Holistic tips for special kids
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Bedtime can be a difficult time for children and teenagers diagnosed with ADHD or Autism. They often fall asleep late at night and wake up very early the next morning. Nightmares, sleep
talking and insomnia are also common for these kids.
A sleepless night worsens both ADHD and Autism symptoms. Children are more aggressive, more restless and more impatient. Focusing on school tasks becomes impossible and sometimes all emotional control is lost. Studies have shown that parents of hyperactive children sleep around 6 hours per night, which is not enough for an active adult. However, there are various non-invasive solutions to avoid living in a permanently sleep-deprived house. Among others, these also include:
✓ Proper Sleep Hygiene
✓ Aromatherapy
✓ Herbal Remedies
✓ Relaxation Techniques
✓ Phototherapy or Light Therapy
The burst of energy right before bedtime may be the result of the sleepiness children experience during the day. Night rest assures the effectiveness of ADHD and autism therapy.
According to multiple investigations, the areas of the brain that influence attention regulate sleep as well. Thus, patients with ADHD or autism are prone to various sleeping disorders.
Changing the structure of the brain is impossible. However, the transition from wakefulness to rest is eased with the help of a healthy sleep hygiene. The essentials of it are:
The morning schedule includes getting up at the same hour seven days a week to set the child’s biological clock. A gentle wake up method, a nutritious breakfast, and
the parents’ loving attitude are equally essential.
Acceptance that children with ADHD or Autism have different sleeping needs than their peers. They should not be sent to bed too early. The impossibility to fall asleep
will make them more restless than they already are.
A snug bedroom with moderate temperature, heavy curtains to prevent street light from coming in and a white noise machine to keep away household noises.
A cozy bed with a weighted blanket to reduce anxiety. Hyperactive children do not perceive their position in space properly. This is frightening in a dark room. A heavy
blanket can reduce this unpleasant feeling. A soft pillow or a stuffed animal also provide comfort.
The total absence of computer games, tablets or TV shows at least one hour before bedtime. The light of these electronics prevents the natural release of melatonin, the
sleeping hormone. Moreover, the bright colors, the fast-moving images, and the loud noises set the brain in a state of alert.
A calm atmosphere and an organized environment. Rough, physical games are not recommended in the evening. Parents must be calm and there should not be any
shouting between family members. This can only increase anxiety!
Comfortable clothes to induce sound sleep. Cotton pajamas and T-shirts are skin friendly and absorb sweat. Children with cold feet will be happy to rest with their socks
on. Tags must be cut because they are irritating.
You could keep a diary in which to write down the child’s reactions before and after bedtime to make it easier to identify the elements that amplify your child’s symptoms.
Healthy sleep hygiene is not always enough to calm down children with excessive energy. In spite of all efforts, they may refuse to go to bed or they may wake up several times during the
night.
Aromatherapy helps insomniacs in a chemical-free way. Essential oils are natural antioxidants which increase brain oxygenation. The ones with a positive effect on children with ADHD or
autism are:
✓ Vetiver with its sedative power.
✓ Bergamot which enhances good mood.
✓ Cedar Wood which increases the level of melatonin.
✓ Lavender oil which promotes calm.
✓ Ylang-Ylang which encahces mood and lowers blood pressure.
These special oils are ideal to massage the feet, the palms, and the back gently. A few drops in a bubbled bathtub alleviate tension and anxious feelings. Children enjoy being part of the
decision-making process, so they should be allowed to choose the fragrances they like.
It is important to keep essential oils in a safe place. Their ingestion is toxic and they must not be used with babies younger than 3 months old.
Plants and herbs have the power to slow down the rhythm of children diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder.
A cup of herbal tea can be easily slipped into the bedtime ritual. Herbalists recommend chamomile, lime, lemongrass, passion flower, or lavender for an uneventful
night’s rest. Children, who are not allergic to plants sleep better on pillows stuffed with sweet-smelling herbs.
Several studies pointed out the positive impact of herbs on brain health.
Ginkgo Biloba leaves enhance the oxygenation of brain tissues, Brahmi improves the learning process, Ginseng reduces stress and Oats Seed are used for its antispasmodic properties.
Older children and teenagers can learn a series of relaxation techniques to wind down after a busy day. They can:
✓ breath deep while listening to peaceful music
✓ relax their muscles progressively
✓ exercise / concentration / meditation
✓ practice guided imagery; it is not a good idea to picture places connected to happy events because excitement inhibits sleep as well
✓ take a daytime walk and focus on air inhalation and exhalation
Yoga classes are quite helpful when combined with other therapeutic methods.
Teenagers with ADHD can reset their circadian rhythm by using light therapy lamps. This is particularly useful during autumn and winter when exposure to natural light is reduced. A lamp user has to stay in front of it for thirty minutes every morning. There is no need to look straight into the light. Adolescents can use this time to relax and meditate.
Both parents and children need to sleep in order to face the challenges of a life with ADHD or autism. Natural remedies are a healthy alternative to lying awake in a dark room.
