Archive for the ‘Neuroplasticity’ Category

 Accidents Happen

 Daily I write about improving the academic abilities through the use of neuro-educational programs developed by Jan Bedell and Little Giant Steps.  What I’ve not shared is that our programs works for those whose brains have suffered trauma.  Today I’d like to share a story of my granddaughter who has always been considered gifted in school.  However, following an accident that occurred while attending the State Basketball Tournaments, not only was her brain hurt, but we were concerned for her life, as well.

Kelsey and 15 other kids with their parents were enjoying the annual High School State Basketball Tournament.  They all were staying at a large motel with an indoor swimming pool, and most of the group were relaxing around the pool following a day at the tournament.  After about 30 minutes, the parents noticed the kids in the pool were acting strange. Some were struggling to get out of the pool, some collapsed once out on the deck. They called for help, then the parents began to suffer from similar symptoms.  It didn’t take much after the firemen got there with the ambulances to determine all of these people were suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.  All the kids and some of the parents ended up in the local hospital.  Kelsey, my grandchild, was one who stayed there three days, because she was so badly poisoned.  She was sent home on oxygen and her parents were told to keep an eye on her.  She was on oxygen for a month. When she started to feel a bit better, she really wanted to return to middle school, as she didn’t want to get too far behind in her studies.  Within two days of school, Kelsey began to panic, because she discovered she couldn’t think, her brain wasn’t functioning, regardless of how hard she tried.  This went on for a few more days, and we saw her becoming more frightened and confused, I suggested we get her in for an evaluation with Jan Bedell at Little Giant Steps. 

The Road To Recovery

We drove to Texas and after the evaluation we discovered our beautiful Kelsey, who was an honor student in her first year in middle school was only able to process auditory and visual information equivalent to that of a 5 and 6 year old .  We were devastated.  Jan steadied us and said she’d seen children with similar brain trauma come back with the neurodevelopmental approach, and felt confident Kelsey could be restored to much of her original state.  She was young, healthy (except for this incident) and had a devoted family who could help to turn this situation around.  Jan wrote an individual neuro-educational program for Kelsey.  She recommended we take her out of middle school for now, as it was producing such enormous stress and a sense of total failure on her, enroll her in an online school NEW College Preparatory Academy, formerly Gateway Academy, and daily follow her Individual Neurodevelopmental Program.  If she struggled too much with the academics, then just work the neurodevelopment program.  She diligently followed the program for five months over the rest of the school term and summer. She re-entered middle school and to all of our delight, not only was she functioning back to normal, but her school testing showed she was even higher than before!  Needless to say, we praise God for his healing mercy, and we were so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with Jan Bedell, Neuro-Educational Specialist from Little Giant Steps.  We couldn’t imagine these program activities would give Kelsey back all she’d lost and more, but it did.  Now, I know the real power of God’s design, and what a natural approach to working with the plasticity of the brain can truly accomplish.  We are so very, very blessed!  Thank you, Jan and Little Giant Steps!  CJ

 Working With The Brain Pays Big Academic Dividends

“From the beginning, EVERYTHING about Little Giant Steps has been exactly what we needed. Jan Bedell, The Brain Coach, has been a tool in God’s hands to literally begin to transform my son’s life in a few short months. Luke has struggled from day one with an array of challenges from physical to learning (dysgraphia, dyslexia, processing issues and at age 9, he still was unable to read). Once evaluated, we began our Individualized Neurodevelopmental Program (INP) and within 6 weeks Luke was reading. His retention seemed to double, his tactile issues lessened and over all our son’s confidence began to change.”

Little Giant Steps has been seeing these kinds of results for the past twenty years with thousands of children.  Typically we see every four months a full year gain via academic testing. 

