ON BUTTERFLYS AND MORE

Positive First Aid for Eating Disorders:

(see

http://www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/)

1. It’s OK to talk about feelings
2. It’s OK to talk about eating disorders
3. Eating disorders are not a life-style choice
4. Eating disorders are not strictly about food or weight.
They are about feelings – fear, anxiety, loneliness and low self-esteem
5. Eating disorders can lead to depression and other risk-harming behaviours

Be Compassionate & Sensitive
Listen non-judgmentally. Be accepting and treat
sufferers with respect and dignity.

Be pro-active –get informed and educated
A lack of knowledge leads to a lack of understanding
and empathy.

Focus conversations on emotions not on behaviour,
food or weight. Choosing the right words can be very
hard – it can be helpful to think about what you are
going to say before you talk to the person.

Encourage and assist the seeking of appropriate
professional help. Provide useful information and
available options.
A hug can sometimes say more than words and show
that you care. Ask a sufferer if it’s ok to hug them.
patient and calm
Demonstrating your concern through panic or anger
can exacerbate the illness. Eating disorders develop
over time and take time to heal.
you care
Be genuine:It is important to let the person know you are raising
your concerns because you genuinely care. Tell those
who suffer that they are worthy, lovable, equal and
deserving, even if they don’t believe it.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Did you know that:

*Anorexia is the third most common chronic condition for adolescent girls (after obesity and asthma)

*The overall mortality rate for anorexia is 5 times that of the same aged population in general with death from natural causes(i.e cardiac arrhythmia, infection etc) being 4 times greater and deaths from unnatural causes 11 times greater.

*The risk of successful suicide in those suffering from Anorexia is 32 times that expected.

*That Anorexia is the most fatal of all psychiatric illnesses.

*The incidence of Bulimia Nervosa in the Australian population is 5 in 100(in the student population it is estimated to be 1 in 5)

*Girls as young as 7 are being diagnosed with Anorexia

*Dieting to control weight is generally ineffective and may actually promote weight gain

*Women who diet frequently are 75% more likely to experience depression

*Australians spend about $1 million a day on weight loss attempts with little success

Working with an aspergers child

Last year was a difficult year for Toby. His occupational therapist says that 7 is an age when boys are frequently “picked up” as having sensory issues. The regime we established of regular brushing/bone bumping and deep pressure all helped considerably. I think seeing a psychologist was also beneficial as it helped me to step back from situations and be more focused in my observations + I think it helped Toby by equipping him with tools he could choose to use in certain difficult situations.
Over the summer hols. we were less rigid in our routines and yet “meltdowns” were few.
One practical difference was Toby having a room of his own. To be able to have a space he owns as his (even if shared with 4yo brother) + can choose how it is ordered has almost literally made him stand taller! Also beneficial has been giving him a chore that is just his to do: feeding + watering the silky bantams + the new black hens + collecting their eggs.
Physically too he has made great strides. He self corrects his posture in piano and violin playing more and more and his handwriting is developing into a more confident style.
Still the difficulties that come with being this “personality” shade will not disappear. Last week issues were demonstrated to remind me of this:
1. a very fidgety T. during piano lesson; cause: tag on top irritating him. Solution: remove all tags from clothing!
2.a wriggly T during violin practice; cause: sand or grit between toes. Solution: take a break in practice and clean toes!!
3. a large “meltdown” during a playtime with other families. Cause: uncertain, possibly others not keeping to the rules as he perceives them. Solution: at the time big brother Caleb successfully used re-direction and several other wonderful friends of Toby were also happy to be involved in this. I have since spoken to T, and suggested that we take a bag with us(to include his favourite book he is reading, special soft-toy that Dad brought back from Alice, a snack he likes, maybe the Draw-write now books or some other alternative). If he feels he needs a quiet time he is to go and get the bag(or maybe Caleb and I to get it for him)+ take it to a quiet place until he feels able to join in again. I reminded him that at least one other member of our regular group often feels the need to be by herself and that this is an acceptable and reasonable alternative to a “meltdown”.
I am grateful to God for giving us Toby. Each person is made wonderfully and Toby is no exception. I would not want him to change or be anyway less than the Toby God has made him. Our role as parents is to equip him to be just that!

Protein at breakfast

Thinking to try high protein breakfasts for the "youngsters" this term. Some ideas:
scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, omlettes, fryed eggs...eggs!!
yogurt plain or topped with muesli
peanut butter on my bread
mini meatloaves(cook in muffin tins)

its supposed to help attentiveness and minimize crankiness(sounds good!)