Posts Tagged ‘testing’

New Exciting Applications of DNA Testing

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

Ever since the DNA Testing was first successfully carried out in mid 1980s, more and more applications have been found for it. Many of these applications of DNA Testing have in turn revolutionized the world in various ways.


Initially, DNA Testing was carried out for forensic purposes only, mainly in resolving crimes. As it were, through the use of DNA Testing in what is popularly known as DNA fingerprinting, detectives are able to almost inextricably link suspects to crimes in ways there were not previously possible. The use of DNA Testing typically finds application in the resolution of serious crimes and has been used successfully in resolving murder, rape and other similar heinous crimes.??? This application of DNA Testing in crime resolution has in turn helped to nail down suspects who would have otherwise gotten away with grave crimes, and also helped exonerate some suspects who were otherwise bound to suffer for wrongs they didn??t do or even contemplate in some cases.???


With time, other forensic applications of DNA Testing, besides crime resolution have been developed. One of these is ancestry testing. Through DNA profiles, it now possible to conduct accurate ancestry testing and to determine one??s ancestry with a degree of certainty that was not previously possible. Before the advent of DNA based ancestry testing, people had to rely on genealogical records to determine their ancestry. The problem with this approach was that not all families have always kept formal genealogical records. And even for the families that have always kept such records, they do tend to be inaccurate ?? at least as far as blood relations are concerned ?? as people have always tended to have some children out of marriages ?? or sow wild oats as the trend is also called in some quarters.


And besides forensic applications, DNA Testing is also increasingly finding application in paternity testing. The use of DNA in paternity testing is basically based on the premise the while the general human DNA sequence is basically identical in all people, there are some patterns in the sequence that do vary from person to person. And it has been further observed that these variable DNA sequence patterns are more similar in people who are related (by blood) than in people who are unrelated.??? This makes it possible to determine paternity based on these DNA sequence patterns. And seeing how contentious an issue paternity can be, this DNA based paternity testing has been of great help to children, who otherwise risked being neglected by their fathers. It has also helped many men, who would have otherwise ended up being compelled to bring up children they didn??t sire. DNA based paternity testing has also made men more responsible in their siring adventures.


DNA Testing is also being applied in medicine to determine which genes seem to be co-relating with what diseases. At the culmination of these studies, it is expected that through DNA Testing, everyone will be able to determine their disease risk factors, and hopefully take steps to mitigate them. This is because in most hereditary diseases, the heredity only results in a predisposition to the disease, rather than resulting in the disease itself. In most cases, it takes a trigger to make this predisposition translate into the actual disease, and if steps are taken to avoid the triggerScience Articles, one can be safe from the hereditary disease in question.


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Effective Paternity Testing From Home

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Over the years, determining the biological father of a child has played a very big role in our way of life. It has impacted many child custody cases, as well as divorce and insurance claim cases. If you are looking for a way to find out who the biological father of your child is, a home paternity test can help. Of course, the thing that you have to know about a paternity test is that it does not really come out and tell you who is the father. Instead, it rules out the possibility of someone being the father of your child. We will get deeper into detail in this, as well as cover more information about paternity tests in just a moments. If you go into find out who is the father of your child, they are going to use DNA testing. Before DNA testing came along, paternity testing was the only way to go, and now you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Now, as said before, the home paternity test actually rules out someone being the father. Pretty much, blood samples are taken from the child and the person you may suspect is the father. Then through ABO cross typing, you can quickly eliminate someone that is not the father. For example, if a child has B component blood and the person you think is the father has strictly A, then that person could not be the father. On the other hand, just because a person has the B component does not mean that he is the father, it just does not rule him out. So, as said before, this is not a test to prove that someone is the father. It’s the test to prove that someone is not.

As you can guess, DNA testing is a lot more accurate than a paternity test. However, since you can use the paternity test from home, the paternity test is a lot easier to do. Not only that, but it also costs a lot less money. Although you can not tell who a farther is by a paternity test, you can find out who is not very easily. In fact, many people say that the paternity test are pretty much 100% accurate. On paper, they can only be listed as 99% accurate, because there is always a chance that it could be wrong. Even if that change is one in a trillion. The most important thing to note is that the results are accurate enough to declare in court if someone is not the biological father.

