By Natan Gendelman D.O.M.P | http://www.healthinmotionrehab.com | http://www.enabledkids.ca
Traveling can be a great opportunity to learn about and experience
new things together with your child. When the process goes smoothly, it
is also a good way to develop closer ties among family and friends.
However, this process can also be challenging, especially when traveling
with a child that has special needs. Many of the patients and families I
treat from overseas have experienced issues with arranging
transportation, finding the right food and booking the right
accommodations. All of these items need to be arranged well in advance
in order for the whole process to run smoothly. As a result, I would
like to cover a few things to keep in mind when you’re preparing to
travel with your child. Hopefully this will aid you in plans for your
own trip with your child, and also generate a discussion about what
you’d like to share and learn more about in regards to traveling and
accessibility.
Food in foreign countries
Now whether or not a child or adult has special needs, what a person
eats can have a huge impact on their health, behaviour and cognitive
function. When traveling, this becomes even more important as food
sensitivities, allergies and intolerances can all pose risks during your
child’s mealtime. As a result, it is important to pay attention to what
you and your child are eating, and to ask questions about ingredients
and preparation wherever you go. Since the regulations regarding food
production change from country to country, even foods which are familiar
to you and your family may be grown, produced and processed according
to different standards.
For this reason, offer your child items that are light and easy to
digest such as plenty of fresh (preferably organic) fruits and
vegetables throughout the first few days of your trip. As well, certain
foods may contain different ingredients than your child is used to, such
as dyes or preservatives. As always, read the labels on the products
you buy and eat, and try not to switch drastically from the kinds of
foods your child is used to eating.
Accessibility Challenges
Another aspect of travel that you will need to consider is
accessibility, especially if your child uses a wheelchair or other
specialized equipment on a regular basis. Many countries have facilities
that are said to be accessible, but this may be different from what you
actually encounter while you are there. Last year when I visited Cuba, I
found it very hard to watch an elderly couple struggle to climb a steep
flight of stairs, as the plane they were trying to board didn’t have
any other means of access. Thinking about what a person using a walker
or wheelchair might encounter, it is extremely important to check with
your travel agent whether the place you are going will meet your child’s
accommodation needs, including facilitating ramps, elevators and a
roll-in shower.
Of course, when you decide to go on a trip with your child, it is
important to speak with him and help him understand where you all will
be going, and what for. There are some great articles by about.com and
Friendship Circle I’ve linked to below that give great tips on ways to
prepare your child for traveling. By getting him used to the idea of
going on the trip ahead of time, you can reduce any anxiety he may have,
and prevent him from becoming overwhelmed and overexcited by the
experience. I think that is an important step towards a fun and
successful travelling experience.
If you have any questions, comments or experiences to share about
what worked and didn’t work for you, leave me a comment down below or join our forum discussion. Thanks everyone!
For more information:
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/travelwithspecialneeds/Travel_with_Children_with_Special_Needs.htm
Some great articles from Friendship Circle’s blog about things to prepare:
http://blog.friendshipcircle.org/2012/01/09/a-special-needs-pre-flight-checklist/
http://blog.friendshipcircle.org/2012/03/05/packing-for-the-plane-your-complete-special-needs-checklist/
22 March 2012
08 March 2012
Improving your child’s sleep habits and digestion
By Natan Gendelman D.O.M.P | enabledkids.ca | healthinmotionrehab.com
Working with children, I often get questions from parents who wish to find a solution to their child’s sleeping issues and digestion problems. It’s important to realize that as a whole, your child’s biological rhythm is what determines how well these two go hand in hand. When a child’s lifestyle works against this natural rhythm, his body is thrown out of sync and issues such as indigestion, restlessness, problems sleeping and lethargy begin affecting his ability to function. By examining your child’s lifestyle and identifying any problem areas, you are taking the first step towards improving your child’s sleeping habits, eating habits, and their influence on what he will be able to learn and accomplish.
In today’s fast-paced society, many of our families have become accustomed to following a rushed lifestyle. Since we’re on the run, we have tea or coffee with close to no breakfast, a light lunch, and then we indulge in a full course dinner accompanied by dessert. Following this eating pattern, we go to sleep and wonder why we do not feel as energized or refreshed as we should be when morning arrives. When it comes to a child, the negative effects of this cycle become even more pronounced as he undergoes key stages of growth and development during this crucial period.
The reason for this is because our biological rhythm, also known as our circadian rhythm, experiences a peak of activity in the morning as the body prepares itself for a new day. Wholesome, solid foods should therefore be consumed early on so as to provide the body with the fuel it needs to function. As the day passes and evening arrives however, the body’s metabolic exchange slows down and begins preparing for sleep. In essence, our habit of eating a large dinner and dessert goes against this natural turn of events, causing our system to work throughout the night rather than rest during this crucial period meant for healing and growth.
Throughout my life, I have always remembered this saying: it is best to eat breakfast as a king, lunch as a prince, and dinner as a pauper. The largest meal of the day should be eaten in the morning, while the lightest meal should happen 4 to 5 hours before bedtime. This ensures that your food consumption will match the rate at which your digestive system functions.
Depending on where you live, your nutritional needs and what foods are locally available, examples of what you should and should not feed your child for dinner may vary from the things we have included below. However, what’s’ important is that the foods you prepare are easy to digest, light and nutritious while still fulfilling any dietary needs.
Some foods to consider
Salad made with seasonal vegetables. Salads without protein or starch are light and easy for a child to digest.
