We changed the OT session to today instead of Saturday because Mama has to attend a concert on Saturday. So today we went to see Sanjay at 4PM like usual time.
Darren was happy & calm there. Playing just like any other normal kids you can find in this planet. Sanjay was quite surprised, as Darren is not really afraid to try all the equipments he used to be afraid of. He ran around the room playing catch me game with Sanjay, looked into his eyes, held his hand to bring him to the place he wants.
I told Sanjay about the 2 sessions at Kyoko, and told him that he will need 10 sessions to solve his problem. He is definitely happy to see the change in Darren, he kept saying "Is this the same Darren whom doesn't have eye contact last week?" hehe, needless to say, I am as happy as him.
But now his banging on door behaviour is getting out of hand, so he said instead of forbiding him to bang & tap at the door, we will used it as a media to engaged him. He suggested we paste a mahjong paper on the door that is designated for Darren & let him play with finger paint on it. Or just paste any other things that might interest him. I will try this out when Derrick is not home. He can be a terror sometimes. Give me headache more than Darren. hehe
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Trip to changi airport
Today is a public holiday, our maid is off, so we need to find something to occupy the kids with. Uncle Ng called papa in the morning and asked if we would like to go to malaysia. Then off we go packing everything ready for a trip to kukup, but then uncle called again & cancelled the trip as he feels funny after he saw an accident on his way to meet us, so we ended up go to toa payoh to eat dim sum. It was a disaster, as i can't really eat because have to take care of the kids, haha. But it's okay, i can be on diet.... :-)
After lunch we set off to Changi airport, looking into T3 which has not opened yet, then went to T1 & T2. Finally settle down for some ice cream at Swensens at T2. It was a disaster too, as the kids spilled water 3 TIMES!! The service staff was quite fed up with us by looking at their body language. It was so embarassing as I know what is in thei mind, as I am in this line too......
Darren has fetish for doors now, whenever he sees doors, any kind of doors, he will run there and bang on it. I will highlight this to sanjay, I think his sensory "banging" & "knocking" behaviour is getting worst.......
Took some pics also on papa mobile. Check it out!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Warm Sunday
Today the weather is not that bad in the morning, warm & breezy. But we will never know, because it's usually raining cats & dogs in the afternoon. Darren's nose has stopped leaking, but his cough it's still there, with less phlegm from what I observed. So the medicine from the homeopath is working in him. I hope he can be healthy again fast. Because for him, he is not verbal, so whatever pain or discomfort he feels, we will never know. My heart feels the pain everytime he is sick. Unlike Derrick who can at least let us know what is happening to him.
I think he is up to it today. If Suan Lin never cancel today lesson, we will bring Darren for his ST at her place, she has cancelled 2 lessons, last week & the week before. Hope she can make it today.
If it's not raining, today will be hiking time like usual.......:-)
I think he is up to it today. If Suan Lin never cancel today lesson, we will bring Darren for his ST at her place, she has cancelled 2 lessons, last week & the week before. Hope she can make it today.
If it's not raining, today will be hiking time like usual.......:-)
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Homeopathic Clinic
When we were about to go out at 12.30 noon, Darren coughed badly & vomitted his lunch out. So, we were delayed because need to clean him up. So, I call up the clinic at city hall to fix another appointment as we are not going to make it for the noon afternoon. They told me there is one slot at 4 PM. So, we went back home & i surfed the net again. To my surprise I found out that there is one homeopath at Jurong East Ave 1, so off we go there. The rain was puring down like mad when we left the house, fortunately the clinic is located at the place that has enough shelter to make sure Darren is not exposed to the rain.
The doctor is a kind looking indian lady. She asked me a lot of question about Darren's background, his developmental milestone, his constant cold & cough when the weather changes, and his autism. She wrote a long list about what I told her, and from there she focused on the cough & cold; asking me questions like how long have the cold & cough occur? any thisck mucus or phlegm? cough usually during day or night time? any sneezing? any nose blocked? etc. I won't elaborate further on this as those questions are very common even at our normal GP.
She gave us 4 types of medicines, small pills & one bottle of cough syrup. To be taken as instructed on the bottle. Today journey cost us SGD56.00, which I think it's not that bad.
She wants us to go back there next saturday, because i was asking her if she has anything that can help Darren's autistic condition, and she said yes, but she wants to treat his cough and cold 1st then we will see what can be done next.
Darren is not going for OT today because I am worried that the cough & cold will affect his perfromance & conduct there. Just don't want to waste everybody time. No point if he can't comply and always cry. Tomorrow I am not sure if he is up for the ST at Suan Lin's place.
Homeopathic treatment
Darren is having bad cough & flu starting from last night. I can feel his discomfort as he whined & cried this morning. So, I decided since he can't take in chemicals into his body. We will try out "Homeopathy" treatment for his cough & cold.
