers say the findings suggest that insufficient or excessive sleep duration may be a risk factor for cognitive decline in ageing. This is supported by previous studies that have reported a link between sleep duration and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and dementia, in which cognitive decline is a hallmark symptom." Getting a good night's sleep is important at all stages of life, but particularly as we age" Finding ways to improve sleep for older people could be crucial to helping them maintain good mental health and wellbeing and avoiding cognitive decline, particularly for patients with psychiatric disorders  and dementias. 

Journal Reference: Yuzhu Li, Barbara J. Sahakian, Jujiao Kang, Christelle Langley, Wei Zhang, Chao Xie, Shitong Xiang, Jintai Yu, Wei Cheng, JianfengFeng (2022). The brain structure and genetic mechanisms underlying the nonlinear association between sleep duration, cognition and mental health. Nature Aging. DOI: 10.1038/s43587-022-00210-2.

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Children who play adventurously have better mental health
Children who spend more time playing adventurously have lower symptoms of anxiety and depression, and were happier over the first Covid-19 lockdown, according to new research.

This study comes at a time when today's children have fewer opportunities for adventurous play out of sight of adults, such as climbing trees, riding bikes, jumping from high surfaces or playing somewhere where they are out of adult sight. The study sought to test theories that adventurous play offers learning opportunities that help build resilience in children, thereby helping to prevent mental health problems.

Researchers found that children who spend more time playing outside had fewer "internalising problems" -- characterised as anxiety and depression. Those children were also more positive during the first lockdown.The effects were relatively small, as would be expected given the range of factors that affect children's mental health. However, results were consistent even after researchers factored in a wide range of demographic variables including child sex, age, parent employment status etc. and parent mental health. The study also found that the effect was more pronounced in children from lower income families than those growing up in higher income households.

Findings highlight to help protect children's mental health by ensuring that they have plentiful opportunities for adventurous play. This is really positive because play is free, instinctive and rewarding for children, available to everyone, and doesn't require special skills. There is an urgent need to invest in and protect natural spaces, well-designed parks and adventure playgrounds, to support the mental health of children. More play means more happiness and less anxiety and depression.

This research emphasizes the importance of adventurous play. Children and young people need freedom and opportunities to encounter challenge and risk in their everyday playful adventures. It is clear from the research findings that playing, taking risks and experiencing excitement outdoors makes a positive contribution to children's mental health and emotional well-being. The rewards of allowing children to self-regulate and manage challenge in their play are widespread and far-reaching. Adventurous play helps children to build the resilience needed to cope with, and manage stress in challenging circumstances.

Journal Reference: Helen F. Dodd, Rachel J. Nesbit, Lily FitzGibbon(2022). Child's play: examiningthe association between time spent playing and child mental health. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, DOI: 10.1007/s10578-022-01363-2

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Managing attention deficit disorder by training the brain

Scientists explored a technique called 'neurofeedback,' which enables ADHD patients to train their attention, based on instant feedback from  the level   of their brain activity. The team of neuroscientists found that not only did the training have a positive effect on patients' concentration abilities, but also that the attention improvement was closely linked to an enhanced response from the brain -- the P3 wave --  which is known to reflect integration of
information in the brain.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects about 7% of children, with a two out of three chance of persisting into adulthood. This neurodevelopmental disorder is characterised by concentration difficulties, increased distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Today, ADHD is treated with pharmaceutical drugs that may have unwanted side effects. This is why scientists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), Switzerland, explored a new technique called 'neurofeedback', which enables ADHD patients to train their attention, based on instant feedback from the level of their brain activity. The team of neuroscientists found that not only did the training have a positive effect on patients' concentration abilities, but also that the attention improvement was closely linked to an enhanced response from the brain- the P3 wave -- which is known to reflect integration of information in the brain, with higher P3 amplitudes indicating greater attention towards detected targets.
 

