Tinsley House Support Thread Part 4!!!

[Mangomanila]

This thread is for anyone interested in the Tinsley House programme. All welcome!

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 smile

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

Argh, so frustrating , I typed a long reply and have lost it so herd is a revised and shorter version...
Sunshine I'm totally with you on this. We're 9 months in and although there has been real progress ( but not convinced it's been due to TH) we're not actually 'closing the gap' in terms of comparison to Yr 1 peers. In fact I thnk we've plateaus a bit now and getting DD to c

Fat fingers on phone keyboard do not make for trouble free posting , sorry!
Meant to say that getting DD to complete the exercises (EE and Hemi p) is hard going. Do we persevere, knowing that many people have been helped hugely by TH, or do we stop now and look for something else that might prove more effective?
We're trying cranial osteopathy next week so that May give me some useful feedback re DD.
I agree with *Brightstars' re the lack of any control or definitive measures at TH , maybe it's just too hard to measure but u do need something tangible Ivan point to.

I actually don't know what to think about TH just now. Will welcome reading other people's experiences.

Just to update everyone on academic progress, dyslexic DS just got 2A (reading, writing, maths) in Y2 sats. At Christmas of Y1, he was struggling with phase2 phonics (s,a,t,p,i,n).

This is incredible improvement. I suspect it's down to a combination of things. I think the key ones for us have so far been going gluten free and cranial osteo.

Took DS swimming yesterday. Forgot his pants . Normally this would lead to total meltdown.... Instead he just laughed!

It's been a long time coming, but now the improvements are coming thick and fast.

Feel really positive about his future.

How are all the newbies getting on?

Hello All, haven't been on for a while but have just read through to catch up. Seems to be a few people finding progress slow. Sorry to hear that. It is so tough to be putting the effort (and money!) in and not feel the progress is as hoped. Certainly with ds, most of the progress was towards the end of the process (lumosity) but he is older than many of your dcs, I think.

Well, talking of ds, he is still not back at school and so has been off for a term and a half now. It has been so slow finding a medication that reduces his seizures without horrendous side effects and, after numerous tests, still no closer to knowing what is causing the seizures.

Ds will start seeing a tutor at home after half term if he is well enough and fingers crossed, he can start back with everyone when they go back for Y8. It is amazing how much of the work they have done this year that they say he does not need to catch up on!

Harriet, have been thinking of you. How are you?

Hi daft. Good to hear from you. These last few months must have been a total nightmare for you all. How is DS coping with it? It's always positive to here from those further down the line.

I haven't caught up with the thread for ages and really interested to hear what has been going on. We have been doing TH for nearly 22 months but I must admit not as well as we should for the past 3 or 4, this mainly being because DS is coping so well at school now that his problems are no greater than alot of other boys in his class. He is doing Lumosity but really fusses over it and I think we are pretty much at the end of the road. I am really really delighted with TH; my DS is transformed but still think there is more I can do. Rather like BRIGHTSTARS I think that whilst I have more energy for this and can afford to do it we can carry on. The question is what next ? Can you help me? We have done 6 weeks RRT, 22 months of TH and AIT. I can't face GF but having read the thread am going to try and go back to GlutenLight which we did in the early days. The things on my shopping list are: Sacrocranial, homeopathy, Handle and Brain Balance. I think I am most tempted by sacro cranial but have read the odd thing about fits or regression afterwards which frightens me, All suggestions welcome. Thanks

Just Looking and Mango- plese let me know your sacrocranial thoughts. Also Brightstars- have you done sacrocranial yet?

Hi beautiful possum,
Great to hear things going so well for you. Can I ask how old your DS is and when you felt the real benefits of TH kicked in?
You asked about cranial osteopathy. I'm no expert as we've only had one session! I really liked/ trusted the chap doing it which obviously makes a big difference. He noted no problems with DD skull but tightness and tension in neck shoulders and also in diaphragm ( a bit like she's had a shock and hasn't let out her breath iyswim) so we're going to have a couple more sessions to see if that will help. Will report back. :)

Did anyone else get a cryptic email from Robin this morning with a link to click on? Wondering if it is genuine or whether the account has been hacked. Will contact him about it but no point if someone else has spoken to him or clicked the link to find out what it is!

Yes, I got the same email. Link is "unsafe".
Also looks like the main TH website is affected.
I sent Robin an email but probably shouldn't have done in case my emails get affected...Eeek....

Thanks Justlooking

Hi all.

