Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners

Functional Medicine, unlike conventional medicine, treats psychiatric and neurological issues as not just silo-ed conditions associated with the brain but as whole body conditions.  Dr. Stein in her podcast breaking analogy talks about chronic inflammation affecting the body and the brain as the continual war between India and Pakistan! Conventional Medicine addresses acute infection. Dr. Stein br...

Neurodevelopmental therapist Kay Ness talks about -the fundamental principles behind this technique: heirarchichal model of brain development and neuroplasticity.  -how lack of stimulation at appropriate age can interefere with brain development -the number 1 thing to address in a child with Down Syndrome is Auditory Processing.  Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purpo...

Dr Julie Buckley wows us with revelations about GABA levels and ways to address GABA and anxiety puberty and beyond, especially in autistic teens.  Listen on to hear about: -GABA supplementation -CBD -Diet and  -Presumption of Competence (isn't it amazing how this finds its way in the most seemingly unlikely of places) Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. V...

Dysbiosis (sometimes overgrowth of pathogens or the wrong microbes) can often result in symptoms of Dysregulation. It is important to understand that this is not "behavior" and it is a physiological effect.  A 2017 study found that Candida abundance in guts of children with autism was more than double when compared to neurotypical controls.  This podcast explores long term strategies to impact dys...

Dr. Wendy Neal, osteopath extraordinaire, talks us through the basic influences of cranial osteopathy: -mobility of bones in the head -mobility of sacrum -movement of CerebroSpinal fluid -movement of membranes around the brain and how gentle and subtle support to these movements can help support and calm conditions from seizures to headaches to pain, sleep and even constipation.  Disclaimer: The i...

Giving a summary would ruin the suspense of this podcast, but let me say that the 3 food groups are: 1. Bitter foods But I will let you listen to this super short podcast to find 2 and 3.  Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph. D. is an educator, not a doctor, specifically not your child’s doctor. Please consult your physician before im...

Dr. Carol Brown, founder of the Equipping Minds foundation takes us through the factors involved in cognitive development: 1. Processing 2. Working Memory 3. Comprehension and Visualization 4. Reasoning abilities and more ... while describing why it is important for learning to happen in a joyful manner and how IQ and academics are not at all the same thing as ability.  Disclaimer: The information...

Robin Ray Green joins Vaish Sarathy for this enlightening podcast about how acupuncture helps with: -chronic inflammatory dysfunciton -immunity -gut health and more, and this is sometimes possible WITHOUT NEEDLES, through a remarkable technique called Acupatching.  Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph. D. is an educator, not a doctor,...

In the 50th episode of Functional Nutrition and Learning for Kids, one of my favorite thought leaders, Soma Mukhopadhyay, talks to us about: -how learning channels determine teaching -the 4 goals of RPM - not just information download - but cognition, sensory, tolerance and communication goals.  -the importance of a sensory map when working with a child (as opposed to a label) If you are intereste...

If there is ONE thing you are likely not doing with your child with Autism or Down Syndrome, it is THIS strategy.  Doing this will make the difference from teaching repeated ABCs and moving to writing poetry and studying advanced literature. I call this non-linear education! Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph. D. is an educator, not...

"There is a direct causal link between mental health issues and neuroinflammation."  With this powerful statement, Dr. Rosann Capanna-Hodge leads us into the steadily increasing world of brain -inflammatory conditions in children: PANS, PANDAS and Autoimmune Encephalitis.  Listen to understand key identifying features of each of these labels, and how to navigate your way through this condition as...

Did you know that ancestral trauma has been found to have epigenetic implications that can impact physiology all the way down to digestion and metabolism? Lee Ann Foster guides us through the concept of epigenetics, of the various tools she uses including neurofeedback, and how healing is always multimodal.  Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sa...

