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Taking academic test is an unavoidable part of modern society.
Whether you’re a child or adult with an attention deficit disorder,
learning disability or simply want to improve your chances of scoring
higher on a particular examination the following information may be
beneficial for you. Two functions that are typically necessary in a
test taking situation are short term memory and working memory. Short
term memory is the ability to retain small amounts of information in
and at hand along with attainable condition for short periods. Working
memory also requires short term storage of information, but in
addition requires the ability to manipulate that information. As an
example, tests for short term memory is require the immediately call
of random numbers. Typically, one can remember approximately seven
numbers in this fashion (i.e. a phone number). Working memory is
normally required in order to do complex and multi step tasks.
A study recently published in the Indian Journal of Pediatrics found that ”
iron and zinc deficiency is associated with memory deficits in
children.” The study also found when these children were supplemented
with iron and zinc there was significant improvement. Another study
published in November of 2010 in the Journal of Human
Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental found that”caffeine
and glucose can have beneficial effects on cognitive performance.”
Therefore, there are two possible factors which may improve
performance in test taking situations. Iron and zinc levels of
measured by serum analysis and can be done at any standard laboratory.
This testing can be ordered by your physician and appropriate
supplementation can be instituted and monitored. Glucose levels can
also be monitored by standard laboratory analysis.
Functional medicine practitioners are always more cognizant of nutritional protocols.
There are specialty lab test to measure caffeine clearance. Of
course, when instituting any type of glucose protocol the patient and their
doctor should be aware of any type of hypoglycemic or insulin
resistance which the patient may have. In conclusion, if this article
peaks your interest, contact your primary care physician or a
functional medicine practitioner for further consultation on this
matter.
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Ernie El’s is a professional golfer and a major champion, and yet the one thing he wants to be remembered for is as someone who took the issue of Autism and did something with it. Ernie’s own son, Ben was diagnosed with Autism.
His son Ben’s Autism was the main driving force behind Ernie’s decision to relocate from Wentworth to West Palm Beach , Florida .
Ernie is also very much in the public eye and he uses this as a platform to help raise funds and awareness for the causes of Autism and its possible treatments. It is something that he obviously feels very passionate about.
Els for Autism Foundation was formed in the spring of 2009. Ernie’s goal was to help create a Center of Excellence , a model for the world of what should be available to children on the autism spectrum. The Center will launch a global digital learning platform that will make best practices in education and therapy available to thousands of children around the world on the autism spectrum. The Center will also have on site education for ages 3-21, professional and medical services, research and transition to adulthood.
I thought I would share this story, because it touched my heart. There are those that are doing much in creating help and hope for Autism, and this is extremely important to individuals and families that struggle everyday in the world that is Autism. It keeps hope alive and helps to continue to move forward.
Ernie’s Personal Story and Link to information about the Foundation, El’s For Autism:
http://www.ernieels.com/els_for_autism/ernies_story.html
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Can Emotion Be Taught???
Can you teach someone to feel?
Is it a “Heart-Felt Smile” or are we just “Showing Teeth”?
“Smile Sweetie…please smile…” I would plead to my little boy, before his Granny would come for a visit. The result was always the same…a very stiff showing of teeth, not a real smile, and nothing about it was emotional in any way. It was just something that he had to do, whenever he saw his grandmother. It was kind of like Pavlov’s Dog…with my little boy…”I see Granny’s Face — I Smile”. And, I taught him well because he remembered every time…yes…the stiff showing of teeth, a very robotic gesture indeed.
I would marvel at the difference in the reunion, as I watched my younger child, who is not on the Autism Spectrum; react when his Granny came for a visit. “Granny!” The shout was gleeful, like pure Happiness had filled the air…and his face…his face held the most heartfelt and emotionally charged smile that spread to his entire body, as it flowed from it’s emotional center. I never had to teach him this display…he just knew it, and came by his emotional gestures, and social graces very naturally. For most of us, this does not need to be taught.
Deep remorse over what my little boy could not feel, or experience depressed me deeply. Our greatest gift as human beings is emotion, and it is also the greatest tragedy in that, for many on the Autism Spectrum, this emotional aspect of their lives is missing, diminished, or inappropriate in some way. In much of the therapy that we would try…there would be at its core…a reward system. If you smile…you can play with that toy. If you say “Thank You”, I’ll give you a cookie.
