Jim S.

 

 

 

I was asked to speak at the Cherokee County CHADD, a support group for parents and children diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. I was asked to address parents as an educator with resources to help the A.D.D. child through public education when conventional methods have failed.

Also at this meeting were Drs. Dan and Kim Gambino, family chiropractors. Listening to their presentation about the misalignment of the spine affecting the brain and its effects on children and the learning process, my 9-year-old some came to mind. He had suffered from chronic ear infections, several severe febrile seizures, and a broken leg from a jump he took all before age three. At the age of three he did not speak. He was evaluated by a speech pathologist and given the label "SIGNIFICANTLY DEVEMENTALLY DELAYED". He was served by the public education system through the preschool intervention program in speech and language from age 3 until the start of kindergarten. He began kindergarten with a special ed folder served in speech, language, and math. His label remained significantly developmentally delayed. At age 7 he was diagnosed with A.D.D., meeting 8 of the 15 A.D.D. criteria. He repeated kindergarten. He was given 6 months of vision therapy. Dr. Berger, the vision therapist, suggested there may be a cognitive problem and referred Jim to the pediatric neurologist for testing. Jim received testing and his ability was very low. 

Since seeing Drs. Dan and Kim Gambino, Kim's whole demeanor has changed -- he is more confident and self assured.  He is able and willing to complete academic tasks without anxiety. His auditory processing has speeded up-- he understands what is expected of him more easily and can now SING, before he was able to keep up with the melody. His memory is much, much more consistent. He is able to count to 45 whereas before he could not accurately count to 20.
Jim's verbal skills have magnified. He uses much more complex sentences and language.  He is able to express himself very well. We hope this school year is very successful and that Jim is able to make great strides in learning. 
                                                                                               Lecia Strack
                                                                                             August 20, 1997