I Speak of Dreams

Hot Happy Weekend

I had a couple of blog posts planned, but instead worked on moving into the new house.  I had planned to post pictures too, but I can't find the cable that connects the camera to the computer.  Whoopsie!  Stay tuned.

My grandson, ScholarBoy1 (and of course, his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Scholar) came over this afternoon to swim.  ScholarBoy1 was in heaven -- he got to play with the hose while sitting in the pool.

Achievement Based Teaching

I'm always interested in testing and achievement. Go read this post for a skill boost.Achievement Based Teaching « Language Fix.

Achievement oriented instruction is when a teacher provides a goal that requires the student to use a targeted skill to accomplish something. This is not quite functional teaching, and its almost the opposite of drill. The goal itself provides the motivation, and for this reason the choice of the goal is critical. It is perhaps as or more important than any teaching method that may be used. And this is how achievement oriented instruction most differs from traditional teaching.

"I Am Autism" -- Awareness video by Alfonso Cuarón -- "Ransom" Reprise

Update September 25 -- Socrates' parody video, I am Autism Speaks, has a higher Google ranking than the original. See Autism Speaks PR Meltdown

Update #2, September 25 -- don't miss the Facebook Group, Protesting Autism Speaks "I Am Autism" video

Remember the 2007  "Ransom notes" campaign, by the NYC child study center?  It looks like Autism Speaks didn't learn the lesson.  They commissioned director Alfonso Cuarón (who has a child with autism) to make an awareness and fundraising video.

Many people intensely dislike the video edited to add: I find it repulsive and offensive

1. Cat in a Dog's World Autism Speaks & Alfonso Cuaron: Full of Fail
2. Cat in a Dog's World I Am Autism & The Embarrassment Trope
3. Sullivan at LeftBrain/RightBrain Autism Speaks media campaign…I am autism
   
4. Sullivan at LeftBrain/RightBrain The Autism Speaks Bait and Switch with "I am Autism"
5. Emily at A Life Less Ordinary: What if someone did this with, say, Down's Syndrome?
6. Asperger's Square 8 Responding to "I Am Autism"
7. AspieWeb "I am Pissed"
8. Club 166 "When Will They Listen?"
9. Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Northern Virginia: "Autism Speaks Gets It Wrong Again"

Update #2 if you are as offended by the video as these good people, why not send Autism Speaks a message?  The email address for Autism Speaks is contactus@autismspeaks.org.

I'll be updating this list as I find new links.  Thanks to friends who emailed and commented  -- list continues

1. The Standard Review: Enemies of Autism Speaks
2. Action for Autism (UK) Autism Speaks--The Sound and the Fury
3. Codeman38 at LiveJournal Asperger's: Autism Speaks Reaches New Low
   
