(NewsUSA) - Artificial intelligence is likely to have a greater impact on the military’s wartime operations than on peacetime tasks, according to a new report from the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI.

The new report mapped 131 Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) to their closest civilian equivalents to assess the impact of AI on army personnel. Although the sample size was small and based on private sector task classification, the data provide a foundation for further study of AI in the military, the authors wrote.

“AI won’t replace the Army’s people, but it will transform how they work,” the experts emphasized.

Common AI tasks such as gathering information and identifying objects can take on life-or-death importance in a wartime setting, when actions may be simpler and more structured, thus suited to AI, according to the report. For example, infantry officers in peacetime settings currently have approximately 25% of their work affected by AI, mainly related to administrative tasks. By contrast, AI’s wartime applications, estimated at about a third of activity (33%) for infantry include situational awareness, analyzing data, gathering information, and targeted objects or events.

Based on the report, SCSP experts offered four policy priorities to help the U.S. prepare to optimize an AI-enabled military in the future.

-Lethality. Save time by using AI on automation of administrative or routine tasks, and spend it on active training and readiness for warfighting.

-Commercial Alignment. Optimize interactions with private sector counterparts by using AI to align workflows for more efficient commercial research and development, and reserve custom development for unique wartime functions.

-Combat Investment. AI’s greatest potential military application may be in actual wartime use for information gathering, situational awareness, and targeting.

-Retention. Last, but not least, AI has potential to help address the problem of burnout in the military. Company commanders work more than 12 hours a day. Using AI for routine administrative tasks “could transform quality of life for junior officers and their families; a strategic retention tool,” the experts concluded.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more.

(NewsUSA) - For nearly eight decades, the Marine Toys for Tots Program has brought hope and joy to disadvantaged children across the United States. What began as a Christmastime tradition has become a year‑round mission to deliver emotional comfort, educational resources, and critical support to millions of children in need. This impact is possible because of the generosity of the American public and through partnerships that raise awareness about the year-round mission and of the needs of children nationwide.

This Spring, two powerful forces amplified the mission: the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) team and The Balancing Act, the nationally televised morning show on Lifetime Television, hosted by longtime Toys for Tots advocate Montel Williams. These partnerships underscored one simple truth: Hope is most powerful when it is shared.

On Friday, April 17^th, The Balancing Act aired a dedicated segment on the Marine Toys for Tots Program. During the segment, Marine Toys for Tots President & CEO Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired) joined Montel Williams to discuss how the Program has evolved into a year-round force for good. Their conversation showcased the breadth of Toys for Tots’ programs—all created to support children long after the holidays have passed. Montel’s personal commitment to service, veterans, and uplifting families made this segment especially meaningful and introduced millions of viewers to the heart behind the mission.

“Our segment on The Balancing Act gave us an extraordinary opportunity to show families nationwide that Toys for Tots delivers hope throughout the year,” says LtGen Laster. "Reaching viewers in their homes deepened our ability to connect children with the support and comfort they deserve."

Then, on Sunday, April 19^th, the No. 3 Toys for Tots Chevrolet, driven by Austin Dillon, took to the track in Kansas City as part of the Rev Up for Hope initiative to raise awareness for the Toys for Tots Disaster Response and Recovery Program.

Race weekend represented more than the excitement of competition. Just as Austin Dillon relies on focus and preparation, Toys for Tots maintains year‑round readiness to deliver toys, books, and emotional relief packages to families facing devastating loss—whether from natural disasters, displacement, or financial hardship.

“As Austin Dillon took the track, he carried with him the impact of every donor who believes in our mission. Each lap symbolized the hope we deliver to children facing hardship,” said LtGen Laster. “This partnership with Richard Childress Racing and race day gave us a powerful platform, but it’s the generosity of our supporters that transforms awareness into real, life‑changing help for children.”

