Hi Out There.

I know it's been a while.

First, the good news.  I am under contract to publish my book.  Yes, the one I've been talking about all this time.

Second, my learning center, Spark Development, has found a new home.  Synergy Fitness at 190 Broadway, Garden City Park, NY.

Third, I've got a new website together.  www.sparkcenters.com

Finally, I'm doing some personal training now, as well.

Will post some cool stuff soon!

Obesity and ASD

A new study now guesstimates that 1 in 53 cases of ASD may be linked to obesity during pregnancy.

First thought on this -- isn't it entirely possible that obesity during pregnancy is indicative of an unhealthy lifestyle?  Isn't it also likely that an unhealthy lifestyle, in and of itself, could cause issues for a developing fetus?

Second thought -- doesn't obesity during pregnancy mean that mom is probably not eating right?  On this note, research indicates that prenatal nutrition and nutrition during the first few months of pregnancy has a direct impact on the occurrence of ASDs.  See Rebecca Schmidt, Robin Hansen, et al., “Prenatal Vitamins, One-carbon Metabolism Gene Variants, and Risk for Autism,” Epidemiology Vol.22:4 (July 2011)).  Moreover, this research showed that women who took prenatal vitamins three months prior to conceiving and during the first month of pregnancy had a statistically significant lower chance of having a child with ASD.

Third thought -- if obesity does contribute to the issue, then seeing a good nutritionist isn't just a luxury.


Nutrition DOES matter!  Tina can help . . .

I Know Who The Batman Is!

It's no secret.  Anyone who has seen my office or the pictures from our Spark Halloween parties knows I'm a big fan of Batman.  While obsessive (and probably a bit psychotic), I have always been amazed by the characters drive and resolve.  He has overcome a tragic incident, turning the inevitable hurt, feelings of helplessness, and (unjustified) guilt caused by that incident into a crusade.  With no "superpowers," he has pushed himself to learn, train and practice the skills he needs to fight his battles -- to insure that what happened to him would not happen to anyone else, to do what the "established authorities" could not.  And, he undertook this extreme dedication, in the shadows,  -- away from the spotlight, although he truly has no need to do so.

But, it wasn't until the other day that I discovered his true identity.  No, it's not Bruce Wayne.  The real Batman is . . .
my wife, Tina.

How did I come upon this revelation?  As we often do, Tina and I were discussing the progress of the kids at Spark, and lamenting about the poor state of understanding that exists with respect to the causes and treatments of ASDs,  and how lucky we were to figure out how to help Robert.  That, of course, turned into thoughts about how wrongly we were led by those originally treating Robert all those years ago, how Robert suffered because of it, and how Robert's problems were probably preventable in the first place.

At that point, Tina turned to me and said, "I still feel so guilty about what happened to him."

To which I replied, "How can you feel 'guilty'?  We had a limited knowledge base, and we did everything that all the doctors told us to do.  We did everything we were supposed to do for Robert.  Feel bad for what happened, even feel angry about what happened, but how can you feel guilty?"

"I just do," she said.

And then it hit me.  Tina is The Batman!

A life changing, tragic incident -- our first born, our son, diagnosed with ADHD, ODD and PDD.  Hurt, helplessness and unjustified guilt over the incident and all that befell Robert because of it.  An obsessive quest for knowledge -- never giving up hope that we could really help Robert -- all the searching, all the research, all the time and effort to find the approaches that would work.  Even going back to school for her Masters in Nutrition Counseling -- pregnant with our third child -- because she realized how important and potentially life changing such interventions could be for others.  Researching nearly everyday, and taking on the crusade for kids like Robert.  To do, what the "established authorities" cannot.

And she, too, works in the "shadows" -- or, as I like to call it, "Spark Development" -- even though Robert is completely fine now.

So, why does she do it?  Because, Tina is The Batman.

Yoga, Meditation and The Spark Program

Did you see Part II in Newsday on April 10th?  Yoga and meditation, surprise, surprise, are good for you!

Tina and I are big fans of both, and we try to take a yoga class whenever we can.  While I initially thought yoga was just about stretching, I have discovered it is far more.  It is about control -- control of your breath, control of your body, control of your mind.  Being focused, allowing your body to find the pose -- not forcing your body into a pose -- concentrating on your breath, finding a balance, being in the moment.

And, it's hard!  I work out a lot, and I run, and I think I'm in pretty good shape, but I'm looking at the clock after thirty minutes and wondering when my hour long class is going to end because I'm beat!

So, what's this have to do with the Spark Program?  Well, if you look at martial arts, yoga, meditation, etc., you discover common threads.  Common movements, common goals.  Look at OT, look at programs like Brain Gym, and you see what's been "borrowed" from each discipline.

And that's why we incorporate breathing, balance and movement exercises like those used in all of these disciplines directly into the Spark Development Program.  Of course, we adjust each exercise to the skill level of our students, but in the end, the results are the same.  And, that's why Spark Development works!

