Another client writes:
Any non medcine ideas to help my nine year old son with his dislexia,add, and anxiety? It seems we have very limited options. I hate to see him suffering, and don’t want to give in to the extreme pressure from his school to medicate him. Your thoughts on this matter would be appreciated.
Thank You Christa Sauers
Answer:
This is a great question. It shows that most learning problems are more complex than just one solution. Your son has ADHD, Dyslexia and Anxiety. Maybe it is my own Dyslexia coming up but I want to start with the end. Training can help with most of these issues and Anxiety is very heavily influenced by training. You can train yourself to have panic attacks, make them worse or train yourself to overcome them. First, understand that what you want to do requires a slow and steady approach. Step by step, look for incrimental progress not a big jump.
Here are some tools you can use:
When he panics, make him look into your eyes and help him breathe. Slowing your breathing instantly changes your anxiety level. Also, get him to breathe through his stomich. This works if you’re having a panic attack or just a little stressed. The breathing muscles in your chest trigger stress response and the breathing muscles in you stomach trigger relaxation response. There is a series of biological reasons for this that I go through in my online course but for now just know that it works. Put a hand on your chest and a hand on your stomach and see which one goes up and down. That is the one you are triggering.
Next is the ADHD. I am currently working on an online program on ADHD specifically using the system I developed to overcome it in myself. The exercises involve breaking up large mental tasks like studying into smaller bits and raising the intensity of the short bursts of energy. I call it focus bursts and it is a great way to train the brain to think sharper and more focused. I do most of my work this way and it was my secret weapon durring the Guinness Record attempt for memorizing cards.
The entire system is in the Audio program on cd 5 Focus power but I hope this helps. I have been told that by adding a small reward after each burst it is a great way to get kids to clean their rooms as well. Just some feedback from another parent.
Finally dyslexia: this is the toughest to give advice on because it is such a varied condition. First I want to tell you and anyone with Dyslexia that there is noting wrong with you. You are not a bad person you mind just works differently. This difference has advantages that have been shown in many studies. I read the other day that millionaires are 3 times more likley to have dyslexia or is it that dyslexics are 3 times more likely to be millionaires?! Ok that was a dyslexic joke but it is a real reference. The study believes that Dyslexics have to work harder and that leads to greater success. I think it is because thier mind works differently. Think of it like this. My best friend can run faster and farther than me because he has long legs that are right off of a gazelle. I have shorter legs that are stronger so I can lift more at the gym. He does not have a lifting disability any more than I have a running disability. I still have problems with dyslexia but have trained myself to read at up to 2000 words per minute with full comprehension. I was even questioned by the author who wrote the book I read and I remembered more than they did.
And yet it is still there. If I type too fast or need to spell something I just read, the letters mix up.
It is hard to give advice on this in a blog because I don’t know how severe his case is. It could be mild or it could make it impossible to read. A good first step is to try using your hands as a guide as you read. This will help focus the eye. In addition to focus, your eyes like to follow movement so the movement of your hand will pull your eyes accross the page. This makes reading faster and easier and I have found it helps me. Think of a pendulum in your mind going back and forth. That is how your hand should move back and forth on the page.
If you want more information on my speedreading program take a look at www.instantspeedreading.com
and check out my online course at www.davefarrow.com/firstlesson.html for much more indepth information on the topics I have described here. Most of all, use this system. If you don’t use it then you will not get the benefit. I am here to coach you and encorage you to take the action that is necessary. Go for it!
Dave Farrow
