Asthma Triggers and Asthma Control Techniques

Avoid the triggers and improve your asthma condition

No matter what asthma medication or asthma treatments you are using, reducing the negative effects of asthma relies on avoiding the asthma triggers as well as you can. The irritation of your breathing passages can be reduced if you live and work in a clean environment and if you keep pollen and dust away. If your asthma condition gets worse or better, write it al down and see which particular environments are positive or negative towards your asthma.

Is exercise an asthma trigger?

This is a fairly common question and in almost every case it is a good idea to exercise even if you do have asthma. Some patients notice that their asthma gets worse after exercising, but if you keep your asthma inhaler close by you should be able to overcome this obstacle. Asthma prevention treatments and asthma inhalers can help you reduce any potential side effects of your condition while you are exercising. If you are worried about this issue or if you experienced asthma attacks during exercise in the past, it is a good idea to gradually start exercising and see where you feel comfortable doing it.

Asthma out of control

There are a few symptoms that will let you know that your condition is getting worse. If you are waking up at night with the sensation that you cannot breath or if coughing and wheezing are always present, a visit to the doctor is required. Well prescribed asthma treatments will help you fight off such problems and regain control over your asthma. Loosing breath while talking or eating is also an indicator of asthma problems on the rise. Seeking specialized help and determining which is the best asthma inhaler or asthma medication for your own case is an important step.

Asthma peak flow meters

An effective method to control asthma is by using a peak flow meter. It is a small plastic tube that you can blow into and measure how much air you can blow out. This shows you how congested your airways are and how effective your asthma treatment is. The best way to control asthma is to treat it with seriousness and to stay constant with your asthma treatment.

The Benefits of exploitation Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy came from two words. The word aroma suggests that fragrance or smell and medical aid suggests that treatment. It's thought that aromatherapy edges embody treatment and interference of some diseases by exploitation essential oils. Essential oils came from plants, flowers, leaves, bark or roots. These oils area unit usually mixed with alternative oils to form totally different|completely different} recipes that suite different affects, and might be within the type of lotions, soaps, bath salts, soaks, perfumes and even candles.

There area unit three modes of aromatherapy application. Initial is aerial diffusion, which infers environmental fragrance or just exploitation essential oils to sweet-scented the space. Second is direct inhalation, for metastasis medical aid and decongestion. In conclusion is that the topical application or exploitation it as general massage, bath, or therapeutic skin care.

It is aforesaid that aromatherapy works by stimulating the smell receptors within the nose, that then sends impulses to the brain's neural structure, that is accountable in dominant emotions and memory. However, others say that Aromatherapy doesn't cure conditions, however helps the body to seek out a natural thanks to cure itself and improve response.

Some studies have shown that aromatherapy will relieve stress, depression, and anxiety. It additionally improves quality of life and promotes smart sleep. Pregnant girls use aromatherapy to normalize giving birth and to extend their satisfaction in their labor experiences.

Aromatherapy strengthens our body, will increase blood circulation and even boosts the system. The essential oils will stimulate and calm our system. It's additionally wide employed in baby baths. It purifies the atmosphere and helps ontogenesis issues, itchy skin, and sleep issues.

Rosemary and Lavender Aromatherapy area unit each related to feelings of happiness. They promote smart mood and additionally unleash calming and soothing affects. Peppermint aromatherapy will increase memory and application, that is ideal for stressed students and workaholics. Lavender oil is additionally nice for headaches. You'll apply some on your temples or to a heat bowl of water, then drape a towel over your head and inhale it for many minutes.

Sinuses and colds will be cured by aromatic chemicals like eucalyptus and lotion. Exploitation aromatic oils in massages also are useful in physical pains like body aches, sprains, muscle pains, and migraines. The oils area unit quickly absorbed by the skin, delivery recovery.

Aromatherapy is incredulously useful in skin health. Essential oils area unit aforesaid to be anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. It additionally has healing properties. Jasmine, Lavender and Rose oils area unit useful in fighting aging and moisturizes the skin. Olive oils and Tea Tree Oils also are smart face-cleansers.

However, we should always take care in selecting essential oils to use in aromatherapy. Some essential oils area unit extremely targeted and might cause skin irritations. Some cannot be used by pregnant and wet girls, whereas others will be cytotoxic to stock. It's still best to consult your doctor before doing Associate in Nursing aromatherapy.

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What Is Non Personal Promotion and What Does It Do for Pharmaceutical Sales Organizations?

The designation of non personal promotion refers to the method of marketing using Internet sales techniques and, thus, avoiding the personal promotion of salesmen selling directly to consumers of pharmaceutical products by going to their offices. Giving promotional samples of pharmaceutical to potential buyers is a standard practice used by all industries. The promotional product is given to allow the customer the opportunity to test the product before committing himself to it by buying it.

In using Internet promotion, the use of mail and emails to give promotional samples to potential buyers is used. This practice eliminates the need for the often more expensive method of using salesmen to deliver promotional samples of pharmaceuticals directly to customers. Sending samples through the mail to offices is also a better method of making sure that the samples are seen and passed for review to other staff whereas the samples left by a salesman may be left in some office drawer without being noticed until needed. Receiving promotional samples through the mail or in emails is a more direct method of getting the attention of the person who will most likely be in charge of ordering the pharmaceuticals for the office.

If an office shows interest in promotional samples or responds to emails, the pharmaceutical company can send a salesman to the office knowing that the expense of the salesman will be covered by the proposed order from that office. That is one of the most important effect of using Internet sales promotion rather than salesmen. Also, in Internet sales promotion, more customers can be reached faster and interest responded to quicker than by using salespeople to contact offices, leave promotional samples, make follow up calls and process orders.