Journal Reference: Marie-Pierre Deiber, Camille Ammann, Roland Hasler, Julien Colin, Nader Perroud, Tomas Ros. (2021) .Electrophysiological correlates of improved executive function following EEG neurofeedback in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Clinical Neurophysiology, 132 (8), 1937 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.05.017
                                                                                              
 

Air pollution exposure linked to poor academics in childhood
Children exposed to elevated levels of air pollution may be more likely to have poor inhibitory control during late childhood and poor academic skills in early adolescence, including spelling, reading comprehension, and math skills. Difficulty with inhibition in late childhood was found to be a precursor to later air pollution-related academic problems. Interventions that target inhibitory control might improve outcomes.

"Children with poor inhibitory control are less able to override a common response in favor of a more unusual one -- such as the natural response to say 'up' when an arrow is facing up or 'go' when a light is green -- and instead say 'down' or 'stop,'" says first author Amy Margolis, PhD, associate professor of medical psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. "By compromising childhood inhibitory control,
prenatal exposure to air pollution may alter the foundation upon which later academic skills are built."

"When evaluating student's learning problems and formulating treatment plans, parents and teachers should consider that academic problems related to environmental exposures may require intervention focused on inhibitory control problems, rather than on content-related skill deficits, as is typical in interventions designed to address learning disabilities," Margolis adds. 

"This study adds to a growing body of literature showing the deleterious health effects of prenatal exposure to air pollution on child health outcomes, including academic achievement," says co-author Julie Herbstman, PhD, CCCEH director and associate professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia Mailman School. "Reducing levels of air pollution may prevent these adverse outcomes and lead to improvements in children's academic achievement."The new findings align with prior Columbia research finding a DNA marker for PAH exposure was associated with altered development of self-regulatory capacity and ADHD symptoms. 

 

Journal Reference: Amy E. Margolis, Bruce Ramphal, David Pagliaccio, Sarah Banker, Ena Selmanovic, Lauren Thomas, Pam Factor-Litvak, Frederica Perera, Bradley S. Peterson, Andrew Rundle, Julie Herbstman, Jeff Goldsmith, Virginia Rauh.(2021) Prenatal exposure to air pollution is associated with childhood inhibitory control & adolescent academic achievement. Environmental Research, 111570 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111570
                                                                                                   
Physical activity does the brain good: It fosters its ability to change and adapt.
The dual beneficial effect of physical activity in depression is confirmed by a study at the University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB). Physical activity not only reduces depressive symptoms, It also increases the brain's ability to change, which is necessary for adaptation and learning processes. The results show that the brain's ability to change is lower in people with depression than in healthy people. Following the programme with physical activity, this ability to change increased significantly and achieved the same values as healthy people. At the same time, depressive symptoms decreased in the group. "The more the ability to change increased, the more clearly the clinical symptoms decreased," summarises Karin Rosenkranz. 

Journal Reference: Wanja Brüchle, Caroline Schwarzer, Christina Berns, Sebastian Scho, Jessica Schneefeld, Dirk Koester, Thomas Schack, Udo Schneider, Karin Rosenkranz.(2021). Physical activity reduces clinical symptoms and restores neuroplasticity in major depression. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.660642

Childhood cognitive problems could lead to mental health issues in later life
Children experiencing cognitive problems such as low attention, poor memory or lack of inhibition may later suffer mental health issues as teenagers and young adults, a new study reveals. Targeting specific markers in childhood for early treatment may help to minimise the risk of children developing certain psychopathological problems in adolescence and adult life, such as borderline personality disorder, depression and psychosis.

Cognitive deficits are core features of mental disorders and important in predicting longterm prognosis -- the researchers' work indicates that individual patterns of such deficits predate specific mental disorders.Analysing data from an initial UK cohort of 13,988 individuals born between April 1991 and December 1992, researchers discovered a number of key and specific links between childhood cognitive problems and mental health issues in later life,
namely:
● Deficits in sustained attention in eight-year-olds precede development of borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms at 11-12 years and depression at 17-18 years;
● Difficulties with inhibition in eight-year-olds were associated with psychotic experiences at 17-18 years; and
● Working memory deficits in 10-year-olds were related to hypomania at 22-23 years.

