The 2014 – 2015 school year is fast approaching! Time can be difficult to come by during the school year for parents and students alike. Add time constraints to the fact that children with NF1 often struggle to stay on task and it may feel like it is impossible to fit everything your child needs […]
Author: annawilson
Back to School: Getting Organized
The 2014 – 2015 school year is fast approaching! Children with NF1 often experience difficulties in the academic environment due to attention deficits, learning disabilities and social delays. It can be frustrating for both students and families if they feel there are significant roadblocks to success in school. Fortunately, there are many ways you can […]
UPDATE: Clinical Research Studies at the Washington University NF Center – Summer 2014
Curious how our current clinical studies are going? NF1 Genome Project (NF1GP) We have obtained 405 blood samples from individuals with NF1 and have begun using some of the samples in new studies. These include a study looking at the differences in DNA between people with NF1 who develop brain tumors and people with NF1 who […]
Nicole’s Nook: Back to School Apps
As summer is winding down and school is right around the corner, some great educational (and fun) apps include those that target fine motor, visual motor and visual perceptual skills. The apps included below target development of skills which play a significant role in academics, so here’s your chance to get a head start for school! Fine Motor Skills […]
Washington University NF Center Researchers Define Potential Target for NF2-Associated Spinal Tumor Treatment
Individuals with NF2 are at increased risk for developing spinal cord tumors called ependymomas. Currently, the only available treatment for these tumors is surgery. Cindy Garcia, PhD, a former graduate student in the laboratory of David H. Gutmann, MD PhD, used genetically-engineered mouse models of NF2 to determine how the Nf2 protein, merlin, controls spinal […]
Empowering Parents to Detect Potential Delays in their Children with NF1
Children with NF1 commonly experience a range of developmental delays that can negatively impact their daily lives. Early detection and treatment of these delays provides children with NF1 their best chances of success. In order to help families detect potential delays as early as possible, we have created child development checklists of expected developmental […]
Courtney’s Corner: Back to School Shoe Shopping
As the kids head back to school, new shoes often top the shopping list. With the cost of new shoes sometimes reaching upwards of $100, we want to pass on some basics regarding shoe selection from a physical therapist’s perspective. First, shoes for early walkers are primarily for protection. Shoes are not required to learn […]
Post-Doc Profile: Joe Toonen – Understanding NF1-Associated Vision Loss
Joe Toonen, PhD, is interested in understanding how optic gliomas cause nerve cells in the eye to malfunction and lead to vision loss. Using novel Nf1 mouse strains, Dr. Toonen’s research is focused on defining the mechanisms that control nerve cell function in the eye (retina) relevant to the development of better treatments for the […]
SAVE THE DATE: Club NF Swims!
The Washington University NF Center in collaboration with the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation is excited to announce its August 2014 Club NF event – Club NF Swims! Please join us at The Lodge Des Peres on August 2, 2014 for a back to school-themed day focusing on organizational skills, gross motor skills and social skills. As children work with therapists […]
HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Therapy Activities for the 4th of July
Happy 4th of July from the Washington University NF Center! Summer is here and it is time to celebrate! Get outside and enjoy Independence Day weekend as a family. While you’re at it, consider trying out these 4th of July themed therapy activities. Occupational Therapy – Fine Motor Skill Development “Fireworks” in a Jar This […]
Researchers Publish Findings on New Plexiform Neurofibroma Treatment
Individuals with NF1 are at increased risk for developing tumors known as plexiform neurofibromas. These tumors are among the most debilitating features of NF1; however, there are currently no standard treatment options for reducing the size of these tumors other than surgery. Brian Weiss, MD, of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and his collaborators, including David H. Gutmann, […]
Beat NF: Understanding How Music Therapy Helps Children with NF1
Welcome to a special guest post from Beat NF Music Therapist, Dr. Cynthia Briggs! Cynthia Briggs, PhD, is a licensed Music Therapist and faculty member at Maryville University. She has collaborated with the Washington University NF Center and Jazz St. Louis to create Beat NF–a jazz music therapy program for toddlers with NF1. Music Therapy […]
Just Keep Swimming!
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 […]
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 […]