What Internet sales promotion does for pharmaceutical companies is save money in getting their products sold to offices and companies that use their products. A salesperson can use Internet sales techniques in promotion efforts to generate leads more efficiently than would be possible if the salesperson were to visit all potential buyers to prepare leads and follow up with actual sales. In addition to saving money, a pharmaceutical company can generate more interest in their products through emails and Internet advertising than is possible if using only sales people to market their products.

Activities for Autistic Children 2012

Autism is one disorder out of the group of Austism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs); the other two are pervasive developmental disorder (PDD)and Asperger syndrome. Autism is a neural development disorder which affects the person's communication and social interaction. It is characterized by repetitive and restrictive behavior. The disorder affects how the person's nerve cells and synapses organize and connect. Autism is usually noticed and diagnosed within the first five years of a child's life.

There are many activities for autistic children that a parent or caregiver can provide. These activities help desensitize the child to things that previously would have been overwhelming: scents, textures, sounds, light, and tastes.

Autistic kids will often tap their ears, snap their fingers, or retreat to a place that is quiet; often they do this to block or hide away from sounds that are hurting or overwhelming them. One activity you can do with an autistic child is to make musical shakers.This works to both help the child become used to loud noises, and can also help with desensitizing the child toward certain textures. These type of play can be used as activities for autistic children.

Collect different containers you can use for shakers: salt and pepper shakers, paper towel rolls, plastic soda containers, and coffee cans. Next, gather materials to place inside the containers: dried beans, dried peas, dried pasta, dried rice, dried popcorn, coins, and other small, hard items. Make sure to supervise children who have a tendency to put things in their mouths. Activities for children with autism help the child to become used to loud sounds, strange textures, and allow them to create artwork or music, all at once.

Wash and dry all of the containers, and then let the child pick out which container to use. Offer construction paper so he or she can decorate the outside. Next, experiment with tactile sensations: have the child reach into each bowl and feel the texture of each item. Ask what he or she thinks it will sound like when the items are placed into the container. Finally, allow the child to pick which item to listen to first and fill the container about a third to half-way with the item (rice, macaroni, pennies, etcetera) and fasten the lid tightly.

Do the same thing for each item; place each group into its own container and allow the child to shake each one in turn. Ask the child which container makes the "best" sound and ask why it's best. In turn, ask which one makes the "worst" sound - this will help you identify which sounds are most irritating and you can work on these in the future with other activities for autistic children

Activities for Autistic Kids

Autism affects children on an individual basis; some are severely affected while some only mildly. Notably, communication and interpersonal interactions are typically impaired. Children with autism tend to have hypersensitivity issues with thing they feel, see, taste, smell, or hear. There are many activities for autistic kids that can help increase tolerance, stimulate attention, create fun, and foster a calm environment, all at the same time.

1. Create a Sensory Table

A sensory table is a play station where the child can sort, dig, pour, squish, and sift through different items. This activity allows your child to play, get messy, and engage his or her sense of sight, touch, and hearing.

2. Sculpt Clay Bowls

Sculpting clay is one of those activities that helps improve eye-hand coordination, improve fine motor skills, and it's tons of fun! Most kids should enjoy the feeling of the clay as they knead, pull, and push it into the desired shapes. When you're done, take the bowls or items to be fired and keep the works of art.

3. Create a Smelling Station

This activity is sure to provide loads of fun while being educational at the same time. These are great activities for autistic kids. All you need is some small bowls, jars, or empty pill bottles, some small scraps of fabric, some rubber bands, and various items that are strongly scented. to make it into a game, also gather up some paper and pencils. Things you can place in each container are cinnamon sticks, pieces of lemon or lime, a bit of fabric softener on a piece of fabric, etcetera. Wrap or cover the containers so you can't see what's inside, then fasten the fabric scrap across the top using the rubber band. Have your child choose some of his favorite smells, too. Then make it into a group activity for autistic kids: have your child smell each container and try to identify what's inside. Once he or she has them all written down, he or she can go around and test other members of the family.

4. Play a Match-the-Halves Game

Gather up 14 or 16 craft sticks and some markers in different colors. Place two popsicle or craft sticks side by side to line them up. Next, draw a large shape so that it is equally-divided by both sticks: a heart, triangle, star, square, circle, etcetera. Then draw a smaller version of the same shape on the lower part of each stick so that your child knows what shape to match. Do this for each of all pairs. This is one of those activities for autistic kids that will appeal to his or her sense of order. Once all the sticks are dry, place all the sticks jumbled up together on the table and have your child make matching pairs.

Sensory Activities for Autistic Children

Autism, a disorder that creates behavioral, social, and communication challenges, exists within the Autism Spectrum group of disorders. Autism can affect the child's ability to integrate input coming from different senses. Sensory integration therapy can help a child by stimulating and challenging all of his or her senses. Some sensory activities for autistic children can also help a child learn to tolerate different tactile experiences. In addition, the children can learn to have fun while being creative.

Some autistic kids are overly sensitive to touch; some prefer touching and stroking soft, smooth items for hours. Many children with ASD cannot tolerate the feel of new clothes, or scratchy textiles. Still others pat and explore the faces of their caregivers.

Some sensory activities for autistic children include rubbing or stroking their skin with different textures. Use firm pressure to stimulate the deep pressure receptors and to avoid exciting the nervous system. Other ways of encouraging building tolerance to rough or scratchy textiles can include play with sandpaper shapes and letters, or plastic or wooden blocks with raised letters. Create a sensory board with clippings of all different types of fabric and other materials that are made up of different textures: sandpaper, string, smooth glass, corduroy, aluminum foil that's been crinkled up and then straightened out, and cardboard.

