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Topic: A Contemporary Approach to Child Behavioral Disorders
Location: Clementine’s
Convened: 1:00
Attendees and Affiliations:
Julie Knowles RN, BSN., Lisa Greaver, Michael Greaver, Brad Hinegardner, Steve Click, Marc Wagstaff, Barbara Jenkins
Notes:
The session began with a number of interesting statistics:
-In 2007 CDC described rise in rate of Child Behavioral Disorders as a “Major Threat” in the United States.
-Autism rates have risen from 1:10,000 to 1:150 in past 10 years.
-A 2007 Denmark study found that increases in Autism numbers were not unique among childhood neuropsychiatric disorders. They said that it seemed to be a part of a more widespread epidemiological phenomenon that included ADHD, Tourette’s, OCD and others.
-ADD/ADHD will be diagnosed in 1 in 30 Children
-1 in 6 Children entering school will be diagnosed with some neurological disorder that will affect their ability to learn and socially interact.
-Ritalin prescriptions have skyrocketed and are now being prescribed to children 4yrs old and under.
-Methods used to diagnose and treat these children have not changed in the past 50 years.
3 Main problems contributing to our failure in improving this epidemic:
1) The widely held belief that disorders such as Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, dyslexia, OCD, Tourette’s and other Neurological disorders are all seperate conditions with no unifying cause, except for underlying genetic predispositions.
2) The widely held belief that there is no cure for these childhood behavioral disorders
3) The excessive use of powerful, addictive psychiatric drugs being used to manage their symptoms.
3 NEW CONCLUSIONS which have revolutionized the management of these disorders:
1) A Unifying cause HAS been identified in the Majority of ALL Childhood Behavioral Disorders. It is called “Functional Disconnection Syndrome (FDS)”
Definition- Functional Disconnection Syndrome (FDS) is a condition where inter-neuronal connections do not work at a level of coordination that allows the brain to function in manner high enough for normal executive function and good health. FDS can cause behavioral and educational difficulties. “Kuhn, D.C., PhD 2005″
2) FDS CAN be addressed with positive outcomes, including the possibility of total reversal and correction of behavioral symptoms.
3) Psychiatric medications, while helpful in managing severe symptoms, are not necessary in a Contemporary Approach to the management of Childhood Behavioral Disorders.
More about the Unifying Cause…
-Disconnection Syndrome= hemisphere communication problem.
-Functional problem caused by developmental delay
-Hemisphere out of rhythm, opposite side tunes it out.
-Information sharing breaks down.
-Brain is now Functionally Disconnected
-Adv Brain Imaging shows similarities in dysfunction for spectrum of disorders.
-Major Anatomical areas involved are the Prefrontal Cortices and the input they receive from the Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum via the Thalamus.
-THIS IS THE CONNECTION OF MOVEMENT AND MIND, AND HOW CHIROPRACTIC CAN INFLUENCE THESE DISORDERS.
When Brain is out of balance…
1) Poor Posture & Body Awareness- Proprioception is the body’s unconscious and conscious perception of our position in space. This is the GREATEST SENSORY INPUT TO THE BRAIN. Measured by mechanoreceptors in all joints of the body. The RICHEST SOURCE of these receptors are the joints of the SPINE.
ADD/ADHD children usually have bad balance, are clumsy and walk into things…
2) Poor Gross/Fine Motor Skills- Poor muscle tone, Awkward gait. Usually late reaching developmental milestones…crawling/walking. May scoot on bottoms or skip crawling altogether. Older children may have poor handwriting.
3) Poor Eye Coordination-”Lazy” eyes or problems tracking and pursuing.
4) Abnormal Emotional Reactions-Inability to process emotions physically. Muscles don’t fire in response to emotions. They can’t “FEEL IT”.
5) Sensory Processing Issues- Under/Over sensitive sense of smell, taste, sight, hearing or touch.
Fussy eaters…
6) Compromised Immune Systems-LEFT brain-ACTIVATES Antibodies, RIGHT brain-SUPPRESSES Immune system. Right Brain Deficiency= Autoimmune conditions(Asthma, Allergies, Food Sensitivities…) Left Brain Deficiency= Sick Often (Chronic Ear infections, Colds…)
7) Rapid Heartbeat/Immature Digestion- Autonomic function still being run by primitive nervous system (limbic system) I normal development, higher control areas of brain slow heart rate and regulate digestion.
Less Stomach Acid, Less Enzymes, Poor Intestinal Muscle tone and Poor Circulation to Intestines.
8) Food Sensitivities- Only 10% of these Children have Food Allergies. 85% have food sensitivities..Subtle mental/behavioral response due to inflammation in 6 to 72hours after consuming affective foods.
Symptoms
-Irritability/Meltdowns
-Inability to focus
-Impulsive actions
-Aggressive behaviors
-Fatigue
-Bed wetting
-Sleep Disturbances
-Learning disabilities
-Hyperactivity
Common Sensitivities:
-gluten (wheat)
-casein (milk)
-chocolate
-citrus
-corn
-eggs
-peas, beans, peanuts
-sugar
-tomatoes
-yeast products
What’s Causing It?
