On ABC World News last night, 11/30/11, Diane Sawyer reported on a study that shows that foster care children in this country are placed on many mind-altering drugs.  There is now a group lobbying to help these children.  Ms. Sawyer has also decided to investigate.  My heart is so filled with gratitude as the awareness of what is going on with these children raises and enters the hearts of so many.

If you have read any of my previous posts, you know that I am here to help the sensitive children.  These children have greater awareness and pick up on more than the average child.  Since their sensitivities can be triggered by allergies, their focus and behaviors are often difficult to handle without discovery of the cause and education on natural solutions.  For this reason, many of these children end up in foster care because some parents are unable to cope.

In the foster care system, drugs are mandated for these children.  After a tragic suicide of a six year old boy in theFloridafoster care system a few years ago,Floridahas implemented some improvements.  We still have a long way to go to help these children and their families.

Symptoms can be treated naturally once the root causes have been determined.  Drugs are an easier option, but they do not fix the cause.  As you will see from Ms. Sawyer’s report, they only mask some symptoms and more often than not create new symptoms for which more drugs are often prescribed.  It is extremely dangerous to medicate a brain that has not yet fully formed.  All drugs have side effects.  We are taught that a pill is the preferred choice in our quick-fix society.  As you will see from Ms. Sawyer’s report on the link below, it is not the safest.

Please take a moment to watch the video and read the article.  Please forward it to anyone you know who may be interested in helping these children.  They can’t help themselves.  They are stuck in a system that does not serve them well. 

http://abcnews.go.com/US/study-shows-foster-children-high-rates-prescription-psychiatric/story?id=15058380

Thank you Diane Sawyer and everyone involved in helping children in the foster care system and all sensitive children.

What would it take…

• for the children to be symptom-free?
• to realize the symptoms have causes that can be treated and prevented naturally?
• for the children to no longer be labeled or picked on?

What if…

• the oceans and fish were free of mercury and other toxins?
• the animals we eat were all raised humanely without toxic chemicals or hormones and could roam freely?
• the lives of animals used for food were ended in the most loving, honoring and humane way possible?
• animals were seen and treated as living, feeling creatures by everyone?
• all food was free of toxins and hormones?
• all food was manufactured in such a way as to retain the natural vitamins and minerals God infused into them?
• the soil in which food grows was free of toxins and filled with nutrients?
• the products we put on and into the body were all health-affirming?
• household cleaning products were harmless to humans and pets?
• sustainable sources of energy became a priority?
• innovative forward-thinking ideas became more popular and received funding?

What if…

• people in charge decided to care about and support these things?
• people in charge started to make decisions to fix the causes of these issues and followed through with those decisions?

What would happen if…

• we stopped creating wars?

What if…

• our constitutional rights were still in operation as intended by our forefathers?
• you, as a member of the American public trusted your intuition first rather than follow the pack blindly?
• the American public expected the best?

What would it take for you to expect the best?  What if by expecting the best you help create it?

What if we all stopped blaming and started working together to choose loving and healthy solutions?

What if all it would take was one person at a time making the most healthy, loving and empowering decisions possible every day?  What if each person worked to heal personal issues rather than project them onto others?  When emotional wounds are healed, awareness and consciousness grows.  When consciousness is raised, possibility expands.  What if the number of people who do this grew to millions or greater?  What would a world like this look like?  What would a world like this FEEL like?

We are on the cusp of realizing the greatest potential for this planet.  Disarm fear and doubt.  Choose love and peace for everyone.  Take inspired action.  Expect the best!  We really are all One.

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.” – Gandhi

This article is about the future of the children.  I am one of the 99%.  We have all contributed to the current situation in America as we all collectively allowed it to happen.  Many of us spent more money than we had, expecting “the good life” to last forever.  In addition, we, the American people, accepted the fact that corporations and lobbyists influence politicians and government agencies to create and pass laws and regulations that do not serve the majority.  We have also allowed our civil and constitutional rights to be compromised and violated by the elected officials and agencies we look to for “protection”.

It is human nature to dislike change.  As long as each of our own little apple carts move along in a bearable fashion, each of us has been able to rationalize the decline of personal choices and freedom.  We as a country have been manipulated by fear, misinformation and private and/or political agendas.  People, including some in positions of power, are only told what those “running the show” want all of us to believe – whatever the show of the moment may be.

We all know that much of what we see on TV and in advertisements is slanted to persuade or manipulate.  The American public accepts that also.  We even enjoy comedy news programs that poke fun at all of this because we know it’s true but have felt helpless to effect positive change.

It would appear by the Occupy Movement and the election results on 11/8/11 that the American majority have had enough.  It would also appear that those in power are pushing back in an attempt to dampen the spirit of the movement.  I urge everyone to look at the big picture rather than short-sighted demands or setbacks.  For example:  Angela Davis, whom I respect, said “…we want free health care…” among other things in her recent speech.  Is anything really free?  How many Americans (including politicians) have read the health care bill?  Have you taken the time to see what provisions are in it regarding children and the power that will be given to the schools and states regarding your children and your children’s children?

I will admit that I have not read the entire health care bill either.  I have heard, however, that big pharma and insurance companies are on board with it.  If that is true, it will probably benefit corporate profits more than those who are meant to be served by “free” health care.

