Natural Mama Magazine Contributors Azizah Nubia Editor in Chief Tammarah Overton Chief of Beauty & Fashion Likia Christine Health & Wellness Director Shanell Russell Director of Beauty Gidget Hunter Allen Photography at GidgetImages
Roy Hall Advertising/Sales DeAndre’ Washington Marketing
Natural Woman LLC is a media cooperative publication. For information on advertising please visit www.asknaturalwoman.com Š2014
Recipes‌10 Happy Healthy Pregnancy...16 Painless Birth...20
All you need to know about Shea Butter...31
Potty Training on the go….34 Herbs for Breastfeeding….38 Miss Too’s fashion Tips….40 Benefits of Relaxation….48
Own Your Birth: A personal Birth Story...50 Meet the Model...51
A holistic approach to Autism…..55
Watch the Making of the Cover Video
The Natural Mama Cover shoot took place at Eden Park in Cincinnati, Ohio . 1.)Our Natural Mama for this cover is actress Genay Hall . Make up , hair & Style by: Shanell Russell of Glamorous Faces Hair: Likia Christine Photography & Style : Gidget Hunter Allen www.gidgetimages.com
The Natural Woman Team : R to L: Shanell Russell, Azizah Nubia, Model Genay Hall, Tammarah Overton, & Likia Christine
What you will need:
1 Bag of Dandi’s Gluten Free Marshmallows
1 Box of Rice Crispy Cereal
2tsp of Vanilla Extract
1/2 Stick of Earth Balance Butter
Equipment:
Stove top
Mixing bowl,
Cooking pot to melt marshmallows
Baking dish
Step by Step Process Pour 2 cups of Rice Crispy cereal in a bowl. 2. Empty Gluten Free Marshmallows in a empty bowl.
In a sauce pan melt 4tsp. Of Earth Balance butter
Stir on Med High until Marshmallows melt
Now Add Vanilla Ex-
Add cereal
Now add your marshmallows
Mix marshmallows and rice cereal will.
Roy Approves
After marshmallows have been mixed. Place mixture in a baking pan. And place pan in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to coll. And enjoy!
HAPPY, HEALTHY & PREGNANT LIKIA CHRISTINE
. A healthy lifestyle is vital during pregnancy.
Eating healthy is essential to providing nutrition that you and your baby needs. And guess what? You are encouraged to eat PLENTY! Putting the right things into you and your babies’ body is the best thing you can do for the both of you. What you eat during your pregnancy could give your baby his healthiest start in life. Here are a few tips to make sure you have a happy, healthy pregnancy!
Who said giving birth has to be painful? There are many alternatives for the mommy to enjoy her birthing experience.
Natural Pain Relief Option #1: Doulas “I found one of the best forms of pain relief during labor was definitely our doula. Whilst I may have had different techniques to help me through labor pains, my doula was the one who helped me to find the best method of drug free relief for the stage of birth I was at. The support she offered throughout also helped me to stay focused which in itself is pain relief, as stress only leads to pain and she was able to help me keep calm.” According to studies, women who use Doulas have 60% less requests for epidurals and 50% caesarean sections, amongst many other things. Having a Doula present at your birth is a great way to avoid using pain relief, as she has experience in support methods, positions and tools to help women get more comfortable and feel more supported in labor, so the woman doesn’t feel the need to request pain relief. It isn’t just homebirth women or those strongly against pain relief who benefit – not only have all my clients been in hospitals, but many have said they weren’t sure how they would go in labor without pain relief as they have a low pain threshold. It’s surprising what you can deal with in labor with some great support. To read more about Doulas, click here.
