N a t u r a l A l t e r n a t i v e s for ‘Special’ Children Gregory Peechatt PhD DHM ND (School...

N a t u r a l A l t e r n a t i v e s for ‘Special’ Children

Gregory Peechatt PhD DHM NDGregory Peechatt PhD DHM ND(School Psychologist, Dr. of Homeopathic Medicine (UK) & Naturopathic Dr.)(School Psychologist, Dr. of Homeopathic Medicine (UK) & Naturopathic Dr.)

(Everything contained in this hand-out is meant for educational purposes only and as such should not be taken as medical recommendations for any diagnosed disease. This may be reproduced and distributed only with permission)

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What exactly does a ‘regular’ child look like? No one knows any more!

• there was a time childhood was an un-graded test.• take your time, build your forts, play your games…..• clock did not tic until high school, may be college.• not true any more in developed/developing countries.• teachers give home-work as early as in K.G. • parents who value education (especially those from Asia,

Latin America etc.) will do anything, to help their child get ahead.

• children and adolescents are very busy people - always on the go.

• very soon a teacher in a middle school may say to the students “and now I’ll take a 5-minute break while all of you check your tex messages”.

• frontal lobe stimulation is non-stop, video games, rock/rap music, I-pods, cell phones/I-phones etc. . . . all do it.

‘Special’ child = a child with extra needs

arising from1. ADD/ADHD, Lead poisoning,2. Learning Disabilities of Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, NVLD,

Neurofibromatosis etc.,

3. Speech/Language Impairment, CAPD/SLPD,

4. ASD (Autism, Aspergers Syndrome, PDD etc.)5. Mental Retardation, PTSD, OCD, Anxiety neurosis, Insomnia, Bipolar/Unipolar

disorders, Tourettes Syndrome, 6. FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) RAD, SAD, 7. Various kinds of Emotional Disturbances etc.

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What is going on in America? ‘Does America has ADD?’

(A 2001 article in US News & World Report)

• Lately a typical classroom in U.S. has at least one child with an AD/HD Diagnosis.

• In some schools almost one third of the student body is on stimulant medication.

• In 1988 half a million children were on Ritalin. Now more than 4 million are on it.

• 1990 - 1996 prescription for AD/HD increased 500%. Imagine the percentage of increase from 1997 - 2008!

• Autism was extremely rare prior to 1943.• A 1966 research found 1/2000 children within the Autism

Spectrum while present surveys show more than 1/100.• Why this alarming increase in diagnosis and prescription?

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Some statistical facts

• AD/HD affects 2 million school-aged children (3-5%)• Preschoolers diagnosed with a language disorder have 80%

chance of having AD/HD• 60-80% of LD have co-occurring ADHD

Percentages of children 6-11 diagnosed w/ ADHD and/or LD ADHD ADHD only ADHD & LD LD only All Children 6.8 3.3 3.5 4.2Boys 9.6 4.7 4.9 4.7 Girls 3.7 1.7 2.0 3.7White 7.8 4.1 3.6 3.9Black 5.9 1.8 4.1 5.4Hispanic 4.0 1.4 2.6 4.6

(Source : Center for Disease Control and Prevention, May ’02)

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ADD/ADHDGeneral Definition & types

It is a diagnostic name given by AMC based on the DSM-IV-R, to persons who manifest three major characteristics in their day to day functioning:

1. Inattention2. Impulsiveness and 3. Hyperactivity

Three major types (as per DSM-IV-R)

1. Predominantly Inattentive – ADD2. Predominantly Hyperactive & Impulsive -

ADHD3. Combined type – AD/HD

Types of Attention

• Preparatory Attention – choosing what to attend to

• Selective Attention – selecting to attend to a target and blocking out competing stimuli

• Divided Attention – attending to two or more targets simultaneously (tested in IVA-CPT)

• Vigilant Attention – attending to an intermittent target. Vigilance is essential for this (tested in IVA-CPT)

• Sustained Attention – maintaining attention to a target over a period of time. (e.g. IVA-CPT lasts 15 minutes)

Attention of a child with ADHD

• Global attention - Often the attention of children with ADD is global than specific. They pay equal attention to the world around them.

