Re: Digest Number 1814

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/16/01 3:12:37 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

writes:

>

> Apple cider vinegar is a traditinal folk remedy. I am going to try using

> it

> instead of betaine. It is very stimulating. Tablespoon in a glass of water

> before bkfst.

>

When I was young my Mum had me drinking apple cider vinegar and honey, it

tastes just like sweet cider. FWIW

June

[Guest guest]

Angie,

I also had a very sick Australian Shepherd. She had eaten a high quality

commercial dry food all her life. When she became ill I looked at

alternatives because the medication she was on was making sicker. I switched

to the BARF diet as I was surprised to learn that dogs need fresh raw

veggies in their diet. She improved tremendously. So maybe you're not far

off in thinking the improvement in your dog is due to the fresh vegetables.

It makes sense. If someone came along and said humans should stop eating

fresh food and switch to some commercially processed concoction that had all

the vitamins and nutrients we need, we'd say it was crazy. Why ppl believe

that this is the way dogs should be fed, is just as crazy. Also, don't

believe all that stuff about how it's next to impossible to feed your dog

anything but commercial dog food. As my vet pointed out to me -- we've been

feeding our children properly all these years, surely we can also feed our

dogs properly.

LB

> Just a comment.....my 13 year old baby, my Australian Shepherd named CG

> (Country Girl), was diagnosed with lung cancer over a year ago. Of course

I

> was heartbroken when I found out. We didn't start any chemotherapy, but

we

> did put her on steroids. I also decided to completely change her diet. We

> started feeding her a commercial dry dog food that has ingredients that

> looked to me like they would be good for her. I also decided to give in

to

> her vegetarian tendencies As many of you know, we have a farm and a

big

> veggie garden. I've never seen a dog who loves veggies as she does! She

> begs for them and if we don't give them to her she has been known to go

into

> the garden to pick her own tomatoes! And she will steal green beans too

> During the summer, we let her eat as many tomatoes, green beans, cabbage,

> carrots as she wanted---I figured well, she has cancer why not? Well, she

is

> still here with us, long past the six months the vet gave her. I'm not

> saying the veggies have cured her, but I don't think they have hurt her.

She

> is a funny dog and the only dog that I have seen that likes to bury water

> melon rinds instead of bones .

> Angie (AngiesHerbarie)

> The Herbarie - Botanicals and Body Care

> Natural Source & Specialty Bulk Ingredients...Exceptional Quality

> at Wholesale Prices...visit us at http://www.theherbarie.com

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/20/02 3:07:50 PM Pacific Standard Time,

lorena@... writes:

> Angie,

> I also had a very sick Australian Shepherd. She had eaten a high quality

> commercial dry food all her life. When she became ill I looked at

> alternatives because the medication she was on was making sicker. I

> switched

> to the BARF diet as I was surprised to learn that dogs need fresh raw

> veggies in their diet. She improved tremendously. So maybe you're not far

> off in thinking the improvement in your dog is due to the fresh vegetables.

> It makes sense.

Hi All,

Thank you for the kind thoughts and blessings for my CG. Kay sent me

some information several months ago and now I am trying to remember exactly

what it said and where I put it! Maybe this was the BARF diet that yall are

referring to? I know I read over it, Kay, but just can't remember it

all. Anyway, as several of you have mentioned, I do think that our instincts

can lead us along the right path if we only know how to listen and pay attent

ion. Right now CG thinks she should have the same food as the bunny! We are

due back to the vet for a follow up xray, so I will let yall know how it

goes. Anyway, she is a happy dog, ready for adventure, ready to help, and

always has a smile on her face, which is about the best we can hope for in

this life, dog or human.

Angie (AngiesHerbarie)

The Herbarie - Botanicals and Body Care

Natural Source & Specialty Bulk Ingredients...Exceptional Quality

at Wholesale Prices...visit us at http://www.theherbarie.com

[Guest guest]

>

> Message: 6

> Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2003 18:06:25 EST

> From: vickila1@...

> Subject: music therapy

>

> interesting post on music therapy, especially the technical (how the

> brain

> relates/is stimulated) side. does anyone have any more medical-based

> documentation on the benefits of music therapy? my 6 yr old autistic

> son, who is

> apraxic, is going for an eval next week. i will also look into AIT,

> but a while

> ago, someone told me their son developed seizures after this type of

> therapy.

