Amino Acids Could Treat Rare Form of Autism: Study

CHICAGO — A common dietary supplement could treat a rare form of autism which has been found to be linked to an amino acid deficiency, a study published Thursday in the journal Science has found. US researchers were able to isolate a genetic mutation in some autism patients which speeds up metabolism of certain amino acids. These essential amino acids — branched chain amino acids or BCAAs — are not produced naturally in the human body and must be acquired through food. Because of the speeded up metabolism, the patients with this mutation burned through their stores of the amino acid more quickly than normal, creating an imbalance the researchers think may be linked to the neuro-behaviorial symptoms of autism. “It was very surprising to find mutations in a potentially treatable metabolic pathway specific for autism,” said co-author Joseph Gleeson of the University of California, San Diego. “What was most exciting was that the potential treatment is obvious and simple: Just give affected patients the naturally occurring amino acids their bodies lack.”

The genetic mutations were identified after researchers studied the genomes of several autistic children who also suffered epileptic seizures. Gleeson’s team then genetically engineered mice to test the impact of the dietary supplement, which is available in health food stores. The mice with the genetic mutation displayed autism-like symptoms, including spontaneous epileptic seizures — but when treated with the supplements, their condition improved. “Studying the animals was key to our discovery,” said first author Gaia Novarino, a staff scientist in Gleeson’s lab. “Once we found that we could treat the condition in mice, the pressing question was whether we could effectively treat our patients.” Researchers were able to use the supplement to correct the amino acid imbalance in the human patients as well, but there was not enough data to determine whether the treatment led the autism symptoms to improve. Roughly a quarter of autism patients suffer from epileptic seizures, but Gleeson said this particular condition is believed to be “extremely rare.” While researchers do not yet understand why this works, the identification of the genetic mutation can also help establish a basis for screening autism and epilepsy patients.
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It's a Manny's World!

Teenager becomes first male undergraduate at prestigious 'Mary Poppins' nanny college - It's normally only women who are trained in the art of turning curtains into costumes and become a dab hand at changing nappies at a world-famous nanny college. But now one male teenager is set to be the first-ever man to pass through the education degree course that turns out the modern Mary Poppins. Now Michael Kenny is hoping to become practically perfect in every way while he attends Norland College, in Bath.

Student Michael Kenny, 18, is the only male in a classroom full of 48 women studying at the college - but it takes more than a spoonful of sugar to pass the demanding course. Michael, who has had to endure lots of jokes from his friends, admitted he initially wasn’t even sure if the college in Bath, Somerset, took on male students. He had to ring the college to check - because he had only ever seen female students around the city. Now while his female counterparts wear the classic cream dress and brown hat, he will don a tweed jacket, cream shirt, matching tie and beige trousers for his studies. But he says instead of feeling out of the loop he has been warmly welcomed by all of the female students. Michael said: 'Funnily enough they have just been caring more about how I have been feeling, making sure I am OK.' Michael says he was drawn to the job because he has spent time teaching English and maths to severely disabled children in an Ugandan orphanage. He said: 'I wanted to work with children because I can understand young people a lot better - I find them a lot easier to get on with. 'I think I would like to be a nanny for a few years, because it is the whole reason you go through the training. 'But then after that I would like to do a PGCE and become a nursery teacher or work in a prep school.'

Michael, whose parents Simon and Mary, sister Alice, 17, and brother John, 12, live in Uganda, will be only the second male in the college’s 120-year history to graduate with the Norland Diploma. Norland College principal Liz Hunt welcomed Michael to the fold and said her supercallifragilisticexpialidocious students were more in demand than ever before. She claimed every graduate will have a job offer sourced by the college’s in-house nanny agency so they are ready to start straight after finishing their studies. Mrs Hunt said: 'We always have more job opportunities than we have students, the demand certainly outstrips supply. 'The modern-day Norland graduate also goes on to work in a wide range of careers such as management of nurseries or primary school teaching.' Peter Cummins was the first 'manny' to study at the world-famous Norland College for nannies. He was the only male among his class of 21 girls to take the three year Diploma course and passed 'with merit'. Peter, 22, from Dyfed, Wales, said at the time: 'I don't see any problem. My careers adviser hinted that it was very female-dominated, but I took no notice. 'Being male has never been an issue with either of the parents that I've been with.' BA Honours degree course students pay £13,710-a-year for the first 24 months followed by two years at £4,120-a-year which includes probationary working 'on the job' with a family. But a fully qualified Norland Nanny will earn at least £26,800-a-year living in - while a live out nanny would expect a salary of around £34,500 per annum.

