Our Autism Fight Is Personal

By J.B. Handley

Author

How To End The Autism Epidemic 

My wife, Lisa, and I never started out with the goal of being lightning rods in the national debate over autism and vaccines in the United States.  We just wanted to understand what happened to our 2-month-old son Jamison and how we could help him.

The year was 2002.  After Jamison received six separate vaccines, his health deteriorated and he never rebounded.  He developed eczema all over his body.  He didn’t sleep for more than 20 minutes at a time.  He developed dark circles under his eyes.  His stomach became distended, and he looked skinny and frail.  He sweated profusely at night. 

By the time he was 18 months old, Jamison was sick, needy, rarely sleeping and his behavior was changing.  His speech regressed.  Lisa and I decided to have him tested and he was diagnosed with autism. 

As time went by, we absorbed the grief but decided we needed to know more about autism and vaccines.  The more research we did, the more we realized that the medical community was split into two camps.  One believed autism was a genetic condition, sort of like Down’s Syndrome.  If a child had autism, he always would.  They believed parents should accept their child’s fate.  The second camp believed autism was an environmental illness, mostly (but not only) caused by the recent massive uptick in the number of vaccines given to kids.

Luckily, we both had significant research experience, so we decided to dig in and see which camp we would believe when it came to our son’s health.  We were fortunate to find Dr. Lynn Mielke, who was a member of a group called “Defeat Autism Now,” known as “DAN!” 

Dr. Mielke, a graduate of Indiana University’s medical school, had completed her psychiatry residency at UCLA.  She had been a practicing psychologist until she watched her son disappear into autism after his vaccine appointments, just like our son.  Her research led her to the DAN! movement.  Her son’s symptoms improved, so she opened a clinic to help other children. 

Unlike other doctors we had seen who had dismissed our questions about the relationship between vaccines and autism, she answered our questions and said frequently it is the vaccines that “pushed them over the edge.”   

We removed gluten and dairy from his diet and took Dr. Mielke’s advice on giving Jamison a combination of nutritional supplements, cod liver oil and probiotics.  The regimen flattened Jamison’s belly, and he stopped leaning on furniture to alleviate his gut pain.  He started to have more eye contact with us, and the dark circles under his eyes were going away.  We could tell he was more aware of the world around him.  Although not cured, he was clearly much better.

So once that happens to your child, how do you stay quiet?  How do you not want to tell others?  How do you not want to do all the research you possibly can so you can help not only your child but others who may be in the same boat? 

Contrary to what the pharmaceutical industry wants you to believe, all children and all vaccinations are not created equal.  There are tests available that can determine which children should not receive which vaccines.  Plus, there are other factors that should be taken into consideration like if the child has been sick prior to getting a vaccination.

Children in the 1960s had three vaccinations – today they get 38.  I would ask our critics to follow the money – who is benefitting from all these additional vaccinations?  The revenue for big pharmaceutical companies went from $170 million in the early 1980’s to more than $60 billion today.  In 1986, the US government granted vaccine makers blanket indemnity.  So the more vaccines they can come up with – and the more of their existing vaccines they can make mandatory for children – the more money they make. 

Not only had the pharmaceutical industry’s lobbyists been successful in getting the government to prohibit anybody from suing them, but I found there was little government oversight of the industry.  A studypublished in 2013 in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation concluded that the pharmaceutical industry “masterfully influences evidence base production” and also “exerts direct influences on professional decisions and health consumers.”

So that is our story into how we began the long journey into the world of physicians, the pharmaceutical industry, vaccinations, and autism.  Lisa and I have learned more in the last 15 years on this subject than we ever thought we would learn about anything.  But the bottom line for us is our son and his well-being and helping others in a similar situation.   Every minute that we have devoted to finding out the truth about autism is dedicated to him. And if that makes us a target for those who want unlimited vaccinations on children without comprehensive oversight about the possible dangers and without screening for our most vulnerable children, that is a price we are gladly willing to pay.

