Tonight I updated my sidebar to show our 2009-2010 curriculum choices for both Thatcher and Haddon. Have I even mentioned that I am now doing school with two of my sweet boys?
Thatcher's school load is light compared to other years because what is not listed is that we are also doing Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) two to three hours each day. We began this therapy six months ago but I have been hesitant to post about it for a few reasons. First, I know that anytime you put something in cyberspace you are opening yourself up for all sorts of feedback - good or bad. This is a type of therapy (like many in the realm of Autism) that is mostly shunned by the official medical world as being completely unscientific. Case in point, our developmental pediatrician told me, "There is absolutely no medical/scientific evidence to support this type of therapy but only anecdotal evidence." Well, stories of changed lives are a powerful thing and this therapy has given us hope for not only dealing with the day to day symptoms we deal with but actually fixing the root causes. On the flip side, the medical community we have access to has not offered any treatment options other than a handful of prescriptions.
I feel I need to digress here and say that we still may be going that medication route in the near future as Thatcher's ADHD continues to rage out of control and the emotional manifestations grow more severe as well. But before we go there we want to feel that we have exhausted all other possibilities of correcting the root issues and not just putting a band-aid on the symptoms. That is why we did the gluten-free/casein-free (GFCF) diet last year for eight months as well. If there is a dietary cause, a bio-medical explanation or anything else...we want to address that first before jumping to medications.
The second reason I have been hesitant to post about our experience with NDT is that I am not yet willing to endorse it. This therapy takes from one-and-a-half to two years to see lasting results and we are not even half-way there. This therapy is inexpensive when compared to some others but it is still a big chunk of change. It is one thing for a mom to come to my blog and see a phonics book we're using and order it for $5.95 only to find two months later it's the wrong fit for her child. It's another to post a therapy that costs a great deal more both in time and money.
Well there it is...the post that has taken me six months to write.Thatcher's school load is light compared to other years because what is not listed is that we are also doing Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) two to three hours each day. We began this therapy six months ago but I have been hesitant to post about it for a few reasons. First, I know that anytime you put something in cyberspace you are opening yourself up for all sorts of feedback - good or bad. This is a type of therapy (like many in the realm of Autism) that is mostly shunned by the official medical world as being completely unscientific. Case in point, our developmental pediatrician told me, "There is absolutely no medical/scientific evidence to support this type of therapy but only anecdotal evidence." Well, stories of changed lives are a powerful thing and this therapy has given us hope for not only dealing with the day to day symptoms we deal with but actually fixing the root causes. On the flip side, the medical community we have access to has not offered any treatment options other than a handful of prescriptions.
I feel I need to digress here and say that we still may be going that medication route in the near future as Thatcher's ADHD continues to rage out of control and the emotional manifestations grow more severe as well. But before we go there we want to feel that we have exhausted all other possibilities of correcting the root issues and not just putting a band-aid on the symptoms. That is why we did the gluten-free/casein-free (GFCF) diet last year for eight months as well. If there is a dietary cause, a bio-medical explanation or anything else...we want to address that first before jumping to medications.
The second reason I have been hesitant to post about our experience with NDT is that I am not yet willing to endorse it. This therapy takes from one-and-a-half to two years to see lasting results and we are not even half-way there. This therapy is inexpensive when compared to some others but it is still a big chunk of change. It is one thing for a mom to come to my blog and see a phonics book we're using and order it for $5.95 only to find two months later it's the wrong fit for her child. It's another to post a therapy that costs a great deal more both in time and money.
6 comments:
Thank you for sharing Jennifer. Praying for you.
I think it helps and encourages others..thank you for sharing even the hard things.
Blessings,
Teena
Good for your for trying alternative therapy. I sometimes think conventional doctors prescribe "one size fits all" medicine way too much. I know they are busy, but I wished they took the time to really "know" their patients. And really know the medicine they prescibe.
Your pediatrician is probably right ONLY because the lack of research in the therapy you're using. Of course there is research for mainstream therapy because it's funded by pharmaceutical companies. Big medicine isn't going to fund something that won't make them money...they are in it to make money; therefore, pushing their "miracle" medicine.
Good for you for not giving in to big medicine and for trying healthier alternatives for Thatcher. God will tell you when/if he needs to go the mainstream route. You're a good Mom. You know what's best for your baby and kudos for standing your ground. *thumbs up*
Wow, Jennefer, thank you for sharing. When I first stumbled on your blog, I remember reading some of your posts about Thatcher thinking, "Is she a fly on the wall in my house???!" Then, as time went on, I began to dig deeper and deeper.
My "Caterpillar" was diagnosed with ADHD in first grade. It was a relief, and a huge roller coaster at the same time. Then we decided to homeschool, and try some different things. Well, in some ways they helped, but there was still this huge amout of frustration and pieces to the puzzle 'not fitting'. So I kept digging, and praying. This summer he was diagnosed with Aspergers, and I am on the biggest emotional roller coaster ride. We are currently just getting all the details from testing, and trying to decide what is best for our son.
All this to say, that I thank you for sharing your story, as it is encouraging to me. I will pray for you and your family! I would love to 'speak' with you more, perhaps I can email you.
Blessings!
Butterfly,
I would love to chat anytime. Feel free to email me; a link to my email is on my profile page. Hugs to you as you start on this journey of discovery into learning all about what Asperger's is and how we creatively continue to raise our boys to be all God created them to be.
Blessings,
Jennefer
Welcome back! I got interrupted when I read your last post and forgot to come back and comment, but I have missed reading your posts. I can so relate to not wanting to post about every you do for your son. I have purposely left much of our biomedical journey off my blog for the same reason. Plus, I feel a whole lot more qualified talking about homeschool stuff than the dietary/biomedical stuff we've tried. I know the NDT is hard work, so I too will be praying for you and your family.
I sent you an email Jennefer! Blessings!
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