Norland College, in Bath, Somerset - motto 'Love Never Faileth' - has trained more than 7,000 nannies since it was founded in 1892 by Emily Ward. It was originally named the Training School for Ladies as Children's Nurses, but it quickly became known as Norland Institute because of its location on Norland Place in London, before relocating to Bath in 2003. Emily Ward introduced a uniform so Norland graduates needed to be recognised as professionals and not mistaken for housemaids and it is still a strong part of the college's tradition.
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Glenridge/Montclair, NJ

Hello all! I just started a before and after school nanny gig. The boys are 1st and 3rd grade. I am responsible to take them out have fun and organize play dates. So far so good with the first 2 but now I am looking for play dates. We are in Glenridge/Montclair area. If any nanny wants to meet up with their charges let me know - email me Mandy98824@aol.com. I am allowed to travel to you too if need be.

Riverside Park - NY

Hi there, I was wondering if you could help me with getting the word out about the below nanny. Thanks! LD a member of my Upper West Side mommy network saw a nanny who was passed out on a Riverside Park bench yesterday. The baby she was “caring” for was next to her resting in a stroller. LD literally had to shake the nanny to wake her. Please forward this to any moms who may know who this nanny is. I have also posted about it on my mommy blog:
http://www.lollitot.com/blog/uncategorized/nanny-alert-all-time-low

San Diego Park - CA

I saw this nanny yesterday at a San Diego park, and couldn't believe what I saw and heard. She was the nanny to two school age children, an older boy named Gabriel and a younger girl named Ari (I think it was short for Arianna). The kids were playing on the playground, and the nanny spent the entire time either texting on her phone or yelling at the children. There was one point when the boy had just gone down the slide, and the little girl came down behind him and kicked him in the back, pretty hard and on purpose. The nanny did not witness the encounter as I had, so when the boy tried to explain what happened and why he was crying, the nanny told him to stop bullying his sister and to grow up and be a man. I tried to help the little boy by explaining to the woman what happened and she said to mind my own business and that the boy is just trying to cause trouble. The boy got really upset and walked to the edge of the park to sulk, and the nanny continued yelling at him. She said over and over that his dad would be disgusted by his behavior and that he needed to act like a man.

It appeared that later the nanny had gotten a phone call from the dad saying he got home early and asking them to come back home. She started gathering up the two children in her care, and they were giving her some resistance. She finally left, leaving the two kids behind, and started walking away. She got to the farthest edge of the park, turned around and yelled threats at them and they finally came. As they were walking away (still in eye shot and ear shot) the little girl was dilly dallying as the nanny called it so the nanny grabbed her by the arm and dragged her pretty forcefully the rest of the way (or until I couldn't see her). I'm not 100% sure if this was the nanny, it possibly could have been the grandmother, but I still think the parents deserve to know what this caregiver is doing to their children. Where is the love, the care, or the compassion?

Send your nanny sighting to isynblog@gmail.com. Confidentiality Guaranteed.

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Stuyvesant Town Playground on First Avenue and 16th St. - NY

Hi i would like to submit a bad nanny sighting. The nanny is a young, attractive woman, maybe late 20s, who looks like she could be indian or pakistani decent. Long black hair and petit. The little girl is about 2, has curly, short brown hair. I saw this nanny a few months ago in stuyvesant town at the playground on first avenue and 16th street. The poor little girl was crying and very upset. They were not in the playground but on the bench outside. The nanny was speaking very nasty to the girl who was clearly upset and crying. The nanny did not even look up from her iphone, except to scold her for crying and then blew the little girl's nose on her own shirt. It was very sad. I remember the little girl was wearing bright pink crocs. Today, my mother was out with my son and saw the same nanny being extremely negligent with the little girl at the playground at the stuyvesant town oval. She was not watching at all as the girl almost hit herself running into a swing, and she also almost fell from the strucure where the children play. This nanny just sat on the bench far away and did not once look up from her iphone even as my mother screamed at her to watch out for the poor girl who almost hurt herself. If i ever see the parents I will certainly let them know. For now, hopefully they check your website. Thanks for having the site, it is really great!