By joining forces on the track and on the air, these partnerships help extend Toys for Tots’ impact to more children and families when it matters most. Thanks to the American public’s generosity, Toys for Tots can continue uplifting children across America—one lap, one story, and one act of kindness at a time. Hope doesn’t happen by accident; it happens because people choose to care.

To learn more about the Marine Toys for Tots Program and its year‑round mission, or to donate, visit www.toysfortots.org.

(Health In Hand Foundation) - As warm weather approaches, it’s time to spread the word about spreading sunscreen.

This season, a cross-industry campaign is promoting skin protection from the sun as a public health priority and emphasizes the value of sunscreen as an everyday essential for protecting your health and reducing your risk of skin cancer.

FDA-regulated sunscreens are proven to help prevent sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer when used as directed, but according to The Skin Cancer Foundation, fewer than 14% of Americans report daily sunscreen use. The #WearSunscreen campaign aims to increase that percentage. By reaching consumers across industry, healthcare, and community channels, the campaign encourages people to protect their skin every day, regardless of season, weather, or skin tone.

The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), and the Health In Hand Foundation, with help from the Melanoma Research Foundation and The Skin Cancer Foundation, are expanding the #WearSunscreen campaign through public service announcements across print, broadcast, and social media.

The campaign messages include testimonials from skin cancer survivors and other skin health advocates and influencers to raise awareness of the need for sun protection and encourage preventive behaviors nationwide.

“While melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, the most common cancer in the U.S., over 90% of melanomas are considered preventable and when detected early, are highly treatable,” said James Merrick, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, the Melanoma Research Foundation. “Embracing sun safe behaviors such as the daily use of sunscreen, agnostic of ethnicity, gender, age and race is critical to decreasing the risk of melanoma incidence. We are pleased to represent the melanoma patient and survivor community and join the collaborative #WearSunscreen campaign to help educate all about the harmful effects of UV rays and amplify the importance of melanoma prevention.”

Consumers are encouraged to use the hashtag #WearSunscreen to share their sun safety habits, highlight why sunscreen matters, and empower others to take simple steps to protect their skin, like using a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, seeking shade, and wearing protective clothing. The #WearSunscreen campaign aims to increase public awareness by sharing facts, free resources, and expert advice. Campaign partners are working together to provide tools and information that make it easier for consumers to incorporate sun protection into their daily routines, and by educating them about the wide range of sunscreen formulations designed to meet diverse needs, all supported by rigorous scientific evaluation and oversight.

“Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and nearly one in five Americans will develop it by age 70,” said Mary Leonard, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of CHPA’s Health In Hand Foundation. “Still, daily sun protection is not the norm. Through this campaign, we are working together to change that by providing consumers with clear, trusted information about the wide range of FDA-regulated sunscreen options available, so sun safety becomes an easy, everyday part of protecting health.”

Visit personalcarecouncil.org/sunscreen or healthinhand.org/sunscreen to learn more.

(NewsUSA) - School absenteeism remains a significant problem in the United States. Long-term improvement in attendance requires reframing the problem as more than a compliance issue, according to Concentric Educational Solutions, an organization that collaborates with school systems and community partners nationwide to identify and address barriers to school attendance.

Instead, data support the importance of addressing the often-unrecognized barriers faced by many families, including health challenges, housing instability, transportation logistics, and lack of connection to their school community, as a way to reduce chronic school absenteeism.

To highlight current challenges to school attendance, Concentric Educational Solutions released a white paper, “Redefining the Attendance Paradigm,” which outlined the scope of the problem. In the 2021-2022 school year, 4.7 million students were chronically absent. These rates were nearly double pre-pandemic levels, and affected every demographic group, indicating a long-term problem exacerbated by the short-term pandemic disruption.

“True solutions will come from innovative, compassionate leaders who understand that a story is just as valuable as a number,” said Ivory A. Toldson, Ph.D., Chief of Research at Concentric Educational Solutions and lead author of the paper. The paper “challenges all stakeholders to abandon outdated, punitive measures and embrace human-centered strategies for long-term student success,” Toldson emphasized.

