Walnuts are dry nuts that are enclosed between two semi spherical hard shells that are joined together. This fruit has a characteristic butterfly shape, and inside the nut is the edible part (kernel) that looks like brain. Walnuts grow on regal looking deciduous trees, which can be around 10 to 40 meters tall. Walnuts are harvested in December, but as they are dry nuts, they are available year round. Many people are not aware about the walnuts nutrition facts. The omega 3 fatty acids which are very important to maintain good health, are only found in fish. Hence, vegetarians mostly miss this nutrient. However, walnuts contain huge amount of these good fats, and hence, are an excellent source of omega 3 for people who are vegetarians. Given below, are the nutrition facts about walnuts, its health benefits, and some tips on making tasty treats using these healthy dry nuts.
Nutritional Value of Walnuts
25 grams which is ¼ cup, provide around 163 walnuts calories. Important walnuts nutrition facts are listed in the below table.
Nutrient
Daily Value
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
94.6%
Copper
20.0%
Manganese
42.5%
Tryptophan
15.6%
Walnuts Health Benefits
The above essential nutrients present in walnut, give many health benefits. Most of the health benefits from walnuts can be attributed to the high amount of omega-3 essential fatty acids that are present in this nut. Listed below, are the various health benefits walnut offer.
As walnuts are an excellent source of omega 3 essential fatty acids, they provide many important health benefits. This fat is a very good fat, as it protects against many diseases. Walnuts have a high concentration of these good fats, which provide cardiovascular protection, promote better cognitive function, anti-inflammatory benefits that protect against asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis.
The ability of walnuts in decreasing the cholesterol levels can be attributed to the amount of antioxidants, phenols, vitamin E, gallic acid and ellagic acid found in walnuts.
Walnut kernel resembles brain shape, but not just that, it is also called as brain food. Because, of the high amount of omega 3 fatty acids, as it plays a major role in the process of important nutrients entering the brain cells, and the exit of waste cells.
Omega 3 fatty acids can also help to reduce depression and disorders like ADHD.
Walnut nutritional value in the above table shows that it is high in omega 3 and manganese, that help to promote good bone health.
Walnuts contain melatonin, which promotes a good night’s sleep.
Walnuts help in prevention of gallstones.
Some Fun Walnut Recipes
Select walnuts that have not been shelled, and choose the walnuts which feel heavy for their size. Make sure the shells are not cracked, pierced or strained, as this could often lead to mold development, making it unsuitable for consumption. Here, are various tips to use walnuts for healthy eating.
You can crush walnuts and have them with plain yogurt and add honey or maple syrup for taste.
You can add walnuts to fresh green salads, and make the salads even more nutritious and tasty.
You can add walnuts along with other nuts and make rich and healthy puddings.
You can roast walnuts at home in oven for 15 minutes at 75º C, and enjoy the roasted nuts with a little honey if you want. Read more on, calories in walnuts.
You can add walnuts to a bowl of cereal, to increase the nutrition value of the cereal even more.
This was all about walnuts nutrition, walnuts health benefits and a few recipes. So, include walnuts in your diet and consume them regularly, to get all the above mentioned health benefits!
The Food and Drug Administration recently asked a scientific panel to consider ways of studying drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The drugs studied included amphetamines such as Adderall, and methylphenidates, sold as Ritalin, Concerta, Methylin, and Metadate. Data gathered by the agencys own studies suggested a link between the drugs and an increased risk of sudden death and serious cardiovascular problems. To confirm their findings, the agency decided to seek outside corroboration from a Drug Safety and Risk Management advisory committee.
A federal health official said that the FDAs research shows there is a strong possibility that the drugs may be linked to the deaths of 25 people between 1999 and 2003. Of those deaths, 19 were children. The research also discussed 54 cases of serious cardiovascular problems in adults and children being treated with the drugs, including heart attack, stroke, hypertension, palpitations, and arrhythmias. An additional 26 deaths were counted between 1969 and 2003 due to deaths by suicide, intentional overdose, drowning, heat stroke, and other disease.
The FDA’s Drug Safety and Risk Management advisory committee reviewed different ways to study whether or not the deaths could be attributable to the use of the ADHD drugs. Some of the patients already had heart problems or high blood pressure, but the findings on the whole warranted further investigation. Dr. David Graham of the FDA explained the concern by saying, “Theres smoke. Does that represent a fire?” Graham added, “Because adults have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke to begin with, any increase in risk caused by these drugs could affect a large number of people.”
As a result of the committees research, federal science advisors voted 8-7 to recommend that the most stringent type of warning labels be added to containers of Ritalin and other stimulants used to treat ADHD. The committees recommendation suggested that manufacturers should add the same type of “black box” safety warnings already used on drugs that can cause potentially fatal side effects. The committee was just an advisory body and the FDA isnt required to follow their recommendations, but it usually does. Panel member Dr. Curt Furberg cautioned that it would be “inappropriate, unethical behavior” if the FDA decided not to disclose the uncertainty about ADHD drug safety to physicians and patients. The drugs already have warnings related to possible risks to patients with heart defects, but the FDAs Dr. Gerald DalPan said prior to the votes that the agency felt “this warning is appropriate given our current knowledge of these drugs.”
Doctors prescribe ADHD medications to about 2 million children and 1 million adults every month, and those numbers are increasing. According to IMS Health, a pharmaceutical information firm, sales of ADHD drugs increased to $3.1 billion in 2004, from $759 million in 2000. The few studies available providing data on longer-term use of ADHD drugs provide very little information on the risks evaluated by the committee. But analysis of the reports of death and injury suggest a possible link between the drugs and cardiovascular conditions. However, because the link is not conclusive, the FDAs Dr. Kate Gelperin told the panel that the possible link “is really a question wed like to have answered.”
The Canadian equivalent of the US FDA removed the ADHD drug Adderall XR, a generic version of Ritalin, from their market last year while risk analysis studies were being done. A Canadian panel eventually decided that there was not enough evidence of risk to ban the drug, and the FDA reached a similar conclusion at the same time.
Swift efficient fat burning is usually attained by following a new and nutritious. Many people are usually unaware that their meal plans comprise way too many processed foods that include mainly carbohydrates. In order for the body to burn its excess weight, you will require a diet regime aside from the pizza, spaghetti and soda pop diet regime that a lot people put themselves on. A great amazing fat loss food regimen will have exactly the required quantity of carbs, proteins and fats. The right blend is about 50 percent carbohydrates, 40 percent proteins and 10 percent fat acids. Excellent carbohydrates are derived from things like whole grain toast and nuts & veggies, whole food grains and the like. You may get good proteins via cottage cheese, soybean, tender loin, fish and sea food, slim beef, for example. A great diet plan will also have the best fat acids. But not the fatty acids you discover within baconburgers from the neighborhood drivethrough. They need to be nourishing fats. These are Omega-3 fat acids. You can get them from tofu, pecan nuts, flax seeds and tuna to name several.
When you get on a good diet, the body will eventually take on the size to match your weight loss food regimen. As expected, your body also need to get a bit of exercise next to your new diet for optimum outcomes. Also, you should definitely find ample rest. When you can’t access nutritious fast weight loss diets for men, you will be getting stuck in a losing battle. You can never, ever realize proper, long term outcomes when you do not have a fat reduction diet regime including all of the food value you will need. The body requires those nutrients rather bad. This is especially true if you are trying to burn up excess weight. Youre asking a lot from your body and it will be absolutely ignorant to deny it the food value it begs you for.
Once you are on a diet that promotes fat reduction, you have fired up the machinery essential for losing fats and gaining muscle tissue. Its all about employing a diet plan as your fundamentation. You are setting your self up for accomplishment by obtaining a good diet regime! A diet plan solely is enough to induce your body to lose excess weight. And then, when you throw a regular workout regime into the blend too, you are going to triple the results you’d obtain from a diet only. The special mixture is diet and workouts. It is really that simple. The diet plan sets you up for fat loss. The physical exercise should maintain fat burning capacity at a high level. a higher metabolic rate is a fantastic thing, given it allows you to create calorie shortages so that you can lose that body fat!
Hangi the Traditional Maori Cooking Technique
The purpose of this article is to give you a brief overview of the whole
Hangi process.
Hangi is a traditional Maori cooking technique utilizing hot rocks and water to steam food underground. The technique originated from early Maori settlers and is still practiced today because of the unique flavor it gives to the food. The way that a Hangi is prepared is truly unique. The whole process can literally take a whole day to complete. The purpose of this article is to give you a brief overview of the whole Hangi process. Hangi food has a taste unlike anything else you will ever try. The food is buried underground where it cooks for several hours. No, that wasn’t a misprint. The food IS actually buried in the ground and totally covered with earth. If you ever come to New Zealand, trying a Hangi is an absolute MUST try. You can’t really say that you’ve been to New Zealand if you haven’t eaten a Hangi.
Here’s how it’s done:Step 1: Special volcanic stones are found as to provide the heat for the cooking. Normal rocks won’t normally do the job because they can shatter when heated to a high temperature. Sourcing the right type of stones for this job is absolutely vital to the successful outcome of ANY Hangi. Step 2: These Hangi stones are placed in the fire and heated for quite a few hours until they are white hot. The timber used can change the taste of the Hangi for good or bad. Natural timber is best and there are few special types which give a lovely smoky taste. On the other hand, treated timber or chemicals in the timber will most likely make you sick and poison your food. Step 3: Dig your Hangi Pit. Find as many spare hands around for this step as possible.Step 4: Load your Hangi basket with a mixture of raw, but thoroughly defrosted, meat, vegetables, stuffing and 1-2 steamed puddings. Hangi baskets are generally made out of of wire or steel. The floor of the basket is normally lined and the food has to be packed in a certain style for optimum cooking.Step 5: Shift the hot stones into the hole. This job requires speed and skill. Every second counts as heat is being lost as the rocks are exposed to the air. As soon as this transfer has occurred quickly set the basket on top of the hot stones.Step 6: Adorn the basket with damp sacking cloth.Step 7: Use spades to cover the Hangi again with dirt until there is no steam escaping.Step 8: Wait 2-3 hours and dig up the Hangi and ‘Hey Presto’, you’ve just cooked your very own Hangi!
Hangi food is generally served as a communal buffet. The fare is spread out on a table and people generally help themselves as they please. Good Hangi accompaniments include Fried Bread or Rewena Bread (Traditional Maori bread). If you wish to cook your own Hangi there is a lot more specific information you need with regards to your equipment, preparation and timing. If any one of these aspects is off your Hangi may possibly be a total disaster. If you want more information about this truly unique cooking technique visit Hangi.co.nz for photos<img src="http://www.articlesfactory.com/pic/x.gif" alt="Business Management Articles" border="0", specific information and video footage.
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With the dramatic increase in the number of diagnosed cases of ADHD in this country people are starting to become concerned. Others actually question its existence in the first place. We are the only country that even recognizes this as a condition. Many other nations consider this a normal part of childhood behavior. When a child is over active or has problem concentrating they also have a tendency to treat this with more natural means. Of all the Ritalin produced in the world the United States uses 90% of it while we account for only 5% of the world’s population.
For people that do have ADHD proper diagnosis and treatment can have profound effects on their lives. They do better in school, at work and get along better with their peers. These drugs have been shown to help these people. The problem is that these drugs have the same type of affect on people that do not have ADHD. Diagnosis is sometimes a blurry area. There is no biological test that tells us if a person has it or not. It is more objective than scientific. If a person becomes well versed in the symptoms they can fake it. The positive affects of these treatments can only be obtained by a diagnosis of ADHD and a prescription for these drugs.
What are the Causes of Over Diagnosis?
Parents
Many times parents and teachers do not feel like dealing with a child that is out of control. Diagnosis and treatment is a quick fix to change any negative behavior. A positive diagnosis is seen as an aid to general parenting. It solves the problem of an unruly child. The problem is that treatment usually takes one form and that is to medicate them.
It is much easier when a problem child just stops being a problem. This solves the problem for parents that do not have the time to parent and teachers that feel they do not have the time to teach. What it does not do is address the underlying problem that the child has.
The problem is not the manufacturers of these medications it is the people that use them as the only or primary way to treat ADHD. Even in children that are not a problem it has become all too easy to call them a problem and subject them with unneeded treatments.
Abuse of ADHD medications
These drugs have become noticed by students, professional athletes and teenagers. They are looked at by these people as performance enhancers. They can provide several hours of intense focus that can help get a student through the next test or assist an athlete with their performance in an important upcoming event. This may be something that is too hard to resist for some.
Use as a Recreational Drug
Many teenagers are buying them from their friends to get high. They consume these in large amounts and may be setting themselves up for some serious consequences. These drugs have side effects such as suicidal tendencies, insomnia, stunted growth and liver and heart damage. Because they are taking many times the recommended dosages these side effects can be magnified.
Adults that are Looking for an Advantage in the Workplace
If you have adult ADHD a correct diagnosis and treatment can assist in better performance and a better life. The problem is that diagnosis in adults is very difficult. It requires one to look back on their childhood for information which will assist in the diagnosis. An adult with knowledge of the symptoms may be able to answer questions in a way to obtain the desired diagnosis.
The Business Aspect
An entire industry has been spawned by the increase in ADHD diagnosis. Some of these are legitimate and bring value to people lives while others are only designed to benefit the business owner.
We have coaches and councilors, programs for parents, software, websites and books. All of these companies depend on treating people that have been positively diagnosed and may contribute to the over diagnosis.
It is the job of these companies to keep the topic of ADHD in people’s minds through news media and advertising. They do this under the pretense of educating people when in fact there is little education behind the sales pitch. You should not confuse this with objective education.
People need to understand that this is business and not to believe everything they hear.
In conclusion, if you feel that your life is negatively affected by ADHD by all means get tested. But remember that medication is not the answer to everything. Look at diet, exercise and natural remedies. In other words educate yourself to your options.
Neuroliminal Training – New inexpensive training does the same thing that EEG Biofeedback (AKA Neurofeedback) does, but at a fraction of the cost!
How does Neuroliminal Training work? Instead of using a lot of expensive equipment and “doctor time” to solve various “brain problems” such as ADD, ADHD, depression, insomnia, etc, Neuroliminal Training does it with “sleep therapy”, a new approach using subliminal messaging. (Subliminal messaging is not new, but this usage is, and a provisional patent has been issued to Dr Bate.) This is usually done with an audio CD played while you sleep.
Neurofeedback or EEG Biofeedback has been proved to be the very best method of training for over 30 years, but the costs involved have prohibited all but the high income families. At prices ranging from $75-$250 PER HALF HOUR session, and 40-60 of these sessions required, the cost is very high. Compare this to a total of $97 for ADD/ADHD Neuroliminal Training.
To understand a bit better, realize that Neurofeedback/EEG Biofeedback works by simply measuring brain waves, and using these measurements (biofeedback) to consciously encourage the unconscious mind to gradually make these desired amplitudes change permanently over a relatively long time. Because this is a sort of “brainwashing”, it takes a long time to be effective.
How long is, of course, relative to each individual.
Of course, no one KNOWS exactly why increasing the SMR brain wave works so well for Various “brain problems”, including depression. One theory (mine) is that increasing the SMR brain wave somehow changes the affect on the brain of various allergens. It is well known in the Orthomolecular and Alternate Health fields that allergies and/or sensitivities can cause all of the “mental” problems known, including Depression. In my former practice, I saw many depression cases that were traced to allergens. The other major causes were metal toxicity, and/or diet deficiencies. However, most cases are traceable to allergens!
So, the best way to solve any of the various “brain problem” symptoms of various individuals has come to a very simple “training”. (The FDA does not allow EEG BF clinicians to use the word “cure”, so the word “training” is usually used.) Raise SMR and lower Theta – that’s the simple basic solution that most EEG Biofeedback therapists use today to solve almost all “brain problem”. (EEG Clinicians don’t want you, the public, to know how very simple this all is, or you might balk at paying those huge prices.)
In my former practice as an Orthomolecular Psychologist, I used behavior modification with subliminal messaging audio tapes with great success for all types of behavior problems. I found that it was very effective for “flashers”, and other sexual problems, ego and self-confidence problems, various phobias and compulsions. (I also found that many, if not most, of the “commercial” tapes on the market were not very effective.)
In April 2004, I suddenly realized that by a modification of subliminal messaging, it would be possible to change amplitudes of brain waves. I made up an audio program to simply change the SMR brain wave, and had about 40 volunteers test it. Among these were 3 ADHD boys that had previously used EEG Biofeedback with no success. Those also failed to improve using this initial Neuroliminal approach, and this skewed the results. However, the overall results of 23 persons showed the following:
1. Most improved, some dramatically. Those with Depression solved the problem. (In one case, a very depressed woman solved her depression, and held up after being diagnosed with breast cancer – a highly successful case indeed.
2. Many reported other known allergies/sensitivities solved or greatly improved, thus showing that my allergen theory is probably correct.
3. There is a strange force that seems to inhibit and even frighten persons using Neuroliminal. With a little research, it was found that this is known as the “Hawthorne Effect”.
It is known in teaching and training. It seems to be an unconscious effort to “protect” the mind from “unknown” dangers.
4. The 3 “failures” also provided further confirmation that Neuroliminal Training is analogous to EEG Biofeedback or Neurofeedback Training.
Later, in 2004, this test was repeated, and better results were obtained. Every one was briefed on the Hawthorne Effect, and those who experienced it, simply worked thru it.
In 2005, a new audio was designed that raised the SMR brain wave, AND lowered the Theta brain wave. Volunteers paid $100 to participate in this test to encourage them to send in weekly reports for 8 weeks.
23 volunteers sent in regular reports. A few (with depression and/or insomnia) did not complete the entire 8 weeks, as they felt that their problems were solved in 4-5 weeks. Of this group the results showed:
1. All of the persons reporting improved, or solved their problems – mostly ADD/ADHD. Two with autistic children reported good improvement, and were going to continue training indefinitely. Only 1 person (who actually reported improvement) requested the $100 returned along with one other who claimed no improvement (in ADD/ADHD child).
2. Many reported Hawthorne Effect, but worked thru it fairly easily.
3. Most of the improvement came after the fourth – fifth week. (Is this another form of the Hawthorne Effect? The Hawthorne Effect is a major reason why Neuroliminal Training is so safe. Our unconscious mind is always protecting us!)
4. The results were comparable to those obtained with Neurofeedback/EEG biofeedback, if not a bit better. One case study with daily results reported is virtually a “classic” for similar results for neurofeedback or EEG biofeedback.
5. One night’s Neuroliminal training is roughly comparable to one EEG Biofeedback session. It seems that Neuroliminal may take slightly longer in nights vs. sessions, but this may be due to the first 4-5 week “slowdown”.
Drawbacks of Neurofeedback (EEG Biofeedback) Training:
1. Neurofeedback/EEG Biofeedback usually requires a relatively longer time than Neuroliminal Training to train out “brain problem” symptoms. This is because the “usual” is one or two sessions per week instead of one per night.
2. Motivation is a major factor in success. The child MUST be motivated to continue this very boring job, and the parents MUST be motivated to continue spending lots of money.
3. Cost is high, even in the low price ranges. A minimum of 40 sessions at $75 per session amounts to $3000. In the higher ranges 60 sessions at $150 per session amounts to over $9000. Add in the hidden costs of testing, commuting, lost time, etc, and the costs of Neurofeedback are prohibitive to the majority of US families. Compare to total of $57 to $147 for Neuroliminal Training – a no-brainer to be sure!
Drawbacks of Neuroliminal Training:
1. Like Neurofeedback., Neuroliminal Training takes a long time to change brain waves. (However, there is no safe “quick fix in most cases. Drugs are dangerous, and don’t “cure” the problem. Allergy testing and cure is often very expensive (many allergists aren’t even aware that Depression is most often an allergen problem). Add to that the possibility of metal toxicity.
2. Some people are afraid of subliminal messaging as “brainwashing. They are unaware that the unconscious mind is always protective, and that no harm can come..
3. The Hawthorne Effect may scare off some if not sufficiently warned beforehand.
Conclusion: Neuroliminal Training is a viable substitute that low and mid income families can afford. Neuroliminal is analogous to Neurofeedback in effect, and affordable in cost.
The shocking numbers emerging from Floridas investigation into psychiatric intervention in its foster care service represent a virtual pandemic of child drugging.
Nearly thirty percent of teenage Florida foster children have been prescribed a mental-health drug, and no less than 73 foster kids younger than 6 are taking mind-altering drugs, according to a study released on Thursday. In all, 2,669 children of Florida foster children are being given powerful psychiatric drugs.
This represents roughly a third more kids than a Department of Children and Families (DCF) database had reported as taking mental-health drugs: state records had seriously underreported the use of such drugs. Many of the drugs being illegally given to kids have never been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use on children, and many are linked to serious side effects.
Investigation
The figures are the result of an investigation launched in response to the suicide of a seven year old foster child who was taking such medications. The child who took his own life, Gabriel Myers, had been given psychiatric drugs in the weeks leading up to his suicide. The drugs included anti-depressants that are linked to a high risk of suicide among children.
In violation of the law, neither Gabriel’s parents nor a judge had consented to the use of such drugs.
”Normally, a 7-year-old boy is learning how to read and tie his shoes,” said the DCF director. “It is incomprehensible to me even now that a child so young may have deliberately and consciously made a decision to end his life.”
Certainly one can but wonder what kind of distress the boy must have been suffering and why nothing effective was done to help him and, echoing the outrage of many observers and concerned citizens, he added that he had ‘’serious questions” about the use of mental-health drugs on children.
Chemical Restraints
Worse even than the numbers involved in the abuse, are the possible motives behind the child drugging.
It has emerged that for almost a decade, Florida child advocates have complained that mental-health drugs are being used as ”chemical restraints” to control some foster kids but their legitimate concerns appear to have been disregarded.
Andrea Moore, a former head of Florida’s Children First who first suggested child-welfare workers were relying on mental-health drugs to control behavior, said, ”The shift-care workers at group homes are much more likely to report sadness and crying as depression, or anxiousness as some sort of mental-health problem,” Ms Moore said.
Reporting “depression” and thus labeling the child mentally ill provides justification for drugging in an effort to render the child more malleable and, sadly, is in line with the common psychiatric practice of labeling normal human behavior an “illness” requiring psychiatric intervention.
But as Ms Moore pointed out: “You’d be sad and anxious, too, if you didn’t know where you were going to live from day to day.”
Can any of us imagine what such a situation must be like for a small and helpless child? Certainly labeling a normal reaction to a distressing situation as a mental illness and using this as an excuse to drug with particularly dangerous chemicals that can set in train lifelong damage, appears to be the height not only of irresponsibility but of cruelty too.
It has emerged that caregivers were once told they did not need consents for mental-health drugs in certain cases — meaning there may be significant numbers of incidences of drugging not listed at all!
Among the 20,235 children whose case files were studied, investigators found no parental or judicial consent on record for 16 percent of the children, the report said.
The report produced by the DCF outlines steps administrators will take.
These include:
State child-welfare lawyers will seek permission to drug their children from parents who still have authority to make decisions on their children’s behalf, or go to court to seek approval from a judge to start drugging.
Administrators are launching an ”immediate” review to determine how reliable the state’s child-welfare database is. It is not clear to this writer what steps will be take to ensure that database becomes one hundred percent accurate.
DCF administrators and the heads of private foster-care agencies throughout the state will discuss the use of psychiatric drugs by foster children weekly by telephone.
”The purpose of these calls is to ensure effective communication on improvements that must take place,” the report said.
It is as yet unclear what precisely will be discussed and whether the discussion will include valid and highly workable alternatives to drugging or if those involved are even aware that such alternatives exist.
”This report is an important first step in closely examining not only this case — but to help ensure this type of tragedy never happens again,” the DCF Director said at a Thursday news conference.
Unfortunately, psychiatric drugs being what they are and having the side effects they are known to have, while their use continues there can be no guarantees the tragedy will not happen again.
Concern
There appears to be no news yet as to what will be done about psychiatrists and other care workers who broke the law relating to child drugging.
Equally cause for concern, the undertakings listed above seem to indicate a determination to go on drugging foster kids as long as the letter of the law is adhered to, whereas the whole concept of psychiatric involvement, particularly as this invariably means drugging, in the care of children is in urgent need of a rethink.
Several matters need to be urgently examined:
The scientific validity of the “disorders” or “mental illnesses” with which children are labeled as an excuse to drug them.
The number of people labeled “mentally ill” who are “cured” by the drugs they are given as opposed to the numbers who are merely drugged indefinitely without cure.
The number of children thus drugged who develop mental health “complications” including later addiction to street drugs.
The deterioration in performance in areas of life at local, state and national level, such as education, mental health and drug rehabilitation where psychiatry has been allowed to intervene.
The ineffectiveness of drugging in curing anything and its tendency to produce serious side effects and complications and the connection between serious crimes such as murders by youngsters and their medication by psychiatrists in the period preceding their crimes.
The percentage of drugged children who go on to become criminals at considerably exacerbated cost to both society and the state.
Why government is wasting taxpayers dollars on psychiatric methods when they are rendered outmoded by advances in knowledge of diet, nutrition and medicine is not clear. The state would not waste money on having leeches administered to sick children instead of antibiotics so why does it waste money on equally stone-age treatments for those emotionally troubled?
Whether it would be safer, healthier, kinder and more cost effective to spend money, not on psychiatry, but on ensuring effective nutrition and a safe, caring environment for foster kids.
Future
A race that fails to love and care for its children has abandoned its future. Most of us would like to think we do right by our young and that some kind of future is being ensured for our civilization.
We would appreciate our governments help in the matter.
About The Author
For more information about psychiatry at Citizens Commission and addiction at Narconon.
To find these and all my free articles, go to the HowDo Hub.
The Healing Effects of Life at Sorensons Ranch School
One of the most important parts of the therapeutic process at Sorensons Ranch School has been the incorporation of animals in the treatment of troubled youth and troubled teens.
Some of the animals have many purposes in our program. Some are used for our 4-H program. They can also be individually assigned to students to care for, groom, and show at the local county fairs. Horses, sheep, pigs, and cattle are the main stock that our youth learn to care for and show. The 4-H program nationally has been a proven vehicle in helping youth build self-esteem, knowledge, and individual responsibility. This individual responsibility can help teens overcome problems associated with ADD, ADHD, Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), anger, depression, lack of discipline, and many other common issues with troubled teens. Sorensons Ranch focuses on helping troubled youth return to a time of tending to their chores and taking care of the work that is involved in running a ranch. Another element that animals provide is unconditional love to their caregivers, and they present non-judgmental companionship, which is especially valuable with troubled youth with reactive attachment issues. Shoveling horse manure, feeding horses, herding cattle, assisting in the birthing process of the animals, fixing fences, watering, grooming, breaking horses, growing crops, hauling hay all these activities prepare the youth at Sorensons Ranch School to learn responsibility and respect. There is never a dull moment and the youth have plenty of things to do! It could be argued that life in a simpler form (ranch life) has a way of soothing the soul. The high mountain valley that provides the backdrop for helping children here at Sorensons Ranch School is a beautiful region with high elevation peaks on each side of the valley. Water arrives by canal down to our farm, which then goes into our sprinkling system. The students help in the preparation of the fields for planting by scouring the freshly tilled portions for rocks, which show up with each new plowing of the fields. The youth remove the rocks by hand or in a wheelbarrow and deposit them in the lower fields. Once the fields are planted the sprinklers are the way our crops are irrigated. The youth then must move the sprinklers on average every twelve hours for crops of oat hay or barley. With alfalfa or alfalfa-grass mixes for horses the sprinklers are moved once daily. Endorphins are produced in the human body by the pituitary gland during strenuous activity. Endorphins give us all a sense of wellbeing. Some have likened endorphins to the bodys natural pain relievers. With this knowledge, we capitalize on the healing/soothing effects in our youths lives by keeping our youth busy in the many activities. There is a simple pleasure to riding a horse through one of our mountain valleys or hauling hay. Often when troubled teens arrive they are reluctant or outright against participating in many of the activities we offer. Some of this stems from basic rebelliousness while often times we find fear to be a factor. Standing by a horse, ready to throw a saddle on it is an intimidating feat for most people. Often as students watch their peers performing these kinds of tasks<img src="http://www.articlesfactory.com/pic/x.gif" alt="Science Articles" border="0", it helps them realize that there are many things they can accomplish that were previously considered foolish or impossible. Sorensons Ranch School is an excellent program that helps struggling teens find the answers to the problems that they are facing and helps them learn to find solutions on their own. For more information contact the admissions office at 1-888-830-4802 or visit the Sorensons Ranch website at www.eprogramsearch.com/sorensons-ranch-school.php
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Autism is a syndrome that comes from exhibiting certain combinations or patterns of behavior. Low functioning autism is the term used to describe autistic individuals that are not able to function or deal with every day life. Normal to high functioning autism is used to describe people that exhibit autistic behaviors that are in fact able to deal with real world activities and normal day to day life. Many people diagnosed with autism end up living in less then ideal conditions. Autism is a developmental disorder, that affects many areas of human function such as language, and the ability to communicate. It affects self-help skills, coordination, and the ability of an individual to learn. Autism is not a specific developmental disorder such as dyslexia.
Affected Areas
There are several common traits that will aid in the diagnosis of autism. These traits include, the tendency to stay in isolation or be away from others. Autistic individuals will have a hard time making friends and will seem very awkward in social situations. An autistic person will very rarely look some else in the eye. They will be very naive and easily swayed or manipulated. They are often quite gullible. When an autistic person speaks they will often so so using very formal language. They may speak in a monotone and their use of body language may be very poor. (such as nodding “no” while saying “yes”. Autistic people will generally prefer common routines, they may be very literal in their use of language and may remember and recite a lot of detail without having a lot of understanding. They may also be hypersensitive or hyposensitive, and have odd tastes in food and clothing. In some cases, the symptoms are immediately noticeable while in others, the symptoms may be very well hidden and not be easily identified even after several meetings. Many that are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder lead very normal and active lives. Quite often they lead such normal lives that they are often not initially diagnosed as children but are diagnosed as young adults.
Autism is not Disabled
One common misconception is that persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder are in fact disabled. This is definitely not the case as their thought process are a little different from everyone else not missing entirely. Individuals with an autism spectrum disorder may not interact well with others and may not learn as easily as other children do. The more severe the disorder is the more difficulty the child will have in dealing with others.
Learning Is Key
Learning about autism spectrum disorders and how they affect people lives will go a long way to helping teachers, siblings, parents, and friends to cope with the disorder. In some cases it has been demonstrated that with intense therapy and practice a person diagnosed with this disorder can learn to fit in and function normally with the outside world. The key is to learn as much as we can in order to help those who have it to live a normal and productive life.
Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Autism Info Blog. For more helpful information about Autism visit autisminfoblog.com
Impulsiveness, lack of attention and hyperactivity are the common traits of children with ADHD. All of these can make it hard to teach children in a school environment. Therefore it is important that when teaching ADHD children the day is carefully planned to try and ensure the children are kept organized and motivated to complete tasks.
Teachers who have ADHD children in their classes need to be accepting and accommodating of the condition. Although some children with ADHD may have learning difficulties that are associated with ADHD behaviors, they are not unintelligent, they just need to be given the right environment in which to learn.
So, what steps can be taken to effectively teach ADHD children? First and foremost, it helps to understand their uniqueness. Take a look at the list of strategies for teaching children with ADHD below.
• Introduce the child to an organized environment. When in school, make use of folders and dividers on his desk so he’ll be able to spot things easily. Also a color coding system to distinguish the textbook covers for specific subjects can be useful.
• Children with ADHD can struggle with writing and numerical work. Showing him how to use his finger or pencil across the pages when reading to help keep concentration and so he doesn’t lose his place. When writing, encourage him to use his fingers to specify spacing and graph paper is useful when writing numbers to keep things aligned.
• Reduce his homework. Too much homework can be really overwhelming for kids with ADHD. Better to give a lesser amount and have it completed than allocate a lot and have nothing back. As much as possible, give homework that involves the use of materials instead of requiring lots of writing.
• Provide a warm and welcoming classroom environment, but one that doesn’t offer too many distractions. Think about where you sit children with ADHD to allow them the best chance for concentrating.
• Always show the value of organization in the classroom. Give them time to fix his things by themselves.
• Be liberal with praise. Praise the good deeds and give rewards to those who did well in the schoolwork and homework. Positive feedback will generally work better than negative feedback.
• Monitor the child’s progress. Always have the parents involved.
• Be clear on when moving around is acceptable and when it’s not. Don’t expect them to sit in their seats all day.
• Encourage him to work in groups to encourage interaction with peers.
Parents can also find it hard to find solutions to ADHD behavior. However, it is essential that the parents of an ADHD child get involved with his progress and transition. Keep up to date with what’s happening at school and find out if there is actions you can take at home that will help cement what is being taught in school.
When it comes to homework it is important to be supportive, without actually doing the homework for your child.
Provide a quiet space that is free from distractions, both visual and aural. Take a look at what homework is required and ensure your child understands what they need to do. Answer any questions they have and provide the necessary materials, but then leave them to complete the work.
When the homework is finished review it with your child. If they’ve made mistakes or missed out a section, point it out, assure them that it is alright to make mistakes, but that mistakes need correcting. Always praise him for a good job.
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Teaching ADHD children can be challenging, but it also comes with rewards. By putting some simple strategies in place you can make the learning environment much easier for all concerned.