Natural Pain Relief Option #2: Water “I would have to say hot showers running on the lower back was my favourite during labour, I can’t recommend it enough! I had 6 or so showers and didnt want to get out but, I was worried about water usage, because they had a sign up in the shower. Next time, im not getting out!” Water immersion in labour offers significant benefits for the labouring woman, including pain relief, relaxation and comfort. According to a Cochrane database review: “Water immersion during the first stage of
labour significantly reduces epidural/spinal analgesia requirements and reported maternal pain, without adversely affecting labour duration, operative delivery rates, or neonatal wellbeing. Immersion in water during the second stage of labour increased women’s reported satisfaction with pushing.” The first stage of labour is the contractions prior to pushing – pushing is second stage. Most midwives and birth attendants will recommend getting into the bath once you are in active labour, as being in a bath creates buoyancy and you want to work with gravity in early labour to make sure the labour isn’t going to stall. Showers are also great, as you can remain upright and direct the shower head at your lower back if you have back pain. Even if you think you aren’t a shower person, in labour, many women choose to use the shower and some spend a great deal of their labours under the shower. There are also many benefits for babies born in water. Andrew Davidson is an Obstetrician at John Flynn Hospital in Queensland who says that around 40% of women at the hospital use water immersion for labour. Birth satisfaction amongst those who waterbirth is very high. He states: “There is a much reduced usage of analgesia in the waterbirth group with no epidurals, very few women using narcotics, while about half use nitrous oxide (gas). Waterborn babies tend to breathe quietly at first rather than cry but in our experience do not have lower Apgars or require more resuscitation.” For more information on waterbirth, Janet Balaskas has a great book, ‘The Water Birth Book.’ Sadly not many hospitals offer waterbirth so you need to do your research. Mainly birth centres offer this option, or you can waterbirth at home with your own midwife.
“My absolute fave (natural pain relief method) is the bath – instant relief. I won’t ever birth out of one again.”
to the American Hypno-Birthing method. For more information, visit the Calm birth website.
“For me it was being in the shower, not just because the warm water helps with physical pain but also from a psychological perspective being a hot shower always makes me feel safer and more relaxed. Even when I’m not in labor it’s great stress relief.”
Natural Pain Relief Option #4: Changing Position
“The bath helped me the most, especially because I had a posterior (backache) labor. I had all the pain in my back as well as my tummy. So having my belly and back submerged in the warm water really helped a lot.”
Natural Pain Relief Option #3:Calmbirthing/HypnoBirthing Learning how to relax is so important in labor, otherwise you end up in the vicious cycle of fear → tension → pain. When you tense up and get tight (which is a natural reaction to any sort of pain) it actually makes that pain worse. With Calm birth, you learn:
To access your natural inner resources to alleviate the fear, anxiety and tension experienced during pregnancy, labor and childbirth
“Sitting on the toilet seemed to be quite comfortable which eased my pain… as I felt more relaxed.” Being comfortable in labor is of course going to make a huge difference in your pain tolerance. The worst position for pain during labor (and the most dysfunctional) is lying flat on your back in bed, next is semi-reclining. Mobility is important in labor, as is position changes, especially when you are working with gravity and your body. Upright, forward leaning positions are ideal, as when your uterus contracts, it actually contracts forward. Many unrestricted women naturally lean forward with contractions. Therefore working with your body and the surges of contractions is going to be more effective and efficient, resulting in less pain for the laboring woman. “Given my quick labors and no time for bath showers etc., the number one thing during labor was position – on my knees leaning forward with legs spread. But the very best pain relief of all was holding my baby at the end!”
For more information on active birth, check out Janet Balaskas’ book, ‘New Active Birth.’
