Archive for September, 2011

 If Your Child Struggles With Learning, Get Auditory Processing Up, First

I thought I’d share a good resource for you and your child from Little Giant Steps. As you know, we talk about auditory processing a great deal, because it is such a key to learning. (Get a free Auditory Test Kit and see if your child is functioning at grade level.)  If they’re not up to speed, then there are so many games you can play by “practicing” while playing games with your child.  Here’s an excellent “auditory game”: To start, call out at least 4 numbers (monotone voice, with 1 second between each number) then having them give the numbers back to you after you’ve completed the sequence.  It doesn’t have to be numbers, it can be colors, favorite things they like, food, games, etc. Remember the more syllables when using words will make it more difficult, so start out with just one syllable words if they struggle.  If they two out of three correct, then give then additional number (item) and see if they can process 5 successfully, if they can’t just keep practicing on 5 until they get it! There are two things we consider cheating while playing this game. 1. If they are “chaining” ~ that’s trying to group the numbers so they can remember (generally you’ll see  darting eyes, moving head in a rhythm. 2. If they are trying to use visualization (like they are putting the information they hear on a bulletin board in their head) ~ you’ll see they eyes go up and to the side. Both, chaining and visualization, are coping and compensating behaviors that they’ve learned to try to help themselves. To become proficient in auditory processing, they must do it right until they get it.  Then, you go to the next level. We do have a computer program called Sequencing in A Flash, which works with both auditory and visual processing (for all ages), but it’s not nearly as fun as playing a game with mom or dad!

I like to have it be interactive.  First I give a series, they repeat it back, then they give a series and I repeat it back. What’s the goal?  A child should be able to hold in short term memory the same as their age. For instance, a 1 yr. old, should be able to repeat “one word or number” back. A 2 yr. old 2, 3 yr.old ~ 3, etc.  When they get to age 7, or above.. a minimum of digits they should be able to repeat back is 7.  If you wish to carry on a good conversation, and interact with people and teacher meaningfully, you need to be able to process 8 digits.  If you wish to retain college level material, then you must be able to process at least 9.  If a child or an adult has the ability to get to where they’re processing at 12, they would be doing exceptional! The main thing, is to keep this journey to better processing fun while you’re doing it.  Make it a game… it can be a game you and your family will play for the rest of your lives, as you get together to re-live wonderful growing-up memories.  The best part is that playing these kinds of “auditory processing games” will keep your brain sharp and clear, your comprehension will be very good, and your memory will be kept in fine order regardless of age, or I.Q,!

If #auditory processing# is low for your child (which is more the case than not these days) you are affected globally – areas of reading, writing, comprehending, and motor skills. To increase auditory processing abilities, the activities must be “listening.” Here’s a great publication and CD for those important “listening” times. Remember, you or your child can listen while in the car, while playing on the floor – building castles, playing with legos, racing cars or dressing up the dolls!

Meet Axel. from The Little Giant Steps website:

Remember, your child loves it when you will sit down and focus on them and any activity you can do together. Too many children do not have parents who understand the vital part they play in the neuro-development of their children. It’s crucial that you be interested, interactive and especially to have FUN with your child.  Don’t let another day go by without making a fun and beneficial time-out for just the two of you.  Your life will improve dramatically, along with your child’s!  If you are aware your child is struggling in learning. Try #Developmental Foundations#.  It’s program that can also be very fun. And it will address the functional areas of the brain that are interfering with your child’s ability to: Receive, Comprehend, Store and Recall Information!  Everyone wins with this program.  Just do it a couple of times a day for no more than 5 minutes~ and you’ll see changes you won’t believe when your child’s brain gets organized and begins to have the needed connections (neuro-pathways) that gives them neuro-efficiency.   If you have a pre-schooler (3-5), then #Early Learning Foundations# is what you will want to order.

Now, go have a fun weekend with your children!  Take an “Intentional Break” with your child: Play, Laugh, and Make FUN Memories that will last a lifetime!

It has been a long time since I’ve head such a report from a mother. Her son went from hating to read to ~ well…. I’ll repeat what she told me:

“There have been days when my son and I have come into conflict over his #Little Giant Steps# Neuro-Educational Program. He gets tired of doing the activities. Quite frankly, I get tired too, somedays! However, I must admit we are noticing some very positive results. Lately, he’s gotten interested in airplanes. I have noticed once in a while I’d catch him reading about airplanes – on his own! I thought I’d get him a really neat book on airplanes for his upcoming birthday.

