[Archive]

Well, just about the time I thought that things couldn't get worse...

They got better.

We made some dietary changes for the good of our entire family and also started Demario on some natural supplements two weeks ago. Some experts in this field say that you can see almost immediate results with supplements, others say it takes a month or more. We're now two weeks into his new regimen, and have seen DRAMATIC results.

Several days ago, at the ripe old age of almost ten (the big b-day is in two weeks!), Demario decided that what he really, really wants to do when he grows up is to join the Army and protect his country. He's brought it up several times since then, basically wondering what he needs to do to get in (other than be 18).

He still likes to PLAY sports, but he hasn't obsessed over sports in almost a week. No needless rattling off of statistics. His dad bought him a baseball and a couple of catcher's mitts, and for the first time in his life, Demario enjoyed a game of catch with his dad... and caught onto throwing the ball properly in no time at all. It was enjoyable to him, but not obsessive.

Two days ago, he began looking people in the eye when they spoke to him. And instigating conversation. On a very regular basis.

Demario's voice hasn't gone above mid-level volume in the house in the past five days.

When talking to the neighbor two days ago, Demario didn't immediately ask her for something or call her by the wrong name. He politely said, "Good afternoon, Mrs. Rice. How are you today?" After making small talk for a minute or so, WITH eye contact, he turned to me and asked if it would be all right if he turned on a Barney video for the baby to watch because he thought she was getting bored (empathy!!).

For almost a week now, Demario has remained in his room in the morning until everyone else is awake and out of bed. I actually slept until 8:00 this morning!

This morning he wrote a wonderful story about our chickens, using descriptive words, correct spelling and neat cursive. This, from a kid that supposedly is on first grade level.

So, is this dramatic change in behavior due to the supplements he's been given? Or is it because of having a structured, stable environment at last? Homeschooling? Just another "cycle" in his behavior? What?? I have no idea.

But, other than the supplements and the passing of time, nothing much has changed in our daily routine in the past two weeks... Nothing except HIM. And we're liking what we see. Based on our experience in the past two weeks (not to sound like some kind of new age wierdo), I now believe that meeting dietary deficiencies and seeing a dramatic change in behavior - even in light of all other possible/ probable causes for the behavior - definitely bears some consideration.

-Susan C.

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Indy

Id like to change Rayon's diet too, and get him on some good supplements. I don't think he ate very nutritious meals in his other homes, and I do think it makes a difference. Got an URL on a site or just suggestions? I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO happy he is doing so well....gives me lots and lots of hope (which I'm starting to finally have already!). Share?

[Archive]

We started with essential fatty acids. Here's some information from the supplement bottle: "DHA and related omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are known to provide the fluid membrane environment that is needed for proper transmission of brain and nerve signals. The frontal cortex of the brain, which regulates attention span and cognitive processes has been shown to have only 15% of the normal level of DHA when the diet is deficient of these important fatty acids" The EFA's are said to help with attention and focus. He began taking this 14 days ago.

7 days ago, we added Grapefruit Seed Extract. GSE is an anti-fungal. Research has shown that many children exhibiting ADHD behaviors and behaviors of related disorders are the same children who suffered from chronic ear infections and took lots of antibiotics as very young children. Antibiotics, given in large doses to small children, have been found to cause a yeast overgrowth in the gut that hinders the production of various needed neurotransmitters - such as seratonin. An anti-fungal reduces the yeast in the gut, and allows the natural production to take place. Primadopholus can be given to speed up this natural production. We haven't started the Primadopholus though.

I started slipping Lecithin granules in our food for all of us. Lecithin enhances memory and also promotes a sense of calm and well being.

Next, Demario and my husband, Roger, are going to start taking Zinc. Demario will take it because Zinc deficiencies in children are also suspected to cause ADHD-like behaviors, and Roger because he's over 45 and Zinc supplementation has been shown to aid in prostate health in men over 45... Zinc also helps in cellular reproduction, which is the process of growth and repair, and prevents build up of Vitamin A in the liver. Zinc is basically just good stuff.

Geesh, Indy... Now I sound like a new age wierdo!!! ACCKK! Seriously, I was thinking about how so many kids in the "system" are diagnosed with ADHD, and also reading up on alternative treatments to ADHD and other disorders. I started wondering if children who are abused or neglected in their home of origin are more or less likely to have birthparents who provide them with a healthy diet... And suddenly, it "clicked" that, while attachment issues certainly play a role in behavior, there's a good possibility that dietary needs/ deficiencies also play a role. And dietary needs are relatively easy to address, so we decided to start there. We're glad we did.

-Susan

[Archive]

Check with your local chiropractor for health information that isn't drug based. Proper diet and nutrition for God's creation is NOT 'New Age' just common sense.

MDs think that you have to take a pill to solve any health problem. I'm not knocking traditional medicine where it makes sense...there's just so much else that can be done to solve health problems that the MD WON'T tell you about.

For instance, I was referred to an Opthamologist for Glaucoma testing. I flunked two separate Glaucoma tests at age 35 given by my Optometrist. My husband and I checked out the vitamin store for supplements that may help to reduce the pressure in the eyes. I started taking Choline (the top recommendation in the book). After 6 weeks, I went to the Opthamologist and the test result was in the normal range - no Glaucoma! I asked if taking the Choline could have improved the pressures in my eyes and he said "no". Two years of Glaucoma checks and I've been released from the Glaucoma checks every 6 months. You better believe that I still take Choline every day though. :-) I told my co-worker this story and she did her own research and decided to take Choline when she was first diagnosed with Glaucoma. Her first visit results were in the normal range too!