About J.B. Handley

J.B. Handley is the co-founder and chairman of Generation Rescue, a non-profit organization focused on helping children recover from autism that was inspired by the journey of his son, Jamison, who was diagnosed with autism in 2004. Author of the bookHow To End the Autism Epidemic(https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/how-to-end-the-autism-epidemic/), he is also the co-producer of the documentary film Autism Yesterday and the co-founder of the Age of Autism blog. Handley co-founded Swander Pace Capital, a middle-market private equity firm with more than $1.5 billion under management where he served as managing director for two decades. He is an honors graduate of Stanford University and lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Lisa, and their three children.

How to Prepare for Cough and Cold Season
by Johnelle Whipple, HCP at Mucinex

With disrupted sleep, throat irritation, body aches, a runny, stuffy nose and more, it’s easy to see why cough and cold season is no fun. While there's a lot you can do to help manage symptoms, staving them off in the first place is even better. There's no surefire way to completely prevent a cough or cold, but strengthening your immune system can be a powerful step in the right direction.

Get Vaccinated Against the Flu
Although there are no vaccines for the common cold, since 2010, the CDC and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) have been recommending routine annual influenza vaccinations for all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications.

Eat a Healthy Diet
To help protect yourself and quench your appetite at the same time, look into healthier food choices. Try replacing heavily processed, fatty and sugary items such as fast food and sodas, with whole foods. Foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes/beans and whole grains contain phytochemicals and antioxidants, which are associated with a lower risk for disease. Yogurt containing “live and active cultures” may help, too. In fact, studies have shown that eating a daily serving of common yogurt containing probiotics for eight or 12 weeks lowered the risk of the common cold in elderly people by two to six percent by stimulating the immune system.

Prioritize Sleep and Rest

You already know the drill: as your immune system works hard, you’ve got to support it by getting enough rest and sleep. That can be challenging when there’s always another errand to run, meeting to attend or social gathering. Defend your need for rest by committing to only what you can manage without increasing your stress levels or sacrificing sleep. While people's needs vary, the National Sleep Foundation has found that adults typically need 7 to 9 hours of snoozing per night. Depending on their age, kids usually need 8 to 11 sleep hours.1

Move More, but Not Too Much
If you want to help prevent getting a cold and cough, consider getting some exercise. Routine moderate exercise like walking, biking or swimming, may help reduce the risk of infections. However, you shouldn’t go overboard because intense physical training can have the opposite effect, making colds and other infections more likely. For overall health and to help boost your immune system, you should get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio exercise five days per week, or 25 minutes of intense exercise at least three days per week.2 Getting more than 300 minutes of moderately-intense cardio per week (without overdoing it) can invite even greater health benefits.3

Once You Have a Cough or Cold
Always, try to keep from spreading a cough and cold to others by practicing good hygiene and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Read on to learn more about what to do once you have a cough or cold.4

When Symptoms Arise
Most everyone deals with a seasonal bug on occasion. When symptoms arise, take steps to ease them. Start by taking an over-the-counter medication to alleviate your symptoms, using the product as directed and if symptoms persist, stop use and ask a doctor. Remember to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water, broth or by eating foods with high water content like oranges (another plus: oranges are high in vitamin C content). To help relieve a nagging cough or dry throat, invest in a humidifier to moisten the air you breathe in.

Cover That Cough!

Covering a cough or sneeze is one of the best ways to prevent the millions of germs that come sailing out, from coming in contact with someone else. There are two good methods: Cough into a tissue placed over your mouth and nose, or turn your head and cough into an elbow. And turn away from others whenever possible. 

Avoid Germ Hot Spots

Use disinfectant wipes as directed to go over commonly touched surfaces like doorknobs, counters, tabletops and favorite toys at home. Don’t allow your kids to share cups or utensils when one of them is sick, and consider washing communal hand towels more often or using disposable paper towels. 

