Hello, all!
I'm very tired, so this will be short and sweet. :o)
I wanted to post this video (see link below) for those of you who have expressed interest in Dr. Stewart's protocol, but do not feel you can travel to Texas. It's only 11 minutes and in it he discusses what supplements he recommends in such a situation and why. (This is for children AND adults with neuro-immune disorders including autism, ADHD, Alzheimer's, Fibromyalgia, etc...)
One thing I will caution you about if you decided to try this protocol: your child will temporarily get worse before they get better. This is a normal part of the process and can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Also, this is not a protocol to treat specific symptoms, but rather one that is intended to heal the way the body functions...thus eventually relieving symptoms. It is important to stay the path...things will improve.
Also, if you are concerned that this is a sales pitch to sell his supplements, please don't let that stop you. First of all, in our experience, the supplements are VERY reasonably priced as compared to other companies. He is not making much on them at all. Second, I think it is worth mentioning that one of Ben's other doctors is so impressed with the changes she has seen in Ben, that she is recommending these supplements to other neuro patients and is researching and discussing Dr. Stewart's protocol with her colleagues.
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me or to give my contact information to other
http://vimeo.com/24882219 (You will have to copy and paste into your browser...I cannot get the link to work. I also have this posted on my FB page.)
***NOTE: the B-12 lotion he refers to in the video is NOT THE SAME AS doing the B-12 SHOTS.***
Julie
PS - Ben's doing great! Getting more understandable language everyday, talking in sentences, LOVING summer camp and PMD, and awaiting his baby brother whose arrival could be any day now!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Happy days. :o)
Hello, everyone. We've had a great two weeks, and I feel like sharing some things...
:o)
We had Ben's end-of-year conference at Capable Kids Friday. It was so encouraging! The school is based on the VB (verbal behavioral) approach and they use what's called the VB Map to track the kids' progress. It was amazing to see how much Ben's gained in development since October! In some areas he started at an infant level, and is now in the 2-3 year old level. Heather (the director and main therapist) also noted that Ben seems to be losing many of his autistic traits and seems a lot like a younger kid trying to talk now! (Sound familiar?? It's just what Dr. Stewart said last month!) :o)
Later that night, the kids of CK entertained us with an end-of-year program. I was blown away at how well Ben (and ALL the kids) did! What a difference when compared to the Christmas show! Ben was a little shy for the first song, but then really got into it and happily participated. It was SO CUTE. I will try to post a video on here, but here are the links to the what I recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Ben's not in the 2nd and 5th videos, but there are still so darn cute. :o)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTz54u4PO9s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfS8GXe4hHE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlhOwOStmaA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-O-5M70g6g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmAIs0ozNmQ
Some other progress we are noticing:
*Trying and eating many new foods. I was reviewing the list to put in his journal, and he tried over 10 new foods in the last week or so! He liked many of them (especially new fruits) and is eating them often now. And, he continues to show interest in almost everything we eat. I'm also noticing that he is tolerating things he did not before. This is GREAT because I'm starting to feel like he is more limited by his food allergies/sensitivites than he is by his preferences. I've heard from many other parents on the protocol (and from Dr. S.) that many of the intolerances go completely away after a while. This would be SO GREAT!
*Sensory changes. He seems to be a lot more regulated in his sensory processing. He's much less anxious, and noises aren't bothering him like they were when we first switched back to the OTC lotion. He does cover his ears when he gets really excited about something, but it's a happy thing. :o)
*Still sleeping well! He falls asleep quickly for the most part and sleeps soundly through the night. He was never a horrible sleeper, but he would cycle through sleep issues every few weeks or so. We've not had this happen since he's been on the progesterone (knock on wood!)
*Defiant, stubborn, and mischievous! Yes, this is progress for Ben. He used to be so passive. He is acting more like a typical 2/3year old everyday. He is curious, imitates a lot of what he sees and hears, and can be a little stinker. I'm loving it for the most part! He's so fun!