Do not misunderstand me about corporations.  I previously worked in corporate America and enjoyed it and the salary for quite some time until I decided to leave.  Anyone who owns stock or mutual funds has their foot in the corporate profit waters.  Again, I urge everyone to see the big picture.  We are all Americans in this together regardless of the divisive percentage categories (99% and 1%).  As many in this country have experienced, one can be thrust by circumstances into a different percentage category at any time – in either direction.

My focus has been and continues to be the current and future children of this country.  If you have read any of my other articles, you know that I feel many children are being set up to fail.  The American diet coupled with the current public school model based on the No Child Left Behind Act has resulted in epidemic numbers of ADHD diagnoses.

It is my opinion that the Occupy Movement must include the wellbeing of the children also.  They are the future of this country.  The rights of the children and every American are at risk at this pivotal time in history.  I urge us all to read the health care bill before we blindly trust and back it.  Read it and decide for yourself.  Elected officials are here to serve the majority who put them in office and pay their salaries and benefits.  Even appointed Supreme Court Justices are here to uphold our constitutional rights.

Civil and constitutional rights for everyone including all children are the true issues being masked by many smoke screens.  Banking fees are small potatoes compared to what is really at stake now for every American.

Still on topic, I am very grateful and honor all of our veterans.  They and their families are called on to make more sacrifices; endure more trauma and hardship and take more risks than any non-veteran can ever imagine.  They are also forced to receive many toxic injections to ward off diseases that may occur in the countries to which they are sent.

Do you know how much money is spent on war every week by this country?  Did you know that military spending was the only item not on the chopping block for review during the budget balancing sessions in congress?  Why not bring our soldiers home and spend at least some of that money creating alternative sources of fuel?  That would create many new jobs.  Yes, it would take money away from the oil corporations and other companies that create war supplies.  They would have the option like anyone else to become forward-thinking for the good of the planet.  Who is benefitting by having American soldiers at war now?

The main thing I want you to take away from this article is that this country was founded by people similar to those in the Occupy Movement who saw the big picture of what was important.  They looked at all the issues and decided that constitutional rights and a say in their government was essential to create the country and future they wanted.  They didn’t have corporations back then – they had a ruling monarchy. 

This is a very important time in history.  The children and future generations depend on smart and heart-felt choices from everyone – at all levels.  Think and act with heart.  Remember to thank God for all the grace and blessings you receive every day.  Even if it’s a tough day, find something about which to be grateful.  Make it a habit to go around the dinner table and have everyone say at least one thing for which they are grateful every day.  Envision positive and peaceful change because change is the only constant in life.  Follow your own heart and do what you believe is right.

Lastly, I would like to share something filmmaker Michael Moore said on the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC recently prior to the recent crackdown of the Occupy Movement.  He urged the members of the Occupy Movement who were out there protesting to remain peaceful.  Mr. Moore also said that if there is anyone in the crowd trying to incite violence, they may be undercover homeland security staff.  Remain peaceful.

God bless America.  God bless the world. 

We are all one.

ADHD: A New Brain For A New World

Chapter One

 Has it been suggested to you that your child may have ADHD?  Has your child already been diagnosed with ADHD?  Are you looking for natural solutions because on some level you know drugs are only a band-aid and do not address the root causes of symptoms?  Do you work with ADHD children?  Whatever your reason for reading this book, buckle your seatbelt and get ready to unhook from the current mainstream ideas about ADHD and these trail-blazing children!

 It is now estimated that somewhere between 5-10% of children ages 6-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD.  According to statistics, an estimated 2.5 million or more children are on drugs to manage the symptoms attributed to ADHD.  Why are the numbers so high and constantly increasing?  Why do so many children have a brain that is different and labeled as ADHD?  Have you ever asked these questions?

 With 5-10% of the population of our youth diagnosed with an ADHD brain, it has reached critical mass or the tipping point.  In his book, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, Malcolm Gladwell states that a tipping point is “the level at which the momentum for change becomes unstoppable.”

 Since the time of the caveman, the human brain has gone through many stages of progression.  Man and nature are hard-wired to evolve.  It would be unwise to believe we have already reached the pinnacle of evolution in our current state.

 I have two important messages to share about ADHD.  In a nutshell,

1. The next evolution of human brain – essentially the human mind, is here and it is sometimes being labeled as ADHD.
2. An unhealthy epigenome is the cause of the symptoms of ADHD and in many if not most cases can be corrected naturally through proper diet and supplementation.

 According to Charles Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection, natural selection is nature’s way of preserving new traits in a species that at first may seem like genetic mutations.  While this is just a theory, I have come to truly believe that the ADHD brain is the next evolution of the human mind.  I believe that they are extra sensitive in many ways and utilize a larger percentage of their brain capacity.  That is why the numbers keep increasing around the world.  Sensitive children with the capability to utilize more of their mind and intuitive gifts are here to lead us into the new age we are entering.  This new brain – new mind, naturally has the traits and abilities required to help humans thrive in the world we have all created.  These children, often labeled as ADHD, are becoming the new normal.

 Just like everyone, these children hold within them a life purpose that is needed to help the evolution of the planet.  Whether it is in a small or large way, they are a gift and so is the contribution they are here to offer.

 In his book entitled The New Brain (Rodale Books, September, 2004), Richard Restak, M.D., a neurosurgeon and popular science writer about the brain, makes a case of a society creating a need for ADHD traits and that perhaps ADHD should no longer be considered a disorder.