Work on Hand Hygiene 

Another way to minimize the spread of cough-related germs is through frequent hand-washing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention likens hand-washing to a sort of "do-it-yourself" vaccine, saying it as one of the best ways to remove germs, prevent their spread and avoid getting sick. When your family is in the midst of the cold or flu, consider switching to paper towels rather than sharing a cloth towel to prevent the spread of germs. 

Johnelle Whipple is a Healthcare Professional (HCP) Marketing Director, Health, with Mucinex and Reckitt Benckiser

1 Sleep Health: Journal of the National Sleep Foundation; March 2015

2 American Heart Association; updated, Dec 14, 2017

3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; updated June 4, 2015

4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; updated August 14, 2015

5 Reasons Pre-School Years Are A Prime Time For Learning

Much of the discussion about education focuses on the K-12 years, but some early childhood education experts suggest serious learning can start even earlier and pay dividends for the child in years to come.

 “Young children have the capacity at a very young age to be academically challenged, and we need to educate them strongly during those years instead of waiting until they are older,” says Alise McGregor, founder of Little Newtons (www.littlenewtons.com), an early education center with locations in Minnesota and Illinois.

“Children’s minds are like sponges when they are very young. Under age 5 is the most important time for development and our best opportunity to set up children for success. If we strongly educate children at a very young age, while their brains are so pliable, by the time they reach kindergarten, their brain capacity is much higher.”

Recent research confirms that the first five years of life are particularly important for the development of the child's brain. Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child reports that in the first few years, more than 1 million new neural connections are formed every second, building the brain’s architecture. 

This growth of the brain’s network establishes a fertile foundation for learning, thus an opportunity to be better prepared for grade school and beyond, experts say. One analysis of several studies, “Impacts of Early Childhood Education on Medium- and Long-term Education,” showed that children exposed to high-quality pre-kindergarten education performed better academically in later years. Early education also led to higher graduation rates, fewer special education placements and less grade retention.

McGregor suggests five reasons parents should consider ramping up their pre-K child’s education:

• Socialization. Socialization with people other than the child’s family in a safe environment is an essential foundational element. “It’s important to introduce our children to other children and support their transition into their own friendship groups, and the earlier we do this, it helps children overcome shyness and gain self-confidence,” McGregor says. 

• Personal experiences. These assist the brain’s organizational development and functioning in many situations, helping children develop learning skills as well as social and emotional abilities. “A good early-education center creates an environment where imagination, love and innovation all come together for a daily adventure,” McGregor says. 

• Enthusiasm for Learning. Lessons can be given in a fun and exciting way that will encourage children to be effective learners. “Feeling inspired and excited to learn takes root in preschool,” McGregor says, “and can last a lifetime.”

• Learning respect for others. A fundamental building block for happiness, friendships and success in life starts early by learning how to share, cooperate, take turns and be nice. “By carrying on conversations, following rules, listening, accepting consequences of actions, the child learns early how to start getting along in the world,” McGregor says. 

• Resilience. It’s important that early childhood educators and parents work together to develop resilience in children as early as possible. “By creating a consistent and stable environment with clear expectations and predictable consequences, children can develop skills in managing themselves and their emotions,” McGregor says. “They may experience bumps, bruises or losing a game, but this is the foundation for building coping strategies for greater challenges in life.”

“The first five years of life are the most critical,” McGregor says. “It is far easier to train a child than it is to fix a broken adult.”

About Alise McGregor

Alise McGregor is the founder of Little Newtons (www.littlenewtons.com), an exceptional child care center focusing on early childhood education with four locations in Minnesota and one in Illinois. She is the author of an upcoming book, Creating Brilliance. Also a nurse, she has a B.S. in Exercise Physiology with a cardiac rehabilitation emphasis.

