ADHD is a condition has become more and more common and unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation out there about it. My goal in these two episodes is to really give you an overview of what ADHD actually is, the history surrounding it, and what the medications used to treat it are doing to a person’s brain. I recently listened to a podcast focused on medications for kids with ADHD and how these medications were generally okay for kids to take. However, when kids are taking this type of medication during open windows of development, this will impact their cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems, as well as their brains! In part one we dive into the history of the ADHD diagnosis – when it first came to attention, how it’s classified, and how the perception of it has changed. We’ll also take a look at ritalin, one of the most common ADHD medications out there, and some of the incredibly dangerous effects of ritalin withdrawal. If you or your child are being treated for ADD or ADHD, please take the time to listen to this podcast. Education is power and in order to really make the best decisions about your care it is essential that you understand how the medical system is designed to work and what some of the issues are with how ADD and ADHD are handled today. Show Notes: https://www.connectmybrain.com/the-truth-about-adhd-part-1/

In today’s episode we’re going to take a look at the clinical case of a child I worked with who came in to my clinic experiencing high levels of stress and overwhelm. There are many children that have very heightened emotional reactions, but how do we navigate this? Children don’t have a point of reference to tell us if something is wrong, so if you are concerned it’s always a good idea to get an evaluation. In the case of this child, at first glance it seemed like he was developing as expected, but on a closer look, it became clear to me that he had a retained Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR). The ATNR is such a far-reaching reflex and it was no wonder this child was experiencing so many emotional difficulties. This wasn’t a kid having behaviour issues, this was a child demonstrating something faulty was going on. The good news is that the earlier we can recognize this in a child, the earlier we can change it! Show Notes: https://www.connectmybrain.com/hey-mom-i-am-overwhelmed/

There are so many reasons a child could experience developmental delay. When I work with a child, I want to know where development was interrupted. Sometimes it’s as far back as their mom’s health during conception, pregnancy, or birth, but other times it’s due to an event that occurred during the child’s life. I think it’s important to talk with our children and work with them – they need to be active participants in order to get things back on track. Being able to identify signs of developmental delay is crucial in order to try to make a change. Creating new patterns in our brains and changing our developmental trejectory can be a big job, but if we’re willing to put in the work, I belive that change is possible for anyone at any time. Show Notes: https://www.connectmybrain.com/how-to-identify-signs-of-developmental-delay/

Today I’m going to be sharing another case study with you, this time of an 8-year old boy who struggled with anxiety, a suspected attention deficit disorder, and all kinds of other health issues such as asthma, eczema, and poor balance. As we explore his story together, I’ll talk you through everything from his mom’s pregnancy to his infancy and toddler years to now. It’s remarkable how a child’s circumstances and environment have such an impact on development. My hope is that these case studies will help bring awareness and hope to some of the struggles you might face with your own children. When I first met this boy, he had all kinds of struggles, but his story of change, healing, and health will definitely give you hope! Show Notes: https://www.connectmybrain.com/an-8-year-old-boy-with-a-variety-of-health-problems-anxiety-and-suspected-add/