Some of the key takeaway messages of the report include:

-Economic impact. The reduced earning potential caused by chronic absenteeism costs the United States economy billions of dollars, including increased need for social services and reduced workforce readiness.

-Systemic causes. Contrary to popular belief, the main drivers of chronic absenteeism include poverty, housing instability, health issues, and school climate, rather than parental neglect or student defiance.

-Concentric solutions. The Concentric Model, based on a combination of home visits and wraparound support, has demonstrated more success in reducing chronic absenteeism than punitive measures, which have not been shown to improve attendance and disproportionately harm students in poverty and students of color.

Overall, the most successful strategies to combat chronic absenteeism involve engaging families, removing barriers, and building relationships, according to Toldson. Supporting children’s return to school and re-engagement in learning will allow them to find paths to their full potential, he said.

To read the full paper and learn more, visit concentriced.org.

(BookTrib) - “The Woman from Warsaw” by Salah el Moncef

Set in wartime Benghazi, “The Woman from Warsaw” is a sweeping and intimate portrait of courage, exile and resilience. In luminous prose, Salah el Moncef traces the intertwined destinies of Mariam Khaldoon, a young girl coming of age amid the ruins of empire, and Esther Sanz, a refugee whose quiet defiance reshapes every life around her. This haunting novel captures the beauty and terror of a world collapsing, yet refuses despair.

“The Woman from Warsaw” transforms history into living experience — each page steeped in the colors, sounds and moral tensions of the Mediterranean at war. The author writes with the lyric precision of a poet and the moral vision of a historian, reminding us that even in humanity’s darkest hours, tenderness endures. In this work, Moncef reveals the full measure of his craft, writing at the height of his powers.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4m4vsM4, listen to an excerpt from the novel at https://tinyurl.com/the-woman-from-warsaw-excerpt or read advance reviews at https://tinyurl.com/the-woman-from-warsaw-reviews.

“Kyla's Kite Is Flying” by Simon P.J. Dorey

In this imaginative and touching children’s picture book, Kyla receives a very special gift for her birthday — a trick kite. With her parents' help, she sets it aloft and learns to maneuver it. But then the unexpected happens: Kyla gets tangled in the kite and carried away by the wind. At first, Kyla is scared. How will she get down? But soon she learns to control her flight and performs amazing tricks! As she flies, she undergoes a transformation that will take her far from her family and the world below to a peaceful place full of love and joy.

Available in English, French and Spanish, “Kyla's Kite Is Flying” is a comforting tale of how love transcends death, inspired by the author’s niece, who passed away when she was very young. All net proceeds from the book's sale go to children’s hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. From April 2, 2026, to May 15th, 2026, purchasers can designate the funds to the participating hospital of their choice.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/kylas-kite to purchase or learn more.

“Seeds of Purpose: Seven Keys to Unlock Your Gifts and Fulfill God's Desired Will for Your Life” by Marlyse Tchamko

“Seeds of Purpose” offers a faith-centered guide for readers seeking clarity, identity and direction in their lives. Drawing from her own spiritual journey, Marlyse Tchamko presents seven practical, biblically grounded principles designed to help readers grow closer to Christ and better understand their unique calling.

Blending scripture with real-life insights, the book explores how to build strong relationships, make values-driven decisions, and steward your innate gifts with intention. Each “key” serves as both encouragement and an action plan, inviting readers to deepen their faith as they navigate everyday challenges with purpose and integrity.

Written as a guide for teens but accessible to a broader audience, “Seeds of Purpose” speaks to anyone searching for meaning. Tchamko’s message is clear: discovering who you are begins with understanding whose you are — and living boldly from that truth.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4msRngt.