• like the buss of the light over head, the touch of the cloth on the skin, sound of children playing outside, the math. work sheet in front of them etc.

• They are unable to have the flexibility and to shift from a specific task to another unless they are quite interesting or highly motivating.

• They have immense difficulty in transitions. E.g. from specials or lunch to classroom.

• Hyper focused attention – Children with ADD can be hyper focused when it comes to tasks which are very interesting and with immediate gratification. They can play Nintendo for hours and the house can burn down around them and they wouldn’t know. Long term token system for rewards won’t work.

Profile of an ADD (not ADHD) child

• Appear to be unfocused, quiet, lazy, space cadets• Fail to pay close attention to details (right brain type)• Have trouble keeping their mind focused on tasks

especially on school work or chores because they are boring

• Often seem to be not listening, appear disorganized, try to get out of home work, because it is such a boring task.

• They can easily spend 2 to 3 hours for a normally 20-30 minutes home work. 1 hour arguing with mom or dad, and after all that hours long hard work, on the following day they fail to hand it in to the teacher. May be: left at home, lost it in the back pack or sent it out to the Bermuda triangle of H.W. assignments if their dog didn’t eat it.

• Usually these children don’t get any treatment, Mostly girls.

Impulsivity – Behavioral & Cognitive

(1) Behavioral• Act before thinking. Don’t stop and think. • Don’t learn from past mistakes. Their learning threshold is very high

and can learn only if they are very excited or highly motivated.• Cut in line, can’t wait for turn in a game, blurt out answers in class,

speak when they are not supposed to, poor social skills, don’t learn the social cues and can be inappropriate

• Some times aggressive and gets into fights for no reason.

(2) Cognitive• Can’t analyze any cognitive task in front of them – too fast to answer• Know to use only the trial and error method – rushes through work.• Can’t think of doing it in different ways and coming up with a better or

right answer. • The above can be often observed when given a matching task or

multiple choice test with oral answers.

What is Hyperactivity?

• High levels of non goal directed motor activity.• It can be either gross motor or fine motor or both.

Characteristics of Hyperactive children• bounce from one activity to another inappropriate to their age, • are like constantly driven by a motor, • is like a motor wound in the morning is attached to them and they go

on and on until they are exhausted in the evening/night and may easily go to bed and fall asleep. But they may wake up early and may not fall back to sleep

• many of them are reported to have insomnia. • each child is unique, and some of them can’t fall asleep as they may

not have got the chance to ‘unwind’ fully during the day because they were in a highly structured classroom or school setting. So they ‘unwind’ at home after school and wouldn’t want to go to bed.

Characteristics of Hyperactive children (contd)

• often over aroused and cannot ‘relax’,• A part of their brain is overly sensitive and they get easily

startled, are anxious, panicky and want to touch and feel everything around them quickly, they ask million questions,

• this is because hyperactive child’s brain does not function as ‘normal’ person’s brain.

• ‘normal’ brain constantly scan and swift incoming information from the environment by evaluating and giving waiting time.

• a hyperactive child seeing something, for example, may think: “can I eat this new thing or is it going to eat me?”

• some of them can be very edgy and prone to quick temper, they easily explode and lose friends. Thus ADHD can be the ticket for ‘social death’ for teens.

• Good news : almost 50% will outgrow it partially in their 20s as there is one more growth spurt in the brain that happens around the age 18 or 19.

ADD/ADHDBiological Definition

A Dysfunction of the Central Nervous System

primarily involving four major parts of the brain each of which is responsible for different functions of the brain.

The major parts are:

1.Frontal lobes

2. Inhibitory mechanisms of the cerebral cortex

3.Limbic system4.Reticular activating system (most important)

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Executive Function is the job of the frontal lobes

ADD person’s frontal lobes may be visualized as a Conductor of Orchestra who is drunk

1. Functions of the Frontal Lobes

• selecting between global actions and specific tasks : selective attention

• staying focused on a task : sustained attention• sorting out and scanning the incoming stimuli• planning ahead before acting• learning from and remembering what one has

experienced• Behaving appropriately in a given situation• Orchestrating the functions of other lobes, parts

and different systems of the brain.