If you don't want to take a supplement then check which foods are high in whatever your body is lacking (i.e. for Choline, it's eggs).

T.

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Indy

I've been in a situation where I was forced to give a child meds or have him removed from my home---His SW felt I was not following a Dr. orders (At 5 he was prescribed Risprodal, Remeron, Tinix, Imprimine, and something else for bedwetting.) It made me sick.

(I have known other people in the same place, I've seen kids listed on the photo sites after adoption disruption and the reason given for the disruption is prospective parents did not give meds.) This isn't the happy part. It made me feel so helpless to know I couldn't do anything for the child.

I'm overjoyed that this is working for you--there is this lady here who has just the nicest bunch of kids and she is really into the diet thing too.

I myself will not let the kids drink anything red because it sets them off. We also try to stay away from potted and canned meats.

I wish you well.

[Archive]

He wasn't on meds. His "expert" diagnoses during his 4 1/2 years in the system went from autism, to mild mental retardation, to PDD-NOS, to ADHD and mixed expressive language disorder - each "expert" had a different opinion. All diagnoses were considered "mild cases". According to his files - at one point when he was 6, he was given Haldol for a short time, which doesn't make sense to me since Haldol is an anti-hallucinagenic (I have no idea if I spelled that right or not) and we've never seen any report of him suffering from hallucinations. He was taken off the Haldol though, and has been unmedicated ever since. Several people have suggested medication as an option for him recently... I'm not knocking meds, but our decision was to give some alternatives a try before seeking meds.

-Susan

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Pam

Id like to change Rayon's diet too, and get him on some good supplements. I don't think he ate very nutritious meals in his other homes, and I do think it makes a difference. Got an URL on a site or just suggestions? I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO happy he is doing so well....gives me lots and lots of hope (which I'm starting to finally have already!). Share?

[Archive]

I'm so glad the nutritional supplements have seemed to work!

I visited with a boy who was 8 a couple of times. One of his behaviors was "excessive hunger". He ate more than most adults. I withdrew refined sugar and added protein for breakfast and then couldn't get him to eat lunch because he "wasn't hungry"! Imagine that!

After understanding some of his other behaviors I checked into a tourette's syndrome web site. There was recommendations for supplements that seem to have major positive impacts for even tourette's.

Check out what the body is missing first and supply it!

T.

[Archive]

Originally Posted By yrand

Natural therapy is one thing that I am New Age about too Susan.I suggest if anyone wants to check what they may be deficent in go to a chiropractor and have him do a muscle test
with the various supplements.It really works!

[Archive]

Pam,

I got interested in the supplement approach after listening to a Dianne Craft tape called The Biology of Learning and Behavior that a friend of mine had picked up at a homeschool conference recently. (I was unable to attend the conference myself, as it happened about a week after Demario arrived.) I then looked into the Dianne Craft website and my research progressed from there.

To read Dianne's articles on the topic, you can go to
http://www.diannecraft.com/articles.html

Hope this helps, and I'd love to hear your feedback after reading the articles and perhaps trying the supplements with Rayon too!

-Susan

[Archive]

I've been in a situation where I was forced to give a child meds or have him removed from my home---His SW felt I was not following a Dr. orders (At 5 he was prescribed Risprodal, Remeron, Tinix, Imprimine, and something else for bedwetting.) It made me sick.

(I have known other people in the same place, I've seen kids listed on the photo sites after adoption disruption and the reason given for the disruption is prospective parents did not give meds.) This isn't the happy part. It made me feel so helpless to know I couldn't do anything for the child.

I'm overjoyed that this is working for you--there is this lady here who has just the nicest bunch of kids and she is really into the diet thing too.

I myself will not let the kids drink anything red because it sets them off. We also try to stay away from potted and canned meats.

I wish you well.

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Pam

///

[Archive]

[Archive]

Check with your local chiropractor for health information that isn't drug based. Proper diet and nutrition for God's creation is NOT 'New Age' just common sense.

MDs think that you have to take a pill to solve any health problem. I'm not knocking traditional medicine where it makes sense...there's just so much else that can be done to solve health problems that the MD WON'T tell you about.

For instance, I was referred to an Opthamologist for Glaucoma testing. I flunked two separate Glaucoma tests at age 35 given by my Optometrist. My husband and I checked out the vitamin store for supplements that may help to reduce the pressure in the eyes. I started taking Choline (the top recommendation in the book). After 6 weeks, I went to the Opthamologist and the test result was in the normal range - no Glaucoma! I asked if taking the Choline could have improved the pressures in my eyes and he said "no". Two years of Glaucoma checks and I've been released from the Glaucoma checks every 6 months. You better believe that I still take Choline every day though. :-) I told my co-worker this story and she did her own research and decided to take Choline when she was first diagnosed with Glaucoma. Her first visit results were in the normal range too!

If you don't want to take a supplement then check which foods are high in whatever your body is lacking (i.e. for Choline, it's eggs).

T.

[Archive]

Change the child's diet and still give him the meds. Sometimes the effect will be that the addition of the "meds" to a properly working body will produce negative side effects that the MD can't ignore! Then, instead of it being your opinion, it's his and the child benefits!

T.