Clinical Research Study

I am thrilled to release that our 11 year old has been accepted into the preliminary part of a clinical research study at Children's National Hospital, in Washington D.C. The primary focus of this study is to test a medicine currently undergoing FDA trial for approval. Similar to Namenda, a medicine already on the market for Autism, this drug is also used for Alzheimer's and is suspected to increase the cognitive connections.

DAY 1

We were introduced to a team of doctors working on this trial together in the psychiatry ward at Children's including a child psychiatrist and psychologist. Each department preformed a vigorous set of tests each lasting nearly an hour.

The general testing was to understand the current state of his physical body; blood-work, EKG, weight, height, urine samples etc.

Secondary testing was a series of questions utilized as an observation of his IQ, preformed by a senior psychiatrist.

Final testing was simple observation of behavior under certain activities by another doctor.

Conclusively; many words could describe what it is like to undergo these procedures with a severely autistic child. Endearing is my choice for day 1 as we subjected him to many trying settings and everything he gave us was positive, with good intent and love. How proud we are to watch him grow and how equally blessed to experience the possibility of this growth along side him.

Namenda

Exactly one week ago our 13 year old Autistic girl started Namenda for the first time. I am pleased to report that her cognitive connection seems to show signs of improvement already! With increased sociability, profound remarks and extremely advanced communication!

She is not allowed to watch a certain show on Cartoon Network. There was a commercial that came on and she yelled "Hey Ally", and when I looked at her she was looking right at me and then she stuck her tongue out at me! Fully aware that she was teasing me because she knew she was not allowed to watch the show! Perfect eye contact!

We are very intrigued with this medication and are crossing our fingers for further improvement!

GAPS/Brain Food Chicken Nuggets

Heat oven to 350F
Spray cookie sheet with organic, cold pressed, olive oil

You will need:

2 Chicken breasts
1 cup almond flour
1 tbs Bosari Original * (can use less depending on desired salt level)
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp minced, dried onions
2 shakes of garlic powder, chili powder and paprika
2 eggs
1/2 tbs raw milk or raw milk kefir

In a bowl, mix all dry ingredients then dump onto a plate
In a separate bowl, mix eggs and raw milk

Cut chicken into 2x2 chunks
Dredge chicken in egg mixture, then place into dry mix, thoroughly coating all sides, place on cookie sheet

cook for 12 minutes, flip, then continue cooking for 12 more minutes.

*Bosari Original can be found at Whole Foods.
Note: ALL ingredients used are organic.

Son Rise Therapy; A New Beginning

After years of speech and behavior therapy Sara finally discovered Son Rise. In essence it is all about them and the world they live in, and becoming a part of their world. The goal is to dive into their world until their world doesn't exist as a "secret place" any longer. If we are doing what they do, eventually they will do what we do.

This is our first part dedicated to explaining and creating your understanding with Son Rise. Anyone can do this easily on their own at home without spending lots of money!

What you will need:

- A dedicated "playroom" with a door

- A small trampoline

- Two yoga/body balls

- Plenty of your kid’s favorite toys

To start: Lock the door and stay in for at least an hour; once they leave the room it is over!

The 4 Principles:

JOIN THEM

     Mimic whatever they are doing, as precise and as sincere as you can. This will develop a level of comfort between the two of you and you will eventually see the "green light".

CELEBRATE THEM

    Whenever they are doing something that should be acknowledged like eye contact or word use; congratulate, encourage and celebrate them! Be enthusiastic like "That is so awesome!" or "I love that you’re looking at me".

BUILDING

    As they are interacting in a sequence with you, continue and then add on it. For example, say your both tickling each other on the foot back and forth, add a tickle on the neck into the sequence, etc. 

REQUESTING

     You have to wait until you get the "green light” to ask a question. This principle is insanely hard to follow but will encourage a trust bond results if followed correctly.

What is a "green light" I am sure your asking, and the answer is easy; anything that shows contact or interaction with you such as eye contact, touching, language etc. Any green light behavior should be celebrated and built on. If they do not respond to your request after two tries go back to mimic mode until they give you another green light, always push for more wordage. If they said 2 words, try to make them say 3, 4 or more.

It is generally good to use a theme for every therapy session. Use themes that you think will motivate your child. If they love Toy Story, then dress up as a cowboy and act as if Woody came into the session. Buy toys that encourage effort thus producing "green light" behavior. A great resource for activities and themes is "Play and Grow", a book written by parents who came up with many different activities for their own children in therapy.

(http://www.amazon.com/Designed-Special-Develop-Fundamental-Social/dp/0615228143)

Another important thing to remember is that in the playroom there is no wrong behavior. Always keeping their safety in mind, you never want to say "no". In our playroom we let it go as far as writing on the walls, this is their world so let them rule it. If they are doing something dangerous, re-route them before using the words “no”. The rest of the world is constantly "shhh-ing" them and making odd faces at their behavior, Son Rise shows them they are just as awesome as other kids, building confidence, phasing out their silent world and merging them into the real world right along with us.

Sara's Favorite Salad Recipe

Simple, yummy and HEALTHY

2 cans of organic lentils
1 can of organic Garbanzo beans
Splash of apple cider vinegar
About 1/4 tsp Bosari Original (available at whole foods)
Drizzle with lemon avocado oil (available at whole foods)

store in refrigerator

Tip: Great as lettuce wraps!

GAPS Waffles

Heat your waffle iron

In a bowl mix:

6 Eggs
1/3 cup Half almond flour, half coconut flour
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tbs of sea salt
3 tbs raw honey (can use less if desired)
4 tbs ghee (melted)

Pour in waffle maker for desired time

Smother in raw honey or raw agave nectar (not strict GAPS) when done, enjoy!

World's Greatest Mom

After hearing this story I absolutely had to post about it. It broke my heart to think of how many parents go through these exact same feelings on a daily basis.

The other day Sara, the mother of our splendid monsters, was making herself a cup of tea in the kitchen. It was a rather large mug so I proceeded to comment on it. Sara, with an enthusiastic smile on her face, explained to me that she had purchased this mug for herself a couple years ago, on her birthday. She went on to describe how it was her birthday and her husband had not gotten her a birthday present. She saw this HUGE pink mug that read " World's Greatest Mom"...and she bought it for herself. What the heck right? Someone has to encourage her! Even if it is herself!

I fell in love with this story because if you only knew Sara! Working a full time job, and then committing every single penny towards helping her two autistic kids meet their full potential. Every moment of free time spent enjoying her children and creating a positive environment for them, researching the latest therapies, diets and supplements; breaking the bank account to staff a dynamic team that helps to enforce her strategic plan. How ironic that she would have to buy herself a mug to remind her that she is the "world's greatest mom".

I don't know about you, but I am nominating her for the mom of the century award!