We celebrated his birthday with guests over for dinner. Suddenly he was missing from the celebration. I started looking for him. I found him in his room with the door closed. I discovered him browsing his new airplane book! Reminding him of our guests, he was told to join his friends and family, as it was his party and he needed to be in attendance. There would be some time later to check out his new book.

We had a great time and it was very late when company left. We all headed for bed. As I was making my final rounds checking to see all doors were locked, I noticed a stream of light underneath his door. I opened it and here he was reading! I told him it was late, to turn out the light and go to sleep. Then I went to my room exhausted. I had just laid down when I realized I’d not turned off the coffee pot. Quietly I returned to the kitchen to take care of this final chore and as I passed his room – there was a noise. I looked and saw a diffused glow from under his door! Silently I opened his door and there was a tent fashioned out of his sheet. The glow was from a flash light. I tip toed over to his bed and slowly lifted the corner of the sheet to see what he was doing. Here he sat with his legs crossed, hiding so he could read! Amazed at this sight, I never said a word. I replaced the sheet, retraced my steps out of his room and pulled the door to the jam. As I made my way down the hall, tears welled up, because it was then I realized, “He’s reading and loving it…. he’s like a normal kid… curious and seeking information from a book!” I am so grateful we stuck with the neurodevelopmental program. It’s given him access to a world I didn’t know he’d ever experience! Thanks to Jan Bedell and all at #Little Giant Steps#, we are blessed more than you can imagine!”

Life Is Improving For The Whole Family

We are so blessed with caring parents who have the ability to reach out to help others. This is the case of Michelle. Let’s read her story:

INCREDIBLE CHANGES

“I am sitting in sunny Colorado as I write this. If you had told me 3 years ago, I would have been able to leave my family for a few days, I would have laughed. God’s grace is amazing. My family learned about Neuro-Educational Programs and #Little Giant Steps# in 2005.

My eldest son has #Aspergers# and at that time he stuttered.  The 1^st four months we were on program his stuttering disappeared. I think that is what sold me on neurodevelopmental approach.  My other son has #Autism# and my daughter has spectrum like symptoms.  Needless to say our house was a very emotional house.  It was hard to find a sitter because frankly no one could handle the three.  It seemed that everything set them off emotionally.  At times on program progress has been swift , at time progress has come slowly, but it has been incredible to see the changes in my family.  Our favorite #program activity# has been those that help with #tactility#.  We love fiddling with them.  Many an adventure in our family has started with a hand full of these.

My Autistic son who never noticed the world outside has taken to asking many if they know Jesus, or Do You have a relationship with Jesus?  His concern of others amazes me.

I am a mom with 3 on the #Neuro-Educational Program# and we still have a ways to go.  The improvement I have seen in my children led me to ask Jan Bedell (#The Brain Coach#)how one became a Neuro-Educational Specialist. (Little Giant Steps trains professionals, para-professional and tutors in the Neuro-Educational Approach/ Neurodevelopmental Approach ~ their website for more information).  What started as curiosity for me soon became a mission ordained by God.  It has been a journey of discovery from me.  I have learned so much about myself and about my children.  My prayer is that I will be able to help other parents whose children would benefit from neurodevelopmental activities and programs.

This journey has not always been easy, but it has been the right one for us.  God continues to amaze me as he places the help I need to accomplish my children’s program.  I am at peace knowing that though many miles away, program will continue and my children are in good hands.

Neuro-Educational Programs Work

From time to time we like to share with you a real life story.  Here’s Steve’s changed life in his own words:

I can’t believe how much this program from #Little Giant Steps# has helped me. It changed my life! Immediately in the sports I can see the ball traveling at 65-70 mph coming straight at me and I can hit it. My stats were 21 at bat and 15 hits and that is incredible for me. I think I was one of the best on the team. I went from the bottom of the batting order to close to the top!

Steven Schuetz age 14 Congratulations Steven! It always thrills us when we see what is possible when people such as yourself have done the #Little Giant Steps#Neuro-Educational Pogram# and then experienced all of the wonderful side benefits! Not only is learning made easy, but life becomes more fun and satisfying, because our potential is enhanced in all areas! God bless you and your parents efforts in truly changing your life for the better! ~ the LGS Staff

 Evident Disparity Between Intellect and Motor Function

At Little Giant Steps  special children with Special Needs bring so many wonderful things to us. Often when we least expect it, they can tell us things that only when we’ve had time to gain perspective, does the “light” go on.