4. Turner & Kowalski: I Am Autism Speaks
5. Codeman 38 at Normal is Overrated: Autism Speaks Reaches New Low
6. Alan Griswold at Autistic Aphorisms Open Letter To Geraldine Dawson
7. Alan Griswold at Autistic Aphorisms Open Letter to Laurent Motton
8. Autistic Self Advocacy Network, SW Ohio: Autistic Community Condemns Autism Speaks' "I Am Autism" Campaign.
9. Rethinking Autism: Calling All Celebrities -- Please Stop Supporting Autism Speaks
10. Autism Blogger: "Autism Speaks" again attacks autistics with neurodiversity insensitive advertisements
11. Media Dis & Dat ASAN Protests New Autism Speaks Campaign, "I am Autism"
12. Codeman38 at Daily Kos Autism Speaks Reaches New Low
13. Cat in A Dog's World Harry Potter and the Bigoted Charity
14. The New Republic Blog Autism Community Condemns Autism Speaks
15. Susan Etlinger at the Family Room blog: Autism is a color
16. Autistic Self Advocacy Virginia: Autism Speaks Gets it Wrong Again: I Am Autism Video
17. DJ at My Thoughts On...:The Latest Propaganda From Autism Speaks and My Response
18. Nicocoer at Cracked Mirror in Shalott Autism Speaks Once Again Demonizes Autism
19. Tis My Life: Tis NOT My Life
20. KWombles at Countering the Age of Autism: Age of Autism Should Learn When to Shut The Hell Up
21. The RettDevil's Rants: You Aren't Autism.  We Are.  Shut Up and Listen.
22. C1audia at "Sharing, Caring, and Creativity": To the leadership of Autism Speaks
23. 3laine at A Path Between Two Houses: Autistic Speakerless
24. A Video Response from Paul Wady I Am Socks
25. Facebook: Group Protesting Autism Speaks Video "I Am Autism"
26. Rethinking Autism Autistics Speak
27. Elesia at Aspitude! Autism Speaks Does Not Speak for Me
28. Not Autism Speaks
29. The New Republic I Am Autism Speaks
30. You Tube Video I Am Autism Speaks
31. Corina Becker at No Stereotypes Here: An Open Letter to Suzanne Wright of Autism Speaks
32. jypsy at The Runman's Blog Autism the boy is Alex Bain - Autism Speaks is just so Wrong
33. Socrates at The New Republic Autism Speaks PR Meltdown
34. ABFH at Whose Planet Is It Anyway: Autism Speaks Deceives Parents
35. ABFH at Whose Planet Is It Anyway Solidarity (also has a list of videos)
36. 3laine at Path Between Two Houses?: And Now for Some Positivity
37. Angela at Memoirs of a Chaotic Mommy How's Your Day Going?
38. Sullivan at LeftBrain/RightBrain Why I Don't Like "I Am Autism
39. Video from thautcast I'm Autistic -- Parody of "I am Autism"
40. Cripchick Blog Help Fight Back Against Autism Speaks Attempt to Speak for Autistic People
41. LB Nuke Don't Speak for Me
42. Ali at The Alternate Lexicon: Blah Blah Blah
43. Clay at Comet's Corner: Warning to Autism Speaks
44. Squillo at Confutata:Autism Speaks--Don't Speak for Our Family
45. Video from ASAN-Portland of protest against Autism Speaks
46. Alan Griswold at Autistic Aphorisms had a form-letter reply to his letter (#6 above) from Geraldine Dawson, Autism Speak's science advisor
47. Alan Griswold at Autistic Aphorisms had a non-form letter reply to his letter (#7 above) from Laurent Motton
    
48. ABFH at Whose Planet Is It Anyway? wrote Marc Sirkin, Apologist for Hate (Mr. Sirkin is Autism Speaks' "chief community officer")
49. ABFH at Whose Planet Is It Anyway? wrote Disabiled World Editorial Blasts Autism Speaks
    
50. ABFH at Whose Planet Is It Anyway? wrote Autism Speaks Falsely Claims Video Removed
51. Michael John Carley, Executive Director of Global and Regional Asperger's Syndrome Partnership (GRASP): Response to the Autism Speaks Conundrum

Update March 8, 2010. Following a vile attack on Shannon, her son, and the rest of her family at a blog I will not name or link to, Shannon has given me permission to post this. It is hardly a secret that Squid is Shannon Rosa.  Shannon Rosa is an autism advocate not only for her son and her family, but for all parents of children with autism and all people with autism.  Read her blog at  BlogHer: Shannon Rosa's Blog

WWII: Intense Propaganda Posters - Photo Gallery, 37 Pictures - LIFE

Go look at these - they're awesome. WWII: Intense Propaganda Posters - Photo Gallery, 37 Pictures - LIFE.

Cognitive Neuroscience and Education

Recently Steve Novella wrote a blog post on "Evidence-Based Education":

One area where we could use more of a connection between science and practice is education. This is especially true as our knowledge of how the brain works and learns rapidly increases. What knowledge we do have is not systematically applied to education. It further seems to me that we need more translational research – studies focusing on long-term outcomes of specific interventions.

As reported by New Scientist, a recent symposium on the Decade of the Mind focused on just these issues. The conference discussed recent research in neuroscience and what it tells us about education. This is a topic I have been following for a while, although this is not my area of expertise, I have tried to distill the current big picture from what is being published.

One of the themes of the conference is that one key to learning is executive function – the ability to focus attention and for self-control and planning. Improve executive function, and you improve overall learning. (This relates directly to the ADHD posts I recently wrote as ADHD is primarily a disorder of executive function.)

