I am a digestion junkie. Most of my research and education focuses on how to improve digestive function and correct the many ways that our digestive processes can go awry. For children with special needs, we must focus on creating the most optimal digestive system possible. Why am I so focused on digestion? Digestion is how we obtain nutrients from our food. When even one step in the digestive process is compromised, nutrients are not correctly assimilated into the body, and other parts of our physiology such as our nervous and immune systems suffer. We are losing out on valuable building blocks that are especially needed by children with autism, aspergers, schizophrenia, ADD, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD states in her book "Gut and Psychology Syndrome" that she has "yet to meet a child with autism, ADHD/ADD, asthma, eczema, allergies, dyspraxia or dyslexia, who has not got digestive abnormalities. In many cases, they are severe enough for the parents to start talking about them first." She renames all of the above conditions "Gut And Psychology Syndrome," or "GAP Syndrome." Dr. Campbell-McBride finds that children suffering from GAP Syndrome tend to have a very limited diet, craving only starchy or sweet foods. Through testing she finds compromised gut flora (a lack or imbalance of beneficial intestinal bacteria), damage to the small and large intestine, and compromised immunity. Ultimately, she creates the most...

Focus on improving digestion is crucial for nutrient absorption, especially in kids with developmental disorders like autism and ADHD.

Proper Digestion, Proper Development

 I am a digestion junkie. Most of my research and education focuses on how to improve digestive function and correct the many ways that our digestive processes can go awry. For children with special needs, we must focus on creating the most optimal digestive system possible.         Why am I so focused on digestion?    Digestion is how we obtain nutrients from our food. When even one step in the digestive process is compromised, nutrients are not correctly assimilated into the body, and other parts of our physiology such as our nervous and immune systems suffer. We are losing out on valuable building blocks that are especially needed by children with autism, aspergers, schizophrenia, ADD, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD states in her book "Gut and Psychology Syndrome" that she has "yet to meet a child with autism, ADHD/ADD, asthma, eczema, allergies, dyspraxia or dyslexia, who has not got digestive abnormalities. In many cases, they are severe enough for the parents to start talking about them first." She renames all of the above conditions "Gut And Psychology Syndrome," or "GAP Syndrome."     Dr. Campbell-McBride finds that children suffering from GAP Syndrome tend to have a very limited diet, craving only starchy or sweet foods. Through testing she finds compromised gut flora (a lack or imbalance of beneficial intestinal bacteria), damage to the small and large intestine, and compromised immunity. Ultimately, she creates the most...

Out of several learning disabilities, dyspraxia is not one commonly heard by many people. Dyspraxia affects about two percent of children, the majority of which are males. Like many other disabilities, dyspraxia can vary in its degree of severity. Dyspraxia affects the fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and development in a child. Children with dyspraxia have a difficult time with movement and coordination. Dyspraxia can present itself in a number of different ways in a child, including difficulty jumping, running, cutting, holding a pencil, and more. Dyspraxia normally co-exists with other types of learning disabilities, such as ADD or dyslexia. Dyspraxia can even be seen in infants. Infants with dyspraxia will have a difficult time crawling, rolling over, and other tasks that include fine motor skills. Infants with dyspraxia eventually learn how to do certain movements, but it takes them a longer time. When a baby with dyspraxia enters childhood, they have difficulties with other tasks that other children can easily do, such as running or jumping. Signs of Dyspraxia Children who develop a little slower do not necessarily have dyspraxia, though they may show some of the signs. Instead, children with dyspraxia will have a continued difficulty with fine and gross motor skills, even into their teen years. Some of the common signs of dyspraxia include but are not limited to the following: Trouble completing easy tasks that require hand-eye...

Dyspraxia is a learning disability affecting motor skills and coordination, commonly seen in male children and varying in severity.

