Aug 7, 2019
My guest this week is Tara
Hunkin, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Certified GAPS
Practitioner, Restorative Wellness Practitioner, mother and founder
of My Child Will Thrive and host of the ‘Autism, ADHD and SPD
Summit’. Tara is passionate about helping parents because she has
been in their shoes. After doctor visits left her with more
questions than answers, Tara realized that it was up to her to
figure out how to get her daughter the help she
needed.
She went on to pursue an
education in nutrition with the Nutritional Therapy Association and
trained with Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD as a Certified GAPS
Practitioner. She is also a student of Julie Matthews, CN with the
Bioindividual Nutrition Institute and has completed the Medical
Academy of Pediatric Special Needs training, as well as, training
with Dr. Mellio through IAFNR to better understand the brain and
the applications of functional neurology.
In this episode, Tara and I
discuss the fundamental foundations for success when parents are
setting out on an integrative approach for the treatment of their
child’s neurodevelopmental disorder. Children diagnosed or
suspected with disorders such as autism, ADD, ADHD, dyslexia,
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other learning disabilities
can greatly benefit from a guided framework of the integrative
approach. To learn more about Tara and access an entire community
of support click here.
Episode Highlights
The Internet & Information
Overload
- The
internet provides us with so much information it can be extremely
overwhelming for parents searching for ways to help their
struggling children
- As a
parent you need to learn many different avenues but using a
framework to approach them all will save you time, money, and a lot
of excess stress
Framework and
Tools
- By
beginning an integrative approach with a framework set in place,
parents are able to organize and confront treatment with more
ease
- Remember: “There is no clear one solution for
every child.” - Tara Hunkin
Fundamental Foundations of
Healing
- It is
easy to forget or disregard fundamental practices before going
straight into advanced healing strategies and therapies - the two
must go hand and hand to prevent as many setbacks as
possible
-
- Nutrition is key
-
- Keeping the body well-nourished literally feeds
every cell in our body and brain
- Maintain optimal hydration with good quality
water sources
- Ensure that your child is getting enough
outdoor time in the fresh air and sunlight igniting their five
senses
- Address your environment, such as the possible
toxins in and around your home
- Finding and implementing appropriate
neuro-rehab programs
-
- Neuro
rehab examples: listening, vision, occupational, and neurofeedback
therapies
Multiple Protocols &
Record-Keeping
- You
are your child's best advocate and record-keeper
- Having records to refer to for yourself and
your practitioner will save you time, money, and grief
- To
help Tara has created a ‘Protocol and Therapy
Worksheet’
-
- It
sets out objectives to help track practice, advice from your
practitioner and expectations
- These
kinds of record-keeping are essential to approaching an integrative
model of treatment
-
- The
more thorough the history recorded the better you and your
practitioner can prepare for and execute treatment
plans
Working With The Right
Practitioner
- Make
sure the practitioner is able to explain to you the aim and goals
of the treatment at hand
- You
shouldn’t walk out of their office more confused than when you went
in
- When
you understand the possibilities and outcomes you are more equipped
to push through
-
- When
you have older children who are able to comprehend the goals and
outcomes - they will feel more empowered to make the right
decisions if they understand why of the situation
Where to learn more about Tara
Hunkin...
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens
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