Gifts for the Spa lover

sponsored

With the holidays fast approaching and your looking for new or unique gift ideas, I have one for you. It's called the Airospa Pillow and its ideal for the people in you life who just need to relax. I really love mine. You can adjust the pillow to whatever firmness or softness you need. You just place your head face down into the opening of the pillow and have the fan turned on to blow the essential oils through. It gives you a calming smell to whatever essential oil you should choose to use. Don't worry about feeling suffocated because there is vent ports on the side. Storage is a breeze, you just deflate the pillow. Setting up is also easy to. You blow it up, insert batteries and sponge with oils on it and place into the pillow.

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15 & Me Selfie Search

Sponsored

I just love gift baskets, don't you?! I partnered up with Gourmet Gift baskets to tell you about their giveaway for being in business for 15 years. They provided me a lovely basket for my time. So all thoughts and opinions of my basket is strictly my own.

I was sent a new unique item they have up for this time of year. It's a seasonal beer basket. Handful of mouth watering snacks that the flavors go well with the beer. The beers are very wonderful. Most are only made for this time of year to be sent off for Oktoberfest. You get six bottles in total in a very nice bucket secured in place. I find that this is perfect for football season or maybe for the brew man in your life who enjoys a high quality beer.

GourmetGiftBaskets.com Launches National "15 & Me Selfie Search" 

Online Gifting Company Kicks Off 15th Birthday Countdown, Offering Consumers 17 Ways To Win 

EXETER, N.H., Sept. 20, 2017 -- One of the top U.S. online gifting companies is celebrating its first 15 years of business in a fun, unique way, shining the spotlight on the countless customers who have contributed to this major milestone. At 11:15 a.m. (ET) today, "GourmetGiftBaskets.com's 15 & Me Selfie Search" will launch, offering more than $2,000 in prizes.

The $22 million ecommerce company, which provides hundreds of upscale gourmet gifting options, will turn 15 on November 15th. The selfie search invites everyone to join the countdown to this big birthday by posting selfies with the number 15 in them on the company's Facebook or Instagram pages. All posts must be family-friendly and should contain the hashtag #GGBTurns15.

The "15" can appear on nearly anything -- a cake, sign, house, T-shirt, or even printed on paper. Contestants can post as many different shots as they'd like, as well, since all posts count. All entrants will vie for one of 17 exciting prizes. 

The contestant with the most creative entry will win first prize – a whopping $1,500 worth of upscale goodies! These could include elaborate gourmet baskets, towers, cookie cakes, and many more WOW-inspiring gifts. 

The entrant with the highest number of posts will win second prize -- a three-month membership in the Monthly Cheesecake Club, receiving a different cheesecake flavor each month. 

Finally, 15 third-place winners will be chosen randomly to receive one-gallon tins of handcrafted gourmet popcorn, since GourmetGiftBaskets.com offers nearly 100 popcorn flavors from sweet to savory. 

"As a company that's all about life's celebrations, we wanted to approach this major milestone by offering consumers something fun, different and rewarding," said Vice President of Sales and Marketing Jason Bergeron. "We can't wait to see all of the selfies from our many loyal customers – and future ones, too."

The search runs until 11:15 p.m. (ET) on November 15^th. Soon afterward, winners will be announced and prizes will be distributed. 

To enter, go to the special contest page, or follow instructions on the GourmetGiftBaskets.com Facebook or Instagram pages. Updates will be available on the contest page and social media channels as the selfie search gains national momentum. 

Gift ideas for loved ones

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Trying to find the right gift for a loved one can be a struggle sometimes. What do you get for the person who has everything or maybe you just want to create a special thank you gift. Magic Memories has everything you need to create that special gift.

Beautiful and thoughtful is what each of their items will show. Maybe you have a office space and want to create your own unique calendar, or just a simple mouse pad with your own flare? Or here is a cute idea. Does Grandma keep hounding you for a picture of the grandkids? Well, why not choose a lovely photo of your kids and have it made on to a nice sized canvas.

