Patriotic Printables

Here are three FREE printables for July 4th or any patriotic day.

Practice reaction time and visual skills with the Red, White and Blue Game at http://www.yourtherapysource.com/july4free.html

Practice visual discrimination, visual motor and figure ground skills with this July 4th Hunt and Find activity at http://yourtherapysource.com/july4huntfind.html

Practice scissors and lacing skills to make this Flag Mobile at http://yourtherapysource.com/july4free2.html

Research Review: Reaction Time and Autism

A research review was published on 32 studies which included 238 simple reaction time and choice reaction time conditions in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (n = 964) and controls (n = 1032).

The results indicated that there are little if any simple reaction time/choice reaction time slowing in this sample of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, in comparison with controls.

The researchers concluded that although many cognitive and information processing domains are effected in autism spectrum disorder, it seems that simple reaction time/choice reaction time is relatively unaffected in autism spectrum disorder.

Reference: Ferraro, F. No evidence of reaction time slowing in autism spectrum disorder. Published online before print December 15, 2014, doi: 10.1177/1362361314559986 Autism December 15, 2014 1362361314559986

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Can you be the record setter for the fastest, longest, most, shortest or tallest? How many circles can you draw in 10 seconds? How many times can you clap your hands when you jump in the air?  This set of 25 fine motor, gross motor and visual motor challenges work on reaction time.  Find out more at http://yourtherapysource.com/growingplaycards.html

 

Feedback and Reaction Time in Preschoolers with ADHD and ODD

The Journal of Attention Disorders published research on the reaction time in preschoolers with ADHD with and without oppositional defiant diorder (ODD).  Preschoolers who had ADHD with and without ODD and neurotypical preschoolers participated in a computerized reaction time study consisting of two conditions - simple reaction time and reinforced simple reaction.  The following results were recorded:

• overall reaction times were significantly less and shorter during the reinforced simple reaction time task
• during the simple reaction time task the reaction times of the ADHD + ODD group were significantly more variable than the neurotypical group although the reaction times for the ADHD + ODD during the reinforced simple reaction were statistically the same as the other groups

The researchers concluded that preschoolers who are oppositional/defiant and hyperactive are the most responsive to feedback/reward.

Reference: Chaya B. Gopin et al. ADHD Preschoolers With and Without ODD: Do They Act Differently Depending On Degree of Task Engagement/Reward? Journal of Attention Disorders October 2013 17: 608-619, first published on February 8, 2012 doi:10.1177/1087054711432140