*He LOVES babies! I sure hope this continues when his brother is born! Yesterday we spent the day at Jenny's with Baby Wesley. Ben was so taken with him. It was adorable. He even helped feed him and wanted to try everything Wesley was eating. So sweet.
*Almost constantly engaged. He stims very little now...mostly just if he is bored. We've also noticed that when we limit his access to toy cars (his obsessive objects), he is SO MUCH more interactive and playful and will happily choose other things to do.
So, this is what's going on now. I feel like we've had another surge of improvement in the last couple weeks. Some of it is hard to explain. But, there is just a happy, interactive, silly, fun quality about him that had been gone for a while. And, he is showing more advanced executive functioning and a lot of learning from his environment. Don't get me wrong, we have a long way to go and we still have our occasional struggles (especially with rigidity over certain routines), but he has been so great for the most part!
Well, we have much to do today! And, I have a little boy calling me to play! :o)
Love to you all!
Julie
:o)
We had Ben's end-of-year conference at Capable Kids Friday. It was so encouraging! The school is based on the VB (verbal behavioral) approach and they use what's called the VB Map to track the kids' progress. It was amazing to see how much Ben's gained in development since October! In some areas he started at an infant level, and is now in the 2-3 year old level. Heather (the director and main therapist) also noted that Ben seems to be losing many of his autistic traits and seems a lot like a younger kid trying to talk now! (Sound familiar?? It's just what Dr. Stewart said last month!) :o)
Later that night, the kids of CK entertained us with an end-of-year program. I was blown away at how well Ben (and ALL the kids) did! What a difference when compared to the Christmas show! Ben was a little shy for the first song, but then really got into it and happily participated. It was SO CUTE. I will try to post a video on here, but here are the links to the what I recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Ben's not in the 2nd and 5th videos, but there are still so darn cute. :o)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTz54u4PO9s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfS8GXe4hHE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlhOwOStmaA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-O-5M70g6g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmAIs0ozNmQ
Some other progress we are noticing:
*Trying and eating many new foods. I was reviewing the list to put in his journal, and he tried over 10 new foods in the last week or so! He liked many of them (especially new fruits) and is eating them often now. And, he continues to show interest in almost everything we eat. I'm also noticing that he is tolerating things he did not before. This is GREAT because I'm starting to feel like he is more limited by his food allergies/sensitivites than he is by his preferences. I've heard from many other parents on the protocol (and from Dr. S.) that many of the intolerances go completely away after a while. This would be SO GREAT!
*Sensory changes. He seems to be a lot more regulated in his sensory processing. He's much less anxious, and noises aren't bothering him like they were when we first switched back to the OTC lotion. He does cover his ears when he gets really excited about something, but it's a happy thing. :o)
*Still sleeping well! He falls asleep quickly for the most part and sleeps soundly through the night. He was never a horrible sleeper, but he would cycle through sleep issues every few weeks or so. We've not had this happen since he's been on the progesterone (knock on wood!)
*Defiant, stubborn, and mischievous! Yes, this is progress for Ben. He used to be so passive. He is acting more like a typical 2/3year old everyday. He is curious, imitates a lot of what he sees and hears, and can be a little stinker. I'm loving it for the most part! He's so fun!
*He LOVES babies! I sure hope this continues when his brother is born! Yesterday we spent the day at Jenny's with Baby Wesley. Ben was so taken with him. It was adorable. He even helped feed him and wanted to try everything Wesley was eating. So sweet.
*Almost constantly engaged. He stims very little now...mostly just if he is bored. We've also noticed that when we limit his access to toy cars (his obsessive objects), he is SO MUCH more interactive and playful and will happily choose other things to do.