I haven't been on here for an age. I caught up with the thread a few days go but don't ever manage to find time to post. Thought I'd just do a quick one now and try to get on later for more of an update.

Things with us are still going well. DS continues to improve, more conversation, language developing, social skills very slowly emerging. I am sorry that some people haven't seen the same positive results. We are 16 months in and I think we've still got a bit of a way to go. Robin always said that DS's problems were quite complex. And while we've got the energy and money for it, we'll keep going.

I also had the dodgy looking email this morning. Just deleted it. The website is redirecting now to some equally dodgy looking website. We were on doing our morning hemis about 8.30 and it was all fine then.

Anyway, must dash for now but I will be back later. Want to pick the brains of those who've gone gluten free...

I've a Skype tomorrow with Robin, we've slacked off last couple of months as this and the stress of sats was just too much.

We are gf - not through choice ds is coeliac so any questions please shout.

Made it back onto the thread!

Thanks notapizzaeater. My DS isn't coeliac, but I have made a real effort to really reduce the amount of wheat we eat as a family. DH started low carbing about 8 months ago after I read a book about it. I then started reading lots of other things, blogs etc about standard/nhs diet advice and what the science actually suggests we should eat. Also read a lot of stuff about leaky gut and it's affect. Sometimes I wish I hadn't started reading! Ignorance is bliss and bread is tasty! I realised that we eat a lot more of it than I had thought and so I'm trying to minimise it.

I'm not worrying about things like breadcrumbs on fish fingers etc, but I have switched to gf bread, gf pasta, doing my own gf baking. Do you buy any of the gf products in the supermarkets? They are quite expensive and often have ingredients I can't pronounce. Are they worth it? Are there any good gf cooking/baking books you'd recommend? I've got the Intolerant Gourmet and love most of her recipes.

Mango Your son sounds like he's doing really well! I'm sure you said you felt going gf had a huge effect on him. What kind of thing did you notice and how quickly? We're only a few weeks in. I'm not sure if (drastically) reducing gluten is enough or whether I need to completely remove it.

I dropped DS at nursery this morning and his badge wasn't in the box. While we were waiting for one of the teachers to find it, he without prompting, told one of the other boys that he couldn't find it! That kind of thing used to be unheard of, but it's gradually happening more and more. I'm still convinced that a lot of his difficulties with social interaction are linked to his language. As one improves, so does the other.

I'm starting to worry a bit about school. He won't go until next year when he's 5 and a half. We're in Scotland so we could defer his entry by a year. But I will have to decide on a school and register him towards the end of the year. He's come so far but I still feel he's really not ready for school. He's still in nappies, can't dress himself, takes an age to eat... His attention is still very poor. Sometimes it's great and he's fully engaged on a task. Other times, he's away with the fairies and it's impossible to get him back. And while his social interaction with his peers is improving, it's still behind and he still needs help. I just can't see how he'll cope at school. I can't defer him any more than 1 year, so I'm even looking at how I would home educate. So difficult to know what to do for his best.

It's not all doom and gloom though! He responds to his name these days, he answers questions, he asks to go places (park, swimming etc). He asked me the other day if we could go on a plane and go on holiday. He often asks if we can go to a restaurant for dinner (don't know what that one says about my cooking...). His play is far more 'normal' than it was and he enjoys pretend type play with the toy kitchen, feeding dolls etc. A lot of the visual stims he had have gone, though he still likes to watch freight trains on YouTube! I think he might just be a train spotter!

He eats a huge amount. More than me some days, I'm sure. So on the whole, I'd definitely say it's a positive picture here with us. He's happy, he's still moving forward and yes, maybe he'd be here even if we hadn't met Robin, but I'm not going to play the what ifs. I think it's been worth it and we'll keep going.

Harriet Hope you're doing ok with everything you've got going on.

That was a massive catch-up post, sorry. I shall make an effort to get on here a bit more often.

Great to hear from you all and hear your news.

Possum we have started cranial (only done 2 sessions so far). Big improvement in balance. I feel it complements TH. Osteo described what she was doing as releasing pressure around the cerebellum and increasing blood flow between left and right brain. After first session, DS began to play independently and imaginatively using Lego people (rather then just pushing vehicles about) and talking through little stories about them.

