Being a scientist by nature and education, I tend to be rather skeptical about a subject until it can be explained to me with factual evidence or tangible results from trusted sources. Most of the time my skeptical nature serves me well, but there are times when my natural tendency limits my ability to progress in our ever advancing world.

I have to admit, one of the topics I used to be skeptical about was the connection between nutrition and behavior and learning issues. In my mind I could not see the connection of how the autistic manifestations in my son could be caused by his diet. He, as the rest of our family, ate mostly home-cooked meals that were considered “healthy” by the general public. And, as his mother, I felt I was doing a great job in balancing his diet and providing him with the proper nutrition for his needs as a growing preteen.

But, this past April my thinking was challenged when I met Dianne Craft at the 2008 MACHE Conference in Duluth. At dinner on Friday evening Dianne asked me to explain my son to her as we sat discussing the first day of the conference. I will never forget what she said to me after I finished talking. She said, “Your son is gifted isn’t he? But he has sensory issues.” Never had I looked at my son’s Asperger diagnosis from her point of view. I had always been comfortable with the label and the associated behaviors all the professionals told me to accept regarding my son’s diagnosis. Behaviors and learning issues I was told he would just need to learn coping mechanisms for so he could live a semi-normal adult life. Never before, had I entertained the possibility that there may be a way to almost completely eliminate the behaviors and learning issues. But what Dianne said at that moment made so much sense to my scientific mind that I knew I had to put my skeptical nature aside and listen to what she had to say about the connection nutrition had with my son’s behavioral and learning issues.

The following day at the conference, my husband Doug and I sat through Dianne’s talks and after hearing all she had to say about the research and subsequent evidence regarding the connection between nutrition and behavior and struggling learner issues, we decided we had to give her program a try.

Now, I must state that I am not an expert in the least bit on Dianne’s programs, but if you would like more information about her programs and services you can find them by visiting her website at www.diannecraft.org. What I can tell you though based on our personal experience, is that Dianne’s programs require some sacrifices, in both your family diet and budget. On the other hand these sacrifices led to remarkable changes in behaviors and in the overall well-being of our family.

At first Doug and I just thought we were biased in our observations as the tension levels seemed to drop around our home. However, when we started having swim coaches and people from church make comments and asking us what happened to make our son more congenial and content, we knew he really was changing.

Nevertheless, in my scientific mind, this experience was a lone sample which I still felt held a lot of personal bias. So, when I was considering writing about our experience with this diet to the MȂCHÉ Special Needs community, I was not sure if it would be of interest to anyone. But, after returning from a speaking engagement this week I felt the need to share my story. What changed my mind? It was the stories I heard from multiple mothers who had also heard Dianne’s talk back in April and subsequently changed their diets and were seeing similar results in their children.

If you would like to do some research of your own, here are some additional resources I have found to be very helpful in figuring out the right diet to match specific needs:

• Enzymes for Autism and other Neurological Conditions by Karen DeFelice
• Enzymes: Go With Your Gut by Karen DeFelice
• Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD Asthma, and Allergies by Kenneth Bock, M.D., and Cameron Stauth
• Autism Network for Dietary Intervention at www. autismndi.com
• Informational article on Candida at www.brainchildnutritionals.com/PDF/Candida.pdf

Please remember one diet does not fit every situation. Make sure to do your research and ask lots of questions from various professionals and fellow parents. Also keep in mind no diet is effective unless it is followed with a great amount of discipline.

How about you? Do you have a story to share about how Dianne Craft’s diet has changed your child or you entire family? Or maybe you have some other information or resources related to diet and behavioral and learning issues. If so, I would love for you to share your story on the MȂCHÉ Special Needs discussion board. If you are not a member yet you can join by going to www.machespecialneeds.org and clicking on “Message Board”. To join the message board on Google Groups you will need to enter your name and MȂCHÉ number to become a member of the group.

I look forward to growing this on-line community and the support we can give one another as we homeschool the special children God has chosen for our homes.

Peggy Ployhar

GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED

(Author unknown)

I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.

He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen,
"Are you there, God?" he said.  "Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed..."

I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique
perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something
else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the
very different world Kevin lives in.

He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties
during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2); there are few ways
in which he is an adult.

He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he
always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his
bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree
every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels
carry them.

I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever
dissatisfied with his monotonous life?

Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home
to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite
macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.

The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers
excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn
child.

He does not seem dissatisfied.

He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of
simple work.

He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before
dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry
for his next day's laundry chores.
 
And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin
to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and
speculates loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. "That
one's goin' to Chi-car-go!" Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.

His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.

And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.

He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.

His life is simple.

He will never know the entanglements of wealth, of power, and he does not
care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His
needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may
not be.

His hands are diligent. Kevin is never as happy as when he is working.
When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is
completely in it.

He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a
job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how
to relax.

He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.

