ADD/ADHD and CAPD: The Root Causes

Dr Jan Bedell • 16 March 2022

Have you ever wondered why so many American children have symptoms associated with labels like, ADD, ADHD or Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)? Parents are puzzled why these symptoms are evident and so pervasive in their children.

 

*      unable to follow directions

*      minimal ability to stay on task

*      very highly distracted most of the time

*      minimal understanding of consequences and the big picture when in a situation

*      notable immaturity in social circumstances

*      poor reading comprehension

*      inability to use a phonics approach when learning

        when learning to read

*      and more symptoms  than these

 ​

 

The  Mystery Can be Solved from Within

The NeuroDevelopmental Approach says, “let’s solve that mystery by finding the root cause of the symptoms.” These struggles are the cause of many challenges in school and often produce labels resulting in medication.  In other words, “We say NO to labels and YES to hope!”  If you change the brain at the root cause, the symptoms can be eliminated. After all symptomatic labels,  are the labels of ADD, ADHD and CAPD, and many other learning disabilities .  If there are enough check marks on the list of symptoms, then the person is given a corresponding label.  The bottom line for us in the NeuroDevelopmental Approach to Life field is that each symptom is caused by something in the brain and its connections.  The good news is that the brain has plasticity, which means it can change and grow even when there are current struggles.

 

An Explanation For Auditory Processing Deficits

Many years ago when our educational system was developed, we were an auditory society.  We ate together as a family 2-3 times a day and TALKED. In contrast, we often eat on the run while the videos are flowing through the backseats of our cars.  In the past, we read as a family in the evenings or listened to radio broadcasts for hours.  We were an auditory society, and we developed our auditory sequential processing ability by the practice of intense, frequent listening.  In more recent times, we have transitioned to a more visual society.

 

Auditory Sequential Processing Explained

Auditory Sequential Processing is the ability to hold pieces of information together in the order that it is communicated. An example would be being able to accurately retell a story that you have just heard in the correct order of events.  A good auditory processing ability is vital to reading comprehension as well as the ability to hold all the phonograms together to read words with a phonics approach. It is also important to picking up social cues, following directions and staying on task.  All these skills are needed to reach our full potential in school and in life. Good processing is necessary to avoid many of the symptoms previously mentioned in this post that cause us to suspect or label individuals. For a more in-depth look at auditory processing, listen to the Brain Coach Tip 


Auditory Processing

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by Dr. Jan Bedell • 24 August 2022
HOW THE NEURO-DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH CAN IMPROVE LEARNING ABILITIES Little Giant Steps, a NeuroDevelopmental Consulting Group has been helping families for over twenty years to improve the learning abilities of children, teens, and adults. We use an approach that changes the functional abilities in the brain. It may sound like rocket science, but it is actually a natural developmental process every human being goes through. Unfortunately, many of our children miss these vital steps, however, through the plasticity of the brain, can be picked up by following specific programs, many are like games, that increase learning abilities. The NeuroDevelopmental Approach is a practice of stimulating the brain with specific activities that will bring about an increase in neuro-pathways, resulting in better neuro-efficiency. With better neuro-efficiency one can receive, process, store and retrieve information more easily resulting in improved organization, short term memory, long term memory, coordination and academic abilities. If an individual has certain number of symptoms that are observed for at least six months, they typically receive a label. In our experience, help for a loved one with learning challenges is much more beneficial than a label. We work with the root causes of learning difficulties as opposed to teaching coping and compensating skills or medicating. Whether you or your child has been labeled, or is having difficulties with tasks such as handwriting or math proficiency, the NeuroDevelopmental approach offers the solution many have searched for. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

LEARNING MADE EASIER

by Dr. Jan Bedell • 22 August 2022
Learning can be made easy! How? With all learning problems there is a root cause that can be identified and remedied. When the brain and body are communicating efficiently then sensory input is improved and the learning process can become a joy. Learning Disabilities has become an epidemic in the United States. Labels like Dyslexia, ADD/ ADHD, PDD (Pervasive Developmental Delays), and Autism. These labels have invaded the lives of children and their families and have forever changed the landscape of education. Has the joy of learning been diminished? Yes, it has without a doubt. The professionals at Little Giant Steps are trained to utilize The Neurodevelopmental Approach and have had many years of success in making learning fun again! We address these "symptoms" by using a two-fold assessment. First, using a battery of educational tests, a baseline for math, reading and comprehension are established. Next, a developmental evaluation where nine levels of development in six areas of function are assessed. This information gives the Neurodevelopmentalist or Neuro-Educational Specialist the basis for writing an individualized program. The program will address the root causes. The one common element in all learning issues, from our point of view, has to do with sensory dysfunction. Built into the brain is the element of neuroplasticity which is the natural ability of the brain to change, or repair those areas that are deficient, incomplete, or damaged. We know we can make a difference in the lives of our clients, because we've seen it over and over again. Learning can truly be made a joyful experience that will last a lifetime. "Learning Disabilities Don't Have To Last A Lifetime!"

Tummy Time

by Dr. Jan Bedell • 19 August 2022
MOST IMPORTANT INFANT'S DEVLOPMENT You know how important a solid foundation is for a building. Did you know, for infants, time spent on their tummy is just as foundationally important to their learning abilities, if not more so? God gave us infants who are not developmentally "complete" once out of the womb. They have "Big Developmental Activities" that must be completed - (especially in developing their brain and body connections). The way to accomplish these crutial events is by being on their tummies most waking hours. This is how the brain is mapped (connected) to their body parts. The brain must learn through the largest sensory system of the body - the skin. The way to get the skin totally involved is by the baby being on their tummy! Without signals from stimulation, pressure, temperature, stretching, pushing, pulling, eye-tracking, lifting their head and shoulders, the lower levels of the brain don't start to get organized, and many other bodily-system connections don't develop properly. To grow neuro-connections that send signals from the brain to various body parts, the infant must have daily encounters on a hard surface, so they can have the "workout" that's required to build brain/body connections, muscles in arms, legs, necks, shoulders, back, development of eye-tracking, focusing, looking, and developing sensory knowledge of the world around them ~ hard, soft, cold, warm, hot, wet, dry, etc. These much-needed connections growing between their brain and body is responsible for developing intentional acts rather than random movement. Without the neuro-connections, the neuro-muscular development, the child will suffer from lack of integration, physical, mental and functional delays. The good news is that these infants, toddlers, children, teens, and even adults can always receive a NeuroDevelopmental Program that will bring about the functional abilities that were missed in the early years. Life without being a whole, functionally-rich person is frustrating, causes depression, hopelessness, self-hatred, behavior issues, and poor adapting abilities along with very poor self-esteem. It's like competing in a world with your hands and brain tied behind your back! When a person can't learn due to neuro-inefficiencies it is devastating. Please know that having a learning disability does not have to last a lifetime. The intervention of a Brain Training Program can bring about a totally new life and an approach that is healthy, strong and vital! Learn More with our articles , and free webinars and podcasts PLEASE.... HAVE YOUR BABY ON THEIR TUMMIES DURING THEIR WAKING HOURS! All this results in their brains being stimulated so neuro-connections are made and they develop into functionally coordinated and organized children and later adults! They deserve the best learning foundation possible!