What is Dyspraxia

 Out of several learning disabilities, dyspraxia is not one commonly heard by many people. Dyspraxia affects about two percent of children, the majority of which are males. Like many other disabilities, dyspraxia can vary in its degree of severity.    Dyspraxia affects the fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and development in a child. Children with dyspraxia have a difficult time with movement and coordination. Dyspraxia can present itself in a number of different ways in a child, including difficulty jumping, running, cutting, holding a pencil, and more. Dyspraxia normally co-exists with other types of learning disabilities, such as ADD or dyslexia.   Dyspraxia can even be seen in infants. Infants with dyspraxia will have a difficult time crawling, rolling over, and other tasks that include fine motor skills. Infants with dyspraxia eventually learn how to do certain movements, but it takes them a longer time. When a baby with dyspraxia enters childhood, they have difficulties with other tasks that other children can easily do, such as running or jumping.    Signs of Dyspraxia    Children who develop a little slower do not necessarily have dyspraxia, though they may show some of the signs. Instead, children with dyspraxia will have a continued difficulty with fine and gross motor skills, even into their teen years.    Some of the common signs of dyspraxia include but are not limited to the following:    Trouble completing easy tasks that require hand-eye...

Dyspraxia is a learning disability affecting motor skills and coordination, commonly seen in male children and varying in severity.

What is Dyspraxia

  Overview of Common Types of Learning Disabilities    If your child has trouble with schoolwork and learning, it can be both frustrating for you and your child. Your child may feel unintelligent, and you may feel that your child is not trying his best. However, there can be a hidden factor that explains why your child is struggling. Your child may have one of several types of learning disabilities.    If your child is constantly struggling with learning and developmental stages, it is a good idea to get them tested for one of the many types of learning disabilities. If your child ends up having a learning disability, they may qualify for an Individualized Education Plan, IEP, as well as for extra help and resources. A child with a learning disability does not make them unintelligent or lazy. It simply means that he is not able to function or process in a certain area as well as a child without a learning disability.    Dyslexia     Dyslexia is a common learning disability that affects a child's reading and how they see and understand written words. Children with dyslexia can mix up letters, have a hard time with reading speed and fluency, and may even complain of physical ailments when reading.    Dyscalculia     Dyscalculia is the learning disability that revolves around arithmetic and numbers. Children with dyscalculia have difficulty telling time, counting in a...

Explore common learning disabilities, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, aphasia, and processing disorders.

Types of Learning Disabilities

Explore common learning disabilities, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, aphasia, and processing disorders.

Most people are unaware of what occupational therapists do and are surprised to learn that many of them work with children. It helps to think about the "occupations" of a child's life: play, school, and self-help skills. If a child is struggling in any of those areas, an occupational therapist may be able to help, particularly if the problems arise from a difficulty in sensory processing or motor coordination. MOTOR SKILLS: Occupational therapists help children develop gross, fine, and visual motor skills. They typically use play rather than exercises to involve children in activities that are motivating and developmentally appropriate. Children may experience motor delays for a variety of reasons, although common findings are difficulty with motor planning (dyspraxia), low muscle tone (hypotonia), poor bilateral integration, or difficulty with postural control and balance. Children with motor delays often struggle to keep up with their peers in play and may have significant difficulty with handwriting. Without intervention the gap between the child with motor delays and his or her peers tends to increase over time. SENSORY PROCESSING AND INTEGRATION: Efficient sensory processing involves the ability to appropriately register, interpret, organize, and execute a response to sensory input from the environment and from within the body. We all do this all the time, without even thinking about it. When a child is unable to process information from the senses efficiently, they are said to have a sensory processing impairment. Sensory processing impairments may manifest in...

Occupational therapy can help children with play, school, and self-help skills, addressing sensory processing and motor coordination issues.

Can Occupational Therapy Help Your Child?

