Good luck! And, as always, if you find something that works out there that we don't have up here yet, contact us.
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NUTRITIONAL:
When you think of the fact that it's our child's brain and nervous system that is effected by SPD, it should be even more important to get those vital nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fats and other good stuff. Because our sensational kids often are fussy eaters, we need to find ways to get those foods into them (even when they don't know it!) This section offers some resources about nutrition.
All about Omega3: This site gives some invaluable insight into the essential fat our brains need: Omega 3. We've heard do much about it but what is it exactly and why is it so important? Read all about it here.
Information about DHA and DHA enhanced milk products: This is a great site (Canadian) to learn even more about DHA and Omega enhanced products.
Official Website of Kelly Dorfman M.S., L.N.D.: Kelly is well-known and sought after nutritionist, dietrician and health-planner. She's also an incredible person. Her site offers amazing information about nutrition for children and adults, including some of her top-notch articles (that we've featured in our newsletter!) This is definitely a site to include in your Favorites.
The Eating Game: This is a great resource site is, "a resource filled with planning tools, food pictures and suggestions for use that support and encourage people in making optimal, healthy food choices." (Quoted from their Website).
Official Website of Dana Laake: This incredible woman has dedicated her life to helping families with nutrition issues. Her book, The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet, is fantastic. (See the BOOKS section for details.) Check out her Website.
Feingold Association: This is the Website for the Feingold Program. They are all about removing harmful additives from our diets and living a clean, healthy life. We've noticed a big difference since started the Program. It isn't for everyone but it really is a great system. (Chynna has a blog dedicated to her family's journey on the Feingold program.)
Health Alternatives: This is actually mineral/nutrient charts from the Website of Dr. Necuypere's Website. Extremely informative.
Enzymes: Two highly recommended Websites to purchase nutritional supplements or enzymes are Houston Enzymes and Kirkman Labs. Both sell various kinds of supplements in different forms (eg: liquids, pills or chewables) for your child's needs.
CHIROPRACTIC:
The focus of chiropractics is to address abnormal movement of nerves, muscles, and joints, and it can help with posture and teaches the child to be more aware of their movements within their environments.
Mountain-Health: A fantastic resource on the subject of pediatric chiropractics is Dr. Shane Steadman. Dr. Steadman believes the key to treating children with neurological disorders is re-connecting the mind and body by defragmenting the nervous system. In other words, the child must learn how to be aware of her body and what it can do without fear.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY (CPT):
This involves assessing how well the child’s craniosacral system works. That’s a confusing word that just means the therapist checks the effectiveness of the membranes and fluid that help to protect the brain and spine. All that’s done is light-touch massage on the bones and structures of the skull. It’s supposed to help correct the adverse results (such as sensory, motor, and neurological dysfunction) stemming from imbalances during the development of the brain and spinal cord. A great resource to learning more about this procedure is Dr. John Upledger’s Website at http://www.upledger.com/ (recommended by Carol Stock Kranowitz). Another Web site to check out is http://www.craniosacraltherapy.org/. The parents I’d spoken with on this therapy seemed pleased with the results.
HIPPOTHERAPY:
This horseback riding therapy can help posture, movement and sensory processing. A great site to check out for more information is the American Hippotherapy Association.
PERCEPTUAL MOTOR THERAPY:
The idea behind perceptual motor therapy is to get the child to participate in activities stimulating left/right brain integration so he learns to be more in tune with what’s happening to the nervous system when he does things. Very effective for children whose body awareness is fairly poor, who struggle with performing tasks requiring the use of both hands, who have difficulty crossing over their midline or using both sides of the body at the same time as well as helps with balance and coordination. Kids Moving Company is a great resource to check out for more information on this subject.
VISUAL AND AUDITORY THERAPY:
Being able to see is one thing; being able to determine what one sees is quite another. A lot of children with SPD have difficulty with fine-motor coordination, hand control, and visual discrimination. All of these things are determined by how they see things. That’s what visual therapy helps with. Hearing not only helps children communicate better, but it is also incorporated into gross motor skills, balance, posture, and body awareness. Auditory therapy will help children in these areas, and it will also help teach them how to discriminate and/or attend to different noises.
* For more information about visual therapy, check out Parents Active for Vision Education.
* For more information about Auditory Training, check out the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Communicative Disorders Assistant Association of Canada, Dr. Alfred A. Tomatis’s Web site or the Integrated Listening Systems, or iLs, Website.
PLAY THERAPY:
This is one of the most raved about and non-intrusive ways to treat a child’s behavioral difficulties.Some great Web sites offering a wealth of information on the subject include:
* The official Web site for Play Therapist Dr. Stuart Brown
* The official Web site of the late Dr. Stanley Greenspan
PHYSICAL THERAPY:
These therapists help to improve a person’s physical ability. For children with SPD, they encourage activities that help to strengthen muscular control and motor coordination so the child can prepare his or her muscles for movement. For more information or therapist recommendations in your area, visit:
iLs TRAINING:
Dr. Alfred Tomatis, an ear-eyes-nose specialist, realized that by targeting specific areas of the brain using “filtered” music and music with different pitches and tones, it was possible to retrain and improve sensory, motor, and learning processing. Most specifically, he realized that music helped improve the functioning of the brain stem and cortex. By using movement in conjunction with the music, he further discovered how to help integrate sensory information much more effectively. People whose brains aren’t getting enough of this vital “energy,” such as those with SPD or AD/HD, don’t have the same ability to pay attention, focus, or tune things out the way they’re supposed to. The child wears headphones and listens to the specialized music while doing play or OT. The key is to get all of these sensory systems working together. Learn more about this therapy at the official iLs Website.
REIKI:
Both Diane Renna (highlighted on our "Inspirational People" section) and Karen Gordon (interviewed in a recent issue of "The Gift) are Reiki Masters. The practice of Reiki, a Japanese word, is most often translated as ‘Universal Life Energy’. It’s a non-manipulative healing art using our life energy. This form of therapy can help children with severe tactile defensiveness as it gets the child to focus on their body’s energy and, as Gordon says, “softening distractions (so) the child can experience a certain degree of calm or support or relaxation.”
Learn more about the Reiki practice on Karen Gordon’s Website, The International Center for Reiki Training, or the Canadian Reiki Association.
FURTHER SUGGESTED WEBSITES/RESOURCES:
Brain Gym: Works with the same idea as Play Therapy but also helps with learning difficulties and memory.
Educational Kinesiology: Using ideals from Brain Gym, this teaches specific movements of the body that can improve mind function. It uses techniques such as repatterning (integration of the left and right hemispheres of the brain through specific movements), stress-release techniques, and balancing the energy/meridian system of the body.
Music Therapy: Music has always been one of the most calming things for Jaimie. Music seems to be good for brain development and auditory integration, and it helps reduce stress and anxiety.
One on one Counselling: Janice O'Leary offers such an amazing service for caregivers, children or others that need a little help. Please check out her Website today. She is an amazing resource.
