oct 8---jazz

In hour one Mohammed Al Ansari and myself spoke about environmental issues and whether or not we are really tuned in.

In hour 2 Kamal Musallam a jazz artist, here in the UAE, joined us to play and talk about jazz.

Listen to the podcast!

oct 7---clean up naif

We had a rip roaring talk about the 500 dirham fine to be imposed on those who cause minor accidents in Abu Dhabi and then we moved on to spit!

How do we get the spit on the street culture to end?

Or as Steve suggested do we really want this piece of the fabric of the nation to dry up?

Oct 6--hour 2 Dr. Ali Al Numairy Plastic Surgery

Dr. Ali Al Numairy, President of the UAE Plastic Surgery Society joined us for a conversation about the state of the profession.

Oct 6----hour 1 Selective Mutism.

May Assaaf joined us in a conversation about SELECTIVE MUTISM.

http://www.selectivemutism.org/about-smg/who-we-are

What is Selective Mutism (SM)?

Selective mutism (SM), formerly called elective mutism, is best understood as a childhood anxiety disorder characterized by a child or adolescent's inability to speak in one or more social settings (e.g., at school, in public places, with adults) despite being able to speak comfortably in other settings (e.g., at home with family).

Affected individuals understand language use and, although they have the physical and cognitive ability to speak, they demonstrate a persistent inability to speak in particular settings over a particular period of time due to anxiety. This differs from the developmentally appropriate behavior of a child with limited speaking and social interaction behaviors during the first month of school or daycare when he or she is adjusting to a new social environment with peers and teachers. SM also differs from shyness, which is a socially adaptable personality trait.

To meet diagnostic criteria, the child or adolescent with SM shows significant impairment in daily functioning, typically in educational or occupational settings, and by refraining from social participation at school and other settings due to a pronounced fear of speaking. Most affected children and adolescents function normally in other ways and learn age appropriate skills; however, some may have other comorbid anxiety disorders, developmental delays such as impaired social skills, and communication disorders in addition to SM.