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I wrote this article on solutions for some learning disabilities following reports that many diagnoses of ADD and ADHD, made by school teachers and child psychologists, were later shown to be in error. Such errors in judgment (there are no clinical tests) can have devastating consequences on children - who may suffer from chaotic family relationships, food allergies or who are more intelligent than their teachers.

What are Learning Disabilities?

If a child or teenager shows a lack of concentration or curiosity, or is a nuisance to teachers, or is considered lazy, the child may be labeled learning disabled. Children labeled with learning disabilities are expected to have less creativity and spontaneity, less motivation and less sense of life. Yet many children diagnosed with learning disorders suffer from poor nutrition or disturbed families.

Few learning disorders can be confirmed in a laboratory; these labels are opinions. Yet some children labeled as learning disabled will seek refuge in alcohol or drugs. Some will become delinquent, perhaps leading to lives of crime. Many will enter the working world with inadequate education. Some will withdraw into isolation - and a few will withdraw from reality into psychosis or suicide.

Some children with learning disabilities show biochemical imbalances and irregularities in medical imaging - although many children with similar imbalances and irregularities may learn easily and quickly. Some health professionals believe that biochemical imbalances cause learning disabilities - while others believe that learning disorders cause biochemical imbalances.

Practitioners who believe that metabolic imbalances cause learning disorders will likely prescribe psychotropic drugs; while practitioners who believe that learning disorders cause metabolic imbalances will likely recommend dietary analysis, remedial therapy and/or systemic coaching.

Children of Divorce . Systemic Education . Food Allergies . Eating Disorders

Education Success

Some significant blocks to successful education are societal beliefs about "What is possible in education?", parental beliefs about "What can our children accomplish?" and teachers' beliefs about "What can be changed at school?". Western education suffers from these beliefs.

Academic success can be assessed with examinations and tests, while social success can be assessed within relationships. Children labeled learning disabled are less likely to relate to other children or to teachers with friendly confidence - instead they may become loners or form gangs. (A relationship boost may occur if friendship skills are taught by teachers who demonstrate friendliness.)

Parental Alienation . Parent Coaching . Emotional Incest

Diagnosis of Learning Disabilities

Guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) require that children show typical symptoms of learning disabilities for at least six months. However, differences between diagnostic frequencies indicate that these psychiatric labels may be applied to children who are perceived as nuisances by teachers. (That is, many students suffer from teaching disabilities).

We find that both learning disorders and eating disorders often arise from family relationship chaos, and people with either (or both) disorders often respond well to our parent coaching.

Learning Disabilities & Nutrition

Many children with learning disabilities subsist on sugar and sugar-forming junk foods and/or suffer family chaos, both of which can cause and worsen learning disorders. Even so, food sensitivities are rarely explored. Amphetamines appear to offer a simple solution, regardless of their side-effects.

Many children with learning disabilities are intolerant of or allergic to common foods. Foods such as wheat, potatoes, milk or corn products can cause children to show depressed or hyperactive behavior, leading many doctors to manage those children with amphetamines such as Ritalin or Dexedrine.

Some emotional symptoms of allergies to common foods may be diagnosed as learning disorders. These symptoms include aggressiveness, anxiety, depression, dizziness, hyperactivity, indifference, insomnia, irritability, sleepiness, slurred speech and stuttering.

Few people are aware that common foods can cause psychological symptoms through hidden allergies and intolerances. Food intolerance tests can diagnose toxic reactions. Studies of food intolerance tests showed a 70% success rate, while only 20% accuracy with skin testing. (Note that many people seem addicted to foods to which they are allergic or intolerant).

Dietary analysis does not always solve learning disorders, but careful observations and follow-up tests can expose potential food problems. Your children's tolerance of food has a great impact on their lives.

Learning Disabilities & Drugs

Most health professionals who believe that learning disorders are caused by a biochemical imbalance will routinely prescribe mind-altering drugs to manage children. Amphetamines can subdue hyperactive children and reduce the problems faced by parents and teachers. But children medicated with addictive drugs may show dysfunction into their adult lives.

Ritalin is similar to cocaine. The side effects of amphetamines include lost appetite: medicated children are often underweight and grow more slowly than their peers. Other side effects include addiction, elevated blood pressure, irritability, emotional instability and fatigue.

Adderall is an amphetamine combination that, instead of blocking dopamine reuptake, triggers the release of dopamine and noradrenaline. Approved by the FDA in 1996, Adderall is an alternative medication to Ritalin, often prescribed as a Plan B when Ritalin is ineffective.

Systemic Solutions & ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)

Children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD or ADHD or ADS) often appear to be lazy, inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive, as are most children at times. Children may be diagnosed with ADHD if they become bored quickly, are easily distracted, make careless mistakes, daydream and do not complete educational tasks. (Many children diagnosed with ADD can complete interesting tasks.)

Few psychiatrists and doctors give physical exams for suspected ADD; they just fill out checklists. Yet a diagnosis of ADHD cannot be confirmed in a laboratory, like an infection. A label of ADD or ADHD can indicate that a health professional does not know what is wrong. If family relationship chaos, food sensitivities or allergies are causing a child's symptoms, then that child does not have ADD.

Have you experienced temporary attention deficit during a crisis, or during external conversations? Have you experienced temporary attention deficit during internal conversations or self-talk? People with ADD may benefit from systemic coaching that helps them concentrate, control self-criticism, decrease inner conflict and enjoy better relationships.

You can help children diagnosed with ADHD or ADD by providing dietary analysis for the children and systemic couple coaching for the parents. Correcting the diet of children with learning disabilities often helps improve their behavior. Testing for food allergies and sensitivities and providing needed vitamins and minerals may help many "learning disabled" children.

Coaching parents to build or rebuild their own happiness can often help learning disabled children. Systemic couple coaching helps parents identify and resolve transferences and relationship bonds - which may manifest as immature behavior and family secrets. Children, especially children under the age of 14, often respond quickly, positively and dramatically to their parent's increased happiness.

Adults with ADD may be energetic, creative and spontaneous. They may also interrupt people and be forgetful. If ADHD traits are perceived as a lack of love for or interest in other family members, stress and resentment may follow. Yet many adults with ADHD symptoms avoid treatment or coaching.

Evaluating Partnership . Predictable Partnership . Couple Coaching

Systemic Solutions & Dyslexia

Dyslexia is about learning to read. Research suggests that up to 20% of people (1 in 5) show some symptoms of dyslexia. Dyslexia may be diagnosed when reading difficulties appear to be uncorrectable.

If dyslexia can be corrected - it is not dyslexia! Many people diagnosed with dyslexia seem to have a basic left-right confusion. Dyslexia seems to be more common if children witness long-term parental role reversal, where a mother takes a fatherly role and vice versa.

Our parent coaching may reduce any systemic need for symptoms of dyslexia in children. Private sessions for the parents of children diagnosed with dyslexia may help those children enjoy a significant increase in reading speed and comprehension.

Consult a physician about any opinions about medical conditions or medical treatments.

Part 2: Solutions for Learning Disabilities . Would you like to benefit from our experience?

Copyright © Martyn Carruthers 1996-2010 All rights reserved. Soulwork Systemic Coaching was primarily developed by Martyn Carruthers. We coach and train people to define and achieve goals, to resolve emotional blocks and to improve relationships. This information is for your general knowledge only. Please consult a physician about medical conditions and before changing any medical treatment. You must get Martyn's written permission to post or publish his work.