Another sensory activity to have the child perform is to play with colored rice. This project is both tactile and artistic; the goal is to help build tolerance to different textures while creating a work of art, which makes it a favorite of many sensory activities for autistic children. Take one cup of dry white rice, one teaspoon of rubbing alcohol, a medium-sized bowl and a spoon, aluminum foil or waxed paper, and three to four drops of food coloring. Use the rice:rubbing alcohol:food coloring ratio for each color you'd like. Put the rice in the bowl, add the rubbing alcohol, and drip on the food coloring, making sure to stir well between each drop. When the rice is the intensity you like, spread it onto the foil or waxed paper and allow it to dry. Repeat it with the other colors. To make art with the rice, have the child draw a picture or word onto card stock or bristol board, then trace the image or word with white glue, one section at a time. The child can drizzle the colored rice onto the glue. As with many sensory activities for autistic children, some kids may become overwhelmed if they have too much colored rice at once. Try placing a small amount of rice into a small paper cup and refill as necessary.

Temple Grandin - She Is the Definition of Good in the World!

Every once in awhile someone comes along and makes a lasting contribution to society and you don't have to look any farther than Dr. Temple Grandin, as she is one of the worlds most well known adults with Autism and gives hope to families that have been affected by it. Keep in mind that not everyone with Autism will be able to achieve what she has been able to do in her life, which is pretty remarkable. She has authored several books and has had a movie made about her life called "Temple Grandin" and is a 100% must see! After watching it, you will come away with a new out look on life and will want to run out and start reading all her books, and you should as she offers so much insight for people with Autism. I would like to make a pitch that her books should be required reading for all educators and health care professionals who work with people with mental disabilities.

Temple is also the inventor of the "Squeeze Machine" a device she devised herself to help calm hypersensitive people and is in the movie and I do not want to ruin it for people who have not seen it yet, so I will leave it at that. Her work in the Animal world is just as impressive as her work in the Autism field and her efforts basically changed the Livestock Industry and how they operate. I would like to personally say thank you Temple for that as I am a big time Animal lover and know it was a hard thing to get accomplished, but the world is a better place because of it.

My wife once met Temple at an Autism Conference and when she came home, she said that Temple came up to her and was so attracted to the Border Collie purse that she had with her that day and that Temple gave her such a wonderful compliment on it. I only bring this up because the purse was a Christmas present for my wife and I still remember the day I bought it, I was at the purse store and said it to myself "it has a pretty wild pattern on it" but it also has Border Collies on it and we had two of them at the time, so it came home and went under the tree. Now when ever the purse comes out of the closet, my wife has a great memory of the day she got to have a very special moment with a very special person.

Evolution Of Hyperbaric Therapy And An Insight On The Commercial HBOT Chamber

The evolution of hyperbaric treatment evolved some centuries back, but its clinical treatment began in the mid 1800s. Since the 1930's, hyperbaric treatment was used to treat the deep-sea divers suffering from decompression sickness. During the 1950's, several clinical trials discovered a plethora of beneficial mechanisms resulting from the exposure to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Today, many medical researches and experiments have found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy has brought in notable improvements to some of the incurable ailments and medical conditions such as cerebral palsy and autism.

Hyperbaric treatment involves the procedure of feeding in 100% pure oxygen at a higher atmospheric pressure within a specialized chamber known as Hyperbaric Chamber. A section of medical scientists, therapists and psychologists have researched and found out that HBO therapy benefits a person by dissolving oxygen directly into the brain, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluids thus creating a multilevel effect on the central nervous system. The treatment is also found to reduce the swelling or inflammation of tissues, repair the barrier that obstructs the blood flow into the brain and stabilize cell membranes. Researches have also revealed that HBOT treatment has brought in remarkable improvements within autistic children by improving their speech and pragmatic skills, developing better social awareness as well as enhancing their immune system.

The HBOT treatment for autism needs to be carried out under the vigilance of the team of medical experts or doctors. Ideally, the patients need to visit the doctor's chamber or a therapy institute to undertake the HBOT sessions. The kind of chamber that is used in these facilities is known as Commercial hyperbaric chambers. These chambers are typically large-sized with an internal volume of over 80,000 cubic inches, a length of nine feet and with a diameter of 31 inches. These can withstand the pressures of up to 4 psi and can accommodate both an adult and child.

Commercial HBOT chambers have windows which allow the light to come in. These windows are made of double layered polycarbonate and are set so that the therapist can observe the chamber from outside. A high accuracy pressure gauge is placed on the outside for the doctors or therapists to view the pressure. This gauge automatically corrects the altitude changes and the barometric pressure to ensure a stable environment inside the chamber. There is another gauge which is placed inside the chamber which raises or lowers the pressure within it.

The hyperbaric chambers for commercial usage feature an inner and outer bag. While the inner bag is made of nylon coated by urethane, the outer bag is made of double urethane with a nylon coating of 39 ounce. It also comes with an extra-long zipper which enables the patients to enter and come off the chamber without hassle. Six stainless steel buckles feature in these chambers which can be easily opened and zipped and can be operated by the patients as well.

The oxygen inhalation process within the chamber can be done with and even without a mask. The compressor for these chambers feature filter system with multiple capabilities facilitating conformable environment within the chamber by cooling as well as taking the moisture off the air.

Generally, there are two kinds of Commercial HBOT chambers - Mono-Place Chambers, which can accommodate single person lying down and Multi-place Chambers which can hold two to ten people at a time seated inside, rather than lying down.

