TINSLEY HOUSE SUPPORT THREAD - PART 3!!!! :)

[Badvoc]

Well, here is the shiny new thread for all of us either doing the TH programme, doing part of it, or thinking about doing it! :)
A brief synopsis of stage 1 of the programme can be found in the books "is that my child?" Or "the brain food plan" by robin pauc;

Stage 1 of the TH therapy consists of:

1. Daily Multivitamins
   

* Omega
* Zinc & Magnesium

1. Healthy eating
   

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

1. Specific neuro development exercises done 3 times a day
   

* Takes about 4-5 mins

And that's it :)

Stage 2 involves computer programmes to sort out eye tracking and convergence which over 80% of children with reading/writing problems have.

* www.engagingeyes.co.uk

We are coming to the end of our time doing TH I reckon...certainly by the end of the summer I think. It has been in many ways much easier than I thought at the beginning but of course takes commitment and time.

I am so glad we "took the plunge". It has made such a difference to ds and to our lives :)

[Badvoc]

Got a skype appt with robin tomorrow so will let you know how we get on...
Went shopping with my migraine inducing mother today and she got a lovely outfit for my cousins wedding, including bag and fascinator.
I bought a veg peeler and iron de-scaler sachets.
Do you ever wonder what happened to your life? :)

[Badvoc]

...oh, and if anyone knows where I can get a childs (age 10) sleeping bag from I would be grateful!

[shoppingbagsundereyes]

Think we bought a child's sleeping bag from tesco. Worth a look. Hope appointment goes well :)

[Badvoc]

I will look, thank you.
The word sleepingbag is really not in my vocabulary :) or at least I wish it wasn't!!

[Beautifulpossum]

Lovely to meet up with Indigo, Shopping and Prince yesterday.

Things still going well here. Both children happy to do exercises each day and ( almost) no whingeing. We are off to Robin at the beginning of May and think he will be really pleased with them both.

Plan to spend less time worrying about my children and more time looking after myself this term.

[Badvoc]

Sleeping bag - check
Water proof trousers - check
Just need to get him a wash bag and toiletries now....

[Lookslikerain]

Well, I was feeling very positive yesterday. Lots of improvements in DS and it was a lovely sunny day. He's doing the exercises and while I still haven't cracked breakfast, the diet is going well. But then today I'm on more of a downer. Had a meeting with his EP, went through his history again. Sigh. I feel like offering to buy the nhs a photocopier so they don't need to keep asking me the same questions again and again. Now wishing I'd asked how my birth experience will be of help to him in nursery . She did lots of little tests with him, where he had to do puzzles, build towers etc. He ignored her a few times. For some of it, I don't think he understood what she was asking. Things like that bring it back to my attention just how he isn't doing what he should be. I think my mood probably also has a lot to do with it being a miserable, rainy day here too.

Anyway, on a more positive note, have any of you seen the "rice cakes and brocolli" blog. I found it from a thread in food, but I think it's a mumsnet blog. I'd do a link but I don't know how to do it on the iPad . It'll come up if you google. She blogs about the food she cooks her DD. They are vegetarian. What I liked is that she has researched what nutrients etc kids need and gives details on each recipe. She details protein, zinc, magnesium, omega etc. All the stuff that we are trying to get into our DC! She also doesn't put any refined sugar in her baking. I haven't tried any yet but plan to soon.

[Badvoc]

Ah yes.
The constant repitition of our dcs problems to hcps.
It's great isnt it? :(
I just wrote out a (3 page!) document detailing all toms issues since birth and handed them that!

[Lookslikerain]

It's totally infuriating! And completely pointless as they don't use it for anything! Yet, every time, it's the same questions. How is the age that my DS sat at actually relevant to his schooling and any support he needs? I'm simply going to refuse to give it to anyone else.

[Happy247]

Hi, we are all booked and going soon!!

Badvoc- how did the Skype appt go with Robin? Hope all went well.

[Badvoc]

Hello happy :)
Best of luck with the appt!
Our Skype appt is later on this evening.
Will keep you all posted.
My dad has gone to see my aunt who was widowed last week :( what a difficult afternoon for him :(
Ds2 has stopped coughing.....finally! So that means that he asthma dx and treatment is obv correct :( oh well. With any luck he will be like Tom and outgrow it.

[Lookslikerain]

Oh badvoc, I'm sure your DS2 will outgrow it. At least he's got exactly the medicine he needs so it shouldn't affect him too much. And poor your dad. I hope it's not too difficult.