The leading author of the study Dr. Isabel Morales-Muñoz, from the University of Birmingham's Institute for Mental Health and the Finnish Institute for Mental Health, in Helsinki, commented: "Our study highlights the potential impact of childhood cognitive deficits on young people's mental health, suggesting specific associations with certain conditions. Prevention strategies focussed on easing these specific cognitive issues could help to reduce the likelihood of such children developing linked mental health problems in adolescence and early adulthood."

Deficits in sustained attention at eight years being associated with BPD symptoms at 11-12 years is consistent with similar deficits in adult BPD patients linked to difficulties in sticking  to therapy programmes.The study also supports the theory that lack of inhibition in childhood precedes later psychotic experiences, with a lack of inhibitory control common in psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.Researchers found that working memory deficits in childhood were linked to hypomania in young adults, but when they checked for co-existing psychopathological conditions this association disappeared -- indicating that further investigation is needed.

Mental disorders cause a significant disease burden globally and at least 10% of children and adolescents worldwide have a mental disorder. 75% of mental disorders diagnosed in adults have their onset in childhood and adolescence.Bipolar disorder, depression and psychosis commonly emerge during adolescence and continue in young adulthood -- potentially related to anomalies in the way adolescents mature caused by psychosocial, biological or environmental factors. "It's crucial to study the onset of mental disorders at these early stages and evaluate which risk factors predate these conditions and in what way. These factors are core features of mental disorders such as psychosis and mood disorders," commented co-author Professor Matthew Broome. "Deficits in cognitive function, ranging from decreased attention and working memory to disrupted social cognition and language, are common in psychiatric disorders. They severely compromise quality of life and could potentially predate serious mental health conditions by several years," commented the senior author of the study Professor Steven Marwaha.

Journal Reference: Isabel Morales-Muñoz, Rachel Upthegrove, Pavan K. Mallikarjun, Matthew R. Broome, Steven Marwaha (2021). Longitudinal associations between cognitive deficits in childhood and psychopathological symptoms in adolescence and young adulthood. JAMA Network Open, 4 (4), e214724 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.4724

Antibiotics in early life could affect brain development
Antibiotic exposure early in life could alter human brain development in areas responsible for cognitive and emotional functions.

Penicillin and related medicines (like ampicillin and amoxicillin) are the most widely used antibiotics in children worldwide. In the United States, the average child receives nearly three courses of antibiotics before the age of 2. Similar or greater exposure rates occur in many other countries.

"Our previous work has shown that exposing young animals to antibiotics changes their metabolism and immunity. The third important development in early life involves the brain. This study is preliminary but shows a correlation between altering the microbiome and changes in the brain that should be further explored," said lead author Martin Blaser, director of the Centre for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine at Rutgers. A growing body of evidence links phenomena in the intestinal tract with signalling to the brain, a field of study known as the "gut-brain-axis." If this pathway is disturbed, it can lead to permanent altering of the brain's structure and function and possibly lead to neuropsychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders in later childhood or adulthood.

"Early life is a critical period for neurodevelopment," Blaser said. "In recent decades, there has been a rise in the incidence of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning disabilities. Although
increased awareness and diagnosis are likely contributing factors, disruptions in cerebral gene expression early in development also could be responsible."

Journal Reference: Angelina Volkova, Kelly Ruggles, AnjeliqueSchulfer, Zhan Gao, Stephen D. Ginsberg, Martin J. Blasé r(2021). Effects of early-life penicillin exposure on the gut microbiome and frontal cortex and amygdala gene expression. iScience, 102797 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102797

