Day 31: Taz Studying Schoolwork: On meds vs. off meds

"always attentive and
tries his hardest,
working on an essay...
Moved up a level in 7 Physical Activities"

Studying for Bible Verse
Taz has a Memory Verse test at his school
every Friday

He does very well with simple memorization

Thursday Night is crunch night if he has not worked on the

memory work a little per day

 

 

 

Just a little observation regarding studying (memorization) at night when all ADHD medication has worn off.  Taz seems to be able to still focus on the work without meds.  He is still very active, moving around and louder in the evenings when all medication has subsided effectiveness.  But he seems to be able to calm himself enough to study effectively.  This is a positive change, and one noted after the onset of our Brain balance program.

 

Here are a few other pictures of scenes around our home: 

Organic Tomatoes grown in our Garden this summer.

 

 

 

Working on the Johnson 18 Jet power -  putting the Jet Pump back together

(main drive shaft bearing and water pump and seal were faulty)

 

 

 

 

Susquehanna River

New Cumberland Area

Fishing Trip 

 

Sample Moro Reflex

Exercise

 

 

Sausage and Burger mixed together

With Tomato salad, and sprouted alfalfa

for dinner.

I wouldn't have believed the Taz would dig into

this type of food

2 months ago,

when all he wanted was Little Caesar's Breadsticks

and Reeces' Cups

Gluten is an irritant, and an inflamer of tissue

of that I am certain! 

 

This was taken last summer when we

sent Taz to his room

so we could have a private talk

(he was not being disciplined, this is just

a typical happening around the house with

Taz... he took all the side papers

off the computer paper and made

a "Fort" of paper

(this happened in about 6 minutes time)



The Incredible 3rd Grade Teacher who adored

our Taz and made such a difference in his life

Easy to earn 100% in Scripture Memorization

for 3rd grade 

 

Sample of the Rabbit Stew we made for 3rd Grade Pioneer Day

Day 17: Doing Man's Work without a Battle

Taz helps Hubster
sheet rock the basement walls

Taz was cheerful most of the day today.  He begged to help Hubster with work in remodeling the basement.

 This was most rare, since Taz generally wants to play or do anything else but work. 

This trait of trying everything and anything to get out of physical work is one of my biggest irritants.  I had hoped that my son would be a good, hard worker.  I tried in every way I could to instill the work ethic into his being.

  Today, I saw a glimpse of the fruits of my efforts. 

In tiny, teeny ways, there are changes in Taz.  He seems happier, more secure somehow.  We have been open about the "deficits" that the Theory of Brain Balance originator Dr. Mellilo has written about.  Of course, we believe that everyone has a bit of an unbalance brain, so we reassure Taz that there is nothing "wrong" with him, only that he could stand to improve and make his life easier by working the program. 

Incidentally, today we went to the library and checked out the movie, "The Whale and Mozart."  It was an eye opening view of Asperger's and Autism in Adult Form.  I recommend it to anyone who doubts that the Spectrum disorders are "unrecoverable."  Who would not give all they had to take a Chance on Recovery if it might be Recoverable?  Who would just let their child grow up without intervention, only to have a difficult and awkwardly uncomfortable adulthood like that portraited in this movie.  Last week, Hubster and I watched "Rainman" again.  I think we are trying to psych ourselves up for staying with the program, diet, exercises, etc.  The program is Tough, but not as tough as living with full blown Autism for the rest of one's life!   The fits that Raymond (the character with Autism in the movie) were scary, and not like any fit or tantrum Taz has ever thrown.  He does not hit himself in the head, thank goodness.  My heart hurt and I cried for all mothers of severely Autistic children while I watched. 




Day 9: A day for Best Buds (Play Date)

 

 

 

Taz and his best Bud Tyshawn

 

the spent time in the sand box,

playing ping pong, and

playing each other in chess on the computer

 

 

 

     I am feeling confident that Brain Balance is going to assist us in improving Taz's concentration, memory, grades, relationships, and self esteem.  And many other things! 

 

 Today was lovely.  Not ONE oppositional comment,
just smiles and kindness and even affection!

 

 

  The negative behavior has been more rare at times, but Taz does seem to be noticing the little things I do for him more, and he expresses his gratitude (at least today).  Part of this may be the Brain Balance Program, but another part is attributed to the Book we are reading together, "The 55 Essential Rules" by Ron Clark. 

 

One of the Rules is to always express verbal thanks when someone does something for you.  I love this book, and highly recommend it to all parents. 

 

 



"This runaway bestseller that's a must-have for every parent and teacher.  After his Oprah appearance, the book sat tenaciously on the New York Times bestseller list for 11 weeks. Ron Clark was featured on the Today show, and in the Chicago Tribune, Good Housekeeping, and the New York Daily News--not to mention the calls received from teachers and parents who want to get their hands on Ron's guidelines for teaching children."

Day Five; The First Weekend

Friday Night Schedule: 

Leave school with Taz, go directly home, perform #1 core and eye exercise sessions, complete homework, put veggies and roast in crockpot, swipe at the counters, then RUN out the door for our Brain Balance session #3.  Taz did wonderfully, although he said he would rather go to "Monkey Joe's."  The protests were minimal, and here is his report card for the day from the therapists at Brain Balance.

Next:  Back home, I get the supplements (#1) in Taz, Get dinner on the Table, Eat, and Try to get Taz to eat some veggies and some fruit (he loves meat, Thank the LORD)... Clear table (everyone clears their own dishes), put dishes in dishwasher, call my mother, swipe the dinner table and counters, put leftover food away. 

Then:  I help Taz Perform his last Core and Eye Exercise Session for the day (this takes us about 11-13 minutes if Taz cooperates).  Next is 20 m ins of reading together as a family from our story (Gulliver's Travels, adapted for children).  We quickly discuss the main points of the reading.  My next essential goal is to get the #2 supplement servings into Taz's body (he calls the one supplement "Mud," and avoids it at all costs).  I bribe him by giving him 5 extra minutes on the Computer Game "Minecraft" for Saturday.

  He finally obliges after 10 mins. of protests, and gulps the brown mushy substance down (I mix it with 3 ozs. of OJ, but it is still pretty bad in looks and smell).  I praise Taz for doing yet another "Hard Thing" for his health, all the while leading him to the shower to clean up for the day.

 Taz takes long showers, thoroughly enjoying himself by singing, talking to himself, floating anything he can find in there, and basically distracting himself in every way possible from doing what he is supposed to be doing:  washing himself.  I have never known as shower by Taz that has not required a reminder to "Wash your face, and remember those underarms." 

 

Taz cuddles up to Hubster to watch a bit of a DVD (Heroes of the Bible- from the Public Library).  I hop in the shower, hop out, and take the calming B6 lotion and a yawning Taz to his Bedroom.  As we lay on his bed, I massage the B6 (and other essential vitamins) into his back as I tell him a story about two kittens on an adventure on the White River in Arkansas.

 

 I love the smell of the lotion from Brain Balance, using it twice daily to help Taz not only get the vitamins, but hope for the promised calming effect as well.  It works.  The lemon balm aroma mixed with the droning of my monotone voice telling about the kittens, along with the long, comforting strokes of the back rub lull Taz to a peaceful, restful place.  We say his Night-time prayers, and he is off to dreamland.  

As I leave his room, I reflect back on our first week of Brain Balance.  Yes, it was HECTIC, BUSY and rushed.  But we made it to day 5.  In one piece, and without too much stress or tantruming.  I whisper a little prayer of Thanks to my LORD for getting us this far.  Onward and Upward!