Natural Pain #5: Naturopathy
Practical skills of relaxation, breathing and visualization which are used during pregnancy, labor, childbirth and beyond How the mother’s body is beautifully designed to birth her baby naturally and calmly and with the right preparation, to work with the process rather than resist it
The importance of a mother’s beliefs and attitudes about birth and how these can be one of the major differences between a positive or negative birth experience
The importance of bonding with your baby and how this effects your baby's future life
To be empowered to take control of your own birthing experience Calm birthing is an Australian method similar
Relief Option Homeopathic/
Visit a naturopath before birth so they can prepare you some natural pain relief preparations which are safe while pregnant and breastfeeding. You can get some preparations over the counter from your pharmacy like Rescue Remedy. Resources: http://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/naturalpain-relief-for-labour#.U3LOhvldUuc
What is Shea Butter anyway? Likia Christine It seems like this “stuff” has just appeared from thin air doesn’t it? Well, it’s been around for ages! Some of us have been using it for years, and some of us are just learning of the many benefits from this beautiful plant. Recently, it has become mainstream. So, what is Shea Butter anyway? shea but·ter a fatty substance obtained from the nuts of the shea tree, used chiefly in cosmetic skin preparations. 100% Pure, Natural Shea Butter is an all-natural vitamin A cream. It has shown to be a superb moisturizer, with exceptional healing properties for the skin. The Vitamin A in Shea Butter is important for improving skin conditions, including wrinkles, blemishes, eczema and dermatitis. Also, Premium Shea Butter cream has properties to treat skin allergies, insect bites, sunburns, frostbites, and a number of other conditions of the skin. The moisturizers in Shea Butter are the same as the ones produced by the sebaceous glands in the body. No wonder this “stuff” is so awesome! It replenishes the natural moisture that our body has lost. Only high quality Premium Shea Butter can offer healing qualities though. Once it is aged or loses its natural integrity, many of these wonderful benefits are lost. For example, Shea Butter contains the ingredient cinnamic acid, a substance very closely related to cinnamon in the kitchen cabinet. The Cinnamic acid in Premium Shea Butter is mainly bound to other ingredients. As Shea Butter loses its natural integrity, the amount of bounded cinnamic acid decreases, and the amount of free or unbounded cinnamic acid increases. It has been discovered that the reduction in bound cinnamic acid correlates well with the loss of clinical effectiveness for healing. However, it does retain its moisturizing effectiveness. So, poor quality Shea Butter is in the same class as Cocoa or Mango butter. Not to say that those two are not awesome, but they only moisturize. Shea Butter has the potential to do much more!
Information courtesy of The Shea institute www.sheainstitute.com
All Natural
Shea Butter
More effective than store bought moisturizers
Inexpensive! I first learned about Shea butter about 20 years ago when my Aunt introduced our family to it, but it was not until recently that I’ve learned how beneficial it really is! There are so many ways to use this wonderful butter! But what is it? Where does it come from, and how is it any better than store bought lotions/moisturizers? In the pages ahead, we will go over some facts about this miracle moisturizer that Mother Nature has provided for us.
Excellent base for mixing essential oils!
Wonderful for Hair AND Body!
BE SURE TO VISIT THE NATURAL WOMAN WEBSTORE TO ORDER YOUR OWN SHEA BUTTER!
SHEA BUTTER FOR STRETCH MARKS LIKIA CHRISTINE
Photo courtesy of Google Images
There is no way to completely prevent stretch marks, but you can definitely minimize them! Shea Butter is the best moisturizer you can use all over your body while you’re pregnant. It moisturizes your skin, soothes “tummy itch” and protects the elasticity of your skin, so it is able to stretch as much as necessary, with minimal scarring. Shea butter is a very unique skin emollient and moisturizer. Because Shea is a highly moisturizing, antiinflammatory agent, Shea has become an effective treatment for a number of skin maladies, including scars, eczema, wounds, burns, rashes, acne, dry skin, dark spots, skin discolorations, wrinkles, and most importantly, stretch marks. Because of its unique ability to reduce and heal scars, it is no wonder that Shea has recently surged to the top of stretch mark reducing treatments! Shea is wonderful oil that absorbs easily into the skin and will not leave the body or face feeling greasy.
VISIT OUR WEBSTORE! WHERE YOU WILL FIND RAW, ORGANIC SHEA BUTTER WWW.ASKNATURALWOMAN.COM
Potty Training on the Go: Top Tips for Potty Training Outside the Home by Kelly D. Burgess Making sure your child is comfortable is an essential step while training on the go. Here we have several moms sharing tips about training on the road, in public bathrooms, and remembering to stay patient and calm during the process. Sarah Kuehn of Enid, Oklahoma. Starting the potty training process can seem overwhelming at first to parents and children. Add in strange bathrooms, adult-sized toilets and the less than pleasant condition of many public bathrooms, and potty training can feel even more overwhelming. But you can’t let potty training tie you to your home and kids eventually have to learn to go potty when you’re out on the town. Sarah approached potty training a little differently with her second child. Overall, things went pretty smoothly when she went through the potty training process with her first daughter, Katrina, until a bad experience with a high-tech toilet.