Every child has a right to experience a pain-free life. Dr. Jim Adams's group has found through years of research that a vast majority of autistic children (by some estimates, over 80%) have Gastro Intestinal (GI) symptoms.  This pain can manifest as behaviors and can unfortunately be treated as behaviors.  In this podcast, Dr. Adams talks about his path-breaking research on MTT. Amazingly, in thi...

Have you given thought to  -Nutrient deficiencies -Pain, or -Expression as conditions that could disturb sleep.  What about:  -Omega 3 Status, Blood Sugar Balance and Core body temperature as variables in allowing your child to stay asleep. Sleep Whisperer Deepa Kannan talks to us about 15 factors that can affect a child's sleep. Bring a notebook and take notes.  Disclaimer: The information in thi...

Becky Dawson is mom to a teen with chronic congenital seizures and a manual therapy practitioner.  Here she discusses how manual therapy helps remove blockages, adhesions and restores free circulation and communication within the body.  If Nutritional or Functional Med work is not sufficient for your child, think about whether manual therapy may be the missing component. Disclaimer: The informatio...

Did you know that Melatonin doesn't just affect sleep? In this mind-blowing episode, Dr. LaRosa calls Melatonin the Great Modulator, which is a great name for a great molecule. We discuss how melatonin can modulate neuroinflammation, GI inflammation, and even affect immunity in the context of COVID.  Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, P...

Dr. Angie Hugeback has a Ph. D. in statistics and talks to us in this episode about why so many studies on dietary interventions for Autistic children are inconclusive.  Is it: -the controls -not understanding the biochemical variables -or the famous two tack approach? Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph. D. is an educator, not a doct...

If you feel your kid's mood is a little off during quarantine, check out how you can use three strategies that form the core of my Functional Nutrition and Learning Practice: 1. Learning led by child 2. Micronutrients 3. Movement Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph. D. is an educator, not a doctor, specifically not your child’s doctor...

What's the deal with Gluten Free diets, especially when prescribed for children with Autism or Down Syndrome? Do they work? Are they needed? Should everyone be on a GF diet? Does it "cure" you? All this and more on this pretty short podcast. Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph. D. is an educator, not a doctor, specifically not your ch...

Is there such a thing? What an oversimplification right? Don't worry, I don't end with saying there is no such thing.  Join me to explore the list of questions you need to answer to find what diet might be best for your child with Down Syndrome, and if you even need to consider changing your family's diet.  Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sar...

Amy Stark is an EFT practitioner on a mission.  Some of the things we discuss here are: -Tapping makes kids feel safe in their bodies. -EFT uses multiple modalities like energy medicine, talk therapy, neuro-linguistic programming to help release trauma.  -When we calm our fight-or-flight response, our body can really heal.  To me, EFT is a great bridge between the body and the mind, and that is wh...

Shandy Laskey who wears the unique badge of being a Speech Language Pathologist and a Nutrition Practitioner explains the matrix of nutritional factors that can affect a child's restricted eating.   If you are wondering which therapy to try for immediate help with so-called picky eating in the context of Autism, this podcast should help,  Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educatio...

Dr. Poornima Sharma has been a meditator for decades and is an advanced meditation and yoga teacher.  She leads us through the 3 categories of meditation and why it is critical that as parents or caregivers of a child with a disability, be that Autism, Down Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy, we learn to meditate right NOW. "A strong mind can carry a weak body, but a weak mind cannot even carry a strong b...

Contessa Louise Cooper, the founder of Unpuzzled community, shares her journey and inspiring vision of providing high quality parent coaching and support to a 100 single moms.  Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph. D. is an educator, not a doctor, specifically not your child’s doctor. Please consult your physician before implementing a...

Dr. Cilla Whatcott, a Homeopathic Practitioner, leads us through the principles behind homeopathy, and explains the concept of Homeoprophylaxis.  She describes the use of Homeopathy in preventing both infectious disease and in quelling chronic inflammatory conditions. She also shares her favorite simple Homeopathic Remedies to always keep on hand.  Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is fo...