Incremental Success Builds The Base

One thing that has been so much fun working with Jan Bedell’s neuro-educational programs, is seeing the children improve and succeed each day as we see the lower levels of their brains get organized (they begin to think and comprehend in organized ways ~ a big advantage especially in gaining math skills). While her programs provide curriculum supplementation, like Rapid Recall for math facts, they really ready the child for better processing of what they hear, see, say and touch.  Their short-term memory improves with the practiced design of ”The Brain Coach’s” educational programs.  These programs deliver life-long imprinting on the brain, because they actually create new neuro-pathways.  They close developmental gaps that may exist.  It is exciting to see more and more learning disabilities being remedied via the use of neurodevelopmentally focused supplemental curriculum and educational tools. 

Seeing Is Believeing 

This past year we had the pleasure of working the the Summit Christian Academy.  It is an elementary school (NAUMS) and therefore we had a great deal of participation not only with the teachers, but parents.  We kept hearing reports about how the kindergarten loved doing their Rapid Recall (Math Facts) each day.  So, here it is for you to see for yourself.  Kindergarten 2011 Math Speed Test!

If interested in more information on our work at schools, go to Little Giant Steps’ YouTube Channel.

Parents seek our neuro-educational services due to many and varied learning and behavioral issues.  Some recognize learning delays or struggles.  Other things are more subtle or sometimes not so subtle unique behaviors, such as a child’s continual encroachment of other people’s space, or attention-seeking behavior when a parent or teacher becomes occupied.  It’s true, there are times that these behaviors are just a part of early development, but when these types of  behaviors persist beyond three, then it may be time to have them checked out.  Little Giant Step’s modality of working with the root causes through the neuro-educational assessment, deals with looking at the dysfunction or inappropriate function and deals with it by exploiting the part of the brain that is capable of “changing function”. This feature  in the brain that lends itself to our type of intervention is called “neuroplasticity”.  Through stimulating brain- based activities to address gaps in the natural development, the child, teen or even adult’s negative, odd, or disruptive behavior can changed or be left behind.  It’s amazing how improving the lower levels of brain organization, increased auditory and visual processing, dealing with dominance issues can dramatically change an individual’s life-long interactions for the better! Time and time again we see behavior improving and levels of maturity becoming more appropriate.  Here’s a note from a mother on this matter:

“Kaden has settled down a bit and here’s some really good news. We spent over three hours getting our cell phones changed out the other day and he didn’t do any of the personal body space invasion or intense attention getting activities he usually does. He was just your typical bored 9 year old boy. Woop woop! Thanks for everything LGS!!  Blessings, Sandi”

Little Giant Steps (LGS) has been dedicated to improving learning experiences for all people for almost two decades.  The Neuro-Educational Programs they provide will assist people of all ages and across all spectrum’s of I.Q.  Why is this approach so universal?  Because we address the root causes in the brain that effect the function and efficiency in processing, and ultimate out-put ability.  As we say, “It’s all in the wiring!”

It’s interesting that the more resources we have in our technological society, the further behind our schools are performing when compared on the world stage.  Currently the U.S. is 9th in the world educational rankings.  What happened?  Didn’t curriculum get better?  Didn’t teaching methods get better?  The increase of dollars spent on education has continued to mount.  So, why does it appear we’re not getting our money’s worth?

It has to do more with something that’s gone missing in what the human biology requires than with any thing!  You see the human being arrives in this world not completely developed.  There are steps and stages of development that the mind and body must achieve in order to be as whole as possible and to function as efficiently as possible.  When our society was more simple with less gadgets, our children’s ability to process information was better.  Over the last 50 years, we’ve changed the way we rear our infants. We’ve gone from an auditory society to a visual one. But, we still have two ears that effect us globally when it comes to processing information!  Most of our children’s auditory processing abilities are below grade level. (Which can be reversed very easily – see the Free Auditory Test Kit & Auditory Processing Booklet). 

Infants need to be on their tummies most of their waking hours in order for the body to map the brain regarding their functional development. Unfortunately, what has been happening is we’ve been putting our infants in all kinds of carriers or seats and have been depriving the developmental needs for the convenience of being able to see the babies face and having them up off the floor. 