So, this is what's going on now. I feel like we've had another surge of improvement in the last couple weeks. Some of it is hard to explain. But, there is just a happy, interactive, silly, fun quality about him that had been gone for a while. And, he is showing more advanced executive functioning and a lot of learning from his environment. Don't get me wrong, we have a long way to go and we still have our occasional struggles (especially with rigidity over certain routines), but he has been so great for the most part!
Well, we have much to do today! And, I have a little boy calling me to play! :o)
Love to you all!
Julie
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Update - 1 Month Back on the GOOD Lotion
Hello, everyone!
Thought I'd post an update as to how we are doing after 1 month back on the Neurobiologix lotion. Some of the things we are noticing:
1. Less rigidity (but still fluctuating.) Those who know Ben know he can be extremely rigid in his routines and preferences. We have seen him break this quite a bit on his own. For example, he is choosing different toys at school and at home instead of his usual daily favorites. He also let mommy get him ready for bed last night even though daddy was home. This may not seem like a big deal to some, but it hasn't happened without a fight in over 2 years! That being said, we have seen him try to start a few new habits/routines, but it has been much easier to break him of these. (A little whining instead of a huge tantrum.) And, some of the old routines are still around, especially when he first wakes up in the morning.
2. Emotional lability. Ben has had a few very emotional (roller coaster) days. We saw this the first time around when adjusting to the lotion. However, I don't think it's been quite as bad this time, and for the most part he has been very fun and happy!
Also, in general, he is showing more varied emotions. I keep reminding myself this is a good thing! HA! (Ex.: getting embarrassed when I correct him for being naughty, especially around others.) He is also pushing mommy's buttons quite a bit and testing his limits. Again, typical 2 year old stuff! We've had a lot of talks lately about "not saying no to mommy." :o)
3. Better sleep. For the most part, Ben has been falling asleep quicker and sleeping very soundly. (KNOCK ON WOOD...HA!) Dr. Stewart told us to expect this with the progesterone. But, for the most part, Ben isn't a bad sleeper anyway. We usually have cycles of good sleep and not-so-good sleep. We haven't seen that since starting the progesterone, but it hasn't been long enough to convince me just yet. :o)
4. Talking. A LOT OF TALKING. He is getting a little easier to understand and is spontaneously saying words that he hasn't been taught and I didn't know he knew. He is also saying more phrases and short sentences (although the longer the string the more difficult it can be to understand him.) He still talks way more in a comfortable setting than when out in a stimulating environment...but, he is doing really well. It's hard to say that this is all due to the supplement changes because he is in an amazing school and has a good speech therapist now. And, he is maturing and developing naturally to a certain extent. Regardless, the combo is working for him and progress seems to be coming a little faster.
5. Imitating. Ben is doing a lot of imitating (another 2 year old trait). He will see someone do something (usually Jeremy) and later I'll see him acting it out, usually with a big smile on his face. (Ex. he saw me talking to Boombee on the phone. A while later he picked up the phone and said "hi Boombee! Bye bye!") He is also imitating sounds and words very well. But, not strictly doing echolalia. He will answer "yes" and "no" questions very well, not just repeat back choices like he used to.
6. Sensory changes. We have gone through a few days where Ben is very sensitive to sound. This seems to have resolved for the most part, but I still see a little here and there. He is also doing less visual stimming, but is running A LOT...trying to adjust to the changes in his body I think.
7. Noticing other kids and babies. I've seen this more in the last couple weeks than I have in a while. While we are in the waiting room at speech for example, he watches the other kids and even tried to initiate play with a little boy who was about 2-3 years old. He also really notices babies! One of his therapists said he was very interested in a baby at the library on Thursday. I asked him later if he saw a baby at the library and he said "YES! Baby!" and was so excited!
So, this is all I can think of for now. There is definitely a difference in him, but it is still kind of fluctuating. These are mostly things we saw before when we were starting the protocol, it just seems he is going through the stages a little more quickly. And, others are noticing the changes too. One of his therapist at school said to me this week that she feels like he "is back." Back to how he was before he was sick so much earlier this year (which happened right after the lotion change.) I have to agree, I do feel like he is back!