> hard for me to believe its related, but, this is not my area of

> expertise. tx

> in advance

>

> vicki in los angeles

>

>

> Vicki,

Perhaps this article will help. There are a variety of approaches to

use music for it's healing, energizing, soothing, and focusing

abilities. AIT is a therapeutic treatment which is center based,

requires commitment to the process usually in two week blocks, is very

individualized, and is very expensive. Music or voices are altered

electronically to improve auditory processing.

This article is from The Advanced Brain website. There are many

articles, case studies, and research on the site which can help you.

http://www.sonas.com/ is another source for info on sound therapy.

Articles  |   Using The Listening Program in the Treatment of Autism Print

This Article - PDF

By Doman and Dorothy Lockhart Lawrence

Children on the autistic spectrum can have difficulties processing

various forms of sensory information. Auditory processing issues are one

of the most common sensory processing problems and often include extreme

hypersensitivity to sound, pitch discrimination issues, and sequential

processing difficulties that impact receptive and expressive language,

cognition, and social skills. Because the difficulties lie in the

processing, in some cases a child may tune out and even act as if deaf,

yet their hearing tests in a normal range.

The vestibulocochlear system informs us of sound, movement and

orientation of space. The cochlear portion of the system turns sound or

vibration into electrochemical messages that are relayed throughout the

central nervous system and is critical to auditory processing. The

vestibular portion serves to provide stabilization, influences attention

and arousal, posture, movement, thus being critical to sensorimotor

integration. It is the integration of our senses that allows us to

understand what we are experiencing in our world. So it makes sense that

a program that would stimulate and help to integrate the cochlear and

vestibular systems might be very helpful for the autistic child.

What is The Listening Program® ?

While in no way a cure for autism, when used in combination with a

therapeutic program tailored to individual needs, The Listening Program

(TLP) can be an effective intervention for children on the autistic

spectrum. TLP is a music-based sound stimulation program that currently

consists of 8 one-hour audio CDs that contain specially processed

classical music and nature sounds plus a 112 page guidebook. It is

easily used in the home under the guidance of a health, therapeutic, or

educational professional who has been trained as an Authorized Provider.

The Authorized Provider supplies the program to families, conducts

client intakes and pre/post assessments, determines and individualizes

the listening schedule, and monitors and consults with families using

the program.

Listening sessions are typically fifteen minutes in length, done once or

twice a day, five days a week, using high quality stereo headphones. The

average program length is eight to sixteen weeks with many people

finding it advantageous to repeat the program once or several times to

help regulate their auditory system. TLP's modular design lends itself

to easy modification for specific purposes. Additional CDs called TLP

Specialized CDs allow for further individualization of listening

programs.

The most commonly reported benefits from using TLP with a child on the

autistic spectrum are in the following areas:

Increasing Engagement

The listening experience can help improve self-image, reduce tactile

defensiveness, and lead to a better sense of the body in space. As

listeners become more comfortable in their body and surroundings, they

may initiate more physical contact, respond better to others, begin to

pay more attention and start to make more eye contact. Increased

engagement often includes a reduction in aggressive behavior and a

desire for more affection.

Emerging Skills

Sound stimulation has commonly shown it can accelerate the rate of

progress when used in conjunction with therapeutic, neurodevelopmental,

academic, and behavioral programs. When these areas are addressed with

individualized programs, improved listening helps facilitate better

integration and organization in the sensory and motor systems, leading

to a more rapid rate of acquiring skills and desired outcomes.

Auditory Processing

We can only process a sound and understand its meaning if we can hear it

well. TLP helps to improve the rate and accuracy of sound perception. As

the brain learns to process sound better, improvements are also noted in

auditory processing and receptive language. We monitor our communication

through listening to ourselves and others. As the ability to perceive

improves, better communication skills are often the result.

Reducing Sound Sensitivity

Hypersensitivity to sound can be debilitating for anyone, especially

those with additional sensory processing problems. TLP provides sound

stimulation that aids the nervous system to better modulate sensory

input. With this improved ability, there is often a reduction in

abnormal sensory perception, especially with sound. Reducing sound

sensitivity allows one to be more comfortable in their environment as

they no longer have to constantly protect themselves from unwanted and

uncomfortable sounds.