These tests are pretty easy to get your hands on. They can be ordered directly from laboratories, or even online. Depending on the test, some of them do not even have to have the participation of the mother. After all, determining if the women is the mother is usually never an issue. Either wayFree Articles, these tests usually hit the nail on the head and are well worth the money if you are trying to figure out if someone is or is not the father of your baby.

The Changing Face of Paternity testing

Sunday, May 31st, 2009

Paternity testing and the context under which it is done have undergone tremendous change over the last two decades.

����������� For one, the number of people seeking a paternity test has increased tremendously over the last couple of decades. As people adopt more and more liberal sexual attitudes, many men are finding themselves doubting the paternity of children they are alleged to have fathered, and the only way out of such disputes is often a paternity test. As it were, with the sexual liberation, many women are now increasingly having multiple partners (which was hitherto the preserve of men). Now the tricky thing here is that while maternity is almost always a certainty – as a woman usually has a clear chance to know the baby she gives birth to is hers hence not much demand for maternity tests even when there is polygamy – it is on the other hand harder for a man to establish whether he indeed sired a given baby. It doesn’t help that many women who are now having multiple partners tend to compartmentalize them, a situation where handsome (but not-so-well-off) Jack ends up being compartmentalized as the ‘baby daddy’ to sire the babies, and rich (but-not-so-handsome) James ends up being compartmentalized as the ‘baby daddy’ to provide for the babies, a situation which is obviously unfair to James, who will almost inevitably ask for a paternity tests once he suspects� that he is being used in such a way.

����������� The technology used to conduct the paternity tests has advanced over the last two decades too. A huge milestone in paternity testing was the adoption and popularization of DNA based paternity testing in the mid to late 80s, and which gave the paternity tests a level of accuracy hitherto unimaginable. Before DNA based paternity testing become an accessible possibility, people mostly had to make do with blood type tests, which were eliminatory rather than confirmatory tests. That is to say, such blood type tests would only eliminate the chances that a given man had sired a given child, but always left the possibility that the child could still have been sired by another man with a similar blood group to the man in question. DNA based paternity tests on the other hand are not only eliminatory, but also confirmatory.

����������� Paternity testing has also become more convenient (and generally less painful) over the last two decades. In the days when paternity testing was based on blood group typing, both the father and the son (or daughter) had to go to a medical laboratory, have blood drawn (obviously through a painful needle prick) and then wait for results – which as we have seen, would only be eliminatory. With the advent and advancement of� DNA technology however, paternity testing has become rather convenient – the only ‘intrusive’ (if we may call it that) part of the test often being a painless swab in the inner cheek to draw the DNA sample, which can be even send by mail to the testing laboratory.

����������� Paternity testing is also becoming cheaper and cheaper by the day. At the beginning of DNA based paternity testing, many men who were interested in establishing the paternity of their children, or children who were themselves interested in establishing their paternity were often put off by the high costs involved. At that time, the production of most of the kits used for the process was the preserve of the companies that had done initial research in the field of DNA testing and therefore gotten themselves patents. As these patents expire however, more and more companies are venturing into the production of these kits, thereby increasing competition in their production and lowering prices for the users of the technology. UltimatelyArticle Search, this translates into falling prices for paternity tests.

Who’s The Father? DNA Paternity Testing

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

There is an urban legend that over thirty percent of all children are not born of their appointed father; instead, they are the products of adultery. Because of this long-standing myth, the idea of a paternity test has been a persistent one in the minds of the public. Here, we will explain what a paternity test actually is and answer questions on how it works to prove who fathered the child.

Why A Paternity Test:

Some question why this test is called a ‘paternity’. The answer is quite simple: unless the mother was impregnated through an egg donation, it’s obvious that she is the mother. The father, however, can be anyone–that is why children are tested against his DNA and not hers.

How Does A Paternity Test Work:

Though there are other methods, DNA testing is the easiest–and most effective–way to test a child for paternity.

DNA is unique for each individual but, when sexual reproduction occurs, an embryo is created. That embryo is formed by taking genetic material from both parents to create a new string of DNA.

To prove who is the father, one only has to look at the child’s DNA pattern. In it, you will find evidence of the father’s unique traits. Certain sequences will be available, and these will prove whose traits passed on.

Is A Paternity Test Accurate:

Yes. Unless the case involves a twin brother, DNA should easily be able to tell who fathered the child. The test is accurate.

