| Enough can't be said about proper nutrition to build a | | | | Research has shown positive results with the use of |
| healthy body with a strong immune system. Feeding | | | | EFA's for the treatment of many brain disorders such |
| children well balanced meals with healthy snacks is | | | | as ADHD, depression and dyslexia. Anecdotal |
| essential for life long health. However, children with | | | | evidence suggested that giving EFA supplements to |
| developmental issues have special nutritional needs. A | | | | children with apraxia resulted in surges of language |
| good quality multi-vitamin is very important. | | | | development. The supplements you use should have |
| In addition, growing brains need essential fatty acids | | | | a combination of DHA, EPA and GLA. It is available in |
| (EFAs). They assist our nervous system and brain to | | | | liquid form and in gel caps. Some children are able to |
| complete neurotransmissions throughout our bodies. | | | | swallow the gel caps on there own or quickly drink |
| So basically they send messages from our brain to | | | | the liquid form of it. If not it can be mixed with juice, |
| our muscles and assist those muscles in receiving | | | | applesauce, cooked cereal, etc. Just see what works |
| these messages and acting upon them. EFA's are | | | | best for your child. |
| available in our diet by eating fish and nuts, however | | | | There are children with apraxia who have used |
| most people do not consume enough of these foods | | | | Vitamin E supplements and have had positive results. |
| and there is ongoing concern with mercury pollution in | | | | Deficiencies in Vitamin E are mainly neurological |
| fish products. Another factor is consumption of trans | | | | symptoms so there may be a connection. At this |
| fats, if you do intake trans fats you will get little | | | | time there are no published reports or adequate case |
| effect from fish oils or any EFA's for that matter | | | | studies. However, Vitamin E taken as advised by |
| because the trans-fatty acids block the absorption of | | | | government guidelines is very safe and has few side |
| the EFA's. Thus we are best to avoid processed | | | | effects, so I would go ahead and try it. Parents have |
| foods in our diets to avoid the trans fats and | | | | reported improvement in motor planning, gross and |
| hydrogenated oils. | | | | fine motor skills and increased speech and articulation. |