I called up the clinic at city hall, and they have fixed the appt for us at 12.30 noon today. I hope it will not be too expensive........
Some people might be wondering what is homeopathy. I came across it during my scout for books on autism in the library. And to my surprise some people is using it to treat autism also, and it goes together with the supplements. Dr. John Yeo from autism clinic is using this method on his 18 years old autistic daughter, as I can read from his website. You can fidn it from the list of my favourite links at the left hand side of this blog, titled vanessa journey I, II & III.
What is homeopathy?
I found some write up on this over the net also by a Dr. Vikas Sharma on Homeopathic treatment of autism;
I called up the clinic at city hall, and they have fixed the appt for us at 12.30 noon today. I hope it will not be too expensive........
Some people might be wondering what is homeopathy. I came across it during my scout for books on autism in the library. And to my surprise some people is using it to treat autism also, and it goes together with the supplements. Dr. John Yeo from autism clinic is using this method on his 18 years old autistic daughter, as I can read from his website. You can fidn it from the list of my favourite links at the left hand side of this blog, titled vanessa journey I, II & III.
What is homeopathy?
With natural health care so popular, an area that has shown incredible growth is that of homeopathic medicine. But, although you can find homeopathic remedies on health food store shelves, are you really clear on what a homeopathic specialist is and what these medicines can do? This article will address five things to know before you choose a homeopathic specialist or buy those homeopathic medicines off the shelf.
What are they?
Homeopathic remedies are medicines made by homeopathic pharmacies in accordance with the processes described in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States and are regulated by the FDA. These are not considered supplements. The remedies could be made from plants, minerals, animals or even from chemical drugs, such as penicillin or streptomycin. These substances are then carefully diluted, called potentization, until very little of the original substance remains. Because these are very dilute, small doses of medications, and they are available over the counter, many people feel they are safe. However, for serious health problems, a person should seek the advice of a knowledgeable healthcare professional. If they choose, it could be from one familiar with homeopathic medicine.
Are they effective?
The fact that very little of the original substance remains, the question comes up how can they even be effective. According to homeopaths, this is based on similarities. When a similarity exists, a person is thought to have a hypersensitivity to that substance. Thus, while the remedy contains very little, in the practical sense, of the original material, it still contains the essence of the substance, or its energy. It’s thought to work by creating a resonance within the body that catalyzes it to begin a healing process.
How this works and if it’s effective is very controversial among traditional medical practitioners. To determine if a particular homeopathic drug is effective, experiments, called drug provings, are conducted. In these experiments, researchers administer continual doses of the substance to a healthy individual until a reaction to the substance is achieved. Once it is known what symptoms a substance causes, then it’s known what symptoms and illnesses it will cure. There have been several systematic reviews of placebo-controlled trails on homeopathy that have reported that its effects seem to be more than just placebo. One observational study found that patients were very satisfied with homeopathic treatments and that both they and their physicians noticed significant improvement. There is also evidence from randomized, controlled trials that homeopathy may be effective for treatment of otitis media in children, muscle soreness after running, and attention deficit hyperactivit!
y disorder. Again, though, I would like to emphasize that it would be wise to consult with a specialist before self-medicating, especially when it comes to children.
Who practices homeopathy?
The practice of homeopathy is incorporated into medical care by a broad range of healthcare practitioners. Medical doctors (MD’s) and doctors of osteopathy (DO’s) may elect to study homeopathy as a post-graduate specialty. Naturopathic doctors (ND’s) study homeopathy as part of their naturopathic school training. Naturopathic medicine is a distinct profession of primary healthcare that emphasizes prevention and the promotion of optimal health. The scope of practice includes all aspects of family and primary care, from pediatrics to geriatrics, and all natural medicine modalities, including homeopathic medicine.
Where did it come from?
Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician who earned his doctorate of medicine degree in 1779 is recognized as the founder of homeopathy. Through experiments on himself, and later with his patients, he developed a system of rules and laws of medicine that he codified into a treatise called the “Organon of rational therapeutics”, first published in 1810. The sixth edition, published in 1921, is still used today as a basic homeopathy text. It was brought to the US in 1825 by several doctors who had studied in Europe. Although at one time there were 22 homeopathic medical colleges in the US, and one out of five doctors used homeopathy, by the 1940’s there were no homeopathic schools in the US.
Do your homework!
Naturopathic physicians are licensed as healthcare providers in 13 states with legal provisions allowing the practice of naturopathic medicine in several other states. To qualify for a license, the applicant must pass the licensing exam and satisfy all licensing requirements, such as have attended a resident course of 4 years and 4,100 hours of study from a college or university recognized by the state examining board. There are special certifications for various healthcare professionals. For MD’s and DO’s, there is the Diplomat in Homeotherapeutics (DHt). For ND’s, the certification is the DHANP (Diplomat of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians), and for homeopaths of all professions, there is the CCH (Certified in Classical Homeopathy). What is important to know is that in states without licensure requirements for homeopathy, anyone can claim to be practicing ‘homeopathic medicine’.