 I have some questions for you:

• Do you multi-task to keep up with the newer faster pace of life?
• Do you have trouble holding your focus for extended periods of time? 
• Do you wish you had more energy to accomplish all the things you need to do in a modern day? 
• Do you avoid starting tasks that require a lot of thought or that you do not consider fun?
• Do you get bored easily?
• Do you ever get frustrated or angry when you feel like you can’t keep up or the demands of your day are just too much? 
• Have you ever wondered if you have ADHD?

 If you answered yes to any or all of the questions above, you are not alone.  Everyone without a diagnosis of ADHD has sensed the need for what this brain can do innately.   As a society, or perhaps world-wide, we have created the need for traits and habits that are helping us keep up with the modern way of life we have created.

 Multi-tasking has been adopted as a way of coping to try to keep up with all that is going on around us and in our busy lives.  By multi-tasking, an entire population is trying to adapt and do what the ADHD brain does naturally.  However, medical studies now tell us that multi-tasking creates damage in the human brain.

 We live in a time when everything is moving very quickly.  Information is multiplying at a rate of approximately 66% per year as of studies done a few years ago.  Some estimates state that by 2013 information on the Internet will double approximately every 72 hours.  Change is the only constant.

 Have you ever watched a news program with multiple screen shots projected at once?  Which one should your mind focus upon?  You have probably viewed at some point a television program with stock market quotes moving along the bottom of the screen like a conveyor belt.  Even if you try to focus on the person speaking, your eyes and mind wander to the bottom of the page from time to time.

 Are you doing the work of more than one person?  Are you a wife, mother, entrepreneur, housekeeper, etc.?  Are you a husband, father, business professional and honey-do-man?  How many hats can one person wear successfully and still enjoy a harmonious lifestyle?

 We are also a society hooked on the “quick fix”, no doubt birthed out of the same need to keep up with the ever-increasing speed of life and not loose any ground.  As a population we want food, banking and dry cleaning in the drive-through lane and a pill to make everything better immediately.  Depending on the person, the “pill” does not have to be a drug.  It can be food, exercise or even addictive or non-health enhancing behaviors that get you through the day.  There are a plethora of coping mechanisms available for modern-day stress relief.

 Medical research now states that stress is the number one cause of disease.  The unfortunate catch 22 we have created for ourselves in this society is that the majority of stress relievers to which we turn are often also killers – or at least not life enhancing solutions.  So I ask you, if something you put in your body does not enhance your life and vitality, do you ever stop and wonder what it is actually doing to the only body you have in this lifetime?

 Children learn by example.  The “do what I say and not what I do” model doesn’t work and it never did.  The way parents (or other childhood mentors) handle life and day-to-day issues are the way children learn to view and deal with life as well.  It is very common that a child either follows the mold set by one parent or does the exact opposite.  If you look back on your childhood, you have probably done the same thing. 

 We all look at life through our own unique way of thinking and believing.  We are so entrenched in our individual worldview that we think it is just how things are in life.  It is a case of not seeing the forest because you are in the thick of the trees.

 The forest I’m speaking about is our current way of treating sensitive children with symptoms identified as ADHD.  It starts with public schools requiring every child to fit into a mold and excel under the model created by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).  Fitting the mold means getting good test scores which determines the amount of funding the school receives which then determines teacher performance reviews. 

 If a child is disruptive in school or isn’t getting good grades, parents are essentially given an ultimatum to address their child’s behavior and/or grades so the system keeps running.  There may have been a time when it was normal for teachers to have the extra time to spend with students.  However, all the budget cuts and reduced staffing has taken a toll on everyone.  With over 2.5 million children on drugs prescribed by doctors to control the symptoms of ADHD, many feel this is the right and normal thing to do.  I also know that the decision to drug a child is typically something over which most parents deeply struggle.

 There is currently a big referral network that exists between the No Child Left Behind Act, schools, doctors, drug companies, food manufacturers and perhaps even the Food and Drug Administration.  This model is not healthy nor does it serve these sensitive children.  I believe that when everyone is educated with the bigger picture and healthier solutions, smarter choices will be made and changes in the system will occur.  If you’ve ever seen the cartoon The Jetsons, you may remember George Jetson walking the dog on a treadmill that has gone wild and yelling to his wife: “Jane, stop this crazy thing!”

 That is the point I know we have reached in the current treatment model.  It is now time for the tide to turn in favor of these wonderful children.  ADHD is not a disorder.  It is just a case of improper diet, toxicity, a need for focus training and perhaps some emotional healing.  Everyone has been doing the best they know how to do under the current systems.  When we all know more, we can do things differently and choose healthier solutions.  I believe it is essential that ADHD symptoms be treated naturally whenever possible to stabilize the brain healthfully and provide the best possible life for the children.  There are proven solutions that have worked for over 40 years.  I will share them with you in subsequent chapters.

 Dr. Daniel Amen has written many books, one about ADHD in particular.  He uses SPEC scans to diagnose ADHD.  In his book entitled, Healing ADD: The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6 Types of ADD, Dr. Amen recommends natural solutions as the first choice.  Protocols suggested include proper diet, exercise, appropriate supplementation and coaching.

 I am not convinced there are only six types of ADHD.  I feel that each child is unique and so are the causes of their symptoms.  While the six standard protocols recommended by Dr. Amen may work for the majority, those that do not respond positively and are guided toward medication obviously do not fit those pre-defined molds.

