5 ways to prevent dyslexia and speech problems

Did you know that you can prevent school-age speech problems and dyslexia? The things you do at home make all the difference.

Some studies show that the brain processing problems and causes of dyslexia are similar to those of ADHD and autism. Prevention is much better than remediation (a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush).        

Phonics is the only proven cure for dyslexia. It also can heal speech problems. The phonics must be one-on-one by direct instruction to be truly effective. (More of this is discussed in Volumes 3 & 6 of It's Not Rocket Surgery!) 

        Thinking that dyslexia or ADHD is all genetic is a cop-out. Just like IQ is only about 50% genetic, the main causes of these disorders are the environmental triggers.

Experts like neurologist Dr. Michael Merzenich have shown that too much noise (TV, radio, traffic), too many flashing lights (TV and video games), and too much all around stimulus can trigger brain overload. In young children, this can be devastating.

Such things may activate the brain to release chemicals like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which shut down the proper brain functioning and development too soon. Why some children are more susceptible than others may be a genetic predisposition, but can still be prevented and/or healed.

(Note: Some autism may be triggered by immunization serums gone bad, but that is another story. My 14 children have never had a problem with immunizations.)

       An article in the April 2010 issue of the magazine Common Ground, "The brain under siege" by Lee Gerdes, starts with, “Young people everywhere are being diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. In the United States, eight percent of children ages four through 17 are diagnosed with ADHD. Among adults, the percentage is between 2.9 and 4.4. However, it is believed that only a third to as much as a fifth of cases of ADHD is diagnosed. 

This wasn’t the case just a couple of generations ago. Why is attention deficit so prevalent today?”

        Brains need down time, quiet time, meditation time, on a regular basis. Even for kids with a genetic tendency, parents can help prevent triggering ADHD (or autism or dyslexia) in their children by:

• Turning off the TV or limiting TV time, especially in children under 6 years
• Limiting video games, especially under 6
• Turning off the radio for awhile, especially when young children are around
• Not living next to a busy highway or interstate or airport
• Playing classical music of Mozart and the 3 B's - Bach, Brahms, & Beethoven - in your home will not only dampen the outside noise but also develop your child's brain better for reading and math

This is especially true for infants and young children under 6 years old, when the most brain neuron mapping and growth is occurring. It’s harder to limit the electronic environmental stimuli when a toddler has older siblings, but try to turn it off regularly. In the long run, it will be better for the siblings, too.

        Visits to peaceful nature areas and parks can be refreshing and rejuvenating for the brain, body, and soul, and get the family away from all the distractions.

You, mom and dad, are the key. It's not rocket surgery!

http://thegodfreymethod.com/blog/head-start-5-ways-prevent-dyslexia-and-speech-problems