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2. Inhibitory mechanisms of the cortex

• help us to inhibit our inappropriate behaviors,• may keep us from being hyperactive,• from saying things out of turn,• from getting mad at inappropriate times on other persons

- It is thought that 70% of the brain is working to inhibit the other 30% of the brain,

- when the inhibitory mechanisms do not work properly there can occur a condition called ‘Dis-inhibition Disorder’ such as,

• highly impulsive behaviors, poor decision making, quick temper, hyperactivity and running over others like a tornado

3. The limbic system

• it is a complex set of structures and neural systems that line up the inside wall of the neo-cortex,

• it lies on both sides and underneath Thalamus, just under the Cerebrum,

• it includes several areas – Hypothalamus, Amygdala, pituitary gland and several nearby areas.

• although our emotions involve entire nervous system, limbic system appears to be primarily responsible (autonomous nervous system being the second) for our emotional life and it has a lot to do with memory.

• It is considered to be our highly vigilant look out tower to fight against emotional invaders.

3. The limbic system (continued)

If the limbic system is over-activated a person may have• wide mood swings, quick temper, • may be over aroused, easily startled,• would be constantly touching everything around them,• would be hyper-vigilant,

Normally functioning limbic system will provide for• normal emotional changes with right levels of energy,• normal sleep routines and normal coping skills with stress• dysfunctional limbic system causes problems in the

above.

ADHD may impact 1, 2 or all the above 3 areas resulting in different profiles of children with ADHD.

4. The Reticular Activating System

(In ADHD, the most important of the 4 areas/systems)

• is a very complex collection of neurons which serves as the point for the convergence of signals from the external world and from the interior environment.

• other words, is the part of the brain which is the meeting place for the world outside of you and your own thoughts and feelings from inside of you.

• is the ‘key’ for turning on the brain and seems to be the center of motivation (makes a particular task non boring)

• is the attention center of the brain,• is the center of balance for the other areas/systems involved in

learning, memory, self control and/or inhibition,• is very dynamic and is capable of generating effects on the activity of

the cortex including the frontal lobes and the motor activity centers of the brain (remember the ‘drunk’ orchestra conductor)

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ADHD &the Reticular Activating System

Neural connections & pathways of the RAS

• RAS is connected to spinal cord at a space where it receives information projected directly up from the ascending sensory tracks (Du 14 area)

• The brain stem reticular formation runs all the way up to the mid brain (remember also the location of the limbic system)

RAS plays a significant role in determining • whether a person can learn or remember well or not,• whether a person is impulsive or self-controlled,• whether a person has high or low level of motor activity,• Whether a person is highly motivated or ‘bored’ easily

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ADHD – CausesIt is widely accepted that under or over arousal of the RAS is the

main cause of ADHD

• Neuro-Biology of the Causes- It is very complex – needs medical background - Visualize as “hardware”, “software” & “wiring”

“hardware” – neural connections & density necessary for efficient processing“software” – neurotransmitters needed for turning off and on the hardware (lack of “software”)“wiring”- communication pathways (defective due topoor insulation caused by toxins or wrong food)

• Genetic pre-disposition : according to NIMH 25% of family or close relatives

are with ADHD when general population is 5%+• Contributory factors:

unhealthy eating & sleeping habits, wrong teaching methods, inefficient parenting approaches,heavy metal or toxic overload, chronic constipation,

side effects of Rxs & vaccines, over stimulated frontal lobes

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Latest ADHD Assessment toolIVA-CPT (Integrated Visual Auditory-Continuous Performance Test)

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IVA-CPT : InterpretationFSAQ and RCQ are compared to IQ scores (90-109 is average)

Learning Disabilities

The following may not be a Learning Disability

• Difficulty in reading, writing or mathematics.• Significant ability/achievement discrepancy.• Learning difficulties arising from: • Speech & language impairment, Sensory integration

problems, Vision, Hearing, Health issues, psycho-morbid conditions, emotional disturbance, mental retardation,

• non continuity of instructional input due to long absences or several school changes within the same year,

• PTSD, social stress, SAD, anxiety/panic disorder,• Delayed enrollment in school and delayed development of

basic skills.

What is a learning Disability?