I've not heard/read anything about tics starting (not one of our issues though), though on this thread think somebody mentioned getting rid of them through left hand yoyo (Advised by robin)

We have also been to an OT for sensory/ core stability issues. Quite time consuming but beneficial.

lookslike Gluten removal lifted a 'brain fog' from DS (dyslexia). Change was immediate. I switched to GF stuff without telling him. That evening he asked to do his homework as 'his brain was working and it might not be tomorrow'. Also coincided with DD breaking her arm so couldn't learn spellings that week. He still got 9/10 (without learning them) rather than 2/10 (slogging them to death). Just did Y2 SATs and got 19/20 on the spellings. We also do 'toe by toe' phonics and since GF he rarely makes any errors.

Having said all that, it can take about 8 months to clear gluten from the system. I think some people are sensitive to it (And it causes all sorts of problems) and some people are fine with it.

I don't buy too much GF stuff- genius bread, bit of pasta, biccies. Other than that, just stick to potatoes/rice at meal times. GF flour is fine in cakes/sauces etc. DS is brilliant about it because he knows it has made a difference...

Thanks Mango. DS has never been too keen on carbs, other than cakes and biscuits! He's very much a meat and veg boy so keeping him away from gluten hasn't been too hard yet. I can't say I've noticed any difference but I guess it's early days. I wish I could get DD to reduce her wheat/gluten/carb intake but she's a fussy 2 year old who would starve without it.

DS is generally very tired right now. I think he's really ready for the summer holiday. Only 2 more weeks here before the schools break up.

After all the chat on cranial, I might have a little look at it too.

Test post! This is my 1st posting. My 7 year old Dd is dyslexic with visual stress, diagnosed in August 2013. She has tinted glasses and is on school action, and been doing Every Child Counts. We are 4 months in to TH, the stair & teeth therapy, and diet and supplements she has dyslexia tuition once a week, Wordshark. I was worried about APD but comforted myself that these other therapies already in place were enough at the time and may help. Her school today, however, mentioned APD and I'm worried again!! I will try for a APD assessment - any tips of how and where to achieve this, and how much it'd cost privately?! Can't afford it but don't have the energy to fight the system, and Dd needs help fast. Reading through this thread, there is mention of cranial osteo - is this worth considering, and how do I go about finding one (based in the Chilterns in Bucks)...lastly, thanks to all the posters to this thread, it has been a lifeline :o) x

Hi Sparky and welcome. I'm afraid I can't help with dyslexia as that's not something we're dealing with. I know others are, though, and I'm sure someone will be along soon. I've been reading the cranial osteo stuff with interest too, and I think I'll have a look into it at some point. How is your DD doing on the TH programme? Have you seen any changes/improvements yet?

It's nearly end of term with us (Scotland; I think we finish earlier than the rest of the UK). A week and a half to go. DS is a bit frazzled and really ready for a holiday. He's been having some bad nightmares this week, which I think is a sign of his need for a break.

Hi sparky and welcome!

DS has dyslexic issues and uses a colored filter to stop the letters moving about. We have been doing EngagingEyes vision therapy for about a year and this has helped greatly. Doesn't lose place as much and letters are moving more slowly.

Have you been doing exercises/ diet from the book? Rather than appointments? If so, you can subscribe to Engaging Eyes (we did this a few months before making our first appointment). Price is (I think) £70 with a money back guarantee.

I have been doing an intensive phonics book called 'toe by toe' which has really helped DS catch up in reading. 10 minutes a night, designed for parents to do with ch (rather than teachers). I believe 'Dancing Bears' is another option.

We also had audio processing issues (scared of hand dryers, loud noise etc). Rather than trying to get a diagnosis, spent the money on Audio Integration Training at The Sensory Clinic (about £400). 10 days of listening to music at specific frequencies to 'reset' the brain. DS no longer scared of hand dryers!

Cranial osteopaths: you need to find an osteopath who specializes in children. I just looked at a few websites til I found the right sort of one!

The main difference it has made is to open up an imaginative side. DS is also able to remember letter shapes which was previously tricky.

Hope this helps!