“Fault Line: Still Standing” by Tim Smith

In “Fault Line: Still Standing,” Tim Smith delivers a searing yet ultimately uplifting memoir of a childhood shaped by instability, neglect and emotional abuse — and the long road to reclaiming a sense of self. Growing up in the rural South, Smith navigates a world where love is unpredictable and safety is never guaranteed, from chaotic homes and volatile caregivers to the quiet loneliness of being unseen and misunderstood.

As he moves through adolescence, marked by bullying, shame and questions of identity, small moments of refuge — teachers, books and creativity — offer glimpses of another life. But it isn’t until adulthood that Smith begins the difficult work of confronting his past and rebuilding on his own terms.

Told with raw honesty and surprising flashes of humor, this is a story of survival, resilience and, ultimately, healing — a testament to what it means to endure and still find a way forward.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4ccKydY.

(NewsUSA) - Next-generation robotics and advanced manufacturing are key to preserving American leadership in technology and AI, but the United States has fallen behind China in this essential arena, according to a new report from the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI.

In the report, The Robot Deficit: Diagnosing the U.S.-China Competition in Robotics for Advanced Manufacturing, SCSP outlines how the competition for leadership in the robotics space has shifted as China has rapidly accelerated its activity in this space.

Attention to robotics is essential as the United States strives to improve its domestic manufacturing capacity, according to SCSP experts. Humans simply can’t manufacture the leading-edge products that will support dominance in technology, such as semiconductors and quantum devices, at the necessary scale. “In these domains, the ability to automate is synonymous with the ability to produce,” the experts noted in their new report.

Although the United States maintains a lead in cutting-edge innovation leadership and capabilities regarding software prowess, it has fallen short on developing the robotic automatic necessary to manufacture the components of technology—the semiconductors and quantum devices that can’t be manufactured at scale by humans.

According to the report, the U.S. needs to address four key areas:

Industrial Capacity. The U.S. currently trails China in manufacturing scale, supply chains, and raw materials. The U.S. reliance on imported components is a potential disadvantage to building automation tools in the event of a trade disruption or conflict.

Market Ecosystem. In 2024, China accounted for 54% of all global industrial robot installations. By contrast, the U.S. dominates venture capital funding but favors high-margin software over physical hardware. Changes are needed to expand industrial scaling.

Talent Pipeline. The good news: The United States attracts the top 1% of global elite researchers. However, experts predict that more than 2 million manufacturing jobs in will go unfilled, leaving a critical structural labor gap. China is working to reverse the brain drain and keep talent at home, while also launching significant academic programs in robotics.

National Leverage. Robotics in the United States remains highly fragmented because of a combination of bureaucratic bottlenecks and the lack of a comprehensive national plan.

Potential solutions to the deficit in robotics involve the government and industry working together, with measures including tax incentives for robotics, federally funded programs, and a dedicated government office to prioritize robotics and advanced manufacturing. Whether these plans succeed remains to be seen.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more.

The need for robotics manufacturing capacity is a strategic asset that the United States needs to rebuild, yet structural bottlenecks make such an objective unsustainable with current infrastructure.

(U.S. Money Reserve) - Gold prices near historic highs amid inflation concerns are prompting Americans to consider precious metals for retirement portfolios. A self-directed precious metals IRA holds physical gold, silver, platinum, or palladium instead of traditional stocks and bonds, following specific IRS rules that differ from standard retirement accounts.

IRS requirements and approved metals

The IRS imposes strict requirements on gold IRAs, with violations leading to taxes, penalties, or account disqualification. Only metals meeting the minimum purity qualify: gold at 99.5% pure (except American Gold Eagles at 91.67%), silver at 99.9% pure, and platinum and palladium at 99.95% pure. Common eligible products
include American Gold Eagles, American Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, and bars from approved refiners.

An IRS-approved custodian must manage the metals, with storage required in an approved depository—home storage disqualifies the account. Contribution limits follow standard IRA rules: $7,500 for 2026 ($8,600 if age 50 or older).

How to set up a gold IRA rollover

"For those who opened or added to a self-directed IRA, having total control over its asset mix—and knowing that mix includes precious metals—may have provided additional peace of mind."