• It is very difficult to give a clear cut definition which can be accepted by all

• A general definition may be that it is a neurologically based condition involving several parts of the brain making it almost impossible for some individuals to do one or two of the basics of learning namely reading, writing and/or developing mathematical concepts and applying them to real life situations.

• Often persons who may have a learning disability must have at least an average or close to average I.Q. and can do at least one of the basics of learning on an age/grade expected level.

• Latest research literature identifies 3 major types of L.D.

Dyslexia = L.D of reading, Dysgraphia = L.D. of writing and

Dyscalculia = L.D. of Mathematics• Among other reasons, one of the major reason for L.D. is the

perceptual (visual and/or auditory) processing difficulties.

Most commonly usedAssessment tools for identifying L.D.

Cognitive • WPPSI-III (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-3)• DAS (Differential Ability Scales) - preschool and school age versions• WISC-IV (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-4)• WJ-III (Woodcock Johnson-3) tests of cognitive abilities

Academic• Bracken Basic Concept Scale (SRC and Overall)• WJ-III – Tests of Academic Abilities• WIAT-II (Wechsler Individual Achievement test – second edition)• PAL (Process Assessment of the Learner)

Perceptual• TVPS-III (Test of Visual Perceptual Skills –3)• TAPS-III (Test of Auditory Processing Skills-3)• VMI (Visual Motor Integration Test), VADS (Visual-Aural Digit Span T.)

What is ASD (autism spectrum disorder)?

• is a category of disorders under the umbrella of PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorders) per DSM-IV-TR

• categorized by severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of neurological development, with difficulty

• in verbal and non-verbal communication, • social interactions including leisure and play activities,• may display restricted patterns of behaviors and interests• Includes Autism (most common), Aspergers and PDD • Neurological malformations in the following areas of brain

can lead to symptoms of autism. - Frontal lobes – planning- Hippocampus – memory and learning functions- Temporal lobes – auditory processing and speech - Amygdala – emotional functions,- Cerebellum – motor skills and shifting of attention

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Research by Barbara Brewitt M.Div, Ph.D and her firm Biomed postulate that

• Autistic children’s Immune, Nervous and Hormonal systems are not intercommunicating appropriately.

• This is because in Autistic children the above systems are either damaged or deteriorating.

• The limbic system and the cerebellum in the brain are responsible for

• emotions, • speech and the ability to process information. • primitive sense of reality, self/non-self discrimination,

and memory • Hypothalamus regulates appetite and • the hormonal system handles the overall gut functions.

Understanding the diagnostic criteria

• There are wide range & wide combination of symptoms• No two children with same dx./classification will look alike• There will be wide range of how the disorder is presented

at home and in the classroom• Each child has to be taken as an in individual with a

unique profile. • Autism is on the continuum of Pervasive Developmental

Disorders (PDD)• Aspergers Syndrome is a neurological/social disorder

involving a cluster of behaviors including lack of empathy, decreased ability to form friendships, one-sided conversations, clumsy movements, and

• intense interest in a specific subject or field. Usually has average or above I.Q.

Some alarming findings:

• Recent studies found that MMR vaccine is one of the etiological factors of Autism, AD/HD, Allergies, Diabetes, Encephalitis, Asthma etc. and even SIDS.

• AD/HD is easily misdiagnosed confusing it with similar Psych. Conditions like LD, ED, ODD, OCD, RAD, SAD, PDD, Aspergers, Anxiety neurosis, Panic attacks, Tourettes etc. and

• Physical conditions like high led levels, adenoid inflammation/tonsillitis etc.

• Sky high Rx. of stimulant medicines is due to drug pushing & lack of Alternatives info.

More facts on Autism Spectrum Disorders

• 4 : 1 male to female ratio• 70-80% IQ scores within MR range• 50% of siblings having autistic traits• Causes are unknown – still research going on genetic and

pre-natal levels• Can MMR vaccine be a culprit? It is controversial • No “cure” for Autism in conventional medicine. Rx. Address

symptoms, not the delay.• In alternative approaches especially the CSEs (Cell Signal

Enhancers) which are homeopathically prepared appear to be quite promising for partial ‘cure’ of the Autism spectrum disorders, gut problems, communication (verbal and non verbal) difficulties, sleep disturbance etc.