University of Sheffield Research Shows Progress Continues

After Program Use

Dilys Treharne of the Department of Human Communication Sciences at the

University of Sheffield conducted a pilot study to investigate the

efficacy of TLP when used for clients with auditory processing

difficulties. After reassessing the children at the end of the eight

week program and then eight weeks later, she wrote in the Winter, 2002

issue of Speech & Language Therapy in Practice, " The results were beyond

my expectations: all showed an improvement greater than one would expect

from maturation. "

Of the many improvements noted, Treharne found the greatest change in

selective attention, also known as auditory figure-ground. Those with

the severest difficulties made the greatest improvement. The most

important thing that the study showed was that the improvements made

were not only maintained but progress did not stop after the initial

eight week program. Even those without other interventions generally

continued to make gains for up to 10 months when they usually reached a

plateau. At this point many took another course of TLP.

" The Listening Program is now my first step in auditory training, " says

Treharne, " as it seems to activate listening skills that have been

repressed or never developed, thus priming the system for more

specifically targeted therapy programs. "

Neural Plasticity is the Key

The theoretical basis of any sensory stimulation program must include

neural plasticity. Neurons will branch out and establish new synaptic

connections when stimulated and research has shown that this occurs

throughout our entire lives.

Neuroscientist Lise Elliot says in her book What's Going On In There?,

" Anyone who has ever studied nerve cells can tell you how plastic they

are. The brain itself is literally molded by experience: every sight,

sound and thought leaves an imprint on specific neural circuits

modifying the way future sights, sounds, and thoughts will be

registered. Brain hardware is not fixed, but living, dynamic tissue that

is constantly updating itself to meet the sensory, motor, emotional, and

intellectual demands at hand. "

Listening to the CDs in The Listening Program literally exercises and

tones tiny muscles in the middle ear called the tensor tympani and

stapedius muscles. Exercising these two muscles improves their tone,

thus making them more responsive to their task of directing the middle

ear bones and eardrum. This helps them to amplify soft sounds and

protect the inner ear from damaging harsh or loud noise.

TLP was designed to help balance and restore our ability to listen to

and process sounds across the full auditory spectrum, from 20 to 20,000

Hz. The brain receives especially rich auditory stimulation, and because

of its ability to change with stimulation, its ability to process sound

improves.

Creating The Listening Program

TLP was created by Advanced Brain Technologies, LLC (ABT) in 1998. ABT

grew out of the National Academy for Child Development, whose extensive

and diverse client base, including thousands on the autistic spectrum,

served as a testing ground for its development. ABT's objective was to

create a program that was easy to use, effective yet mild enough for

home use, proven to have lasting results, and inexpensive for families

compared to a facility based program.

The Academy and its founder, J. Doman, Jr. had used several other

auditory stimulation programs over the course of three decades, and had

found them to have varying degrees of effectiveness. Many were beyond

reach for families and if home based, often difficult to administer.

So the ABT team decided to develop a complete program of CDs with

gradually increasing stimulation as a base for people to process sounds

more efficiently. The music was recorded through a special production

process that would allow for the development of new techniques to

maximize the effectiveness of the program while maintaining an aesthetic

that would make the program enjoyable to listen to. Music and

instruments were selected that would work best with the required

treatments and sometimes new arrangements of the music were written to

suit the requirements of the program. Specialized CDs were also created

to address more specific issues such as language enhancement and sensory

integration. They are used along with the base program and allow for

further individualization of TLP.

The design and presentation of The Listening Program were of prime

importance so that it would be accessible to any parent or individual. A

guidebook providing informative background information, detailed

listening schedules, and program support information was created along

with a journal for the listener or parent to record their experiences.

A unique design was created for TLP listening sessions. It includes

warm-up, exercise, and cool down segments of the music. In this way when

a child or adult puts on the headphones, they hear quite normal sounds

and music at the beginning and the end. This provides an orienting and

grounding experience at the start and end of each listening session.

Parents often report that children love to listen and will initiate the

listening sessions themselves.

Case Study: Six Year Old and TLP

An Occupational Therapist who is an Authorized Provider of TLP told us

about , a six year old boy who had recently been diagnosed with

Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Language delays, behavior problems and

abnormal social skills had been noted by his parents from around age

two. had auditory hypersensitivities, severe expressive and

receptive language delays, coupled with echolalia, topic fixations and

numerous other difficulties related to auditory processing and sensory

integration dysfunction.