1) Lack of Exercise
2) Overweight/Obesity
3) Television, Computer games
4) Stressful Pregnancies/Births
5) Stressful Lifestyles
6) Environmental Toxins
7) Inadequate Nutrition
Can We Change the Brain???…………………YES!!!!
-Old Paradigm-Brain cannot change or correct faulty patterns.
-New Paradigm-Brain CAN CHANGE physically and chemically with correct stimulation, nutrition and environment.
-Weak Hemisphere gets faster and larger
-Spaces between neurons get smaller with new growing connections.
-Make connections with mature cells of functional side and get back in rhythm.
-Brain functions as a whole!!
LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS:
-Small Picture
-Verbal Communication
-Small muscle control
-IQ
-Word Reading
-Math Calculations
-Information Processing
-Conscious Actions
-Positive Emotions
-High Frequency Sound
-Low Frequency Light
-Receiving Auditory input
-Linear/Logical Thinking
-Curious/Impulsive Actions
-Likes Routine
-Activates Immunity
LEFT BRAIN DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
-Dyslexia
-Processing Disorders
-Dyspraxia
-Dysgraphia
-Learning Disabilities
-Language Disorders
-Reading Disorders
-Selective Mutism
RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS:
-Big Picture
-Non-Verbal Communication
-Large Muscle Control
-EQ
-Comprehension
-Math Reasoning
-Interpreting Information
-Unconscious Actions
-Negative Emotions
-Low Frequency Sound
-High Frequency Light
-Interpreting Sound
-Abstract Concepts
-Cautious, Safe actions
-Social Skills
-Digestion
-Likes Newness
-Suppresses Immunity
RIGHT BRAIN DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
-ADD/HD
-Asperger’s Syndrome
-Autism
-Tourette’s Syndrome
-O.C.D.
-Oppositional Defiant Disorder
-Non-Verbal Learning Disorder
-Developmental Coordination Disorder
-Conduct Disorder
How Do We Correct Imbalances?
1) Identify Hemispheric Imbalance
A) Assess Symptom Characteristics of following systems:
-Motor
-Sensory
-Emotional
-Behavioral
-Academic
-Immune
-Autonomic
B) Evaluate Posture:
-Pupil Dilation
-Head Tilt
-Head Rotation
-Naso-Labial Folds
-Eye Size
-Shoulder Tilt
-Uvula Deviation
-Upper Extremity Internal Rotation
-Lower Extremity External Rotation
-More…
C) Vestibular Assessment:
-Balance
-Spin Tests
-Ocular Reflexes
D) Hearing Assessment
-Tuning Fork Test
-Bilateral Testing
E) Vision Assessment
-Sensitivity Testing
-Tracking
-Accomodation
F) Proprioceptive Assessment
-Balance
-Core Stability
-Strength
G) Tactile Assessment
-Sensitivity
-Extinction
-Graphesthesia
H) Olfactory Assessment
-Sensitivity
2) Apply Unilateral Stimulus only to Functionally Decreased Hemisphere:
A) Sensory Motor Strategies:
-Chiropractic Adjustments
(The most powerful proprioceptive stimuli to the brain)
(CPR for the Brain)
(Long term Potentiation offers permanent changes)
-Music in One Ear
-Sitting on the correct side of the classroom for optimal activation
-Colored Lenses to Activate weak hemisphere and suppress Overactive hemisphere
-Single Sided Exercises
-Smells in One Nostril
-Eye Movement Exercises
-Much, Much More…
B) NeuroAcademic Strategies
-Hemisphere appropriate training
-Crossword Puzzles
-Sodoku
-Problem Solving
-Reading
-Looking at Pictures
-Art
-Alphabet
-Letter Identification
-Much, Much More…
C) Nutritional Strategies
-Food Sensitivity Testing
-Customized Dietary Recommendations
-Whole Food/Vitamin Supplementation
10 PRINCIPLES OF BRAIN BALANCE
(Taken from “Disconnected Kids” by Robert Melillo D.C.)
1.) Childhood Neurological Behavioral Disorders are actually one condition with different sets of symptoms.
2.) The Underlying problem is a dysfunction in either Left/Right Hemisphere that puts the brain out of sync.
3.) The Problems must be accurately assessed/identified
4.) The only way to correct the problem is to fix the imbalance, not treat the symptoms.
5.) All functional problems in the brain must be addressed individually.
6.) Success IS achievable through a hemispheric based program.
7.) Same Time Integration gets the brain back in sync
8.) The brain and body must grow together.
9.) The problems are NOT PRIMARILY GENETIC and are therefore permanently correctable.
10.) Parents play a crucial role in the child’s individual success.
Contact: Dr. Dennis Da Ponte graduated from Broadway High School and went on to receive his Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and Doctorate in Chiropractic on an Elective Advanced Neurology Track, from Life University in Atlanta, Ga. He is Board Certified in Chiropractic and Physiotherapy.
He is a Licensed Chiropractic Physician at Crown Chiropractic & Wellness and can be reached at:
4765 Spotswood Trail
Penn Laird, Va 22846
(540) 432-5577
neurodoctor [at] ymail.com
www.movewell.blogspot.com