 EEG scans are also used as a diagnostic tool by some health care providers for ADHD.  EEG is also recommended as a biofeedback treatment for ADHD by some professionals.  Electroencephalography (EEG) test results report certain facets of brain electrical function and processing, such as how electrically active various brain regions are and how responsive they may be to stimuli or during cognitive tasks.

 My intention and wish for you by writing this book is to bring you out of the forest of current thinking and into the clear meadow so you can look at things with a broader perspective.  In the end you will make the choice that you feel is best for your child and your family.  However, I am convinced that after you know how to help your child naturally, that will be the only choice that will make sense for your child’s life and wellbeing.

 Make no mistake about it.  Society has demanded and the process of natural selection has responded with a new “physical advantage” that is obviously meant to equip us for success in the future.  The ADHD brain is here to stay.  Let’s treat it right!

 Note:  I use the words brain and mind interchangeably in this book.  Since the brain can be photographed and an ADHD brain looks “abnormal” before natural healing and “normal” afterward, it would not appear that anything is different between an ADHD brain once healed of symptoms and a non-ADHD brain.  However, the abilities of sensitive individuals labeled with ADHD are different than non-sensitive/ADHD people.  I will explain more about this in a subsequent chapter.

Epigenetics

 From a scientific perspective, the cause of ADHD has been investigated without a definitive answer.  Many theories abound from genetics and heredity, epigenetics, head trauma or toxic exposure.  While the ADHD mind is the new “brain” that can handle the speed of life as we have now come to know it, the symptoms attributed to ADHD, I believe, are caused by the human epigenome. 

 Scientists in the field of epigenetics have found that we are what we eat and so are our children and their children.  Epigenetics is the study of the epigenome.  Epigenetics focuses on heritable changes that occur but do not alter DNA or the genome.  DNA is the main component of chromosomes and is the material that transfers genetic characteristics.  The genome is a full set of chromosomes; all the inheritable traits.  Said differently, epigenetics is the study of that which can be inherited but does not come from DNA or the genome.  Meaning something other than genetics is the cause.

 Epigenetics literally translates to “above the genome”.  Above the genome is a layer of chemicals (histones and methyl groups) that attach to the genome and change the way it expresses in the body.  The epigenome tells the genome what kind of cells to be – essentially when to work, how to work and how much work to do.

 Everyone has an epigenome and it tells cells how to operate.  An issue arises when the chemicals in the epigenome restrict or change the healthy function of cells in the genome.  A “problematic” epigenome can be inherited; created during critical life changes such as puberty, pregnancy; life traumas; or develop through one’s lifestyle (toxic foods, toxic exposure, etc.), and prolonged unhealthy emotions such as anxiety.  The good news is that the epigenome can be changed naturally!

 Think of the genome as the hardware of your human computer.  The epigenome attaches to your genome and acts as software telling your cells what to do.  The epigenome can tell a cell to be healthy or become abnormal and trigger reactions to certain foods, substances or create disease.

 Scientists in the field of epigenetics have proven that food has successfully altered the epigenome in obese mice and their offspring. DukeUniversity’s Randy Jirtle summed up this study for NOVA by saying that “we’ve got to get people thinking more about what they do.  They have a responsibility for their epigenome.  Their genome they inherit.  Their epigenome, they potentially can alter, and particularly that of their children.  That brings in responsibility, but it also brings in hope.  You’re not necessarily stuck with this.  You can alter this.”

 Epigenetics is still a relatively new field.  Drug companies are already working to create drugs to alter the epigenome for many diseases.  What side effects they may produce, only time will tell.  In addition, this still leaves the contributing factors of managing emotions and one’s way of dealing with life issues.  For ADHD, my money is on integrated natural solutions for children since they have worked for over 40 years and the science of epigenetics has proven that the epigenome can be healed with proper nutrients.

Challenge or Opportunity?  – You get to decide!

 Did you know that Albert Einstein had ADHD and Aspergers?  He didn’t speak until around the age of six.  One of Albert’s elementary school teachers told his father that “It doesn’t matter what he does because he will never amount to anything.”  Do multiple diagnoses and low expectations from those who do not understand sound familiar?  The good news is that we all know the story and contributions of Albert Einstein.  Every sensitive child diagnosed with ADHD can reach their optimum potential if we choose to view this as an opportunity to heal an unhealthy epigenome naturally rather than as a disorder.

 While sensitive children with the ADHD brain are ushering in the new, they have arrived at a seemingly precarious time on Earth.  Our food supplies are no longer pure and usually filled with additives and poisonous chemicals and preservatives.  Corn in some form is fed to livestock and placed in the majority of all processed foods.  Corn metabolizes as sugar.  This is great for the weight loss industry, but it is creating an epidemic of diabetes for which drugs are often required.

 The soil is depleted of nutrients required to keep the human body healthy and vital, and it is also sprayed with pesticides.  Big business meat producers feed hormones and other chemicals to livestock to produce larger animals in a shorter amount of time.  This enables them to go to market quicker.  All of this is called “food” which you and your children ingest daily.

 Since I am a huge animal lover, I must briefly mention here the heartbreakingly inhumane way animals are raised by big and centralized meat producers.  It has become very easy for society to turn a blind eye to many things as long as our individual piece of the pie and our comfort zones remain undisturbed.  I believe the term “don’t ask, don’t tell” was coined to describe the way animals are treated in these environments.

