I’m having a bit of a rant tonight!!!

As you know I have established a ‘HET PET’ programme whereby children and animals with experiences in common heal together through friendship and helping each other with natural remedies.

When I lost my beloved Ruby in October, I was ripped of by the insurance company Pet Plan who despite paying them £40 per month over many years – refused to contribute towards the extortionate vet’s bill from St George’s vets in Wolverhampton for £240 to call at my house and put her to sleep. The PDSA refused to help despite the fact I was on low income – because I was on a small private pension I was not eligible for any benefits, so they refused to help as I did not have a benefit book.

Today, I was concerned about Daisy ( our film celebrity and rescue pig form Willow Bridge – a little piggy who didn’t go to market), who was off colour and I was concerned enough to phone them up and ask for help as I now receive some help for the council tax – and I should have been eligible for help. They refused to help because they won’t help pigs! Quote ‘Nurse Yvonne’ at Wolverhampton

I have raised and given a lot of money over the years to PDSA and did you know that they have a retail sector and pay their staff and area manager?

Maybe you would like to question them next time you donate, articles to their charity shop? Or time or money, because you care about animals being helped rather than running a retail sector business!

I for one certainly shan’t again!!!

By the way, within an hour of receiving healing Daisy was up and eating and playing again – she is fine!!!

No thanks to the vet at St George’s vets, who when I asked them for help after years of being a customer with pets turned round and said – we won’t give free care – phone the RSPCA and get her re-homed!!!

Does anyone have a heart out there anymore?

I know there are some lovely like – minded souls on this site… what do you think?

I have just had the new ADHD quotient test brought to my attention. This has been FDA approved as the objective way to test for ADHD and it is now very successful in the US. Shortly to be available world wide.

Very simply it is a computer test that lasts 15 minutes and is designed to be boring. Children  and adults can be tested on this and it involves responding to different shaped stars appearing randomly on the screen, For each different shape you have to press a different key and so you have to pay attention throughout a boring exercise.

However, you are wired up to infra technology that can monitor movements in your feet  and your head and which can indicate when you get impatient or when your attention wanders. These scores are then analysed and give a read out on impulsivity and inattentiveness levels.

So, Has anybody here tried this and also what do you all think about it?

Do you think it will lead to more prescibing of medication?

It is encouraging to see there is something more than subjective interpretation of behavioural responses to define a diagnosis of ADHD. This is certainly commendable data to be taken into account in  any bench marking or evaluation methodology  in approaches which support ADHD. Throughout my research programme I used observational data by unobtrusively observing the number of times children came off task in class throughout therapeutic interventions. Also observing HOW they came off task was significant in defining triggers to their behviour. This was monitored throughout the intervention phase of the research.

Now I do have a couple of considerations I would like  to share for opinion:

Firstly, Does working with computers / infra red technology affect the brainwaves of sensitive children ( as defined in the Dorren Virtue model of Indigo children)? Don't forget some of these children have extreme hypersensitivity which translates as compromised (overstimulated) autonomic nervous systems which present as ADHD symptoms.

Secondly, While it helps to define the nature of the ADHD condition, Does it take us any closer to truly understanding what causes the symptoms that define the condition? It's a bit like a headache - the symptoms can be the same or similar for everyone who has a headache - but the reasons are very diiferent.

Thirdly, this new development can lend itself to even more prescription of medication which at best can be described as concerning in relation to the side effects. No one really knows how Ritalin works but we do  know a lot about the side effects! we do not really need to increase the medication rates to bring down the scores on this system, as a justification to medicate through prescribing stimulants.

Also it doesn't take account of the person who wants to go on medication and therefore not does comply with the aim of the test and deliberately fails to respond as the test requires them to .

I would love to use this system to monitor the results of the different stages and levels of an integrated system  such as HET ( Holistic Educational Therapy)

What do you think?

