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<strong>GOOD</strong> <strong>HEALTH</strong> <strong>NEWS</strong><br />
December 2014<br />
Volume 7 No. 2<br />
IN THIS ISSUE<br />
Pg. 1<br />
Improving Communication<br />
Between You and Your<br />
Special Needs Child<br />
Pg. 2<br />
How to Recognize If<br />
Your Child Has Physical<br />
Development Delay<br />
Pg. 3<br />
3 Teas that Help Reduce<br />
Anxiety Naturally<br />
Pg. 4<br />
Health Holiday Recipe<br />
Pg. 5<br />
Our Brand New VitaPlus<br />
Program<br />
IMPROVING<br />
COMMUNICATION<br />
BETWEEN YOU<br />
AND YOUR<br />
SPECIAL NEEDS<br />
CHILD<br />
Health in Motion director Natan<br />
Gendelman talks about improving the<br />
communication between you and your<br />
special needs child.<br />
I do not make any distinctions between<br />
children who are special needs<br />
and those that we call regular children.<br />
All kids are special; the only difference<br />
is that those who undergo normal development<br />
explore their environment<br />
on their own. Parents will teach them<br />
not to do certain things (i.e. touching<br />
a hot stove, playing with an electrical<br />
socket, etc.), but for the most part,<br />
these children will discover the world<br />
by themselves. However, this is not<br />
the same for children who are developmentally<br />
delayed.<br />
Every special needs child is different,<br />
and the degree to which they are<br />
limited cognitively and physically will<br />
vary. But in general, these kids may<br />
have trouble discovering and interacting<br />
with the world and people around<br />
them. As a result, they may have a hard<br />
time communicating with others.<br />
So how can you begin to foster good<br />
communication and encourage your<br />
child to be independent in interacting<br />
with their environment? I tell the<br />
parents of my patients at the LIFE<br />
program that communication always<br />
starts with eye contact. Always ask<br />
your child to look at you while you are<br />
talking. Use simple instructions like,<br />
“Turn to me. Look at me.” This is where<br />
independence starts. Begin to develop<br />
a vocabulary with your child by asking<br />
simple questions. “Do you want to<br />
wear the red shirt or blue shirt today?”<br />
And show them which color belongs<br />
to which shirt. By giving choices and<br />
asking questions, you start to develop<br />
communication between you and<br />
your child. Start with simple questions<br />
and then move on to more complicated<br />
ones. By doing this, you can start<br />
to develop an understanding of what<br />
your child wants and why. It is through<br />
the small and seemingly unimportant<br />
directions like, “Look at me,” that communication<br />
is built up.<br />
When I teach my special needs patients<br />
how to roll for the first time, I always<br />
ask, “Where am I?” And proceed<br />
to tell them where I am.<br />
For example, “I’m on your left side.”<br />
They don’t understand orientation<br />
yet, so you must spend an enormous<br />
amount of time showing them through<br />
repetition. Your directions should be<br />
very simple, explicit, and consistent.<br />
Lastly, it is important to tell them<br />
why you are asking them to move. In<br />
the clinic it would be something like,<br />
“Please roll to the left side, because<br />
we are learning how to roll.” At home,<br />
“Please roll to the table because we’re<br />
going to eat now.”<br />
Fostering good communication between<br />
yourself and your special needs<br />
child early on is so important. Not only<br />
will they be able to express what they<br />
want, but they will also be encouraged<br />
to try things on their own and be more<br />
independent.<br />
1
Maggie receiving treatment at the<br />
LIFE Program at Health in Motion.<br />
HOW TO<br />
RECOGNIZE IF<br />
YOUR CHILD<br />
HAS PHYSICAL<br />
DEVELOPMENTAL<br />
DELAY<br />
As a parent, it’s natural to worry about<br />
your child developing normally. Especially<br />
when comparing your child with<br />
other kids: For example, “Her brother<br />