Apart from treating autistic conditions, hyperbaric chambers are used by the athletes, sea-divers and the high altitude mountaineers. Today, many companies manufacture the specialized chamber for hyperbaric therapy and even offer them on rent. However, the parties buying or renting specialized chambers should always seek to inspect the quality standards of these equipments and assess whether the manufacturers are reliable and trust-worthy.

The Easy Way to Tell A Child They Have Autism

Parents of children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder often fret about when to tell their child they have Autism and how.

What if we didn't have to tell our children they have Autism?

Wouldn't it be nice if we lived in a world without disclosure?

Ah, yes, it would but that might be a bit unrealistic.

But what if I told you there was an easy way to tell your child?

What if I told you that you can create a positive experience for telling your child he or she has Autism?

Do you think this is possible? I say yes and here is why.

Let's face it we are all different. We all relate to the world uniquely and teaching that to our children is the most important thing any parent can begin to do at an early age. When a parent can matter-of-factly point out the similarities and differences among themselves as a family and beyond then being different becomes less of an issue. Honoring and celebrating each of our differences in a valued fashion rather than waiting for it to be pointed out and discussed when it becomes obvious gives any label less emphasis and is more likely to be seen as a positive.

So how does one put a positive spin on telling their child they are on the Autism spectrum? By developing mindsets and environments that not only expect differences but value and respect them as well.

Allow me to paint a picture of how this might occur.

- Be proactive. Begin early on to establish an environment that discusses similarities and differences in a positive light. Identify each person's learning style, temperament, personality, sensory issues and idiosyncrasies and focus on the positive aspects of them. As attention is paid to the benefits of each it is only natural for human beings to gravitate and create more of the same thus minimizing the negative. Don't wait for Autism to become noticeable to your child or others. Doing so risks negatively altering your child's perception of self. Avoid this by developing a positive and authentic self-image of who she is early on, one that does not have to be changed or explained later on.

- Acquire a vocabulary without labels. Be mindful to use language that emphasizes strengths in relation to challenges. When someone does something well, name it as an asset and celebrate it. Point to the fact that everyone is good at something that might be a bit more difficult for someone else in the family or elsewhere to accomplish. This will encourage non-judgmental comparison and can even promote a mentoring atmosphere, where individuals use their strengths to help other family members who are challenged in that same area. The ability to objectively see the strengths each family member, relative, friend and others have normalizes the fact that we are ALL good at something. The trick is to do this uniformly and acknowledge the strengths of everyone in the family, including us adults.

- Balance every challenge with a strength. Discuss ways to use your strengths to compensate for your challenges. Occasionally sit down with everyone and discuss how each of you utilize your strengths to make accommodations for the things that you may struggle with. For example, sitting in class listening to the teacher doesn't work well because you are not an auditory learner. You struggle to take notes because your penmanship is poor. So you augment your note-taking with your talent for art. Over the years you have developed a type of artistic shorthand that you use to take unique notes adding pictures and symbols. This appeals to your visual learning style and helps you remember the lesson better.

- Normalize everyone's challenges. If your child's differences came in the form of diabetes, epilepsy, poor eyesight or food allergies would you wait to address it? No, you would describe it as "this is the way your body works and this is what it needs to function at it's best." Why are we so much more sensitive and touchy when it comes to something that affects the mind? Why can't we be just as matter-of-fact about the way a child's brain or nervous system works? Explaining to a child, "This is how your nervous system works" or "This is how your brain is wired" helps to paint a realistic picture of how their body functions. This is powerful information for children to have in order to self advocate, keep themselves safe and in control of what they need to maximize their potential.

Describing Autism without using the word Autism can definitely be accomplished but only to a point. Following the recommendations above can delay or may even prevent the asking of the awkward question most parents fear, "What is wrong with me?" or "Why am I different?" Unfortunately the day may still come when your child wants to have a name for his differences whether he sees them as positive or negative.

Should the time come when your child really wants to know what her brain style is called then you need to let her know the label society gives it. But if you began early in her life to lay the affirmative groundwork discussed above then the label is apt to be just another piece of factual information rather than a devastating blow to your child's sense of self. Always remember that the most important message will be in the descriptors you use rather than the label itself.

Let's Get That Autism Research Psychologist Into My Classroom For a Month and We'll See Then

The other day, I was at Starbucks and I was talking to a special ed teacher who had several autistic kids and down syndrome kids in her classroom. She was working to up her certification and therefore guarantee that you won't be laid off from the school district she works at, which has laid off thousands of people already. She was reading a very interesting book that was part of her course studies, and she reiterated to me that she was perplexed by some of the research papers she had read from clinical psychologist researchers about autism and autistic behavior in a classroom setting. Okay so let's talk.

She said that she wishes that these clinical psychologists that do all these reports and research, while publishing in their journals would come into her classroom for a couple of weeks to actually look at the autistic kids, and see how well their research is doing in reality. Apparently there's a huge disconnect, and part of the problem she admitted was the fact that the autistic spectrum was so large now that they were grouping all sorts of kids into the same categories, which really made no sense at all.

Whereas, autism is primarily a brain structural issue, which can lead to all sorts of different attributes and behaviors, each child is different, and grouping them all together or trying to explain that kids that do one thing are a certain way, are sure to do another, simply isn't so, and she can prove it in a real-life classroom setting with real observations each and every day working with these kids. The research papers don't seem to be able to do that, and often they are flat wrong.