“It was one of those automatic flushing toilets, and it flushed when she was on it,” says Kuehn. “Katrina was terrified and for a long time wouldn’t go to the bathroom when we were out. I had to make sure she went beforehand, make sure the trips were short and just drop everything and come home if she had to go.” Thankfully, Katrina got over her fear, but Kuehn will be sure to warn her 17-month-old in advance when it’s her turn for potty training. Vicki Lansky, mom and potty training expert.
Vicki says the best way for a child to potty on the go is to invest in a portable, fold-up potty seat that fits over an adult-sized toilet. Inexpensive and made of plastic, these seats fold up small enough to fit into a purse or other bag. They’re also easy to wipe down and can be used
anywhere. Lansky also suggests these strategies for potty training away from home: Be sure the child goes potty right before and after going anywhere. Use the larger, handicapped stalls in public restrooms. They allow a parent and child to be more comfortable. Take a change of clothes, and don’t make a big deal about accidents. Have children use unfamiliar toilets around town before going on a trip. Encourage them to use toilets at stores or wherever you’re normally out and about. Stop frequently at rest stops or other places where there are bathrooms to give the child plenty of opportunity to go to the bathroom. Bring travel potty chairs, which fold up fairly small and have a carry handle. If you’re going to use a portable potty, try it on the big toilet at home first. Lansky also suggests parents have a potty
plan before leaving home. Know what you’re going to do before you go out shopping, take a long trip or go to a restaurant. Know where the bathrooms are in each place you go in case you need to get to one fairly quickly, and don’t be so distracted by shopping or visiting that you don’t pay attention to your child’s signals that he or she has to go. A solid plan can make everyone more comfortable and remember that a relaxed attitude toward potty training goes a long way. Resources: http://www.pull-ups.com/ resources/tools-and-techniques/pottytraining-on-the-go-top-tips-for-potty-trainingoutside-the-home
Anise Seed (Pimpinella Anisum) is a culinary spice and a digestive herb that helps dispel gas and relieve indigestion and nausea as well as increase milk flow. According to the German Commission E, it is used in combination with Fennel seed and Caraway seed for dyspeptic conditions and gastrointestinal discomfort. Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) is a bitter tasting herb that is often used in galactagogue teas and tinctures. The bitters stimulate the secretion of saliva and gastric juices. There is also much historical evidence that it helps increase breast milk. Blessed Thistle should not be consumed during pregnancy. Chaste Tree (Vitex) has historically been used to treat everything from hangovers to flatulence and fevers to increasing breast milk production. It has also been studied for reducing the symptoms of PMS and menopause. Goat's rue (Galega officinalis) has been recommended by the German commission E for its use as a galactagogue. Its galactagogue properties were first noted to effectively increased milk in goats. It is used by nursing mothers and by farmers to increase milk production in their livestock. It grows so aggressively that it is now classified as a noxious weed. Goat’s rue should not be confused with Rue (Ruta graveolens), which is used in primitive cultures as a powerful uterine stimulant and abortifacient. Fennel Seed (Foeniculum vulgare) is shown to increase milk production in goats and has long been used as a galactagogue by breastfeeding women. This licorice-tasting herb is also used as a digestive aid that can help to soothe a colicky breastfed baby and ease postpartum discomfort. It is contraindicated (do not use) during pregnancy. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is one of the herbs most often used to help increase breast milk supply. Its sweet/spicy flavor is popularly used in a variety of culinary dishes, including Indian curry. It is used to help soothe digestion and is well documented to effectively decrease cholesterol and blood sugar as well as increasing breast milk
supply. It is generally recognized as safe, although because of its ability to stimulate the uterus, it is not for use during pregnancy. Large amounts of fenugreek can cause maple syrup like odor in the sweat, milk and urine and it should be avoided by people with asthma or an allergy to chickpeas. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is a liver protecting seed that has demonstrated has liver protecting qualities and has even been used to successfully treat mushroom poisoning. This marvelous little seed has recently been shown to interfere with the promotion and progression of prostate, breast and endocervical tumor cells. A very recent study documented that women using milk thistle had significant increase in breast milk over the population using a placebo. Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a deliciously nutritive vegetable that contains easily digestible iron, calcium, vitamin K, and folic acid, and is a wonderful pregnancy tonic. Traditional wisdom supports its safe use during lactation to increase breast milk as well as for providing nutritive support for the nursing mother. Red Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) is also a richly nutritive uterine tonic herb, high in minerals that helps support and strengthen postpartum and breastfeeding women.