was crawling by this time, why can’t<br />
she?” Please remember that every<br />
child is different, and will<br />
develop at different paces.<br />
However, it is important<br />
to be aware of the ‘red<br />
flags’ associated with developmental<br />
delay.<br />
Here are some warning<br />
signs to look out for:<br />
• At 2 months: When<br />
picking up your child, they<br />
should be able to bring<br />
their head forward. In a<br />
developmentally delayed<br />
child, their head will move<br />
backwards because they are not able<br />
to hold it up.<br />
• At 2 months: If they are arching<br />
their back and neck away from you<br />
while being held.<br />
• At 4 months: Watch how your child<br />
mimics others and if they react to people<br />
around them. If they don’t smile,<br />
react, or try to copy others’ expressions<br />
and movements, this may be a<br />
sign of developmental delay.<br />
• At 6 months: If your child is constantly<br />
keeping their hands closed and<br />
fisted. Also if they don’t try to grasp for<br />
toys and have difficulty opening their<br />
hands.<br />
• At 7 months: They are unable to support<br />
their head when they are helped<br />
into a sitting position. They don’t grasp<br />
or reach for their toys.<br />
• At 9 months: They are unable to sit<br />
without support. Normally developing<br />
children will generally begin crawling<br />
around this time and be able to stand<br />
up by holding onto something.<br />
• At 12 months: They are not crawling<br />
and can’t stand by holding onto something.<br />
You can find a more complete and<br />
detailed list of warning signs here:<br />
(http://www.babycenter.com/0_warning-signs-of-a-physical-developmental-delay_6720.bc).<br />
Please be aware<br />
that this is a very general timeline,<br />
and every child will vary in terms of<br />
when they hit their developmental<br />
milestones. If your child seems to exhibit<br />
any of these signs, then consult<br />
your doctor or a pediatric neurologist<br />
so they can be assessed. Even if there<br />
is no problem, it’s always better to err<br />
on the side of caution.<br />
“If your child happens to be diagnosed<br />
with developmental delay, you<br />
must understand that the diagnosis<br />
is not a label. This is just a title for the<br />
symptoms that the child is exhibiting.<br />
As a therapist, it gives me certain information<br />
to keep in my head so I can<br />
lead this patient out from what he has.<br />
CP and developmental delay is not a<br />
life sentence. No one can predict your<br />
child’s future.” –Natan Gendelman,<br />
D.O.M.P.<br />
3 BENEFITS OF RAW, UNPASTEURIZED HONEY<br />
1) Soothes throat irritation and cough: In one study, eating buckwheat honey was more effective than dextromethorphan<br />
(a cough suppressant) and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) in helping 139 children in relieving<br />
their nighttime cough. It even improved their sleep! (http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/medicinal-uses-of-honey?page=3)<br />
2) Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal & anti-viral properties: The enzymes found in honey produce hydrogen peroxide,<br />
which is a natural antibacterial agent. Honey has also been shown to effectively fight food-borne pathogens like E.<br />
coli and salmonella, as well as many other bacteria. Because of its unique properties, eating honey may also be a<br />
good treatment for stomach ulcers and food poisoning!<br />
3) Allergy Relief: Exposure to small amounts of flower pollen naturally found in unpasteurized honey may help<br />
build up the body’s immunity to seasonal allergies. Try taking two teaspoons of honey daily up to 6 weeks before<br />
allergy season kicks in to help combat bad reactions. For serious allergic conditions, you should always consult<br />
your doctor.<br />
2
3 TEAS THAT HELP REDUCE ANXIETY NATURALLY:<br />
Have you been under a lot of stress<br />
lately? Whether it’s meeting a new<br />
deadline at work, kids misbehaving at<br />
school, relationship troubles, or just<br />
general apprehension about the future,<br />
it’s perfectly normal for everyone<br />