Interestingly enough, this isn't the first time that someone has told me this, and I did speak with a researcher from the University of Riverside at the Palm Desert campus who explained to me that what they were doing now was taking each individual, giving them individual tests, and trying to place them within four quadrants to get an idea of how best to teach them, deal with any learning disabilities they had, and design a curriculum which would work for their particular brain.

That to me makes a lot more sense, although I must admit it is a lot more work, and right now with the schools in severe financial hardship, I'm not sure who's paying for it, but that would be the right way to play it. Please consider all this and think on it.

Benefits of Beginning or Upgrading Your Child's Diet for Autism and ADHD in Summer

In my last article, I wrote about why it's important to stay consistent with your child's diet for Autism or ADHD during the summer months, even though the pressure to conform to school standards is not there.

This time, I'd like to talk about the benefits of starting or upgrading your child's new diet during summer. This truly is the absolute ideal time to work healthy foods into your child's diet!

These are my top reasons why NOW is the time to take action:

Time of Plenty: There is an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables this time of year. The variety of colorful fruits and veggies just draws you in when you see it. Explore your many options by trying a new produce item every week. Let your children choose what's next and have great fun with it!

It is hot out: Cool, simple meals and snacks are easy and fun this time of year. Turn off that hot oven and experiment with what you can eat without cooking your food. Salads, fresh veggies with a yummy dip, sweet fresh fruits are all enjoyable when the weather is warm. You can also hide all kinds of superfoods, greens, and supplements in blended fruit smoothies - a super healthy fast food! If your kids don't want drinkable smoothies, freeze them into homemade Popsicle molds and make other non-dairy ice creams that are so healthy you don't have to feel bad about giving your kids sweet treats!

No school means more control over what your child eats: It's more difficult to change your child's diet when they are around other kids eating "regular" foods and all the things you are trying to move away from. Use this opportunity to form new healthy habits. It's easier on your child while they are at home more and away from the influence of others.

Fewer Activities: With no school parties and extra-curricular activities is to plan for and no school lunch to work around, its not only easier on your child, but it's easier on YOU! Get grounded in your new lifestyle at home and you can worry about school lunches and activities later!

Fewer Holidays: With the exception of 4th of July in the US, (please forgive me if I'm unaware of your country's holiday!) there are no other large holidays revolving around food. Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Valentine's Day, etc. can be a cause of stress and overwhelm for those new to the Autism and ADHD diet and who aren't prepared for it.

Less Stress: Use these months to go through the diet transitioning process outside the stress of school, teachers, homework, tests, expectations and conformity. Your child is under less pressure so your home is likely to be more peaceful and it's just an easier time to make changes.

I recommend that we use this time of ease in many aspects of our lives as the opportunity to begin a new diet or revamp your family's current one.

Do some evaluation: Determine what it is you want to see improve or change, evaluate your current diet, decide how you want to upgrade it, and go for it! Take it one step at a time and focus on one change only. It will be easier to make progress this way.

Do you still feel overwhelmed or just need a bit of help to work through the whole process? I also offer private coaching to help you reach your goals.

Summer: To Do or Not To Do The Autism And ADHD Diet

Even as grown adults with never ending responsibilities, being a parent means that we get to relax and slow down life a bit because it's summer. There is no school schedule or stress and daily struggle over homework or school projects. I feel like it's a chance for the kids to just be kids and time for me to just be mom - not school enforcer! (This applies to homeschooling parents as well!)

For parents of children with ADHD and autism spectrum disorders, as well as SPD, ODD, OCD, and more, the pressures of school can be especially overwhelming. It is a constant push to help our children meet the expectations laid out before them. The demands are heavy and the stakes high.

We desire for our children to be successful in the world that isn't set up for their needs and will stop at nothing to help them. The usual family vacations, more time spent playing outdoors, and carefree summer feeling are a welcome relief to many families, no matter what alphabet soup diagnosis their kids may have!

Although summer is a time of ease for many, that doesn't mean we can let our guard down completely. Diligence is still needed in keeping your child's diet for ADHD and autism. Don't get caught in the mindset that you can eat what you want when school is out! This is a common mistake many parents make - the thought that your child's behavior doesn't matter as much when they don't have to perform at school.

If we start to give in to one thing here or there, it could lead to a full backslide and make it really hard on yourself to get going with it again. I learned my share of that early on! We don't want our kids binging on junk foods or eliminated items any more than we want them binging on "screen time" just because there is no school.

Not only is "cheating" harder on yourself as dietary planner in the end, but it is harder on your child. Allowing something "just for now" or "just this once" will keep giving them the hopes of eating it again another time. If you decide that something has be eliminated from the diet, then do it completely.

We may feel like we are giving them something special as a treat, but in reality, it creates more of a struggle for them when they can't have it another time. It also sets up undefined boundaries and when they are out on their own, they will not have the clear example to make the right choice alone. Find acceptable treats just as you would if school were in session!

We must also consider their physical, mental, and emotional status. If we start to slip on the diet, we will see a regression into symptoms and issues that were already eliminated. For parents of children with more extreme symptoms or full autism, it would be catastrophic to see regression! If you worked so hard to get your child to where they are, you wouldn't want them to lose any of their newfound abilities. It is easy to stay strong when the stakes are so high.

For parents of children with milder symptoms, this might not be such a big deal. What harm is there with a lack of concentration during the summer, you might ask? Not only are you setting the stage for inconsistency as already mentioned, you will raise the stress level overall, even if so mild that you don't first realize it.

Our kids don't just have a lack of concentration (or whatever mild symptom is at hand), but a myriad of intertwined sensations and feelings as well as internal physical reactions that can gradually worsen. It is this circumstance where your guard has to be at its highest. The mildest of change will grow and come back to surprise you eventually. Then you'll be left wondering how that happened!