— Philip N. Diehl, President of U.S. Money Reserve and former Director of the U.S. Mint

The process involves selecting a dealer like U.S. Money Reserve, which offers the Gold Standard IRA program, choosing an IRS-approved custodian, and funding through 401(k) rollovers, IRA transfers, or new contributions. Account holders then select approved metals and arrange depository storage, choosing between segregated or commingled options.

Costs and considerations

Gold IRAs incur higher fees than standard IRAs: setup fees of $50–$150, annual custodian fees of $75–$300, and storage fees of 0.5%–1% of value or $100–$300 annually. Total annual costs often range from $200–$500 for moderate accounts.

Advisors often recommend 5–15% allocation to precious metals for diversification without overexposure. Gold IRAs suit investors seeking alternatives to stocks and bonds, hedging inflation risks, and preferring tangible assets with tolerance for higher fees. U.S. Money Reserve's Gold Standard IRA program provides dedicated account executives and step-by-step guidance for the setup process.

Gold IRAs complement broader portfolios rather than replace them, requiring careful consideration of individual retirement goals and risk tolerance.

For those exploring precious metals as part of a retirement strategy, U.S. Money Reserve offers complimentary consultations with experienced account specialists. Order your free IRA Information Kit or call 1-855-329-3272.

Key Takeaways

• What it is: A self-directed IRA holding physical gold, silver, platinum, or palladium instead of stocks/bonds.
• Purity standards: Gold must be 99.5% pure (American Gold Eagles exempt at 91.67%); silver 99.9%; platinum/palladium 99.95%.
• Home storage: Not allowed—metals must be held in an IRS-approved depository.
• Setup time: Typically 2–3 weeks when working with an experienced dealer.
• Annual costs: Usually $200–$500 for moderate accounts (setup + custodian + storage fees).
• Recommended allocation: Advisors commonly suggest 5–15% of a retirement portfolio.
• Learn more: usmoneyreserve.com

(NewsUSA) - For decades, a quiet “third party” has sat in exam rooms across America: the computer screen. Patients have grown used to seeing the back of their doctor’s head—eyes fixed on a keyboard or tablet instead of on them—as notes are diligently entered.

That dynamic is starting to change.

ModMed^®, a leading provider of software and services to specialty medical practices, is spearheading a shift toward using artificial intelligence to restore the human connection in medicine. Its AI-powered Assistant, ModMed Scribe 2.0, listens in the background and automatically suggests relevant content for patient visit notes, helping providers trade screens for eye contact and data points for dialogue.

For Dr. James Bienvenu, a urologic oncologist who sees dozens of patients each day, the administrative workload once felt like a second job waiting after hours.

"When you see dozens of patients a day, the sheer volume of clinical documentation can easily become overwhelming," said Bienvenu. “ModMed Scribe has revolutionized my patient interactions. The AI quietly captures the natural flow of our conversation in the background, allowing me to maintain eye contact and stay fully engaged without the distraction of a screen. It has reduced my documentation time by 50% while helping me make sure the patient history is spot on and every billable service is accurately captured. I’m now completing most of my notes before a patient checks out. It’s allowed me to look at my patients instead of a screen."

I Left Feeling Heard, Not Just Processed

For patients like Mary Beth Johnson, who visits specialists in New York for routine wellness and preventive care, the difference has been immediate and tangible.

"In the past, I felt like I was competing with the computer for my doctor's attention. You’d mention something important, and you could see them turn to the screen. This time, there was nothing in between us. We just talked. It felt personal again—like the kind of care people used to talk about—but with modern technology quietly supporting it. I left feeling heard, not just processed."

A Smarter Practice, From Check-In to Follow-Up

ModMed is building the AI-Powered Practice™ to support the entire patient journey by bringing powerful AI Assistants to every corner of a specialty medical practice—from scheduling and visits to billing and follow-up. These Assistants take over repetitive, mundane tasks, freeing up providers to focus on the important work of providing quality care.

