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

Hi green apple. Sorry to hear behaviour probs are worsening. We had this about 2 mth into the TH, culminating in a horrific tantrummy Christmas. Lasted for a few weeks then passed and overall improvement continued.

Good idea to phone Robin. Hang on in there!

Thanks Mango, I've seen several on the thread have had this issue but it still worried me at the time because you cant help but think what if mine doesnt come out of it?

I took DS to see the cranial to help calm things down. His sense was that the cranky behaviour was more due to a sinus and chest infection from recent swimming. We had just re-introduced indoor swimming the day before the bad behaviour started (and EE). I had stopped swimming in November as I suspected it was causing ear infections/crankiness, and we did see improvement after. Cranial helped relieve the sinus and chest pressue. Phew, I'm really glad its not likely the EE/TH.

DS was much better today, one new thing I've noticed since TH is he is able to plan ahead several days. He now wants to negotiate/argue for the entire week when I will drop and pick him up from shcool. This is to make sure its the same amount as his sister. Not the most convenient new trait (for me), but I smile inside when he argues his case.

Hiya
Which multi vutamins should I be buying? My children are currently taking the two Floradix ones but, after 9 months of them, I'm feeling like they're a huge expense and wondering whether we could graduate onto something less intense/ less of an expense?

Hi we get Zinc, B complex, and Magnesium from Boots (on 3 for 2 deal), and the Vegepa (high EPA fish oil) from Amazon on subscribe and save. These are all in tablet form, which my DD sloshes down with water or milk.

Aha. Thank you. My DS is 6 and adept at hiding tablets so we get the Floradix liquid ones. They like then (DS too). Expensive though! Think I need Vegepa too?

Yes anony, I think the TH programme requires magnesium , zinc, hit tablets and omega 3 - TH recommend the vegepa as high dose EPA as opposed to DHA.
Have been reading through posts, thought I 'd just post that took DS to osteopath earlier this week. We have been doing the TH prog for 10 months and little change. Robin says at the moment working on parts of brain that provide a foundation for front of brain which is the bit that will make a real difference in terms of social awareness, impulsivity - hence no real difference yet.
Anyway, the osteopath, who has been seeing him for about last 6 months (does cranial) commented that his retained primitive reflexes, which had been strong before are really greatly improved - she explained that this indicates that those parts of the brain responsible for primitive behaviour, visual and auditory and other senses has developed. I thought this was positive as corresponds with what Robin has said.

Aha! Does anyone have a link to the Vegepa subscribe thingy on Amazon? Have tried to find them but don't want to buy the wrong ones. Encouraged to hear that the cranio has noticed improvements!

Hi Nellie and thanks for sharing that info about reflexes. I've often wondered if we would need to do retained reflex therapy after TH.

Anony- all the vegepa have the correct ratio of epa, so its personal preference whether you go for the chewy ones, of the capsules which can be split and mixed with yoghurt/ smooth if DC can't swallow whole. We use the capsules which say '70%' on the front and have 2 a day.

Interesting info for those whose DC are Gluten Free. Many people with gluten sensitivities are deficient in vitamin b12. Could be another piece in the jigsaw...

More significant progress for DS, during the last few weeks, he seems to have matured by about 2 years. No longer upset by routine changes, DD annoying him. Telling him it's bedtime, or time to come in is now greeted by 'OK' rather than a strop. Can't remember when he last had a tantrum. Just seems happier in his own skin. Even tidying his room without protest.

I really think we are nearly there. So keep going everyone. The changes will come!!

Hi All, just wanted to give an update. DC doing great. Anger and tantrums that came out when we started VT are now manageable and closer to age appropriate. Speech and enunciation have really improved. Today DC set the entire table after being asked, and cleared the table with a big smile. 2-3 weeks ago he would have made it to the drawer, gotten one knife out and then wandered off. Sounds small but it was one of thos Ah Ha moments where a mom just notices that is new. Vocabulary is also much improved, its as if all these big words have been stored up and are now coming out. Random phrase the other day - Mummy why do you find driving tedious?

DC age 7, started TH 3 months ago.

We started the last September. Ds was just changing to middle school. In November we thought we would have to change school, they couldn't get him to do any work, he hated everything about school. Was spending hours in isolation for shouting and refusing to do the work.

Fast forward to last week, he got his class teachers positive pupil. Award, his name is now on a star in reception for everyone to see. It was as if a switch clicked at Xmas and everything settled down. He's not perfect and they still have issues but he's so much better. At first school he would not write anything, they could normally get him to write 2 words. Now he will write a full A4 page - all since Xmas. His SAT results are a 5c for English and a 3 for maths we would never have even taken them before. We've not been doing it for a few weeks (I had an operation) but am about to restart this week.