 Supplements have become a common and very necessary staple.  Fast and processed foods are the most affordable and widely used but often metabolize quickly, typically have a high glycemic count and little to no nutritional value filled with toxins and preservatives of some sort.  Sugar which is so commonly added in some form to so many foods and beverages is a favorite of almost everyone.  Studies have even shown that artificial sweeteners can have harmful effects on body and brain health.  Now vaccines given to children and teens have created adverse reactions in many cases.

 In the name of progress and convenience, we as a society have demanded, and big business has responded with quicker easier ways to live life in the fast lane.  You are a member of the most powerful lobby group in the world – the American consumer!  If you, I and each of us spend our money on that which is life enhancing, companies will have no alternative but to meet the demands of the buying public.  You’ve got the POWER!

 ADHD children are very sensitive individuals if you haven’t already noticed.  I believe they are hard-wired, because of their brain, to excel at their purpose – that which they came here to accomplish.  It certainly worked out that way for Albert Einstein and many other notable individuals.

 If you talk with parents of ADHD children who are now grown and in their twenties, you will hear many stories of their children excelling in some particular area.  All ADHD children, like each of us, have at least one area in which their talents shine.

 There are also, unfortunately, many darker stories and statistics of ADHD children who became addicted to harder drugs and had rougher lives.  Many of these children have ended up in the foster care system as their parents are unable to cope or handle the challenges.  According to ADHD news, 70% of individuals in theU.S.prison system have ADHD.

 If you are reading this book to decide whether or not drugs are the answer for your child with a diagnosis of ADHD, this is where you get to decide if this is a challenge or an opportunity.  You are on the cutting edge of helping to choose the direction of history, one child at a time.

 You might be thinking: “Wait a minute.  I just want something to help my child have a normal, happy and successful life.  I’m too busy and not interested in taking on a cause or becoming part of history in the making.”

 Well, I understand your point.  Stepping up to write this book and share this information was not initially what I had planned for my life either.  However, it is a large part of my life purpose and I am passionate about helping these kids and the animals we consume.  I’m not asking you to go to rallies for ADHD wellness with me.  I am asking you to make informed and healthy choices for your child and your family as best you are able.  It is easy to do with a few minor changes.  I will lay it all out like a roadmap in this book and make it as easy as possible.  I want you to succeed, and I want your child to be happy, healthy and successful too!  I am on your team!

 Imagine what the mainstream thought in 1492 of Christopher Columbus setting sail for new lands on a flat Earth.

 Put yourself in the mindset of people during the time of Nicholas Copernicus circa 1543 when he told everyone the Earth revolved around the sun and not the other way around.

 Ken Olson, President of Digital Equipment Corporation said in 1977 that “There is no need for any individual to have a computer in their home.”

 What may seem like radically new ideas to a current population could very well be that which leads them boldly and successfully into a brighter future filled with tremendous new opportunities – and new careers not yet imagined!

 What would have happened ifColumbushad not discoveredAmerica?  Would someone else have discovered it eventually?  How would things have been different if it happened later than 1492?  What opportunities would have been lost?

 What would have happened for Digital Equipment Corporation and its employees had Ken Olson jumped on the vision and opportunity to create personal computers?

 Is this a time of challenge or opportunity?  Perhaps both, but ultimately you must choose.  I can tell you from personal experience that choosing a positive attitude makes life so much easier and joyful.

 Since the enhanced abilities of the children coming in point to the next evolution of the species and certain foods, chemicals and toxins are typically the cause of symptoms, how will you choose to treat your child?  Will you take the seemingly “quick fix” road of drugs; the road of all natural alternatives and organic food when possible; or some middle path that combines the two as best you can for your family unit?  One thing is certain – it is in the highest interest of your child and future generations – your grandchildren, to carefully weigh the options before you decide.

The Good News

 So many parents of children with ADHD beat themselves up and wonder what if anything went “wrong” to create this condition.  Good news!  You are a trailblazer ushering in a sensitive child with the brain of the future!  Your Soul chose your journey.  You are strong enough to have contracted to parent a cutting-edge history-making new-brain child with a potential such as Albert Einstein.  How cool is that?

 Your child, all ADHD children, have come in at a time they knew at a Soul level would be interesting and transitional.  They have a strong Soul just like you do.  You make a good team!

If you are interested in reading more of this groundbreaking new book filled with cutting-edge information, please send me an e-mail at Cheryl@thegiftofyou.com

 It is currently available as an e-book for $9.95.  Below is the Table of Contents.

 ADHD:  A New Mind for a New World

 Contents

 

Gratitude

 Dedication

 Your Invitation:  A Walk with Destiny!

 Introduction

 Section 1   Understanding the Big Picture

1       A New Brain for a New Age

2       The Spiritual Component

3       The Current Mindset and Treatment Model

4       It is NOT All About Grades!

5       Every Child is Unique – The Myth of Fitting In

6       A Chapter About Healing

 Section 2   YOU HAVE CHOICES Every Step of the Way!