Hellooo just to say thanks for your posts, and to provide an update! We have seen our local GP and asked for a referral to an audiologist dept at our local hospital, who will hopefully assess and refer us to GOSH if they have any concerns. The GP is "looking into it" but hopefully will do the referral (the GP looked at me like I was mad when I started talking about her visual stress/blue glasses, perfect sight but not being able to process what she sees....and now I'm going on about her normal hearing but worried about issues processing what she hears! Anyway hopefully we will get the local assessment, and then the referral to GOSH - if not I'll just have to go private again. Our SENCO has arranged for Dd to have Speech & Language Therapy after the summer holidays, but I'm going to continue to push for Audiology assessment as don't want to delay things any further.
Tambaboy - do you know what tests being done at school, and by who?
Keepingon - I have been on the APDUK site, and talked with their Helpline - they advised me to quote the Medical Council recognition of APD to the GP which is what I think the GP is looking into and will hopefully help me to secure an assessment - if only at local level.
I will keep you posted!! If it is APD I am definitely going to be needing APDUK and MNers with similar issues cos, to be frank, I'm worried sick. But hey one step at a time!?

I think the EngagingEyes software therapy is helping - can't wait to get to the eye tracking bit at the end! Dd was already on a reasonable diet, and Omegas but I think there has defo been lots of little improvements since starting the full TH regime. Dd says that she feels the benefits and this helps her to keep going on it all. Bless her, she has really embraced the dietary side of things, (we watched a few episodes of the Food Hospital on C4OD and that helped convince her - she now feels a bit sorry for children that don't have good natural food!)
Anyway thanks all, and here's to all our Dc x

Hi, I have been following the thread for awhile now ... We have our second TH meeting this wknd. My DS is 7.5. He's has/had many of the qualities described on this thread - anxious, tantrums, speech, writing, focus, sports etc etc... He reads above is age level but his speed is slow.

Over the past 2 years we have done various therapies - diet, NAET (allergies), OT/vestibular therapy, cranial ostopathy, chelation, AIT and most recently, RRT and homeopathy.

At our first TH meeting I was hesitant to give up RRT (David Mullhall) as we already had so much time invested in it. Robin commented that keeping it in place would likely speed up Robin's process so we have kept it going.

At the first meeting as Robin asked us to stop doing E Eyes. I had started to already see slight reading progress from EE in just the 2 weeks in DS' reading. I also brought my DD (age 11) who has mild issues, which I now recognise. Robin also asked for DD to stop EE. We were already well into diet and supplements due to our previous programs. I feel the same approach was given to DS and DD despite them being so different. I'm guessing Robin has seen so many cases and he is quietly confident, but to the parent every day lost hurts.

There have been definite gains in the last 2 months - DS finaly lost his first tooth (age 7.5yr). More talking, conversation and eye contact, less tantrums, PE teacher gave his first positve comment ever. Overall he's happier. I recognise that the stairs and teeth are making a difference.

This thread is so helpful, I first read it from begining to end and to witness parents at first so worried about their child and then 18-24 months later to read of them saying goodbye to Robin is so inspiring.

Hi GreenApple, how did your second TH meeting go? We have got our 2nd session in the Summer holidays.....why did Robin ask you to stop EEyes/ and are you back on it now following your 2nd meeting? Hopefully us Newbies will be reporting great progress in a years time?!!

The GP referred DD to the Comm Paed, not an audiologist! I understand it takes months before you even get to see the Paed, let alone get any sort of referral, so I'm now stumped again. Strongly considering AIT but who with Sound Learning ( expensive, quick but would be very awkward), Sensory Clinic (cheaper, can do at home) or there's another one I've heard about (think its Therapeutic Listening) that takes 10 mins per day but it takes longer to complete but maybe more long lasting?! However, I don't know if I should be doing anything whilst on TH ( robin says I should see how things go,and that maybe her auditory issues will improve with the ND stuff she's already doing - but I will discuss this with him again as am defo worried about her ability to recess what she hears....

Sorry bloomin predictive spelling, that should have been her ability to process what she hears....

Hi

We had our second TH appointment on the weekend. We saw good progress on dyspraxia issues, Robin commented he had him at 4 on first meeting and now down to 1 so an improvement (this is where he measures the arms flipping around). He had us start Engaging Eyes (Target A and Wack an Alien). Robin said to me "I'm not worried about either of your children, if I was you'd see it in my face"

On a less positive note, DS's behaviour has really gone down hill one week into Eyes. Its as if he is even worse than he was before we started any TH. Today was really bad, tantrums, no energy, crying, low affection, in his own world. This had pretty much gone. Its gotten progressively worse over the past week (since we started EE). I'm quite sad about it. We had seen great gains the past 2 months. I know lots on this thread had regressions during the program but we are still so at the start I cant help but worry. The last 2 months had been so much better and then in one week - poof such a change.... Im re-reading old posts to get some confidence and I will call Robin on Monday, maybe we sould just do Eyes every other day for a bit to calm things down?