New Study May Help Develop Assessment Tests in Social-Emotional Learning

(CHICAGO) – Neurobehavioral researchers at Rush University Medical Center have found three key factors in a child’s behavior that can lead to social rejection. The studies are a crucial step in developing scientifically sound screening tests and treatment planning for social-emotional learning difficulties. The results from the studies are published in the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.

Findings from the pair of studies indicate that the ability to pick up on non-verbal cues and social cues in social interaction as well as recognize the meaning and respond appropriately to them are key to helping children develop skills to maintain friendships and avoid a host of problems in later life.

A child who experiences social rejection is more likely to suffer from academic failure, drop out of school, experience depression or anxiety, and experiment with drugs.

“Children’s ability to develop positive peer relationships is critical to their well-being,” said Dr. Clark McKown, study principal investigator and associate executive director and research director at the Rush NeuroBehavioral Center.  “Compared to children who are accepted by their peers, socially rejected children are at substantially elevated risk for later adjustment troubles.”

Researchers observed two groups of children. One was a random sample of 158 children in the Chicago school system.  The other group was a random sample of 126 clinic-referred children.

The studies indicate that some children have difficulty picking up on non-verbal or social cues.

According to McKown, “They simply don’t notice the way someone’s shoulders slump with disappointment, or hear the change in someone’s voice when they are excited, or take in whether a person’s face shows anger or sadness.”

A second major factor is that some children may pick up on non-verbal or social cues, but lack the ability to attach meaning to them.  The third factor is the ability to reason about social problems.

“Some children may notice social cues and understand what is happening, but are unable to do the social problem solving to behave appropriately,” said McKown.

A child who can take in social cues, recognize their meaning and respond appropriately, and who is capable of “self– regulating,” or controlling behavior, is more likely to have successful relationships.

“The number of children who cannot negotiate all these steps, and who are at risk of social rejection, is startling,” said McKown.

Nearly 13 percent of the school age population, or roughly four million children nationwide, have social-emotional learning difficulties.

For some time, behavioral scientists have known the social costs associated with this problem.  Illinois is one of a handful of states which require school districts to assess and monitor the social-emotional learning needs of its students.

“Because it was not known exactly which behaviors set a child up for failure, or how to measure these skills, it was difficult to provide support,” said McKown.  “Now, it will be possible to pinpoint which abilities a child needs to develop and offer help.”

According to researchers at Rush, the results of the studies could potentially help develop tests to assess for social-emotional learning that are easy to administer and scientifically sound.

The study was funded by the Dean and Rosemarie Buntrock Foundation and the William T. Grant Foundation.

About Rush NeuroBehavioral Center

Rush NeuroBehavioral Center (RNBC) serves the medical, psychological and educational needs of children with neurobehavioral issues with a special emphasis on social-emotional learning disorders. .These children have difficulty focusing, forming relationships, regulating behavior, or functioning effectively because of differences in the way their brains receive, process, and manage verbal and nonverbal information. Through  research, clinical practice, and education, RNBC seeks to enhance the understanding of the needs of those with neurobehavioral disorders, build on their strengths, and help them achieve their full potential.

Since 1997, RNBC has treated more than 12,000 children with such problems as Tourette’s Syndrome, Asperger’s Syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and language-based and non-verbal learning disabilities

About Rush University Medical Center

Rush University Medical Center is an academic medical center that encompasses the more than 600 staffed-bed hospital (including Rush Children’s Hospital), the Johnston R. Bowman Health Center and Rush University.  Rush University, with more than 1,730 students, is home to one of the first medical schools in the Midwest, and one of the nation’s top-ranked nursing colleges. Rush University also offers graduate programs in allied health and the basic sciences.  Rush is noted for bringing together clinical care and research to address major health problems, including arthritis and orthopedic disorders, cancer, heart disease, mental illness, neurological disorders and diseases associated with aging.

Additional Information

For more information about Rush NeuroBehavioral Center’s services and research initiatives please contact Kiersten Fischer via email to kiersten_fischer@rush.edu.

October 12, 2009
Contact: Michael Mesic  (847–644-9151)

Dr. Stephen Nowicki, Jr., renowned psychologist and behavioral researcher,
will present a talk on the dynamics and value of friendships from childhood through adulthood.

Annual Awards will honor Michael W. Ferro, Jr., a well-known entrepreneur and civic leader; Susan Noyes, a generous North Shore philanthropist and web site founder; and Joe Franco, an Aurora, Illinois, 12-year-old, and his family.

Chicago – Rush NeuroBehavioral Center (RNBC) celebrates thirteen years of helping children with learning disorders build on their strengths at its annual awards dinner, Wednesday evening, October 21 at the Four Seasons Hotel, 120 East Delaware Place in Chicago. This annual event raises funds to support RNBC’s educational, community outreach, and scholarship programs for underserved children in the Chicago area, as well as its nationally recognized research projects.

Dr. Stephen Nowicki, Jr., presents “Relationships for a Lifetime”

The evening begins with a presentation by Dr. Stephen Nowicki, Jr., world renowned psychologist and behavioral researcher. Called “Relationships for a Lifetime,” the presentation focuses on friendships from childhood through adulthood, as well as the necessary skills for a lifetime of healthy relationships. Dr. Nowicki will also answer questions after the presentation.