"Healthcare will always be human at its core," said Dan Cane, co-CEO and co-Founder, ModMed. "Our goal isn't to replace the doctor with AI; it's to use AI to get the technology out of the way.”

Beyond efficiency, providers report something harder to measure but just as important: relief. By reducing documentation demands, the technology can eliminate hours of administrative busywork, providing much-needed breathing room.

Specifically, providers say they’re now finishing notes before leaving the office—and, more importantly, walking into each visit more present and less distracted.

Cane commented further: “As AI continues to permeate the medical field, the gold standard for success won't be measured by efficiency and speed alone—it will be measured by the minutes of human connection restored between a provider and their patient.”

About ModMed

At ModMed, we empower medical practices to grow and scale by delivering better patient experiences with cloud, data and AI technologies. Leveraging extensive clinical datasets, we design intelligent software solutions to simplify, automate and streamline clinical workflows and drive practice efficiency. Our specialty-specific EHR, practice management, revenue cycle management and analytics solutions, as well as products for patient engagement, payment processing and marketing, are trusted by over 40,000 providers to drive clinical and operational success. Learn more at modmed.com, read our blog and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Instagram.

(BookTrib) - Just for Love, A Moment in Time: Our Tomorrows Are Today and Tomorrow by Len Guardino

What happens when the life you built no longer feels like your own?

In this original romantic comedy musical stage play, Ellen Taylor appears to have it all — wealth, family and social standing — but beneath the surface, something essential is missing. One unexpected night out changes everything when she quite literally collides with Grant Michaels, a charismatic nightclub singer. What begins as playful banter quickly sparks a deeper connection, awakening emotions Ellen has long suppressed.

As their relationship evolves into both a romance and a creative partnership, Ellen is forced to confront the tension between security and fulfillment, responsibility and desire. With sharp dialogue, screwball humor and musical interludes that bring inner conflicts to life, the story explores what it means to rediscover yourself later in life — and whether it’s ever too late to choose passion over perfection.

Blending romance, satire and theatrical flair, this is a story about awakening, reinvention and the risks of following your heart.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4byaWQE.

“Other People: A Memoir and Reflections on Trauma, Connection, Meaning, and the Neuroscience of Healing” by Michael S. Piraino

Blending memoir with accessible neuroscience, “Other People” by Michael S. Piraino is a deeply human exploration of how we heal from trauma — and why we can’t do it alone. Drawing from his own life and decades of work with foster youth and families, Piraino reflects on the moments, relationships and insights that helped him transform pain into purpose.

Rather than offering quick fixes, he reveals how trauma shapes the brain — and how connection, meaning and empathy can help rewire it. Personal stories unfold alongside clear, compassionate explanations of the science behind resilience, making complex ideas feel both relatable and hopeful.

At its core, this is a book about the people who shape us: the ones who hurt us, the ones who help us and the ones who walk beside us as we find our way forward. Thoughtful and inspiring, “Other People” reminds readers that healing is not a solitary act — it’s a shared human experience.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4lwj9rE.

“Changing Cadence: Friendship, Football and the Art of Transition” by Andra Douglas

“Changing Cadence” by Andra Douglas is a heartfelt, semi-autobiographical novel about friendship, football and the transitions that redefine us at every stage of life. Through Christine — a former quarterback turned owner of the New York Sharks women’s tackle football team — the story explores what it means to step away from a defining role while facing the future head-on.

As Christine prepares to sell the team after one final season, her life is further complicated by her mother Dorothy’s move from the family’s Florida ranch to an assisted living community known as The Commons. There, a lively group of residents becomes unexpectedly invested in the Sharks’ farewell season, following the team from afar.

Moving between New York City and rural Florida, Douglas captures an unlikely bond between generations — blending humor, nostalgia and emotional depth in a story about letting go, holding on and finding meaning in life’s next chapter.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4uUECPy.

