SUGGESTION:  These symptoms may be caused by a hyper-sensitive tactile system.  The Neurodevelopmental Approach can provide specific stimulation to the brain in order to normalize the tactile system.  The activity that is typically recommended for these symptoms is called “Tactile Gloves” and provides stimulation to the brain to build neuro-pathways from the topical tissue sensors in the arms and legs to the brain.  The parent should use scratchy bath gloves to gently rub their child’s hands, arms, feet and legs.  Use a very light touch, like you are rubbing on lotion over the entire surface of each limb, from the tips of the fingers to the shoulders and from the tips of the toes to just above the knees.  This tactile stimulation should be done for approximately 3 minutes, twice a day for 6 to 8 months.  For more information on The Neurodevelopmental Approach, please visit www.littlegiantsteps.com.

Little Giant Steps has many years of experience in dealing with learning difficulties in a wide range of I.Q.s and ages. Individuals, for whatever reason, can experience difficulty in one, or several areas of learning if their brain organization was cut short by not enough crawling as infants, or if illness, ear infections and the like detoured them from going through each step of development as our creator designed. The one thing for certain, is that parents with children who test high in I.Q. can struggle with certain areas of learning much like those who have diagnosed learning issues.

Paul, a gifted math student, was going through all kinds of difficulties. His mother recognized that while he was a very intellectual superior young man, he worked twice as hard at his beloved math than his younger brother. It pained his parents to see their son, with so much promise, making his way by the coping and compensating skills he was smart enough to develop. Finally, his mom sat him down as she’d been noticing the basis of math (math facts), seemed nonexistent. She made up a little test and discovered her suspicions were correct; they weren’t committed to memory……he didn’t know them!.  It was puzzling that he could do advanced operations, but still lack this vital part of math. She got busy and ordered a math facts program. It didn’t work. He just wasn’t “getting” it. She ordered another, then another.

Little Giant Steps = Giant Academic Strides

A call came into the office, and this mother who’d purchased five other math facts programs informed me our Rapid Recall System ( a neuro-developmentally based curriculum) had been recommended by someone to help her son. She asked questions about it, and then stated, “The bottom line is this: What will you do if he doesn’t learn his math facts from your program? Will you stand by it?”

I was very happy to put her at ease by saying, “If you order the first operation (Addition) of Rapid Recall System, follow the instructions and don’t see any improvement within four weeks, send it back and I will refund the purchase price and shipping.” “You must do the program as directed, how does that sound?” She said, “Well that’s the best deal I’ve had since all those other programs wouldn’t stand behind their product. OK, I’ll order the first operation, and we’ll see how my son does.”

Three weeks later I received another phone call from her. “It’s working!” she bellowed into the phone. “I’m not sure what or how, but he’s got it! Please send the rest of the operations as soon as possible, both of us are over-joyed with what’s happening!”

“What is your son saying is happening,” I inquired.  He said, “It’s just like all of a sudden I get the answers in my head like lightening…. before the answers just wouldn’t be there….. now I just know them….. it’s like someone turned on something in my brain!”  I smiled joyfully, as that’s exactly what had happened. The neuro-connections were now on and functioning efficiently. The information existed like never before. The gap was closed and his circuitry was wired as needed.  That’s the miracle of the plasticity of the brain.  Once it’s connections are strong and massive, the signals travel like lightening, and what wasn’t turned on, now is.  It’s what happens to everyone we, or parents work with those who struggle. Little Giant Steps’ founder, Jan Bedell, M.Ed.,M. ND. has created easy to follow programs utilizing and applying the naturally defined Neurodevelopmental Approach- a methodology that helps everyone and anyone who follows the easily sustained path as outlined within each program. The secret: Intensity, Duration, Frequency with specific adherence to the easy directions.

 In 1st Grade – he said,

“I am not a very smart boy.”

Didn’t qualify for service in Public School

See improvement and functional grade level after Neurodevelopmental Program

Little Giant Steps (LGS) is here for you!

Problem:  My child always seems to be getting into people’s “personal space”; he’s also very clumsy and bumps into things and trips a lot.

Suggestion:  These types of symptoms are typically from a lack of Proprioception (the body’s ability to know where it is in space).  The Neurodevelopmental Approach can provide specific stimulation to the brain to develop proprioception and remediate these issues.  The activity that is typically recommended for these symptoms is called “Deep Pressure” and provides stimulation to the brain to build neuropathways from the deep tissue in the arms and legs to the brain.  The parent uses their whole hand to press or squeeze each limb, starting with the tips of the fingers and working their way up on both the inside and the outside of the arm all the way to the shoulder; and for the legs, beginning with the tips of the toes and working their way up on both the inside and the outside of the leg to just past the knee.  Deep Pressure should be done for 4 minutes, twice a day, for 6 to 8 months for lasting benefit.  For more information on The Neurodevelopmental Approach, please visit www.littlegiantsteps.com.

