A Life Transformed by Going Gluten Free, Casein Free and Chemical Free My son threw things, screamed, had uncontrollable meltdowns, had severe sensory challenges, very poor social skills and never changed his diet from pretty much eating...
MoreRecipe: Coconut Milk Yogurt from Lexie’s Kitchen
Raise your hand if commercial non-dairy yogurt like So DeliciousĀ® and Amande have been a godsend. It sure has for this dairy-free, soy-free family!
MoreNutritional Assessment for Special Needs
Nutrition therapy for children with special needs varies greatly and must be individualized for each issue. Swallowing difficulties, positioning and nutrient deficiencies are just a few of the variables that can have an impact on your...
MoreProper 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...
MoreBreastfeeding Promotes a Healthy Gut in Babies
It’s important to have a healthy gut to keep the body functioning properly. When a person experiences problems with digestion, they may want to consider an organic detox to get their health back on track. A new study from Texas A&M...
MoreA Picky Eater or Problem Feeder?
Feeding disorders occur in anywhere from 6 to 40 percent of typically developing children; the percentage of those children with special needs rises to 18 to 80 percent. Children with feeding disorders are often viewed as picky eaters, but...
MoreThe Importance of Valuable Social Interaction
In neuroscientist John T.
MoreHow to Get Calcium without Milk
With the surge of gluten-free and casein-free (dairy-free) diets, many parents might have difficulty ensuring their children are still getting adequate nutrition. Many of us know milk products are perhaps the easiest and most well known way...
MoreOsteopenia and Celiac Disease
Osteopenia is a precursor to osteoporosis, and it typically occurs in adults over the age of 55. So why are many children showing signs of bone loss? One cause might be celiac disease.
MoreWhat Happens When We Laugh?
Laughter is more than just a sound — itās a whole body experience. 15 facial muscles contract, our breathing becomes irregular as we half-close our larynx, and even our tear ducts can become activated. Our muscles throughout our...
MoreThe Role of Medication in Treating Special Needs Children
Medications and nutritional supplements have an important role in the treatment of special needs children and adults. Medications are one component of a multimodal treatment approach. The psychiatrist is an integral part of an interdisciplinary...
MoreDo You Need a Developmental Pediatrician?
Developmental pediatricians are doctors who specialize in children with developmental or behavioral concerns, or specific developmental disabilities. Developmental pediatricians may provide a ādevelopmental assessmentā to help parents understand...
MoreSuffering in Silence: Do Food Allergies Play a Role in Selective Mutism?
My nine-year-old son was diagnosed at age four with selective mutism, a psychological anxiety disorder that is characterized by the sufferer’s inability to speak in certain situations. My son speaks normally at home and some familiar...
MoreThe Role of Medication in Treating Special Needs Children
Medications and nutritional supplements have an important role in the treatment of special needs children and adults. Medications are one component of a multimodal treatment approach. The psychiatrist is an integral part of an interdisciplinary...
MoreDo You Need A Developmental Pediatrician?
Developmental pediatricians are doctors who specialize in children with developmental or behavioral concerns, or specific developmental disabilities. Developmental pediatricians may provide a ādevelopmental assessmentā to help parents understand...
MoreGluten-free? Why Me?
āWhat? Gluten intolerance? Wheat allergy? Not me!ā Gluten-Free has become a fad. Many doctors, dieticians, and nutritionists today may suspect and diagnose Celiac Disease, (CD), yet are mystified about what diet to recommend. Some doctors donāt...
MoreChildren’s Medical Records: 5 Things to Watch
Many of us are clueless about the valuable information contained in our childrenās medical records. Knowing whatās there can help us make smart decisions; not knowing can leave us navigating in the dark. Getting ahold of your childās records has...
MoreHow to Organize the Chaos
What bigger crisis does one face than learning their child has been diagnosed with a chronic condition? Itās virtually impossible to collect your thoughts, let alone organize them. For me, organizing the many aspects of my life after receiving...
MoreHoliday Meals and Families with Special Needs
Parents of children with special needs often find themselves feeling pressured to explain or apologize for their childās behavior around the holiday dinner table. Maybe your child is a picky eater or prone to outbursts. This may cause tension if...
MoreAvoiding Obesity in Kids with Special Needs
Childhood obesity is a rising problem in the United States, both for typically developing children and children with special needs. According to a Fact Sheet released by the University of Illinois at Chicagoās Department of Disability and Human...
MoreMaintain a Healthy Body During Antibiotics
Studies continue to show that the use of antibiotics disrupts the delicate balance in the digestive tract and colon of patients with special healthcare needs. This compromises healthy liver, immune and bowel function. Research in the...
MoreTransitions: Honesty Is the Best Policy
Last time we talked about how to use choices and questions to help children learn responsibility at as early an age as possible. This week, we talk about an important part of asking questions and giving choices: making sure a child has...
MoreHow Digital Devices Affect Your Child’s Eyes
These days, there are more children and teenagers, including those with special needs, using digital devices to learn, play and be entertained than any generation before. From smartphones to e-readers, and computers to digital tablets, young...
MoreKeep Medicines Up and Away and Out of Sight
Many parents might not fully realize the dangers of leaving medications within reach of young children. According to a press release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every 150 two-year-olds in the U.S. visits an...
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