Quite frankly, for the best chance of development, the floor is the infant’s best friend. The experience of texture, temperature, feeling pressure, resistance, and all sensory advantages the floor provides to the largest surface of the body is just what the brain needs to develop. (And they won’t fall off of anything while moving around!) It’s through”whole body sensations and stimulation” that  the neuro-pathways, coordination, and sensory connections for the brain really begin to grow and become sophisticated.  The brain learns through experience where the parts of the body are, how they work and how it can refine function.  Having an infant sitting upright in a seat with arms and legs flailing around in mid-air gives little to no feedback to the brain.  It doesn’t learn how to control the limbs and all the other sensory information goes lacking, as does the development of neuro-connections when the sensations and stimulation are less than strong.  Babies need hard surfaces to push against to not only development their brains, but their neuro-musculature development is dependent on this as well. All this is essential for learning, thinking and processing information.  The faster the body and brain can communicate; the better the learning ability.

You see, the LGS Neuro-Educational Programs has been filling in those gaps for children, teens and adults, regardless of whether they are gifted, typical, or challenged. The brain and it’s circumstances of function can always be improved and become more efficient regardless of I.Q.  Read the stories of those who have turned things around through our methods.  I think you’ll begin to understand.   Then read the free articles about the Neurodevelopmental Approach and Learning Disabilities.  I believe you’ll be inspired!

I recently read an article written by a teacher from the 1800′s.  It’s as true today, as it was then. She understood that the brain needed to be prepared to learn. Now, we need to learn what’s been missed and forgotten in our child-rearing practices that leave gaps in our children’s development and hampers their learning abilities.  The good news is that regardless of your age, the neuroplasticity in the brain always allows for those gaps or lack of function to be filled and either created, restored or repaired!  It’s a win-win even for those with ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, because it’s all about working at the root-cause level of the brain.  When the connections are in place, function improves and people are set free from learning disabilities and learning struggles!

As we close our week long annual meeting and re-certifying conference, we are so thankful for our leadership in Jan Bedell, (also known as The Brain Coach). She is the President and founder of Little Giant Steps (LGS).  Jan has had 20 successful years as a neuro-educational specialist. Her success has changed the lives of thousands.  She and her team of neuro-educational specialists intervene daily in the lives of children, teens and adults with learning disabilities.  This week of professional education made all of us recognize how blessed and grateful we are to work in the field of  Neuro-development and at LGS with Jan.   Jan also is a certified and experienced teacher who has created products and curriculum to help set those with learning disabilities free. As we, the team, have witnessed in our own children’s lives, and in the lives of our clients, “Learning Disabilities (ADD, ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, PDD, Down syndrom, and other labels) are not life sentences.”   See our testimonies.

Currently LGS is providing a “Dyslexia Workshop”  for $14.97 that you can download or receive a DVD. This is an hour-long training session for parents, teachers, day-care, and after-school providers.  You will get knowledge on “how to” fix dyslexia and how you can make a significant difference in your child’s life. The symptoms of dyslexia can be eliminated, and without symptoms, then dyslexia no longer exists. The statements, “You must accept your Dyslexia,” or “Concentrate on improving your coping & compensating skills, instead of “curing” Dyslexia” are no longer true.  There are new modalities, the brain can change!

Two other “at-home-programs” she has created are:  # 1.  For pre-school typical children (ages 2-5) or for older children who are mentally challenged, the ”Early Learning Foundations “. This program provides readiness for school in math, reading, writing, but most importantly it will assure your child is neurologically efficient and functioning efficiently, as well.

      # 2.  For 6 yr. olds to college age the “Developmental Foundations” has been successful in helping individuals eliminate learning gaps. Academic scores go up, behavior can improve and their ability to organize themselves is much improved.

We’re thankful for parents who recognize there is something  “not the way it should be” or “quirky in the learning area” and choose to seek answers where the root causes (in the brain) can be changed so the function & development is completed and normal.  See the our test results of what happened to these struggling individuals.  The door for success was opened and they are on their way to functioning in the range of their true, God-given potential.

