It’s officially summer and time to head to the pool! While a day at the pool can be a relaxing day of fun for all, it can also be an excellent opportunity for your children to work on a variety of gross motor, fine motor and social skills commonly delayed in children with NF1. Just be […]
Month: June 2014
Just Keep Swimming!: Playing in the Water as Therapy
It’s officially summer and time to head to the pool! While a day at the pool can be a relaxing day of fun for all, it can also be an excellent opportunity for your children to work on a variety of gross motor, fine motor and social skills commonly delayed in children with NF1. […]
Nicole’s Nook: To Write or Not to Write?
Technology is everywhere these days. We are constantly syncing, posting, downloading, messaging, emailing and typing. As such, the term cut and paste no longer refers to the scissors and glue of yesteryear. Beyond their use for keeping in touch, technology can be used to assist children with special needs. In this month’s blog, I thought […]
New Analysis Provides Additional Support for Washington University NF Center Findings about Gender and Optic Pathway Glioma
Kelly Diggs-Andrews, PhD, and her colleagues recently reported that females with NF1 and an optic pathway glioma are at higher risk for vision loss than are males. The study by Dr. Diggs-Andrews, a former post-doctoral fellow in the laboratory of David H. Gutmann, MD, PhD at the Washington University NF Center, was published earlier this […]
Washington University NF Center Trainee Defends Dissertation on Understanding NF2-Associated Spinal Cord Tumor Formation
On Wednesday June 11, 2014, Cynthia Garcia, PhD, a previous graduate student in the laboratory of David H. Gutmann, MD PhD, defended her dissertation as the final step in achieving her PhD in Neuroscience. Dr. Garcia’s dissertation focused on understanding why spinal tumors, or ependymomas, form in individuals with NF2. Using a combination of methods, […]
Courtney’s Corner: Encouraging Physical Activity
As we hear more and more about the importance of activity to combat childhood obesity, we need to encourage our children to remain active. Increasing a child’s activity level can be challenging, especially when competing with video games, iPads, and other on-screen entertainment options. For children with NF1, we have an even greater challenge because […]
Beat NF – Together!
During the months of May and June, the Washington University NF Center, the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation, Jazz St. Louis and Maryville University Music Therapy Department are partnering together for their second six week session of Beat NF, Beat NF–Together! Like the previous session, Beat NF–Together features songs written by our music therapist that are […]
Club NF Zoo Adventure!
On June 7, 2014, the Washington University NF Center in collaboration with the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation hosted our June 2014 Club NF Event! The program focused on sensory integration, gross motor skills and social skills. Club NF met at the Saint Louis Zoo. The morning began with families meeting a professional zookeeper to learn […]
Washington University NF Center Trainee Presents Research at CTF Conference
Hugh Bender, MS, a graduate student in the laboratory of David H. Gutmann, MD PhD, is investigating how neural stem cells (NSCs) function during brain development. NSCs are the precursors to all major cell types found in the brain. While vital to brain development, overgrowth of NSCs may lead to abnormal brain development and/or tumor […]
Washington University NF Center Summer 2014 Newsletter
Check out our Summer 2014 newsletter! Inside this issue: Governor Nixon and Mayor Slay Proclaim May 2014 NF Awareness Month New Study Uses the Fruit Fly to Understand NF2 Gene Function Courtney’s Corner And More! Check out our previous newsletters as well!
Washington University NF Center Family Raises NF Awareness
Recently, Peggy Dohkle partnered with The Louvre Salon & Spa in order to raise awareness about NF. The Louvre, which supports up to six local causes annually, was excited to take on the NF Cause. Mrs. Dohlke, who works at the establishment and who regularly attends Club NF events with her family, organized the fundraising […]