I just placed my order for a large canvas of my girls spring photos! I am super excited to get it back because I know it will be perfect.

The prices are just right on the items. Which means that you know you are getting quality.

#sponsored
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School is back in session moms. Once you have finished checking off all of the items on your supply list, I have one to add. As you know before long there will be book reports, graphs and etc needed to be typed up. So why not buy from a trusted source called Softwarekeep and get the Microsoft office programs you need.

I have personally went through the check out process myself. Of course I was provided free product to review, however all of my opinions are honest. I only want what's best for my readers. So as I was saying, the checkout was a breeze. Easily scroll through and find the office program or other software you need and add it to your cart. Everything is secure and once you submit you are good to go.

They email your invoice and then provide separate email with your register key and download link. I was amazed at how simple it was. Plus for any reason a key doesn't work or any other issue. The support team will quickly get you taken care of!

Right now they are running a back to school sale of 20% off any software bundle you purchase. Just add the code BACK2SCHOOL in the cart.Who doesn't like saving money!

Snacking for the coffee lover

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Show of hands with my moms out there who love coffee flavored anything. If you are raising your hand right now I have the perfect treat for you! This is the snack you will want to hide from your kids. Ok, who am I kidding....we hide all the good stuff.

The brand is called Funky Chunky and is a coffee flavored popcorn snack. The flavors are mouth watering and is great to snack on with your coffee. It's gourmet style that just taste too good share. However, I did give my kids a taste and they loved it as well. I received three bags of different flavors. All of which, I can not choose a favorite.

The bags are resealable so I find that a plus. Everything is clearly labor so no guess work about ingredients and such. As for the snack and what it looks like, it is good sized clusters with mounds of goodness. All made by hand!

CHRYSLER BRAND ANNOUNCES SPONSORSHIP AND SUPPORT

CHRYSLER BRAND ANNOUNCES SPONSORSHIP AND SUPPORT

OF SESAME STREET

Partnership to Include Digital and Television Sponsorship

and Online Video Series Launching on Monday, July 17,

Across Chrysler Brand’s Digital and Social Channels

July 17, 2017, Auburn Hills, Mich. – Chrysler today announced that they are now a proud sponsor and supporter of Sesame Street, a commitment that includes supporting the show on PBS and original digital content.

“Sesame Street has a powerful connection with families and this partnership allows the Chrysler brand to support their work around the world,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars, Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA North America. “As a trusted family brand, we were looking for a like-minded partner who possessed a thoughtful and engaging approach. With our all-new Chrysler Pacifica minivan, we wanted to help educate parents about its unprecedented 115 safety, security and technology innovations – and who better than Sesame Street, which has been reaching and educating families for almost 50 years.”

“Partnering with Chrysler will help us extend our reach in new and creative ways, and support Sesame Workshop's nonprofit mission to help kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder," said Steve Youngwood, Chief Operating Officer of Sesame Workshop.  “We’re thrilled to work with a brand that stands for a deep commitment to families and children.”

 

In addition to sponsoring the show on PBS, Chrysler is creating a multimedia campaign that will pair Sesame characters and the Chrysler Pacifica and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid in ten co-branded videos for parents that will launch on Monday, July 17, across the brand’s digital and social channels, including Facebook, Twitter andInstagram. The first four videos, which can be viewed now on Chrysler’s YouTube channel, take viewers on an unexpected ride as the Muppets play “Listen, Drive, Surprise!,” a new game show hosted by Guy Smiley. 

The campaign was created and produced in partnership with Mediabrands Society, the Social AOR for FCA US LLC.

About the Chrysler Pacifica and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica reinvents the minivan segment with an unprecedented level of functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling. Re-engineered from the ground up on an all-new platform, the Pacifica delivers class-leading gasoline and hybrid powertrains to the minivan segment. With more than 100 available safety and security features, the all-new Uconnect Theater rear seat entertainment system, and a full array of comfort and convenience technologies, the Chrysler Pacifica is a no-compromises minivan ideally suited for today's families and has earned its spot as the most awarded minivan of 2016 and 2017.