1       Viewpoint

2       Know your rights before you seek help.

3       It’s been suggested my child might have ADHD.

4       I don’t have time or money to deal with a natural solution.

5       My child is on meds for ADHD and now depression has set in.  What do I do?

6       My child is on meds, but I want to transition to a natural solution.  What do I do?

 Section 3   ADHD Wellness Program

1       Introduction

2       Allergies

3       Leaky Gut

4       Food – It’s Either Medicine or Poison

5       Supplementation is essential!

6       Get the toxins out!

7       Exercise – Your New Best Friend!

8       Tools for Focus, Relaxation and Empowerment

9       Environment and Possibility

10     We Are What We Believe

11     Self-Esteem

12     Coaching: The Fast Track to Success

13     Summary Checklist

Section 4   School Success Strategies

1       Why Learning Style Matters

2       Creating Win-Win Environments

3       Homework Habits Revisited

 Section 5   Vision for the Future

1       A New School Model

2       The Movement

 A Blessing

 About the Author

 References and Resources

___End of Contents___ 

Contact Information:

Cheryl Healey

Cheryl@thegiftofyou.com

www.thegiftofyou.com

www.facebook.com/adhdchildren

Life purpose is a rather interesting concept to explore.  Some people don’t believe in it; others think we all have a multitude of purposes; while others believe it is our Soul reason for being here.

I feel that we are born knowing our purpose.  It is all too common that our purpose is coaxed out of us by those who feel it doesn’t seem realistic, won’t provide a good living or follow in the family footsteps.  I also believe that our purpose evolves and matures as we do.  Our life experiences prepare us to move into more and more of who we really are meant to become in this lifetime.  We ultimately are meant to share our knowledge with those who may benefit and choose to listen.

It is also important to note that life purpose may not equate to a job or a way to earn a living.

Then there is that thing called a mid-life crisis which is just another way for our higher self to say “get on with what you came here to be and do!”

We must be and do that which makes our Soul and heart ignite with joy and desire.  Your Soul wants you to be happy!  When we fight or fear moving forward with what our Soul wants, life has a tendency to beat us up a bit.  We sometimes turn to addictions to drown the call or even fall into depression.

So what is the remedy, especially for light workers who hesitate to step into their purpose in this lifetime?  I wish I knew!  My Soul has been kicking me to raise awareness about natural solutions to help children with the new ADHD brain.  It comes easily to me when I allow myself to do it.  Friends of mine have told me they have never seen me speak with such passion as when I am speaking on this topic.  Why then would I or anyone who knows what they are here to do hesitate to jump in with both feet?

I will share why part of my mission has created hesitation for me.  Perhaps this may help you further define your reasons and move through them.

• Raising awareness that the ADHD brain is the next evolution of the human brain is a new concept for the current mainstream thinking.  What will people think?
• How can I make money doing this?
• Children with ADHD are very sensitive to food and their environment which can be big issues to address and change.
• I am up against our current fast-paced quick-fix mindset as a society where convenience rules.  Drugs are more convenient than changing one’s lifestyle.
• Under the current public school system model, children’s test scores determine funding and run the whole system under the misguided No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).  An auditory teaching style predominates, and every child is not an auditory learner.  This environment typically initiates the need to control ADHD symptoms.
• Parents are under pressure to have their child fit in and get good grades so the NCLB system can run smoothly.
• Not to mention the old standard that children are expected to get good grades and head toward college to create a good life.
• The currently accepted and easiest treatment option for a diagnosis of ADHD is a prescription pill.  It is not always the cheapest option, however.

So what keeps me going?

• It is part of my purpose.
• I identify with these kids.  Most are very sensitive and intuitive just as I am.  They are very in-tune with their environment and have food sensitivities.
• Natural solutions are available and have worked for over 40 years.
• An unhealthy epigenome caused by what we eat is the cause of ADHD symptoms.  (See my previous ADHDChildren blog post for more information.)
• Child-specific diet, exercise and coaching or counseling (when needed) are the solutions.  Insurance pays for counseling, but not coaching.
• The children are worth it and so is the world they will create as they grow up and contribute their individual talents, gifts and life purpose.
• Albert Einstein had ADHD and Asperger’s and look at what he accomplished!

In his book entitled The New Brain (Rodale Books, September, 2004), Richard Restak, M.D., a neurosurgeon and popular science writer about the brain, makes a case of a society creating a need for ADHD traits and that perhaps ADHD should no longer be considered a disorder.   If Dr. Restak, countless others and I know that ADHD is becoming the new normal and can be treated naturally, it is probably a very safe bet that drug companies and food manufacturers know it too.

I wrote a letter to a major ADHD drug company a while back asking for sponsorship to raise awareness for natural solutions.  I suggested that the good will they would receive would show up in sales of their other product lines and counter the loss of ADHD drug sales.  They were not interested.

A friend of mine went to a conference recently.  In the room next door was a different conference for the sales staff of a drug company.  She said they were wearing big buttons that read “The Whole World on _____”.  The blank being their latest and greatest drug.

I am all for drugs for certain health issues and life threatening conditions.  Drugs and modern science saved my Dad’s life and are keeping him alive.  I heard the President of a natural products company state in a presentation that if he was being rushed to the hospital with a heart attack, he would not want them to hand him an aloe leaf to suck on.  There is a time and place for drugs AND natural solutions.  I believe natural solutions should be the first choice for children with a diagnosis of ADHD.  Otherwise, if we keep heading in our current direction, the whole world will be on ADHD drugs in the future – one child at a time starting at the age of six.  Check out www.feingold.org

There is room for all solutions.  That’s what makes this time on the planet so wonderful.  The problem I see is that big business has a heavy if not controlling hand and influence with media, government and who knows what else.  Everything, including the new food safety bill, is spun to delude the public into thinking our best interests are being served.  In reality, it’s just another band-aid which also makes it more difficult for the small and independent farmers and food processors to survive.

