If a child has one or more of the above problems, appropriate treatment addressing the causes is of the utmost importance.
What if my child is on medication for ADD/ADHD? This is a very individual and contentious issue. Learning Connections' aim is to overcome factors which may contribute to ADD/ADHD. When these factors are addressed some children may no longer need medication. Professionals in variety of fields are addressing ADD/ADHD behaviours.
The difference is that while medication may improve behaviour in the short term, it may mask symptoms which are the cause of the ADD/ADHD. The following approaches used by The Learning Connections Centre work on the underlying causes thereby eliminating symptoms long term.
A Developmental Approach to ADD/ADHD
A sensible multi-disciplinary developmental approach treats the underlying causes rather than the symptoms, which are secondary:
Sensory motor maturation programs enhance the ability of the child to process sensory information. With maturation and improved central nervous system organization children develop the foundations necessary for attention and learning. They are then able to organize their hands, body and mind to effectively express their knowledge and organize themselves for motor learning tasks.
The Sound Therapy Program when used in conjunction with Learning Connections Program can play an important role in overcoming attention, listening, auditory processing and sequencing problems, and improve both speed of auditory and visual processing.
Visual therapy, visualization and activities to develop visual perception, and speed of visual processing when used in conjunction with Learning Connections Program help children improve visual attention.
Nutrition - over the last few decades in Australia there have been significant changes in the content of our diet. Increasing ingestion of junk food and chemicals. Increasing obesity. Diets high in calories, but low in nutrients. Reduced vitamin and mineral content of foods. Heavy metals and toxins e.g. lead, mercury, pesticides and herbicides in our environment.
Our diet and the ability of our digestive system to absorb nutrients forms the base of all biochemical reactions. Our diet therefore affects the whole body especially the brain and nervous system.