My little boy loved rewards, and he was quite good at completing whatever tasks were required in order to receive it. And so…He would “Smile”…and he would get to play with the toy. And…He would say, “Thank You”…and he would get the cookie. And…I guess that I should have been happy with that…after all he was responding to the “Social Graces” of
Society, right???…well maybe…It’s just that, while he said the right words, and made the right gestures…he didn’t…“Feel It”… and it never hit his emotional center…at least from all outward appearances. He couldn’t mirror the faces of the people that loved him and would smile at him, and just long for him to smile back.
I desperately wanted so much more for my little boy, than just to be able to respond robotically to social situations. I wanted to somehow find something or someone who could reach the emotional center of his little brain…so that he would be able to “experience” emotion. I wanted him to “feel” the smile, the hug, the emotion.
And now the emotion is here! When I put down his plate of supper in front of him, he looks up at me, straight into my eyes, and with a warm smile, he says, “Thank you, Mommy”…and, I didn’t have to promise a toy…When I give him a smile, and a thumbs – up…he knows what that means, and he gives me a smile…and real one…and a thumbs – up right back.
Best of all…are the times that Granny comes over…Wow!!! I can’ t believe my eyes, as this child, that would formally, stand back, smile stiffly (because that was what he was supposed to do), and say “Hi, Granny” in a rather monotone voice….THIS SAME CHILD…runs to the door, and embraces his grandmother with the most loving emotion that rivals even his little brother. And I watch this reunion through the bleary eyes of tears that overwhelm me with a tremendous sense of happiness and joy.
We are not just “Showing Teeth” anymore…
Sincerely,
Kimberly Larochelle
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Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID) is a neurological disorder pioneered 40 years ago by A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D., OTR. Dr. Ayres developed the sensory integration theory to explain the relationship between behavior and brain functioning.
Most children and adults on the Autism Spectrum have some degree of Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Life can be very difficult for these children and their families because of these sensitivities. Many times parents have to be very proactive in determining the sensory atmosphere of a certain restaurant, theme park, etc.
I found this list that describes many situations and behaviors that Sensory Integration Dysfunction would manifest problems therein. Since it can be hard to understand sometimes, I thought this list may be helpful as a guide to help parents and caregivers to assist their children that may have some of these sensitivities, as this awareness can help lead to understanding and much needed patience.
- Fascination with lights, fans, water
- Hand flapping/repetitive movements
- Spinning items, taking things apart
- Walking on tip-toe
- Little awareness of pain or temperature
- Coordination problems
- Unusually high or low activity level
- Difficulty with transitions (doesn’t “go with the flow”)
- Self-Injury or aggression
- Extremes of activity level (either hyperactive or under active).
- Fearful in space (on the swings, seesaw or heights).
- Striking out at someone who accidentally brushes by them.
- Avoidance of physical contact with people and with certain “textures,” such as sand, paste and finger paints.
- The child may react strongly to stimuli on face, hands and feet.
- A child may have a very short attention span and become easily distracted.
- A strong dislike of certain grooming activities, such as brushing the teeth, washing the face, having the hair brushed or cut.
- An unusual sensitivity to sounds and smells.
- A child may refuse to wear certain clothes or insist on wearing long sleeves/pants so that the skin is not exposed.
- Frequently adjusts clothing, pushing up sleeves and/or pant legs.
- An acute awareness of background noises.
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Dr. Frances Jensen, neuroscientist at Children’s Hospital Boston and president-elect of the American Epilepsy Society, spoke at TEDMED 2010 conference about the developing brain.
Dr. Jensen has been active in exploring the connections between autism and epilepsy. This month Nature Medicine featured her work, which suggests that there’s more overlap between autism and seizures than previously thought.
Such discoveries may help in the quest for treating autism and epilepsy, as scientists look to target common underlying causes behind both conditions rather than just individual symptoms.
I am sending the link to the video that shows a time lapse of a child’s developing brain, along with Dr. Jensen’s explanation of brain plasticity and connectivity.
