Our brains are wired so we can better hear ourselves speak

Our brains are wired so we can better hear ourselves speak

I think this research could have interesting implications in auditory processing and those with speech delays.

Some reasons NOT to wear earphones

I have been educating my clients to avoid wearing earphones due to the problems they can cause with hearing.  This TED talk points out some other pitfalls of earphones and constantly listening to recorded sound which have interesting implications.  Please take the time to watch this very short video.  It is jam-packed with some helpful tips to save your hearing and help your overall health.

Newsletter - Visual Supports

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Clapping for development

I stumbled across this very interesting article.  It states that hand clapping songs and singing improve handwriting and spelling.  Why?  I believe this is a testament to whole brain development and balancing the use of both sides of the brain.  When I see children who have sensory processing problems, they tend to have difficulty singing or moving their body to music.  This is because the balance between the more artistic part of the brain (right hemisphere) and the logical, rote side of the brain (left hemisphere) is off.  When I see children in Early Intervention, one of the first tasks I have them do is reach for objects and have them cross midline.  The sense of midline is usually weak or absent when sensory processing difficulties or developmental delays are present.

When a child's brain is developing, they need a lot of movement to develop their visual and vestibular systems.  These systems will come into play when the child has to go to school.  Handwriting is a skill that shows a breakdown between the vestibular and visual system.  How many kids out there have handwriting problems?  A LOT!!!  How many of our children watch television before the age of two - A LOT!!!  Watching tv or working on a computer at such an early stage of brain development has been proven to be detrimental to development.  The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that children under two get NO television.

We do not know why this happens (there are many theories out there), but for some reason some children do not process sensory information in a typical way.  When this happens, the right side of the brain which should be in charge of sensory processing, emotions, and the present moment shuts down.  Then the child starts to process information from primarily the left hemisphere.  This is where slower, logical, facts, and the past and future reside.  I see two and three year olds who know their alphabet and can count to 10.  This is a red flag for me.  This shows me that they have flipped into processing information in an atypical way.  These children also tend to have other sensory issues, poor eye contact, and emotional outbursts.

Whole brain development is so important.  Take a cue from your grandmother's generation, and think about how they were raised:  playing outside, card and board games, helping with housework, gardening, walking the dog.  We have a very fast paced society, and we need to slow down.  Our brains can't handle it.  Take a breath, and smell the roses.

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A new way to diagnose neurological disorders!

Aditi Shankardass: A second opinion on learning disorders | Video on TED.com

Sensory Processing Video

I made this video to show parents and teachers what children experience when they do not process sensory information appropriately.

Outdoor Play

A great article about how important outdoor play is to children's development.  This article also gives solutions to common problems that prevent families from spending time outside.

Article

Therapeutic levels of omega-3's may help with sensory processing

This article discusses a study which showed that mice with proper levels of Omega-3 essential fatty acids were better able to handle sensory overload.  I have found that my ability to handle stress improved when I started taking Omega-3's.  This article just reinforces the fact that this nutrient is SOOOOOOOOOO important to our kids - especially those with special needs.  I think it is also important to note that a change in DIET effected how animals related to STRESS.  Interesting!!!  Click on the link for the full article.

Article

Video about sensory processing.

This is a great video to explain sensory processing.  I think it would even be good to show to children to help explain why they feel the way they do.

A great interview with Ms. Grandin.

I have had the privilege to see Ms. Grandin speak on a few occasions. She has some really great, practical advice for parents on how to help their child with autism.  This short interview is a condensed version of her speeches.

Downs Syndrome

DS-ASD

I don't know if I believe that children should be diagnosed with Downs Syndrome and ASD, but this article has a good explanation of Sensory Processing Disorder.  

Hacking My Kid's Brain

Wired Magazine Article

This is the first time I heard about the Sensory Learning Program.  I had never heard of it before, but my Sensory Integration background helped me to see that there was great potential in this treatment.