Homeschool Highlights - Week of January 4, 2010

Days 79 - 83 

What a week!  After DH worked mandatory overtime during the holidays, this week he surprised us by taking some vacation time. 

Needless to say, it was not easy getting ANYTHING done.  It was slow going, but we managed.  (And we had lots of fun, too!)

Reading:  She finished Book 4 - Series 3 Thick Slush.  She also started Book 5 Bad Luck.  After finishing her reader, she played on Starfall.  She is learned about famous artist, Georges Seurat. 

Handwriting:  Shayla wrote a thank you  letter to Elaine, the assistant at our chiropractor's office.  These two seem to share a common bond.  Shayla has never spoken to Elaine, but Shayla loves Elaine, and the feeling must be mutual.  Elaine made and gave Shayla a beautiful teddy bear tie blanket for Christmas.  She even stitched her name on it.  I am planning on making a video of Shayla saying something to Elaine and giving it to her.

Exercises:  Unfortunately, we did not continue with the Brain Balancing Exercises over Christmas break.  I had planned on continuing those daily, but well, life happened. 

We started them again, although they have changed some.  Instead of jumping on the trampoline, which is covered with about a foot of snow, we are doing plenty of sledding. 

How is this schoolwork?

Well, my child NEEDS fresh air and physical exercise.  Running up a hill, dragging a sled behind (for hours at a time) has to be good exercise. 

*Note to self:  Although Shayla is not actually diagnosed with autism, I know she has many characteristics, so I try to learn as much as possible about this condition.  One thing that I have come across many times is the digestive disturbances that many autistics have.  Leaky gut, candida, low vitamin and mineral levels, abnormal heavy metal findings and low enzymes, as well as, ADD/ADHD and learning differences are just some of the things many spectrum children suffer with.

We follow a strict GF/CF diet and avoid other food allergens. She improved tremendously on the diet.  She also improved when she was put on a prescription antifungal for candida, but I still feel she hasn't reached her full potential.  So, I continue to read, learn and try many therapies to help her reach her full potential.

 I started enzyme therapy this week.  She gets sprinkles of her digestive enzyme with every meal and snack.  Since starting this she has had "The Happy Child Effect."  Who would believe the turn around!!! :)   Since starting enzyme therapy this week, we have noticed an increase in her communication skills - both verbal and non-verbal.  She almost spoke at King's Kids.  She made verbal sounds in stores.  And her give and take conversation has improved.

Shayla's whole demeanor is that of a happy child, now.  She also has been having a better relationship with her sister, not constantly fighting and screaming at her.  And the best improvement is she is wanting and giving more affection.  She is more open to being hugged and even asks for hugs, kisses and attention from everyone in the family - even her sister!

I am reading a book called Enzymes for Autism (it also covers many other auto-immune disorders).  For more information about enzyme therapy, visit Enzyme Stuff.  I hope to post more about this at a later time. 

Unit Study:  U is for Uriah.  We did a fun, Bible themed unit study.  I usually move through these fairly quickly, but this week, we were easing back into school.  I also found many resources to use.  She has a few more things to finish up before it's complete. 

So, how did everyone else do this week?  Were you ready to jump back into it, or did you start school again dragging your feet all the way?

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity - Finally a Label For What We've Been Feeling

Recently I learned the official label for my illness. The Enviromental Allergist that we've been seeing over the past 5 years or so has really worked with us. He is over two hours away from us, so thankfully we only have to see him once a year now.

Here's what we'd been experiencing multiple chemical sensitivity. http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/mcs.html

Five years ago, when we started seeing him, our complaints were many. I was losing my hair, ached from head to toe, so, so tired, and the list goes on and on. There were days that I never thought I would see the next day. Some days I secretly wished that I wouldn't.

I had been reading into food allergies because of my youngest daughter. Since I breast fed her and we couldn't find much to feed her, I had to eliminate corn, milk, wheat, gluten, yeast and soy.

That may have improved things a little, but I was still sick.

All my blood tests were pretty much normal. Thyroid was fine. Liver and kidney function fine.
My iron protein level was down, although my iron was fine. Dr. started me on a prescription iron pill. It helped some, but still not much improvement.

In the meantime, I was formally diagnosed with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia syndromes. I looked like a walking skeleton from malabsorbtion. Ok, we have a name, now what do we do?

At the same time, my youngest daughter was showing many signs of autism.

Armed with some labels I started reading and researching. I read books from several nearby libraries, inter-library loaned some, bought many more, and accessed countless websites.

In my quest, I found out about something called the yeast connection. The thinking is that a fungus overgrows in your body and can grow in your blood, organs, etc. I was able to have some tests ordered from Great Plains Laboratory. They specialize in chronic fatigue, ADHD, autism, and many other controversial illnesses. The tests confirmed. I followed a very strict elimination diet for a long time, and have gradually gotten better. I take mega-vitamins therapy and antifungal meds.

Now the happy ending....We are both in recovery. My daughter is much improved. I feel like a new person. I have more energy now at 35 than I had ever. I'm only tired like a normal person. However, I do have limits. If I get stressed or have a particuarly busy week, my body lets me know.

I'll post more on some of my findings in other posts.