Stay strong. Remember how bad it can get with how it used to be. Go back to your beginning notes of the symptoms your child experienced before you made positive changes. Look at the old food log records to review what reactions you had in the beginning stages.

All it takes is one regression to make you realize how important it is to maintain the progress you have made! I hope these reasons to keep the diet for ADHD and autism going over summer will help you avoid all that and maintain the peace in your home.

All the negatives consequences of slipping away from your new lifestyle aside, I'll be back again in the next article with a discussion on the benefits of upgrading your child's diet during the summer months.

Are You Caring For Yourself As Well As Your Family?

As a parent of a special needs child, it is all too easy to get lost in the mix of meltdowns, trips to school because of "incidents," therapy and doctor sessions, never-ending search for information and ways to help your child, every day home and work requirements, and pure mental or physical exhaustion that comes with the territory. It can seem like you are pulled in a million ways and there is nothing left to enjoy.

When you have so much on your plate, (pun intended!) it's hard to imagine adding one more thing to your already very stressful lifestyle. Do you find yourself too tired to think about healthy meals and end up choosing fast food or easy, quick, heavily processed meals to give yourself a break? There is no judgment here - that was me for a very long time, even after I knew about the negative impacts of those choices!

Taking care of yourself so that you can show up fully in your role as a parent is important, but when you add a child with ADHD or an autism spectrum disorder into the picture, it is crucial to your survival. You must be at the top of your game, functioning at a higher than normal level to keep up with the pressures of such a demanding, yet very rewarding job.

It just so happens that the dietary changes I recommend for our children are also very helpful for you as the parent. Do you want more energy, more mental clarity and focus? Do you want to feel like you are super-mom (or dad)? Do you want more patience and to be calm in the midst of the chaos? Do you want to feel more alive and vibrant than ever, ready for the challenges ahead and up to the wonderful task given to you?

These dietary changes aren't a magic cure for ADHD or autism spectrum disorders. They are a whole-body, whole-mind, natural solution to our general lethargy and degenerative conditions. I had applied these changes for myself before I ever tried them on my child and knew first hand the difference I felt internally. That was my first clue that I should try them for my son, and for my whole family, in fact!

It may sound too simple to be true, but the foods that we put into our mouths have more to do with our overall health and well-being than any miracle pill the pharmaceutical companies could ever invent. Taking care of our children's health should start with taking care of our own. Personally eating a healthy, whole-foods diet is the first step you should take.

Before you implement changes for your children, try them out for yourself. Be your own guinea pig! Our children look to us as an example and when they see us reaching for good food choices they will do the same. If you have a pattern of not eating those foods, it may take some time, but it will come.

Mahatma Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Let's make it real simple and be the change you want to see in your family.

Start taking care of yourself with a good diet and exercise. Take baby steps if you need to, but commit to at least one new dietary upgrade today. Then commit to another when you are ready. Go at the pace you need to, just really commit to doing it. When you are functioning at your highest level you will have the energy, clarity, mental attitude, and desire to do more.

Besides the obvious good diet and exercise principles, don't forget to take the time to rejuvenate yourself, connect with your spirit and focus on self care habits. Everything you do impacts your ability to care for your children, and the more you do for yourself, the more you can do for them.

What have you done for yourself lately? If your answer is not so much, are you ready to start taking care of yourself a bit more? Pick one area to focus on and make a true commitment to yourself. Your family will thank you!

Are you already well-practiced in the fine art of self care while raising a special needs child? Do you have any tips and ideas to share about what helps you? I'd love to hear from you about what you need more help with or about works for you.

6 Benefits of Exercise for Children With ADHD and Autism

A special diet is critically important for children with autism and ADHD to promote a healthy digestive system and heal the gut. But it is only one part of the puzzle.

Exercise is just as important and the following reasons explain how it can help your child:

1. Immune System - The more active children are, the stronger their immune system. They will have fewer colds, allergies, and other diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. A stronger immune system will help our children with autism and ADHD recover more quickly from leaky gut issues and strengthen the effects of a healthy diet.

2. Stress Reduction - Regular exercise reduces the amount of stress hormones in the body. Children with autism and ADHD live with a greater amount of stress because they must constantly adapt and fit into a world not set up for their needs. Exercise will help decrease the buildup of stress hormones and their negative effects on the body.

3. Hyperactivity and Energy Release - When kids are wound up and have difficulty staying calm, a round of exercise is often the perfect solution. Before sitting to do homework or study, have your child do something physical to release any pent up energy. Request exercise or movement breaks for your child during school if your child struggles with sitting still in class. Be sure that the teacher does not take away recess time as a classroom consequence!

4. Brainpower - Exercise increases the transport of oxygen and nutrients to the brain due to increased blood flow throughout the body. This literally means you can think quicker, with increased focus and concentration. The brain functions optimally with regular exercise.

5. Sleep - The more active children are during the day, the more energy they use and the better they will sleep. It will be easier to fall asleep when they are tired out from plenty of exercise.

6. Mood - Hormones called endorphins give us a "feel good" feeling and are associated with happy, positive emotions. Exercise is known to increase the amount of endorphins in the body and contribute to better moods and emotions.

Neurotransmitters like serotonin are also increased due to exercise. These chemicals act as messengers that transmit signals between brain cells. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression and increased levels maintain calm moods and are known to aid in sleep and learning.

Interestingly, only a very small amount of serotonin is present in the brain. 90% of the serotonin in our bodies is found within the intestines! This is part of what is known as the gut-brain connection and a key to why a healthy digestive system is so important for a properly functioning neurological condition.

