Local Health News

Services , supports help children with autism spectrum disorders

By PAM G. DOWNING/Special to the Herald

The teacher knew that annual meetings for parents with special needs children sometimes were overwhelming. There were always lots of new faces, tons of papers and more information than most people can digest in a 60 minute period of time. For that re... Full story

Tu Salud: Food and Faith

By Lisa Mitchell-Bennett

Churches and faith communities (synagogues, mosques, and others) provide a unique opportunity for folks to influence each other for the better. Gathering at least weekly with people outside of your family to share and worship can provide social suppo... Full story

Preparing for Landon’s transition to middle school

By PAM G. DOWNING/Special to the Herald

As the school year moved to its last few days, the teacher was preparing her fifth graders to move on to middle school. One of those students was Landon. This young man had been in her classroom for five years. The teacher had actually watched the ... Full story

Transition to middle school important for children with autism

By PAM G. DOWNING/Special to the Herald

It was hard to believe that another school year was coming to an end. The teachers in general education classes had just finished STAAR testing throughout Texas. Special education students had been testing what is called STAAR Alt since early Novem... Full story

Autism Awareness Month winds down

By PAM G. DOWNING/Special to the Herald

Autism Awareness Month is coming to an end once again. Each year, more and more individuals become involved in the many activities going on throughout their own communities that pertain to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The City of Brownsville was ... Full story

Column: Look at Zumba

By Dr. Rose M.Z. Gowen

Zumba began in 2001 in Columbia and since then has grown into a contagious dance fitness phenomenon that today is enjoyed by more than 12 million people of all ages in more than 110,000 locations, and in over 125 countries. Last year we broke a Guinn... Full story

Ocho the Irish Wolfhound goes to school

By PAM G. DOWNING/Special to the Herald

The teacher told her students that a new "kid" was coming to class in a couple of days. She didn’t tell them a lot about who was coming as it was meant to be a big a surprise. A few of the children were curious about who she was talking about. Howe... Full story

April marks beginning of Autism Awareness Month

By PAM G. DOWNING/Special to the Herald

Imagine having the Empire State Building, the Sydney Opera House, the Cairo Tower, the Palacio del Belles Artes, the Great Buddha at Hyogo, and the Niagara Falls all colored bright blue on the same day. Imagine people and places throughout the worl... Full story

Zoo visit to classroom helpful for autistic students

Public funds have been cut throughout the country including those involving education. In the past, the children in room 623 had the opportunity to go to different places around the town a few times a year including to the Gladys Porter Zoo. Unfortun... Full story

Restaurant etiquette sometimes difficult for children with autism

By PAM G. DOWNING/Special to the Herald

Taking any child out to a restaurant can be a challenge at times. For a child with autism, it can become an adventure. Planning and preparing for the event will pay off in the long term. The students in Room 123 knew exactly what was expected of them... Full story