Homeopathic medicine could be a great alternative to traditional medicine. It’s important to look into the background and training of anyone practicing homeopathic medicine, however, as many people promote themselves as an expert without the proper education. The National Center for Homoeopathy (http:///www.homeopathy.org) serves as a resource and training center for the practice of homeopathy. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (http://www.naturopathic.org) provides information on licensing and education requirements for those promoting themselves as a doctor of naturopathy. For a good overview of the art and science of homeopathy and its basic tenets, suggested reading is The Emerging Science of Homeopathy: Complexity, Biodynamics and Nanopharmacology, 2nd edition, by Bellavite P. Signorini.
What are they?
Homeopathic remedies are medicines made by homeopathic pharmacies in accordance with the processes described in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States and are regulated by the FDA. These are not considered supplements. The remedies could be made from plants, minerals, animals or even from chemical drugs, such as penicillin or streptomycin. These substances are then carefully diluted, called potentization, until very little of the original substance remains. Because these are very dilute, small doses of medications, and they are available over the counter, many people feel they are safe. However, for serious health problems, a person should seek the advice of a knowledgeable healthcare professional. If they choose, it could be from one familiar with homeopathic medicine.
Are they effective?
The fact that very little of the original substance remains, the question comes up how can they even be effective. According to homeopaths, this is based on similarities. When a similarity exists, a person is thought to have a hypersensitivity to that substance. Thus, while the remedy contains very little, in the practical sense, of the original material, it still contains the essence of the substance, or its energy. It’s thought to work by creating a resonance within the body that catalyzes it to begin a healing process.
How this works and if it’s effective is very controversial among traditional medical practitioners. To determine if a particular homeopathic drug is effective, experiments, called drug provings, are conducted. In these experiments, researchers administer continual doses of the substance to a healthy individual until a reaction to the substance is achieved. Once it is known what symptoms a substance causes, then it’s known what symptoms and illnesses it will cure. There have been several systematic reviews of placebo-controlled trails on homeopathy that have reported that its effects seem to be more than just placebo. One observational study found that patients were very satisfied with homeopathic treatments and that both they and their physicians noticed significant improvement. There is also evidence from randomized, controlled trials that homeopathy may be effective for treatment of otitis media in children, muscle soreness after running, and attention deficit hyperactivit!
y disorder. Again, though, I would like to emphasize that it would be wise to consult with a specialist before self-medicating, especially when it comes to children.
Who practices homeopathy?
The practice of homeopathy is incorporated into medical care by a broad range of healthcare practitioners. Medical doctors (MD’s) and doctors of osteopathy (DO’s) may elect to study homeopathy as a post-graduate specialty. Naturopathic doctors (ND’s) study homeopathy as part of their naturopathic school training. Naturopathic medicine is a distinct profession of primary healthcare that emphasizes prevention and the promotion of optimal health. The scope of practice includes all aspects of family and primary care, from pediatrics to geriatrics, and all natural medicine modalities, including homeopathic medicine.
Where did it come from?
Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician who earned his doctorate of medicine degree in 1779 is recognized as the founder of homeopathy. Through experiments on himself, and later with his patients, he developed a system of rules and laws of medicine that he codified into a treatise called the “Organon of rational therapeutics”, first published in 1810. The sixth edition, published in 1921, is still used today as a basic homeopathy text. It was brought to the US in 1825 by several doctors who had studied in Europe. Although at one time there were 22 homeopathic medical colleges in the US, and one out of five doctors used homeopathy, by the 1940’s there were no homeopathic schools in the US.
Do your homework!
Naturopathic physicians are licensed as healthcare providers in 13 states with legal provisions allowing the practice of naturopathic medicine in several other states. To qualify for a license, the applicant must pass the licensing exam and satisfy all licensing requirements, such as have attended a resident course of 4 years and 4,100 hours of study from a college or university recognized by the state examining board. There are special certifications for various healthcare professionals. For MD’s and DO’s, there is the Diplomat in Homeotherapeutics (DHt). For ND’s, the certification is the DHANP (Diplomat of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians), and for homeopaths of all professions, there is the CCH (Certified in Classical Homeopathy). What is important to know is that in states without licensure requirements for homeopathy, anyone can claim to be practicing ‘homeopathic medicine’.