One in 88

The numbers just keep going up and up and up.

No sooner do we hear about a dramatic increase in the number of children diagnosed with ADHD, but the CDC now says that one (1) in eight-eight (88) children now have ASD.

We can continue to quibble about why there is such a staggering increase in these numbers, and exactly what is causing such disorders (of course, from past posts, you surely know where we stand on these issues), but what about turning our attention to how best to treat these disorders?

How about some research into the effectiveness of different therapies (other than just meds)?

How about some insurance coverage for such therapies?

We know for a fact, as do the parents we serve, that life for these children can be dramatically improved -- through, among other things, sensory work, cognitive work, behavior management, and diet and nutrition -- all healthy forms of interventions designed to work on skill deficits and biological issues associated with ASDs (including ADHD).

But, most of all, these kids and their families need acceptance.  We, as a society, undoubtedly have contributed to these problems.  Instead of trying to pin the blame on genetics or parental age or obesity (see next post), we seriously need to turn our attention to helping those affected.

A Passing

Thank you, Jan, for giving my children and me some of our very favorite stories.

"New" Research Indicates that Fish Oil May Be Beneficial To Mental Health

I'm sorry for sounding like a broken record, but, when i read an article like "Fish Oil's Mental Health Link,
" (Newsday 2/16/12 At A14), I have to wonder exactly how deeply buried in the sand are the heads of those in the "mainstream" science world.

"There is some preliminary data that suggests [fish oil] has success in treating a variety of psychiatric disorders, but we're just beginning to do a lot of the formal studies," states Dr. Barbara Cornblatt of the Feinstein Institute for the Medical Research.

Funny, the nutritionist that worked with Robert some fifteen (15) years ago knew all this.  And, what about the Lancet article that looked at the effect of essential fatty acids (fish oil) on cognitive development that was written in 1998?  Indeed, there are many article about the benefits of fish oil and mental health and abilities.

Indeed, if anyone is truly interested, I invite you to contact Tina Stevens, our nutrition consultant, at the center.

Spanking . . .

Oh, it's been a while!

Hi, everyone.  Sorry, it's been so long between blogs.  By way of explanation, I have been updating and editing my book about Robert.  It's finally finished.  I did submit it to an agent who said, and I quote, that the story was "remarkable and the material . . . compelling and very well done."  However, she passed on the project.  She felt that because I had neither a "platform" nor the ability to "publicize myself," she could not successfully place the book.

Sounds like a Catch-22 -- I can't be published unless I'm already famous or published. . . . 

So, right now, I'm cleaning the book up and getting it ready for self-publication.  It's got a tremendous amount of research in it, and I'd hate to see it go to waste.

Okay, so much for the update.

Did anyone catch the article entitled, "Spanking Linked to Mental Health?"  (Newsday, Feb. 7, 2012 at A38).  The Canadian Medical Association Journal concluded that "virtually without exception . . .  physical punishment was associated with higher levels of aggression against parents, siblings, peers and spouses."  The study also noted that anxiety, depression and drug and alcohol abuse also were linked to physical punishment.

I must admit, that when Robert was young, in desperation to control his behavior, he got spanked a couple of times.  Thankfully, we stopped this practice almost immediately.  Even though it was the way I was brought up (and I like to think I'm fairly well adjusted), and we were "doing it for his own good," there was just something so abhorrent about striking another person -- especially your own defenseless child -- that we couldn't do it.

So much for "spare the rod, spoil the child," huh?

Spark Halloween 2011

Another Smashing Halloween Party at Spark Development Centers!

Coffee and ADHD?

                        Did anyone catch Good Morning America today?  A mom, who suspects her son has ADHD (there’s been no formal diagnosis, but she stated that her son is very active and has trouble concentrating and finishing tasks. . . .) gives him two, four ounce cups of coffee, each day.  She says it calms him down and helps him to focus.

                        Well, according to GMA, this has the “Mommy Blogs buzzing” with many people questioning this mother’s actions.

                        Really??  You have got to be kidding me.  How can giving a child eight ounces of coffee a day (that’s just one cup) be controversial when giving a child a drug like Ritalin raises few, if any, concerns?

            Understand a couple of things.  First, Ritalin, and drugs like it such as Concerta and Adderall, are STIMULANTS designed to control impulsivity.  Thus, the caffeine in the coffee is most likely just acting in the same manner.  Indeed, the literature talks about many adults “self-medicating” with caffeine.

Second, and far more importantly, amphetamines like Ritalin, can have VERY serious side-effects.  Aside from the fact that Ritalin is in the same drug classification as cocaine (and, you can check this out), Ritalin, and drugs like it, have been associated with stroke, chromosome damage, and even death.  And, let’s not even mention the other psychotropic medications (including antidepressants) that often are prescribed for these kids.

