Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The wonders of nutrition and supplements

Shortly after we moved house, which strangely coincided with the laptop ceasing to function. For some strange reason I always write better while using the laptop. Anyway enough discussing the laptop not working. Now onto the topic at hand. After some reading and researching which I am sure for me borders on obsessive at times. I stumbled upon an article discussing the benefits of diet and nutrition in treating Selective Mutism and the possible benefits. It started with this article from the perspective of a parent, Nancy Kaplan writes in her article Can Vitamins and Supplements Help Decrease Anxiety in Children with Selective Mutism how she had researched into the benefits of different vitamins and the possible effects. Another article by Dr Elisa Shipon-Blum "Is there an affect between Diet and SM?" also discusses the possible benefits of diet on helping children overcome Selective Mutism. While there has not been any formal studies to date on this topic it certainly had sparked my interest. Other conditions had reported some benefits such as ADHD, Autism and other conditions. 

The theory behind as explained on Autism Healing Thresholds "scientists proposed that autism, dyslexia, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyspraxia are a related group of neuro developmental disorders that are caused by problems in the metabolism of EFAs. The idea is that for unknown reasons, the brains and bodies of individuals with autism and related disorders have problems converting the EFAs from foods into the forms that are necessary for biochemical reactions. In addition, omega 3 fatty acids seems to be lower in individuals with autism than in others."

From my knowledge of Anxiety and the stress on the body I had noticed the effects on his health, his reactions to different mosquitoes that type of thing. So I had given him a double dose of a kids multi vitamin to boost his body and help replenish the damage that may be happening because of his anxiety. So of we went to the shops to do some investigations as to what was actually available on the market. First up we bought a simple fish oil from Natures Way, that was designed for kids. This worked well and I had no problems with mixing it with milk and making it something he could handle we also gave him his normal multi-vitamin. A week later they had some of the vitamins on special and I checked out what was available and I discovered another product "Kids Smart Complete" which had higher ingredients of vitamins and minerals. 

The possible effects could include social skills and language improvement besides the normal effects Most of what I read indicated that it would take at least 2-3 months for the fish oil to take effect. So I was ready to be in it for the long haul. After 2 months my son's teacher's assistant approached me excited that he had whispered to her, that afternoon his teacher also approached me and said that he had also spoken to her. Following this he also had improvements in his therapy with his speech therapists. What was most noticeable was when we were at the next family event.  He was first able to read to his Aunty, then count to his Uncle. Then later on the next night he was able to say a Japanese word in front of the whole family at the dinner table in front of the whole family. 

So who knows? Could this be the point of change? I think regardless finding something that can help has got to be a good thing. What can we lose!

1 comment:

  1. Great blog entry Kerry & I agree completely! The fish oil is helping Erin too. I'm also keen to try the Kids smart complete & see how we go - as you said, what is there to lose? Michelle xo