CNN recently aired a segment interviewing an expert who stated that we currently have an epidemic of ignorance in this country.  We are being fed what the powers that be want us to think and the American public blindly takes it in.

So…back to life purpose.  In a “what’s in it for me” country riddled with many struggles ranging from a down-turn economy to an emerging energy crisis or possibly yet another war, who really cares that ADHD children are ushering in the next evolution of the human brain?  Who really cares that healthy food (as proven by the science of Epigenetics) is the solution for a healthy mind and body?

Who really cares?  I do!

Think about what will happen if the tide continues to flow in its current direction.  Under the NCLB Act which typically puts stress on both children and teachers rather than nurture them, children are put on drugs at the age of approximately six or whenever “symptoms” become a problem.  They may or may not stay on the drug for the rest of their life.  All drugs have side effects.  ADHD drugs are speed which usually triggers an addictive response in the brain.  ADHD drugs are easily shared and abused.  This means that children are being groomed to be addicts and depend on drugs for the primary purpose of controlling focus to achieve better grades.  This is not a good recipe for health or self-esteem – do you agree?

The mindset around drugs is that there is something “wrong” with you if you need a drug to “fix” it.

A Mom I know was determined not to put her child on ADHD drugs once she heard the diagnosis.  She even cried when she thought of the idea.  Being a single Mom and under pressure from the school, she eventually decided to numb that calling inside of her and opted to use drugs.  Her child started to display moodiness and neediness when the drugs wore off in the evening, but grades did improve.

I am not here to judge anyone’s choices.  I don’t know what I would have done in her shoes.  Life can be quite challenging in these times in which we live.  I am here, however, to raise awareness so parents can make informed decisions for their children. 

I also intend that somehow and some way big business starts to recognize animals and people cannot survive on some form of corn just because it is easy and inexpensive to grow.  This is great for the weight loss industry but not for any other living breathing being.  I also intend that over time animals are raised in humane ways by big business.  There are some things more important than the bottom line, and I say this as a Capricorn who used to work in the wealth management sector of corporate America!

Life Purpose….hmm….  They say that God never gives us anything we can’t handle.  I do know that life is a whole lot easier and more graceful when we follow our guidance.  So that is what I will do – follow my guidance to that which ignites my heart and Spirit.  One day at a time. 

Blessings for your increased awareness and well-being!

Get ready for many pieces of the puzzle to be connected in the information below:

 1.  The ADHD brain is the next evolution of the human brain.

Did you know that an estimated 5-10% of children ages 6-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD?  According to statistics, 2.5 million or more children in the United States alone are on drugs to manage their symptoms.  ADHD is also on the rise all around the world.  Why are the numbers so high and constantly increasing?  Why do so many children have a brain that is different and labeled as ADHD?  Have you ever asked these questions?

With 5-10% of the youth population of the U.S. diagnosed with an ADHD brain, not including adults with ADHD, it has reached critical mass or the tipping point.  In his book, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, Malcolm Gladwell states that a tipping point is “the level at which the momentum for change becomes unstoppable.”

It is said we currently live in the Information Age and some say we are moving into the Attention Age.  Multi-tasking has been adopted as a way of coping to try to keep up with all that is going on around us and in our busy lives.  By multi-tasking, an entire population is trying to adapt and do what the ADHD brain does naturally.  However, medical studies now tell us that multi-tasking creates damage in the human brain. 

Since the time of the caveman, the human brain has gone through many stages of progression.  It would be unwise to believe we have already reached the pinnacle of evolution in our current state.

Did you know that Albert Einstein had ADHD and Aspergers?  He didn’t speak until around the age of six.  One of Albert’s elementary school teachers told his father that “It doesn’t matter what he does because he will never amount to anything.”  Do multiple diagnoses and low expectations from those who do not understand sound familiar?  The good news is that we all know the story and contributions of Albert Einstein.  Every child with ADHD has great potential if we choose to view this as an opportunity rather than a disorder.

Natural solutions from food and nutritional sources have been used to successfully manage the symptoms of ADHD for over 30 years.

 2.    Epigenetics explains the cause of ADHD symptoms.

From a scientific perspective, the cause of ADHD has been investigated without a definitive answer.  Many theories abound from genetics and heredity, epigenetics, head trauma or toxic exposure.  While the ADHD brain is the new brain that can handle the speed of life as we have now come to know it, the symptoms attributed to ADHD, I believe, are caused by the human epigenome. 

 3.    Scientists in the field of epigenetics have found that we are what we eat and so are our children and their children.

Epigenetics is the study of the epigenome.  Epigenetics focuses on heritable changes that occur but do not alter DNA or the genome.  DNA is the main component of chromosomes and is the material that transfers genetic characteristics.  The genome is a full set of chromosomes; all the inheritable traits.  Said differently, epigenetics is the study of that which can be inherited but does not come from DNA or the genome.

Epigenetics literally translates to “above the genome”.  Above the genome is a layer of chemicals (histones and methyl groups) that attach to the genome and change the way it expresses in the body.  The epigenome tells the genome what kind of cells to be – essentially when to work, how to work and how much work to do.

Everyone has an epigenome and it tells cells how to operate.  An issue arises when the chemicals in the epigenome restrict or change the healthy function of cells or the genome.  A “problematic” epigenome can be inherited; created during critical life changes such as puberty, pregnancy or trauma; or develop through one’s lifestyle (toxic foods, toxic exposure, etc.).  The good news is that the epigenome can be changed naturally!