New research points out the benefits of dietary changes and supplementation when it comes to treating disorders like ADHD.  Cut out the artificial sweeteners, the artificial colors, cut back on the sugar, and see what happens.  Look into supplementation, especially with essential fatty acids.  Talk to a nutritionist with experience in this field, and find out what a difference diet can make.  (Not the first time this was discussed:  http://sparkdevelopment.blogspot.com/2011/08/importance-of-nutrition.html).

Kudos to this mom for finding something far safer than heavily controlled, often abused, pharmaceutical concoctions to help her son.

The Importance Of Nutrition

In updating the research for my book about our experiences with our son Robert, I came across a study that highlighted the importance of examining diet when it comes to addressing disorders such as ADHD.  A far cry from the “diet has absolutely nothing to do with Robert’s problem” proclamation by those doctors who treated Robert some fifteen years ago, it now seems that “nutritional management” is a CRUCIAL component of any treatment plan.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is multidetermined and complex, requiring a multifaceted treatment approach.  Nutritional management is one aspect that has been relatively neglected to date.  Nutritional factors such as food additives, refined sugars, food sensitivities/allergies, and fatty acid deficiencies have all been linked to ADHD.  There is increasing evidence that many children with behavioral problems are sensitive to one or more food components that can negatively impact their behavior.  Individual response is an important factor for determining the proper approach in treating children with ADHD.  In general, diet modification plays a major role in the management of ADHD and should be considered as part of the treatment protocol.

 Schnoll R, Burshteyn D, Cea-Aravena J, “Nutrition in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a neglected but important aspect.” Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2003 Mar;28(1):63-75.

                        Indeed, dietary factors including, but not limited to, (i) breastfeeding practices; (ii) the intake of processed foods, artificial dyes and sweeteners; (iii) food sensitivities and allergies; and (iv) essential fatty acid deficiencies all have been linked to the symptoms associated with, and/or the treatment of, disorders like ADHD.

                        If you’d like to learn more (and there is plenty more to learn), I invite you to visit or website (www.sparkcenters.com), contact our exceptionally knowledgeable nutritionist, Tina Stevens, for an appointment, or read my book (when I get it published . . .).

Autsim and the Environment

Coming on the heels of the Cold Spring Harbor research that supposedly indicted “bad” genes as the cause of autism, are two new studies published in the July 4^th edition of the Archives of General Psychiatry that indicate environment plays the key role.  While a surprise to some scientists, it comes as no surprise to us.

In an article published in Newsday entitled “Environment May Be Especially Key to Autism: Study,” by Jenifer Goodwin, it is reported that:

[T]he . . .  environment -- and this could be in utero or in early life -- has to play a major role [in the incidence of autism].

 

According to [the researchers’] calculations, . . . genes account for 37 percent of the risk of "classic," or severe autism and 38 percent of the risk of milder autism spectrum disorders. By the same calculations, environmental factors would explain 55 percent of the risk of autism and 58 percent of the risk for an autism spectrum disorder, the Stanford team concluded.

And, what environmental factors could be at issue?  Well, the second study found a connection between the occurrence of autism and antidepressants taken by mothers during pregnancy:

            In another study also published in the online issue of the journal, researchers found a 

            two-fold risk of autism spectrum disorder among children whose mothers took 

            antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) during

            pregnancy, and that the risk was more than three times higher if the mothers took

            the drugs during early pregnancy, compared to children without the disorder.

            SSRIs include widely used antidepressants such as Celexa, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft.

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/environment-may-be-especially-key-to-autism-study-1.3003680 (July 4, 2011).

One in Thirty Eight

Anyone catch the article in Newsday today, “Study in South Korea finds higher rate of autism,” by The Associated Press Carla K. Johnson (AP Medical Writer) (http://www.newsday.com/news/health/study-in-south-korea-finds-higher-rate-of-autism-1.2864765)?  Seems that South Korea puts the autism rate at one (1) in thirty eight (38)!  Is autism truly that prevalent?  It seems like it sometimes . . .

Personally, I don’t know what to say about the study.  It was based on an extremely large survey (55,000 students), follow up and some testing, although there is speculation that the population that responded to the survey may have been disproportionately made up of parents with children with issues, and it was indicated that very few of the children actually went through an entire diagnostic procedure.  How accurate was the survey?  And, how can it be so very different from our own CDC’s estimate of one (1) in one hundred (100) (although, I have mentioned it before, that estimate is probably low).

But it makes you think.  How do we define “autism”?  How do we diagnose it?  How accurate can we possibly be when it comes to disorders that are so subjective in nature?

What’s really at issue, though, is once it is diagnosed, what do we do about it?

And, again, sorry to anyone following this blog.  I am still working on my book about my son, and how we helped him “recover” from ADHD, ODD, and PDD.  The first half is done – the part about our story (from a father’s perspective).  The second half, the one with all the relevant research about the methods we used, is taking a while.  Seems there’s a whole lot of stuff that supports what we did.  I’m still trying to glean through the best of it.