Research has shown that children learn best from their parents. A family’s familiar communication styles, systems, and cues make learning easier, even on those days when things are a struggle. Regardless of whether you are working with a child on a neuro-developmental program from Little Giant Steps, or doing curriculum or homework; the best thing to keep up front is your sense of humor. Teach through the eyes of a child - full of wonder, craving adventure, loving discovery of new things, and most of all, loving the undivided attention and interaction between you and your son or daughter or both!

INTENSITY, FREQUENCY, SHORT DURATION

When there is fun in the air, there is an added dimension of intensity that children love! Intensity is one of the defining features of getting stimuli to the brain. Repeated intensity  which leads us to the next step toward neurological efficiency is: Frequency (a couple of times a day). These two practices along with the last one I’ll mention will impact the brain to change, grow new pathways, and retain information.

Last,but not least is: Duration (short spirited sessions of two to ten minutes several times a day are more productive than spending a boring hour on a given subject). If you will focus on these three factors [Intensity, Frequency, and Duration] you will greatly impact any individual’s learning, whether on a formal neuro-developmental program, or not!

NOTICE: If some of you really don’t have any ideas for implementing fun with your child, please email me cj@littlegiantsteps.com and I’ll send you some examples you may like to incorporate into “teaching” your child and enjoying it more.  God bless.

A Solution That Works!

For over twenty years Little Giant Steps has been providing evaluations, academic testing, screenings, developed neuro-developmental programs, neuro-educational curriculum, tools, and learning aides. We have witnessed thousands of children (despite age or I.Q.) discover learning can be fun, fulfilling, and confidence-building by utilizing programs that change the root of functional problems by addressing and changing the connections in the brain – the source of our cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual development!  Please investigate. Then, take advantage of the free articles, auditory test kits, visual test kits, free webinars, and  free consultations. When you discover the program that makes sense to you, follow up and do it!  We work with people in our clinic, but also have great at-a-distance programs. In fact, Jan Bedell, our founder and mother of a challenged child, is so passionate about making the neuro-developmental/educational approach available to all who are searching for help, she’s developed a program that is done at home only. Developmental Foundations is one of many things she’s developed to help your child.

As a mother recently told me, “I realize with the changes I’ve seen in my daughter’s abilities to learn, and the her whole outlook on life improve, I can dedicate myself to working with her for however long it takes, because I now see and know that the time I invest with her will be a short time in MY life, but the benefits will for HER will be a whole LIFETIME!

Good luck!  Parents know their children better than anyone. You can do anything you set as a priority. Go to www.littlegiantsteps.com and gain the knowledge you need to proceed in changing your child’s life. Help them experience their true God-given potential!

What Is A Parent To Do?

There is nothing more frustrating than not knowing what to do when your child clearly needs help! In my personal case, I knew something wasn’t quite on target, with my youngest son. Even his pre-school teacher talked to me about him.  She said, “He is so bright, articulate, and comprehends beyond his years, but there’s a “glitch” somewhere. He can’t seem to do things he should be able to do. He may have a learning disability. Don’t misunderstand, your son has very high intellect, but I don’t know what we’re looking at, but I will tell you to watch and see how he develops in the next two years. You may need to find some intervention – I wish I knew more – just be aware.”

Seeking A Solution Can Be Frustrating

She was right. My son definitely had trouble learning things. While I’d watched my oldest son breeze through acquiring academic skills, my poor little one seemed like he was trapped in a glass bubble with no access to anything easily. He was so determined, and most painful of all, was that he was very much aware of what was happening around him and he would ask me, “Mom, what’s wrong with me…. I should be able to do things like other kids.” Then came the real heart breaker when he announced, “I’m just dumb, stupid! I can’t do what normal people do!”

It took me ten (10) years before I found a solution! It wasn’t because I wasn’t asking for help, either.  I even became known as the pain in the” you-know-where” to all of the elementary teachers.  They saw me as a meddling, over-protective mother hen.  The schools wouldn’t test him, because he was doing above average work, even though they recognized he struggled terribly!  He was so aware of the things he should be able to do, but couldn’t execute regardless of how much we drilled, coached, suffered. He could do advanced math in his head perfectly, but couldn’t translate that to paper. He showed all the signs of dyslexia, but no one would test him!!!!

Finally, I gave up on the school and drove 250 miles to a Montessori school to talk with them (I was ready to commute with him, because as each year went by, he got more and more discouraged and depressed.) They saved his life by telling me it sounded like he had a developmental problem. They thought I should seek out a professional neuro-developmental specialist. Was this a doctor? I’d never heard of such a professional. (I had a medical background and was surprised that I’d never heard of a neuro-developmental specialist.)  No, most of them are teachers with specialty training in neuro-development, academic testing skills, and understand how to get these kids like my son on track. They even told me some of the kids they knew had their learning disability eliminated! Needless to say, I found a neuro-developmental specialist with these skills. I had my son evaluated. He had dyslexia (even though they were not big on labels), he also had some serious eye tracking/ hand coordinating problems and they had us see a developmental optometrist. They put a program together. We saw our son begin to blossom in so many ways. Today he’s the one with the doctorate in our family!!    See us tomorrow for part 2.

