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 :)

Ooh, banana pancakes sounds very nice and DSs both love pancakes. And that's useful to know about not having to fight the porridge battle, harriet, thank you.

The Gparent issue is infuriating, isn't it? When MIL moved nearer us, I tried to be tolerant and turn a blind eye, but she started arriving with so much junk food for them it became ridiculous and, as you say, even the boys didn't really want it all. I used to chuck quite a lot of it away, to be honest, but didn't want to hurt her feelings by telling her, obviously. She knows all about DS1's issues, but I don't suppose she believes diet will have any effect on him. If anything, I think she believes I am adding to his problems.

Have eaten rather a lot of homemade flapjack this afternoon .

Grandparents are tricky. My mum is the only one we've told about TH and now she can see the difference in ds she is supportive about the food, or at least asks permission before giving them treats.
Re bodily awareness. Ds' awareness of personal space was dreadful. He constantly invaded others' space but freaked if people got in his space ( other than family, he's always been fine with us being too near). He had to have a peg on the end of the row in the cloakroom etc and was constantly hugging other kids or stroking their faces. All that has gone. I can't remember how long it took since I haven't really thought about it til I read your post, can't even remember the last time I worried about it. So I guess the improvements were gradual but also some time ago. He is still quite clumsy but but less so than before.

Great news shopping - the home straight! Let us know how they get on with Lumosity. I live in fear of the hemis starting!

Toffeewhirl - I'm sure PILs convinced my anxiety about DS is actually the cause of his problems! Floridax vits recommended by TH are Kindervital and Saludinym (spelling...sorry?? it's mag and zinc and calcium). Plus the vegepa fish oils. Good luck with it all. It's such a big deal when you take that first step!

Bavdoc - thinking of you and your fam. x

Hi all, I've not posted for a while but have been lurking and reading other people's progress reports!
We went back to see Robin last week while we were on holiday nearby and ds1 is doing really well, he's finally finished whack an alien and has nearly completed game b on target practise, and continuing on with right hemi p. While we were at the appointment Robin told us about another game on the engaging eyes program - tracking E I think - but I can't find it! I thought Robin meant we could access it as soon as we got home but now I'm wondering if it starts up once the target game has been completed? I have to admit I'm not very tech savvy and we were camping for a week between the appointment and resuming the computer programs!

Hi all, I've not posted for a while but have been lurking and reading other people's progress reports!
We went back to see Robin last week while we were on holiday nearby and ds1 is doing really well, he's finally finished whack an alien and has nearly completed game b on target practise, and continuing on with right hemi p. While we were at the appointment Robin told us about another game on the engaging eyes program - tracking E I think - but I can't find it! I thought Robin meant we could access it as soon as we got home but now I'm wondering if it starts up once the target game has been completed? I have to admit I'm not very tech savvy and we were camping for a week between the appointment and resuming the computer programs!

oops, posted twice!

Hi puddle
Can't really help much I'm afraid - DS is also nearing the end of target b but haven't seen any other programs added. Are you going onto target c next? Interesting you're on hemi p too. I'm wondering what the progression is going to be for DS who has attention issues which I think is what the hemis are for? How old is your DS and how long have you been doing TH? maybe worth emailing engaging eyes - apparently they're very helpful.

thanks harrietv - I actually emailed engaging eyes this afternoon, just got in from work and I have an answer from them! Apparently you now have to access the game (s) after target practise online so they've set up an account for me to access it.
DS1 has been on target practice a looooong time! He went though game A quite quickly, I think about 6 weeks but game B has taken much longer - I think he finds it more difficult and he's had several weeks where he has just not wanted to play ball and has kicked off and had a strop and therefore not concentrated and progressed as quickly as he might! He has hit level 16 a couple of times about 3 weeks ago but is currently hovering at level 13/14 so still a way to go I think.
The hemi excercises I think are for them to practise filtering out visual stimuli in their periphery vision, ds1 finds hemi p a lot easier than target practise thank goodness!

oh, I should have added ds1 is 9 and will be working through game C too :)

sounds like we're at exactly the same stage with EE! My DS is 7 and has got three 16s but keeps getting stuck at 13/14 which is (for me at least!) frustrating as with Target Practice A once he got to 16 he kind of generally stayed there. Probably took us 8 weeks. He hates it! Yet to start hemis...seeing Robin next week. So pleased with his progress though - lots of things are improving steadily. Other than his facial tics and OCD touching which have really exacerbated (he's never done touching before). Am really looking forward to the turn around in this!

Hi All,

How is everyone getting on?

We are visiting TH tomorrow. Will be interesting to get some feedback on how Robin thinks ds is doing with Lumocity I suspect we will have to keep with it for a bit longer yet.

There have been so many changes in ds in the last few months. He is so much more mature, relaxed and happy. He is, generally (!), a pleasure to be around. I really hopes this continues when he starts secondary school in September.

Badvoc, still thinking of you often. I hope your mum is recovering x

Hi everyone.
It's dads funeral tomorrow.
Mum is ok - on meds but her last ECG was a lot better than when she was admitted.
Tom has pretty much stopped doing lumosity under the circs but I hope to get him back on it next week. I think routine will help us both.
Thank you for your kind thoughts x

I hope the funeral goes as well as these things can, Badvoc. Good to hear your mum is doing ok.