Berkeley Lincoln Playground in Park Slope, NY

Park slope -- playground behind PS 282. Wednesday September 5th around noon. I was at the playground with my son and a little boy, Lowell, came over and asked if he could play ball with us. He said he was 4 1/2 years old. He played with us for 45 minutes and never once did his nanny come over or even turn around to check on him. She was sitting in another part of the playground, facing the other direction, on her cell phone the entire time. He said her name is Judy.

Send your nanny sighting to isynblog@gmail.com. Confidentiality Guaranteed.

#nannysighting #isyn #isynblog #isawyournanny

MB Drops Bombshell

I realize that you don't normally post on Saturdays, but if there is any way you could post this tonight or tomorrow morning I would greatly appreciate it. I recently relocated so that I could go to school and get my bachelors in ECE. The family I previously worked for said that they knew of a family in my new area who was in need of occasional help for when the mother goes on business trips. They gave this mother my contact information and told me a little about what she was looking for. It was all well until the mother dropped the bombshell of rates unto me. She asked me what I would charge for 5 yo twins. I told her $10 an hour while they are awake and usually $5 an hour when they are asleep, but we could negotiate the second amount. She said I usually pay $100 a night. I think she means for the period when they sleep, but I asked to clarify. Nope, she meant $100 for 24 hours. So she wants me to work an upcoming 55 hour long weekend for.... $200. Am I being unreasonable by thinking this is way too low? I was thinking of maybe trying to bring it up to $275, just because she is friends with my previous family, otherwise I would be walking. Thanks. - FrustratedNanny

Possible Red Flags Nag at Nanny

I have been working for my family for a year, since day one of baby's life and have always had it "easy". Kids laundry, dishwasher, vacuum babies messes and run the occasionsal errand for baby food or diapers. MB and I have always had a wonderful relationship and can talk about anything. They are very flexible with my schedule as far as school and I stay late if they are really in a bind on nights that I'm available. I am well paid and reimbersed for everything.

About a month ago, I was making breakfast for baby when I noticed invites to her birthday party all written out and ready to go into envelopes. I figured I would get one as well. Her party is tomorrow and still no mention of it so I'm assuming I'm not invited. I know its natural to think "oh maybe its just family" but I have heard the neighbors talking about how they are all invited. And honestly my feelings are hurt. Also yesterday, MB comes home after an exhausting day (for me... they have 3 older kids as well and they were just having an off day) and demands I make brownies right away for a bake sale that happened today (it was already past my normal quitting time when she came home). This is EXTREMELY out of character for her. One last incident.... One of the older kids needed a pair of shoes for a recital. I was headed to that particular strip mall anyways so I said I would grab them. When I called to say the local store did not have them, I was sent 30 minutes away to get them. Honestly, I'm freaked out. These incidents are very out of character for her and the fact that I'm not invited to the birthday party of a child I've known since birth really bothers me. Are these red flags? I consider myself a seasoned nanny and often give advice on this site but right now I'm a bit worried. - Anonymous

Working Out the Particulars

I'm in the process of negotiating a contract with what will be my new nanny family. I have been hired, but we're working out the details. The job isn't to start until April 2013. I will be caring for 3 young kids. I will be caring for a 3 year old, a 15 month old, and a 1 month old. Here's what we've agreed on so far: my schedule will be 4 days a week, 12 hour days, and living out. All holidays will be paid off time. All vacations will be paid. All time off due to parents not needing me or sending me home will be paid. I will have 10 days of PTO/Sick days paid, 2 weeks of vacation of my choosing paid, 2 weeks vacation paid of family's choosing around the Christmas holidays.