to feel the anxiety jitters from time to<br />
time. However, if you find that your<br />
anxiety symptoms continue to persist,<br />
consider adding these natural<br />
herbal remedies to your diet to soothe<br />
your nerves.<br />
• Chamomile: For centuries, chamomile<br />
has been used as a medicinal<br />
herb to treat a variety of conditions<br />
such as eczema, rheumatic pain, indigestion,<br />
etc. It was also regarded<br />
as an effective sedative to treat anxiety,<br />
hysteria, and even sleep problems<br />
such as insomnia. A recent study has<br />
shown that chamomile significantly<br />
calms the human body by relaxing<br />
its blood vessels and smooth muscle<br />
fibers. Another 2009 study by the<br />
University of Pennsylvania School of<br />
Medicine found that patients diagnosed<br />
with generalized anxiety disorder<br />
(GAD) who were treated with<br />
chamomile extract for 8 weeks experienced<br />
a significant reduction in their<br />
GAD symptoms compared to patients<br />
who did not receive chamomile extract<br />
treatments.<br />
• Lavender: Used in the ancient baths<br />
and homes of Greece and Rome,<br />
this herb has a long history of being<br />
used to help remedy a wide range of<br />
conditions including insomnia, anxiety,<br />
depression, upset stomachs, and<br />
headaches. Lavender is widely used<br />
as an aromatherapy treatment for its<br />
calming and sedative properties (this<br />
is why you may find some doctor’s<br />
office waiting rooms scented with lavender<br />
oil), but it can also be made<br />
into a tea. In a study published in the<br />
International Journal of Phytotherapy<br />
and Phytopharmacology, researchers<br />
found that lavender administered orally<br />
to adults with GAD effectively reduced<br />
anxiety symptoms just as well<br />
as lorazepam, a common medication<br />
used to treat anxiety disorders. Since<br />
there is no potential for substance<br />
abuse with lavender, researchers concluded<br />
that it could be a good alternative<br />
to using certain medications.<br />
• Peppermint: The menthol present<br />
in peppermint leaves acts as a natural<br />
muscle relaxant, which is excellent<br />
for soothing the body when it is under<br />
a lot of tension. It has been used to<br />
treat stress induced headaches and<br />
migraines, anxiety, nausea, diarrhea,<br />
indigestion, and even symp toms of<br />
the common cold and flu. According<br />
to the University of Maryland Medical<br />
Center, some studies suggest that<br />
peppermint may have antibacterial,<br />
antifungal, and antiviral properties.<br />
When preparing these anxiety-reducing<br />
teas, always use loose tea leaves<br />
for best results! Also, consult your<br />
health care provider if you are on any<br />
medication before taking any herbal<br />
supplements to prevent unwanted<br />
side effects. And remember, it’s also<br />
important to treat anxiety disorders<br />
with a healthy lifestyle (nutritious diet<br />
& exercise); surrounding yourself with<br />
people who love and support you; and<br />
consulting a therapist to learn proper<br />
coping mechanisms.<br />
WANT TO SUBSCRIBE?<br />
DID YOU KNOW?<br />
People whose diets are rich in<br />
potassium may be less prone to high<br />
blood pressure. Besides reducing<br />
sodium and taking other hearthealthy<br />
steps, eat potassium-packed<br />
picks such as bananas, cantaloupe,<br />
and oranges.<br />
Good Health News publishes articles about curent health issues. The<br />
material in this newsletter is not copyrighted, and may be reproduced<br />
and shared with family and friends. Articles in GHN are for informational<br />
purposes only. If you have a health condition, please consult your physician<br />
or health care provider before following any advice. Good Health<br />
News is published by the Health in Motion Rehabilitation Clinic, Toronto,<br />
Ontario, (416) 250-1904, info@healthinmotionrehab.com. Previous<br />
issues of Good Health News are posted at: www.healthinmotionrehab.<br />
com. If you would like a subscription, or a copy of past issues, feel free<br />
