Tinsley House Support Thread

[IndigoBell]

An awful lot of us are now doing Tinsley House, either by going there, or by following the recommendations in The Brain Food Plan

So this is just a general support (and hopefully good news) thread.

Stage 1 of the TH therapy consists of:

1. Multivitamins

• Omega
• Zinc & Magnesium
• Multivitamin

1. Healthy eating diet

• High protein, low sugar, no artificial sweeteners, additives etc.

1. Specific exercises done 3 times a day

It's so hard to find things that make them feel pride in themselves, isn't it?

I think that is the key for ds but still searching!

It really is!

We found karate helped ds1's confidence (til it got too hard for him to remember all the moves!)

I have to say I'm amazed / embarassed to say that switching DDs breakfast from oatabix to baked beans and salami has made a huge difference to her energy levels throughout the day.

she is now far less tired, even in the afternoon and evening. Even after doing a serious amount of sport in the morning.

Both DS and DD seem more engaged with their sport this weekend. Both of them came away saying 'i could have done better' - which I think is a first.

Vision therapy is going well.

Ds1 has a protein breakfast every day now, but I have only succeeded in introducing more protein into Ds2's lunch. Whereas his only lunchtime protein was hummus, he now has a small pot of cut up turkey and cucumber - and I really notice if he hasnt eaten it! He's less calm and grounded, more irritable and unengaged. He is also doing a lot more exercise, particularly focused on sensory integration activities, and this is also making a huge difference. So although Robin Pauc says his therapies arent intended for those with severe autism, with a bit of adaptation and flexibility I think they could be. ( Though to be fair I have always wondered whether Ds2's diagnosis should be severe LDs with moderate autism. And I'm beginning to realise how much his sensory processing difficulties affect him too).

Both boys have been on Vegepa chewables since the weekend - DS1 loves them! Atm I am squeezing them into DS2s drink, but the goo just sticks to the side, so am going to see if he'll chew them tonight. Should be interesting...

Sphil - would DS2 have turkey with his breakfast? As well as what he normally has - not instead of.

I think that might be pushing it. He eats it at school because it's school iyswim - they are kind but very firm with him and he does quite a bit there that he won't do at home (!) But he is now refusing to eat it at dinner time as a result - unless I make it look different by coating it in polenta and frying or baking. I am thinking of trying sausages with him - he has decent farm shop no additive g/f ones - and starting when we go camping at Easter, as he's more used to eating differently then.

Am trying to keep processed meat to a minimum in all our diets because of bowel issues in our family, including bowel cancer, so I've never tried introducing him to bacon, ham, salami etc.

Yes, the issue of reducing processed meat is a tricky one.

I had resolved to trying to move away from giving the much loved salami/sausages that my two seem to enjoy so much. Then we had our appointment with Robin and that seems to have gone out the window with all the sausages being consumed in the mornings!

Ds does love sushi. So may need to take out a mortgage to buy more of that! Or learn how to make my own!

Ooh, thats given me an idea - Ds1 also a sushi lover, but I've never tried it with Ds2. But he likes rice and fish - so worth a try.

We eat a lot of quorn sausages in our house as I try to limit the processed meat products.

We are managing OK with ds' vision therapy. Robin was worried that 18 mins would be too long for ds (5.11) and said he would shorten it if necessary but we are managing OK with doing half in the morning and half in the evening. Just a question of adding yet another thing to be done to the list of jobs! Ds is getting a moshi monsters keyring for a treat when he gets his first gold star.

Since we started though we have noticed ds is very much more agitated and grumpy- this must be a good sign that something is happening in his brain but not much fun. We're just hoping he will settle into it soon. Anyone else noticed this?

We switched to 'dry cured' bacon instead of the regular stuff as it doesn't have some nasty chemical in it.

Pop - both my kids have just changed so dramatically. DDs emotions, in particular, are all over the place. But it is a good sign. She used to be always happy, and now she's frequently stressed, angry or upset. This is progress. It wasn't right that she was always happy before.

Robin said it will take a few more months for her to settle down. I'd say already she's better than she was a few weeks ago.