I will be expected to travel with family up to twice a year 2 weeks each for international travel. I will be provided with a car for the job all expenses and insurance covered. Health insurance including dental and vision. They will also be contributing to my education. I am in school part time. They value education and they offered this when they found out I was in school and to increase contribution for each semester I'm in school and employed with them. I will be required to remain certified in CPR and First aid. They also want me to take a defensive driving course which they will cover. No chores. Not even kids meals or laundry etc. Basically I want suggestions on things to make sure I'm not over looking anything in the contract. I also what to hear opinions on salary. They asked my requirements. I have a figure in my mind, but I want to make sure I'm asking a fair amount. Job will be in the Providence, RI area. Thanks in advance. - Anonymous

Covering all Bases

What kind of coverage should I make sure I'm being covered for on the family's plan? - Anonymous

House of Clutter

I have been nannying for 2 yrs. I started this job (part time) about 3 wks ago. I interviewed with the mom in a coffee shop, which I thought nothing about because I felt safe and figured she didn't want strangers in her home. But I think I know now why she suggested we meet there; her house is a complete mess! I don't just mean some dust and a few dishes in the sink either. I mean, I think its borderline dangerous for these kids to live in. I have found pizza smushed into the carpet, candy wrappers everywhere, dirty clothes all over the floor, moldy cereal bowls under the beds, newspapers and magazines all over, the bathrooms look like they've never seen a scrub brush, and it smells horrible!

My question is, do I ignore it or bite the bullet and clean it up? I don't have a list of chores to do and I'm sure that MB is paying me as much as she can afford so I doubt I could ask for a raise to start cleaning, but I can't work like this. The kids are awesome and to tell you the truth, I'm surprised because of the nasty living conditions. If I wasn't already working here and not already crazy about the kids, I'd probably call CPS. What should I do? - Neat Nanny

Bountiful Birthday

As I am a new nanny, I need advice. I am a college graduate with a BA related to childhood development, and have an extensive background in education. I took a job working for a family with two successful businesspeople - MB is in government business and DB is in pharmaceutical sales. I work full-time (live-out) with their amazing 2-year-old for $10/hour (not my ideal rate, but I negotiated a raise in my contract within the next 6 months and the family is very easygoing and flexible).

DB talked to me about possibly working on a weekend for his birthday party - and watching "about 30 kids". How do I even begin to negotiate a rate for this amount of children? I've worked in the educational sector for years, so I know that as long as I have age-appropriate, engaging activities planned, the kids should be OK (and I should have some hair left over at the end of the day), but I really don't know how much to put on the table as an asking price. Obviously, the regular rate of $10/hour is NOT acceptable in this situation. Please help! I love this family and recently started working for them, so I don't want to botch our working relationship, but I don't want to present the idea that I am willing to be taken advantage of financially. Any suggestions would be of help! Thanks!

Calling Canada

I recently decided to start nannying, have little experience but not much and am working in Canada. I would like to hear from other nanny's in Canada on what they are being paid per hour? If it matters, I care for two 1 year old twins. Thanks! - Anonymous

No Anonymous Comments, Please!

Modern Wheat a "Perfect, Chronic Poison," Doctor says

(CBS News) Modern wheat is a "perfect, chronic poison," according to Dr. William Davis, a cardiologist who has published a book all about the world's most popular grain. Davis said that the wheat we eat these days isn't the wheat your grandma had: "It's an 18-inch tall plant created by genetic research in the '60s and '70s," he said on "CBS This Morning." "This thing has many new features nobody told you about, such as there's a new protein in this thing called gliadin. It's not gluten. I'm not addressing people with gluten sensitivities and celiac disease. I'm talking about everybody else because everybody else is susceptible to the gliadin protein that is an opiate. This thing binds into the opiate receptors in your brain and in most people stimulates appetite, such that we consume 440 more calories per day, 365 days per year."

Asked if the farming industry could change back to the grain it formerly produced, Davis said it could, but it would not be economically feasible because it yields less per acre. However, Davis said a movement has begun with people turning away from wheat - and dropping substantial weight. "If three people lost eight pounds, big deal," he said. "But we're seeing hundreds of thousands of people losing 30, 80, 150 pounds. Diabetics become no longer diabetic; people with arthritis having dramatic relief. People losing leg swelling, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and on and on every day." To avoid these wheat-oriented products, Davis suggests eating "real food," such as avocados, olives, olive oil, meats, and vegetables. "(It's) the stuff that is least likely to have been changed by agribusiness," he said. "Certainly not grains. When I say grains, of course, over 90 percent of all grains we eat will be wheat, it's not barley... or flax. It's going to be wheat. "It's really a wheat issue."