Is A Paternity Test Necessary:

This is the gray area of the subject. A father’s right to know if a child is his is not questioned; what is questioned, however, is the effects on the child. Often, cases of fathers seeking parental rights to children who have with their mothers and another man who they view as their father surface. These cases are long, drawn-out battles of basic parental rights versus basic child welfare. The father may argue that, since it was he who actually created the child, he should have the right to be present in his or her life. Others would argue, however, that a child in a stable home should not be forced to have two fathers and, therefore, two lives.

It is this heated debate that has divided many, and left the rest uncertain. Each case is different and must be examined as unique, which makes setting precedent almost impossible.

To have a paternity test is to open up a great deal of consequences–not only for the child, but for the parents. It is not a simple matter, or one that should be decided too quickly. These tests may be taken without consent, but there is a law in the UK that is demanding that no test be given without the express knowledge of all involved. This is to protect families.

A paternity test is an effective way to discover who fathered a childArticle Search, but it can also be an effective way to cause a child grief. It should be approached with caution.

Paternity Testing – Are You Raising Someone Else’s Child?

Saturday, January 17th, 2009

Back in the 1700s, the best way to determine paternity was by a good hard look and the child, followed by a good hard look at the father. Enough coincidences and maybe a relationship could be proposed. A hundred years later, eye color was discovered to be a paternity identifier. This theory has had its flaws exposed because of recent DNA advances. We now know that eye color is determined by at least six alleles, or genetic markers. Paternity testing has become a lot easier and affordable over the past few years due to advances in DNA science. Although an estimated 200,000 DNA tests are conducted each year by states needing to sort child-support and welfare issues, few people are willing to conduct their own at-home paternity test. Few people realize the simplicity and convenience of an at-home paternity test.

How does a home DNA test work?

Paternity testing requires a painless sample from both the child and possible father. Even without a sample from the mother, DNA paternity test results are up to 99.9999% accurate–that’s one-in-a-million odds your results are incorrect. Most companies provide a free home kit for you to provide the samples and require you to send the kit back to the laboratory with the accompanying fee.

Because many companies are aware of the discomfort of drawing blood from a child in order to get a sample, buccal (mouth) swabs are being accepted as an alternative. By gently massaging the inside of the child’s mouth, cheek cells are collected. These cells are then sent to the lab for testing. Labs analyze up to sixteen genetic markers of the child and match them against the markers of the alleged father. Because each of us receives half our genetic markers from each parent, the results of DNA paternity testing are still accurate without the DNA information of the mother. Most labs will have results in 10 days and charge about $290 for a basic paternity verification test.

What else can a DNA test do?

DNA kits can also be used to analyze siblingship, establish cousin or grandparent relationships, determine twin zygosity (i.e. whether twins are fraternal or identical), identify ancestral origin, verify Native American decent, assure parents they left the hospital with the right baby, and most important, provide legal evidence – be prepared to pay a bit more for legal tests. Legal tests can be used to settle adoption issues, settle child-support disputes, and provide information for immigration files.

How to choose a DNA laboratory

  • Accreditation is a vital part of choosing a laboratory. Accredited labs have an annual audit and inspection, undergo internal and external reviews, and have their equipment calibrated for accuracy. Look for an ISO and/or AABB certification. Accredited labs will have a good reputation and near 100% track record for court cases.
  • Look for hidden fees. Some companies will charge you for the kit and then charge you again for the results. AlsoScience Articles, double check when you order your kit that you’re only buying the results you need.
  • Ask about privacy. Make sure that your identity and intentions are kept secure.

Enjoy piece of mind

Be confident that the questions you have can be answered. DNA testing is safe and stress-free. Find a free kit and an information packet and you’re on your way to getting the piece of mind that you deserve.

Easy Way To Do Paternity Testing At Home

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

The topic of paternity testing is somewhat a difficult topic to understand by most people. It is not a normal issue that you can talk with colleagues when having a drink together. However, when you have no other choice but to clarify the relationship between the actual father and the child, you better have a great understanding on this topic.