Though neurological there is no brain scan or blood test for autism. Research is being conducted by NIH, NAAR (National Alliance for Autism Research), UC Davis MIND(Mental Illness and Neurological Disorders) Institute

Conventional Treatments &Conventional Treatments &Natural Alternatives for ‘special’ children Natural Alternatives for ‘special’ children

due todue to

AD/HD, ASD, LD, SI, ED, Anxiety, Insomnia etc.AD/HD, ASD, LD, SI, ED, Anxiety, Insomnia etc.

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Ideal treatmentscould be a combination of:

• Prescription medicines with psychotherapy,• Behavior modification, parental/teacher training,• Neuro-feedback, sensory integration training,• Chelation therapy for heavy metal detoxification.• structured settings & disciplined activities like Karate• Use of auditory trainer, blocking noise & other distractions • Emotion based or focus based exercises (lap swimming)• sensory-motor integration exercises for motor issues• Meditation, yoga, energy works like Reiki, polarity therapy• Acupuncture, Shiatsu with Chinese herbal remedies• Diet modifications with vitamin/mineral supplements• Classical Homeopathy with poly-pharmacy preparations

Conventional Approach and philosophy behind

• The RAS must be activated to normal levels for the entire brain to function as it should.

• Current studies at Harvard Medical School strongly suggest that ADHD is caused by lack of Norepinephrine in the ascending sensory tracts.

• It is thought that stimulant Rx. such as Ritalin increases the level of Norepinephrine in that part of the brain as well as Dopamine levels in the frontal lobes.

• This strategy works very well for the inattentive ADD kids and somewhat well for the over-aroused ADHD kids.

• However, for kids who have an over-aroused RAS to start with, the use of stimulants may increase problems with temper, sleep or hyper-vigilance. For them the MD may often prescribe a Norepinephrine antagonist like Clonidine

Standard drug treatment

• Most standard drugs for ADHD are the stimulant medications • Methylphenidate: Ritalin, Dextroamphetamine: Dexedrine• Amphetamine: sold as Adderall, Pemoline : sold as Cylert• Most drugs are short acting and side effects are inevitable• Adderall (slightly long acting). Some call it ‘kiddy cocaine’• Lately long acting or sustained release drugs are available• Brand names:Concerta, Metadate, Ritalin LA, Adderall XR

• Strattera is an exception. It is non-stimulant. It blocks the reuptake of the CNS neurotransmitter Norepinephrine.

Common goals of standard drug treatments • Diminish distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsiveness & boredom.• Facilitate learning by increased motivation & attention span,• Improve overall functioning in all facets of life (school,home etc)

Documented side-effects can include

Serious side-effects:1. cardiovascular disease, 2. suicidal tendencies,3. hallucinations, 4. impaired

growth/development.

Moderate side-effects:1. loss of appetite, weight loss/gain,2. difficulty to fall asleep / sleep disturbances,3. headaches or stomach aches with feeling of nausea,4. irritability, moodiness or emotional upsets.

Less common side-effects:1. tics, 2. rapid pulse or increased B.P.3. development of nervous habits - picking at the skin, finger

sucking, head scratching, nail biting etc.

Note: fear of addiction to drugs is a misconception : those who are on them don’t like the ‘feeling’ they give.

Caveats about drug treatments(information is from the NASP newsletter of June 2005, Vol. 33, # 8)

Scientists Discover Significant Safety Issues Associated with “ADHD” Drugs

(by Thomas Johnson NCSP)

• A recent Texas study found correlation between Methylphenidate and chromosomal abnormalities which can increases the risk of cancer and other health problems

• Health Canada (Canadian FDA) recently instructed makers of Adderall to suspend its use due to safety issues relating to heart-related deaths, strokes and sudden deaths. FDA has not yet said anything about it.

• In Dec. 2004, FDA issued a warning regarding Strattera’s correlation with liver toxicity. The # of actual cases of severe liver injury is unknown due to under-reporting of adverse effects.

Questions parents of ‘special’ children should ask their pediatrician

• Are there any effective non-drug treatments for these symptoms?

• Is this drug the best value in its class in terms of safety, effectiveness and price?