I left a comment on the post, which I'm reposting here:

As a current graduate student in education, I can say that there are some good (i.e., well-researched) “brain in education” education classes, and there’s also a load of codswallop being passed off as professional development.

The The International Mind, Brain and Education Society is an example of the former. For an award-worthy example of the latter, I refer you to the discussion of Dan Hodkins at various sites, summarized in Pseudoneuroscience and Professional Development in Education.

What are These Hunter-Jumper Medals Anyway?

For a lot of folks, the world of equestrian competition is a mystery. "Medals" test the riding style and ability of the competitor.

• Almaden Farms Junior or Amateur Medal -- To be shown over a minimum of 8 fences 2’9 in height, with two changes of lead after the first fence, and one combination which must include an oxer. Two or more tests will be incorporated in the original course.
• Horse & Hound Junior or Amateur Medal -- To be shown over a hunter or jumper course of 3’ fences with 2 tests included.
• Carousel Junior or Amateur Medal -- To be shown over a minimum of 8 fences 3’3 with two changes of direction and one combination which must include an oxer. 2 or more tests will be incorporated in the original course.
• Hudson & Company Medal Junior or Amateur Medal -- To be shown over a course of hunter and jumper type fences approximately 3'3 in height with flat work incorporated into the course. No work off is required; but further testing is at the judge's discretion.
• The Cloverleaf Equitation Classic Class is open to Junior & Amateur riders not showing in any classes over 3’6 in height. To be judged over a Jumper course of not less than 9 fences at 3’ in height. To be judged on hands, seat guidance & control of the horse on a Jumper type of ride. No time allowed; a tone will be used to signal the rider to start the course. Any Jumper type bit or equipment is allowed. Jumping penalties per USEF Equitation rules. Additional work-off after the initial round will be at the Judge’s discretion, and any number of riders may be asked to test.

More medals explanation in this PDF Download Westcoastmedalspecs

United States Equestrian Foundation Tests (more here)

1. Halt (4 to 6 seconds) or halt and back.
2. Hand gallop.
3. Figure eight at trot, demonstrating change of diagonals. At left diagonal, rider should be sitting the saddle when left front leg is on the ground; at right diagonal, rider should be sitting the saddle when right front leg is on the ground; when circling clockwise at a trot, rider should be on left diagonal; when circling counterclockwise, rider should be on the right diagonal.
4. Figure eight at canter on correct lead, demonstrating simple change of lead. This is a change whereby the horse is brought back into a walk or trot (either is acceptable unless the judge specifies) and restarted into a canter on the opposite lead. Figures to be commenced in center of two circles so that one change of lead is shown.
5. Work collectively or individually at a walk, trot and/or canter.
6. Jump low obstacles at a trot as well as at a canter. The maximum height and spread for a trot jump is 3’ for horses, 2’ for ponies.
7. Jump obstacles on figure eight course.
8. Question(s) regarding basic horsemanship, tack and equipment and conformation.
9. Ride without stirrups, riders must be allowed option to cross stirrups.
10. Jump low obstacles at a walk as well as at a canter. The maximum height and spread for a walk jump is 2’.
11. Dismount and mount. Individually.
12. Turn on the forehand.
13. Figure eight at canter on correct lead demonstrating flying change of lead.
14. Execute serpentine at a trot and/or canter on correct lead demonstrating simple or flying changes of lead.
15. Change leads on a line demonstrating a simple or flying change of lead.
16. Change horses. (Note: this test is the equivalent of two tests.)
17. Canter on counter lead. (Note: no more than twelve horses may counter canter at one time.)
18. Turn on the haunches from the walk.
19. Demonstration ride of approximately one minute. Rider must advise judge beforehand what ride he plans to demonstrate.

I Totally Stole This Idea from Bora, Who Got it From Chris Rowan

Chris Rowan's version is here and Bora's version is here

The idea is to put down the important links I posted to twitter. I do back up my tweets, but this is the suspenders to that belt.

