tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2959253662881047710.post7306538188147685478..comments2024-03-29T02:13:04.657-05:00Comments on Hopeful Parents: PerspectiveHopeful Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10998569368345552372noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2959253662881047710.post-37141015568948099822012-01-07T15:58:45.000-06:002012-01-07T15:58:45.000-06:00Greetings from New Zealand.I am a special needs te...Greetings from New Zealand.I am a special needs teacher of challenging teens many of them are on the ASD spectrum.I am also the mother of a 28 year old with ASD also called Jacob.The challenging behaviours are still there from time to time largely controlled with diet.We tried anti epilepsy medication for Jake at 15 when the hormone surges of adolesence made him particularly challenging but we lost him to a frightening fugue state that Jake decribed as"There was no more of me left.It was like being locked out of your own home".Nutrition and ASD is a topic that I have researched for 28 years.Mostly because we detected very early certain foods caused chaos for Jake.<br> Our Jake works part time in a supermarket, helps in our olive farm and vineyard,loves singing,loves people of all ethnic groups and studies their countries when he works with them.As a result Jake has made many friends of all nationalities and taught us all the importance of being openminded about culture,ethnicity and tolerance. Not bad for a "rigid" thinking Autistic. He is developing a passion for wild life photography that is exciting for him.He has four siblings who all support him lovingly now they have grown in understanding although not always they are not "saints".Two of his sisters are specialising in ASD therapy and education.<br> We keep Jake on a natural diet [high antioxidant]as far as possible and he is the reason we grow olives for oil as a substance called oleocanthal may help keep him flexible and sort out his brain proteins.It is found in a high polyphenol fresh oil but needs to be spray free as Jakes responses to insecticides+some processed foods are abnormally sensitive. Although he does love the occasional junkfood treat.When he has overindulged it is always detectable Mc Donalds or KFC or too much sweet soda etc.The meltdowns give his "secret" eating binges away.Although being Autistic he always confesses his lapses in long and often hilarious apologies.I use gardening and nutrition education and a knowledge of how the brain works to give my students insight into their behaviour.Yes! Insight can be developed in ASD and we work on a programme called"keeping your amygdala cool" it was developed by trial and error to help and support all my students no matter what their"disorder". The garden/cooking/nutrition project along with good behaviour modification therapy and social skills training with family support good positive outcomes can be achieved. <br> As a family we have always made sure we celebrate and honour Jake's uniqueness although it isn't always easy.You have to have a hide as thick as an elephant's get over embarrassment when the meltdowns are public and learn to watch your own stress levels.As I tell all the parents of the teens I work with "If you get stressed so do they".The future is an unknown for all of us and something we cannot control so after 28 years I reckon it's best to just accept your kids they way they are and find the common sense zone.Before reaching for expensive meds look at their diet and the amount of vitamin d from sunlight teens are getting.Especially those Aspies hooked on late night computer sessions.Check that they are getting natural essential fatty acids they are just that "essential" and ensure omega 3 ia part of their diet plus good vitamin D levels can make a big difference to our kids.The nourishment of our kids is fundamental to who they are and has more influence on the behaviour of all kids whether autistic or not than most "professionals" in this field give credit for.<br><br>Phyllis Heardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2959253662881047710.post-13455927036545985912012-01-07T14:35:07.000-06:002012-01-07T14:35:07.000-06:00This posting could not have come at a better time....This posting could not have come at a better time. Yesterday marked the 1 yr date from B's diagnosis. To be honest, we've come so far (to us!) from that day, but sometimes the future can be so scary. I can't even imagine what the future will be like. It's so scary to think of the what ifs, and still mourning what I thought would be. Thank you!<br><br>Megan W.noreply@blogger.com