Speech Therapy Center

10 Nutrition Powerhouses for Kids!

Eating healthy is part of a taking care of oneself. Teaching kids at an early age that eating healthy is both delicious and good will benefit them in the long run. CNN.com shares with us the top 10 healthiest snacks and foods that will provide vitamins, nutrients, and energy.

They also share some yummy recipes to hide these healthy treats and promote a healthy and appetizing meal. Blueberry’s, tofu, tomatoes, and salmon are amongst the top 10 healthy foods that should be a part of your child’s diet. So if they are not, you better start adding them to your child’s meals!

Read the full article at:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/07/10/superfoods.kids/index.html

Quick and Easy Scavenger Hunts for the Kids!

Scavenger hunts are fun for everyone, especially in the heat of the summer. Here are some cool ideas to use at home with your children. There are scavenger hunts for verbal and non-verbal children as well. You can also find fun tips for entertaining your kids at the grocery and other places where keeping them calm is difficult!

To find out more about these fun activities, please visit:
http://www.autismspot.com/blog/Summer-Fun-Scavenger-Hunts

Screening for Autism

The number of children diagnosed with autism increases daily.  The importance for early screening is becoming more and more relevant and more popular amongst pediatricians.

Although the cause and cure for autism are unknown, we do have ways to advocate it. Through speech, behavior, and occupational therapy the effects and symptoms of autism can be reduced. Here is a site that can tell you what to expect from an autism screening and the tools that will be used to administer it.

For more information, please visit the following link:
http://www.firstsigns.org/screening/asd.htm

Healthy Child Healthy World: Community Organization in Review

Healthy Child Healthy World is a non-for-profit organization dedicated to helping families keep their children healthy and safe from harmful chemicals and pollutants. Today there is a vast number of children being diagnosed with autism, ADHD, cancer, and many other diseases and disorders. Harmful chemicals and pollutants have been blamed for the cause of these disorders and diseases; therefore Healthy Child Healthy World’s mission is to educate families on how to maintain a healthy environment.

Read more about Healthy Child Healthy World on: http://www.healthychild.org/main/

To read a book that this organization has sponsored, look at our “Book Review” blog, at:

http://www.myspeechtherapycenter.com/?p=826

Gluten Free Casien Free Diet

The cause of autism is still a mystery to us. But many people feel that certain intervention programs may alter an individual with autism behavioral, cognitive, and social skills. One of the many hypothesized treatments that seem to work for some people is a special diet known as the GFCF Diet or Gluten Free, Casein Free Diet. Basically, Gluten and Casein are eliminated from an individuals diet. Many people swear by it and others think it is a complete myth. No matter your position on the matter, when you are trying to solve the mystery of Autism, most people will do whatever it takes to get positive results.

What is Casein?

Casein is a protein found in dairy products; basically anything that comes from a cow. So cheese milk, butter, and yogurt willcontain a high percentage of casein. Casein is a bonding type protein and many times used when mixing foods and chemicals. Because of this “binding agent” some people may have a hard time digesting it, and therefore may develop an allergy to it.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in rye, wheat, and barley; typically found in grains. Bread, rice, cereals, and other carbohydrates will contain this protein. Gluten is useful for certain reasons, it is the substance that makes dough rise when baking, and is also used as imitation meat for vegans and vegetarians. Unfortunately, gluten has also found to be the factor that makes breads go bad.

Gluten, Casein, and Autism: What is the Connection?

Recent theory tells us that there seems to be a link between gastrointestinal problems and autism. Children under the spectrum will experience symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. All these symptoms are due to the fact that these individuals may have a difficulty with digestion; specifically digesting gluten and casein.
Like mentioned before, some people develop allergies to casein. This is most likely the case here. When these children experience these bellyaches, and bouts of constipation, they do not know how to express their symptoms and therefore have tantrums. If we could alleviate the negative effects of GI problems, children with autism would have better behavior and tolerance towards foods.

How It Works

Unfortunately the body harbors gluten in the body longer than casein, so if you would try out this diet, professionals suggest waiting at least six months for results. This is not a “cheap” or easy diet; these ingredients and foods are both expensive and time consuming.

First of all, you would have to be very careful about the foods you are feeding your child. Reading all the ingredient labels will be your new task. Anything that contains casein, which is sometimes labeled as caseinogens, would need to be eliminated. Gluten products, basically anything containing wheat, rye, or barley, would also need to be eliminated. Fortunately, wild rice, corn, fruits, veggies, and soy can still be on the menu! Some people say that eliminating all starch carbohydrates, including corn and corn products, is a more effective method.

