Three Skills All Kids Need Before Developing Language: "Prelinguistic Skills"

In Episode 13 I'm covering 3 prelinguistic skills that all children need to develop before developing language:

1. JOINT ATTENTION; 2. IMITATION; & 3. SYMBOLIC PLAY

This list is not exhaustive of these prelinguistic / pre-language skills but we're highlighting 3 very important ones that you can easily incorporate into your daily routines with your child!

This podcast is for parents of children who are typically developing, have developmental delays, or children who have symptoms or a diagnosis of a known neurodevelopmental condition like autism.

Not only are these skills foundational to language development, they also support social communication skills as well!

Listen in to learn these prelinguistic skills and a variety of examples of how you can naturally weave these strategies into your child's day. Enjoy!

Five Nutrients for a Healthy Brain & Which Foods to Find Them in

As the title shares, Episode 12 covers 5 nutrients for a healthy brain, not just for development and but also for general brain health! I share which foods to find these nutrients in and a variety of ways to incorporate these whole foods into your child's diet. I’m sharing insights and creative ways to improve your child's willingness to tolerate and try these new or even non-preferred foods. Hope you enjoy it!

Mentioned in the show: 

Michelle Hoover from Unboundwellness.com - GFCF (AIP) Recipes - Salmon Cakes

Tony Mitra's work regarding organic chickpeas in North America containing glyphosate

Traumatic Brain Injuries, Leaky Brain-Leaky Gut, and Picky Eating...What's the Connection?

You may have heard of "leaky gut - leaky brain" but have you heard it the other way around? "Leaky brain- Leaky gut"?

In this episode, we're covering "leaky brain - leaky gut", primary and secondary brain injuries, a brief overview of the nervous system and the gut-brain connection, as well as the biochemical and neurobiological ways that complex picky eating can develop following a traumatic brain injury or even after a concussion that doesn't seem too significant or traumatic in nature.

We'll explore some beginning nutrition and lifestyle tips and strategies you may want to consider, regardless of how long it's been since the traumatic brain injury took place (although, the sooner the better of course). We'll cover how and why individuals with TBIs develop food and environmental sensitivities and what you can do to help support them, especially when it comes to complex picky eating.

If you're brand new to these topics of "gut health" and the gut brain connection, please visit Episode 6 titled, "How "Gut Health" Impacts Your Child's Health and Development" and then come back to this one. Episodes 6-10 are absolutely relevant to listen into if this resonates with you!

Do you know someone who could benefit from this information?

Please help spread this information to those who need it most by sharing this episode with them. Thank you so much for helping Speaking of Health & Wellness support more families and providers!

Enjoy the episode!

Could Your Child’s Physical and Behavioral Symptoms Be Caused By the Food They’re Eating?

Could your child’s physical and behavioral symptoms be caused by the food they’re eating? There are a number of ways that foods can impact children's health, physically and bio-behaviorally.

If your child struggles with complex picky eating, this one is for you!

If your child has developmental delays or a known neurodevelopmental condition, like autism spectrum disorders, ADHDs, speech-language disorders, sensory processing disorders, etc. then this one is for you!

If your child is struggling with a host of chronic health issue symptoms, this one is for you!

Did you know that over half of American children and millennials today have a diagnosable chronic health issue? Food and environmental reactions are very much involved here...

In this episode, I'm sharing an overview of the difference between food allergies, food sensitivities, and food intolerances. We'll cover the most common food allergies and sensitivities, as well as what physical and behavioral symptoms are seen in children with food reactions.

I share what to do if you think your child is experiencing negative reactions to their foods, starting with "cleaning up the diet overall", then navigating food sensitivity testing, and guidance around food elimination/reintroduction diets for food reactions.

Enjoy the episode! I hope that it's insightful and supportive for where you are on your journey!

Mentioned in the show:

Dr. Doris Rapp on The Phil Donahue Show (1989)

Gluten Free, Casein Free Diets (GFCF) For Kids with Complex Picky Eating and/or Developmental Conditions - Answering FAQs

Episode 9 builds onto the information shared in previous episodes re: complex picky eating and neurodevelopmental delays and disorders being whole body conditions, as well as holistic nutrition, gut health, gluten free/casein free (GFCF) Diets... If you're new to the podcast and these topics, please go to earlier episodes in this Season 1.

I'm answering frequently asked questions that parents of these children often ask me when they're considering or starting the GFCF diet trial...

How do you know if they're getting or not getting the nutrients that they need? Can GFCF diets create deficiencies?

We specifically explore zinc and calcium and related factors to think about with these nutrients when implementing a GFCF diet.