" began his personalized Listening Program with the Sensory

Integration CD and then continued through the 8 week Base Schedule,

ending with the Speech and Language Specialized CD for this first time

through the program. Near the end of his third week listening to the

Sensory Integration CD his mother tearfully reported to the therapist,

'I feel like I am talking to someone, not to a wall!' More changes began

to be evident with his increased physical play and interaction. After

week 6, was able to attend school assemblies. Previously the

noise and confusion had been too much for him. His reading comprehension

was improving and his voice had more inflection.

" With the addition of the Speech and Language CD, both the family and

school continued to report improvement in terms of increased spontaneous

speech, improved comprehension, and improved social skills. was

also starting to develop a sense of humor! After 5 months, 's

father reported, 'Much improved social interactions. Talks better.

Quicker responses to verbal commands. Follows directions better.'

's family was thrilled with the progress he had made. "

's therapist reported that she was thrilled too. " I have been an

OT for 15 years, " she wrote, " and have not seen a child progress so

rapidly. "

.....

Listening to music is an activity that can be enjoyed by every age group

in nearly every circumstance. This makes The Listening Program® a fun

and easy program for families to integrate into their daily schedules.

The result, helping to normalize responses to sensory input and

improving the ability to listen, is often the jump-start children need

to function more effectively in all aspects of daily life. We are

grateful that it has made a difference in the lives of so many.

While The Listening Program can be an effective intervention for a child

on the autistic spectrum, not every child will benefit. Our experience

has shown that, unless the physiological areas, including digestive,

immune, nutritional, endocrine, and metabolic function are being

addressed, the nervous system will not be able to fully support the

changes that can come through using music based sound stimulation. Best

results are achieved when the physiological issues are addressed and

when used in combination with an individualized neurodevelopmental

program.

About the Authors:

Doman was raised in a family of neurodevelopment specialists

working with pediatric and adult populations. The third generation of

his family in this field, is the former Executive Director of the

National Academy for Child Development, a non-profit organization

founded by his father J. Doman, Jr. in 1979. His father and

grandfather, J. Doman, MD were members of the professional team

that developed some of the earliest sensory stimulation programs for

children on the autistic spectrum beginning in the late 1960's.

An international trainer and presenter, is the Founder and

President of Advanced Brain Technologies LLC (ABT). ABT is the developer

of The Listening Program® , Sound Health® , Music for Babies™, music

based programs, and BrainBuilder® software.

Dorothy Lockhart Lawrence is a staff writer and editor for an online

newsletter about The Listening Program. She was the program director for

a series of music festivals when she met her violinist husband .

After they married, her background in French, education, and psychology

turned into an ongoing passion for learning more about music and

neurology. She has worked in various aspects of the publishing industry

for the past 25 years.

Reprinted with permission from the May-June 2003 issue of the Autism

Asperger's Digest, a bimonthly 52-page magazine devoted to autism

spectrum disorders. www.autismdigest.com or call 800.489.0727.

[Guest guest]

Yep, two, from a mom with two sons living with their wonderful girlfriends.

1. Marry the guy.

2. Move together to a new apartment.

a aka Mom

From: " scottish_bird " <scottish_bird@...>

Subject: Please help.

I'm new to the board and was wondering if anyone could give me some

advice. I moved in with my boyfriend about 9 months ago. He has

visible mold in many of the rooms in the aprtment, but the worst is

the bedroom where the mold has a rather wet appearance. He bleaches

it, treats it with mold resistance paint, but it comes back every

year! I never had any health problems before I moved in, but now I

suffer from bad sinus problems, headaches, depression and have just

recently found a rash that is beginning to spread over my body. I

have looked at many of the web sites and find much of the information

conflicting. I want to go get this rash checked out, but don't know

whether to go an allergist or a regular doctor, and also we don't

know how to present this problem to our landlord. We have already

asked him to have a look at the problem, and as a remedy he sent his

non english speaking wife to look at the mold and since then nothing

has been done. He is a good landlord and always does his best to

rectify problems but I think he is worried about the economic

implications this problem might have, any one have any ideas or

suggestions???

[Guest guest]

nieema wrote:

> , if for a few weeks I use the kamut with all the wonderful

> recipes and cut down slowly would that work too?

That is exactly what I did (substitute neutral grains for wheat) when I

started, including pastas. As I ate more protein and HBs and cut out avoids,

I gradually lost my desire to eat grains in any form. That method worked for

me!

Rosemary

[Guest guest]

Greetings to all

Rosemary thank you for sharing!!! :-)

I am smiling with the thought that I can do it!!!