Helpful Books on GFCF Diet

There are many recipe and advice books on the market that you can purchase. These will come in handy for specific questions you may have about this diet. It will also make your grocery shopping a little bit easier! Check the following books out!

The Autism Cookbook: 101 Gluten Free and Dairy Free Recipes, written by Susan K. Delaine. This book has an assortment of delicious recipes for you to cook for your little one.

The Kid-Friendly ADHD @ Autism Cookbook: Ultimate Guide to the Gluten Free Casein Free Diet, written by Pamela Compart and Dana Laake.  This book contains both recipes and great tips for administering the GFCF diet.

Special Diets for Special kids, written by Lisa Lewis. Not just a cookbook, but also teach you about the GFCF diet in detail. It will teach you how to shop for this diet as well as explain to you why you are feeding your child these foods.

For more information on the GFCF Diet, please click on the following link:

http://www.autismweb.com/diet.htm

How Does Your Child Learn?

Learning is the ability of an individual to absorb information and later use it for problem solving. It is the foundation of intelligence and cognition. But just because an individual has trouble learning does not make them unintelligible; it just means their technique for gripping information is different. Everyone is different and therefore has a different learning style.

What is a learning style?

A learning style is a variant approach for inputting information. There are different approaches for learning, and some may benefit some individuals more than others. It is important for us to know which is our unique learning style. It will improve our learning skills and facilitate an easier way to intake information.
For children, this can often times be a little tricky. Parents should observe their child and the way they learn; it will not only benefit their child but also improve parent’s techniques for helping their children with homework and studying. Eventually, children do grow into preteens, teens, and adults. It is important for them to know what their best way of learning is.
Knowing your child’s learning style is extremely important; but it is specifically important for children with special needs. If your child is learning disabled or has ADHD, therapists and teachers will try different methods to advocate learning. If they know how your child learns best, then it will make the process a whole lot easier.

4 Types of Learning Styles

There is an assortment of learning models. But the one that we are going to focus on is Flemming’s VARK model, which is based off a neurolinguistic approach.
There are four styles of learning; each involving our receptive senses. Some people may only use of them while others may use all. Let’s take a deeper look into what each style entails.

1.    Visual or Spatial Learner- this type of learner requires visual learning. These learners will learn through visual stimulus. In other words they learn through observation of images, pictures, words, colors, and maps in order to organize and process information. These individuals can easily “picture” thoughts in their minds, and problem solve without the need of a paper or concrete map. They are usually excellent with directions because they can map themselves through routes. Students who are visual learners will be fans of drawing diagrams and using pictures for studying.

2.    Auditory Learner- these are the ones that you see distracted doodling on their notepad in class; yet pass their exams with passing grades. That is because they learn by listening. How lucky are they! These students will hear their professor speaking and will store information instantaneously. When they study, they speak out loud to themselves and like to explain information to others. They may even repeat things over and over again as a method for memorizing. Unfortunately, they do have a flaw, selective attention. Any little auditory distraction may cause them not to process information correctly!

3.    Tactile or Kinesthetic Learner- these individuals learn by using the sense of touch. They may feel or use certain body movements in order to intake information. They will most definitely have great hand-eye coordination and most likely good athletes. These are the “hands on” students that feel that they need to touch, and feel things in order to understand them. Their excellent project makers! Anything that allows them to use the sense of touch is a great source for facilitating learning. Finger painting, blocks, and art materials are all wonderful tools to use with them.

4.    Reading and/or Writing Learner- this style administers to learning by writing, and reading things over and over again. It is sort of a memorization method. Good note takers usually have this learning style; they will most likely organize themselves with lists and notes. Highlighters, different colored pens, and other tools to differentiate headings, titles, and sections are usually used when studying, particularly when doing outlines. These are the students who use flashcards for everything, and carry an assortment of papers with them everywhere in school. They’re also the ones with the nicely organized binders!

What Learning Style Are You?

You may click on the following link to find out what learning style you are.
http://www.ldpride.net/learning-style-test.html

Here’s a link for your middle schoolers!
http://www.scholastic.com/familymatters/parentguides/middleschool/quiz_learningstyles/index.htm

Reference:
Vark: a guide to learning styles. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.vark-learn.com/english/index.asp

Preparing for a New School Year: How to Help your Special Needs Child with School

Written by Cristine R. Jimenez, Language Stimulation Specialist

The new school year is just around the corner and its time to start thinking about the many ways you can help your children have an excellent academic school year. Having a child with special needs is not an easy task; especially during the school year. School brings stress and discomfort for many families especially when they feel their child is not learning. Going to school alone is not enough; your children need your love, support, and help in order to succeed.