to contactu us. We hope you enjoyed this issue!<br />
-The Health in Motion Team<br />
3
<strong>HEALTH</strong>Y HOLIDAY RECIPE<br />
Baked Stuffed Apples (4 servings)<br />
Duration: 35 minutes<br />
Ingredients:<br />
-4 apples (choose your favorite organic kind!)<br />
-one handful of nuts, roughly -chopped (use your favorite<br />
assortment)<br />
-one handful of dates, roughly chopped<br />
-one handful of raisins<br />
-one handful of figs, roughly chopped<br />
-¼ teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)<br />
-2 tablespoons of unpasteurized -honey for sweeter taste<br />
(optional)<br />
Directions:<br />
Photo credit: Morsels Minus<br />
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.<br />
2. Slice off the top of the apples and scoop out the center<br />
and seeds for each, so there is a hole where you can<br />
place the filling. Should look something like an apple cup!<br />
3. Save the apple bits you scooped out, chop them<br />
up, and toss with the nuts, dates, raisins and figs in a<br />
separate bowl with honey.<br />
4. Stuff each apple hole with the honey-coated nuts,<br />
apples, dates, raisins and figs.<br />
LIFE PROGRAM<br />
“Since we’ve been<br />
coming here, Poppy<br />
has made so many<br />
improvements and<br />
has learned to do so<br />
much. When we first<br />
came 2 years ago,<br />
Poppy’s movements<br />
and skills were very<br />
limited. She couldn’t<br />
roll, she couldn’t pick<br />
things up, she couldn’t<br />
hold things, and she couldn’t sit without throwing herself<br />
back. Now she can roll, she can hold things, use her<br />
hands, and she can sit with minimal support. She’s almost<br />
crawling, she can stand, and can even take steps with<br />
support. The LIFE Program has taught Poppy so much and<br />
she is now on her way to crawling, something we didn’t<br />
think would ever be possible.”<br />
-Haley Lyons, Poppy’s mother<br />
Mini Program<br />
For: kids 0-12 & 12-16 with CP, ABI or stroke<br />
Frequency: 2 times a week, 2 hours/day<br />
Duration: Ongoing as needed<br />
Maxi Program<br />
For: kids 0-12 & 12-16 with CP, ABI or stroke<br />
Frequency: 5 times a week, 4.5 hours/day<br />
Duration: 4 weeks<br />
Contact us if you are interested in booking for 2015.<br />
For more information, visit our website:<br />
www.healthinmotionrehab.com.<br />
Have something you’d like to share?<br />
E-mail us! We’d love to hear from you. Send your stuff to:<br />
healthinmotion@bellnet.ca<br />
www.facebook.com/EnabledKids<br />
www.twitter.com/EnabledKids<br />
www.facebook.com/healthinmotionrehab<br />
4
WHAT IS VITAPLUS THERAPY?<br />
VitaPlus therapy is an all-natural treatment for people suffering<br />
from chronic illnesses, which activates the body’s<br />
innate ability to regenerate healing through a completely<br />
organic and vegetarian diet, juicing, natural supplements<br />
and vitamins, detoxification and cleansing. Based on osteopathy<br />
manual practitioner Natan Gendelman’s extensive<br />
experience of successfully treating various conditions,<br />
such as cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, asthma, irritable<br />
bowel syndrome, Crohn disease and so on, the VitaPlus<br />
methodology and program is based on a whole-body approach<br />
which reactivates the immune system and develops<br />
an environment in which diseases cannot survive.<br />
VitaPlus Approach<br />
We see the body as a single unit of function, which encompasses<br />
the mechanisms and ability to heal itself. Our<br />
treatment reactivates and boosts the immune system,<br />
which fights and kills diseases.<br />
How Do We Do This<br />
VitaPlus treatment is a full intensive detoxification and<br />
cleansing regimen focused on restoring and reactivating<br />
the body’s ability to heal itself.<br />
It Consists Of:<br />
- Entirely organic and vegetarian diet plan,<br />
including juices, meals and snacks<br />
- Up to 5 litres of fresh pressed juice daily<br />
- Biologically-natural nutritional supplements<br />
and vitamins<br />
- Detoxification and cleansing<br />
- Massage therapy<br />
- Health coaching<br />
5