On the day after advertising for the Dore programme famed for working with dyslexia, (which is often symptomatically linked with experiencing ADHD symptoms,) was banned, we may have found a new way forward.

http://bit.ly/7zoVev

Something that does not need FDA endorsement!

Or will NOT offend the sensibilities of the advertising standards agency!

Government backed bodies   appear  hell bent on preventing families getting their hands on helpful information which can alleviate stressful symptoms that lead to diagnoses of condtions like ADHD, ADD, and other behavioual disorders without resorting to medication which can can lead to severe side effects.

The study of neuro-feedback devices has often had a good success rate in helping ADHD symptoms. However it would seem  that success has now been harnessed in a new game craze. The application of this technology has huge potential in helping the ADHD brain waves focus within certain frequencies which will help concetration and focus.

This new game designed by Mattel works by drawing on brain signals and translating them to affect the movement of special ping pong balls by thought. An interesting technique, which has been known to lie behind the psychic abilities relating to telekinesis for many years! However the new games seem like fun and a powerful tool for improving  ADHD /ADD focus.

http://bit.ly/5DbLMu

Let us know if anyone has tried these out and how they found it:

Well, i came by a very ineresting link today!

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/12/20/advert-ban-for-dore-programme-91466-25431047/

Now I have worked in schools that have had very good results with this programme and I am totally amazed at this reaction...

Something safe simple -  no side effects and they try to stop people finding out about it?

And it helps people??

What do you think about it?

Well isn’t it just amazing?

Scientists ( see  medical research scientists!) have discovered that many children with ADHD and who are taking stimulant medication such as Ritalin and Adderall ( a combination of amphetamines) are still showing symptoms of aggression whilst they are on the medication.

So.. is this then deemed not to be working and therefore an indication to look at other forms of treatment and causes for these behavioural symptoms?

NO!!!!

It doesn’t!!!!

The solution then?

To prescribe anti seizure driugs for these children in addition to their other stimulant medication.

In a trial study, Dr. Joseph C. Blader, from Stony Brook University School of Medicine, has been prescribing Divalproex, an anti seizure drug which makes children  unhappy and difficult for them to sleep and discovered that it helps to reduce aggression compared to a group who received placebos. It is thought this will now pave the way for better drug combinations.

Am I missing something here? – anyone stopped to think about the fact the drugs are creating the problems and aren’t working or would a radical opinion like that affect profits if taken seriously.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=9332332

What do you think???

I have recently heard from Adam whose son had very bad ADHD symptoms. Following advice, the family went to medication and experienced extreme side effects - their story is one that I hear so very often from families which is why I want to share this story with you.

We look at diet and nutrition in Stepping Stone 3  - this family had a complete turn around with dietary adjustments and in this letter they kindly share the regime that worked so well for them.

"My name is Hafiza Khan. Before I share with you my story I would like to share a bit of my background with you so that you have an understanding of where I am coming from. I earned my Bachelors degree in Canada and had worked for the Ministry of Social Services and Mental Health as a Certified Behavioral Therapist and Residential Counselor with individuals with Autism, Down’s Syndrome, Schizoprenia and other Mental Health Disabilities. I also have a Masters in Education and I taught Middle School for three years so I have a lot of experience working with kids with special needs.

I was first introduced to isotonix when I was searching for an alternative to dealing with some of the challenges that my 14-year-old son was facing. Due to my background and all the research I had personally done, I knew my son had ADHD when he was five but I didn’t have him diagnosed until he was in 5th grade and started failing. I also knew that medications do not cure ADHD but rather help the individual focus enough so that they can learn the cognitive skills they need to cope with their ADHD. Upon diagnosis we chose to put him on meds. At first the meds seemed to be very successful in treating his ADHD however after a year being on Straterra he wasn’t able to stomach it any more – within half an hour of taking the meds he would start vomiting and it didn’t matter how much protein he ate. So we switched to Adderal XR. This worked for a little while but by the end of 7th grade these meds weren’t working as well either so now not only did we increase his dosage but we also started him in monthly counseling sessions. By the time he hit 8th grade the meds were ineffective and he was now in weekly counseling sessions and in addition to his ADHD diagnosis he was also being labeled as “being defiant” having “Oppositional Conduct Disorder,” “Depression” and “Major Mood Disorder.”

