• What is Autism?

• Tips for Terrific Teeth: A Guide for Parents

• Benefits Corner

• Autism Awareness Month

• Autism Family Social

• Keeping Students Healthy, Physically Fit, and Learning

• Fitness Center Discounts
  for MISD Staff

• Water Aerobics

Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month. Autism is a developmental disability that generally appears during the first three years of life. There is no single cause and it affects families of all racial, ethnic and social backgrounds. One in 250 children will develop some form of autism. Autism has many characteristics. These can include a resistance to change, tantrums, difficulty mixing with others, difficulty expressing needs, no real fear of danger, and unwillingness to cuddle. Studies show that those with autism respond well to a highly structured specialized education program tailored to their needs. There is no single method of treatment. To learn more about autism, log on to www.autism-society.org or www.cdc.gov.

Also, call McAllen ISD’s Special Education Dept. at 632-3285 for more information.

Autism Family Social

A Family Social for those with autistic children will be 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 17, at Lark Community Center at 2601 Lark Ave. in McAllen. To order an Autism Awareness t-shirt or for more information, call 632-3285.

Keeping Students Healthy, Physically Fit, and Learning

Research tells us that children’s nutrition and physical activity have a direct impact on their health, energy levels, and positive behaviors. Yet, new statistics on the health of our nation’s youth indicate that more and more children are adopting unhealthy eating habits and inactive lifestyles. To deal with this growing problem, schools, teachers, parents, and community members across the country are providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to stay healthy and fit.

Childhood Overweight:
 A National Crisis

In the past 20 years, the percentage of overweight children in the United States has doubled. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Survey, 15% of children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 19 (almost 9 million) are overweight. This represents a 4% increase from the overweight estimates of the previous Survey.

The long-term health consequences of childhood overweight and sedentary lifestyles are great. According to a report by the Surgeon General, overweight children have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. This increases to 80% if one or more parent is overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity are associated with heart disease, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke, arthritis, and other health problems.

The number of young people being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is of particular concern. Two decades ago, type 2 diabetes was considered an adult disease. Today, however, children and adolescents are being diagnosed with it at a distressing rate.

“Americans need to understand that overweight and obesity are literally killing us,” U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson said when launching a new research strategy and national education campaign against overweight and obesity. “To know that poor eating habits and inactivity are on the verge of surpassing tobacco use as the leading cause of preventable death in America should motivate all Americans to take action to protect their health. We need to tackle America’s weight issues as aggressively as we are addressing smoking and tobacco.”

Why Should Schools Be Concerned About Physical Fitness?

In addition to health and wellness, preliminary research suggests a direct link between physical activity and improved academic performance. Studies have found that participation in physical activity increases adolescents’ self esteem, as well as their physical and mental health. They are also less likely to be regular or heavy smokers or use drugs or alcohol, and more likely to stay in school, have good conduct, and experience high academic achievement. Studies also show that good nutrition also enhances school achievement.3 For these reasons, schools must be concerned with students’ health and fitness.

http://www.thechallenge.org/17-v13no2/v13n2-keeping-1.htm

Water Aerobics

Wellness...a way of life!

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

Autism is one of five disorders coming under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development," including social interaction and communications skills (DSM-IV-TR). The five disorders under PDD are Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), Rett's Disorder, and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Each of these disorders has specific diagnostic criteria as outlined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in its Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

Prevalence of Autism

Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 250 births (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2003). This means that as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism.

And that number is on the rise. Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a rate of 10-17 percent per year. At these rates, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.

The overall incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, but is four times more prevalent in boys than girls. Autism knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries, and family income, lifestyle, and educational levels do not affect the chance of autism's occurrence.
 

© Copyright 2004, Autism Society of America.

Tips for Terrific Teeth:
A Guide for Parents

Start Cleaning Teeth Daily

• Start cleaning your baby’s gums at birth with a soft infant toothbrush and water or with a clean, damp cloth.

• Start using toothpaste with fluoride when your child is 2 years old.

• Take your child to a dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between 6 and 12 months of age.

• Use toothpaste with fluoride before the age of 2 if your child’s doctor or dentist recommends it.

Prevent Tooth Decay

• Encourage your child to drink from a cup around his or her 1st birthday.

• Children should not fall asleep with a bottle.

• Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided—it should be in a cup or, better yet, give them water!

Use the Right Amount of Fluoride Toothpaste

• Use only a small amount of toothpaste (about the size of a pea).

• While fluoride is important for fighting cavities, don’t allow your child to swallow the toothpaste. Too much fluoride may cause white spots on his or her teeth.

• Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste and rinse well after brushing.

Supervise Brushing

• Brush your child’s teeth twice a day until your child can handle the toothbrush alone.

• Watch your child’s brushing to make sure the child is doing a good job and using only a small amount of toothpaste.

Talk to Your Child’s Doctor or Dentist

• Ask the doctor or dentist about your child’s specific fluoride needs. Children older than 6 months may need extra fluoride if your drinking water does not have enough.

• Children younger than 6 years old should not use a fluoride mouth rinse unless it is recommended by a doctor or dentist.

• After age 2, most children get the right amount of fluoride to help prevent cavities if they drink water that contains fluoride and brush their teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day.

http://fcs.tamu.edu/health/child_health/teeth/tips_for_teriffic_teeth.php

Compare Your Health Bills and Statements

Many of us routinely pause to check our grocery store receipts to make sure we are being charged correctly for our purchases. So why not give the same attention to health care receipts? You should, and it’s easy!

When you receive your Explanation of Benefits statement (EOB) in the mail, review it carefully. Make sure the services listed are what you received. The following information is included on your EOB. Take a moment to be sure it’s correct.

• The patient’s name

• The health plan number

• The name of the facility where the services were performed

• How much coinsurance was applied

• The amount of the total payment

• To whom the payment is being made

• Any balance due that you need to pay the provider or submit to a secondary insurance carrier, if applicable.

Call Mutual of Omaha’s customer service (the number is on your ID card) if:

• You were billed for treatments you never received.

• You were charged more than once for the same service.

• You were told that you would not have to pay all or part of your deductible or co-payment.

• Charges shown reflect a higher amount than the provider said you would be responsible for paying.

• You have questions.

Reviewing your EOB is an easy way to stay aware of how your health care dollars are spent. It’s one way to Take Charge of your health care.

About Formulary Drug Lists

To help control costs and ensure the effectiveness of the medications you take, your prescription drug program is based on a “formulary.” A formulary is a list of preferred generic and brand-name drugs. Your formulary list includes some brand-name drugs that have been around for awhile—and it’s common for doctors to prescribe them because they have been proven effective. Other brand-name drugs that are new on the market and not as widely prescribed by doctors may not be on the list. Those drugs may be more expensive than other drug options that give you the same results. When you have more than one choice of a brand-name drug, ask your doctor to look at your formulary list. The medication on the list may be just as effective, but you’ll pay less. Take Charge of your health care by remembering to ask for drugs on your formulary list. Need a copy the formulary? Look in your enrollment packet, stop by Employee Benefits or visit mutualofomaha.com.
 

Mr. Andres Silva is the Director of Employee Benefits/Risk Management

Statistics prove regular exercise can help reduce, stress, depression, insomnia, high blood pressure and heart disease. It can also improve circulation, weight management, muscle tone, self - esteem, and osteoporosis, so what are we waiting for, lets get started.

There are two fitness centers that offer group discounts for MISD employees.

Have a great workout!