Guest Post: Book Review by @TannersDad
Guest Post: Book Review by @TannersDad
TWEET SUMMARY: Must-read NEW information for special needs families with children who also have aggressive episodes.
http://www.hopefortheviolentlyaggressivechild.com
If your child also has aggressive behavior issues, you probably already know that the usual medical approaches involve medications with negative side effects, questionable diagnoses, and marginal results.
Dr. Ralph Ankenman is a psychiatrist whose decades of specializing in treatment of aggression lead to development of important new information. In his new book Hope for the Violently Aggressive Child, Dr. Ankenman rejects the common notion that episodes of intense aggression probably indicate, or are a direct component of mental illness. Instead, he reveals new insights into adrenaline systems’ functions.
Some children (including those on the autism spectrum) have over-reactive adrenaline systems. When such children face frustrations, frights or other challenges, their body may release a surge of adrenaline that escalates into an intense episode of anger or agitation.
In his book, Dr. Ankenman explains different types of adrenaline system surges such as “Beta” triggered by instincts of fear, and “Alpha” triggered by instincts to attack.
He provides a screening survey which lists easy to observe physical and behavioral symptoms that identify whether a child’s meltdowns are likely related to adrenaline over-reactivity. He also details behavioral modification techniques and anti-adrenergic medications that have produced successful treatment for a high percentage of patients.
Dr. Ankenman’s approach helps protect the child’s body from the effects of the excess adrenaline activity without subjecting the child to the risks of psychiatric drugs.
‘Anti-adrenergic’ medicines block the adrenaline compounds at the receptors, and thereby lower the intensity of the stimulation of the brain. This is specialized clinical knowledge that is not well understood by the medical community, and is critically important for patients and families in need of better, more effective answers.
It is profound enough that this new approach is safer for the patient and less costly for the family—but even more so that the the new approach means many patients can eventually learn to control these behaviors and stop taking drugs for them.
Much of this information is freely provided and discussed at Dr. Ankenman’s website
The book may be ordered there or at Amazon, and many testimonials are accumulating at both places.
TannersDad, Timothy Welsh, Parent Advocate for Autism on the web, avid Blogger and Tweeter | Catlin, Illinois, USA
TannersDad, Tim Welsh, is one of the most active and influential Parent Advocates for Autism on the web. Avid blogger and Tweeter (@TannersDad). Tim works to build unity within the Autism community, Gain Insurance coverage reform, End Restraint & Seclusion, Advocate for services, prevent wandering and much more. After two heart attacks at 38, losing multiple jobs in the recession, Tim Moved back to the family farm area and opened a family wedding planning / floral business.
Tim & his wife Cheri have one son Tanner who is on the Non-Verbal Low functioning side of the spectrum. Tim dreams of building a new world of communication and support for these individuals & eventually seeing resolution to the entire mystery of Autism. Founder of AutismAid and Executive Director.
EXCELLENT BOOK REVIEW!http://www.autismaid.org http://www.autismfriendly.blogspot.com
Favorite tweet…
“I have a son. He has autism. But, I also have dream. I dare dream of a world where profound regressive autism is not only treatable, but is also preventable”
Must add this to my "wish list"
Elyssa Durant, Ed.M.
Comments
Post a Comment