Well, time to go get the little man ready for the day. We are going to try to get out and enjoy the weather at the zoo.
Love,
Julie
Thought I'd post an update as to how we are doing after 1 month back on the Neurobiologix lotion. Some of the things we are noticing:
1. Less rigidity (but still fluctuating.) Those who know Ben know he can be extremely rigid in his routines and preferences. We have seen him break this quite a bit on his own. For example, he is choosing different toys at school and at home instead of his usual daily favorites. He also let mommy get him ready for bed last night even though daddy was home. This may not seem like a big deal to some, but it hasn't happened without a fight in over 2 years! That being said, we have seen him try to start a few new habits/routines, but it has been much easier to break him of these. (A little whining instead of a huge tantrum.) And, some of the old routines are still around, especially when he first wakes up in the morning.
2. Emotional lability. Ben has had a few very emotional (roller coaster) days. We saw this the first time around when adjusting to the lotion. However, I don't think it's been quite as bad this time, and for the most part he has been very fun and happy!
Also, in general, he is showing more varied emotions. I keep reminding myself this is a good thing! HA! (Ex.: getting embarrassed when I correct him for being naughty, especially around others.) He is also pushing mommy's buttons quite a bit and testing his limits. Again, typical 2 year old stuff! We've had a lot of talks lately about "not saying no to mommy." :o)
3. Better sleep. For the most part, Ben has been falling asleep quicker and sleeping very soundly. (KNOCK ON WOOD...HA!) Dr. Stewart told us to expect this with the progesterone. But, for the most part, Ben isn't a bad sleeper anyway. We usually have cycles of good sleep and not-so-good sleep. We haven't seen that since starting the progesterone, but it hasn't been long enough to convince me just yet. :o)
4. Talking. A LOT OF TALKING. He is getting a little easier to understand and is spontaneously saying words that he hasn't been taught and I didn't know he knew. He is also saying more phrases and short sentences (although the longer the string the more difficult it can be to understand him.) He still talks way more in a comfortable setting than when out in a stimulating environment...but, he is doing really well. It's hard to say that this is all due to the supplement changes because he is in an amazing school and has a good speech therapist now. And, he is maturing and developing naturally to a certain extent. Regardless, the combo is working for him and progress seems to be coming a little faster.
5. Imitating. Ben is doing a lot of imitating (another 2 year old trait). He will see someone do something (usually Jeremy) and later I'll see him acting it out, usually with a big smile on his face. (Ex. he saw me talking to Boombee on the phone. A while later he picked up the phone and said "hi Boombee! Bye bye!") He is also imitating sounds and words very well. But, not strictly doing echolalia. He will answer "yes" and "no" questions very well, not just repeat back choices like he used to.
6. Sensory changes. We have gone through a few days where Ben is very sensitive to sound. This seems to have resolved for the most part, but I still see a little here and there. He is also doing less visual stimming, but is running A LOT...trying to adjust to the changes in his body I think.
7. Noticing other kids and babies. I've seen this more in the last couple weeks than I have in a while. While we are in the waiting room at speech for example, he watches the other kids and even tried to initiate play with a little boy who was about 2-3 years old. He also really notices babies! One of his therapists said he was very interested in a baby at the library on Thursday. I asked him later if he saw a baby at the library and he said "YES! Baby!" and was so excited!
So, this is all I can think of for now. There is definitely a difference in him, but it is still kind of fluctuating. These are mostly things we saw before when we were starting the protocol, it just seems he is going through the stages a little more quickly. And, others are noticing the changes too. One of his therapist at school said to me this week that she feels like he "is back." Back to how he was before he was sick so much earlier this year (which happened right after the lotion change.) I have to agree, I do feel like he is back!
Well, time to go get the little man ready for the day. We are going to try to get out and enjoy the weather at the zoo.
Love,
Julie
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