Naturally Recovering Autism with Karen Thomas

Mindful and Positive Parenting [Episode 148]

Mindful Parenting comes from conscious thought patterns. Often we are driven by our emotions and we react, rather than respond.

Please listen to this interview with Ana Vega, the founder of Happy Families and an international Parenting Expert, Coach, and Consultant.

After growing up with a mom living with severe schizophrenia, she became a Vice President in NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the largest mental health organization helping people affected by mental illness and their families. 

Then, while working as a journalist and an entrepreneur and becoming a mom, she developed a passion for parenting and helping other parents.

As a coach she uses the unique combination of Mindful and Positive Parenting to help make parenting easier and more enjoyable.”

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/148

How One Mom’s Perseverance Brought Her Autistic Son Independence and Peace [Podcast # 147]

Nanti’s son was diagnosed with autism at twenty-eight months. For almost a decade, she searched for answers to help give him a future with more independence,  peacefulness, and a better way of life.

After trying various practitioners, one after the other, that did not give her any real help or hope for his future, she persevered to find the education, guidance, and support she needed and found it at Naturally Recovering Autism.

Today, due to her efforts, Nanti’s eleven year old son has greater independence, is now calm and happy, sleeps through the night, can speak, write, ride a bike, has friends, and the whole family has more peace. She says he is FINALLY on the road to recovery.

Nanti shares her inspiring story with you here. Please listen now…and please share this with friends in need!

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/147

Drumming Stops Violence In Special Needs Children [Podcast Episode #146]

Children Increased Grade Point Average and Learned Social Skills

I would like to share this article on Pat Gesualdo. I had the privilege of interviewing him for my podcast. Please listen to this informative discussion with Pat.  

In the study done in SURREY, ENGLAND/MONTVILLE, N.J. (August 27, 2014) –Drumming can help children with autism spectrum disorders and O.D.D. to stop violent behavior, self-mutilation, and assist with developing cognitive functioning, social skill interaction, and grade point average, according to the research team at the Woodland Grange School in Surrey England, and the non-profit research organization Drums and Disabilities, (D.A.D.) in Montville, NJ.

For people with autism and cognitive disabilities, the synapses in the brain ineffectively communicate with each other. Playing repeated patterns of music can re-train these synapses, and can help these people re-establish the correct synapse pathways. The study was conducted by David Ciauro (EdS, MA,LAC), Pat Gesualdo, Senior Research Director for D.A.D. Christopher Topple, and Colin Jenkinson, Head Teacher for the Woodland Grange School.

Playing repeated patterns of music rhythms which the researchers called “Drum Therapy,” helped the study participants to re-train the synapses in the brain, and develop physical and cognitive functioning.

“The study participants in our school have stopped violent behavior, self mutilation, and have achieved a 100% attendance record, as a result of the Drum Therapy research,” says Head Teacher Colin Jenkinson. “Their parents and I are in total disbelief of their success.”

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/146

Excitotoxicity In Children With Autism Exacerbated By Heavy Metal Toxins [Episode 145]

What is Excitotoxicity?

Excitotoxins are toxins that will excite the neurons in your brain. They can also be referred to as neurotoxins because they damage and destroy the brain and spinal cord. What most people do not realize is that these toxins are in the foods they commonly eaten every day. The problem with these toxins is that they will excite brain cells to death. They literally die. This causes the brain to secrete glutamate and aspartate (excitotoxins), which cause negative behavioral changes. This can cause faulty wiring of the brain, especially during its developmental stage...

What is Glutamate?

Glutamate is an amino acid and a neurotransmitter for the brain. It helps stimulate brain cells, which help neurons to communicate. It all sounds good until it is too much of a good thing. When these neurons get over-excited, it can cause seizures and even kill brain cells...

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/145

Karen Thomas Interviews Dr. Daniel Amen Regarding Autism [Episode 144]

Dr. Daniel Amen is the New York Times best-selling author of several books including Healing ADD, and Change Your Brain Change Your Life. He is the leading expert on SPECT imaging brain scans which offer specific information about the functioning abilities of each particular part of the brain and each specific brain scan.

Listen to this informative interview as Karen interviews Dr. Daniel Amen and learn what natural solutions are available for your child.