I found today that my body hears me telling it that we will be

changing. I can not believe it it seems like all I want to do now is

eat muffins and biscuits :-)

I start today!!!

rosemary wrote:

> nieema wrote:

>

> > , if for a few weeks I use the kamut with all the wonderful

>

> > recipes and cut down slowly would that work too?

>

>

>

> That is exactly what I did (substitute neutral grains for wheat) when I

> started, including pastas. As I ate more protein and HBs and cut out

> avoids,

> I gradually lost my desire to eat grains in any form. That method

> worked for

> me!

>

>

>

> Rosemary

>

>

Natures is doing her best to make us well, she exists for no other end.

http://www.a-healing-village.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/1/05 12:14:51 PM Eastern Standard Time,

writes:

> entered a contest at the Fine Arts Mold website and just found out today

> by scanning the site, that I was one of the winners. Wow, I'm surprised

> and

>

Hi Beth-congrats! I love your soaps-great detail and color! Have fun

" shopping " !

:-)

Carol J

[Guest guest]

Several doctors will support home training with neurofeedback after a few

initial settings. This can be very helpful and increase the frequency of the

brain trainings.

Dr von Hilsheimer in Orlando FL is one who will do that. He has over forty

years of experience.

THis is one of the techniques that Donna s, PhD, also uses at the

s Reiter Epilepsy Research Center. www.andrewsreiter.com in California.

She, like Zoe, has managed to find a way to calm the seizure monster.

Charlie's Mom

> Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2005 06:59:07 -0000

> From: " zoe88025 " <Zll51@...>

> Subject: Neurofeedback and Seizures--Links to articles & information

>

>

>

> Links on neurofeedback for seizures:

>

> Psychology Today: Wired for miracles? - neurofeedback therapy...

> neurofeedback therapy' from Psychology Today, a publication in the

> field of ... Like many children with epilepsy, Jake took two heavy-duty

> anti-seizure ...

> http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1175/is_n3_v31/ai_20526118

>

> Public Information on Neurofeedback - ISNR... Neurofeedback has been

> found to be helpful with all kinds of epilepsy, ... neurofeedback in

> research studies are among the most severe epilepsy patients ...

> http://www.isnr.org/pubarea/intro-nfb.htm

>

> Six articles at Findarticles.com:

> http://www.findarticles.com/p/search?

> qt=epilepsy+and+neurofeedback & qf=free & tb=art

>

> My interview with Dr. Ute Strehl in Germany:

> http://www.indiana.edu/~pietsch/zoestrehl.html

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info

lisa

> Several doctors will support home training with neurofeedback after

a few

> initial settings. This can be very helpful and increase the

frequency of the

> brain trainings.

>

> Dr von Hilsheimer in Orlando FL is one who will do that. He has

over forty

> years of experience.

>

> THis is one of the techniques that Donna s, PhD, also uses at the

> s Reiter Epilepsy Research Center. www.andrewsreiter.com in

California.

> She, like Zoe, has managed to find a way to calm the seizure monster.

>

> Charlie's Mom

>

> > Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2005 06:59:07 -0000

> > From: " zoe88025 " <Zll51@h...>

> > Subject: Neurofeedback and Seizures--Links to articles & information

> >

> >

> >

> > Links on neurofeedback for seizures:

> >

> > Psychology Today: Wired for miracles? - neurofeedback therapy...

> > neurofeedback therapy' from Psychology Today, a publication in the

> > field of ... Like many children with epilepsy, Jake took two

heavy-duty

> > anti-seizure ...

> > http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1175/is_n3_v31/ai_20526118

> >

> > Public Information on Neurofeedback - ISNR... Neurofeedback has been

> > found to be helpful with all kinds of epilepsy, ... neurofeedback in

> > research studies are among the most severe epilepsy patients ...

> > http://www.isnr.org/pubarea/intro-nfb.htm

> >

> > Six articles at Findarticles.com:

> > http://www.findarticles.com/p/search?

> > qt=epilepsy+and+neurofeedback & qf=free & tb=art

> >

> > My interview with Dr. Ute Strehl in Germany:

> > http://www.indiana.edu/~pietsch/zoestrehl.html

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Hi I live in Savannah. My Son, , is 3 and is on the high functioning end of Autism. I'm going to advise you to contact the wonderful ladies at 's Answer. Lynn & Sydney are so wonderful and gosh I can't say enough great things about them. Here is their website please give them a call and they will be happy to assist you in any way they can sanswer.myspace.com (no www)

Deb Hanson