We tried different meds and we tried different dosages – Concerta which made his behavior worst, daytrana which gave him a horrible skin rash so we decided to stick with Adderal but increase the dosage. Increasing the doasages didn’t help because now he was having anger management problems and was becoming quite defiant. In fact he was so angry that he had tried to run away. That scared us and we promptly took him in to be evaluated and at that point it was recommended that we pull him from school and put him into a day program with extensive counseling – in which he was getting 6-7 hours of group and individual therapy per day. He was also put on anti depressants and mood stabilizers (2 different ones to control his anger and defiance). The behaviors did not get better. In fact not only had he gained 100 pounds but his behavior worsened – he was now suffering from delusions and we were concerned that he may be having suicidal thoughts. Here he was 14 years old very angry, wanted to drop out of school, and was on a way road to self destruction.

To make a long story short over the next 4 months (January through April) he had been hospitalized for a period of 12 weeks. This included being transferred to a residential treatment center 300 miles away in Austin, TX. The only comfort I had was that he was in a high risk suicide lock down unit so I knew that they would have eyes on him at all times and they had teachers there who were trained in working with children with ADHD.

When he was released they were giving us all his meds and I asked them were his ADHD meds were. That’s when they told me that they never gave it to him and he did fine in school. However when we took him back to regular school the issues started back up and the mandatory group therapy that he was attending 3 times a week didn’t seem to be helping. So we put him back on to the Adderall in addition to the anti depressants and mood stabilizers he was taking.

He continued on the meds for another 6 months when he started getting really sick (October) – we thought it was a stomach virus that he kept getting. We took him to the doctors and they gave him medication and antibiotics but they never helped. I even asked his doctor if he thought my son could be getting a toxic reaction to the meds but the doctor assured me that was very rare and highly unlikely. Then in November he got up one day and came to our room in the middle of the night telling us that he couldn’t breathe and he felt as if there was a 25 lb weight on his chest. We thought he was having an asthma attack. We gave him a breathing treatment it didn’t get better. When we took him to emergency they diagnosed him with gastritis and told me that his esophagus was raw and bleeding and yes it could be induced by stress and they gave us more antibiotics and other medication. Two weeks later he is still vomiting and he now has yeast in his mouth. So at that time I made a decision – I could take him to his MD (which would be cheaper because insurance would cover it) or I could take him to someone who practiced a more natural approach. I chose the latter it was the best decision I made.

My child walked into my natrupaths office holding a bucket because he couldn’t hold anything in. After treatment which included acupuncture, cupping, and being put on a detox diet he was smiling for the first time in weeks. That was the last day he ever took his meds because I chose to take him off. Instead of his we put him on a supplement regimen that included:

Specturm Multi Vitamin
OPC-3
Vitamin B Complex
Calcium
Vitamind

My son has been on this regimen for almost a year and he his more like himself again. He is doing well in school, communicating more with his teachers and taking responsibility for his learning. He is currently taking 3 AP classes (Biology, Algebra and World History) and is one of the 30 students chosen in the Student Ambassador program to study in the Galapagos Islands this summer. Now when people meet him they describe him as a very polite and compassionate young man so full of life and how wonderful he is with his younger brother."

I have included here the links that Adam sent fot those who want to find out more about these particular products

http://www.marketamerica.com/nuyou/categories-435/childrens-health.htm

I have also included below some basic information on how you can start to look at working with your chuild's diet and nutrition, looking at additves and diet, food processing and how nutritional quality  varies.