A Detailed Insight On Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment

With an increased number of children being diagnosed with Autism across the world, the medical researchers and doctors thrive harder to figure out the factor that actually triggers autism and how the symptoms vary from individual to individual. The medical research teams and psychologists all over the world have also been striving hard to find helpful trends or remedies to autistic disorders. Although their continual effort is yet to find a definite remedy and permanent cure to autistic conditions, a section of medical researchers have stressed that hyperbaric treatment can bring distinct improvements in of the Autistic conditions.

Autism is a neurological disorder which is usually detected a child's first three years. This disorder can severely damage the normal development of a child's brain and reveal signs of abnormal patterns of behavior such as repeating names, flapping hands, continual rotation of heads etc. Social interaction and verbal communication capability is drastically low within Autistic children and they are even prone to causing injury to themselves or others. Although psychotropic medication and dietary changes were implemented to cure autism, these did not bring any overwhelming result.

Studies have revealed that drastic improvements have been seen within an Autistic child post twenty hyperbaric therapy sessions. There have been improvements in the social communication skills, attention span, language and vocabulary, healthy appetite, as well as improved immune system.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy includes a specialized procedure of pouring in pure oxygen into a patient's body at a higher atmospheric pressure inside a pressurized chamber called hyperbaric chamber. Generally, a patient needs to undergo 40 initial treatments, but research suggests that 20%-25% of Autistic children start showing improvements after the first twenty sessions. Each therapy session lasts for an hour, and the patients need to undergo the therapy once or twice per day.

As a matter of fact, the hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been in use since a long time. Initially, hyperbaric oxygen therapy was used by sea divers and mountaineers to treat altitude sickness. However, with comprehensive research and advancements in medical field, hyperbaric oxygen treatment is used in treating other disorders and ailments such as carbon-mono-oxide poisoning, Lyme disease, insomnia, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, brain stroke and other internal injuries in the head.

How HBOT Therapy Helps?

Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy can bring impressive results and improve the Autistic conditions. Following are some of the benefits of HBOT treatment-

• HBOT improves the functioning of the mitochondria cells

• The therapy sessions increase the blood flow into the main areas of the brain which have low flow of oxygen

• Repair the barrier that obstructs the blood flow into the brain

• The therapy helps stabilize the cell membranes

• It reduces the oxidative stress

• It improves neurotransmitter abnormalities

• Helps create new blood vessels

• Reduces the swelling of inflamed tissues in the brain

Medical faculties and research institutes are yet to unanimously agree on the effectiveness of hyperbaric therapy, but there are certain scientific studies which have deduced significant benefits evolving from Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment.

Tips to Accepting the Cultural Differences of the (Aspergers) Person You Are Dating

Have you ever tried to climb up a slide via the slide instead of via the ladder?

That's what trying to date either an Aspie (someone on the autism spectrum) or a Nypical (a neurotypical individual not on the autism spectrum) without a knowledge of culture is like.

Here is the definition of culture from Dictionary.Com.

I've borrowed the specific shades of meaning most appropriate to dating:

a) a particular form or stage of civilization

b) the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group

There are many flavors of culture on the dating menu. More and more, the world has become a tapestry of diversity in terms of people's culture.

Thankfully, Aspie culture is becoming more and more recognized and embraced as yet another beautiful expression of humanity.

If You Become a Cultural Anthropologist, You'll Succeed In Appreciating Your Girlfriend/Boyfriend

If You are a Nypical, Learn About Aspergers. Here are some tips:

Go to forums, like WrongPlanet.Net. Read different threads to better understand Aspies' challenges, joys, despairs, and ways of thinking.

Check out Tony Attwood's Complete Guide to Aspergers Sydnrome. Dr. Attwood's book has been heralded as one of the most important resources for Aspies after they discover their diagnosis.

Consider joining a local autism or Asperger's chapter/group in your area. You'll learn a lot from Aspies and their friends and families.

Don't assume that all Asperger's traits apply to your partner. Your partner is on the autism spectrum. Spectrum means varied and different. While some of the characteristics are common, there may be many that don't apply.

Recognize that it takes time. You can't expect to feel comfortable in Thailand as an American until at least five years of living immersed in the culture. That's a long time. So be patient, and enjoy the journey of getting to know that person you are dating.

Read Dr. Cindy Ariel's book, Loving Someone With Asperger's Sydnrome: Understanding and Connecting With Your Partner

If you are an Aspie, Learn About Nypicals

Nypicals are also on a spectrum. What is normal? I don't think it exists. Your boyfriend/girlfriend has his own specific hardwiring: a generalized brain. S/he may have other mental health conditions.

Pay attention to his or her interests, values, cultural upbringing, family.

Remember that you have social blindness and difficulty seeing things from others' point of view. It does not mean that you are uncaring or insensitive. But your dating partner could view you that way. I strongly recommend you check out Michelle Winner Garcia's Social Thinking website (socialthinking.com) to learn more

Pretend that you are a Nypcial. In other words, learn about Aspergers Syndrome. You may not be aware of all the strengths and weaknesses you have. I recommend that you read John Elder Robinson's books: Look Me In the Eye, and Be Different.

Appreciate that Nypcials' way of seeing the world and doing things is as different as yours. Not better, not worse. Just different.

Final Words: Culture Shock

According to Wikipedia, culture shock is the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to immigration or a visit to a new county, or to a move between social environments.

