Explore your options

Recently we visited the paediatrician about a Tourettes type noise that Tim was making.  The noise comes and goes and was particularly present at the time that I consulted the paediatrician.

I made the appointment and in the mean time did a little research on the internet.  I read somewhere that taking fruit juice out of the diet can help.  So prior to the appointment with the paediatrician, I took Tim off his fruit juices, which he loves and drinks at least 2 large glasses a day.

Taking him off the fruit juices had dramatic results. The noise was reduced to only occasional from pretty much being there all the time.  Alongside the dietary change I also gave Tim the opportunity to do some emotional release work, as I had a gut feeling that the stress underlying the tic was emotional. This worked well too. By then, the appointment with the paediatrician came around. The tic hadn’t fully disappeared so I attended the appointment.  I told her of my success with the fruit juice and she dismissed it, saying that diet is only one factor in the treatment.  I asked her what else could be done in that case to help, and the only alternative she gave me was anti-psychotic medication

Well 2 weeks later, no medication, the tic has pretty much disappeared.  I suppose the paediatrician would call that a coincidence, but if I had’ve listened to her advice, my son would now be on medication.

The treatment I gave Tim took 5 minutes to research and 15 minutes of my time sitting with him and using some tools to help him express his feelings.  You can learn these tools in the Holistic Parenting course advertised on this website. So little effort to avoid medicating him, and in the end I learnt something valuable about fruit juice in his diet.

I explained to Tim why I was removing the fruit juice from his diet and he agreed to do it as the tic was really bothering him.

It is definitely worth exploring your natural options BEFORE medicating. DO NOT be daunted by professional opinions and do not hold their opinions in greater esteem that your own gut feeling as a parent.  As always common sense prevails and you must never place your child in any danger by denying them urgent medical treatment, but in cases like this it is worth being creative and listening to yourself.

Helping with Sleep

Most children with Asperger’s Syndrome suffer from difficulty getting to sleep.  My son finds he is often wide awake and clear as a bell at 10pm, and ready to talk about his day in detail.  I have found that gentle persuasion and some holistic techniques really help him with getting to sleep.  After all, his body is tired, it’s his brain that is finding it difficult to wind down.  It’s vital not to get angry at your child and think that they are being naughty by staying up late.  It’s well documented that children with AS have difficulty winding down.  Here are some things that have worked for us and may work for you.  As for which one to choose, ask your child which one they would like?

-Gentle Relaxing Massage (clothes on for warmth) for those who enjoy massage.  It’s worth experimenting and developing a technique that your child finds relaxing.

- Guided Meditation. Buy a book or cd, or make up your own.

- Head stroking and soothing words.

- Definitely no video games 2 hours before bed.

- A bath just before bed with soothing essential oils in the bath and soft lighting in the room.

- Foot massage

- Soaking feet in salted hot water (have the water as hot as the child can manage)

- Stretching or yoga

- Conversation that validates the child’s concerns so that they can put their worries behind them.  EG using worry dolls. Make sure the conversation closes on a positive note.  If the child wants to raise contentious issues, state calmly that these might be best handled tomorrow.  Make a commitment to a time when the issue will be discussed and follow through.

- Head massage is particularly soothing and great to relax the mind.

Now you might be thinking..hey! howcome I don’t get this sort of help going to sleep?  If I put all this effort in, they’ll expect it all the time!!  There are two points to make here:

1. Yes you’re right – you deserve this too!!! So why don’t you make sure you get it!! As a carer you need this kind of nurturing more than anyone, so make sure you give it to yourself so you don’t burn out and so you are in a better position to give.

2. These children have their parents as the people who understand them most and empathise with their struggles; the rest of the world and people are foreign and often perceived as very unfriendly.  Be their ally and friend and they will reward you tenfold by really taking flight.  When a child feels well supported, nurtured and loved they can truly live their best potential!!!  They deserve this and so do you!! You don’t have to do his every night…just when you can!