Can you be Pregnant and Flawless? Well ladies the an-
swer to your question is yes!! Of course you can.. Here are some sexy ways to flaunt your
baby bump!!!!! ~ Miss Too
If you’re big all over From puffy face to swollen ankles, you want to signal that you're pregnant, not fat! Your goal: Emphasize length, not width.
If you're carrying low Your baby rides so low on your frame that you look overdue. Your goal: Rebalance your proportions by drawing attention elsewhere.
If you're carrying high Breast and belly have merged into one – you're an apple on a stick. Your goal: Use a little flare here, a little cinch there, to create a leaner, more feminine silhouette.
If you're carrying high Breast and belly have merged into one – you're an apple on a stick. Your goal: Use a little flare here, a little cinch there, to create a leaner, more feminine silhouette.
RELAX Keeping your body in a state of relaxation has so many health benefits for you and baby Your body is working quadruple time right now, creating your little angel. Drinking plenty of water and eating lots of fruits and veggies are just the tip of the iceberg when you are carrying a child. Taking care of your mental and emotional health also play a major role in the development of your child. How we feel affects the way our children feel, and yes, it starts in the womb. We must understand the importance of being happy. Feeling good, and keeping your energy up results in wonderful physical manifestations that you may not have even realized were related. Rest and relaxation is very important to you (and your baby’s) psyche and emotional wellbeing. We know what stress does to the body! So, what should you do? You still have to work, and/or go to school and take care of your home, which may include children already. Even though rest is important, we do not always know how to get the down time that is so crucial. Listen to your body to determine if you need short breaks during the day and to determine how many hours of sleep you need at night. Do not overdue or push yourself too much physically or mentally. You are creating a human being, and for 40 weeks that is your top priority. Simply taking five minutes to just relax in silence and breathe deeply works wonders! Breathing deeply releases toxins/detoxifies, elevates mood, increases relaxation, relieves emotional problems and pain, strengthens immune system and so much more! Taking a warm bath with herbs such as chamomile, jasmine or lavender is very relaxing. Herbal baths are recommended during the entire pregnancy. One area of great benefit is the high concentration of vitamins and minerals that provide an excellent source of concentrated nutrition. Making herbal teas, enjoying a relaxing and stimulating herbal bath, and massaging the skin with homemade herbal oils is one way to ground the expectant mother in the natural rhythms of the lifecycle.
Own your birthing experience Being pregnant is an experience that is incomparable to any other experience in the world. I’ve had 3 pregnancies, and each one was a completely different experience. I was in different stages of my life with each one, but this last one is when I learned the most of how empowering it is as a woman to experience childbirth. My first pregnancy was at the age of 18. I had no idea what to do, or how I would deliver my child. I did know that plenty of women have babies daily, so I would be fine in the end. I left my pregnancy in the hands of medical professionals 100%. I didn’t ask any questions except, “what do I do next?” I let them control my experience. At the time, I did not have any complaints The day before delivering my 3rd child about how the pregnancy went, but that was because I didn’t know better. We have more freedom and choice when it comes to delivering our babies than we realize. Your Doctor is a service provider, and you are his client. We don’t really think of it that way, at least I didn’t. I always thought the Dr. is always right, but, every woman is different, and no one knows your body better than you. No matter how many years of training a Doctor has, you know your body! It is OK to ask plenty of questions, and know that you have a choice in everything. At 40 weeks and 2 days, I still had not gone into labor. My OB told me that I was qualified for induction. I’d heard the term, but never knew details. I was admitted into Labor and Delivery, an IV was inserted in my arm, and I was given Pitocin. Pitocin is synthetic Oxytocin, which is the hormone released during labor that causes contractions. At the time, I had no idea that taking Pitocin would make my contractions so much stronger than natural labor. I had no idea, that the pain would be more intense and increase the likelihood of me wanting an epidural. I didn’t have a clue that getting an epidural increases my chances of needing a C-Section. Had I known these things, I believe the delivery of my first born child would have been a completely different experience. If I’d done more research at the time, I would have known that it is ok to go up to 42 weeks before the baby is at risk for any defects or still birth. I was told that I needed to be induced, so without any questions asked, I accepted the procedure. I am so thankful for my son, and