Homeopathic medicine could be a great alternative to traditional medicine. It’s important to look into the background and training of anyone practicing homeopathic medicine, however, as many people promote themselves as an expert without the proper education. The National Center for Homoeopathy (http:///www.homeopathy.org) serves as a resource and training center for the practice of homeopathy. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (http://www.naturopathic.org) provides information on licensing and education requirements for those promoting themselves as a doctor of naturopathy. For a good overview of the art and science of homeopathy and its basic tenets, suggested reading is The Emerging Science of Homeopathy: Complexity, Biodynamics and Nanopharmacology, 2nd edition, by Bellavite P. Signorini.
I found some write up on this over the net also by a Dr. Vikas Sharma on Homeopathic treatment of autism;
Homeopathy for treating autism in kids is gaining quite a popularity all over the world. Clinical experience shows that results are much better when the treatment is started at an earlier age ,even though at higher ages like six or seven some kids do show remarkable improvements; but homoeopathic intervention at an early age(before much behavioral and emotional issues come up) has distinct advantages. One important aspect that I would clearly like to mention is the fact that results with homeopathy in treating autism are selective. This means that where one segment of kids may respond extremely favorable to the treatment others may fail to yield any relief. Even while treating with homeopathy the child needs to be rated on an autism rating scale. Periodical assessments on the autism rating scale are must to gauge the improvements in the child. Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine; it takes into consideration the constitutional picture (complete physical and mental make up of the child) along with the necessary details of the disease while prescribing.
Medicines that are very effective in treating autism are Carcinocin, Thuja, and Secretin. The role of carcinocin in treating autism requires a special mention. This also does not mean that every child who has autism should be put on it; even for carcinocin to be prescribed the child has to fall within the drug?s constitutional picture.
Medicines that are very effective in treating autism are Carcinocin, Thuja, and Secretin. The role of carcinocin in treating autism requires a special mention. This also does not mean that every child who has autism should be put on it; even for carcinocin to be prescribed the child has to fall within the drug?s constitutional picture.
And he even posted this cured case of autism, check it out!
CURED CASE OF AUTISM
HOMEOPATHY is much more of a choice than people often think it to be. One of its philosophy’s greatest breakthroughs is the realization that the body is not an object but a process with no pre-ordained limits. The scorching, cruel heat of summer was just setting in the first year of the new century when Mr and Mrs Puri (not their real names) approached us with their only child Ravi (not his real name) who was then four. Two years earlier, at the age of two, he was diagnosed as being autistic. We tested him on the ATEC (Autism Testing and Evaluation Checklist) and his rating was in the moderate to high category. His problem was more in speech/communication and sensory/cognitive areas.
Besides the classical symptoms of autism, the symptoms that actually led us to prescribe Carcinocin were the history of an early eruption of teeth and hairiness. A leading characteristic of Carcinocin is the desire for milk. There are many symptoms ? a sweaty head, when sleeping, and physical heat in general; difficulty in falling asleep; the desire for things salty and for chocolate-like energetic foods. Than there are internal restlessness and fidgetiness and love for dancing. Strong passion, sexuality and a very strong family history of cancer in the family are also noticed. The remedy was the boy?s similimum if there ever was one! Fitting him like a glove, the treatment has worked. Ravi has suffered no aggravation in the two years he has been on and off this remedy.
The dosage chosen for him was similarly fitting ? the LM dose. Positive results were obvious within the first month. Babbling turned into more formative words, hyperactive behaviour became rare and he started obeying simple commands. His self-stimulatory behaviour, too, was nearly gone.
Very soon a big achievement came when Ravi started interacting with children and started playing with them. He is now five and is attending a normal school. There are still vestigial signs of his former autism though these are not really apparent to teachers or anyone else besides us (parents and the physicians). For example, his language is occasionally awkward. In moments of stress (e.g. if he is sick), he retreats into himself and utilizes echolalia as a speech strategy. To sum it up, none but the very discerning can make out that Ravi had this serious problem
I would now like to enlighten the readers about the intricacies and the sensitive approach necessary for the homeopathic intervention. Autism poses a challenge to homeopaths. It needs a hardcore-Hahnemannian approach. Valuable symptoms including reaction to vaccines, family medical history, thermal sensitivities and sleep postures form a part of the very detailed information that a physician would need.
For the parents whose kids are undergoing such intervention, the stimulus/reaction model of symptoms and its significance to the homeopath need to be clearly understood.
As the autistic child experiences stress, he respond with a reaction. This reaction becomes a symptom or a sign of characteristic importance. The real challenge is to understand what the child is expressing both verbally (if he is articulate) and nonverbally. By fully perceiving the patient, one may learn to understand the individual?s cycle of stress and response. It is only through such a deep understanding that a homeopath is able to prescribe effectively. The improvement following such intervention also needs to be evaluated regularly on the autism-rating scale. The extent to which the cure can occur has a great degree of variability associated with it.
