THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY

KASP in Crisis?
Donald J. Asbridge, Ed.S., KOG Editor
KASP Past President

The Kern Association of School Psychologists (KASP) has a long and proud history as an exceptional affiliate of the California Association of School Psychologists (CASP).  However, for more than the past year, KASP has been without a President, Vice President/President Elect, and a full Executive Board.  In addition, it has been at least a year, maybe longer, since an official General Membership Meeting or election has been held.

Therefore, the KOG Editor, as a KASP Past President, forwards the following positive recommendations to the KASP organization for their consideration:

That a General Membership Meeting be called.  At that meeting, the following should occur:

1) An official roster of Members be created/documented.
2) Ongoing and new members have the opportunity to join, or rejoin, KASP.
3) Nominations and elections of Officers occur.
4) Nominations and elections of Board Members occur.
5) Nominations and elections of Committees and Committee Members occur.
6) Input from, and voting by, the Membership regarding activities of the organization occur.
7) The KASP Constitution be reviewed and adopted (or revised) by the membership.

Let's return KASP to it's former glory days as one of the elite leaders among California CASP Affiliates starting now.
 

KASP Membership Information

To become a KASP member...
     ...contact Traci Taber Rivas directly at:  rivast@gfusd.k12.ca.us

JUST A THOUGHT...

Science vs. research...

The KOG would like to take just a second to continue on the subject of scientific practitioners vs. those RtI practitioners who just recommend research-based interventions.

School psychologists are highly trained scientific practitioners; we effectively utilize the principles of science to help students.  But anyone can purchase a research based intervention on the internet.

The KOG is just repeating this topic because the KOG Editor keeps hearing so many RtI school psychologists say, "RtI, RtI, RtI, research-based, research-based, research-based, intervention, intervention, intervention!!!"

Many psychologists have seemingly forgotten (or never learned) the difference between practicing science and recommending an intervention.

Here's the KOG's positive recommendation:  practice science -- you are a scientist -- not a purchasing agent.

ENTER TO WIN!!!

EASY MONEY for November's KOG ADHD Research Challenge!

Okay.  The KOG Editor knew going in that no one could find any research to support the true scientific existence of Aspergers Syndrome or document that RtI actually is effective for students.  They were trick questions -- I admit it.

So the KOG Editor has experienced a pang of guilt.  Therefore, this month is maybe an easy challenge.  EASY MONEY!  All you have to do is be the first to provide any sort or actual, peer-reviewed research that would indicate there actually is such a thing as ADHD.  You know, that there is actually something wrong with the brain or genes or something... anything proveable.

Certainly you can do that.
How many kids have you diagnosed with ADHD?
Certainly you must have some sort of scientific evidence to back you up?

ADHD has been diagnosed for how many years now?  Thirty?  Twenty-five?  Certainly there must be some research that would scientifically prove the actual existence of this apparently serious malady?  How many millions of students have been [mis]diagnosed with ADHD through the years?  How many millions of dollars have been made?  How many children can't eat lunch because they're on this magic pill to help them with their, um, disability?

I've done this many times before, but I decided to go ahead and perform another little web search just for this month's KOG Research Challenge.  Here's what I found (all excerpts below are brief snippets of the actual articles -- they have been taken out of context, but the spirit has not been intentionally altered -- please visit the page yourself and read every word -- contact the KOG Editor if any unfair representations have occured; italics have added by the KOG Editor):

ADHD Brain Scan
www.sciencecentral.com/articles/view.php3?article_id=218392460&cat=1_5

"Ashtari says she may have found a clue that helps explain physical differences in ADHD children's brains... when you actually literally connect the dots, you realize that, wow, maybe we're actually talking about a specific circuit in the brain the connects the front and the back of the brain... this study is just [the] tip of the iceberg to help to understand the involvement of the brain in the ADHD kids and it's just the beginning... we're not there yet."

Gee, that one looked so promising.  Twenty-five years of ADHD diagnosis and we're not there yet.  Let's try some more...

Brain Scans Reveal ADHD Differences
www..webmd.com/add-adhd/news/20031204/brain-scans-reveal-adhd-differences

Ah, hah!  This has to be the one that finally proves it!  Here we go -- 

"...Researchers stress this is only a preliminary finding... Courvoisie says further studies are needed."

Oh, gee.  Well, let's keep going.  When you have dedicated and sacrificed your life to serve students, you don't give up easily.  Here's still another:

Brain Scans Reveal Physiology of ADHD
http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/39/1/26

"High-resolution MRI pictures of the brains of children with ADHD are shedding light on the possible anatomical origins of this complex disorder... 

