Nutrition
Program
The Nutritionist gave us some encouraging remarks regarding Kevin’s digestion. She pointed out that Kevin’s constipation does not cause him a lot of pain regularly throughout his day and that he is not a sickly child because of it. She is encouraged by the fact that we made specific note on his happiness and cooperation. The only time we see Kevin affected by his constipation is when we need him to crawl on his belly and this could be more so from the distention in his belly which is probably more directly related to the gulping habit that he has. There have been times when Kevin feels bad, acting crabby and lethargic, and this we determined is probably due to “die-off” symptoms from whatever treatment we are attempting at that time, which ultimately means that it is working. This last treatment, the GAPS diet, was recommended by the doctor on the team. I became discouraged while trying to implement this diet because I was unable to complete stage one of the diet and Kevin had a lot of die-off symptoms when starting this diet. I didn’t progress with diet because I thought he needed to complete all the stage one requirements first. There were some complications and miscommunication between the team and me regarding this and so we have decided to kind of develop our own way of doing the diet combining the GAPS and Body Ecology Diet and for me to, most importantly, follow my instincts, as every mother knows.
· The Oxygen Enhancement Program/Carbogen Therapy (95% Oxygen and 5% Carbon Dioxide) – The purpose of this program is to increase blood flow to the brain thereby enriching the brain with nutrients and oxygen.
· The Mild Hyperbaric Therapy Program – To increase partial pressure which increases oxygen uptake in the brain and body, improving overall brain and body function.
o Kevin continues to look forward to his time in the “spaceship” every day after lunch for a couple hours. He passes the time with his books and a good nap. Once a week Grandma goes in with him and brings new books for him.
Sensory Program
· Sensation – create the ability to feel the difference between contrasting objects in his left hand and to teach abstract objects with more specific descriptions
· Olfactory & Gustatory Integration Program – presenting smells to assist development of his emotional and social
· Auditory Training with Solisten Sound Training (Tomatis Method) – this is a new auditory program that will be done for 15 days. It is a listening training device to educate the human ear with regard to the listening function. It uses a sound message that is transmitted by a vibrator (on the top of the headphone) that connects with the skull. The sound goes directly to the inner ear without passing through the tympanum. This may help improve Kevin’s emotion, language, memory, and attention. This is an expensive equipment package to borrow but they are seeing very good results from it. He will no longer continue with the EASE CD’s to listen to at this time…this was one of our favorite programs…mostly because we got to snuggle on the couch and relax together for 30 minutes while Kevin listened to his headphones.
Intellectual/Emotional & Social Program
One way to help keep me focused (and not become absorbed in Kevin’s digestion and foot) is to skype with one of the team members every two weeks. We are setting short term goals for me to focus on during these intervals between calls. Some of our goals will be to stop Kevin’s gulping habit, developing awareness and use of his left hand, and to spontaneously use sign language to communicate.
Physical Program
After completing the serial casting for Kevin’s left foot we saw an improvement in his left foot not turning inward while he was walking. But about two weeks ago I began to notice that it was nearly always turning inward again. The good news is that Kevin’s left foot is still more flexible than before we did the casting but because of muscle memory he is turning his foot in again. The other good news is that while belly crawling Kevin has developed a good toe dig which is a progression in this area as well. Our new plan is to have an x-ray done of Kevin’s hip (and pelvic area) to officially rule out any structural concerns (this will also give us information regarding his colon area). We are going to try a new shoe adaption called an in-rigger that will attach on the outside of the shoe on the inside of the left shoe to prevent him from turning his foot in while walking. We will continue to use the muscle stimulation device on Kevin and of course do lots of crawling and creeping to help as well.
· Crawling – Our new goal is a little less than the old goal at 300 meters a day
· Creeping – Our new goal is half of the old goal at 400 meters a day
· Reflex Integration Program – to support the organization of the Medulla Oblongata and to pattern and integrate pathological and dysfunctional reflexes into higher level brain stages
Myofascial
Release Therapy
I will be returning by myself to FHC next month to learn how to do this type of therapy. This is so Kevin can receive this very beneficial therapy daily to help release strain in certain areas of his body. Dr. Barry Gillespie (the doctor that does craniosacral sessions as well as the myofascial release during our visits) describes Myofascial Release Therapy in his book “Healing Your Child: Natural Care for Children with Chronic Illnesses” as…“The fascia (not facial or of the face) is a thick layer of tissue somewhat like plastic wrap that fuses with the muscle tissue. Fascia forms a web that attaches to every structure in the body. It can become distorted and rigid from trauma and inflammation, causing tension and pain.” www.gillespieapproach.com
FANTASTIC
Volunteers
Kevin continues to look forward to the volunteers and kids that play with him while we do our crawling and creeping laps around the house. They are always a big motivator for him. And I am so thankful that they continue to help us out. They continue to impress me with their creativity and new ideas they have for motivating Kevin. THANK YOU WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE YOU IN OUR LIVES.