Link to video:
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We’ve all experienced it…and quite a few times actually…every time we are with or around “typical children”. It may be at the mall, or at a playground…and all of a sudden our child does something, whether it be hollering, flapping or spinning…we don’t notice right away, because we are accustomed to being around these little stims at home. It takes a couple of seconds, and by the time, we notice…we’ve also noticed something else…Yes…from other parents and other children…it’s the “sideways glance”. It’s penetrating, and brutal, and it is virtually overwhelming when the “sideways glance” is coupled with a few hushed whispers from one typical mom to the next. We can’t blame them…but we do! They think they are being discreet…but they are not! Some, may even give us a patronizing look of sympathy, and feel that it may make us feel better…But…it doesn’t!
So, what do we do? How do we feel? We all know how we SHOULD feel…the noble attitude of, “This is my child, and yes, he is autistic…this is just fine, and I love him and I accept him as he is in all environments…and I am not embarrassed or ashamed…so there…” and we hold our head high with dignity. This is our façade…this is our mask. Although there are a few of us that have been able to achieve the inner strength to muster up this same resolve and confidence in their hearts as well…most of us….well, deep inside us…our hearts are breaking!
Those sideways glances, whispers, and patronizing looks…they hurt, and yes…badly…like the stabs of a knife into our hearts. We think to ourselves, “I shouldn’t let this bother me.” And “I don’t even care what other people think.” But…it does bother us, and it does embarrass us. We may ask ourselves, “Why does this bother me…Why don’t I just “get over” myself…
The answer is just as simple, and as natural as a heartbeat…We are HUMAN! And, as human beings, we care about what others think of us, and we long to be accepted…it is in our job description as people. People conform to social graces, and standards, and this makes us all feel comfortable, and secure. As a society of people, we have come a long way too…Just look at us…we have disabilities all around us and we don’t even flinch anymore, at someone in a wheelchair, or a blind or deaf person. But…when it comes to a “social disability” as in the autism spectrum….well that is a real jagged pill. Because of our set standards of behavior, these social disabilities make people uncomfortable, and they are at a loss as to how to react.
So, what is the answer…education, exposure…Yes, and yes, these are big parts of the puzzle that is “Acceptance” and “Awareness”.
This April, lets all promote Autism Awareness as never before, since April is the dedicated month of International Autism Awareness and therein afterwards, month after month, year after year, day after day. As there is more and more Autism Awareness…less and less become the occasions when we have to endure “The Sideways Glance”.
Kimberly Larochelle
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Warriors for Autism are a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Autism awareness. This foundation raises funds to help create programs such as sponsoring therapies, organizing family field trips, support groups, and sensory-friendly play dates for children and families of Autism Spectrum.
The goal of Deena Rivera, founder of Warriors for Autism is not only to raise awareness about Autism, but also to generate a desperate need for funding, in order to sponsor families who do not otherwise have access to vital therapies and much needed assistance in the Tampa Bay area.
This Saturday, 4/23rd, Deena Rivera and her Warriors for Autism are hosting the following event and I thought many would be interesting in attending especially in this month of April, since it honors International Autism Month.
Here is the information to the event:
1st Annual Tampa Bay Joins Hands for Autism
Cocktails & Silent Auction Benefit
Saturday, April 23, 2011 from 6:30pm – 10:30pm
A fun evening event for Tampa ’s Warriors to come together, to dine, dance and show support for the fight against difficulties our autistic children face everyday. Proceeds from this event will be dedicated towards creating safe and affordable summer programs for children with autism spectrum disorders.
For further information contact:
Deena@warriorsforautism.com / 813-857-1698
www.warriorsforautism.org
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Autism is Local. Autism is National. Autism is International. The month of April is honoring “World Autism Month” and so do we here at the Mane’ Center. There are no boundaries in the world that is Autism, and there is no color, race, creed, social or economic distinctions either.
The Mane’ Center has been embracing visitors and patients all the way from the Tampa Bay Area to Michigan and North Carolina , to the UK this month! It is truly a pleasure to be able to see the worldwide scope and the outpouring of international togetherness to find a solution for our world’s children and families living with Autism Spectrum.
A few months ago, I had the great pleasure of being interviewed by Kevin Healey of Autism Radio UK . This was a tremendous forward step in a positive direction in getting the word out about hope and help for Autism Spectrum Disorders.