 Most people are unaware of what occupational therapists do and are surprised to learn that many of them work with children. It helps to think about the "occupations" of a child's life: play, school, and self-help skills. If a child is struggling in any of those areas, an occupational therapist may be able to help, particularly if the problems arise from a difficulty in sensory processing or motor coordination.    MOTOR SKILLS: Occupational therapists help children develop gross, fine, and visual motor skills. They typically use play rather than exercises to involve children in activities that are motivating and developmentally appropriate. Children may experience motor delays for a variety of reasons, although common findings are difficulty with motor planning (dyspraxia), low muscle tone (hypotonia), poor bilateral integration, or difficulty with postural control and balance. Children with motor delays often struggle to keep up with their peers in play and may have significant difficulty with handwriting. Without intervention the gap between the child with motor delays and his or her peers tends to increase over time.    SENSORY PROCESSING AND INTEGRATION: Efficient sensory processing involves the ability to appropriately register, interpret, organize, and execute a response to sensory input from the environment and from within the body. We all do this all the time, without even thinking about it. When a child is unable to process information from the senses efficiently, they are said to have a sensory processing impairment. Sensory processing impairments may manifest in...

Understanding and Managing Gastrointestinal Problems in Children with Special Needs. For many parents of children with special needs, gastrointestinal problems can present a complex challenge. While it is a sensitive subject, it is crucial to both understand and find practical solutions for optimizing digestive well-being. Children with special needs often have unique gastrointestinal profiles that necessitate various approaches and treatment modalities. It's a nuanced area that warrants careful exploration and keen understanding. Why Gastrointestinal Problems are Common among Special Needs Children Many children with special needs also contend with neurological differences. These variations can significantly affect gastrointestinal functioning. This connection between cerebral and digestive activities reinforces the fundamental significance of nurturing digestive health for a child with special needs. Children with conditions such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or sensory processing disorder may experience a higher incidence of gastrointestinal troubles. This tends to occur because the nervous system, responsible for controlling muscle activity in the digestive tract, functions differently in these children compared to their neurotypical peers. Common Gastrointestinal Problems. The types of gastrointestinal concerns experienced by children with special needs can vary greatly. Some of the more commonly seen problems include: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), constipation, food allergies or intolerances, and dysphagia. Proactive Management Strategies. The management of such conditions often requires an individualized, multi-dimensional strategy that both understands and addresses the unique needs of the child. This often comprises dietary and lifestyle modifications, medical interventions, and regular consultations with pediatric gastroenterologists. Implementing Dietary...

Optimizing digestive health for kids with special needs requires personalized strategies, addressing conditions like GERD and allergies.

Demystifying Gastrointestinal Problems in Special Needs Kids

Understanding and Managing Gastrointestinal Problems in Children with Special Needs. For many parents of children with special needs, gastrointestinal problems can present a complex challenge. While it is a sensitive subject, it is crucial to both understand and find practical solutions for optimizing digestive well-being. Children with special needs often have unique gastrointestinal profiles that necessitate various approaches and treatment modalities. It's a nuanced area that warrants careful exploration and keen understanding.  Why Gastrointestinal Problems are Common among Special Needs Children  Many children with special needs also contend with neurological differences. These variations can significantly affect gastrointestinal functioning. This connection between cerebral and digestive activities reinforces the fundamental significance of nurturing digestive health for a child with special needs.  Children with conditions such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or sensory processing disorder may experience a higher incidence of gastrointestinal troubles. This tends to occur because the nervous system, responsible for controlling muscle activity in the digestive tract, functions differently in these children compared to their neurotypical peers. Common Gastrointestinal Problems. The types of gastrointestinal concerns experienced by children with special needs can vary greatly. Some of the more commonly seen problems include: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), constipation, food allergies or intolerances, and dysphagia. Proactive Management Strategies. The management of such conditions often requires an individualized, multi-dimensional strategy that both understands and addresses the unique needs of the child. This often comprises dietary and lifestyle modifications, medical interventions, and regular consultations with pediatric gastroenterologists.  Implementing Dietary...

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Special Needs
Articles

Proper Digestion, Proper Development

What is Dyspraxia

Types of Learning Disabilities

Can Occupational Therapy Help Your Child?

Demystifying Gastrointestinal Problems in Special Needs Kids

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Proper Digestion, Proper Development

What is Dyspraxia

Types of Learning Disabilities

Can Occupational Therapy Help Your Child?

Demystifying Gastrointestinal Problems in Special Needs Kids

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles