NEWSLETTER                     vol. 200211

Melmed Center Makes Plans for the Future

As part of our on-going efforts to provide patients of Melmed Center with the very best of care, all staff members of the center gathered recently for our annual retreat where we made plans for the coming year. One of the exciting prospects for the new year include a series of free public presentations on subjects of interest to all parents. This project will be led by Dr. Lynn Markan. While the project is in the preliminary stages of development, Dr. Markan anticipates the first of these presentations to take place in January of 2003. Several of Melmed Center's distinguished staff members are expected to participate. More details will be included in future issues of this Newsletter.

Staff in the News

Dee Crane Named to LDA-AZ Executive Committee

The Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Arizona announced in August that Dee Crane of Melmed Center has been named to their Executive Committee. Dee has been a member of LDA for over three years.

LDA is the largest non-profit volunteer organization advocating for individuals with learning disabilities. It has affiliate organizations in each of the 50 states plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico. There are more than 600 local chapters. Membership totals more than 50,000. The membership, composed of Individuals with learning disabilities, family members and concerned professionals, advocates for the over two million students of school age with learning disabilities and for adults affected with learning disabilities.

Ms. Crane is the ADD/Life Skills Coach at Melmed Center. Her initial responsibility on the committee will be to promote the annual Arizona State LDA Conference where she has been a guest speaker on two occasions. The conference will be held this year on October 19th at Arizona State University West, Glendale, AZ.
Dr. Larry Silver will be this year's keynote speaker. Dr. Silver is an internationally known psychiatrist and author of several books including The Misunderstood Child.

Dr. McDonough-Means Makes Presentation in Baltimore

Dr. Sharon McDonough-Means presented her lecture entitled An Integrative Approach to Attention Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment: Evidence-Based Strategies at the Complementary and Alternative Pediatrics Special Interest Group (SIG) at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in May 2002.

Her presentation gave an excellent review of research in this field in the areas of EEG/EMG biofeedback, hypnosis, nutrition, herbal supplementation, traditional Chinese medicine, and homeopathy. Those present received an outstanding handout with extensive references covering alternative treatments for ADHD.

Dr. McDonough-Means received her BA from Northwestern University and her MD from Indiana University. She was one of the first two graduates of the Pediatric Integrative Medicine Research Fellowship at the University of Arizona. She is a Developmental Pediatrician at Melmed Center and is currently working in conjunction with other professional staff members to examine ways in which our patients might benefit from integrating complimentary and alternative therapies in developmental care. As a first step, Melmed Center is researching EEG biofeedback and considering participation in an on-going national study. Look for further developments on this subject in up-coming newsletters!

Dr. Melmed Speaks to Arizona StateDivision of Developmental Disabilities

Barbera Chrome, Supervisor of the Phoenix DDD Office invited Dr. Melmed to address them. He described how the view of autism has changed over the years, what the current thinking involves, and where research is leading. His presentation was followed by a question and answer session. Dr. Melmed and other members of Melmed Center's staff can be scheduled to speak on a wide variety of subjects related to developmental disabilities. Contact us for more information.

Educational Forum

Special Education and Gifted Students: Crossover Children

Ricki Light, Educational Director at Melmed Center, conducted an educational forum at Temple Solel, 6805 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, Arizona. The event took place on Tuesday, October 8, 2002 at 7:15 PM. Ms. Light focused her talk on children that are gifted and have special learning needs such as Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity, Aspergers Syndrome, Learning Disabilities and Autism. Topics covered included identification of learning styles as well as strategies to adapt classroom programs. This event was open to the public. Ms. Light and other members of Melmed Center's staff can be scheduled to speak on a wide variety of subjects. Contact us for more information.

Melmed Center's Dr. Kenney Markan on ABC!

Thursday, October 31st at 9:00 am

Dr. Lynne Kenney Markan, Psychologist at Melmed Center will be featured on ABC Phoenix Affiliate, Channel 15's SONORAN LIVING. The broadcast will air live on Thursday, October 31st at 9:00 am. She will be discussing ideas on social skills for children during gatherings this holiday season. Dr. Kenney Markan has appeared on the show several times in the past. Most recently, she appeared during the aftermath of the Arizona wildfires to give advise on helping children deal with the emotional aspects of returning home after the fires. Since her upcoming appearance will take place on Halloween, you may have trouble recognizing the good doctor in costume!

Dr. Melmed in Thailand

In May, Dr. Melmed was invited to speak in Bangkok, Thailand as the guest of the Thailand Society for Autism and Asperger Syndrome. The similarity between the problems facing Thai children with autism spectrum disorders and those in Arizona prompted the invitation. In turn, a delegation from Thailand will be visiting Phoenix in the future to learn of the successful research being done at Southwest Autism Research Center (SARC). Dr. Melmed is the co-founder and medical director of SARC. He is pictured here in consultation with Dr. Portnep Siriwanarangsunthe, Deputy Director, Thai Ministry of Public Health.

New Staff Member

Sharon Brack

Melmed Center welcomes Sharon Brack to our staff. She will be working in the front office. She has made a big impact with the Melmed Center staff with her warm and friendly personality. You will see her smiling face when you come-in for your next appointment. Our front office staff is very busy these days. Welcome to Melmed Center, Sharon!

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