 Today I received a picture of my 5 year old grandson dressed as Dracula!  He looked pretty scary.  I’ve seen him through many costumes.  My favorite was when he was a little leprechaun, at age one and a half! 

So while children dawn all kinds of scary outfits for this weekend’s Halloween, I wanted to address something I’ve found that parent’s are sometimes frightened about when it comes to their children. 

A parent told me of  her child struggling with schoolwork.  She knew she was bright enough, but she couldn’t seem to organize her thoughts or remember things from one day to the next.  She said she was scared for her child’s sake.  She is loosing all her self-confidence and seems to be loathing herself, because she’s just not doing as well in school as she knows she can and she’s frustrated most of the time.  

With a worried look on her face,  she asked,”What does Little Giant Steps do?” 

First, we are a neuro-educational consulting group. I explained we simply test the child to see what a child’s, teen’s or adult’s current academic placement is by utilizing the same testing instruments utilized in schools. Those scores establish benchmarks as to the current academic performance.  Next, we check to see how neurologically efficient they are functioning in areas required for learning. Lastly, we look at their developmental status.  They are checked on 6 levels of  functional abilities and 9 levels of development.  The Neuro-Educational Specialist does the evaluation, then based on those areas where the child, teen or adult is having difficulty or show symptoms diagnosed in learning disabilities, an individual program is devised and very specific activities, cognitive and physical are recommended to help develop those areas in the brain that are not functioning up to that person’s grade or age level.   Then we teach the parent how to work with the child at home.  We  re-evaluate every 4 months and re-adjust the program until all of the symptoms or deficits are remedied or they are functioning at grade or age level.  This type of neuro-educational intervention is effective on so many kinds of developmental and educational under-performance.  It works for Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, Autism, PDD, Dysgraphia, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, and many other learning disabilities, even brain trauma.  It works because its a matter of re-wiring the brain so it can function with be best possible neurological efficiency, organization in the lower levels of the brain, and processing abilities and many more advantages when it comes to learning. 

 Just last week an article appeared that again confirms what we have known for two decades, but without brain scans:  “Imaging Study Reveals Brain Function of Poor Readers Can Improve.”  The study appears in the May 1 Biological Psychiatry and was funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), one of the National Institutes of Health.  According to Dr. Sally Shaywitz (a member of the research team), the results show that “Teaching matters and good teaching can change the brain in a way that has the potential to benefit struggling readers.”  I am happy to report we are in our third year of working in public schools, gathering research data, teaching teachers how to utilize our programs and this year one of the schools we are in our second year of working with them, they went from academically unacceptable to an exemplary school!  So, now we hope to teach the teachers what we have known and done for thousands of individuals.  We know it’s all about input and stimulating the brain to get more efficient and re-wire or create new neuro-pathways. 

The one thing about being a parent of a child, or even being that person who doesn’t seem to function like everyone else around you, is that there is nothing to fear.  Learning disabilities are not a life sentence.  Much can be done to alleviate and even eliminate the symptoms of learning issues.  It  matters not whether you are gifted, typical or mentally challenged.  Life can become less frustrating, more satisfying and successful when a program like Little Giant Step’s is undertaken.  So, stop being scared for you child, or for yourself, or someone you know and love.  It is never too late to get over these deficits.  The neuroplasticity of the brain, is what allows the brain to change. It serves in re-routing and creating new neuro-pathways around areas not functioning well and builds stronger and more efficient neuro-networks that can increase the communication between the brain and the body and can open doors for you, your child or your loved one.  All can experience what it’s like to approach something new without anxiety, dread, and/or frustration and fear.  Investigate, educate and act.  That’s all it takes!  Have a blessed harvest season and stop being fearful of doing something that will change a life for the better.

My son Will was officially diagnosed with dysgraphia in the 7^th grade by a public school diagnostician.  He had a post-high school vocabulary and reading level but wrote like a 3^rd or 4^th grader.  He was told that he would never be able to take notes on lectures because it would take too long for his brain to process what he heard and then put it down on paper.  Once he wrote something down, it was predicted he would miss one or two of the next points taught! 