With my 2 you can really tell that another bit of their brain has been turned on. In DDs case it's the 'emotions' bit.

Is quorn more acceptable in the processed meat stakes?

Ds doesn't like bacon, so that is off the menu, annoyingly. I have some mackerel to try but not sure how he will take that for breakfast! Kedgeree may work though.

Indigo- 'glad' to hear you're experiencing emotional outbursts too! I'm sure you're right and this is a good sign.

Daftmaul- quorn is not meat at all "the main ingredient in Quorn is mycoprotein, a high quality meat-free protein, which is naturally low in fat, saturated fat and calories. For example, Quorn mince is 75% lower in fat and saturated fat that even lean beef mince. It also has all the essential amino acids you?d find in other proteins like beef or chicken, so is an ideal alternative for healthy eaters and vegetarians."

They make all kinds of styles of meat replacement ham, sausages, chicken, mince etc etc. You can find it in most supermarkets usually with the deli type products.

Sorry, I should have said "processed stakes". Obviously, quorn is not meat!

You can see why I have daft in my name!

Hmm may try those myself pop There was a peice on BBC news the other day re: processed meat causing 20% of cancers!!!!

Ds1 is becoming more....obnoxious!!! Lots of muttering under his breath at me

However, dh has been away all week and he has been great...esp as I have been quite ill since tues (typical!!!)

He has got quite a few stars already in the VT which pleases him - he gets very cross when he doesnt get one!!!

Hi everyone

Sorry vanished off for a bit having been on a DIY frenzy my latest obsession!!!

Anyway DD had a fantastic week last week in school no violent aggressive outbursts and 4.5 smiley faces so we are delighted!!! I have increases her Omega this week so not sure if that is connected. We now give her 2 of the Barleans Ultra EPA capsules on top of the Floradix they are costing a small fortune but the difference is amazing so well worth every penny.

Reading your breakfast ideas with interest we have been doing sausages, bacon, omelette, and even a croque monsieur!!!

I have been eating the same and unfortunately my waist line is paying the price!!!

It's great to hear so many of you have had such positive results with TH. My DS is 3 this month and awaiting dx for suspected HFA. His main issues are social communication/receptive language. Would TH be worth visiting at his age?

I think he may be a bit young, your best bet would be to go to the TH website and emial/phone Robin and ask!

3 is not too young.

LovelyBoys boy isn't 3 yet.

Far better to sort out his problems early if you can.

I think for young kids he recommends the spinning chair exercise rather than the stairs.......

Agree with Indigo...earlier the better!

Forgot to say DD got her picture of a rabbit displayed on the star of the week board this from a girl who could not even hold a pencil in January I am truly amazed!

AAArgh - the orange oil in the Vegepa is giving DS2 very loose poos. He can't eat oranges for the same reason, but I didn't think a tiny amount of oil would have the same effect. And Osteocare has orange oil as flavouring too.

For the moment I have gone back to cod liver oil with him - it seems to suit him though I know Robin doesn't approve because of the Vit A content. Our old nutritionist recommended it though, because he said it improved eye contact in many of his autistic clients. This has certainly been the case with DS2.

Still have to try to get some zinc into him though - any ideas? And a bit more calcium would be good - he has a bit in his Vit C and rice milk but I'm pretty sure it's not enough. He takes magnesium already, so that's fine, though we have to be very careful with the amount as he seems very sensitive to it. I have to say he's been very happy and engaged this week, despite the poo problem - lots of wanting to play with us and vocalising.

DS1 is so much simpler! takes his Floradix and Vegepa every day (though he hates the Floradix). Have just asked him if he feels any different and he said he feels ' sharper and a bit stronger'. Can't ask for more than that. He also got a Level 5c in his SATs reading practice this week - highest mark he's ever had.

Does the vanilla flavour liquid osteocare contain orange?

Zinc comes in lots of multi vits. I use a tesco own brand chewables one.

Oh didnt know there were different flavours - will look.

As far as I can see, theres only one liquid and it says it's flavoured witb orange and mint oil?

Just looked on the box - you're right :( The vanilla flavoured one contains orange.