Some health resources, such as the Mayo Clinic, advocate a more balanced diet that does include wheat. But Davis said on "CTM" they're just offering a poor alternative. "All that literature says is to replace something bad, white enriched products with something less bad, whole grains, and there's an apparent health benefit - 'Let's eat a whole bunch of less bad things.' So I take...unfiltered cigarettes and replace with Salem filtered cigarettes, you should smoke the Salems. That's the logic of nutrition, it's a deeply flawed logic. What if I take it to the next level, and we say, 'Let's eliminate all grains,' what happens then? "That's when you see, not improvements in health, that's when you see transformations in health."
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How To Avoid Food Brands Made With Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Genetic Engineering (GE) or Genetic Modification (GM) of food involves the laboratory process of artificially inserting genes into the DNA of food crops or animals. The result is called a genetically modified organism or GMO. GMOs can be engineered with genes from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals, or even humans. Most Americans say they would not eat GMOs if labeled, but unlike most other industrialized countries, the U.S. does not require labeling. Provided in this link, a Non-GMO Shopping Guide is designed to help reclaim your right to know about the foods you are buying, and help you find and avoid GMO foods and ingredients. Please take special note of the baby foods...

Naptime Nanny

Will any other nannies admit to taking short naps when the charge does? I love my job, love the family, and love the kids, but man... sometimes they wipe me out! A quick power nap while the baby naps (and older child is in school) is exactly what I need to perk back up. Does anyone else do this? Feel free to post with a different moniker if you crave anonymity. - Anonymous

3 Children, 2 Years, 3x the Work, 0 Raise

I have been with a family for over two years now. I have not once received a raise even though my job duties have increased 3x more than what I was told when I was hired. I do alot more than i should do and put up with alot more from this family than most would ever tolerate. Just recently my employer had twins. I have been caring for them since they were born, but just this week i will going from part time employee to fulltime. I care for a 2yr and twin 3 month olds. I was hired at $15 an hr for one child. No my employers not only dont want to give me a raise, they want to lower my hourly rate.... for three very difficult children. I do everything for this family and they wont even put a dish in the sink themselves. I deserve a raise, right? How much would you suggest hourly for these three young children? - Julie

Nanny's Job not Benefiting from Insurance

Hi, I have a question and would like some insight from other nannie's and families who employ them. I am 25 years old and have been working as a Nanny for the last 7 years. For those years, I was covered under my parent's insurance. Not sure if this stuff is the same in all states, but here in NJ, under certain insurance plans, a parent can only cover a child until they are 26. Unfortunately, one of those plans is the one I am on. So next year, when I am 26, I am no longer able to be covered by my parents. Private insurance rates have sky-rocketed, and I will definitely not be able to afford it. None of the families I have worked for have ever offered insurance.

My question is, what do other nannies do? Really only looking for nannie's who are in the same boat as me- single, and not able to be covered by their parents. And to the families who employ nannies, are you open to offering insurance coverage? If so, how is that done? I am starting my search for a new nanny position, and I am hoping to find a family who can provide these benefits, but from what i've seen in my area, most do not. Unfortunately this might be a deal breaker for me because I cannot go without insurance. I love being a Nanny but I'm concerned that i'm going to have to change my profession because of this issue. Any advice is appreciated! - Anonymous

Family Increase = Pay Increase

I have just been told that MB is expecting baby #2, which is super exciting! However, I am wondering how much of a pay increase I should expect/ask for considering the following: - I will reach the 1 year mark of employment in February - Baby is due in March - MB will go back to work when baby is 5 months old, so I will have a 5 month old and a 23 month old (18 months apart!) - I will still be working while MB is on Maternity leave, so I won't have both children alone very often until MB goes back to work (which in Canada is 12 months, but she is going back early) I make $450 gross/weekly for 24-32 hours/week (usually around the 28 hour range though...so basically $14-18/hour). How much of a raise should I expect/do you think is fair at the 1 year mark and with the addition of an infant? I am not trying to be greedy, I know they pay me well already, I am just curious! - Canada Nanny