The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica reinvents the minivan segment with an unprecedented level of functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling. The Pacifica Hybrid takes this revolutionary vehicle a step further with its class-exclusive, innovative hybrid powertrain. It’s the first electrified vehicle in the minivan segment and achieves 84 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in electric-only mode and 33 miles of all-electric range. With more than 100 available safety and security features, the all-new Uconnect Theater rear seat entertainment system, and a full array of comfort and convenience technologies, the Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid are no-compromise minivans ideally suited for today's families.

About Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street, the pioneering television show that has been reaching and teaching children since 1969. Today, Sesame Workshop is an innovative force for change, with a mission to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. We’re active in more than 150 countries, serving vulnerable children through a wide range of media, formal education, and philanthropically-funded social impact programs, each grounded in rigorous research and tailored to the needs and cultures of the communities we serve. For more information, please visit sesameworkshop.org.

Office Depot Foundation

Office Depot Foundation Donates 100,000 Sackpacks With School Supplies In 17^th Year of Its National Backpack Program

More Than 4 Million Sackpacks Donated to Kids Around The World Since 2001

Boca Raton, Fla., June 21, 2017 – For the past 17 years, the Office Depot Foundation has donated more than 4 million sackpacks to children around the world as part of its National Backpack Program. This summer, the Foundation, which is the independent charitable giving arm of Office Depot, Inc., will be donating 100,000 colorful new sackpacks to nonprofit organizations, schools and agencies across the United States and internationally. 

“It is our mission to make sure that every child has the right tools to achieve success in school,” said Mary Wong, president of the Office Depot Foundation. “School is challenging enough on its own, and when you’re unable to come prepared with the basic essentials for learning, it’s nearly impossible. We want to give every kid a fair chance.”     

To deliver sackpacks directly to children, the Foundation is hosting Back-to-School celebrations in select cities across the U.S. in July and August. This year, in addition to donating sackpacks to children who need them most, the Foundation is highlighting the importance of STEM and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programs in our nation’s schools. To encourage kids to explore these important curriculums, the Foundation has partnered with Captain Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, America’s first African American female combat pilot, who will make special guest appearances at the Foundation’s Back-To-School celebrations in Los Angeles and Chicago.

Thousands more sackpacks are being given to kids through the Office Depot Foundation’s continuing partnerships with a number of nonprofit organizations serving children nationally and globally. The Foundation is collaborating with Food For The Poor, Feed the Children, the National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association, the National Foundation for Women Legislators and the AARP Foundation.

The specially designed, drawstring-style sackpacks come in seven bright and fun colors. Each one includes a zippered pouch containing a pen, pencil, pencil sharpener, eraser, six-inch ruler and four crayons.

More information about the National Backpack Program can be found on the Office Depot Foundation’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/officedepotfoundation. To learn more about the Office Depot Foundation and its initiatives, go to www.officedepotfoundation.org/. You can follow the Foundation on Twitter @OfficeDepotFndn; the National Backpack Program’s hashtag is #ODFcares. The Foundation is also on Instagram: @officedepotfoundation.

About the Office Depot Foundation

The Office Depot Foundation is an independent foundation − tax exempt under IRC Sec. 501(c)(3) − that serves as the independent charitable giving arm of Office Depot, Inc. In keeping with its mission, Listen Learn Care^®, the Foundation supports a variety of programs that give children tools to succeed in school and in life; build the capacity of nonprofit organizations through collaboration and innovation; and help communities prepare for disasters, as well as recovering and rebuilding afterwards.  For more information, visit www.officedepotfoundation.org.

Pool safety guide

It's easy to lose track of kids during a big holiday party, that's why I wanted to share pool safety tips to keep everyone safe this summer.