Best wishes for today Badvoc. X

Daft , do let us know how Robin thinks lumosity is going. Ds started it last week and loves the games. First time I can say that about the TH programme. There are some that he just can't do though which bring his score down. Eg he doesn't yet know his odd and even numbers ( is 7 but struggles with maths) and simply cannot do the number bubble things fast enough. At the moment the computer decides the games we play each day, dunno if there is a way of missing out the games he's not old enough to do?
I've been delighted with his good scores in attention games though as that has been a big problem to date.

Toffee whirl, what's the latest with your boys? How are they finding stairs and diet change?

Sending love today Badvoc. Daft - what did Robin say at your meeting? We're seeing him Sunday....these past couple of weeks with DS have been great. He's so grown up and reasonable. Sure I'm talking to soon and the meltdowns will return but enjoying it for now! Also just so much more confident about doing things alone which is so great to see and a real relief from my worries about him in that area.
Will report back after our meeting at w/e. Glad to hear DS is doing well with attention Shopping!

shopping - thanks for asking about my boys. I'm not doing the stairs exercises because DS1 has enough to do with his CBT and OT exercises at the moment and I daren't introduce yet another thing to the mix yet. However, the diet is going ok. He has rebelled a couple of times by buying banned drinks, but then quietly thrown them away later . He really enjoys some of the new food he's trying (eg. wanted a second helping of tinned salmon and cucumber sandwich yesterday). I am finding it much easier to say no and both boys are mostly accepting it. This morning, they both lamented the lack of CocoPops, but ate ReadyBrek quite happily. And, actually, I know that DS1 loves his cooked breakfasts.

Funnily enough, DS1 is much cheerier than usual and has been able to tackle his CBT exercises with success. Now, it's hard to say exactly why this is, as he is on a higher dose of fluoxetine and it could simply be down to that. And it could also be that the CBT is gradually building up his confidence. But I do wonder if the diet is also contributing, as he is not coping with sugar surges or caffeine.

This week, his CBT homework was to go to a cafe with me, have a drink, then use the loo. He hasn't been to a cafe for a year, possibly two, so this was a big deal for him - but he did it! He was so surprised that it wasn't as hard as he thought it would be that he is going again this afternoon.

Still having problems with MIL however. She looked after DS1 on Friday and gave him Mr Kipling cakes. And I found some toffees in his room that she'd given him. I think she thinks he'll end up in hospital if he doesn't have a regular injection of sugar and e-numbers!

Hope everything goes ok today.

I spoke to Robin this morning and we are off to see him Thursday so fingers crossed he can help

well done Toffeewhirl - sounds great progress!! Whatever is to thank for it, going to the cafe sounds an amazing step. Well done to you and DS. I hope you enjoy this afternoon.

Good luck notapizzaeater let us know how you go. I'm afraid I can't remember if you have a DS or a DD or how old. Look forward to hearing what he says.

Toffee whirl, that sounds like great progress. You will never know which element of his treatment is helping but it feels great to be doing something positive, doesn't it? Did you watch the programme on tv last night about OCD? I found it fascinating, and upsetting. Must be very very draining and distressing for you all. Will look forward to hearing more progress reports.
Pizza, looking forward to hearing how you get on too.

Notapizzaeater - sorry was too lazy to scroll up to find your full name, then it popped up and I realised that since you are 'not' a pizza eater, it was rude to call you 'pizza' :)

Pizza's just fine .... Son is coeliac and when first diagnosed would not eat gluten free pizza for love nor money hence name, now he eats anything gluten free

Quite excited now about the visit, it's 4 /5 hours drive from here so going to drive up to Cambridge afterwards, stay overnight and go to Duxford War Museum notes Friday as a treat ...

harriet and shopping - thanks for congrats, but I have jinxed it by mentioning it and DS1 had a bad day today . Couldn't make the cafe and ranted about the diet, then went out and bought himself Coke and chocolate. Never mind, onward and upward....

I didn't see that programme last night, shopping, but thanks for mentioning it. I will look it up.

Hello all! Haven't been on here for ages but keep popping in to see how everyone is. The summer holidays have been non stop go and I keep meaning to sit down and catch up and then there is so much to catch up on!

Badvoc - I've been thinking about you lots this week. I really hope today went off ok. How is your Mum?

Hello to everyone else. So good to hear of your progress and the blips too!!

We have lots of progress and then just when I am either breathing or boasting - it all goes wrong again. DS has been doing a 2 hr a day Playball activity for a couple of days which hasn't been a success, the lady spoke to me after each session and I think he found it too much... I didn't take him back today despite his pleading!

Much more happily, we think we've finished with his brushing. We're to go back in 3 months time but to have a total break until then. I am so proud of him and pleased that its not just me who thinks that things are improving and that the hard work is paying off. Thanks to everyone on here (and Indigo) for all your support and encouragement - I love TH and am so pleased that we found this programme.