Dr. Nowicki explains, “Though the type of friendship differs dramatically over a lifetime, being connected to others in a close, positive way provides not only a reason to live, but also an impetus to thrive and prosper.  Learning how to relate begins at birth and continues throughout life.”

Dr. Nowicki taught at Emory University for 40 years where he served as Director of Clinical Training, Head of the Psychological Center, and Head of the Counseling Center. Among his many distinctions, he is the recipient of two Fulbright awards, was twice named a von Humboldt Scholar for Research in Germany, and has been awarded the Benjamin Meaker and Leverhulme Fellowships for research study in England.  He is also the author of more than 350 books and publications. He currently serves as a consultant to public school programs and maintains an active clinical practice.

Award Presentations to Michael Ferro, Susan Noyes, and Joe Franco

Following Dr. Nowicki’s talk, there will be cocktails and dinner and the presentation of awards to three remarkable individuals: Michael W. Ferro, Jr., Susan Noyes, and Joe Franco.

Michael W. Ferro, Jr., receives the “Living Proof Award”

Mr. Michael W. Ferro, Jr. will receive the “Living Proof Award,” given to recognize an individual for a lifetime of achievements. Mr. Ferro is Chairman and CEO of Merrick Ventures, LLC, and Chairman of Merge Healthcare (Nasdaq MRGE) a healthcare technology company.  As the Founder of Click Commerce, Mr. Ferro was an early pioneer of enabling business-to-business commerce over the Internet and is credited as the father of the “Extranet.”

Mr. Ferro is the Chairman of the Sports Advisory Council for the Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid.  He is also a Director on the Board of Trustees of The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, The Field Museum of Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Northwestern University and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He also serves on the boards of Children’s Memorial Hospital, The Northwestern Memorial Foundation and the Executive Committee of The Chicago Community Trust.  Mr. Ferro is the Vice Chairman of the World Health Imaging Alliance, a board member of the Economics Club of Chicago and a member of YPO and The Commercial Club of Chicago.

Mr. Ferro has received numerous awards and honors, including becoming a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute, winning the KPMG Illinois High-Tech Award, the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Technology and the 2005 CEO National Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Susan Noyes receives the “Pearl H. Rieger Award”

Ms. Susan B. Noyes will receive the “Pearl H. Rieger Award,” which pays tribute to an individual or institution that has made a significant difference in the lives of children with neurobehavioral issues. Susan Noyes’ support and insights have benefited not only RNBC, but many other organizations that help children learn and thrive.

She has worked to help every child feel special and recognize their own abilities and strengths through her efforts at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, where she contributed generously to the launch of their new educational leadership degree, Howard Gardner’s current research on collaboration and state-of-the-art facilities; the Chicago Public Education Fund (for which she was recruited by then State Senator Barack Obama), which focuses on improving education for the neediest children, and the board of New Trier High School, where she helped mitigate the effects of a culture of competition by working to ensure that every child had a meaningful experience and opportunity to participate in activities promoting personal growth.

Finally, as the founder of the online community resource Make It Better (and a new magazine of the same name), Susan B. Noyes is working to keep the idea of contributing to organizations benefiting children fresh and vital in the minds of her readers.

Joe Franco and his family receive the “Creating the Future Award”

Joe Franco and his family will receive the “Creating the Future Award,” which celebrates the success of a child affected by neurobehavioral issues and the family that has created an optimal environment for their child’s development.

We first saw Joe Franco at RNBC when he was 5 years old and frustrated by having social and language skills that couldn’t keep pace with his superior perception and reasoning skills. In the past seven years, Joe and his family have done absolutely everything they could and Joe has made fantastic progress.

He’s gone from being a boy who did not understand that others had thoughts and feelings of their own to a friendly and sensitive guy who always asks “How are you.” And after he asks, he listens to the answer. Joe exemplifies the enormous distance a child and his family can travel together.

RNBC is part of the Pediatrics Department of Rush University Medical Center

We celebrate the achievements, dedication, and success of our three award recipients, and all the children who have been helped by the clinical, educational, and research staffs at RNBC.  RNBC serves the medical, psychological and educational needs of children with learning and behavior disabilities, specializing in social-emotional learning disorders, including ADHD and autism.

RNBC Annual Awards Dinner details:

Location: Four Seasons Ballroom, 120 E. Delaware, Chicago

Date: October 21, Wednesday evening

Time:
5:00 PM: Dr. Nowicki Presentation
6:00 PM: Cocktails
7:00 PM: Dinner and Awards Program

Tickets must be purchased in advance
Tickets begin at $500 per person or $5,000 for a table of ten
Higher levels of contribution are available
To purchase tickets, please contact Bridgette Battaglia (RNBC) at 847–933-9339
Business attire required

For information about the Annual Awards Dinner or RNBC programs and services, please contact Michael Mesic (Mesic & Company) at 847–644-9151 You may also visit the RNBC website at www.rnbc.org.

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