Do your special needs children have a hard time going to bed? I’d love to hear about it in the comments! What kinds of methods do you use to help your child sleep?
Kids share a mutual opinion about homework; they absolutely hate it! Their colossal imaginations constantly veer them away from the task at hand. Their thoughts seem to always be preoccupied with cartoon characters, video games, and other fun activities. Getting them to concentrate on their homework is daunting. But there are some tips that can help parents bring them back from their imaginative fantasies to the dull pages of their course books. Here are 15 homework tips for distracted kids to help them regain their mental focus.
These 15 homework tips for distracted kids have a proven track record of revitalizing the mind of kids. How do you get your child to get his or her homework done?
Our children are the future and, as parents, we want to do everything we can to ensure they grow up happy and healthy. However, ASD impacts more children than ever before. The Center for Disease Control estimates that one in 68 kids in the United States are on the spectrum and this number appears to be increasing. If you have a child with autism, there are particular struggles you will likely encounter as you begin to potty train. Here are some tips that I hope will help you cope dealing with potty training.
As you begin the potty training process with autism, there are some common difficulties you can expect to encounter. Aside from your child having problems learning to use the toilet during the day and night, you can also expect to experience:
If you have experienced any or all of these issues, understand that you are not alone. Thousands of parents across the country are struggling with similar problems. However, there are unique ways in which to approach each problem to successfully help your child overcome and succeed.
While your child’s healthcare provider has likely prescribed medication to help keep their autism symptoms at bay, there are other approaches you can take as a parent that have may yield positive results. Making some special considerations in your child’s diet can help them overcome the common toilet issues associated with autism.
It has been proven that autism is highly influenced by nutritional deficiencies and not providing the body with proper magnesium has shown to cause symptoms such as poor sleep patterns, rocking the body, grinding teeth, hiccups, and inability to concentrate. Not surprisingly, many of these symptoms mirror those of children with autism. Introduce a magnesium supplement to your child’s diet, and you may notice they are more focused on when to use the toilet as well as able to adapt to using the restroom both during the day and night. My favorite one is Natural Calm. It’s easy to prepare and to get your kids to drink. You spoon some on the bottom of a teacup and pour hot water over it. Your kids will love to watch it fizz. After this initial fizzing, you can do whatever you want with it; drink it warm, cool it down, add a tea bag or some juice, whatever you want. I don’t like to give my kids sweet drinks but it’s worth it, to get some magnesium into them. My kids happen to like the plain flavor of Natural Calm warm in a teacup with fruit-flavored tea and a touch of raw, local honey.
As you begin to transition your child from the world of diapers to using the restroom like a big kid, the brain must adapt and begin to further develop and function. During this time, it is a great idea to provide them with fish oil of fatty acids. These acids help the brain further develop, and it can also reduce the amount of hyperactivity your child experiences, which can significantly interfere with the potty training process. When choosing a fish oil, nothing really comes close to Green Pastures Fermented Cod Liver Oil. This stuff is healing and nourishing, but unfortunately, it doesn’t taste great. I had to work my kids up to it slowly. It’s well known that ASD kids cannot or will not swallow capsules, so if you find a fish oil that’s a bit more palatable – try this Wild Salmon Oil from Vital Choice or this yummy Strawberry Cod Liver Oil from Childlife. You can open up the capsules easily by poking them with a needle and then just empty the contents into a spoon or mix it into something more palatable for your little one.
Another common symptom children with autism suffer with is various sleep disorders. When they are trying to learn to potty train, disrupted sleep cycles can make it difficult for them to develop a reliable schedule, leading to an increase in accidents. Melatonin, when taken in regular doses, is known to help regulate the sleep cycle. Melatonin should preferably be given to a child under the watch of a naturopath or doctor. Once you’ve begun, monitor your child’s sleeping patterns. Over a period of a few weeks, you should be able to begin to notice a regular pattern, and you can help your child pick relevant times to visit the restroom prior to napping or going to bed for the night.
Another way to help regulate healthful sleep patterns is to give your child an Epsom salt bath about 30 minutes before bedtime. Also known as magnesium sulfate, Epsom salt allows the body to absorb magnesium as well as detoxify, and this has been proven to result in a calming effect that will further aid them during sleep.
Children with autism commonly experience the occurrence of large molecules passing through the lining of the intestine. This is known as leaky gut and can cause significant hindrances when it comes to potty training. Foods containing gluten are known to exacerbate the problem. I know it’s not easy when you’re just starting out – we’ve been gluten free for years now – but if you start out getting the (usually kind of junky, to be honest) gluten-free breads, cakes, and cookies at the supermarket, there is no shame in that. You can work your way slowly to making healthier gluten-free delicacies like this amazing bread or these yummy brownies. I’ve made both! They are awesome!
As I mentioned, lots of kids with autism can’t deal with swallowing capsules. There are a few tips to get them to take their supplements:
Check out some of these books for further reading:
The last one is a really neat sticker reward chart!