Presently, the dna testing for paternity is not that expensive like the good old days. Not all testing are cheap and easy to get. Some costs for this type of testing can range from reasonable to a large amount of cash in your pocket, but it all depend on what kind of testing and for what level of the scrutiny is. Also, costs for testing generally vary from lab to lab depending upon the size and type of the specimen to be tested. This type of testing does not require a substantial amount of blood sampling from the father in question or the child. For your information, there are three different companies that provide paternity testing; you can do a general search online to find the companies in your area. Companies offering the dna analysis must be trusted to perform the task by all the rules and regulations of the state they reside in for now.

The growth of adoption reunions are very common and definitely has its own disadvantages. When a child finds out the paternity test proves who they thought since a long time ago was not their true father, it can be very painful to them. This will ensure a sense of clarity and certainty for the man who feels the child is not of his offspring. There are many reasons for people to establish paternity; whatever the reason maybe just make sure you have the right person the first time. By comparing the genetic material of a child to that of any adults involved in the situation, there is a very good chance the parents can be found.

Did you know?

A simple dna home test can be a strong indicator of paternity of a man who can not afford the more expensive tests. Although most samples of dna collected for paternity tests are collected in a lab, it is possible to bring in a sample of dna for testing as well.�

A family can find out very quickly if there is a biological relationship between a child and a father with a paternity test. The most crucial thing about getting the results of the test is that; you will finally realize once and for all who the actual father of the child is. Although dna is as certain as ever for determining paternityFeature Articles, the people reading and analyzing the data can make errors. The most unreliable thing to do when taking a paternity testing at home is; getting a dna sample from the real father and telling someone else that they are the father.

Understanding Why Your Child Has Been Recommended for Testing

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008

You have just received a call from your child’s teacher explaining that she has noticed your child having difficulty in school. Your child is not understanding math or reading the way the other children do. So she would like your permission to proceed with testing to find out if he has a learning disability.

When this happens, it is always a good idea to meet with the teacher in person. Being proactive is extremely important to your child’s educational future. Arrange to sit down and talk with the teacher to discover specifically why she has recommended this. You may want to include the special education teacher as well, as she may be able to further clarify just what they are seeing that is causing them to question your child’s abilities.

One thing you have to understand is that just because a learning disability is questioned, that does not mean that your child isn’t smart. It just means that, for some reason, he’s either not able to access those smarts and is not “getting” what is being taught. Or, he may be having difficulty expressing what he has actually learned.

One indication that there is a problem might be that the child gets very good grades in math, but his reading is below average. He is not reading at the same level that most of the other students of his age are reading at. There is a big difference between his learning in math and his learning in reading. If he is old enough, there may be standardized test scores that also show that huge difference, and the teacher should be able to show you that information.

You may have noticed other indications at home but thought they were just “kid things”. If you ask your child to do 2 or 3 things in a row, does he forget most of them? When you ask him a question, does he have difficulty expressing the answer? Is his room always disorganized? Does he have trouble socially?

These are some of the questions you might want to think about as you talk with the teacher and ask if she notices them in the classroom.

It is important you realize that by doing this, you are not putting your child down or complaining about him or labeling him as a “bad kid”. You are discussing the facts of what is actually going on, or not going on, with his learning. You are acting in his best interest.

Do not hesitate to ask questions about anything you don’t understand. The teachers will not think that you are stupid or inadequate The area of Learning Disabilities can be very confusing and overwhelming to anyone. It is best that you understand what is going on right from the beginning.

When the teachers have explained the symptoms to your satisfaction, then it is time to find out what will happen from here. Ask specific questions about the testing, how best to address your child’s concerns and how to minimize any “stigma” your child might experience as a result of being tested.

Remember, you are the parent. And everyone is here to help your child.

For more up-to-date plain talk about learning disabilitiesComputer Technology Articles, please visit us at www.ldperspectives.com.

So, My Child Has Been Recommended for Testing – What Do I Do Now?

Thursday, August 14th, 2008

You’ve just received a call from your child’s teacher. As your blood pounds in your ears, you hear her explain how she has noticed your child having difficulty with some academic subject in school. Your child is not understanding math or reading the way the other children do. So she would like your permission to proceed with testing to find out what exactly is causing the problem.

So what do you do next?

The first thing is, Don’t panic. This referral for testing simply means that she’s asking for your permission to find out whether a learning disability is evident, or, if not, how she can help your child. She wants to know 1) how your child learns best, 2) where the child’s learning strengths are, and 3) where his learning weakeness lie. This does NOT mean she thinks your child is stupid or that you are a bad parent. She sees that your child does very well in many areas of learning, but there are one or two areas that are really just not “clicking”.