Having a good listener improves your brain health
Supportive social interactions in adulthood are important for your ability to stave off cognitive decline despite brain aging or neuropathological changes such as those present in Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers observed that simply having someone available most or all of the time whom you can count on to listen to you when you need to talk is associated with greater cognitive resilience -- a measure of your brain's ability to function better than would be expected for the amount of physical aging- or disease-related changes in the brain, which many neurologists believe can be boosted by engaging in mentally stimulating activities, physical exercise, and positive social interactions. One of the longest running and most closely monitored community-based cohorts in the U.S., the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), is used as the source of the study's 2,171 participants, with an average age of 63. FHS participants self-reported information on the availability of supportive social interactions including listening, good advice, love and affection, sufficient contact with people they're close with, and emotional support. Study participants' cognitive resilience was measured as the relative effect of total cerebral brain volume on global cognition, using MRI scans and neuropsychological assessments taken as part of the FHS. Lower brain volumes tend to associate with lower cognitive function, and in this study, researchers examined the modifying effect of individual forms of social support on the relationship between cerebral volume and cognitive performance.The cognitive function of individuals with greater availability of one specific form of social support was higher relative to their total cerebral volume. This key form of social support was listener availability and it was highly associated with greater cognitive resilience.

Journal Reference: Joel Salinas et al. (2021). Association of social support with brain volume and cognition. JAMA Network Open, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.21122

Lonely adolescents are susceptible to internet addiction
Loneliness is a risk factor associated with adolescents being drawn into compulsive internet use. The risk of compulsive use has grown in the coronavirus pandemic: loneliness has become increasingly prevalent among adolescents, who spend longer and longer periods of time online.

A study investigating detrimental internet use by adolescents involved a total of 1,750 Finnish subjects, who were studied at three points in time: at 16, 17 and 18 years of age. Adolescents' net use is a two-edged sword: while the consequences of moderate use are positive, the effects of compulsive use can be detrimental. Compulsive use denotes, among other things, gaming addiction or the constant monitoring of likes on social media and comparisons to others. 

It was found in the study that the household climate and parenting also matter: the children of distant parents have a higher risk of drifting into detrimental internet use. If parents are not very interested in the lives of their adolescents, the latter may have difficulty drawing the lines for their actions.In the study participants, compulsive internet use had a link to depression. Depression predicted problematic internet use, while problematic use further increased depressive symptoms.Additionally, problematic use was predictive of poorer academic success, which may be associated with the fact that internet use consumes a great deal of time and can disrupt adolescents' sleep rhythm and recovery, consequently eating up the time available for academic effort and performance. 

Journal Reference: IstvánTóth-Király, Alexandre J.S. Morin, Lauri Hietajärvi, Katariina Salmela Aro (2021). Longitudinal trajectories, social and individual antecedents, and outcomes of problematic internet use among late adolescents. Child Development, DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13525

 

 

Usage of the word ‘disability’ essential to support disability culture

In the study published in Rehabilitation Psychology, Pilarski and colleagues challenge a trend toward removal of the term disability in the hope of improving disability cultural competency.

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Researchers are now encouraging the use of the term ‘disability’ in order to recognise disability as a valued aspect of diversity and identity.  Pilarski said that while the term disability is widely used and universally accepted, often there are other terms substituted, such as ‘differently-abled’, ‘special needs’, and ‘physically challenged’. “People use these terms because they see them as accentuating the strengths of people with disabilities. But despite the good intention, these terms are euphemisms that deny recognition of disability as a valued aspect of diversity and identity,” she said.

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“The study was a natural discussion among female psychologists with disabilities who recognise the importance of supporting disability culture both personally and professionally,” she added.

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In the study, Pilarski and her co-authors analysed the history of disability language, attitudes around disability language and disability as an identity, to demonstrate why the term ‘disability’ is an important part of disability culture. While Pilarski noted that avoiding the term disability has the unintended consequence of reinforcing ideas that disability is negative, the authors also explained the harmful effects of focusing on individuals with disabilities as inspirational.

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“We want readers to understand that there is such a thing as ‘inspiration porn’ and this serves to objectify individuals with disabilities for inspiration. We also discuss balancing using person-first and identity-first language to help support the recognition that disability is an aspect of identity,” Pilarski said.

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“Failure to recognise disability as an aspect of diversity, similar to other marginalised groups,  has unintended consequences of reducing supports available for individuals with disabilities and their formation of positive disability identity. Psychologists and other providers or mentors should honour others’ language preference while opening up a dialogue about the underlying attitudes and beliefs that shape their preferred selection of terminology,” said Pilarski. She added, “We hope that future research can centre on disabled voices in order to support solidarity in the disability community, pride in disability identity and activism for social justice with reclaiming equal access and rights in legislation and policies.”