• Will this drug interact with any other medication my child is taking?

• What are the common side effects and what should I do if one occurs?

Contributory factors which need to be avoided

• Moderate to excessive consumption of refined carbohydrates: foods with industrial white sugar & high fructose corn syrup

• Artificial colorants, preservatives and/or sweeteners, like Tartrazine, Aspartame, Sweet & Low, Splenda etc.

• MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)• Heavy metal toxicity, e.g. Mercury, lead, aluminum, copper• For some Gluten (wheat) and for others Casein (dairy)

containing food.• For some the foods which can cause allergic reactions (soy,

eggs, corn)• Excessive consumption of aspartic acid and/or glutamic acid, • Maternal abuse of alcohol, tobacco or recreational drugs during

pregnancy• Prolonged exposure to cool white florescent indoor lighting• Conventional house hold cleaners and deodorant sprays etc.

Why often drug treatment alone may not be enough?

• It is not just the activation levels of the RAS alone is what cause the problems of ADHD and other ‘special need’ conditions

• It seems that the same problems that cause the RAS to be under or over aroused also restrict the development of neuro-connections and the neural density needed to process incoming information.

• Think of the incoming info. as a large volume of water and the parts of the brain to process the info. as a large pipe like a storm drain pipe.

• If the brain does not have enough neuro-connections or lacks neural density, it would be like a pipe too small to handle the large volume of water. It takes some water and the rest will not go down rapidly.

• This can be often noticed, when a child with ADD takes a test with time restriction (coding, symbol search, block design, cancellation etc.)

• This is why they do well when they get test modification of extended time

• Here comes the importance of brain foods like vitamins & minerals.

Main neurotransmitters involved in making a person/child with ‘special’ need

• Norepinephrine: shortage can cause feelings of boredom, depression, lack of energy and ambition, starting many projects and never finishing, lack of perseverance, falling prey for making ‘easy money’.

• Dopamine: deficiency can cause lack of pleasure in life, unexplained lack of concern for others including family members, things that used to be fun are not fun any more

• Opiod (enkephalin): lack may cause sense of constant urgency, life seems incomplete, feelings of insecurity, inferiority, low self image

• GABA (gamma-amyno-butyric acid): main calming neuro-transmitter in the CNS. Even a small shortage of this will produce feelings of insecurity, anxiety, fatigue and panic.

• Serotonin: shaortage causes difficulty with falling and staying asleep, wrong perception of the sensory input, irritable, irrational, unexplained tears, unprovoked anger, impatient and feels everything as bothering.

Conventional Vs. Natural approaches to increase the 5 major neurotransmitters

Conventional Approach• Block the reuptake of Serotonin. Give stimulant medications

and/or SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Most Anti-Depressants and Anti-anxiety drugs are SSRIs.

Natural Approach• Feed the CNS with amino acids and other natural substances

which can increase the neuro-connections and neural density.

• For Norepinephrine and Dopamine group = L-phenylalanie with B Vitamins (6 & 12) and L-Tyrosine

• For Opioid group = D-phenylalanine with B Vitamins

• For Serotonin group = 5-HTP with Omega-3 (fish oil and/or flax seed oil) and Vitamin B complexes = precursors of Serotonin.

More Nutritional/Natural substances

• ALC (Acetyl-L-Carnitine) 1500 mg. 2x for memory & impulsivity because it increases the formation of acetylcholine a neuro-transmitter essential for memory function and it augments brain cell energy production and helps to control impulsivity.

• L-Glutamine, L-Taurine - anti-excitatory amino acids known as a CNS sedative) helps to decrease Hyperactivity.

• L-Tyrozine – seen capable of augmenting CNS Norepinephrine and Dopamine levels.

• Phospholipids like ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid) – shown to reduce Hyperactivity.

• Digestive enzymes to deal with gut functions & acidophilis for intestinal flora.

• Adding Homeopathic Medicines with the above can have amazing results.

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Homeopathy may be the best alternative medicine. Why?