(NewsUSA) - OLD WESTBURY, NY - 30 de Marzo de 2026 (NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE) - Abril es el Mes de la Aceptación del Autismo, y los expertos estiman ahora que uno de cada 31 niños en Estados Unidos tiene un trastorno del espectro autista.

Para ayudar a los padres a comprender mejor cómo apoyar a los niños dentro del espectro, Alexander Lopez, J.D., OT/L, profesor asociado de terapia ocupacional en el New York Institute of Technology, comparte orientación práctica y consejos—incluido cómo el ejercicio puede mejorar la función motora (coordinación muscular) y el rendimiento cognitivo.

Los niños con necesidades especiales suelen tener pocas oportunidades de hacer ejercicio y desarrollar las habilidades fundamentales necesarias para participar en actividades convencionales. Por ejemplo, aprender a balancear un bate de béisbol puede mejorar la coordinación, el equilibrio, la atención y la planificación. Estas habilidades esenciales pueden transferirse luego a la mayoría de las actividades diarias.

Lopez, terapeuta ocupacional licenciado, ha desarrollado programas deportivos específicos diseñados para ayudar al cerebro del niño a procesar la información sensorial, favoreciendo cambios estructurales y funcionales en el cerebro.

“El cerebro y el cuerpo son excepcionalmente maleables, y las intervenciones de terapia ocupacional que utilizan deportes y ejercicio pueden mejorar el rendimiento cerebral y ayudar a los niños a desarrollar estrategias para minimizar o controlar los efectos de la información sensorial desagradable o confusa”, explica Lopez, quien también es fundador del gimnasio sin fines de lucro Inclusive Sports and Fitness, Inc., que recientemente abrió una sede en el campus de New York Tech en Old Westbury, Nueva York.

Además de mejorar sus habilidades físicas, los niños que participan en el programa basado en ejercicio de Lopez desarrollan amistades duraderas y confianza en sí mismos, beneficios que se reflejan en casi todos los aspectos de sus vidas. Las familias reportan mejores resultados en el hogar y en la escuela, incluidos avances emocionales, conductuales y académicos. Por supuesto, las lecciones y experiencias que los niños adquieren fuera del gimnasio también son importantes. Lopez invita a los padres a presentar un frente unido, lo que incluye ofrecer mensajes coherentes, hacer cumplir reglas y límites, y animar a sus hijos a alcanzar su máximo potencial individual.

“A pesar de enfrentar ciertos desafíos del desarrollo, un niño con autismo no está definido únicamente por su condición”, explica Lopez. “Ese niño sigue siendo una persona completa, con sus propias habilidades, potencial y fortalezas. Con recursos de apoyo, una crianza afectuosa y terapias específicas, muchos niños dentro del espectro autista desarrollan mayor independencia, confianza y una participación significativa en la vida cotidiana. Pero la base de ese éxito comienza en casa. Cuando los padres brindan estructura constante y utilizan el refuerzo positivo, crean un entorno donde su hijo puede desarrollar habilidades, sentirse exitoso y prosperar.”

Lopez también enfatiza la importancia de establecer expectativas, mantener rutinas diarias desde edades tempranas, usar horarios estructurados y listas visuales para actividades como cepillarse los dientes o vestirse, lo que puede ayudar a los niños a volverse más autosuficientes con el tiempo. Al aplicar las mismas estrategias fundamentales —consistencia, estructura y refuerzo positivo— los padres pueden fomentar la autonomía, el desarrollo de habilidades y un sentido de logro que crece junto con el niño.

Lopez es uno de los muchos profesores de New York Tech que aportan su experiencia para ayudar a enfrentar retos del mundo real. Visite nyit.edu para obtener más información.

 

Título de la imagen: Alexander López (izquierda), terapeuta ocupacional licenciado en el Instituto de Tecnología de Nueva York, ha desarrollado programas deportivos diseñados para ayudar a los niños con autismo.