that his birth was successful and he does not have any major issues. Now, this last pregnancy that ended on October 11, 2013 was very interesting for me. I am now 35 years old, and I’ve come a long way from the timid, afraid teenager that I was when I had my first. I am no longer uninformed as I was when I had my daughter at 26. This time, I went in with confidence and more knowledge of my rights as a patient, and as a woman bringing forth life. I questioned everything, and I researched information before I accepted any procedures. This pregnancy has left me feeling the most empowered. I took control of my situation and did not allow my experience to be minimized to a mere medical procedure. Just know that, your birthing experience is as unique and individual as you are. You can choose to bring life into this world however you see fit. Women are magnificent beings who have a remarkable impact on humanity as a whole. Knowing that gives you confidence to be, and do what you are Divinely placed here to do. **Be sure to read the blog page at asknaturalwoman.com, where we elaborate on our experiences and tell our stories in more depth**
Photography by: Gidget Hunter Allen of Gidget Images Make up: Shanell Russell of Glamorous Faces Hair by: Likia Chrisitine
I am an Actress & I am a supervisor for UC Health business Center How Far along are you? 5 months pregnant and feeling great! When are you due? August 30th How do you feel about giving birth? I am not nervous because I already have a daughter. But it does feel brand new to me because its been eight years since I’ve been pregnant. But I am very excited. Do you know what your having? A boy, my first boy! What kind of birth are you planning? I am having a C-section. What ideals are you going to instill in your son?
I want to raise him to be a strong man . I want him to know how to stand his ground, because we have to be in a society with so many different elements and we have to learn when to adapt. It is so much craziness out in the world today that when he out there on his own I want him to stay true to himself. It starts at home.
I am 26 yrs. old and I work for Fidelity investments as a Customer Service rep for the ATT Pension plans. How far along are you? I am now 27 weeks When are you due? My due date is Aug 11 2014 How do you feel about giving birth? I'm not stressing about giving birth yet because I'm so excited for him to get here, but I know I will be freaking out once that time comes ha-ha. But I am trying to prepare myself as much as possible now so that I can manage the pain.
Do you know what your having? Yes, a boy! What kind of birth are you planning? I am planning to have as natural of a birth as possible but I am not opposed to some intervention if I feel it is needed. Things i absolutely don't want are pitocin, to speed up my labor and a c- section. I want to avoid that all together. What ideals are you going to instill in your son? The ideals and principles that I want to instill in my child are 1. To love God, and to know that he was created with purpose 2. To be a kind and forgiving person 3. To be a good leader by first leaning how to follow 4. For him to love himself, no matter what society may say. Those are just a few things. I want to instill in him. I'm just so excited to be a mommy and for my husband to be a daddy
By : Azizah Nubia What is autism?
otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome.
According to google.com autism is a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts. All autism disorders were merged into one umbrella diagnosis of ASD. Previously, they were recognized as distinct subtypes, including autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not
Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 68 American children as on the autism spectrum–a ten-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. Careful research shows that this increase is only partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness. Studies also show that autism is four to five times more common among boys than girls. An estimated 1 out of 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls are diag-
symptoms associated with these learning and developmental disorders. Dr. Melillo did just that. He deASD affects over 2 million individuals in the veloped a cutting-edge approach by integrating three U.S. and tens of millions worldwide. Moreo- key pillars of brain development: sensory motor stimver, government autism statistics suggest that ulation, cognitive stimulation and nutrition.
nosed with autism in the United States.
prevalence rates have increased 10 to 17 per- In 1994, Dr. Melillo began implementing his novel cent annually in recent years. approach to helping children with learning and develHow it is medically treated? Many different biomedical treatments are used in autism. The most widely used are medications to treat seizures and behavioral and emotional problems associated with autism.
opmental disorders in his own practice. He went on to spend the next twelve years further refining the program. His goal was to design a highly effective, drug-free program that could counter the rapid rise of ADHD, Learning Disabilities, ASD and other similar developmental disorders.