Hello everyone!
(It's badvoc here...)
Just wanted to give you an update on Ds.
He has finished his first year at secondary - middle school system here - and he done very well :)
He plays football for the village team and loves it.
He did well in his sats and even got some level 5s!!!! :)
He is hoping to join air cadets next year when he is old enough.
Hope you are all ok and your dc are thriving x

Hi Bavoc, thanks for the update, they are so helpfull, especially for the new group coming through. Your earlier posts were instrumental in me starting TH. I actually summarised them along with a few others to show my DH to get him on board!

The good stuff - DS read a whole Roald Dahl Book (smaller one) on his own the other day! I said he could have an ice cream once it was finished thinking it would take 2 weeks (like it did back in June with me sitting with him) but he read it all in the car with no help from me. His reading speed on Engaging Eyes has doubled, its gone from 39 to 82 wpm since we started. 82wpm is considered average for his age. He used to yawn within 2 minutes of doing reading work back in May, now he can go for 30 minutes (with the right book), he gets bored rather than tired. Here is a good one, DC seems even cuter than before and I realised its because of his eye contact, he looks at you with a twinkle and a cheeky smile now, he's generally happier and you really see it in the eyes. Sense of humour coming through, less trantrums, better enunciation, use of pronouns is better, I dont seem to comment on him to use his fork as much so that is also improving. Overall life is easier for the whole family.

The harder stuff - still the odd tantrum (more like evey 3 days as opposed to 3 times a day but he is able to come out of them quickly), more defiant, coordination still poor, handwritting seems to be worse. With my DS he doesnt retain what he learns easily so if you dont keep on it, it goes. He is going into Y3 but his handwritting looks the same as beginning of Y1 if you dont keep working on it. I'm not pushing it too hard as Robin commented it would take 6 months before we get to the part that will start helping writing and spelling so no point in forcing it now as the brain isnt really ready to learn it. Its still really hard work and I review these posts often when I feel its too much.

DS age 7.5, TH 3 months in

Hello!
Just wanted to pop on and say Hi. We had a review with Robin today which made me think about this board. I hardly come on here now, but its really nice to read through and hear how people are doing. Hi Badvoc!
DS1 (5y) is doing really well. He's been seeing Robin for 21 months and is a transformed lad. I thought we were looking at SN school when we started and he has just finished Recpetion - happy, adjusted and doing really well. We still have our moments and sitting still is a bit of challenge, but these issues seem to be not so different than loads of other children.

DS2 (4y) is still struggling with his speech, but is repeating nursery so won't start Reception until next year. I am so pleased as it takes away so much pressure - especially for me. ;) His progress is more subtle and difficult to tell how much down to TH or the SALT which we slog away at. But again, given where we started, I feel very fortunate.

For all those at earlier stages, please keep positive and stick with it. We've made the diet, supplements and exercises part of our daily life. Slowly, bit-by-bit, it has paid off. Keep writing it all down as the progress creeps up on you and its good to read over it. Big hugs for you all.

Hello all I would love to join this thread! Have massive internet problems as I live abroad at present, so before when I checked my computer it would not load anything further than a year ago and I thought the thread was therefore dead!! So, so pleased it is current.
My ds has just started at TH (10 days ago) and supplements arrived through mail yesterday so all is new. I am hopeful but worried as we tried brushing for 9 months but with v limited success. The success stories here are a lifeline and inspiration.

Hi Red and all, we have been on TH program since end of March and i can report that my Dd's visual stress/ eye issues have almost been fixed. She used to have to wear blue tinted glasses/blue overlays to be able to see text & numbers and now she doesn't need to! We still have the last Eye Tracking bit to do, and I'm expecting another leap in her reading once that part is underway! She is also able to do things and/or attempt to do things that she wasn't before. Her confidence is growing. Very pleased with progress which suddenly creeps up on you after weeks of not noticing any improvement! Hang on in there.

Hello Sparky I'm very pleased for you and dd, that is huge to lose the blue overlays. When did you start the eye programme? Robin has already said ds has big convergence issues in addition to the other stuff. Does anyone have advice on what to say when ds asks why we are doing strange stuff 'no-one else does'? I try the its making muscles in the brain strong but other ideas would be useful to add to the armoury.