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                                                                                                                            Courtesy : Asian News International

 

Researchers Discover 102 Genes Associated With Autism

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in 160 children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

In the largest genetic sequencing study of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to date, researchers have identified 102 genes associated with risk for autism. The discovery shows significant progress towards teasing apart the genes associated with autism from those associated with intellectual disability and developmental delay, conditions which often overlap.

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According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in 160 children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASDs begin in childhood and tend to persist into adolescence and adulthood. In most cases the conditions are apparent during the first five years of life.

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"This is a landmark study, both for its size and for the large international collaborative effort it required. "With these identified genes we can begin to understand what brain changes underlie ASD and begin to consider novel treatment approaches," said Joseph D Buxbaum, Director of the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

For the study published in the journal Cell, an international team of researchers from more than 50 sites collected and analyzed more than 35,000 participant samples, including nearly 12,000 with ASD, the largest autism sequencing cohort to date.  Using an enhanced analytic framework to integrate both rare, inherited genetic mutations and those occurring spontaneously when the egg or sperm are formed, researchers identified the 102 genes associated with ASD risk. Of those genes, 49 were also associated with other developmental delays.

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The larger sample size of this study enabled the research team to increase the number of genes associated with ASD from 65 in 2015 to 102 today. In addition to identifying subsets of the 102 ASD-associated genes, the researchers showed that ASD genes impact brain development or function and that both types of disruptions can result in autism.

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"Through our genetic analyses, we discovered that it's not just one major class of cells implicated in autism, but rather that many disruptions in brain development and in neuronal function can lead to autism," said Buxbaum.

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It's critically important that families of children with and without autism participate in genetic studies because genetic discoveries are the primary means to understanding the molecular, cellular, and systems-level underpinnings of autism. "We now have specific, powerful tools that help us understand those underpinnings, and new drugs will be developed based on our newfound understanding of the molecular bases of autism," the researchers noted.

Courtesy : IANS

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A shorter IQ test for children with special needs

Researchers reduce IQ exam length while maintaining accuracy

For decades, neuropsychologists have used the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children test as the gold-standard intelligence quotient (IQ) test to determine the intellectual abilities of children with special needs. However, this comprehensive test can take up to 2 hours to complete, and many children with special needs have a difficult time participating in such long tests.

To solve this problem, researchers at the University of Missouri's Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders identified measures in the test that appeared to be repetitive and succeeded in shortening the test by up to 20 minutes while still maintaining its accuracy in determining a child's IQ.

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"As neuropsychologists, we spend a considerable amount of time -- usually a full day or a full afternoon at least -- with patients to really get to know them, and that can be a lot for a child with a neurological disorder like autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)," said John Lace, a doctoral student who is completing an internship in clinical neuropsychology in the MU School of Health Professions. "If we can efficiently maximize the information we get from our patients during this test without overburdening them, we can save time and money for both clinicians and patients, which reduces the overall health care burden on families with neurodevelopmental disabilities."

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Neuropsychologists use the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children test to not only assist in diagnosing individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, but also to help inform decisions about treatment and educational plans.

"Our overall goal is to help people understand any cognitive or learning differences they may have, which can lead to treatment options such as behavioral therapy or interventions at school," said Lace. "As neuropsychologists, our profession is at the crux of addressing these challenges both academically and practically to help clinicians streamline what they do and positively impact patient care."

Courtesy :University of Missouri-Columbia

 

 

43% of children with disabilities plan to drop studies due to problems faced in online education: survey

The survey was conducted by Swabhiman, a community-based organization working for the rights of persons with disability, in Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Chennai, Sikkim, Nagaland, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir in the month of May.

About 43 per cent of children with disabilities are planning to drop out of studies due to difficulties faced by them in online education, according to a survey conducted with 3,627 respondents. The survey was conducted by Swabhiman, a community-based organization working for the rights of persons with disability, in Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Chennai, Sikkim, Nagaland, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir in the month of May, 2020.