When your child is referred, it’s always a good idea to meet with the teacher in person. Arrange to sit down and talk with the teacher to discover specifically why she has recommended an evaluation. What is she seeing that causes concern? Can she show you some samples of your child’s work that illustrate the problem? It’s a good idea to include the special education teacher in the meeting as well. She will be able to further clarify why these indicators are cause for concern. She can also explain the referral and evaluation process to you.

One indication that there is a problem might be that the child gets very good grades in math, but his reading achievement is below average for his age or grade. He is not reading at the same level that most of the other students of his age are reading at. There is a big difference between his learning in math and his learning in reading. If he is old enough, there may be standardized test scores that also show a huge difference. Ask the teacher to show you that information.

You may have noticed other indications at home, but thought they were just “kid things”. If you ask your child to do 2 or 3 things in a row, does he forget much of your instruction? When you ask him a question, does he have difficulty expressing the answer? Are his room, his book bag, or his locker always disorganized, making it difficult for him to find things? Does he lose his assignment book or his homework frequently? Does he have trouble socially? Does he have trouble paying attention? What does the teacher see at school? Ask her.

Realize that when you talk about these things with the teacher, it does not mean that you are complaining about your child, or that you think he is “bad”. What you’re really doing is discussing the facts of what is actually going on, or not going on, with his learning. You‘re trying to help him. You’re acting in his best interest.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions about anything you don’t understand. The teachers will not think you are stupid or inadequate. The area of Learning Disabilities can be very confusing and overwhelming to anyone, and it is best that you understand what is going on right from the beginning. That way you can make an intelligent decision regarding your child’s future.

It is important to find out what will happen once you give permission to have your child tested. The special education teacher will be able to explain the referral and testing process to you. Use her as a resource to answer any questions you might have and explain anything you don’t understand. That way you can be informed and help your child through the process as well.

Know your child’s rights from the beginning. When the process begins, you will be sent a copy of your child’s rights. If you don’t understand them, or if you suspect that a right is being compromised, don’t hesitate to speak to the special education teacher, the principal, or the special education director.

These are things you can do to help your child and yourself through the referral process. They are all part of being informed so you can advocate for your child, and so you can make sure he receives the best services possible in order for him to have a successful, happy, productive future. Remember, it’s in your hands!

For more plain talk about learning disabilitiesBusiness Management Articles, please visit us at www.ldperspectives.com.

Open Eyes: Home Drug Testing Empowers Naive Parents and Protects Their Kids

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

When kids donโ€™t listen to their parents, they often suffer from consequences that could have been avoided. They tend to make poor decisions when think they can get away with something and often possess a false sense of certainty that bad things wonโ€™t happen to them.

Warning signs and advice from their parents, who have learned from experience, are ignored. Kids donโ€™t always realize that foresight to them is hindsight to people whoโ€™ve experienced the same things.

When it relates to the topic of teens and their willingness to experiment with drugs, parents would be well advised to follow the very advice they bestow on their own kids: learn from people who have been there.

In the past, the words โ€œMy kid would never do thatโ€ have historically been followed by โ€œWhere did I go wrong?โ€ โ€œHow could I have missed it?โ€ and โ€œI had no ideaโ€ only AFTER police or school officials provide the proof โ€ฆ and consequences of teen substance abuse. It doesnโ€™t have to be that way.

Christy Crandell, the author of Lost and Found: A Mother and Son Find Victory over Teen Drug Addiction, is a proponent of the new trend of home drug testing because talking to kids about drugs isnโ€™t always enough. Parents can talk to their kids and tell them to โ€œJust say no,โ€ but kids still struggle with what to say next when the peer pressure gets even stronger. The words โ€œNo thanks, my parents test meโ€ have become an increasingly popular and socially acceptable excuse that can stop pushy peers in their tracks.

Dr. Michael Reznicek, one of our nationโ€™s leading authorities on the subject of home drug testing, urges the use of a parent child contract. He believes that parents must inspect what they expect, but only after clearly communicating and consistently following through on those expectations, which is where many parents fall short. As part of the contract, he urges the inclusion of rewards as well as consequences tied to the results of home drug tests.

Ever since kids started doing drugs, parents have been at the bottom of the list of people who knew about it. However, that may change quickly for parents who embrace the growing trend of home drug testing.