• 200 year old well researched branch of medicine• “Homeopathy will be the medicine for the 21st century”

(1999 statement by W.H.O. world health organization)) • Homeopathy : the second most widely used in the world

for primary care (latest W.H.O. survey)• Homeopathy : the gentlest form of medicine known to

mankind• As it is bio energetic and not bio chemical, most have no

known side effects • is the safest of all medicines and as such it is safer than

any ‘over the counter’ medicines• Homeopathy is the most cost-efficient approach

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Homeopathic Medicines are developed

• not by testing on animals but by testing on healthy humans, recording their responses and compiling them as ‘materia medicas’

• from all the three kingdoms - plant, animal and mineral.• from all kind of substances including poisons, venoms, toxic

compounds, viruses/bacterias, poisonus plants etc. • like arsenicum, lacheses (rattle snake venom), bufa rana (toad stool), nux

vomica (poison nut), rhus toxicodendron (poison ivy), varicella (chicken pox),

oscillococcinum (infected duck tissue)

• In spite of the above, they are: - not poisonous - not toxic - not sickening

• because of the homeopathic process of diluting them to decimal, centesimal, millennial or even infinitesimal potencies leaving no molecular element of the original substance in it.

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Memoranda for Homeopathic remedy Memoranda for Homeopathic remedy recommendationsrecommendations

• should focus on the ‘dis-ease’ each person feels instead of the differential diagnosis.

• should be based on matching the whole profile of the person with the remedy’s total picture or ‘signature’ making it possible to treat the whole person at the root of the main problem

• should do the profiling by collecting everything in areas of - psycho-social development and current functioning, - emotional factors and behavioral characteristics, - neurological abnormalities if any, - cognitive, perceptual, motor & academic functioning, - any psychological or physical sign standing out as hallmark - symptom/s aggravation or amelioration based on ‘modalities’

like heat/cold, covered/exposed, hard/soft touch, night/day, morning/afternoon/evening, different seasons etc.

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Few profiles of children diagnosed as having ADHDand the remedies found effective

1. Lycopodium Clavatum (Club Moss)• cowardly with insecurity & fear which are covered up• by tendency to boss younger children• plays the role of class clown,• candy cravers with hypoglycemia,• often have Dyslexia and ADD (not ADHD) combined

2. Tarentula Hispanica (Spanish Spider)• Hallmark - ‘rhythmic movements’ dancing, drumming, tapping,• Very hyper - climbing, jumping etc. restlessness resembling a spider,• Cunning, lying, playing tricks on parents, teachers and peers,• Loves to hide, very hurried and impatient, • Destructive and break anything they get their hands on,• Twitching and jerking of the muscles is often common,• Attracted to bright colors,• Extremely impulsive and distractible presenting typical ADHD,

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3. Cina (Worm Seed)

• ‘cross’ may their middle name, most irritable for no reason,

• do not know what they want, cannot make choices

• cannot be talked to, touched or even looked at; gets mad easily,

• pinch, kick or hit out of irritability to the level of having fits,

• picked and bored into their ears, often scratched their bottoms

4. Stramonium (thorn apple)

• Hallmark: extremely disturbed sleep,

• nightmares with crying and shrieks, some may even have somnambulism

• nature is of a mixture of fear and violence.

• Have constant terror feeling of being in a dark jungle surrounded by wild animals who might attack any moment with fight not flight as response.

• often became violent when provoked, in some, a history of trauma

• exhibit fear of animals, water and violent death.

• Stammering, cursing and jealousy are common behaviors.

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5. Androctonus (Scorpion)• lack a conscience and compassion for others’ suffering• extremely violent to the level of ready to hurt others seriously if

provoked,• Loners who like to be away from the demands of society• Absolutely selfish and ego-centric, like self imposed isolation• indifferent to pain or pleasure or to others’ opinion of them

6. Baryta carbonica (Barium carbonate)• unable to do anything independently, passive & indecisive, • usually I.Q. & Adaptive behavior composites scores in deficient

range, • hide behind their mothers or under furniture in presence of

strangers, • do not try anything new, lack self-confidence, like to keep things

simple. • some of them were delayed in their physical growth and maturity.

• many have chronic tonsillitis and/or adenoid inflammation.