...the researchers assessed differences in boys and girls, individually as well as combined, since recent studies have suggested that abnormalities in brain activity and structure may differ between boys and girls with ADH.  However, no significant differences were found.  The researchers cautioned, however, that because their sample size was fairly small, differences may not have been appreciable.

...they called for further studies to confirm differing anatomical and functional disturbances in different areas of the brain's action-attentional network."

I really thought that one was going to be it.  Hey, at least some light has been shed after twenty-five years.  That's a start, but et's keep going.

Is Brain Scan Testing Reliable?
www.adult-child-add-adhd.com/categories/help/brain_scan.php

"The Academy of Pediarics does not recommend any lab tests for ADD or ADHD... either way you have the skeptics and the believers in this new field of neuroimaging and it is up to you to decide what you feel is best..."

I kind of like that one.  Ultimately, it appears that any way you look at ADHD, it's a belief, not a scientifically proven disability.

Parenting Corner Q & A:  ADHD
www.aap.org/publiced/BR_ADHD.htm

"How can you tell if your child has ADHD?
...Remember, it is normal for all children to show some of these symptoms from time to time.  Your child may be reacting to stress at school or home.  She* may be bored or going through a difficult stage of life, it does not mean she has ADHD.

...sometimes a teacher is the first to notice inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity and bring these symptoms to the parents' attention.

...if your child has shown symptoms of ADHD on a regular basis for more than 6 months, discuss this with your pediatrician."

I'm okay with parents speaking with their family pediatrician.  In fact, I encourage parents to speak with their family pediatrician.  Just be wary if they ask you three questions, diagnose ADHD, and recommend meds.

I'm still not convinced.  Meds might [or might not] sometimes calm a child (or the teacher), but that doesn't necessarily prove he has ADHD. 

*The KOG appreciates the author's attempts at gender neutrality here.  Unfortunately, it just doesn't hold much water.  In my twenty-two years as a practicing professional, I'm trying to remember if I've ever had a female referred for consideration of significant attention difficulties or referred for ADHD evaluation.  Maybe there's been a couple.  But there's been hundreds of males.  Much more than the 3:1 ratio stated.  More like 100:1 ratio.  Almost all have been boys referred by their female teachers.

Genetic Analysis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health
www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00046059?order=20

Note: this study is currently recruiting participants... maybe you'll be the subject with the actual gene anomoly that proves ADHD actually exists?  If so, sign up now -- any kind of proof is needed now by the ADHD camp!

"...Family studies suggest that there is a genetic component to ADHD.  Scientists believe that it is a complex disorder in which two or more genes may be involved." 

Now we are finally getting somewhere!

Whoops, maybe not.  Read the entire article and you will see what the study hopes to find.

We courageously move forward...

The ADHD Genetic Research Study at the National Institutes of Health and the National Human Genome Research Institute
www.genome.gov/10004297

"...ADHD often appears to run in families, and research studies have suggested that there may be a genetic component to this [disorder].  Individuals diagnosed with ADHD may have close blood relatives with the disorder.  Scientists believe that ADHD is a complex disorder that probably involves at least two genes.  Non-genetic causes such as abnormal brain development, brain injury, or environmental factors are also believed to play a role in this disorder."

Dr. Muenke, M.D., would like to recruit you to be part of the research study.

How long has this, um, disorder, been diagnosed now?  About thirty years?  Twenty-six?  Maybe studies will someday prove ADHD actually exists?  Let's try one more time...

Introduction
National Human Genome Research Institute
National Institutes of Health
www.genome.gov/10000793

This page discusses research and projects by Maximilian Muenke, M.D.

"...It's cause has remained a mystery, although environmental factors were considered the most likely culprits... Over the past decade, however, studies of twins, adopted children, and families with a high prevalence of ADHD have shown that genetic factors, rather than environmental factors, are the major underlying cause of ADHD." 

Yeah!  That proves it!  Okay, I'm a believer in ADHD now.  NOT

"...Dr. Muenke's laboratory has now identified several candidate regions for ADHD in this population and is fine-mapping the regions to help identify specific contributing genes."  I wonder how that will end up?  Hopefully the candidate regions will soon be fine-mapped.

There!  I guess that proves it!  If/when Dr. Muenke will send the final mapped regions of the brain and/or identify these two mystery genes, then he will win the KOG's $10 November Research Award.

Maybe you'll enter the KOG Research Challenge with the information you regulary share with parents to convince them that their son has a genetic difficulty or brain abnormality just because he hates long lectures and you need to get the kid into a lifetime of therapy and on meds and out of the teacher's hair because it's -- let's face it -- a lot of money for everyone involved -- you know, job security.  Money talks.  Ten easy dollars are yours if you  share your [valid, peer-reviewed] research with the KOG!!!