Two medicines require a special mention for their effectiveness in the treatment of autism ? Carcinocin and Secretin (Secretin as a homeopathic medicine is highly diluted and potentised). Secretin is supposed to neutralise the excess levels of peptides. This medicine has been found useful in cases of autism where loose stools are often an important symptom along with the classical symptoms of the autism spectrum. Another important aspect of the homeopathic treatment of autism is the usage of LM potencies… Homoeopathic medicines in this scale are faster acting and at the same time gentler. It is able to hold the “slipping back” of the old symptoms and can be used for a longer period with frequent repetitions.
Homeopathy is undergoing a very strong resurgence in the modern medical world, and one of the main reasons for it is its recent role in treating such illnesses. Homeopathic philosophy is a constant reminder that the greatest healing power lies within the body itself.
HOMEOPATHY is much more of a choice than people often think it to be. One of its philosophy’s greatest breakthroughs is the realization that the body is not an object but a process with no pre-ordained limits. The scorching, cruel heat of summer was just setting in the first year of the new century when Mr and Mrs Puri (not their real names) approached us with their only child Ravi (not his real name) who was then four. Two years earlier, at the age of two, he was diagnosed as being autistic. We tested him on the ATEC (Autism Testing and Evaluation Checklist) and his rating was in the moderate to high category. His problem was more in speech/communication and sensory/cognitive areas.
Besides the classical symptoms of autism, the symptoms that actually led us to prescribe Carcinocin were the history of an early eruption of teeth and hairiness. A leading characteristic of Carcinocin is the desire for milk. There are many symptoms ? a sweaty head, when sleeping, and physical heat in general; difficulty in falling asleep; the desire for things salty and for chocolate-like energetic foods. Than there are internal restlessness and fidgetiness and love for dancing. Strong passion, sexuality and a very strong family history of cancer in the family are also noticed. The remedy was the boy?s similimum if there ever was one! Fitting him like a glove, the treatment has worked. Ravi has suffered no aggravation in the two years he has been on and off this remedy.
The dosage chosen for him was similarly fitting ? the LM dose. Positive results were obvious within the first month. Babbling turned into more formative words, hyperactive behaviour became rare and he started obeying simple commands. His self-stimulatory behaviour, too, was nearly gone.
Very soon a big achievement came when Ravi started interacting with children and started playing with them. He is now five and is attending a normal school. There are still vestigial signs of his former autism though these are not really apparent to teachers or anyone else besides us (parents and the physicians). For example, his language is occasionally awkward. In moments of stress (e.g. if he is sick), he retreats into himself and utilizes echolalia as a speech strategy. To sum it up, none but the very discerning can make out that Ravi had this serious problem
I would now like to enlighten the readers about the intricacies and the sensitive approach necessary for the homeopathic intervention. Autism poses a challenge to homeopaths. It needs a hardcore-Hahnemannian approach. Valuable symptoms including reaction to vaccines, family medical history, thermal sensitivities and sleep postures form a part of the very detailed information that a physician would need.
For the parents whose kids are undergoing such intervention, the stimulus/reaction model of symptoms and its significance to the homeopath need to be clearly understood.
As the autistic child experiences stress, he respond with a reaction. This reaction becomes a symptom or a sign of characteristic importance. The real challenge is to understand what the child is expressing both verbally (if he is articulate) and nonverbally. By fully perceiving the patient, one may learn to understand the individual?s cycle of stress and response. It is only through such a deep understanding that a homeopath is able to prescribe effectively. The improvement following such intervention also needs to be evaluated regularly on the autism-rating scale. The extent to which the cure can occur has a great degree of variability associated with it.
Two medicines require a special mention for their effectiveness in the treatment of autism ? Carcinocin and Secretin (Secretin as a homeopathic medicine is highly diluted and potentised). Secretin is supposed to neutralise the excess levels of peptides. This medicine has been found useful in cases of autism where loose stools are often an important symptom along with the classical symptoms of the autism spectrum. Another important aspect of the homeopathic treatment of autism is the usage of LM potencies… Homoeopathic medicines in this scale are faster acting and at the same time gentler. It is able to hold the “slipping back” of the old symptoms and can be used for a longer period with frequent repetitions.
Homeopathy is undergoing a very strong resurgence in the modern medical world, and one of the main reasons for it is its recent role in treating such illnesses. Homeopathic philosophy is a constant reminder that the greatest healing power lies within the body itself.
Rainy month
December is always a wet wet month like usual. Darren & Derrick will be having cough, flu & fever on and off like usual. I am prepared this time, stock up lots of medicine from the chinese medical hall. And as I expected both of them are down with cough, flu & fever. Darren is having fever today, but he is better after some paracetamol.
