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Tuesday, May 17, 2016

The Missing Piece of the Puzzle For Kids with Special Needs - Neuroplasticity Therapy



Let's be honest. In the world of disability we're all feeling our way around in the dark.
There's no quick fix - no magic bullet. Many of us have been told that the best we can do for kids is to manage 'symptoms' with therapies and medications. 
But what if we could address the cause?


But isn't the cause genetics?



Genetics is complicated - even a geneticist will tell you that they understand a limited amount. When a doctor says "It's genetic..." we often assume that means "Badluck. You can't do anything about it" but that's simply not true.

Two of my boys have a lazy right eye which is apparently genetic. So what do we do? Firstly, they wear glasses to help the symptom of poor vision . But we actually want to treat the 'cause' of the poor vision so we patch the left eye and they do eye exercises (which are actually brain exercises) to stimulate parts of the brain responsible for the lazy eye. Their vision is steadily improving and in time, the brain will correct itself and the eye will work normally. This is neuroplasticity at work.


A genetic disorder does not define the potential of our children. We can't allow anyone to speak limitations over them. We need to believe the 'potential' is there for restoration and healing if we are to see growth and development. 


If we don't believe the potential is there then we begin the fight for our special needs child already defeated. 

As parents we already know our children's challenges but we are well within our right to hope for an outcome that goes "above and beyond what we can ask for or imagine".



I read so many articles detailing factors involved in Emma's disability that I thought MY brain might explode. At one point I wondered if understanding Emma was quite simple: Her brain doesn't work. 

The simple thought "Her brain doesn't work" lead me to information about neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change both its physical structure and functional organisation in response to changes and experiences. When new connections start being made they fundamentally change the brains capacity to learn and function.

So when we talk about potential we are being literal. The brain DOES have the potential to change and work 'better' with the right input.

Where to start? Feed the brain - the right food and the right supportive supplements. If the brain has the nutrition it needs to function then that's a good place to start.

Secondly, explore the options when it comes to neuroplasticity methods and neurodevelopmental programs. We have chosen NACD but there are other options out there that offer hope for families. 


Be encouraged xo 

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