I am a very long time lurker who feels like it's time to say a big "Thank You" to the Tinsley House thread! I wanted to tell my story to give a little glimmer of hope and say hang on in there because amazing changes can happen. My beautiful daughter has just started Year 2 with the ability to read,write, choose, listen, sit still, make friends and a whole other load of life skills that I only ever dared hope she would have.
We have been attending Tinsley House for over 18 months now and I can honestly say it has changed our lives. I will be forever thankful to Mumsnet and IndigoBell, Badvoc and the rest of the original thread who have guided me (without knowing) and spurred me on when I was flagging!
There is no quick fix solution for our children but I believe that we can get to a place where we have given them the tools needed to get through life with all their quirks and differences while allowing them to fit in and succeed at school. It has been a hard slog but the way my girl has handled the programme has been astonishing and I couldn't have asked for more from her and I could not be prouder!
We are playing catch up now but I have absolutely no doubt that she will get there and I don't feel worried about her every single day to the pit of my stomach like I used to. She will be fine. I wish each and every one of you huge success with your Tinsley House journey and when the going gets tough get on the thread and find the encouragement needed to keep on going!

Great post, travelling. Glad DD made such improvements.

That's a fantastic post to read travelling. Puts a smile on my face to think about your DD! As one of those TH 'newbies' I am still just hoping I made the right choice. A month in and improvements to reading ability so fingers crossed.

Hi, I have never posted anything before on any forum/thread but I felt that the Tinsley House thread was cooling off a little bit and I didn't want that to happen. It really helped me through when I was reading about Ingido and her family and the positivity just spurs you on. It's such a long and lonely journey but actually there are many of us going through the same things at the same time.
I am a very private person but I feel like shouting from the roof tops about Tinsley and what it has done for my daughter. I hope other people on here also have great results and that they spread the word.
Just wanted to add that during the summer we did AIT and that feels like the final piece of the puzzle. Good Luck!

Travelling thanks for sharing, your post has given me fresh motivation for the next 12 months we have left to go on TH. My DS, age 7, is in Y3 - we are 5 months in to TH. His reading has taken off, he is now reading above average for his age level (pre TH he was below). He does reading sessions with a specialist at school and she was impressed at the improvement over the summer, and asked for the name of the Eye program to recommend to others. DS is now so happy and funny. He is doing his homework more independently. I caught him daydreaming during homework the other day, when I reminded him, instead of being mad and frustrated, he jumped up with a big smile and said 'Eye Eye Captain!' and continued on.

Tantrums are mostly gone, he wakes up happy and goes to bed happy (used to have 2 per day). He no longer objects to stairs and teeth. He seems to have gone from a 'brain fog' really mellow type of boy to fidgety and more hyper boy. I see this as an improvement as he has more energy, he participates, he's excited.

I feel like we've only scratched the surface of Robin's program (just starting backward stairs and ending Target Practice B). So despite still having a year to go, I now see the upcoming year as upside rather than as a hardship. It will only get easier and better. The first 4 -5 months of the program were hard but it is now really paying off. Once stairs are done, mornings will be so much easier. So to anyone considering the program, its so worth it. Getting through this first part, in our experience removed a lot to the anger, tantrums, anxiety which now makes living our family life so much easier.

Best,

GreenApple how soon was it before you saw the anxiety change? This is probably the biggest hurdle for my DS. I am desperate to start the eye program!! Thanks for these posts everyone.

This is my first Mumsnet posting. I've also been lurking quite a while and also want to thank you all for this thread. There is so much good advice here.

So "Thank you!" to IndigoBell and Badvoc (if you're still watching this thread), Mangomanila and all you others who have carried on sharing experiences.

I used to feel such despair and helpless. I've been utterly frustrated by 'the system'. Now I feel empowered and have hope! DS1 (ASD & ADHD) has done AIT/LWS and is now 6 months into his TH journey. I'm so glad I found this thread!

Hi All, and nice to hear from some long time lurkers!!

Update from us- we are 11 months into TH and a few more significant (to us) changes recently. DS has made the transition into juniors really well. Star of the week last week. Moving into y2 last year was v stressful for him. He is talking to me a lot more about sch (used to clam up and make silly sounds). He's interacting more with the other kids (asking for loom bands to play with the others at break). Previously his obsessions interests very narrow.

Much more relaxed and smiling more than a few months back. When a (construction) building he was making fell down, he just laughed. I was expecting the usual meltdown! Happy to say these are largely a thing of the past.

Also coping with logistics of (sch) swimming which I'm very happy about.

Hope all your DC settling into new classes