Is the GFCF diet a lifelong change or temporary? How long until you see results? What would those results and improvements look like?

And lastly, I offer some guidelines and general habits for families to consider embracing during their transition to a GFCF diet with the child(ren) and/or family.

I'm answering all these questions and more. Enjoy the episode and don't forget to check out the resources linked below that I mention in the show!

Mentioned in the show:

My Accompanying Blog: "GFCF Diets, Picky Eating, Autism, & Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders...What's the Connection?"

Organic Olivia Herbal Supplements Line - For Kids & Adults - I use these products personally and with clients for support!

Is the Gluten Free, Casein Free Diet (GFCF) "All or Nothing?" What Happens if They Eat a Little Bit?

Episode 8 builds onto the information shared in previous episodes re: complex picky eating and neurodevelopmental delays and disorders being whole body conditions, as well as holistic nutrition, gut health, gluten free/casein free (GFCF) diets...If you're new to the podcast and these topics, please go to earlier episodes in this Season 1.

I'm answering frequently asked questions that parents often ask me when they're considering or starting the GFCF diet trial...

Is it "all or nothing?" What happens if they eat a little?

How long will it take to see results? What results could you expect to see?

Why do some people still say there's not enough evidence to support the GFCF Diet for these demographics of children and individuals?

What guidelines should be implemented to see the maximum benefit and potential of this transition, especially for families of children with complex picky eating?

I'm answering all these questions and more. I hope you enjoy the episode!

Mentioned in the show:

My Accompanying Blog: "GFCF Diets, Picky Eating, Autism, & Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders...What's the Connection?"

Organic Olivia Herbal Supplements Line - For Kids & Adults - I use these products personally and with clients for support!

GFCF Diets, Picky Eating, Autism, & Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders...What's the Connection? [Podcast]

We're covering the basics like what gluten and casein are exactly, the gluten free / casein free (GFCF) diet and exploring some of the research around it, as well as some thoughts you may want to consider before taking on a special diet for your child.

I'm covering 5 connections to consider when thinking about GFCF diets for children with complex picky eating, developmental delays, autism, and/or other neurodevelopmental conditions.

Mentioned in the show:

My accompanying blog: GFCF Diets, Picky Eating, Autism, & Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders...What's the Connection?

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Are you ready to learn how to help your child overcome complex picky eating and bring more ease and joy to mealtimes?

Enroll today in Naturally Navigating Picky Eating, a self-paced online course + guide for parents and caregivers of children with complex picky eating, with and without developmental conditions…

How "Gut Health" Impacts Your Child's Health and Development

"Gut Health", "The Gut-Brain Connection", "Gut-Brain Axis", etc. has been gaining more attention in the last decade, and understandably so! It's so important to our overall health and wellness, as well as children's development!

In this episode, I discuss some introductory terms that you'll hear when starting to learn more about gut health (microbiome, dysbiosis, leaky gut / intestinal hyper-permeability, etc.).

I share the signs, symptoms, and conditions that you may see when your child's gut health is in need of attention, as well as how gut health may be impacting children with complex picky eating, developmental delays, neurodevelopmental disorders, and more.

I hope you enjoy the episode!

Exploring Autism & Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders as Whole Body Conditions [Podcast]

The title says it all! In this episode we're exploring autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopmental disorders (like ADHD, childhood apraxia of speech, global developmental delays, etc.) as whole body conditions.

We're taking a closer look at the overlapping co-morbidities and the underlying root causes and symptoms these children and individuals share. I discuss the rise of these childhood disorders in tandem to the rise of chronic illness across the board in children and adults over the last few decades, and we talk about what beginning steps families can take towards living a more holistic and low tox lifestyle to support their child's health, wellness, and development.

Mentioned in the show: 

My Accompanying Blog: Exploring Autism & Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders as Whole Body Conditions

My favorite low-tox cleaner for my home: Branch Basics (discount code included!)

Is Your Child's Picky Eating a Developmental Phase or a More Complex Issue?

Welcome to Episode 4, where I'm discussing “picky eating”. We're covering what's "normal" vs. what's not, and when to know if your child's picky eating is a typical stage of their development or if it's a more complex issue. I introduce my "Picky Eating Paradigm" and share some starting strategies for all children with picky eating that you can put into action right away! I hope you find this episode helpful and supportive!

Mentioned in the show:

Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders by Dr. Kay Toomey

Feeding Matters Organization 

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Are you ready to learn how to help your child overcome complex picky eating and bring more ease and joy to mealtimes?

Enroll today in Naturally Navigating Picky Eating, a self-paced online course + guide for parents and caregivers of children with complex picky eating, with and without developmental conditions…