[Badvoc]

Thanks lookslike I know. We are lucky we have access to preventer inhalers etc but I really didn't think ds2 had been unlucky like dh and Tom. Oh well.
He takes the meds really well too, bless him :)
My uncles funeral is next week - dh is away in South America natch :( - i have asked pils to babysit so I can go.
Also got to take mum to hospital on Tuesday for a heart stress test.
Sigh.
It's going to be a loooong week next week! :(

[Lookslikerain]

Sending you a hug badvoc. You sound like you need one.

[Badvoc]

Thank you x

[Happy247]

Sending big hugs too. I hope all goes as well as possible next week.

[Badvoc]

Tom has just come home from school and told me he has been moved up to the top table for literacy too! :)
He then got 4 peronsal best scores on lumosity!!
So hopefully it will be a good appt later! :)

[Badvoc]

Just had Skype appt with robin.
Tom is doing brilliantly and has told me I have to be "extra boastful" when I tell you about it! :)
Since we last saw robin Tom has been doing lumosity games most days - with a break when he was ill - and hemi opk.
He has also moved up to the top ability tables in both handwriting and literacy.
According to robins print out from lumosity Tom is doing exceptionally well for a 9 year old :)
He is very pleased with him and we aren't seeing him again til end of July and I think that may be it last appt :) :(
I feel quite emotional actually.
Tom isn't used to people (Except me) telling him how clever he is so his little face lit up :)
Tom is to carry on with lumosity but that's it.
He has also recommended a spelling programme called spellodome which I may try.
Hang on;
A message from Tom....
"If you go to robin and see him your child will do better in everything that they find difficult. I for an example. To the Kids, it will all work out in the end!"
:)

[Lookslikerain]

badvoc please tell Tom he's cheered me right up! I was needing to hear something happy like that! Glad your appointment went so well.

[Happy247]

Awww what a little sweetie. I am so glad Tom is doing so well. One clever boy.

[Badvoc]

:)
Thank you. It's all gone a bit to his head and he now thinks he is famous!
Robin used a plane analogy (he knows Tom is mad about planes) and it really made sense...even to me!
Preparing to fly takes time, things need to be done properly and in a certain order...fuel (food), making sure the plane is working and fit to fly (healthy eating) and then doing all the cock pit checks (neuro exercises and visual programmes) and only then can the person fly.
It makes sense to me and has certainly been Toms experience!
Thank you all for your kindness, your humour and sharing your experiences.
I am very grateful x

[Badvoc]

....every time I remember ruggles' post:
"I dream of minced based foods becoming acceptable"
I smile :)

[itwillbebetter]

Badvoc - you don't know how much you've cheered me up after a totally s**t day at Camhs culminating in them telling me ds2 needs medication for his anxiety :(

I was starting to waiver as he has had no improvement since starting the programme early March but I guess we are still fuelling the plane :) I'm so glad that your ds is flying high. Go Tom!

[Badvoc]

Oh, I am sorry to hear that itwillbebetter :(
We were considering anxiety meds for Tom 2 years ago so I can empathise. Awful thing to have to contemplate for your child :(
Tom has been doing TH for 16 months now (I can't remember how long your dc has been doing it?) and it has flown by for us.
Can't beleive it's been that long tbh!
I think the best way to approach ANY therapy is to understand that's its not going to work overnight. That you need to be really committed to providing the support/therapy (and I know you are) and that sometimes it's may even seem like the person is getting worse prior to improvement.
I know that's easy for me to say, but Tom used to be a very frightened, very anxious, very self doubting little boy :(
Having to witness his daily struggles just to navigate his way in the world has been a hugely humbling experience for me.
He has never given up.
Even when he was giving 110% and getting further and further behind.
I am immensely proud of him.
I have no idea what Tom will achieve in his life....but I do know that now I have given him a fighting chance.
X

[Beautifulpossum]

Badvoc- So sorry that things are still tricky and busy with you, but such great news about Tom. You and Tom are an inspiration and thank you for your posts and efforts in making this thread a great place to hang out!

I met Indigo's DS this week and he too has been doing TH for about 16 months. Well... what can I say?...he was amazing! Absolutely no ASD traits and my kids thought he was wonderful. So lovely that the 2 people who's comments brought me to TH have had such amazing results. I know that I will get results like these for my children too. They are both making great gains but we are only 8.5 months in so still have more to do.

My resolution for this term is to not worry about the childrens DDS any more. They are in great hands and we are through the worst and they will be fine. Robin and this thread have made such a difference to our lives already.