Certified Neuro-developmental Screener

Nancy Williams will be providing ND Screenings in Spring, TXMay 1st, 2013.  If you’d like to get a snapshot of your child’s current developmental function, then please email Nancy ( nwilliams@littlegiantsteps.com ) for appointment times, location details, and answers to any questions you may have.

For more details about what screenings cost, how they differ from a full professional ND Evaluations, please visit this page on our website.

Little Giant Steps, a neurodevelopmental/educational consulting group, has been providing services to those who struggle with learning for over twenty years. Remember, you can improve the levels of academic success – learning difficulties do not have to last a life-time! Conact Nancy today, space is limited.  nwilliams@littlegiantsteps.com

Remember, learning issues, disabilities do NOT have to be a life sentence!

Little Giant Steps will be offering Neuro-developmental Screenings in OKC on May 2^nd. We have a few appointment times open. If you or anyone you know would like to take advantage of this special offering: $25 for each family member, plus a free seminar to teach how to interpret the testing and discover your child’s current level of processing, and resources you can use at home; please have them contact Neuro-Educational Specialist, Ruth Young (be sure to give her your phone number). Ruth will be providing screenings that day. She will schedule your child, give details, and answer any questions.

Thank you for sharing this information with those who are seeking help for thier child.

Meet Timothy.  Little Giant Steps,(LGS) and his dedicated family had the pleasure of working together toward making learning easier, successful, and opening doors that seemed to be closed to him. I hope his story will encourage you, and if your child needs help, then visit our services page on our website.

We provide professional neuro-developmental and academic testing followed by an individualized Neurodevelopmental Program and Training, which is what Timothy’s family chose to do.  However, we also have programs that will meet the learning issues or problems, regardless of where you live.  Jan Bedell, M.Ed., M.ND., founder of LGS has created neuro-educational programs such as  ”At-home Programs,” “Developmental Foundations“ and “At-A-Distance Programs” so you have a choice.  If you live outside of our home state of Texas, we can help you help your child, teen or adult to become neurologically efficient, and make learning easier regardless of age or I.Q.  Whether your loved one is gifted, typical or challenged; receiving, comprehending, storing and recalling information can be improved and you will see a confident and successful individual emerge as a result.  Now, listen to Timothy’s mom in 2009:

“When we came to Little Giant Steps two years ago, Timothy was barely passing 2^nd grade.  He wasn’t reading very well, couldn’t remember things that he learned the day before, couldn’t concentrate because the noise in the classroom bothered him and he was just really frustrated.  At home, just cleaning his room was extremely overwhelming for him.

     One of the first things we noticed after he was on the program for about four months is that he was able to clean and organize his room with little supervision.  It is like we have a different child!      

     Timothy has been back in public school for 4^th grade (after being home schooled for 1½ years and focusing on the Little Giant Steps program) and is making mostly A’s and a few B’s.  His reading has improved beyond our wildest hopes.  He has improved exponentially in every academic area.  His teacher said, “I don’t know what you did with him, but this is not the same child as in 2^nd grade.” 

     I met with Timothy’s dyslexia teacher recently because she sent out results of her end of year testing. Even though the report showed that his scores increased in every area, I wanted to know if this was satisfactory progress. His teacher said, “No, it wasn’t just ok progress, it was GREAT progress!”. She said he was the “STAR of the class” and that all of the students look to him. For example, at the beginning of the year he could read 15 out 50 words.  At the end of the year he could read 45 out of 50 of the words on this specific test. She said most kids do not make this much progress the first year!!!  She said, “You know, he still has a whole year left in this class.” 

     Here are Timothy’s TAKS scores for this year: 

• · Reading:  93 (only missed 3 out of 40). This score is one point away from “commended”.
• · Math:  82 (only missed 8 out of 42). Because of this score, he will not be pulled out of class next year for math tutoring.
• · Writing:  72 (only missed 7 out of 28).  His writing improved a lot this year and I know it will continue to improve next year.

     We are so proud of him and he is proud of himself, also. These scores are just more evidence to substantiate that the ND approach to learning is incredibly successful!”   D. C. in Frisco,

NOW…FOR THE UPDATE WRITTEN IN APRIL 2013!

” Timothy is doing great!  He is making mostly A’s in school. The teachers are blown away with the fact that he really doesn’t need any accommodations especially when taking the standardized tests.  He reads very well but struggles with spelling.  I cannot tell you how many times he notices how much better he reads than his friends who are dyslexic. He says, mom, they need Jan Bedell’s program!

The reason I am contacting you is because Timothy is on the tennis team at his middle school and will try out for the high school team in May. He has found that if he does the skip cross before he plays his match, he does better. So, he wants to know if there are any exercises or movements that would increase his coordination. He really is doing very well in my opinion but he wanted me to ask anyway.  Tell Jan thank from us.” D.C.