Mrs. Mohan from PCS JW invited me to her class at the training centre, where she is having her course. I was sharing about my experience with Darren this one whole year since he was diagnosed as moderately autistic. We have not been through a lot, like other parents, who has older children, but I hope my sharing will be of some help for the teachers on training, for them to help other special needs kids in Singapore. I feel happy & satisfied just by knowing that my little sharing will benefit other kids as well.
Mrs. Mohan from PCS JW invited me to her class at the training centre, where she is having her course. I was sharing about my experience with Darren this one whole year since he was diagnosed as moderately autistic. We have not been through a lot, like other parents, who has older children, but I hope my sharing will be of some help for the teachers on training, for them to help other special needs kids in Singapore. I feel happy & satisfied just by knowing that my little sharing will benefit other kids as well.
Mrs. Mohan was asking me about my delivery process during Darren's birth, and I was remided of the difficult labour. They have to practically pushed him down, by pushing my stomach as his head is a bit too big for the contractions to flush him down. And they tried to use forcep also.It was a 15 hrs labour. So, with regards to this, I went to the internet and found this article;
Birth Trauma.
The nature of your birth can be one of the most crucial factors in determining your whole future - whether for better or for worse, whether as a positive influence or a negative influence - not just your babyhood or your childhood, but the very nature of your whole life.
On the positive side, a fluent and easy birth may contribute to a healthy, happy baby, who subsequently enjoys a contented and comfortable childhood and consequently develops the skills and confidence which lead to a happy and successful life.
On the other hand, birth can be very traumatic. It can result in severe physical disabilities which significantly limit development and capability. It can result in psychological and emotional trauma which determines the whole psycho-emotional development of the individual.
There are of course many stages in between these two extremes, but ultimately each and every one of us is significantly affected by the nature of our birth to a greater or lesser extent.
In its most severe manifestations, a difficult birth may lead to brain damage, cerebral palsy (spasticity) or autism, or may contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (cot death). In less severe cases, it may lead to dyslexia, dyspraxia, learning difficulties, hyperactivity, epilepsy, obsessional behaviour, personality disorders, and a wide range of developmental difficulties.
But in each and every one of us (supposedly "normal" individuals) the nature of our birth, in some form or other, may play an important fundamental role in determining every aspect of our nature - our physical constitution, our underlying level of health and strength, our mental ability, our emotional stability, our muscular co-ordination and consequently our sporting and other motor skills. Compression, tension and restriction around the base of the cranium may significantly restrict blood supply to the brain, with profound consequences on brain development, affecting our intelligence, our memory, our academic ability, or determining whether our left brain or right brain develops more fully - and consequently whether we are more artistic or mathematically minded.
Birth trauma may contribute to a susceptibility to allergies, asthma, migraine, squint, ear infections and a whole multitude of other disorders as well as influencing the development of all our body systems - the nervous system, the digestive system, the immune system, and consequently in so many ways may determine our very nature.
Kudos to all the special ed teachers, I admire your passion, love & patience in dealing with our"very special kids". Thank you from the bottom of my heart, especially to those people involved in Darren's interventions & therapies. Mrs. Mohan, Sanjay, Vivian, Kyoko, Suan Lin, Teacher Fadi, Jane & others whom i might forget.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Session at healing garden
Yesterday Darren was having his 1st cranio at healing garden. The place is tug inside Tanglin place & seems comvenient because next to it is the taxi stand for tanglin mall. We went inside & they require me to fill up a form for Darren. But Darren kept sitting on my lap & touched my pen, so it was a long process. haha.
The therapist is Kyoko, a very nice & pretty Japanese lady. Ahboy seems to be okay when we went into the room. But he refused to sit down or lay down. When Kyoko put her palms on his back & stomach. He screamed like there is no tomorrow, so I have to practically pinned him down. He screamed for that 1/2 an hour session. Before i get to say anything, Kyoko talked to me & asked these questions after her palms are on his body:
* He always gets flu & cough?
* He likes to lick & bite non-food objects?
* He doesn't speak?
* He likes to bang on things?
* He bangs his head to the floor or wall?
And the answer to those questions is YES.
She told me that Darren's head is indeed very tight. His thoughts are all collected at the part near his forehead, thus we can see it looks like swollen. And his head feels so hard, unlike Derrick's head. After the 1st session, we can feel that his head has soften a bit. She told me that Darren needs weekly therapy. And that she will be seeing us again next tuesday @ 3 PM.
Now is Darren's school holiday, a long one. Lessons @ Fei Yue will start only on 2 January 2008 & Lessons @ PCS JW will start only on the 8 January 2008. Have to think of some activities for him to occupies his time theses 1/2 a month.
The therapist is Kyoko, a very nice & pretty Japanese lady. Ahboy seems to be okay when we went into the room. But he refused to sit down or lay down. When Kyoko put her palms on his back & stomach. He screamed like there is no tomorrow, so I have to practically pinned him down. He screamed for that 1/2 an hour session. Before i get to say anything, Kyoko talked to me & asked these questions after her palms are on his body:
* He always gets flu & cough?