Please add any questions or comments on the Diet forum

I have worked with young people with ADHD ADD and similar behavioural problems for many years. Because of my focus on natural approaches and  their success with this particular condition, I have only recently become involved with various discussion boards on Facebook, which has been  a very interesting experience. Mainly because of the numerous posts from people of all ages ( including someone aged 80 ) who speak of great relief at having their condition finally diagnosed.

WHY?

So many people are focused on their symptoms and how they match everyone else’s symptoms that they lose sight of all the positive ways they can go forward – they are stuck in a cyber glitch… on hyping out the condition – is this a symptom in itself?

Well I investigated further and went to Dr Halliwells site which was recommended by one of the posts – I did the unforgiveable – took the symptom test for  ADHD / ADD – and guess what?

 A score of 12 indicate a diagnosis – I scored 16  - Oooops!

So I’ve rewritten the symptoms from a different positive perspective  paints a slightly different picture?

• A sense of underachievement, of not meeting one’s goals (regardless of how much one has actually accomplished).
• NOW READ: a burning desire to achieve something, a passion for what you do – so that you keep striving for greater heights
• Difficulty getting organized.
• NOW READ: find yourself impeded by day to day mundane things that have to be sorted when you know that what you really want to do is something that really makes a difference and is so fulfilling
• Chronic procrastination or trouble getting started.
• NOW READ: having better things to do than having to spend time doing things that aren’t meaningful or interesting
• Many projects going simultaneously; trouble with follow through.
• NOW READ: so many exciting things lead to other things – creative approaches create so many options
• A tendency to say what comes to mind without necessarily considering the timing or appropriateness of the remark.
• NOW READ: being honest and remaining authentic to oneself
• A frequent search for high stimulation.
• NOW READ : A drive to move on and not stagnate
• An intolerance of boredom.
• NOW READ: A refusal to tolerate old outdated ways of doing things that have proven not to work
• Easy distractibility; trouble focusing attention, tendency to tune out or drift away in the middle of a page or conversation, often coupled with an inability to focus at times.
• NOW READ: the ability to look at situations from many different perspectives and see many powerful new outcomes
• Often creative, intuitive, highly intelligent
• NOW READ: often creative, intuitive, highly intelligent
• Trouble in going through established channels and following “proper” procedure.
• NOW READ: Do not suffer fools gladly, especially when they do things wrong
• Impatient; low tolerance of frustration.
• NOW READ: do not take kindly to being held back by other people’s inability to hold vision
• Impulsive, either verbally or in action, as an impulsive spending of money.
• NOW READ: able to make quick, creative and intuitive responses to situations
• Changing plans, enacting new schemes or career plans and the like; hot-tempered.
• Flexible and talented, not responsive to being held back
• A tendency to worry needlessly, endlessly; a tendency to scan the horizon looking for something to worry about, alternating with attention to or disregard for actual dangers.
• NOW READ: thinking ahead to be prepared and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve what needs to be done.
• A sense of insecurity.
• NOW READ: knowing tht no matter what everything will turn out OK even when you can’t explain how.
• Mood swings, mood lability, especially when disengaged from a person or a project.
• NOW READ: being able to understand and sense things and people from different perspectives being responsive to the situation
• Physical or cognitive restlessness.
• NOW READ: knowing when to do things differently and to move on
• A tendency toward addictive behavior.
• NOW READ: Ability to focus to strive to perfection
• Chronic problems with self-esteem.
• NOW READ: Learning to create a powerful positive relationship with yourself
• Inaccurate self-observation.
• NOW READ:  the ability to learn from mistakes
• Family history of AD/HD or manic depressive illness or depression or substance abuse or other disorders of impulse control or mood.
• NOW READ: learning to evolve the mistakes of family members and to do it differently

BRING IT ON!!!

Interesting news in the media this week  about Fruit flies and ADHD / ADD

http://www.newkerala.com/nkfullnews-1-158612.html

So what are the fruit flies telling us about behaviour problems today?

Well to sum it all up in one word – Dopamine, part of the ongoing debate over ADHD.