Click here to submit your entry.

Good luck.

KOG's POLITICAL INFO & UPDATE...

Who will be our next Education President?

First of all, the KOG Editor congratulates whichever candidate is victorious on November 4th, 2008.

The KOG hopes that whoever our next education president is, s/he will:

1) Get rid of NCLB and find something that works for students (starting with respect and dignity);
2) De-emphasizes test scores and emphasizes the whole human (you are more than a vote, a student is more than a score);
3) Can understand the differences between punishment and accountability;
4) Allows and encourages local choice (professional educators are the experts -- not politicians);
5) Not penalize states or districts who may choose not to participate in IDEA (they're going bankrupt);
6) Consider getting Washington politicians completely out of the education business (you know, "less government");
7) Reduce over-inflated educational budgets -- not professional educators (Educators are valuable humans -- not just money).
8) And much, much more...

Click here to contact me any time, Mr. President.  I would be happy to discuss [more] effective and success-based educational ideas and practices with you.

Hi All! Here's a real-life case you will most certainly enjoy.  The sixth grade boy was diagnosed by a local mental health clinic on July 31st, 2008 with ADHD and meds were prescribed.  That's not too alarming as this same sad scenario plays itself out thousands of times daily across the U.S.  Then he was assessed for ADHD on September 8th, 2008.  Did you get that?  Carefully reread the above paragraph if necessary.  He was diagnosed before he was assessed??? "The teacher says my kids' having a hard time paying attention in class..." "Yeah, he has ADHD... we'll get him on meds.  Come back in a month and we'll make it official." Have a great month!

KOG's HEROES IN EDUCATION SERIES "I'm talking mental health... not mental illness."      Dr. William Glasser www.choicetheory.com

KOG's HEROES IN EDUCATION SERIES "The system of diagnostic classification created by the American Psychiatric Association has been shown to be arbitrary and without scientific basis, but little complaint has been raised against it by academic psychiatrists."      Dr. Thomas J. Scheff, University of California, Santa Barbara www.soc.ucsb.edu/faculty/scheff/4.html

KOG's HEROES IN EDUCATION SERIES "...whose purpose is to assist adults in becoming more effective in their work with young people, offering non-drug alternatives to helping young people."      Dr. John Breeding, Director, Wildest Colts Resources www.wildestcolts.com

Click here to submit your letter to the KOG Editor   Dear KOG Editor,    What is the difference between utilizing the scientific method and research based interventions?                Signed, "School Psychologist" Dear Dear School Psychologist,    Well, anybody can recommend a research based intervention and anybody can be trained to implement a research based intervention.  But the scientific method is what you went to seven or more years of college to learn to practice.  As a school psychologist, you are a scientist -- utilizing the scientific method is your value and what you get paid for.  Any aide or even a principal can learn to implement some research based intervention they bought on the internet.                Signed, KOG Editor Dear KOG Editor,    Isn't the DSM based on science?                Signed, "School Psychologist" Dear School Psychologist,    Well, that depends on who you believe.  I always remember the very first thing we learned in Psych 101:  to be skeptical.  I don't know about you, but I, as a highly trained and experienced social scientist, don't necessarily mindlessly believe everything I read -- I hope you are a skeptical scientist too.                Signed, KOG Editor Dear KOG Editor,    Aren't' you getting carried away about this whole science thing?                Signed, "Clinical Psychologist" Dear Clinical Psychologist,    Maybe I am, but if I am, so is the APA.  The 2009 APA Division 16 Convention theme is, "The science of school psychology."  Read more at: www.apa.org/convention09/                Signed, KOG Editor Dear KOG Editor,    I'm furious!  When will you admit that a disability is a disability -- that SLD is SLD?  If a human has cancer in America, then they have cancer in London too!  Same holds true for a learning disability.  Defend yourself.                Signed, "School Psychologist" Dear School Psychologist,    You're half right.  Cancer is cancer -- medical professionals throughout the world can recognize and agree on the diagnosis of this serious real life condition.  However, a "learning disability" in America is apparently "mental retardation" in London.  And the World Health Organization defines a learning disability as, "a state of arrested or incomplete development of the mind" (source, The British Institute of Learning Disabilites).  What's your favorite definition of SLD?                Signed, KOG Editor  Dear KOG Editor,    Where's the humor in any of this?                Signed, "Not Laughing" Dear Not Laughing,    There's not much to laugh about in this zeitgeist.                Signed, KOG Editor Dear KOG Editor,    I just had a horrible thought.  What if we've been wrong all along?  What if there really is no such thing as ADHD, SLD, Aspergers, and, um the rest?                Signed, "Crying" Dear Crying,    It's okay.  We can make it right starting now.                Signed, KOG Editor Everything Counts.