One of those teaching moments happened when my preschooler, who we would learn later, had severe Dyslexia helped the light to go on about the disparity I had seen since he was 3 years old between his intellect and his motor function. When I asked him about his struggle with his gross and fine motor skills, he replied, “I have trouble doing things because I have “fluffy hands”! It took me several years to figure out what he was really telling me. When I became aware of The Neurodevelopmental Approach his “fluffy hands” mystery was solved. The only way he could describe the lack of sensation he noticed that were different in his hands and fingers from other parts of his body was to tell me what he experienced, and his best description was “fluffy”. I came to learn that crawling (which he didn’t do much of) is a crucial step in developing lower level brain organization. Without developing strong neuro-pathways which carry signals from his limbs to his brain, the registering of clear tactile messages wasn’t happening.  The brain is made up of 93% connections and 3% cell bodies. So the early developmental experiences is what creates the neuro-connections or pathways in the brain and between the body! The goal of our early development is always to bring us to a state of neuro-efficiency.  This efficiency refers to the lightening speed of the brain receiving messages from the sensory systems in the body and then acting in concert with those messages, so we can function seamlessly with rapid responses and appropriate mental tasking. He was not sending and receiving these messages quickly and accurately, because the network of connections weren’t fully developed. Therefore his gross and find motor skills were seriously lagging.  His vocabulary was that of a gifted person, his ability to grasp concepts at an early age was mind-boggling, but he couldn’t read successfully, and doing any kind of writing, coloring, or other eye-hand required activities (gross or fine motor skills), well he was unable to respond with any organization, clarity, correctness in any shape or form.

Developmental Delays

I later learned he was suffering from Developmental Delays. I am glad to report it was not a life sentence! I learned how (with the help of a Neuro-Educational Evaluation and an individualized program like Little Giant Steps offers) to help my child through brain stimulating activities that would create the much needed pathways and improve the communication between the brain and body. I am so grateful for The Neurodevelopmental Approach! My child is totally functional because of it! In fact, today as an adult he daily serves people with his professional skills at his dental office!  Yes, he’s a dentist who performs advanced procedures such as dental implants, root canals, etc.  Receiving brain-based stimulation at age 10, saved him!  He now daily carries out his God-given potential by serving God, his family, and his community.

If  you have a child with Dyslexia here are two resources: John’s Mom & The Dyslexia Workshop

If you have a child with Developmental Delays here is an excellent in-home program: Developmental Foundations

If you have a school you’d like to share our success with please share our Little Giant Steps Educational Services Site

Let us know how we can help at http://www.littlegiantsteps.com/ 

When It Has A Bill, Web Feet, and Quacks…. Chances Are It’s A Duck

It’s amazing that parents, teachers, grandparents and others associated with our children can and do spot unique features in our children’s behavior, lack of the ability to carry through directions, inability to stay on task, lack of comprehension, yet many just “let it go” and don’t stop to really note and admit, “this child is struggling”.  In my opening statement…. chances are, if you are seeing these features or symptoms when you are with a child, then acknowledge it! When the brain and body are not functioning efficiently,  all the features I’ve mentioned above, plus more are in play.  Yes, usually there is something relatively easy in the area of developmental intervention that can resolve these issues.  But, first there has to be a straight forward acknowledgement that there is something amiss.

Learning struggles or difficulties are not a life sentence, unless you stick your head in the sand and pretend you don’t recognize what you are seeing!  Learning issues can be remedied fairly easily, IF there is attention paid to the child, questions asked, and a bit of time and resources given to assess the scope of the problem, and then investigate how to intervene!  I would suggest reading the information on our website “Little Giant Steps” for increasing your knowledge on how you could be instrumental at changing a problem into a solution!  The free Articles will help to increase your awareness, the tab labeled Evaluations can give you options, as well as learning about some of Little Giant Steps’ programs like Developmental Foundations.

