Zone’in Workshops

Hi Andrea,

Regarding the Mukaddes study, although small, this study is landmark in that it points the way toward the need for all researchers to include environmental parameters in all child development research e.g. how much TV are the parents and kids watching, what is the relationship like between parent and kid.

There also needs to be a clear delineation between what we call ‘behavior’ and what we diagnose to be a mental or developmental disorder. This also brings forth another salient question – are children born with these ‘behaviors‘ and ‘disorders’, or do they develop as a result of their environment (nature vs. nurture, chicken or the egg)? I’ve read in various articles, when researchers explore causal factors for the rapid rise in childhood Autism, ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder etc., that human biology couldn’t have changed that fast, that the cause must be environmental.

It’s imperative at this time for child development researchers to broaden their scope beyond using fMRI and genetic decoding when trying to understand the ‘developing’ brain. Brain anatomy and chemistry evolves as the infant/toddler/child grows, based somewhat on genetic makeup, but also based on that child’s environment.

To say that Autism, ADHD, Aspergers, depression, anxiety have solely genetic ‘origins’ is very limiting when trying to understand these disorders. Mukaddes changed children’s Autism indicators just by treating the parents.

You may want to look at the right orbital frontal cortex research, as this is a fascinating area of the brain. The ROFC has been found to be smaller in children with ADHD and Autism. The ROTF is also found to play a role in impulse control, addictions and yes – attachment! Now…was the ROTF smaller at birth, or did it not develop properly due to poor attachment with parents? Unfortunately, we don’t know this crucial information.

When I do workshops, and present Mukaddes and Welch studies, there is always some person who asks “Do you mean parents cause ADHD and Autism?” How I answer this is that I tell them I have no idea what causes either of these disorders, but I am telling them how they can treat these disorders, and possibly improve the lives of families struggling with unhappy children.

When I discuss Welch’s work, I suggest parents of children with severe Autism try to find a trained therapist in their area to guide them through the holding time treatments. Parents of children with mild Autism, Aspergers or ADHD should just try to be more ‘present’ for their children, more conversations, increased use of eye contact, use of deep pressure touch ( a technique I teach in my workshops), playful wrestling, rough and tumble play.

Just a few more thoughts for you to consider!

Sincerely,

Cris Rowan, BScOT, BScBi, SIPT
CEO Zone’in Programs Inc.
6840 Seaview Rd.
Sechelt, BC V0N3A4
604-885-0986 office, 604-885-0389 fax
crowan@zonein.ca