A person visiting the new culture goes through a honeymoon phase, when everything that's different is wonderful to him/her. But then the negotiation sets in, taking up to three months. Differences between the visitor's culture and the environment around her/him emerge, creating anxiety and discomfort, particularly in the area of communication. During the adjustment phase that follows (6-12 months), the visitor develops routines, understanding, and a basic level of comfort with the different cultural environment. Finally, during the mastery phase (up to 5 years), the visitor becomes very comfortable with the new culture. This doesn't mean the visitor loses his/her cultural identity; it just means that s/he is able to navigate comfortably in both his/her own and the others' cultural environment.

The adjustment phase is crucial. And I would say the same of your dating relationship. According to Wikipedia, these are the possible outcomes during the Adjustment Phase:

Some people find it impossible to accept the foreign culture and integrate. They isolate themselves from the host country's environment, which they come to perceive as hostile, withdraw into a "ghetto" and see return to their own culture as the only way out. These "Rejectors" also have the greatest problems re-integrating back home after return.

Some people integrate fully and take on all parts of the host culture while losing their original identity. They normally remain in the host country forever. This group is sometimes known as "Adopters".

Some people manage to adapt to the aspects of the host culture they see as positive, while keeping some of their own and creating their unique blend. They have no major problems returning home or relocating elsewhere. This group can be thought to be somewhat cosmopolitan.

Which outcome will you choose for your relationship? It's up to you.

Problems With Sleep? How Melatonin Helped Us Overcome Sleeping Difficulties

Melatonin - what does it do?

The hormone melatonin is found naturally in the human body and it is used to manage sleep. A number of people have found melatonin nutritional supplements to be useful in getting to sleep, especially those who cannot produce sufficient quantities of melatonin naturally. The human body creates melatonin during times of darkness. So as the sun sets, or as lights in a room are dimmed, this unique hormone starts to help you feel sleepy. Some people may have problems producing enough of it and may encounter sleep issues. This is where melatonin supplements could be helpful.

Is it safe?

In a number of countries, Melatonin has either not been evaluated by national food and drug bodies or it's considered as a food supplement rather than a drug. Wherever it has been assessed, it's been found to be relatively safe whenever used properly. It might seem like practical sense, but you should not take melatonin when driving a car or working with mechanical equipment. If a lady is currently pregnant, it might also be unwise to take a melatonin supplement. Quite a few suppliers might not offer any advice in relation to giving to a child, so you should always talk to a medical doctor or pharmacist first. Supplementation by melatonin is for the purpose of aiding the body's normal way of causing you to sleep, rather than a medicine that's making the body to do something it was not made to do. It is always essential to eat healthily and exercise and carry out all of the generally suggested things you require to undertake to get to sleep. Supplementation with melatonin can in some circumstances benefit some individuals with problems with sleep, however for people that do not have a problem creating melatonin, it is unlikely to make any difference. Additionally it is probably not going to be useful to individuals who continue by having an harmful lifestyle.

Personal Experience

When our oldest son was a baby, we had a lot of trouble getting him to sleep. Every night since he was born, he would wake up crying every 20 minutes or so, and took ages to get to sleep. As you can imagine, both my wife and I were exhausted and got no answers from doctors. Everything was investigated, from reflux to croup, but it wasn't until our son was diagnosed with autism, that things began to fall into place. We discovered that many children with autism and other learning difficulties have trouble getting to sleep. Over time, his sleeping got better, but he would still have great difficulty getting off to sleep in the first place, often lying awake in his bed for hours. We read about the use of melatonin supplements and how some children don't produce enough melatonin. I also had always had problems getting off to sleep, so I tried it out on myself first over a couple of weeks, and found it made a great difference and no side effects. We then tried out a low does with out son and made such a difference. He takes his melatonin about half an hour before going to bed, and on going to bed can be asleep within 20 minutes. When we run out of supplements, we really notice a difference. We couldn't be without it now.

Treatment And Therapies For Autism Spectrum Disorder

Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder can vary from person to person and the typical behaviors often change over time. These result in Autism treatment strategies being tailored to meet the individual needs. However, for treating children with autism, highly structured and specialized treatments and therapy sessions are conducted so as to improve their social, behavioral, communication, adaptive, and learning skills. Diagnosing autistic behaviors and patterns within the children in the early stages can help them to overcome all the deficiencies and reach their full potential.

The primary goal of different kinds of autism treatment is to improve the overall ability of the child. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) the following strategies can help an Autistic child to reach his/her potential to the fullest.

Behavioral training programs and therapies- Through behavioral therapies that use self-help, positive reinforcement, and social skills training the behavior and communication of the children can be improved. Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Sensory Integration and Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) are some of the branches of the behavioral training program.

Specialized therapies- Specialized therapies include speech, physical and occupational therapy. These specialized therapies are considered as some of the most important components of treating autism and medical faculties seek to integrate these in a child's treatment program. Speech therapy tends to improve the social and the language skills of the child, enabling him/her to communicate more effectively. Physical therapy and Occupational therapy help improve the deficiencies of coordination and motor skills and also help the child learn to process information in a manageable way, through various senses such as sound, sight, touch, hearing, and smell.

Medicines- Medicines are used to treat problem behaviors and related conditions such as anxiety, depression, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorders) and hyperactivity. Autistic children might often suffer from insomnia (lack of sleep) and a routine schedule is set for their bedtime and the time to get up. Doctors might try medicines to treat insomnia; however, it is the last resort.

Some of the medical faculties and experts have referred alternative therapies such as auditory integration training and secretin. Another specialized Autism treatment method conditions that is still a topic of debate within the medical faculties is the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its role in improving autistic conditions. Although some studies proved the effectiveness of the HBOT sessions in improving the autistic conditions, the medical faculties have not yet unanimously agreed on its role.