All of this is to say, “There is an epidemic of children, teens and adults out there who struggle with learning issues who can (with help) discover their God-given potential, if given a chance.”  You may be that chance.  So…. Just Do It!  The life-changing advantages to be gained are truly amazing.  Listen to those who know:  Faith, Michele, Jeannie, and Kathy.  There are many more people we’ve helped.  If you wish to take some time and learn more about Little Giant Steps and the work in schools we’re doing, please visit this site.   Thanks!  Talk with you later!

  My Child’s Smart, But He Struggles. Why?

WHY is he so disorganized and messy? Uncoordinated? Forgetful?
WHY does he lack logical thinking? He know something one day but not the next?
WHY is everything seem so difficult for him?

Little Giant Steps has been righting these issues for the past twenty years, and we know it has  to do the the early stages of development.  We’ve become a society that takes so many things for granted. Our liberty, freedoms, lack of daily fear, physical comforts, conveniences.  The same is true with our small children.  We think once they get here, they will grow up.  The fact is infants have a great deal of requirements to have their growth cycle become successful.  They must have stimulation, interaction, opportunities to develop each of their systems. Visual, Auditory, Tactile, Motor Skills – Gross and Fine, Manuel, Language and Cognitive development are very dependent upon what opportunities they have had to experience the world, their parents nurturing, language, pressure, temperature, reflexes, responses and many more sensations that go into developing a “wholeness” in a child.

As a expert in the field of providing developmental intervention to students, Sally Goddard Blythe states it well,   “ Only last weekend, when I was running a training day for teachers in The Netherlands in how to recognize signs of  neuro-motor immaturity in the classroom and how to administer a developmental intervention program, one of the attendees remarked that these problems are now reaching “epidemic” proportions, not only in the United Kingdom, but in other parts of Europe, the U.S.  and the rest of the developed world.  As technology proceeds apace, and children are increasingly exposed to visual stimulation without motor integration we are in danger of creating a state of evolutionary  regression rather then progression in the motor and language skills needed to support reading, writing, spelling, maths and social integration. The foundations for these skills are laid down in the early years as a child’s brain and body learn to work together through activity. Until successive governments focus attention on developing the whole child instead of trying to treat the symptom, we will continue to see similar depressing statistics.”

Stay tuned, we’ll have more to say on this next time. ~ cj

FALSE: LGS only serves people with learning disabilities.

It’s amazing that Little Giant Steps (LGS) is often times “pigeon holed” as a neuro-educational consulting group that only works with children, teens or adults with learning disabilities or brain trauma.  The fact is, the Neuro-Educational Programs they provide work for everyone!  Why? Because all of us have been raised in a society that began practices (40 some years ago) that were convenient, but not the best interest for our infants neuro-development. The truth is, each individual must go through vital steps and stages of development in order for the brains and bodies to be wired and functioning efficiently. What has happened is that we’ve hampered our off-spring from developing solid strong neuro-connections because we’ve taken them off their tummies during their waking hours, and placed them up-right, in seats that rob them of the neuro-stimuli they require.  They’ve been affected with less than ideal function neurologically, neuro-muscular development, vision (central vision development and tracking), auditory development, tactile and motor function.  Not to mention other factors  (food additives, genetic engineering of our foods, vaccinations, medications, etc.) that may play a part in the development of our neuro-connections.

Each individual  requires a well developed auditory processing ability, which is part of the early learning experiences. Yet, today most of our children are functioning below grade level with a skill set that effects them globally. Auditory Processing can make the difference in a person’s ability to receive information, hold it in short-term memory, and then recall and utilize it. Here are a few other benefits of having an efficient auditory processing ability, because when I say globally, here’s  the areas affected:
* Phonetic Utilization
* Behavior
* Following Directions
* Comprehension
* Conceptual Thinking
* Conversational Language
* Staying On Task

Who needs an increase in critical thinking, memory, academic or work-related function?

The answer is everyone!

Can Little Giant Steps address the needs of businesses function?  YES!   When brain organization improves, so does organization of ones work and production.

Can Little Giant Steps address the needs of those who are gifted? YES!  Gifted people many times have such talent they can cope an compensate with unique quirkey learning, organizing, and behavior issues, but what we’ve seen over the years, is when they get the “coping and compensating monkey off their backs“  and they no longer deal with neuro-inefficiency ~ their true potential can be realized.