Dear KOG Editor,    That's an interesting diagram on the KASP Entry Page.  Is that part of the brain?                Signed, "Wondering About That" Dear Wondering About That,    Kind of.  It's a graph/visualization of the KASP Website.  You can graph your website or others at www.aharef.info/static/htmlgraph/                Signed, KOG Editor Dear KOG Editor,    I still don't understand what you're saying about science versus research based interventions.                Signed, "RtI School Psychologist" Dear RtI School Psychologist,    You are a highly trained scientific practitioner -- that means you practice science -- you utilize the principles of science at a very high level.  Or you could grab the next person walking down the street and train him or her to implement the government's scandal-ridden [research based] DIBELS program.  Anybody can sit kids down at the computer and have them participate in some "research based" computer learning activity.  I don't really know how to explain it any different than that.  Are you happy just sitting in a meeting and recommending some "research based intervention" that anyone can buy (a principal could do that) -- or are you going to address the problem straight-up in a scientific manner?  Well?                Signed, KOG Editor Dear KOG Editor,    What is the purpose of the KOG?                Signed, "New Visitor" Dear New Visitor, 1) First and foremost, the KOG always addresses and strives for outstanding services for students with an emphasis on respect and dignity. 2) The KOG cares for our profession and therefore has the courage to address and confront important topics and practices, even when it is not popular to do so. 3) Professional, treatment, and human integrity (for example, seeking truth and accuracy in diagnosis, promoting science over fads, differentiating between labels and humans, and encouraging a strong healthy scientific skepticism, etc.) are always primary KOG emphasis areas. 4) The KOG feels a deep responsibility to community and society.  Thus, the KOG will continue speak out about educational, psychological, mental health, and related issues important to society as a whole.                Signed, KOG Editor Dear KOG Editor,    I don't agree with anything you say.                 Signed, "I'll Do It My Way" Dear IDIMW,    It's okay, the particle physicists don't agree with the quantum physicists, and they're rocket scientists!                Signed, KOG Editor Dear KOG Editor,    I show up to work every day and, as a public servant, diligently perform my job duties to the best of my abilities.  But as I proceed through my career, it has become increasingly apparent to me that we are maybe just being used as pawns of the government to carry out a system, strategy, or agenda that is not necessarily humane or educationally, psychologically, or scientifically sound.    In fact, I had a nightmare last night about past governments (specifically in Germany) using scientists to promote their own political agendas.  And then I think about some of the ways that scientists have been, um, used by our government here in our own country... am I going crazy?  Am I paranoid?                Signed, "Government Operative" Dear Government Operative,    Yes, you are going crazy and you are no doubt paranoid.  Our government would never misuse your science... what would they gain by doing that?  It's not like anyone's making any money off of your practices.  Just keep disabling seven to ten percent of the population and everything will be fine.  And don't ask questions.  Don't think.  Just be quiet.                Signed, KOG Editor

KOG's INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE     "Great minds talk about ideas... Average minds talk about events... Simple minds talk about people."      Eleanor Roosevelt

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT? 

Duplicate questions posed to the KOG... WOW!

Not just one, but two -- TWO -- recent visitors to the 2008 October KOG asked the identical question, "What?" 

What are the chances of that?  Probably something like one in 12,741,093.

The KOG answers the first ["What?"] question:

"THE ZEITGEIST is a most dismal animal and I wish to heaven one could escape its clutches."
     Aldous Huxley, 1933

"The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently."
     Nietzsche

NOTES & DISCLAIMERS: 
Any opinions expressed in the KOG are opinions only and are not necessarily approved or supported by the KASP organization or anyone else, including the KOG Editor.  On the other hand, any facts expressed or implied are indeed, facts.  Just as is true for everything else in this world, you get to decide what is opinion, what is fact, and what is research based, and if and how they may or may not all go together.  Please note that just because something is research based doesn't necessarily make it a fact;  and not all facts are research based.  Some opinions are facts and research based.  Some opinions are not facts, yet are still research based.  Just because something is research based doesn't necessarily make it a fact, or ethical.  Some facts are facts for some but not facts for others; the same concept holds true for opinions and research.  The same can be said for humor, satire, parody, and serious notes.  Some opinions are just opinions.  However, one thing is always certain... everything counts.

"What?"