Sunday:

• This mother of an autistic child paid for a speech-language evaluation and an assistive/augmentive communcation device for her kindergarten son.  The school won't let him use it at school.
• Red Cross Has New Friend to Teach Children about Preparedness (I'm on a preparedness roll as you will see)
• Mom-NOS has a story about her son's 10th birthday -- how inclusion works to benefit all children not just those with special needs
• Canadian study on what parents value most about independent schools: community and caring
• DC Momsblog asks "What Has Got Into Those People?" about parents who refused to let their children hear President Obama's speech to students.

Saturday

• Two from Kristina Chew on struggling with her son's school: Conflicts of Interest in Autism Care and Is the problem the student, or how the school is handling the student?
• Karoli on John Boemer, the Freedom Project, and questionable expenses
• Critical thinking -- definition and teaching
• The National Testing Survey is asking what standardized testing is doing for teachers and students in the United States. We'd also like to know what you think testing ought to do for teachers and students.
• I joined the ADD Audio Library--you might find it useful too.

Friday

• I'm on an emergency preparation kick -- where were you 20 years ago when the Loma Prieta Quake hit?
• David Von Drehle 's shameful "balanced" article on Glenn Beck http://bit.ly/A6w5T Facts are irrelevant to von Drehle.
• US chiros filed class-action suits against insurance companies who don't cover chiro care http://bit.ly/6jzOM via @Blue_Wode @zeno001
• Great success story about using Dragon to overcome challenges of #dyslexia; http://twurl.nl/jk2b2g ; #edtech; #fb
• Parents, does your community have a playground like this? http://www.possibilityplayground.org/ #disabilities
• @Karoli & @nicki2377 de Becker's "The Gift of Fear" http://bit.ly/4CErmc should be required reading re predators, sociopaths.
• @BoraZ: "1 Million Strong Against our Socialist Fire Departments" http://www.intuitivestatistics.com/ The "Flamers" movement has arrived!

Thursday

• Must read: Hofstadter, The Paranoid Style in American Politics (from 1964) http://bit.ly/8eaIf via @Shoq @TeresaKopec @jayrosen_nyu
• Sullivan is constantly amazed at the low level of proof people use to demonstrate that vaccines cause autism. http://bit.ly/Lhfdv
• RT @mmspeced: latest blog post:'We don't test for dyslexia, Part III' : http://tinyurl.com/lgal8b #specialed follies
• Putting fundraising in the proper place in your #nonprofit http://budurl.com/yeq7 W/o fundraising, no programs via @PamelaGrow
• RT @WRY999: ADHD symptoms improve with neurofeedback therapy in randomized clinical trial. http://ow.ly/pPCp
• Dateline & Dr. Wakefield's patent activities -- undiscussed conflict of interest http://bit.ly/14zvN (leftbrain/rightbrain) #autism
• From academic clinical neurologist @stevennovella, "Evidence-based Education" http://bit.ly/RRc2K #education #teaching
• Autism New study: Which DSM-IV-TR criteria best differentiate HFA from other dx http://bit.ly/TKQng via@Confutata

Wednesday

• Early diagnosis and effective treatment prevents school failure, poor self-concept #Reasons #ADHD http://ow.ly/pEh3 via @CHADDING
• RT @novenator: Operation Rescue says it's broke, may shut down http://digg.com/d314TyX #p2 #prochoice #fem2 #du1 #dnj

Tuesday

• GREAT section on safety of H1N1 vaccine via Q &A w/ CDC http://ow.ly/pGI7 via @ImmunizeCOKids
• From @rpondiscio Cargo Cult thinking is *exactly* what drives reading and writing instruction. http://tiny.cc/ZzB1X @matthewktabor: agrees
• Real scientists admit errors. Case in point, @david_colquhoun http://www.dcscience.net/?p=2222
• RT @DrNICHCY: RT @CECMembership: Necessary conditions for implementing Response to Intervention #RTI http://bit.ly/uwpTa

Monday

• RT @ChristineMMTTM: RT @DrSelzNew DrSelz blog post: "Dyslexia / Reading Disability & Common Sense" http://tinyurl.com/lvc6kl #homeschool #LD
• Myth: There is no way to diagnose dyslexia. FACT: Well-established battery of tests to diagnose dyslexia http://short.to/ptwl
• he National Autism Association's Lies and Distortions about Paul Offit http://bit.ly/MgnjI from @Confutata
• RT @krelnik: The National Autism Association's embarrassing spitefulness: http://bit.ly/PwhGQ (via @badscienceblogs & @Dianne_)
• Paul Offit on his financial benefit from Rotateq, the rotavirus vaccine. http://bit.ly/e0Xqj . @ageofautism has facts wrong. #autism