The Nutritionist gave us some encouraging remarks regarding Kevin’s digestion. She pointed out that Kevin’s constipation does not cause him a lot of pain regularly throughout his day and that he is not a sickly child because of it. She is encouraged by the fact that we made specific note on his happiness and cooperation. The only time we see Kevin affected by his constipation is when we need him to crawl on his belly and this could be more so from the distention in his belly which is probably more directly related to the gulping habit that he has. There have been times when Kevin feels bad, acting crabby and lethargic, and this we determined is probably due to “die-off” symptoms from whatever treatment we are attempting at that time, which ultimately means that it is working. This last treatment, the GAPS diet, was recommended by the doctor on the team. I became discouraged while trying to implement this diet because I was unable to complete stage one of the diet and Kevin had a lot of die-off symptoms when starting this diet. I didn’t progress with diet because I thought he needed to complete all the stage one requirements first. There were some complications and miscommunication between the team and me regarding this and so we have decided to kind of develop our own way of doing the diet combining the GAPS and Body Ecology Diet and for me to, most importantly, follow my instincts, as every mother knows.
Physiological
Program
·
Passive Deep Breathing
Program/Reflex Bags – The purpose of this program is to increase blood flow to
the brain thereby enriching the brain with nutrients and oxygen.· The Oxygen Enhancement Program/Carbogen Therapy (95% Oxygen and 5% Carbon Dioxide) – The purpose of this program is to increase blood flow to the brain thereby enriching the brain with nutrients and oxygen.
· The Mild Hyperbaric Therapy Program – To increase partial pressure which increases oxygen uptake in the brain and body, improving overall brain and body function.
o Kevin continues to look forward to his time in the “spaceship” every day after lunch for a couple hours. He passes the time with his books and a good nap. Once a week Grandma goes in with him and brings new books for him.
Sensory Program
· Sensation – create the ability to feel the difference between contrasting objects in his left hand and to teach abstract objects with more specific descriptions
· Olfactory & Gustatory Integration Program – presenting smells to assist development of his emotional and social
· Auditory Training with Solisten Sound Training (Tomatis Method) – this is a new auditory program that will be done for 15 days. It is a listening training device to educate the human ear with regard to the listening function. It uses a sound message that is transmitted by a vibrator (on the top of the headphone) that connects with the skull. The sound goes directly to the inner ear without passing through the tympanum. This may help improve Kevin’s emotion, language, memory, and attention. This is an expensive equipment package to borrow but they are seeing very good results from it. He will no longer continue with the EASE CD’s to listen to at this time…this was one of our favorite programs…mostly because we got to snuggle on the couch and relax together for 30 minutes while Kevin listened to his headphones.
Intellectual/Emotional & Social Program
One way to help keep me focused (and not become absorbed in Kevin’s digestion and foot) is to skype with one of the team members every two weeks. We are setting short term goals for me to focus on during these intervals between calls. Some of our goals will be to stop Kevin’s gulping habit, developing awareness and use of his left hand, and to spontaneously use sign language to communicate.
Physical Program
After completing the serial casting for Kevin’s left foot we saw an improvement in his left foot not turning inward while he was walking. But about two weeks ago I began to notice that it was nearly always turning inward again. The good news is that Kevin’s left foot is still more flexible than before we did the casting but because of muscle memory he is turning his foot in again. The other good news is that while belly crawling Kevin has developed a good toe dig which is a progression in this area as well. Our new plan is to have an x-ray done of Kevin’s hip (and pelvic area) to officially rule out any structural concerns (this will also give us information regarding his colon area). We are going to try a new shoe adaption called an in-rigger that will attach on the outside of the shoe on the inside of the left shoe to prevent him from turning his foot in while walking. We will continue to use the muscle stimulation device on Kevin and of course do lots of crawling and creeping to help as well.
· Crawling – Our new goal is a little less than the old goal at 300 meters a day
· Creeping – Our new goal is half of the old goal at 400 meters a day
· Reflex Integration Program – to support the organization of the Medulla Oblongata and to pattern and integrate pathological and dysfunctional reflexes into higher level brain stages
I will be returning by myself to FHC next month to learn how to do this type of therapy. This is so Kevin can receive this very beneficial therapy daily to help release strain in certain areas of his body. Dr. Barry Gillespie (the doctor that does craniosacral sessions as well as the myofascial release during our visits) describes Myofascial Release Therapy in his book “Healing Your Child: Natural Care for Children with Chronic Illnesses” as…“The fascia (not facial or of the face) is a thick layer of tissue somewhat like plastic wrap that fuses with the muscle tissue. Fascia forms a web that attaches to every structure in the body. It can become distorted and rigid from trauma and inflammation, causing tension and pain.” www.gillespieapproach.com
Kevin continues to look forward to the volunteers and kids that play with him while we do our crawling and creeping laps around the house. They are always a big motivator for him. And I am so thankful that they continue to help us out. They continue to impress me with their creativity and new ideas they have for motivating Kevin. THANK YOU WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE YOU IN OUR LIVES.
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