* He likes to lick & bite non-food objects?
* He doesn't speak?
* He likes to bang on things?
* He bangs his head to the floor or wall?
And the answer to those questions is YES.
She told me that Darren's head is indeed very tight. His thoughts are all collected at the part near his forehead, thus we can see it looks like swollen. And his head feels so hard, unlike Derrick's head. After the 1st session, we can feel that his head has soften a bit. She told me that Darren needs weekly therapy. And that she will be seeing us again next tuesday @ 3 PM.
Now is Darren's school holiday, a long one. Lessons @ Fei Yue will start only on 2 January 2008 & Lessons @ PCS JW will start only on the 8 January 2008. Have to think of some activities for him to occupies his time theses 1/2 a month.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Craniosacral therapy
Cranial osteopathy itself was developed in the early 1900s by Dr William Garner Sutherland, one of the chief disciples of Dr Andrew Taylor Still, the man who founded osteopathy in 1872.
Dr Sutherland was the first to propose the idea (although Dr Still alluded to it) that the body's entire nervous system – including the skull – was in “constant rhythmic motion” and that this motion was crucial to health. When the movements were restricted, adverse symptoms would arise.
Dr Sutherland even tested the theories on his own head. When he deliberately created restrictions, he experienced symptoms such as depression, severe headaches or jaw pain. When he released those restrictions, the symptoms went away.
At that time, few believed him because the movements were very subtle and could only be felt by a person with highly sensitive hands.
Dr Sutherland was called a “heretic” and a “quack”.
It was only in the 1940s - some 40 years after he first proposed his theories – that Dr Sutherland's work began to gain wider acceptance among medical practitioners.
Today, highly sensitive computerised medical diagnostic equipment confirm that Dr Sutherland had been right all along. Dr Sutherland's theories are now accepted as medical fact.
Cranial treatment is effective for the treatment of all the conditions that benefit from regular osteopathic manipulation.
Because of the gentle nature of the treatment, however, it is especially beneficial for pregnant mothers and newborn infants after a difficult delivery. It is found to be very calming for infants and children with developmental disorders and learning difficulties, such as those suffering from autism.
CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY has been successful in the treatment of:
• Autism• ADD: attention deficit disorder• ADHD: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder• Delayed physical and mental development• Learning & behavioural disabilities• Birth trauma – ventouse / forceps delivery / caesarian delivery• Colic
• Scoliosis and other postural problems• Cerebral palsy or plasticityBells palsy• Sudden onset squint• Head / whiplash injuries• Coccyx pain• Headache / migraine• Menstrual pain and irregularity• Problems associated with pregnancy• Recurrent infection• Asthma & other respiratory disorders• Stress / depression• Chronic fatigue
Cranial osteopathy is also helpful for those who do not 'click' during regular osteopathic manipulation.
Dr Sutherland was the first to propose the idea (although Dr Still alluded to it) that the body's entire nervous system – including the skull – was in “constant rhythmic motion” and that this motion was crucial to health. When the movements were restricted, adverse symptoms would arise.
Dr Sutherland even tested the theories on his own head. When he deliberately created restrictions, he experienced symptoms such as depression, severe headaches or jaw pain. When he released those restrictions, the symptoms went away.
At that time, few believed him because the movements were very subtle and could only be felt by a person with highly sensitive hands.
Dr Sutherland was called a “heretic” and a “quack”.
It was only in the 1940s - some 40 years after he first proposed his theories – that Dr Sutherland's work began to gain wider acceptance among medical practitioners.
Today, highly sensitive computerised medical diagnostic equipment confirm that Dr Sutherland had been right all along. Dr Sutherland's theories are now accepted as medical fact.
Cranial treatment is effective for the treatment of all the conditions that benefit from regular osteopathic manipulation.
Because of the gentle nature of the treatment, however, it is especially beneficial for pregnant mothers and newborn infants after a difficult delivery. It is found to be very calming for infants and children with developmental disorders and learning difficulties, such as those suffering from autism.
CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY has been successful in the treatment of:
• Autism• ADD: attention deficit disorder• ADHD: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder• Delayed physical and mental development• Learning & behavioural disabilities• Birth trauma – ventouse / forceps delivery / caesarian delivery• Colic
• Scoliosis and other postural problems• Cerebral palsy or plasticityBells palsy• Sudden onset squint• Head / whiplash injuries• Coccyx pain• Headache / migraine• Menstrual pain and irregularity• Problems associated with pregnancy• Recurrent infection• Asthma & other respiratory disorders• Stress / depression• Chronic fatigue
Cranial osteopathy is also helpful for those who do not 'click' during regular osteopathic manipulation.