Our brains pass information in mapped pathways via brain hormones that do special jobs – the dopamine job for example is involved with rewards. Dopamine is commonly associated with the pleasure system of the brain, providing feelings of enjoyment encouraging us to do certain things in certain ways. When the DNA is altered in receptors which are the little antennae that pick up on this chemical transmission, subtle changes take place which means the dopamine cannot do its job properly anymore. This creates certain symptoms that can be associated with ADHD. For example people can have difficulty concentrating, many have impulsive behaviours and take  risks, seeming to have no fear factor and also  become addicted to these feelings.

This is where a misunderstanding of the symptoms can cause problems because if there is something else causing these emotional and behavioural responses then  drugs like Ritalin that work like cocaine  can cause problems by inappropriately causing imbalance in these delicate brain chemical levels.

So what do the fruit flies have to do with all this?  One of those dopamine receptors is linked with waking up . We have all had that strange feeling when we wake up the morning in that in between place between sleep and the wakening world…  confusion and disorientation. Well scientific research into the fruit flies has compared this kind of disorientation with  the response we experience to  changes in our environment and the effect this can have on us particularly after they have had their DNA  changed.

Dopamine receptors had the DNA or protein base changed, this creates hypersensitive behaviour to changes in the environment. Experiments on the fruit flies blowing puffs of air into their cage  causes them to become very hyperactive and sensitive to the stimulus, in much the same way as hyperactive children behave.

Does ADHD cause the  hypersensitive dopamine reaction OR does the hypersensitive dopamine reaction cause the ADHD?

Is it a chicken or an egg we are looking at here?

HET addresses all of this naturally, by putting in natural homeopathic coded messages into the DNA of what it should look like and be doing? What if we can do this in a safe way with no side effects and then support the new messages with good nutrition for the cells to repair and heal with? And then eliminate toxins like artificial sweeteners which are known to cause DNA damage and deterioration?

After 40 years no one can really explain how Ritalin works or what really causes ADHD and yet we are still prepared to load this into high percentages of children who experience hypersensitive behaviours to their environments

What are fruit flies telling us about natural ways forward?

You know one of the many things I enjoy so much about this site is the regular contact with like minded, informed, discening and intelligent people who understand that there are answers beyond the medical model and are prepared to examine these for the sake of their children.

A quick survey of other ADHD forums shows me how fortuntate we are to have such lovely people as yoursleves contribute to this community.

I am currently engaging in a thread on Facebook about the struggle for parents of ADHD children between home and school- so checkout the discussion board and you will see what I mean.

I do not condemn medication and have supported families with a complementary therapy approach who go that route  for many years...

here are a couple of my posts on the matter - see what you think?

I totally applaud the comment above regarding informed choice and to that end have submitted some interesting references and informative source information regarding medications. I hope you find this helpful.

With regards to the comments like diabetes, this is a very different scenario. There are medical test available i.e. blood sugar tests and is a very definite medical condition. With ADHD etc., it is very different, they are diagnosed not by any clinical test but by a score on a behavioural checklist e.g. Connor’s scale which is constantly undergoing revision because of concerns about validity.

Coupled with this, ADHD, ADD, Autism, Aspergers are known as ‘Spectrum disorders’ which means that it is different for everyone that has it.

Alongside this, any approach should be individualised to the person concerned, able to monitored for its effectiveness and holistic, as no one knows for sure what is causing these problems although many people improve from different approaches, e.g. behavioural support, emotional management, diet, nutrition, exercise, psychotherapy, relaxation techniques and individualised curriculum etc

I do work with families from the UK, USA and Europe and they are all saying the same thing – the problem is global!

An overview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-Gj3kTtJYE


What children themselves have to say:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd51-ArqJgw&feature=related


Who benefits?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYoqiSyM0_I

Evidence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOW8LNU2hFE

The debate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc-oR5FJyaI

Ritalin may have been around for 40 years but they are still finding unknown side effects today: adolescents and Ritalin

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168318.php

and then today: