Alternative approaches treating learning difficultgies include nutritional counseling and auditory processing therapy to help those with learning disabilities because recent studies emphasize the synergistic relationship between the two modalities. Before discussing how nutritional and auditory processing therapy helps learning disabilities, let's talk about some statistics about learning disabilities.

Statistics show about 5 percent of school age children are diagnosed each year with a learning disability, and the number of new cases rises each year. Learning disabilities do not go away as a person matures, and you do not grow out of your learning disability when you become an adult. You're also likely to face new challenges in fulfilling your role as a family member, employee, spouse or citizen.

Medical science is unsure what causes learning disabilities, and many of the medications prescribed to treat them have unsatisfying results or serious side effects. Frazzled parents wonder where else to turn for help.

What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a disorder that affects a person’s ability to interpret what he sees or hears, or to link information from different parts of the brain. These difficulties show up in many different ways:

• difficulties with speech or language
• lack of coordination
• problems with self-control
• inattentiveness

What are the types of learning disabilities?
Generally speaking, there are three types of learning disabilities:

1. Developmental speech and language disorders
2. Academic skills disorders
3. Other (a broad category used to include coordination disorders and learning handicaps not covered by the other two categories).

Other studies indicate that some learning disabilities might be caused by allergies to certain foods, food additives and dyes, and environmental allergies, as well as auditory processing and sensory integration problems.

How Nutritional Therapy Can Help Learning Disabilities
In learning disabilities caused by nutritional deficiencies, research has shown Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids may be missing from the diet. Symptoms of ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia have markedly improved when diets were modified to include cold water fish (tuna, salmon and mackerel) and organ meats and/or fatty acid supplements such as cod liver or flax seed oils.

In cases of allergy, diets were modified to exclude foods containing salicylates (apples, blackberries, boysenberries, cherries, currants, gooseberries, grapes, nectarines, oranges, peaches, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries and strawberries) or foods that are commonly known to cause allergies in children (milk, yeast, eggs, corn and corn products, soybeans, soy sauce, lentils, potatoes, and peanuts). Also eliminated, where warranted, were perfumes, dyes, glues, pesticides and paint.

What are some physical symptoms that indicate an allergic condition?
If you have some of the following symptoms for which your doctor has found no cause, you may be reacting to one or more food or environmental allergens:

• Pale, sallow complexion
• Puffiness, dark circles under eyes
• Recurrent stomachaches, constipation or soiling
• Headaches, including migraines
• Leg and muscle aches
• Bed wetting
• Chronic stuffy, itchy runny nose
• Recurrent ear infections
• Fatigue
• Mental sluggishness, spaciness, inability to concentrate

How Auditory Processing Therapy Can Help Learning Disabilities
Auditory Processing Therapy to help with attention disorders, sensory integration issues and learning challenges. Auditory Processing Therapy programs, such as The Listening Program, have proven effective in treating learning disabilities, attention disorders and autistic spectrum disorders. For more information about The Listening Program, call us at 408-315-0645 or visit www.allthingswell.com.

Alternative Programs for Learning Disabilities
Alternative methods for learning disabilities can be highly effective with improvements observed starting in the first month. Most programs includes a blend of the following treatment modalities:

• Dietary Guidelines
• Specific nutritional support
• Detoxification Therapies
• Heavy metal testing and oral chelation
• Essential Fatty acid balancing
• Amino Acid balancing
• Homeopathic Remedies
• Food sensitivity identification and elimination
• Allergy elimination
• Auditory Processing Therapy

Clients should expect the following results to be observed during the course of treatment:

• Decreased emotional fits of anger and aggression
• Improved attention span
• Increased concentration
• Increased impulse control
• Improved relations to others

References
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About the Author

Dr. Randi Fredricks, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist and author specializing in the treatment of mental health using integrative medicine and natural therapies. She works with individuals, couples, and families at her office in San Jose, California. Dr. Fredricks' publications include the landmark book Healing & Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems. Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Dr. Randi Fredricks as articles often present the published results of the research of other professionals. Copyright © 2012.