12 Traits Used When Testing for Gifted Child

Sunday, May 25th, 2008

How to identify a gifted child can be a difficult process, Many parents are scared to dare think their child has a talent above the norm and may find other parents and teachers may not believe them thinking they are just overly proud of their child. The truth is that most schools are not equipped to deal with gifted children as they are fewer and further between than the average child and since they learn what they need to easily the teacher ignores them to concentrate on the less gifted ones.Using these 12 points you can gain some insight into your childโ€™s potential genius. Generally a young child who shows many of the following traits is likely to be gifted, however other less gifted children may show some of these traits and a gifted child will very rarely show all traits. While this guide is written for young children many of the points can also apply to older children.—1. Advanced DevelopmentA young gifted child frequently achieves certain milestones such as first speech and walking much earlier than other children. They may also have a greater vocabulary than other children of the same age and love to define words, read books and can often be self taught readers at pre-school and kindergarten.2. Early Intellectual TalentGifted young children can have a very good memory and can learn simple math, science and social studies concepts eagerly. They may also grasp onto a particular topic (Space and planets for example) and have an amazing understanding of the subject! They can also simply have a wide interest in everything and a thirst to learn all they can moving from one area to another very quickly.3. A Thirst for KnowledgeGifted children often have a drive to learn and a โ€˜thirst for knowledgeโ€™. Without having any particular agenda children often want to discover and learn for the sake of discovering like a true scientist or philosopher. They may study everything or pull toys and devices apart to see what makes them work. Or may be overly interested in simple things then discard them quickly looking for a new learning challenge.4. High Level of ActivityUnlike hyperactivity which can often have no focus just amazing amounts of energy a gifted child can often be very active and have a reduced need for sleep as they divert this energy to a purpose. Also, unlike hyperactivity a gifted child may have a long attention span when they find something of particular interest.5. CautionaryA gifted child may have a great ability to read more into situations and the future than their peers. Because of this they may seem to hold back in new situations as they work out the implications and possibly worry about the possibility of failure. While this may make them appear shy or slow a gifted child can show their true ability by answering questions brilliantly or excelling at the task given.6. SensitivitySome young gifted children can be very sensitive, general anger or criticism is taken personally; they suffer along with the starving children on TV, the injured animal, etc. and when overloaded with impressions, may become introverted and withdrawn. 7. Uneven DevelopmentSome children are gifted in a narrow field while others have a more โ€˜all roundโ€™ aptitude; however there is often a large gap between their mental, social, physical and emotional development. This can lead to frustration and confusion on the childโ€™s behalf as their advanced mind may be trying to grapple with concepts they are not emotionally advanced to deal with. Examples may be over concerned with death, the future or sex. Also their manual dexterity may lag behind what they are trying to achieve in a task.8. Can Distinguish Between Reality and Fantasy EarlyThis may lead to discussions on, and the acceptance of, the inevitability of death; the frequent need to analyze stories to see which parts “really could happen” and awkward questions about Santa and the tooth-fairy! 9. Early Insight Into Social and Moral IssuesSome gifted children have a highly developed social conscience and can become worried about war, pollution, injustice and violence. They can often see through adult hypocrisy and can become angry and scared when they see that adults are inconsistent and unreasonable.10. Greater Reasoning Power and ManipulationA young gifted child tends to use their verbal ability rather than actions when communicating, this means you can often reason with a gifted child from a young age. This ability with their greater logical prowess and understanding of relationships can sometimes lead them to understand the benefits of dishonest behavior such as lying, stealing and cheating. Being able to manipulate adults can be a very disturbing feeling for a child however who needs a parentโ€™s security.11. IndividualityA great number of gifted children can be seen as โ€œoddโ€ or unconventional and learn in different ways. Strictly organizing a child like this can hamper their development as they need some time to do their own thing to bring forth their creativity.12. The Importance of AdultsGifted children may not be interested in very structured activities or meeting other’s standards, often preferring to develop their own projects. Despite this, adult guidance is very important – to help them determine in which situation it is necessary to conform and when it is O.K. to be “different”, to put realistic limits on an often overambitious project, to lend a hand when manual dexterity doesn’t meet mental visions and to avoid self-criticism becoming destructive. Help may be needed to set realistic standards.