Sunday

• Glenn Reynolds: How Self-Reliance Can Get You Through A Disaster http://bit.ly/I8rKO & "Resilience Engineering"

Saturday

• RT @novenator: The Difference Between Astroturfing and Grassroots Protests http://is.gd/2dve2 #hcr

Accuracy in Reporting--The Truth Matters. Have You No Shame?

The original is "Have you no sense of decency sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?"

I'm saying, "Have you no sense of decency madam, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?"

I'm talking of course about Michelle Malkin insisting that the crowd on 9/12  numbered "2 million".  Her claim was echoed by a number of folks.  Eric Boehlert at Media Matters disputed the claim that afternoon and then gave further analysis on September 14th, in which he wrote:

Nobody within the right-wing blogosphere seems to be the slightest bit upset, let alone embarrassed or chastened, for having been part of a farcical, inept attempt to inflate the size of Saturday's rally by 1,930,000 people. Nobody seems to think it reflects poorly on them as a community, or that it will damage their collective reputation.

They really are shameless. And they really do inhabit their own parallel political universe where everyone's allergic to facts.

David Weigel pointed out that the Obama inauguration was estimated at 1.8 million people -- the 9/12 event was nowhere near that, and may have been as small as 60,000 people.

Here's Rick Sanchez slapping down FOX for a different lie (I saw it chez Karoli first). I'm tired of being lied to.

P.S.: Max Fischer points out that some of the people on the Mall were there for something that had nothing to do with 9/12 or teabaggers: it was the National Black Family Reunion.

Why Yes I'm Getting Vaccinated for Seasonal Flu (now) AND H1N1, Swine Flu

I'm heading off to Safeway for the walk-in flu vaccination, and I'm on the second-tier list for the H1N1, probably the end of October.

Revere at Effect Measure (an epidemiologist and senior public health official)  explains why to get the seasonal flu vaccine, with elaboration by Orac.

The H1N1 vaccine is safe and likely to be effective.  I don't want the disease -- it is already circulating in my area,  but I'm not in a high-risk group.  Drummer Woman and Jumper Girl are in a high-risk group by virtue of their ages, and Scholar Woman has the age and pregnancy whammy, so they are already signed up for both vaccinations.  

Go read Harriet Hall, who rebuts the swine-flu vaccine fearmongering canards and Mark Crislip, who takes on some of the quack "alternative" treatments.

You could also read Tara C. Smith, Ph.D, an academic epidemiologist on Why I'll Be Getting My Kids Their Flu Vaccines

So, it's not a perfect vaccine, and the odds of myself or my kids dying from influenza are pretty slim. Why, then, do I think it's worth it?

I view vaccination as akin to wearing seatbelts while traveling. Though I always buckle up, odds are good that I won't be in a car accident that day, and even if I am, I probably would only suffer minor injuries. There's even a small chance that the seatbelt itself could cause me--or the kids--some bruising or similar minor harm, and sometimes it annoyingly digs into the skin on my shoulder if I'm wearing a sleeveless shirt, but the little discomforts are worth it because I know that it dramatically increases my odds of living through a serious car wreck. That doesn't necessarily mean I'd be unscathed--I could still end up with whiplash, or broken bones, or even more serious injuries--but I'm doing what I can to protect myself and my family. Flu shots are the same thing--some initial discomfort from the shot and a bit of soreness for a day or so afterward, but I know that they increase the odds of staying healthy. This is especially true for my son, who has asthma and is therefore in a group with a high risk of influenza complications.

Who is John Boehner, What Has He Done, and Why Should You Care?

Karoli's done the digging for us.

Boehner is of course the House Minority Leader. Besides that, he's the "honorary chairman" of The Freedom Project, a political action committee (PAC).  It has a peculiarly slanted donors list and some questionable expenditures. 

Go read Karoli's post to find out more.