Energy Plus

Elizabeth C., a single mother of two young children was at her wits end when she came to our office last fall. After a difficult year in nursery school the year before, this year, her five year old daughter Jennifer had been asked to leave the full day private kindergarten she was attending. The teachers said she was disruptive, unmanageable, loud, didn't follow directions, had trouble focusing, paying attention and continuously interrupted both teachers and other students. Unfortunately, Jennifer was not any easier at home than at school and her behavior was starting to take a toll on the entire family.

Elizabeth felt desperate and wanted some ideas of things she could do to help her daughter. Although there were no quick fixes there were natural alternatives using organizational strategies, time management strategies, nutritional strategies and herbs that she learned to use to help restructure her parenting, her children's eating habits, routines and lifestyle to meet the needs of her child.

Elizabeth C's story is not an isolated one. Every year, more and more parents come to us concerned about their children's inability to focus in school, challenging behavior and problems with organization and attention.

Today, kids are exposed to all kinds of environmental factors that may hinder their ability to focus or concentrate. Toxins, pollution, unhealthy foods, hectic lifestyles, and stress affect children every day. About 5- 8% of school age children are diagnosed with ADD while many others who are not diagnosed experience attention and organizational symptoms in varying degrees. Strategies that are helpful for children with ADD or ADHD usually are helpful for all children.

1. Eat whole foods that nourish the brain; There are foods that help enhance learning, memory and build neural connections. Conversely, there are foods that interfere with memory, learning, etc. Make a concerted effort to learn the difference!

Foods like salmon, walnuts, flax seed oil & kale provide Omega 3 nutrients which particularly feed and nourish the brain.

Foods like French fries, store bought crackers, cookies and cakes usually contain hydrogenated oil which may interfere with the brain and heart.

1a. Eliminate Trans fats; Trans fats clog the brain and may interfere with neural connecting. Read labels and avoid any product that lists hydrogenated oil, partially hydrogenated oil, margarine and mono- diglycerides- they are all man made trans fats that block brain neural connections.

2. Take supplements for focus, concentration and stress reduction. Research done in schools indicates that kids and adults with ADHD can benefit from specific vitamins that help focus, relieve stress, build neural connections, and improve attention.

3. Establish a daily routine. Consistency and routine are helpful for most children, but essential for a child with ADD. Routines help reduce procrastination. Kids with ADD do best with a routine since they have difficulty structuring their own time. Do not plan to go shopping, see sports games, or do anything on school nights, save those activities for weekends. Any distraction on school nights can have detrimental effects on school work, time management and organization. A simple one hour distraction on a school night can translate into havoc. The child may begin to feel stressed and then be unable to get homework done. In school the next day he/she will get even more stressed when he/she needs to make excuses for being unprepared. To reduce stress, you must plan in advance and stick to the same routine on school nights.

4. Use effective time management, organizational and learning strategies to manage attention, behavior and schoolwork. There are many organizational and time management strategies that can be learned. Good strategies can reduce stress and tension for parent and child. Try simple activities to help a child gain independence and figure out why they have difficulty completing a task.

Rule #1: For a child with ADHD, parents need to plan the structure and oversee the use of strategies

2. Task strategy to improve focus; Children with attention difficulties frequently get so distracted that they never complete a task. To help improve focus play this mind game.

" Name The Task"

Before starting, be sure to break all tasks down into do-able chunk size tasks.

Example:

A (do-able) appropriate task is- Do math problems page 32 (1-5)

Inappropriate (not-do-able task)- Do your homework

Appropriate Task- Pick up 10 items from your bedroom floor and put them away

Inappropriate Task_ Clean up your room

To begin:

1 Write on an index card: "Doing math problems 1-5 on page 32 "

2. Put the index card in front of the person doing the task.

3. Each time the person starts thinking about something else, they have to name and read the task they are currently doing, out loud. Example: " Stop! The task I'm doing is math problems 1-5

4. On a separate index card, the person can write down what came to mind, to do later. No matter what is remembered, put out the trash, call grand mom, what time does the movie start, etc. FINISH THE TASK ON THE CARD FIRST..

5. When the task is completed, check it off the to do list. Then, choose another do-able task and start again.

The simple activity helps a student become aware of how often they go off task. The game reinforces attention through the visual mode, auditory mode, and kinesthetic mode.

Visual- they look at the task on the index card as they work
Auditory- they say out loud, " I'm doing math problems now"
Kinesthetic- They write a list on the index card and then bring themselves back to task.

Incorporating all three learning modalities helps students stay on task.

3. Daily Exercise; Exercise gets oxygen to the brain and improves circulation. This is essential for kids or adults with ADD and difficulty with recall.

6. Get Sufficient Sleep: Children who come to school tired and sleepy have difficulty learning. Its that simple. Have a routine that includes a set time for sleep.

7. Drink Water: Water is an essential base for electrical impulses within the body. Do not underestimate the role that water plays in learning. Make sure your child is well hydrated for optimal learning to take place. Drink spring water.

The Information in this publication is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat disease. Always check with your doctor before making any dietary or exercise changes.

In an effort to find a nutritional products to support children's sensitive nervous systems, we investigated many products. After extensive research we feel comfortable with the nutritional protocols we suggest.

For more information please write to us at our e-mail: energyplus2000@yahoo.com or call us at 267-254-4144. We would be glad to schedule a consultation and iridology evaluation for your child in either our Yardley or Jenkintown, Pa office. In addition, if your child is older ( 3rd grade and up) and is in need of organizational or academic tutorial services, we have a specialist on staff who can offer individual tutoring for challenges associated with ADD, learning disabilities or SAT tutoring.

If your child is experiencing difficulties, schedule an iridology evaluation so we can suggest a comprehensive program designed especially for your child;

On Children
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
and though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
for they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness:
for even as He loves the arrows that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

The Information in this publication is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat disease. We are not medical doctors. Always consult your doctor before making any changes in your diet, exercise routine or adding supplements.