CHILDREN'S LEARNING DISORDER & BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES

Extract from Metagenics Brochure.

Childhood is a time of immense social, intellectual and physical development. Ensuring healthy brain development at this vital stage of life can set the stage for healthy cognitive function, memory and learning well into adulthood.

 Issues with brain function and learning during childhood can lead to longer term social, psychological and behavioural problems. If your child suffers from learning, behavioural or developmental issues, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or autism, your natural Healthcare Practitioner can help.

COMMON CHILDHOOD PROBLEMS

ADHD is the most common behavioural disorder in children. It affects about 5 to 10% of children. ADHD is characterised by different levels of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity and/or significant academic, social and emotional problems.

Autism is another common childhood problem affecting the brain. It is less common, but is becoming more widespread. This neurodevelopmental condition is characterised by impaired social interaction and communication, restricted interests and repetitive behaviour.

NATURAL MEDICINES CAN HELP

If your child has a learning disability, behavioural problem or other disorder affecting their brain function, your natural Healthcare Practitioner can help by complementing any existing treatments with specific recommendations for dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments and key natural supplements. Some basic recommendations that can help support healthy brain function, learning and behaviour in children include the following:

Feed that hungry brain:

Eating well gives the growing brain and body the nutrition it needs to encourage optimal development. Your child should eat a nutrient-rich diet containing essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibre and high quality protein.

• Ensure your child eats a full breakfast every day. The brain is the hunrgriest of all organs and needs adequate energy and nutrition to function at its best. Having a poor quality breakfast, or no breakfast is known to impair learning and concentration in children.
  
  
• Ensure your child eats plenty of vegetables and fruit every day. Vegetables and fruit are very high in nutrients and beneficial dietary fibre. Regular fruit and vegetable consumption can help support brain function and development.
  
  
• Ensure your child eats protein-rich foods in each meal or snack. Protein is essential for health, especially in childhood. Make sure you choose lean protein sources, such as free range chicken breast, lean cuts of red meat, fish and eggs. Reduce or eliminate fatty meats, as these are high in saturated fats. Nuts also make an excellent snack.
  
  
• Ensure your child drinks plenty of pure water daily. Aim to substitute soft drinks, fruit juices, cordials and other sweetened drinks with water. A healthy replacement for soft drinks is 4 parts sparkling mineral water with one part fresh juice.
  
  
• Avoid or severely limit processed foods, additives and artificial flavours. Heavily processed foods containing artificial colourings, flavours or preservatives may exacerbate behavioural symptoms.
  

Growing Children Need a Healthy Lifestyle

Consider the following lifestyle suggestions that your child may benefit from.

• Identify your child's interests and encourage active participation. Encourage them to become involved in team sports, martial arts, ballet, music or art. Studies show that regular participation in structured social activities is linked to low levels of antisocial behaviour.
  
  
• Exercise and fresh air matters. Getting regular exercise and fresh air encourages not only a healthy body but also a healthy mind! Make sure your child gets plenty of regular exercise.
• Sleep and rest are also important. Your child's growing body and mind also need adequate rest and sleep. Ensure your child is getting sufficient sleep each night, remembering that younger children need more hours of sleep every night than older children.
• Positive role models and family support are essential. Lack of parental supervision and support are strong predisposing factors for problem behaviour during childhood and into adulthood. A healthy family environment and positive role models are very important to ensure optimal health and development of your child.

Smart Supplements for a Better Brain

Along with the above advice, your Practitioner may also recommend some key natural supplements to further assist in improving the health of your child.

• Multivitamin and minerals. A children's multivitamin and mineral formula will provide your child with the nutrients they need for optimal brain function. A powdered supplement that can be mixed with water or juice is often best for children.
• Fish Oils. Adequate levels of the essential omega-3 fat in the form of a children's fish oil supplement will provide the essential building blocks for healthy brain development and cognition. Your Practitioner can recommend a pleasant tasting liquid option for your child to take every day.
• Herbal Support. The herb, bacopa (also known as brahmi) is proven to boost memory. It may also enhance learning, by optimising mental alertness and concentration. L-theanine, from green tea, also has positive effects on memory and learnign ability, and helps enhance relaxation. Passionflower and chamomile are herbs that may assist in relieving nervousness, restlessness and irritability in children.

TALK TO YOUR NATURAL HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONER

If you would like more information on these Natural Medicines, or on any of the dietary and lifestyle advice mentioned, then arrange and appointment to discuss this with Marti. Marti can provide your child with an individualised program to help improve their memory, learning and behaviour, and assist them in reaching their full life potential.