Learning Difficulties

ADHD – Hyperactivity – Learning Difficulties

The study and the evaluation of the syndrome of ADHD and other related conditions could be a lifetime occupation, the further one explores the wider the parameters become. As the subject of child behaviour, hyperactivity, and learning difficulties becomes more recognised, so too must the reasons and causes of these various syndromes be diagnosed. Very seldom is there a single clear-cut explanation for these conditions. Therefore any attempt to address or remedy such a condition needs to be multifaceted. Skeletal misalignment affecting the nervous system may well be well be as aspect to address especially where the cause is from trauma experienced in pregnancy, childbirth, or childhood trauma, that if addressed can only benefit a child or young adult. Evidence of yeast overgrowth, nutritional deficiencies, inborn errors of metabolism, amino acid and fatty acid abnormalities are correctable factors that where evident need to be addressed. Other factors are allergies, exposure to toxins, and electromagnetic and chemical influences or the effects of vaccine or bacterial and viral infections. Understanding the causes helps to develop the appropriate remedies. It is perhaps a little known fact that ADHD can follow into adulthood, which makes it an absolute necessity to address the situation. A multifaceted test procedure for objectively assessing individuals involves relative blood and urine analysis, allergy testing and stool analysis if necessary. Brain frequency analysis and possible Corrective of abnormal findings by a programmable electromagnetic device called the empulse has proved beneficial in many cases. These procedures where appropriate and the correction of metabolic disorders, deficiencies,Elimination of toxins, correction of metabolic imbalances, and skeletal deviation, can make unnecessary the highly undesirable use of medication such as Ritalin and other similar medicaments

EAR INFECTIONS (Otitis Media) & ADD/ADHD

Otitis media in children with learning disabilities and in children with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity:"Based on parental report, children with ADD-H had significantly more complaints of earaches during the preceding 3 months and significantly more ear infections during the preceding year...Although middle ear disease in preschool children has repeatedly been linked to later language deficits, this study suggests that middle ear disease in school-age children may also be associated with hyperactivity and/or inattention, independently of learning disability."
 Meridian testing with prognos can discover evidence of ear infections and treatment by homoeopathic and herbal medicine can remedy the situation while also strengthening the childs immune system.

- Adesman AR, Altshuler LA, Lipkin PH, Walco GA. Pediatrics 1990 Mar;85 (3 Pt 2):442-6. Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Schneider Children's Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY 11042. An association between recurrent otitis media in infancy and later hyperactivity:"An association between the frequency of otitis media in early childhood and later hyperactivity is reported in this study. The subjects were 67 children referred to a child development clinic for evaluation of school failure. Ranging from 6 to 13 years old, all the children demonstrated specific school learning problems, and 27 were also considered hyperactive by two or more raters. Sixteen of the hyperactive children were treated with central nervous system stimulant medication. In retrospect, there was a positive correlation between an increasing number of otitis media infections in early childhood and the presence and severity of hyperactive behavior. Ninety-four percent of children medicated for hyperactivity had three or more otitis infections, and 69 percent had greater than 10 infections. In comparison, 50 percent of non-hyperactive school-failure patients had three or more infections and 20 percent had greater than 10 infections. Twenty-two of 28 children (79%) known to have more than 10 infections experienced recurrent otitis before 1 year of age."

- Hagerman RJ, Falkenstein AR. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 1987 May; 26(5): 253-7.

"...This investigation is the first one to show an association between brain electrical activity and intake of provoking foods in children with food-induced attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that in a subgroup of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder certain foods may not only influence clinical symptoms but may also alter brain electrical activity."
- Uhlig T, Merkenschlager A, Brandmaier R, Egger J Eur J Pediatr 1997 Jul;156(7):557-61. Institute for Child Health Research, Clinical Sciences Division, West Perth, Australia.

Nutritional Concerns & ADD/ADHD

"Boys with lower omega-3 fatty acid values in blood were much more likely to have learning problems and lower overall academic skills and math skills than children with higher fatty acid values."

Testing for Red cell levels of Omega 3 is offered at the clinic.
- Stevens, LJ and Burgess J. Omega-3-fatty acids in boys with behavior, learning, and health problems. Physiology Behavior 1996; 59: 915-920.

Zinc deficiency:

"...Children with ADHD had significantly lower zinc levels than control children. 30% of children with ADHD had severely deficient values. It is possible that low zinc values may result in depressed production of melatonin and serotonin in the brain, resulting in some of the symptoms of ADHD."

Blood testing for Zinc deficiency is offered at the clinic, also Zinc challenge testing.
- Toren P. et al. Zinc deficiency in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Biological Psychiatry 40: 1308-1310, 1996.

Vitamin B-6 supplementation reverses ADHD:

"Results of the study indicates that vitamin B-6 at doses between 15-30 mg/kg body weight was effective as Ritalin in treating attention deficit hyperactivity."
Vitamin B-6 status tests is offered at the clinic - Coleman M. et al. A preliminary study of the effect of pyridoxine administration in a subgroup of hyperkinetic children: a double blind crossover comparison with methylphenidate. Biological Psychiatry 14: 741-751, 1979.

Sensitivity to food colors and flavors:

"This study demonstrated a functional relation between the ingestion of a synthetic food color (tartrazine) and behavioral change in 24 atopic (allergic) children, with marked reactions being observed at all six dosage levels of dye challenge. When they reacted to the (food) dye, the younger children had constant crying, tantrums, irritability, restlessness, severe sleep disturbance, and were described as 'out-of-control, easily distracted and excited, and high as a kite'."
Testing for immune reaction to the above substances can be arranged at the clinic.
- Rowe K and Rowe K. Synthetic food coloring and behavior: A dose response effect in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated measures study. J. Pediatrics 125: 691-698, 1994.

ADHD and toxic metals:

"The striking dose-response relationship between levels of lead and negative teacher ratings remained significant after controlling for age, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status. An even stronger relationship existed between physician-diagnosed attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and hair lead in the same children. There was no apparent 'safe' threshold for children."
White cell sensitivity tests for toxic metals are offered at the clinic
- Tuthill R. Hair lead levels related to children's classroom attention-deficit behavior. Archives of Environmental Health 51: 214-225, 1996.

Allergy or Chemical Reaction?

Intolerance to certain foods, especially gluten (wheat related grains) and casein (milk protein), is a common occurrence among children with developmental delays. Before adopting an elimination diet, however, many parents consult an allergist to determine if the diet is necessary. Surprisingly, after extensive scratch testing, the child is often found not to be allergic to any foods. Some parents choose to eliminate gluten and casein proteins anyway, and find their youngster responds with improved attention, sleep and/or language skills.

How is this improvement possible if the child was not allergic in the first place? The answer lies in understanding the difference between allergies and other types of chemical reactions within the body.

IgE versus IgG Reactions

Allergies are defined as specific reactions within the immune system involving an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). Immediate responses such as hives, congestion or swelling typically result from IgE activity. Traditional scratch testing identifies IgE triggers such as pollen or peanuts, which can cause symptoms that range from annoying to lethal.

Very different responses are delayed allergy reactions. If they occur more than two hours after eating a food, they may result from immunoglobulin G (IgG) rather than IgE activity. IgG reactions may cause symptoms such as sleep disturbances, subsequent bed wetting, sinus and ear infections, or crankiness. Blood tests rather than scratch tests are the only way to screen for IgG allergies.
Where immunoglobulins are involved, the word “allergy” can legitimately be used to describe symptoms after exposure. A reaction to gluten or casein sometimes shows up in IgG or IgA blood testing, and is, therefore, referred to as an “allergy