the READABILITY of these forums
 

I am VERY pleased that the default font Doc John chose here is Trebuchet - for it has been determined thru studies to be the most easily read font - having more "space between the lines" of type than any other font.

However, the font size is only a "2" while we really need a "3".
This is one place where OBT was quickly responsive after the problem had been mentioned on forum feedback....

Being aware of how many patients here have various problems, including learning problems, short attention spans and more ... and vision problems of various kinds, who have difficulties with the tiring effort to read small font -- sometimes the actual INABILITY to read small font, I change my font to the larger size so my posts are more likely to be read...

I ALSO keep my writing targeted/adapted for the web -- I use brief paragraphs to increase readability, comprehension and retention. The need for this type of writing/formatting is well established in a number of studies.

But still, establishing a larger sized default font would be helpful to many people - and, I might point out, after the OBT default was changed, there was not a single complaint.... But many expressions of excitement and gratitude.

- Teri

And, once again, I would ask for the mostly child-issue dominated forum of Autism/Asperger's be relocated to Mental Health......

And I have since had several mention, publicly and privately, that they think Tourette's should be relocated there, also, as Tourette's tics and such first manifest in childhood... AND is treated by psychiatrists. Like all the rest of us guys. ;)

Theresa / OneMoreTime

I use Ctrl and and the wheel on my mouse to increase and decrease the text all the time. It even increases the text here in the message box where I'm typing to post this reply.

I hope it's ok for me to comment on the following. It's just my thoughts, so figured it'd be ok considering these two forums are two of my home forums.

I saw you'd asked that one other time, but I'm still not sure *why* you think that. I personally don't understand why it should be moved out of Neurology, but I've stopped posting on that forum here anyway. (I think I even removed my old messages) and ended up having to go elsewhere because it was just too slow and not enough posters and most messages were being duplicated from one forum to the other and it just became too confusing for me.

'What is Tourette syndrome?

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics.'
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/t...e.htm#56643231


Tourette Syndrome is usually diagnosed by Neurologists, as far as I know. Psychiatrists are sometimes consulted *if* medication is needed because they seem to have more knowledge about the types of medications that can be used. Also some people might have other comorbid conditions which warrant treatments such as medication or perhaps behaviour therapies for comorbid conditions.

Not everyone who has TS has comorbid conditions and not everyone who has TS is treated or needs to be treated or even seen by a psychiatrist. A lot of it has to do with knowledge. Sure, it's in the DSM. Is it the DSM that's being followed here? I could say an awful lot about the DSM, and I do mean awful, but might wait until the next issue is released LOL.

Tourette Syndrome is one of those conditions that sits on the fence purely because of comorbid conditions and in my opinion should still be included in Neurology. Actually, I think all the ones that are listed in Mental Health now should be left in Neurology because in my Laraopinion, they are *all* neurological conditions, but that's just how I see it and I know not everyone here sees it that way.

Do the people who have mentioned it to you publicly and privately have Tourette Syndrome? If so, they might like to put in a say about this here as well.

What's next? lol
Sleep Disorders and Movement Disorders?

Thought I should make another post, otherwise I'll end up editing and adding information all day.

Teri,
Here's just one example of the problem we face regarding TS still being in the DSM. The DSM has caused more grief than is imaginable but I promise I'm not going to start a rant on that here because I might never stop. I also mentioned that neurolgists diagnose TS. That certainly would be the referral where I live, although I note on this TSA news item that both neurologist and psychiatrists treat.

Link to TSA-USA News Release

The battle never ends. *sigh

I would like to say....
 

(OBT)......... is also considering
some index changes. Their index is very LONG and more complex than this one.



As an aside, I think it is interesting that OBT is now following NeuroTalks lead. Imitation is the
sincerest form of flattery, as they say! It appears also that they are not happy with
their forum views!

I think Autism and TS should remain as medical listings. Pretty soon, schizophrenia will be
considered medical and not mental health. New MRI studies are showing that.
ADHD remains controversial. I think it is more mental health than organic at this time.
JMO

Now that I have had my coffee, my brain is waking up some!

I'd like to add that there will always be some controversy about those
conditions that "overlap" with medical/behavioral presentations. Not everyone will be happy with placement.

Bipolar is another one that will be considered organic soon. But the presentation of Bipolar is behavioral, so historically it is considered a mental health issue. Tourette's is a movement disorder, and predominately that. Autism is organic as well, although the community is divided between mercury and autoimmune/genetic causes. I think that DocJohn is very qualified and
experienced to make those determinations at this time! ;)

Thanks so much for the suggestions!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I've created a separate thread where we can post suggestions that are outside a specific request for a new forum. :)

KD

Dear Dr. John,
 

May we have a forum for " finding LAWS or articles about Laws that help us,

I saw the thread about the "THE LAW" - on a the Neurotalk forum about service animals -
I believe?
Dogs that help people see, hear, and walk.
perhaps it is called ADA laws or just disability laws?

ADVOCACY FORUM... :)

thank you!!

Thank you Dear Kimmydawn!
 

THANK YOU! (((kimmydawn)))

a new thought on an old topic
 

I realize I am new here..and I am getting a lot of good info, and finding friends too.. May I suggest a forum called "I want my Life back"...it seems to be a common comment from many participants, including myself..I thought maybe this could be a "Catch All" forum...not really general social stuff, but things dedicated to ideas and discussion about dealing with our pains and problems and living "normally"

Just a thought,
Dave