Can Little Giant Steps provide schools with improved reading, writing, and math scores and function? YES!                                                                                                                         According to a school principal, just last week,  reported that her middle school had been suffering from poor functioning in the area of math, math facts specifically.  They began utilizing Rapid Recall System (an LGS supplemental math facts program that works alongside the state approved curriculum),  and she said. “ their scores came up more than 100points.”   YES!!!  YES!!  All students can benefit from Little Giant Steps’ Neuro-Educational Programs!

Can Little Giant Steps address the needs of our seniors with their Memory and Motion program that helps with memory, comprehension, balance, and well being?  YES!

Can Little Giant Steps addres the needs for intervention with those who are incarcerated, born with mental challenges and learning disabilities?  YES!  YES! YES!

Share this information with your friends, it’s important.  Once you gain solid neuro-efficiency… it lasts a lifetime!

 Special Days For Special People

As we approach the Labor Day weekend, I am reminded how all of us arrive through the labor of our mothers. Then as we grow, both our parents (we hope and pray both will be involved with their children’s growth and development) begin a life-long teaching role. Little Giant Steps knows that for a child who suffers from learning issues, parents can make a significant difference as to whether their child moves beyond the difficulties they experience, or they stay in the realm of never experiencing academic success.

Is It Really A Choice?

Yes, in today’s world we have enough research and experience documented that shows “something” can be done to help a child, teen or even an adult move beyond their level of disability that in the not-too-distant past was thought to be a life sentence.  What is required of the parent is to commit is gaining new skills, knowledge and then working with their child twice a day for two minutes per activity until the symptoms of the disability no longer remains.  The length of time is unique to each child and is not all that predictable, because what the neuro-developmental programs do is to change the brain’s physiology. No one can predict how long it will take to repair, rewire or create new neuro-pathways in an area of dysfunction.  What we do know is that if you are faithful in working with your child you can create improved academic success.  Little Giant Steps has twenty years of experience of working with the Neurodevelopmental Approach and as these parents will attest, it works:

“This is working!!! We are seeing improvement upon improvement in Allison. She’s not my unreliable, unpredictable, immature little girl anymore, but has blossomed into a very responsible enjoyable 14 year old! I have also used our experience to encourage so many other moms. When God is in the middle of something (and He is in this) the blessings extend far beyond what we ever imagine. Thanks for your ongoing encouragement. It makes all the difference in the world.”

“I finally completed the boys monthly status report and I am mailing it out tomorrow, but, I wanted to share something with you that happened this week that is not on the report. Trent wanted to invite a friend over to spend the night, but we were in the car and the number was not accessible. I told Trent that he could call him on my cell phone and amazingly he remembered his friend’s home number, but that is not even the best part. His friend was at his grandparent’s home (who he stays with quite often). I asked Trent if he knew that number and at first he said that he didn’t, then, Trent said, Wait, I think I know it and sure enough it was the right number. My heart leaped for joy. Last year this 13 year old boy was doing good to remember his own phone number and now he is a walking phone directory. Praise God!!!!!! We have seen other signs of progress that I included on our monthly report, but this one was a dozy. I think God knew that we needed the encouragement to keep going and finish the race. Thank you guys so much.”

“Wow! Nate is really doing so well with academics now. He is learning his math facts, a new vocabulary word every day and his reading has just soared over the last few weeks. Now that his auditory digit span is up to six, he is able to sound out words phonetically.

The most amazing changes have occurred in the way he relates to people and life around him. We recently took a family vacation to Orlando, FL. It was wonderful – because of Little Giant Steps, my son was able to “cope” with large crowds, changes going on, communicated with people, and was socially interactive with people. He even found a friend at the pool – a little British boy that was his age that was there on vacation. A year ago, we went on the same trip (my husband goes to an annual conference in Orlando) and it was a total nightmare. Nate couldn’t deal with anything. It was an awful time. This time, he was just like any other “normal” child; instead of freaking out, he would say to me, “…mom, my feet hurt and I’m hungry…” which was a blessing to us. We purchased a behind the scenes walking tour Sea World – got to pet a penguin and a shark, got to feed stingrays and dolphins, we had lunch with Shamu, etc. He participated in all of it – an enjoyed it to boot! It was a great family vacation for us – thank you so much for helping us help him. I can’t thank you enough!”

If your child need help, make sure next Labor Day finds him with a renewed confidence, skill sets that he thought he’d never have, and especially knowing he is very special and learning is easy.