As an Amen brain type coach, I am able to offer you a ten percent discount on consultations through the Amen clinic. Use this link and the referral code, “Karen Thomas,” to receive your 10% discount when you schedule an evaluation online or call (1-866-260-8227).

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/144

At Home Allergy Reduction Kits For The Symptoms of Autism [Episode 143]

Learn a simple way to help your child right from home. Allergic reactions in the body lead to the physical and behavioral symptoms such as anxiousness, anger, sleep issues, inability to focus, and more. 

It is still crucial to work with the underlying issues of autism such as toxic overload, pathogens and infections, but this at-home allergy kit may help alleviate the allergic responses the body is having to them as you are working with those core issues, allowing your child (and you) more peace. 

Please listen to this interview with Ynge Ljung as we discuss the solutions these at-home allergy kits can offer.

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/143

 

Autism, Puberty and Behavior [Episode 142]

The symptoms of autism can be difficult enough to work with. Puberty brings with it many additional challenges for both parents and their children. Beginning around the age of nine, the body triggers hormones to begin puberty. By the age of fourteen, a noticeable change in behavior is happening.

If your child has been going along peacefully, but suddenly becomes incredibly difficult to deal with, more aggressive, angry, moody, and loses all motivation, it is likely due to hormonal changes affecting his brain.

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/142

Autism and Anger [Episode 141]

Bringing Peace Back To The Family

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Many parents of children on the autism spectrum have concerns about safety for themselves, their other children, or those in their community. Autism and anger often go hand in hand. Anger and impulsive behavior can be a daily occurrence.

This does not mean,of course, that all children on the autism spectrum have anger issues. But many do. And when they do, it is difficult for the entire family to deal with, and scary! Some parents live with extreme fear for their own well being and for the safety of others. Dare we mention Newtown or the 2014 episode at The University of California at Santa Barbara?

As it turns out, there are several possibilities for issues of anger or violent episodes in children and adults on the autism spectrum. Neurotoxic foods such as monosodium glutamate or MSG are known to create episodes of anger. The heavy metal lead is another trigger for anger...

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/141

 

How To Help Balance Hypoglycemia or Low Blood Sugar [Episode 140]

Hypoglycemia is a condition that comes from low blood sugar or low glucose levels. Behavioral outbursts, anxiety, and lack of ability to think clearly can be the result of the brain being starved of its energy supply.

When it has been too long since our last meal or snack, our blood sugar drops and our brain cannot function properly. If we eat too many sugars and refined carbohydrates, our body responds by releasing large amounts of the hormone insulin to counteract the effects of all of the sugar. This is especially hard on the liver and can cause it to become congested. The liver is our main organ of detoxification. Children with autism already have issues with this which can create further physical and behavioral problems...

Some symptoms associated with low blood sugar are:

• Hyperactivity
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Irritability and anger
• Trouble sleeping and nightmares
• low cognitive function, confusion and inability to focus
• Headaches
• Digestive disturbance
• Visual issues
• Cardiovascular problems
• Nerve disruption

Supplements to help balance blood sugar:

• omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA
• COQ10 or ubiquinol
• alpha lipoic acid
• chromium picolinate
• gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
• berberine
• cinnamon
• vitamin D
• peppermint

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/140

Tips To Naturally Reduce Depression [Episode 139]

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2021, depression is a common illness worldwide. Approximately 280 million people in the word have depression. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 7.1% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 4.4 million) have diagnosed anxiety, and 3.2% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 1.9 million) have diagnosed depression. The percentage of adults who experienced any symptoms of depression was highest among those aged 18–29 (21.0%), followed by those aged 45–64 (18.4%) and 65 and over (18.4%), and lastly, by those aged 30–44 (16.8%). Women are twice as likely than men to experience mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of depression. In teens, the percentage doubles between the ages of 14 and 17.

Adolescents with mental health conditions are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, stigma (affecting readiness to seek help), educational difficulties, risk-taking behaviors, physical ill-health and human rights violations. Globally, it is estimated that 1 in 7 (14%) 10-19 year-olds experience mental health conditions, yet these remain largely unrecognized and untreated.

Actual depression is more than feeling sad. True depression is when the sadness is prolonged and effects everyday life. Feeling a strong sense of anxiousness, fearfulness, worry, poor concentration and excessive guilt are also signs of depression...

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/139