For many years the educational system has approached children with learning or behavioural difficulties from a purely psychological perspective. However, in recent years it has become apparent that a nutritional approach has had considerable success in helping young people. By changing their diet, along with the addition of vitamin and mineral supplements, the lives of children with special educational needs have been turned around.
According to Patrick Holford, founder of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, ‘all thoughts and consequently behaviour are processed through the brain and the nervous system which are totally dependent upon nutrition.’
Dr Janet Aitken, a researcher in bio-nutrition and mental health, says the brain and the nervous system require a minimum of at least 40 different nutrients in order to develop and function properly. ‘Some psychological function will be affected if any one of these nutrients is inactivated, depleted or excessive,’ she adds. ‘They can be substantially depleted by stressors of many kinds. These nutrients are provided by the diet only if it is adequate and appropriate to the individual.’
However, there is still considerable resistance to the idea that what we eat can also affect the brain. ‘It is a denial that costs us billions, seriously damages our children and condemns thousands to wasted lives in psychiatric hospitals and prisons,’ wrote Jerome Burne, editor of Medicine Today, in the Sunday Times, June 2000.
According to Martina Watts, nutritional therapist, ‘There have been major changes to diets in the last 50 years without real consideration for their impact on the brain.’ Indeed huge amounts of sugar, other refined foods and additives are now being regularly consumed, and more often than not, by children.
Most children with learning difficulties (mild, moderate or severe and/or behaviour problems) have chemical imbalances which predispose them to this behaviour. Once the imbalance has been corrected, (and it is vital that this is done) then any learning - be it academic or social - will be of optimum value.
Fortunately we have reached the point whereby Body Chemistry can be assessed by means of various tests and this includes heavy metal toxicity, food or chemical allergies, and lack of vital trace minerals. Great improvements can be made as the result of nutritional intervention.
Bernard Gesch is a Director of Natural Justice, a research charity established to investigate the social and physical causes of crime. He has demonstrated to magistrates that changing the diet of young offenders can drastically alter their behaviour (for the better!). Other studies have also shown this to be the case.
Many of the children who react adversely to foods and chemicals are in fact extremely able but are prevented from reaching their potential because of an unusual reaction. Children’s body chemistry can be balanced and the body well-nourished by removing certain offending foods and drinks and adding vital nutrients as foods and/or supplements. Once this happens the children are more readily able to learn and reach their true potential. Special Education teachers have observed considerable improvements in the academic progress of these children.
In October 2003 a conference was held entitled 'Children’s Mental Health: Feeding the Next Generation'. The speakers demonstrated the link between poor nutrition and learning disabilities. In particular, Dr Natasha Campbell-Mcbride (a Doctor who has Post Graduate Degrees in both Neurology and Human Nutrition) concluded that the link between learning disabilities, the food and drink that we ingest and the condition of our digestive system is absolute.
Annette Colman B Ed (Hons) has been a teacher for over 25 years. She has studied Health Education and now educates about how nutrition affects children’s behaviour and learning.