Think of the genome as the hardware of your human computer.  The epigenome attaches to your genome and acts as software telling your cells what to do.  The epigenome can tell a cell to be healthy or become abnormal and trigger reactions to certain foods, substances or create disease.

Scientists in the field of epigenetics have proven that food has successfully altered the epigenome in obese mice and their offspring.  Duke University’s Randy Jirtle summed up this study for NOVA by saying that “we’ve got to get people thinking more about what they do.  They have a responsibility for their epigenome.  Their genome they inherit.  Their epigenome, they potentially can alter, and particularly that of their children.  That brings in responsibility, but it also brings in hope.  You’re not necessarily stuck with this.  You can alter this.”

 4.    The way children are educated makes a big difference.

Since the inception of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001, many changes have been made to the public school systems.

• The System runs on test scores to “ensure” no child falls behind the set standards.
• School funding and teacher’s salaries depend on test scores.
• An integrated way of teaching where multiple learning styles and right and left brain activities are offered is no longer the norm.
• Budget cuts have left little time for teachers to go the extra mile.  Parents and other volunteers have become essential if a school is to provide adequate services to cover the needs of the children.
• Homework is often a heavy and taxing load.

In his book Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell mentions that studies have proven that certain learning models can be detrimental to child development.

In her book Doing School: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed-Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students, Denise Clark Pope poses a similar argument.

Regarding ADHD, we have a referral model in place.  If a child cannot keep up or is disruptive (which can also jeopardize overall test scores and funding), parents are informed.  If ADHD seems likely, the parents go to a doctor.  If a diagnosis of ADHD or multiple diagnoses are found, which is quite typical, drugs are often recommended to manage the symptoms and allow the child to do well in school.

Most parents are blind-sided by this and are not aware that the symptoms are often caused by allergies and food.  Natural solutions for ADHD symptom relief have worked for over 30 years.

 5.    An integrated model for the future

My dream is a world where children are given drugs when necessary and as a last resort rather than the first line of defense, and that parents are educated about their options.  We live in a world of chemicals and genetically modified foods and animals.  Is it any wonder that we have a population with degenerative aging diseases and sensitive children with epidemic proportion maladies?

We need to wake up and realize we only have one body in this lifetime.  We need to treat it right as well as the food and animals we put into our bodies.

The choice is yours.

(References on Epigenetics: NOVA/PBS http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3411/02.html and http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014130702.htm

Do you feel that the day-to-day things that come your way are too much to handle?  Do you feel overwhelmed that what your child used to tolerate now causes trauma in some way?  Those of you who already belong to on-line or in-person groups to share information and support already know you’re not alone.

My purpose in writing this article is to touch your heart with hope and faith.  I want to give you something you can take in now and remember in the tough times.  Something that helps you focus your heart on the vision for your life and your child/ren when life brings challenges.

We are all living in a time that history books will speak of as a changing age.  Past generations experienced challenges of shifting times and had to adapt and find the best solutions possible just as we do today.  They had financial, health, societal and world challenges too.  When it hits home though, it can feel like our world is being shaken up.

If you are a parent of a “spectrum” child which ranges from ADHD to schizophrenia, you are a pioneer and a trail blazer whether you realize it or not.  The age we’re moving into is one in which we must utilize our whole selves – body, mind and spirit.  Your sensitive children have come in ready for this way of living.

It’s true that every child is different and one solution does not work for all.  However, solutions are available and we’re all here to help the children live their best lives possible.  Remember that God never gives us anything we can’t handle and miracles and blessings happen every day!  We just have to expect them and be grateful.

So here are some things I’d like to offer to you as practices to nurture yourself as much as possible and put you in a receptive place to receive miracles and blessings.  You know on airplanes they tell you to put the oxygen mask on yourself first for a very good reason.

• What kind of life do you want for yourself and your family?  Get very specific about this in all areas of life.  Write it down and read it often.  If you like, call it the vision for your life and create a vision board if you’re into art.  Or you can make it a family project.  You’ll be surprised how inspired ideas and solutions will come your way.
• Gratitude is the language of the Universe.  Meaning, if we want something good, be grateful for what we have and we will get more for which to be grateful.  I know how difficult this one may seem at times.  However, Norman Cousins cured himself of cancer by watching funny movies and staying in that high happy state.  Make a gratitude list every day and teach this to your children also.  If you think you don’t have the time to write it down, run it in your head when you’re in the shower or as you’re getting ready for bed at night.  Gratitude is essential to your wellbeing!
• Starting your day with a quieting practice such as meditation, breathing or whatever soothes your Soul is the best gift you will ever give yourself – even if it’s only for 10 minutes.  It’s worth getting up early to do as it will connect your body, mind and spirit and set the tone for a peaceful day.  This really works!
• Dance – even if it’s only around the house.
• Exercise releases feel good chemicals in your body.  Even if you only do jumping jacks while you’re waiting for water to boil on the stove, do it!  It will give you a whole new outlook and break the trance of stress.

I think I’ve given you enough things to try for now.  Please leave comments after trying these tips or feedback for others if you already do them.  Remember, we’re all in this together!

Also, if you have a mate and you’re on Twitter, watch for my good night tweets and keep the romance alive!

Enjoy Infinite Blessings,

Cheryl