Bread and honey. Honey is known for its calming properties and is great for helping a child sleep. Honey can be eaten alongside dinner, as a spoonful before bed or mixed in with some warm chamomile tea. One thing to be aware of, however, is that pasteurized honey (the kind that stays clear for a long time) has less nutrients than raw honey (the kind that gets cloudy and turns solid after approximately two months) as it has been heated to remove bacteria and extend its shelf life.
Foods to avoid
Red meat and high-protein foods. When having dinner, try to avoid giving your child a lot of heavy foods that are rich in protein. These items are best consumed earlier in the day to help your child feel awake and ready to learn or play. Red meat, for example, takes a lot of work to digest in comparison to fresh fruits and vegetables. It can also inhibit the synthesis of seratonin, which may prevent your child from getting a good night’s sleep.
Potatoes and heavy starchy foods. If your child experiences digestion problems and trouble sleeping, starchy foods such as potatoes and pasta may not be a good idea. While eating a lot of carbohydrates may make your child feel sleepy, they can also cause bloating and gas for his sensitive stomach, and disturb his sleeping habits.
There are many sources out there suggesting a wide range of different foods that can help your child digest and sleep at night. However, make sure to proceed with caution as many of the foods in these guides can trigger allergies or food intolerances. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, leave a comment down below!
What are your experiences with a child’s digestion and sleep habits?
Discuss this question in our forums >
Before making any lifestyle changes for your child, be sure to consult a health practitioner who is familiar with your child’s condition. Please note that if your child has pollen allergies or is under the age of one year, you should not give him raw honey as it may cause a severe allergic reaction or lead to infant botulism.
References
http://www.livestrong.com/article/548718-how-long-can-you-keep-organic-raw-honey/
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs270/en/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/34870-protein-foods-eat-before-bed/
http://www.ehow.com/list_6297341_foods-prevent-bloating.html
Working with children, I often get questions from parents who wish to find a solution to their child’s sleeping issues and digestion problems. It’s important to realize that as a whole, your child’s biological rhythm is what determines how well these two go hand in hand. When a child’s lifestyle works against this natural rhythm, his body is thrown out of sync and issues such as indigestion, restlessness, problems sleeping and lethargy begin affecting his ability to function. By examining your child’s lifestyle and identifying any problem areas, you are taking the first step towards improving your child’s sleeping habits, eating habits, and their influence on what he will be able to learn and accomplish.
In today’s fast-paced society, many of our families have become accustomed to following a rushed lifestyle. Since we’re on the run, we have tea or coffee with close to no breakfast, a light lunch, and then we indulge in a full course dinner accompanied by dessert. Following this eating pattern, we go to sleep and wonder why we do not feel as energized or refreshed as we should be when morning arrives. When it comes to a child, the negative effects of this cycle become even more pronounced as he undergoes key stages of growth and development during this crucial period.
The reason for this is because our biological rhythm, also known as our circadian rhythm, experiences a peak of activity in the morning as the body prepares itself for a new day. Wholesome, solid foods should therefore be consumed early on so as to provide the body with the fuel it needs to function. As the day passes and evening arrives however, the body’s metabolic exchange slows down and begins preparing for sleep. In essence, our habit of eating a large dinner and dessert goes against this natural turn of events, causing our system to work throughout the night rather than rest during this crucial period meant for healing and growth.
Throughout my life, I have always remembered this saying: it is best to eat breakfast as a king, lunch as a prince, and dinner as a pauper. The largest meal of the day should be eaten in the morning, while the lightest meal should happen 4 to 5 hours before bedtime. This ensures that your food consumption will match the rate at which your digestive system functions.
Depending on where you live, your nutritional needs and what foods are locally available, examples of what you should and should not feed your child for dinner may vary from the things we have included below. However, what’s’ important is that the foods you prepare are easy to digest, light and nutritious while still fulfilling any dietary needs.
Some foods to consider
Salad made with seasonal vegetables. Salads without protein or starch are light and easy for a child to digest.
Bread and honey. Honey is known for its calming properties and is great for helping a child sleep. Honey can be eaten alongside dinner, as a spoonful before bed or mixed in with some warm chamomile tea. One thing to be aware of, however, is that pasteurized honey (the kind that stays clear for a long time) has less nutrients than raw honey (the kind that gets cloudy and turns solid after approximately two months) as it has been heated to remove bacteria and extend its shelf life.
Foods to avoid
Red meat and high-protein foods. When having dinner, try to avoid giving your child a lot of heavy foods that are rich in protein. These items are best consumed earlier in the day to help your child feel awake and ready to learn or play. Red meat, for example, takes a lot of work to digest in comparison to fresh fruits and vegetables. It can also inhibit the synthesis of seratonin, which may prevent your child from getting a good night’s sleep.
Potatoes and heavy starchy foods. If your child experiences digestion problems and trouble sleeping, starchy foods such as potatoes and pasta may not be a good idea. While eating a lot of carbohydrates may make your child feel sleepy, they can also cause bloating and gas for his sensitive stomach, and disturb his sleeping habits.
There are many sources out there suggesting a wide range of different foods that can help your child digest and sleep at night. However, make sure to proceed with caution as many of the foods in these guides can trigger allergies or food intolerances. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, leave a comment down below!
What are your experiences with a child’s digestion and sleep habits?
Discuss this question in our forums >
Before making any lifestyle changes for your child, be sure to consult a health practitioner who is familiar with your child’s condition. Please note that if your child has pollen allergies or is under the age of one year, you should not give him raw honey as it may cause a severe allergic reaction or lead to infant botulism.
References
http://www.livestrong.com/article/548718-how-long-can-you-keep-organic-raw-honey/
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs270/en/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/34870-protein-foods-eat-before-bed/
http://www.ehow.com/list_6297341_foods-prevent-bloating.html
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