No matter what age, grade, or gender your child is, these tips are sure to improve grades, and advocate to better learning!

Set up a positive study area in your home- rather than allowing your child to study in front of the television, set up an area designated for quiet study time. A great place is the kitchen table where you can supervise your child without disrupting. Special needs children need their complete and undivided attention on a specific task in order to understand it. Take away any distractions that may be in the way. Siblings should also sit down and do their homework as well. This will show your child that homework is for everyone.

Reading- set up a special time of the day dedicated to only reading. Reading is an extremely important skill for children to attain. When reading, make sure you interact with him/her so that you may know how their comprehension is. Reading comprehension is more important than being able to sound out the words; if your child cannot understand the subject matter, what use does reading have?

Math- is one of the most difficult subjects for children to understand. Since everything in math is pretty abstract, children will have a hard time grasping it. The best way to teach math is by showing them what it looks like, and using examples.

Fun idea for small children- to teach your child addition and subtraction, try using M&M’s (or other small treat, like cheerios). Basically you are going to set up 10 M&M’s and ask the child to count them.  Then on a piece of paper you are going to write addition and subtraction equations. Next to each number you will ask your child to place the corresponding amount of M&M’s. You teach the concept of addition by adding all the candies together, and for subtraction you should the concept of taking away. You can spoil your child by telling them to eat the subtracted numbers! The idea is to eventually have them draw circles on their own, and hopefully in the future be able to do it without any visual aid!

Be the teacher- while your child is doing homework, sit down and help them study. This will show them your interest as well as your wealth of knowledge. They will not be afraid to come up to you and ask you questions. If your child has a test, be sure to quiz them. Also, make sure you get creative. Creativity is key; if studying is boring, then they will look at it as being a chore and not want to do it. If you make studying and homework fun, your child is more prone to wanting to do so.

Pre-exam jitters- testing is always scary. The day before an exam make sure you keep your child as calm as possible. You do not want to stress them out because stress will inhibit their ability. On that day, you want to go over the material with them and make sure they are ready for their assessment. Say positive remarks and encourage them to do well on their exam. Remember, if they do not pass the exam, do not discourage them. Assure them that next time they will do better!

Keep these five tips a routine for studying and homework. It will definitely help your children in the long run. The more involved you are in their academia, the better it will be. As they get older, they will become more independent have thrive on keeping these study habits. The more involved you are, the more likely they are to come ask for you help.

I hope everyone has an awesome school year!

Gluten Free Foods

I found this site where parents can order gluten free foods! If you’re always on the run or want to make a quick meal, this is a great option for you. Glutenfree.com offers all sorts of ingredients that are gluten free; from pastas, soups, and even cookies, they have it all.

If you’re in the mood for cooking, they also have great recipes for you to follow. But remember, it’s not gluten free unless all the ingredients are gluten free!

To read more about glutenfree.com please visit the following website: http://www.glutenfree.com/index.cfm

Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism: Book Review

Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism or Other Developmental Issues, 2nd Edition, written by Maria Wheeler.

Excerpt taken from Amazon.

Individuals with autism are reportedly one of the most difficult populations to toilet train. This second edition offers effective strategies that take the child’s physical and emotional sensitivities into account instead of trying to force traditional methods. Easy-to-read bulleted lists offer more than 200 do’s and don’ts, along with over 50 real-life examples, to help make the process more of a lesson and less of a battle for all involved. The young trainee will learn to overcome fear of the bathroom, properly use toilet paper, flush once, wash hands, and more. The toilet trainer will learn how to overcome challenges caused by communication needs, sensory sensitivities, motor challenges, anxiety levels, etc

Toilet training is a difficult task for all parents. This four and a half star read will help you potty train your child in the easiest way possible. To purchase your copy, please click on the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/Toilet-Training-Individuals-Autism-Developmental/dp/1932565493/ref=pd_sim_b_2

Gluten Free, Vegan Banana Cookie Recipe!

We found this healthy treat that would be a great way to bond with your child and feed your sweet tooth! One of the bloggers on Autism Spot shares her delicious recipe for gluten free, vegan banana cookies. They sound delicious so make sure you save that recipe!

For more information, please visit the following site:
http://www.autismspot.com/blog/Banana-Cookies-Gluten-Free-and-Vegan