• EAT YOUR FRUITS AND VEGGIES: Include in the diet all fruits and vegetables, plus breads, cereals, and crackers that contain only rice and oats.

• AVOID REFINED SUGARS AND CERTAIN FOODS: Remove from the diet all forms of refined sugar and any products that contain it. Also eliminate all foods that contain artificial colors, flavorings, or preservatives; processed and manufactured foods; and foods that contain salicylates. Certain foods naturally contain salicylates. These include almonds, apples, apricots, cherries, currants, all berries, peaches, plums, prunes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and oranges.

• AVOID CARBONATED BEVERAGES: Avoid carbonated beverages, which contain large amounts of phosphates. Phosphate additives may be responsible for hyperkinesis (exaggerated muscle activity). High levels of phosphorus and very low calcium and magnesium levels can indicate a potential for hyperactivity and seizures. Meat and fat are also high in phosphorus.

Anyone who is planning to have a child should ensure that the nutrition of both mother and father is adequate several weeks or months prior to conception, and that BOTH mother and father avoid the use of potentially gene-altering substances such as recreational drugs, alcohol and nicotine. The sacrifices we make for our children before and after conception will reward them with better health throughout life.

Maintain a healthy well-balanced diet low in sugar. Monitoring the child's diet is frequently a neglected factor in this program because it takes attention and constancy. Parents frequently have similar unhealthy eating habits and are not willing to alter them for the sake of their children. Make this a family change, not just a change for "THAT" child.

Unfortunately, guilt plays a powerful role in the emotional downward spiral that many learning disabled children and their families must endure. Parents feel guilty, blaming themselves for not providing that "something" that seems to be missing. The child grows up feeling inadequate and guilty because they are unable to "perform" according to the expectations of parents, teachers and peers. This guilt accelerates and complicates the emotional destruction of the child, contributing to feelings of failure as he or she matures. This results in the young adult, unable to establish social appropriateness, taking extreme measure to find acceptance. It is not uncommon to find such children turning to drugs and alcohol for comfort and acceptance. Counseling is advised in most cases and, for the best results, should involve the whole family.

Get regular moderate exercise with your child.