Once Dr. Melillo validated the efficacy of his program, he felt compelled to make it available to as many chilAutism is a mental disorder that affects many children as possible. He wanted to offer a model that dren around the world. Autism is a topic that I find was replicable and accessible to the many families so very intriguing because it has grown throughout the desperately seeking hope and real help. He saw a world in such a short time, that it has me wondering need for a solution that did not rely on medication or what the cause of it. Through my research I have require an army of separate practitioners in order to come to learn that autism is an imbalance of the right achieve lasting results. and left side of the brain. Just like all dis-ease autism can be healed, western medicine says that there is no In early 2006, Dr. Melillo decided that his Brain Balance Program was ready and able to be replicated on cure for this disorder, but through my research I found a holistic treatment center called Brain Balance a large scale. He partnered with William Fowler, a Achievement Center that offers a holistic approach to veteran of Wall Street who brought a keen understanding of how to develop and grow a successful this issue. business. Together they created Brain Balance Brain Balance was created by Dr. Melillo’s, his reAchievement Centers. Today, Brain Balance Achievesearch and extensive clinical experience led him to ment Centers is a rapidly growing franchise company understand disorders like ADHD, Dyslexia, processing with centers across the United States. disorders, and autism spectrum disorders as manifesDr. Melillo’s passion and purpose is echoed in our tations of an underlying problem in the brain called Functional Disconnection Syndrome. This imbalance Brain Balance Mission Statement: in brain development was the common thread beTo make the Brain Balance Program available to as tween all these learning and behavioral issues. He many children as possible so that each child may knew, based on the science of neuroplasticity, that if reach their greatest physical, mental, social and acahe designed a program that could effectively stimudemic potential. late the weaker hemisphere of the brain, it could, in I had the pleasure to interview Greg Marischen one fact, grow and develop new and stronger neural con- of the franchise owners of the Brain Balance Achievenections. In turn, this would remediate the many ment Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Greg shared with me
his amazing story that led him into the field of work that he is in today. In 1991 Greg was ran over by a boat, that left the University of Minnesota law student with a traumatic brain injury that left him unable to move the right side of his body.
Azizah Nubia: Are you guys just located in Cincinnati?
Through a rigorous course of physical and occupational therapy, and benefiting from cutting –edge research on neuroplasticity. Greg regained 60% mobility on his right side and eventually was able to leave his wheelchair.
Greg M: In every child we work with, there are changes in the child. After one 3 month session 82% of our clients experienced changes in their behavior.
Greg M: We have 57 centers all over the country. Azizah Nubia: What is the success rate?
Azizah Nubia :Why is it better for parents to find a holistic approach to autism then a medical apThose years of therapy are what drew Greg to Brain proach? Balance Achievement Center. He opened his brain Greg M: I do not want to sound anti-medicine, beBalance center in 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. I asked cause medicine does serve a purpose. But for parGreg what is the centers holistic approach into help- ents who are looking for a non- medical approach to ing families’ with children who are on the autism this issue we serve as an alternative. In my opinion I spectrum. He shared with me the program involves see us going towards the root of the problems versensory motor work, cognitive work, and nutritional sus masking the problem. guidance. “We identify what hemisphere in the brain is underperforming and get it up to a level of the stronger hemisphere to synchronize the brain.” Azizah Nubia: Why is it important to balance the right and left side of the brain when it comes to autism? Greg M.: Well if you read the book “Disconnected Kids” by the founder Dr. Melillo you will understand that the weak hemisphere of the brain is what’s really throwing off the communication to the brain. And this causes the symptoms that the parents experience with the children. Azizah Nubia: Do you know what causes children to have these issues? I hear a lot of things from nutrition, vaccinations, and even how the mother carried the child during pregnancy. Have you guys pin pointed why this is happening? Greg M.: Well what we so is a full functional assessment, to gage where their weak functions are. That helps us to identify what weak areas of the brain we need to focus on.
Sources: http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism http://www.emedicinehealth.com/autism/ page8_em.htm