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7. Crotalus Cascavella (rattle snake)

• Feel someone behind them or hear foot steps following them • fear of being alone and of spirits, ghosts and snakes. • Are intense, animated, hurried, restless and talkative, • could strike out at others in a fit of rage. • Hives usually on right side of the body can be prominent physical sign

8. Arsenicum Album (Arsenic)• extremely restless due to feelings of insecurity and inadequacy • anxiety about their health and often fear of death. • great concern about germs and contamination • great terror of being left alone. • These children are more anxious and adult-like than they should be at that

age. • extremely needy, whiny and impatient. • physical ailments included burning pains, asthma, diarrhea and stomach

aches.

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9. Hyoscyamus (Henbane)• chronic attention seekers. If don’t get it by positive behavior, try to get

by negative behaviors of being silly, joking inappropriately, showing off, talking too much, swearing, throwing tantrums etc.

• Play the “kick me, kiss me” game constantly. Show Jealousy especially at the birth of a younger sibling.

• are precocious and some have enuresis

10. Anacardium Orientale (marking nut)• Like both an angel as well a little devil locked in the same person. • sometimes the most charming, obedient, decent, enthusiastic,

outgoing, sensitive – with all the possible positive qualities• at other times s/he is the opposite of all the above - has no conscience

or amoral, cheating, lying, stealing, cunning, malicious, hitting, cursing parents, teachers, peers etc with all possible negative qualities.

• It is like that of a person who has classical ‘demon possession’.

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Best Homeopathic Approach

• Find the right remedy by matching the personality profile with the totality of the remedy picture.

• Administer it as a weekly or biweekly dose in a rather high potency (200 c or above)

• Use the ‘plusing’ technique to increase the potency and decrease the frequency

• Give also on a daily basis combination remedies prepared specifically for different symptoms.

• Combine diet modifications and other alternatives• Use computerized assessment (IVA-CPT) once in

every two months to measure the effectiveness of the approach.

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Homeopathic CSEs are quite promising for ADHD & Autism

• These new line of Homeopathic formulas made from the recombinent human growth hormones and factors are called CSEs (Cell Signal Enhancers).

• They are generated by recombinent technology. By this technology the scientists working under FDA certified labs duplicate the materials our body creates naturally.

• One of the basic CSE is #12. It has EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) which repairs the damage of the gut.

• CSE formulas are made by homeopathically diluting and potentizing the HGH/IGF-1, PDGF, FGF, TGF b1 & EGF.

• The firm that produces CSEs is called Biomed and it assures 100% bio-availability and safety from contamination for CSE products.

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Supplements for ADHD etc.

• Essential amino acids promote production of certain Neurotransmitters

• Fatty Acids are used by body to maintain and promote the building of neural pathways

Few commonly used ones are

Omega -3 : better Attention

Pregnenolone : known as the “memory hormone”

Ginko Biloba : anti-oxidant improves memory -

Gama-aminobutyric acid (GABA) – better concentration

Amino-acids : 5-HTP, Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALC), L-Glutamine, L-Taurine, L-Tyrozine,

Homeopathic Combinations : Attend, Memorin and Exstress by VAXA, Hyperactivity, Detoxifier etc. by Newton labs.

L-Theanine (Sun-Theanine) for anxiety

Melatonin, Valerian root, Humulus Lupulus etc. for Insomnia

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Diet & regular exercise

- Gluten Free diet helps in many cases - The Fiengold Diet

- No food with artificial colors and flavors – No soda (diet or non-diet)- Try to avoid almonds , currants, plums, prunes. Apples including cider,

grapes, raspberries, mint flavors, all teas, oranges, cucumbers, tomatoes, pickles, peaches etc.

- Try to avoid aspirin containing compounds, meds. & toothpastes Avoid sugars especially artificial ones (aspartame), refined carbs

- To alleviate the symptoms:- Healthy supply of fruits and vegetables- Healthy supply of proteins – essential for amino acids,- Complex carbohydrates with valuable dietary fiber- Cold water fish such as Herring, Salmon, Tuna etc.

- Daily Exercise with strict structure of life – Diet in Sanskrit is “Dina”=Daily + “Charya” = Practice

N a t u r a l A l t e r n a t i v e s for ‘Special’ Children Gregory Peechatt PhD DHM ND (School...

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