HERE IS THE LINK TO THE INTERVIEW:
http://www.autismradiouk.co.uk/archive/listen-again/200.php
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Ahhh…the life of a child…So wistfully happy, and ultimately carefree. With not a care in the world, a child is free…free from life’s stresses, and so it is, and so it should be the best time of life. This state of being is usually true of most typical children, but to most of those that are within the Autism Spectrum…it is not. For these children, life in general is just the opposite. Instead of being carefree…they are worried. Instead of being happy…they are frustrated, and fretful. Life for them can be “too Loud”, “too Confusing”, or just “too Much”… For example, I give you…”A Day at the Beach…” The sounds of the waves…so very pleasant, and relaxing…for MOST, and yet for them, these same sounds that can relax us and even lull us to sleep…can be as a “Frightening Roar” to these children. Let’s add just another sensory component to our scene, shall we: The “feel’ of the warm sand, as it squeezes between our toes…it is a wonderful sensation …for MOST, and yet for them, the texture of this same sand is as an extreme irritant, and it’s sensation attacks their “Tactile Sense”, and it can be painful to them. Let’s add to this picture yet again… “The Bright Sunny Day”, as the sun beams and glistens on the water like sparkling diamonds…Beautiful…Yes…for MOST, and yet for them, the bright sun is too bright, as they cover their eyes, in search of shade, and relief from the onslaught of the sun. Add the occasional sounds of the “Sea Gulls”. as we watch in delight, while they soar and land upon the shore, lifting their heads and calling to whomever may hear them…an intriguing delight for MOST, and yet these same sounds are as literal “Shrieks” that jump out of the air suddenly, and startle them to their very core. Those on the Autism Spectrum have some very bewildering sensory issues, as some of their senses are overly sensitive, and yet others under sensitive…add to the confusion , and you will find that there is varying combinations of overly and under sensory issues and degrees, and all unique to each individual. I used to say, “If only I could get inside my little boy, and see the world through his eyes and ears…I would know…I would KNOW…”
And so… “A Day at the Beach” …for many on the Autism Spectrum…really is NOT… “A Day at the Beach”… It is very much a stressful and dramatically exhausting endeavor for them…and just the opposite from the way that we think of the occasion, and the expression that we loosely use to describe something easy and stress free…in other words: “A DAY AT THE BEACH” By: Kimberly Larochelle
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I sat stunned while I waited at the traffic light, as I gazed at my little boy, Levi riding in the car in front of mine with his daddy. The car in back of me tapped on their horn to break my paralyzed state. “He just waved at me…HE JUST WAVED AT ME!” my voice broke to no one but myself as I drove alone. I was speaking of my son, who had just waved at me with a grin from ear to ear, for the 1st time in his life! He is 10 years old, and I just got my very 1st wave from him…Amazing!
It was amazing because it was a REAL WAVE, not something that he HAD to do or had been trained to do…No…he “emotionally felt” this wonderfully simple and yet powerfully complex gesture.
Of course, what makes this situation so noteworthy is the fact that my son was diagnosed with Aspergers. What is a wave to someone with Aspergers? Certainly, my son never understood the meaning emotionally. And now…NOW he DID!!!
His eyes were alive and danced with understanding and emotional awareness. This made my heart leap, and every fiber of my being exploded in a crescendo of happiness. I thought to myself and even spoke aloud, “He’s going to be ALL RIGHT…”, and my eyes filled with joy unsurpassed.
Since that “Wave”, there have been many more small and yet huge gestures of emotional awareness and fellow feeling shown and my heart applauds each one. We have seen “blowing kisses”, “winks”, “grins and smiles of enjoyment”, “thumbs-up gestures” and of course “waves” of hello and goodbye…all accompanied by the most beautiful eye contact you have ever seen! Those olive-green eyes of awareness and understanding are by far the dreamiest and most breathtaking that I have ever gazed upon.
As these emotional “jewels” manifest themselves, other less desirable traits seem to be diminishing. Things such as anxiety, frustration, and fear. His demeanor seems calmer, happier, and more secure. As a matter of fact, this calmer and happy state has had a runoff effect on the entire family. There is a peacefulness that has settled in our home and it has replaced worry and apprehension.
There are many tiny miracles around us and we experience them in many ways everyday…some of these are as simple as a smile, or a
…“WAVE”…
By: Kimberly Larochelle
