A little perspective

[Guest guest]

I've been reading many posts here about the benefits of DHA/EPA

supplements on children with verbal apraxia. I am generally pro-

supplement in my lifestyle in that I chose a regime of supplements

during my pregnancy despite doctors here in Japan strongly advising

against it (They support the " get it in the diet " philosophy here).

I also have read a lot of books by Dr. Sears, who is a big advocate

of DHA/EPA supplements. I was disappointed that his books, written

for the mainstream, did not document the research behind his

recommendations. Still, a big believer in the general concept of

keeping essential fatty acids in balance, I have made some changes

in my family's diet in response to his writings. We eat a lot less

meat, more tofu and soy products, more nuts, and continue to eat a

lot of oil-rich seafood, which is quite plentiful in our area

(Japan).

My word of caution is that parents on this board should not have too

high of expectations of the ProEFA supplements. All baby formula in

Japan is supplemented with essential fatty acids, unlike many

formulas in America. The Japanese diet is quite rich in fish oil and

much less dependent on animal and hydrogenated fats. Still, there

are plenty of late talkers here, including children who suffer from

verbal apraxia. I know it would be very unscientific to infer from

this that fatty acids are only minimally beneficial to children with

verbal apraxia, but I think it would also be unfair to lead parents

into believing that Pro-EFA supplements are going to make a huge

difference in their children's speech. Anecdotal evidence is very

inspiring, but I would like to see the research on these supplements

to find out exactly how convincing it really is.

Anybody have the original research to share? There must be something

to it, or infant formula in Japan would not be supplemented with it.

What the link is to verbal apraxia, specifically, would also be an

interesting read.

[Guest guest]

The infant formula here in the US now contains EFA as well. No supplement

is a cure-all but it did help my son " wake up " out of the haze he was

in...it's difficult to explain. I'm not saying it made him talk...it just

cleared up his mind. It helped him focus...

" "

<cmlegg@...

> cc:

Sent by: Subject:

[ ] A little perspective

@yaho

ogroups.com

01/13/2006 11:15 AM

Please respond to

I've been reading many posts here about the benefits of DHA/EPA

supplements on children with verbal apraxia. I am generally pro-

supplement in my lifestyle in that I chose a regime of supplements

during my pregnancy despite doctors here in Japan strongly advising

against it (They support the " get it in the diet " philosophy here).

I also have read a lot of books by Dr. Sears, who is a big advocate

of DHA/EPA supplements. I was disappointed that his books, written

for the mainstream, did not document the research behind his

recommendations. Still, a big believer in the general concept of

keeping essential fatty acids in balance, I have made some changes

in my family's diet in response to his writings. We eat a lot less

meat, more tofu and soy products, more nuts, and continue to eat a

lot of oil-rich seafood, which is quite plentiful in our area

(Japan).

My word of caution is that parents on this board should not have too

high of expectations of the ProEFA supplements. All baby formula in

Japan is supplemented with essential fatty acids, unlike many

formulas in America. The Japanese diet is quite rich in fish oil and

much less dependent on animal and hydrogenated fats. Still, there

are plenty of late talkers here, including children who suffer from

verbal apraxia. I know it would be very unscientific to infer from

this that fatty acids are only minimally beneficial to children with

verbal apraxia, but I think it would also be unfair to lead parents

into believing that Pro-EFA supplements are going to make a huge

difference in their children's speech. Anecdotal evidence is very

inspiring, but I would like to see the research on these supplements

to find out exactly how convincing it really is.

Anybody have the original research to share? There must be something

to it, or infant formula in Japan would not be supplemented with it.

What the link is to verbal apraxia, specifically, would also be an

interesting read.

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much, , for all those links. It surely took a long

time to write your message, and I very much appreciate the

information. I can't wait to read up on it. I hate to hope too much,

but I also would dearly love to find something that helps. I wonder

why the specific ProEFA formula works better than a diet rich in

fish and other omega-3 oils. Maybe I should read all your links

before saying more there...

I have lived in Japan for fifteen years. Before that, I was in

America - Atlanta and Columbus, Ohio. My pregnancy was in Japan.

Since most Americans supplement during pregnancy, I found it odd

that it is considered a bad idea here. I couldn't even find pre-

natal vitamins here. I had to research all the amounts for each

vitamin and buy a proper multi-vitamin and mineral plus additional

folic acid, fish oil and lecithin. And I even monitored doses at

different stages of pregnancy. After seven years of infertility, I

wasn't going to leave anything up to chance. Ha! Ha!

Being in Japan, it is a challenge to advocate for my son. My husband

is very supportive, but you can't be too pushy to get doctors to do

anything for you here. It is a cultural thing where doctors are so

highly revered and one rarely questions them. I find it frustrating,

but am trying my best. Getting the developmental pediatrician to

take my concerns seriously has been just one (on-going) battle. It

took me quite a few months to even get our regular pediatrician to

give us a referral. Everyone just laughs it off as me being an

overly obsessive first-time mother. I really hate that, as I am not

as uninformed as my unsophisticated Japanese would lead one to

believe. I want my son to be evaluated for verbal apraxia, but I am

afraid of suggesting my suspicions because my doctor might not

consider other dxs before ruling them out. Still, my gut tells me

that I am right.

My son is going to be two next month, and he has only one vowel and

one consonant, which he uses rarely. He mostly grunts and squeals,

using a complex string of gestures that he has developed on his own.

I tried teaching him real sign language signs, but he is a little

maverick who has a mind of his own... That, and he walked at 21

months. And he can't use even his simple repertoire of word

fragments when requested - only when he isn't trying. I wish so much

that he could be one of those 75 percent of late talkers who is

simply a late bloomer, but what I am seeing is worrying. I have

never found research that shows how normal late talkers develop

speech, but I suspect that they have consonants.

I just stumbled upon this group a week or so ago, and already I have

this eerie sense that I belong here. I feel a mixture of horror and

relief. Well, if my son is on this path, at least I will know how to

help him.