We went to see Sanjay today as usual. He was very happy to see that sound therapy has helped Darren a lot. He didn't cry when Sanjay brought him to the room, so he asked me to go in as well. He enjoys being swing up & down real fast. But he hated it when Sanjay put him on the Metal stairs for him to climb up. He seemed composed & calm throughout the session.
But he suggested that we bring Darren to Cranio therapy as he can feel that Darren's head is a bit tight, and he is concern about his speech. Because he is not talking at all all these while. We tried every theaphies & supplements but nothing helps him so far. So, we have no choice, we have to follow what the expert say. I will book the cranio therapy next week....
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Rainy season
It was raining the whole day today. Darren is not feeling too well, he is down with cough & flu. I brought him for his lesson at PCS JW today. He was a bit cranky, maybe because of his condition. We took cabs thru and flow, as the rain was damn heavy. He wanted to play with the rain water when we were waiting for cab at the road side, but i never allow him, as i know he will get very sick. He is not a kampong boy whom can play under the rain. haha. I was at a loss of word, as I was carrying him using my right arm, then carry umbrella using my left hand, and carrying my bag and his bag on my shoulder. Yet, he kept struggle wanna break free. I look like an idiot mom who doesn't know how to manage a boy, hahahaha. But it's okay. He was just too excited because of the rain.
He is biting a lot of his shirts nowadays. All need to discard, because all with holes, he is practically chewing on his shirts while he is wearing them. I asked Sanjay about this also. He said maybe it's because now he is more aware, and yet he can't do lots of gross & fine motor skills, that's why he resulted to chewing his shirts. God knows why.....
I am planning to change his soya base milk to potato base milk, but must wait till papa's salary come in 1st..... No choice, we are not as rich as it looks.
He is biting a lot of his shirts nowadays. All need to discard, because all with holes, he is practically chewing on his shirts while he is wearing them. I asked Sanjay about this also. He said maybe it's because now he is more aware, and yet he can't do lots of gross & fine motor skills, that's why he resulted to chewing his shirts. God knows why.....
I am planning to change his soya base milk to potato base milk, but must wait till papa's salary come in 1st..... No choice, we are not as rich as it looks.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
End of the school term for 2007
Darren participated in a small section of his school performance like I said before. It was on 30th Nov'07, his last day of school for this year. The pics are attached.
He practically stunned standing in front of the class with so many pairs of eyes looking at him, so he just stood there with eyes blinking & not ringing the bells in his hand. think he got stage fright. wahaha
A lot of Papa's students & Mr. Ng's family lent him their support. I am really grateful for this. Thank you all for believeing in Darren, it's a great deal to us with your small gesture just for being there :-). And we would like to express our gratitude to all the teachers at Fei Yue, You have been a GREAT help to Darren. Thank you.
Darren behaves really well with the music therapy & supplements. Eventough still has temper tantrum once in a while but it's not as bad as the last time. He is drooling & blinking his eyes still, Sanjay assured me he will overgrown it as it might be an effect of sound therapy, because he is more focus now, just like a pc registering information inside him. That explains the blinking. I will do oral motor on him, it's just putting our finger inside his mouth & massaging his inner mouth and gum. It will help with the drooling.
Derrick has started going to childcare for 1/2 day since monday(3/12/07). He is doing very well. Imitating whatever the teachers are doing, and he actually knows how to use a scissor! that's what the teacher told me. They like him, because he seldom cry, unlike other newbies in the centre. Hehe. I am happy, at least he will learn things there from his peers & teachers.
He practically stunned standing in front of the class with so many pairs of eyes looking at him, so he just stood there with eyes blinking & not ringing the bells in his hand. think he got stage fright. wahaha
A lot of Papa's students & Mr. Ng's family lent him their support. I am really grateful for this. Thank you all for believeing in Darren, it's a great deal to us with your small gesture just for being there :-). And we would like to express our gratitude to all the teachers at Fei Yue, You have been a GREAT help to Darren. Thank you.
Darren behaves really well with the music therapy & supplements. Eventough still has temper tantrum once in a while but it's not as bad as the last time. He is drooling & blinking his eyes still, Sanjay assured me he will overgrown it as it might be an effect of sound therapy, because he is more focus now, just like a pc registering information inside him. That explains the blinking. I will do oral motor on him, it's just putting our finger inside his mouth & massaging his inner mouth and gum. It will help with the drooling.
Derrick has started going to childcare for 1/2 day since monday(3/12/07). He is doing very well. Imitating whatever the teachers are doing, and he actually knows how to use a scissor! that's what the teacher told me. They like him, because he seldom cry, unlike other newbies in the centre. Hehe. I am happy, at least he will learn things there from his peers & teachers.
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