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A total of 3,627 people, including students, parents and teachers, participated in the survey. According to the survey, 56.5 per cent of children with disabilities were struggling yet attending classes irregularly, while 77 per cent of students said they would not be able to cope and would fall behind in learning due to their inability to access distance learning methods.

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The survey found that 56.48 per cent students are continuing their study, while the rest 43.52 per cent are planning to drop out. Thirty-nine per cent visually impaired students were unable to understand lessons with many students talking simultaneously, it said. About 44 per cent children with disabilities complained that no sign language interpreters were present in the webinars, the survey said. The parents of 86 per cent children with disabilities (CwD) said they did not know how to use technology and around 81 per cent of teachers said they did not have accessible educational material with them.

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"The teachers also reported that 64 per cent of students (CwD) did not have smartphones or computers at home. As many as 67 per cent of students (CwD) said they needed tabs or computers or comparable devices for online education," the survey said. Seventy-four per cent of children with disabilities said they needed data/Wi-fi support for educational purposes while 61 per cent expressed a need for scribes, escorts, readers and attendants, it said.

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A report based on the survey made detailed recommendations to policy changes and revisions required "in the new normal" in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Creating curricula which are suitable for different forms of disability is a non-negotiable and the starting point for any education for the children with disability," the report said.

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"Policy changes are required to ensure that children are supported by suitable curricula in alternate formats suitable for them, and have the hardware and data to make online learning feasible. At the same time, an investment in special educators and parents to adapt to the changed environment is necessary so that they can support children with disabilities better," it said.

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The report also recommended that education budgets should be suitably amended. "At the same time, there is a need to explore alternative mediums such as community radio and television for education. Since children with disabilities relied on mid-day meals for their nutritional well-being, it is important that they continue to get this support," it said.

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Swabhiman founder and chief executive Sruti Mohapatra said all children with disabilities cannot be clubbed as one group as they are persons with different disabilities and therefore different needs. "The current pandemic has the potential of leaving students with disabilities behind. If adequate measures are not taken urgently, they are likely to suffer irrecoverable losses in their quest for education and a life of dignity," she said. "Alternate course material must cater to different disabilities. Our recommendations include empowering students, teachers and parents so that they can play their roles more effectively," Mohapatra added.

The lockdown induced by COVID-19 in March prompted schools and colleges to move to the virtual world for teaching and learning activities. But weak internet penetration has turned e-education into a distant dream for many children. As per official statistics, there are over 35 crore students in the country.

Courtesy : PTI

 

Unmarried disabled sons of ECHS beneficiaries eligible for Medicare facilities even after 25 years age

The defence ministry on 8th July,2020 decided that unmarried permanently disabled and financially dependent sons of Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) beneficiaries will be entitled to medical benefits even after they have attained 25 years of age. Till now they  were not eligible for availing medical facilities under the scheme.  The decision is as per the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) Rules which are followed by the ECHS. It has now been decided by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW), to similarly treat unmarried permanently disabled and financially dependent sons of ECHS beneficiaries who have become disabled after attaining the age of 25 years as dependant. They will now be eligible for availing benefits under the ECHS, subject to fulfilment of conditions laid down in the health ministry office dated May 5, 2018.  

                            Courtesy : The Economic Times

 

Sports Authority Of India To Appoint Differently-Abled Coaches For Hearing And Speech Impaired Athletes

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) may soon appoint differently-abled coaches to work with hearing and speech impaired athletes after Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju "agreed in principle" to the recommendation of All India Sports Council for Deaf (AISCFD). In a virtual meeting with the Sports Minister, which was also attended by 16 other National Sports Federations (NSFs), the AISCFD on Thursday highlighted the need for differently-abled coaches for its athletes for clear communication. "The All India Sports Council for Deaf highlighted the communication problems of their athletes with able-bodied coaches and requested the Minister to consider employing differently-abled coaches for hearing and speech impaired athletes," an NSF official told. "The Minister applauded the suggestion and agreed in principle. He asked the Sports Authority of India officials to look into the matter on an urgent basis."

Courtesy : PTI

 

 

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