Will appreciated the label because it was the first time in his life that he believed the learning problems were not his fault.  Suddenly, he could believe he was smart and that there was help available to get him through school with coping and compensating strategies.  On the other hand, I felt like the diagnosis was a terrible thing.  Would he always struggle in school?  Would he not be able to go to college?  Would he be unable to get a good job to support a family?

Shortly after we learned of Will’s disability I was helping to lead a prayer group in the home of Jan Bedell.  When I asked her if she had a job, she explained that she worked with children who struggled with learning.  I asked her if she was familiar with the term “dysgraphia.”  She shrugged her shoulders as she walked casually into the kitchen saying, “Oh, that’s just because of a disorganized brain.”  My jaw dropped to the floor.  The “death sentence” my son received seemed to be an easy thing for this lady to understand and to fix! 

Within a few months Will had an evaluation and two of his sisters and I went on program to improve our brains.  It was a busy four years that followed of doing what seemed like crazy activities.  I say it like this because in all my training for a Texas teaching certificate and in all my 15 years of teaching in public, private and home schools I had never heard of neurodevelopment.  Nobody had ever taught me about the brain and how to make it work better so learning could be easier.

Today, Will is a successful upper classman at McMurry University in Abilene and his two sisters are making straight As with an extraordinary online high school called College Preparatory Academy.  My brain is working better, too, because now my closets and cabinets are organized, I can remember a 7 digit phone number and I only rarely lose my keys or sunglasses.

You ask, “Could my child have dysgraphia?”  At Little Giant Steps we say “no” to labels and “yes” to hope.  We don’t focus on the learning disabilities or assume they can’t be remedied.  Instead, through an evaluation process and an individualized neurodevelopmental program we help our clients build new nerve pathways so their brains work better.  [It's called neuro-efficiency.]  Carefully chosen physical activities target strategic parts of the brain to improve organization.  Clients play auditory and processing games to increase their short term memory that results in global maturity for children.  For adults these games help keep the mind sharp.  As brain function improves, learning gets easier.

One theme that I hear over and over from parents is, “Oh, if I’d only been able to do something sooner; my child (or I) would not have suffered all the anxiety, distress and feeling of failure because of dyslexia/learning disability.”

As a parent who kept looking for the educational professionals to help me discover the solution for his reading, writing, and various other symptoms disrupting his learning; I can tell you it is your choice right here, right now to stop that vicious cycle. The situation of seeing yourself or your child become overwhelmed daily because the inability to make things come out right does not have to continue.  There is a remedy that addresses the most fundamental and basic entities at the root cause via brain-based techniques that are applied through theLGS Neuro-Educational Program.  These problems can be fixed!  Fixed for the rest of your or your child’s life!  I’ve witnessed individuals overcoming dyslexiaand other learning issues for decades!  Each evaluation provides individual insight as to the “gaps” that require intervention.  It’s true that it’s an “inside job,” because this program works with the root causes of these issues in the brain.  It’s a matter of stimulating the brain to change in configuration, connections and communication between the brain and body.  Once  neuro-efficiency is established, processing speeds brought up to grade level, these kids or even you can perform as God intended.  The history of being dyslexic becomes a mere blip on the radar screen of ones life for a short time.  Once these efficiency-factors are in place, our program is no longer needed. The normal course of development continues with the result of being more whole, confident and successful!

As one mother to another, please don’t procrastinate!  Take care of this!  Investigate by thoroughly going over our free articles.  Read the testimonialsof other parents like myself.  Study our research data.  See how we can accommodate financial parameters.  LGS has had laser focus in making as many programs as possible to meet needs of people with learning disabilities.  We’ve kept our programs within reach of parents whether they be educating their children in public, private or home schools.  Please, don’t allow the struggle to continue. Be pro-active and discover the true destiny when neuro-efficiency is present.