A child can accidentally drown in 20 seconds and unlike what you see in the movies, kids don't yell for help. That's why every pool party should have a designated water watcher while kids are in the pool, and layered safety barriers to keep kids out when parents aren't around.



Rules for water watchers:

Sit close to the edge of pool

Do a regular headcount of swimmers

Step in when play gets too wild

No texting, reading or watching videos

Don't leave the pool area without a replacement

Kids never want the party to end, which is why Life Saver Pool Fence also advocates installing multiple barriers to keep kids from entering the pool when parents aren't around. It's especially important for toddlers who don't understand the danger. 



Please check out these links for further information. Let's keep kids safe.

http://www.poolfence.com/pool-safety-guide/

https://cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Pool_Spa_Submersion_Estimated_nonfatal_drowning_injuries_and_reported_dornwings_2017_report_2017H004.pdf

posted from Bloggeroid

Does Your 7-Year-Old Really Need Braces?

Braces are often a rite of passage for middle school students with overbites or crooked teeth.
But the oral problems those braces are solving likely started way back in elementary school – possibly as early as first or second grade.
So perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends children make their first visit to an orthodontist no later than age 7.
“That doesn’t mean they are going to get braces,” says Dr. Jamie Reynolds, an orthodontist, national and international lecturer and author of “World Class Smiles Made in Detroit” (www.AskDrReynolds.com). “In fact, it’s pretty unusual to put braces on a child that young.”
But with those early visits, the orthodontist might be able to head off problems before they get worse. Reynolds says these are a few of the things an orthodontist would be checking with your child:

• Are the jaws growing properly? You would think the upper jaw and the lower jaw grow pretty much in tandem, but you would be wrong. The upper jaw stops growing around age 8 while the lower jaw keeps on growing like the rest of the body. That means orthodontists can spot problems with the upper jaw earlier and recommend treatment if it’s needed, Reynolds says.
• Is there enough room for the teeth to grow in? Sometimes permanent teeth don’t have enough room to grow in properly, possibly because a baby tooth is in the way. Generally, baby teeth fall out on their own, but occasionally a stubborn one needs to be pulled so that the permanent tooth doesn’t start growing in an awkward direction and become impacted. “Removing a misbehaving baby tooth is often the simplest and best solution to a problem that could become much bigger,” Reynolds says.
• Are there too few or too many teeth? One of the things an orthodontist would do when examining a young child is to make sure the correct number of permanent teeth are forming. Extra teeth can be removed, but if a child is a tooth or two short the orthodontist will wait until all the permanent teeth are in before starting any treatment. “Before I went to dental school, I assumed everyone had the same number of teeth – 32,” Reynolds says. “But it’s not unusual at all to see people with missing teeth or with extra teeth.”
• Does the child snore?  Snoring is a potential sign of sleep apnea, a condition in which a person stops breathing while sleeping. It can cause serious health problems and has been diagnosed in children as early as 4 or 5 years old. One common and treatable type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, in which the airways become partially or completely blocked by the tongue or fatty tissues of the throat. An orthodontist can widen the child’s palate so the upper jaw expands, and that expands the nasal passages. It also provides more room for the tongue so it rests on the roof of the mouth and not the bottom.

“Usually, orthodontists offer complimentary exams so it really is a good idea to have your child checked out by an orthodontist at age 7,” Reynolds says. “The odds are that no treatment will be necessary. But if problems are starting to develop, early detection could make a big difference.”

About Dr. Jamie Reynolds

Dr. Jamie Reynolds (www.AskDrReynolds.com) is recognized on an annual basis as one of the top orthodontists in metro Detroit. His book, “World Class Smiles Made in Detroit,” puts an emphasis on the many benefits of having a great smile. Reynolds – who is a national and international lecturer on high-tech digital orthodontics and practice management – attended the University of Michigan for both his undergrad education and dental studies, and did his orthodontic residency at the University of Detroit-Mercy.