Identifying a failure-to-thrive fraternal twin profile with 3q29 deletion syndrome.

In 2005, the 3q29 deletion syndrome was identified and defined as a rare chromosomal anomaly that effects approximately one in 30,000-40,000 children. It has a complex neuropsychiatric profile, often resulting in developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, attentional deficits, classic physical traits, and behavioral health disturbances, including social and emotional issues. Rarely has this syndrome been seen and evaluated in fraternal twins, only one of whom has the 3q29 deletion syndrome. This case study highlights Twin 1's strengths and weaknesses and compares her 2020 neuropsychological data, including a comparison of her Reitan-Indiana Neuropsychological Battery (RINB) results to her 2022 profile, which reveals a failure-to-thrive profile.

Cognitive Implications of Ototoxicity in Pediatric Patients With Embryonal Brain Tumors.

PURPOSE: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is associated with intellectual and academic declines in children treated for embryonal brain tumors. This study expands upon existing research by examining core neurocognitive processes that may result in reading difficulties in children with treatment-related ototoxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospectively gathered, serial, neuropsychological and audiology data for 260 children and young adults age 3 to 21 years (mean, 9.15 years) enrolled in a multisite research and treatment protocol, which included surgery, risk-adapted craniospinal irradiation (average risk, n = 186; high risk, n = 74), and chemotherapy, were analyzed using linear mixed models. Participants were assessed at baseline and up to 5 years after diagnosis and grouped according to degree of SNHL. Included were 196 children with intact hearing or mild to moderate SNHL (Chang grade 0, 1a, 1b, or 2a) and 64 children with severe SNHL (Chang grade 2b or greater). Performance on eight neurocognitive variables targeting reading outcomes (eg, phonemics, fluency, comprehension) and contributory cognitive processes (eg, working memory, processing speed) was analyzed. RESULTS: Participants with severe SNHL performed significantly worse on all variables compared with children with normal or mild to moderate SNHL (P ≤ .05), except for tasks assessing awareness of sounds and working memory. Controlling for age at diagnosis and risk-adapted craniospinal irradiation dose, performance on the following four variables remained significantly lower for children with severe SNHL: phonemic skills, phonetic decoding, reading comprehension, and speed of information processing (P ≤ .05). CONCLUSION: Children with severe SNHL exhibit greater reading difficulties over time. Specifically, they seem to struggle most with phonological skills and processing speed, which affect higher level skills such as reading comprehension.

Increasing success in neurocognitively impaired patients through group therapy.

This eight-session support group program was presented at the American Group Psychotherapy Association's (AGPA) 2013 Spring Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. The presentation focused on creating hope and increasing motivation in neurocognitively impaired individuals. The premise was that this standardized intervention process delivered weekly at the beginning of an individual's outpatient neurorehabilitation program would enhance commitment and success. This program was formatted to address: setting goals for recovery, relating to others, restructuring negative thinking, addressing feelings, identifying barriers to recovery, resolving grief issues, creating hope, redefining the self, rebuilding self-esteem, and exploring coping strategies.

Addressing anniversary reactions of trauma through group process: the Hurricane Katrina anniversary wellness workshops.

Natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Gulf Coast of the United States in the summer of 2005, have highlighted the need to develop effective post-trauma psychotherapeutic intervention strategies, not only to deal with the immediate psychological aftermath of trauma, but also the long-term effects of anniversary reactions. Governmental responses to Hurricane Katrina relief were greatly criticized for disorganization and delay. Both immediately afterwards and in ensuing months, people's life needs often were not addressed. People-to-people individual and group grassroots efforts, including those provided by mental health professionals, however, did reach local communities to service immediate needs and long-term emotional reactions. The present paper describes one such effort designed to help survivors cope on the occasion of the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Specifically, anniversary reaction group workshops were held to address unresolved emotional issues and to promote healing by encouraging belonging, comfort, security, and resilience. The ultimate goal of these wellness workshops was to assist participants in understanding and resolving their anniversary reactions. Preliminary quantitative and qualitative findings suggested that this workshop format helped participants face their anniversary reactions, address their related psychological sequelae, and deal with their physical displacement. Participants were then able to find the emotional strength to reattach, form new communities, and begin problem solving. These methods, with appropriate cultural modifications, were subsequently used in China, to assist Chinese mental health professionals prepare for the first anniversary of the Sichuan earthquake.