He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and
when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.

Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to
cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always
sincere. And he trusts God.

Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes
as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in
a way that is difficult for an “educated" person to grasp.

In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my faith in God, I envy
the security Kevin has in his simple faith.

It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine
wisdom that rises above my need to understand something before I can trust it.

It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap.
I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all
become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.

Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I may never learn? After all, he
has spent his whole life living a child-like innocence, praying after dark
and trusting God in His goodness and love to be faithful to answer.

And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all
amazed at the magnitude of God and His divine character, Kevin won't be surprised at all!

A couple weeks ago I found my son walking along the top of a fence. To either side of his narrow path, gravity was at the ready to pull him to the ground and away from his goal of getting to the end. What kept him from falling?  I would love to say it was his sense of balance, but coordination, in his case, was not an influencing factor. Rather, it was his persistence and determination. So onward he went, step by step, determined to finish and conquer the obstacle gravity had set before him.

In reflecting on the determined spirit of my son, I am amazed at the parallels his example gives on how personal resolve affects spiritual life. A.W. Tozer wrote “There is . . . much in the Bible about the place of moral determination in the service of the Lord. ‘Jacob vowed a vow,’ and it was the beginning of a wonderful life with God. . . . Daniel ‘purposed in his heart,’ and God honored his purpose. Jesus set His face like a flint and walked straight toward the cross. Paul ‘determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified’ . . . These are only a few of the many men . . . of the Bible who have left us a record of the spiritual greatness born out of a will firmly set to do the will of God.”

I believe determination is the key to a genuine spiritual life. Without determination to walk the narrow path of obedience toward eternity, human nature and a sin-filled world influence believers to fall off the fence and into a variety of ugly situations. One side of the narrow walk beckons us to take control of life. On this side we are quick to function on human logic, reason, resolve, and even fate to accomplish desirable purposes. On the other side of the narrow walk we are beckoned to leave godly considerations behind and escape to easier worldly ways.  On this side we are prone to despair, worry, and the desire to resign any responsibility for our thoughts and actions.

Instead of choosing either of these ways, Jesus calls us to walk with Him on the narrow path between these choices. Staying on the narrow path requires that we step carefully and purposefully, walking faithfully with the Lord.  One step after the other - seeking, teetering, calling, listening, and waiting. Each crucial step moves us along the unique road God has chosen. Each stumble and fall is covered by God’s grace. Each experience affords a chance to be refined in godly character.

The Apostle Peter wrote on this same subject, encouraging the Christians of his time by saying: "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct" 1 Peter 1:13-15.

How encouraging it is to know this narrow path has been walked by those of the faith who have gone before. They were not perfect, and they also stumbled and fell. Yet, they left an example for me to follow; I pray that I will leave an example for my children and for many generations in the future.  So, today as you walk on the narrow path, rest in God’s ability to help you every step of the way and resolve in your spirit to keep going no matter what may come your way.

Find more words of encouragement and many resources for parents of special needs kids at www.machespecialneeds.org.

Confident in Faith

By Peggy Ployhar, MACHE Special Needs Coordinator

This summer I have decided to take my children through the book of James.  The process will probably take the whole summer since one verse in this text can generate enough discussion to last an entire meal time.  The reason I bring our summer study up is because in reading chapter 1 this week I was struck by verses 2 through 8 and how they apply to us as parents with special needs children.  These verses say:

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

The reason I was struck by how these verse apply to us was not by one main theme, but rather the cumulative significance of the three main points in this particular text. 

The first point is that “the testing of your faith produces patience”.  You know as well as I do that having a child who struggles with life, whether mentally, physically or socially,  gives you much opportunity for the testing of your faith.  But isn’t it wonderful that God’s goal in the process is to increase your faith in Him and to make you “perfect and complete, lacking nothing”?  Be encouraged today dear parents – God has called you and is making you whole in Him through the path He has called you to walk with your child.  Therefore “count it ALL joy” because each “trial” has a purpose and a work to do in your faith life  if you let God show you His perspective in the “trial” instead of looking at it and choosing to complain or wish it away. 

The second point these verses highlight has to do with “wisdom.”  We are told that if we lack “wisdom” then we are to “ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach.”  These past few weeks I have been pouring over the Special Needs section of the MACHE handbook.  As part of that responsibility I have been checking the various resources listed to make sure their information is still accurate and the most informative on the market for use in homeschooling special needs children.  I find it amazing how much knowledge  exists on the issues of special needs/struggling learners and I pray the resources that make the final cut in for the handbook are of use to many.  At the same time though, I pray parents do not count on these resources to be their primary tool in teaching and instructing their special needs child.   Bear in mind, as Christians we are called beyond just accumulating knowledge.  Instead we are beckoned by our Lord and Savior into the realm of wisdom – Appling knowledge through the filter of God’s word and by direction of the Holy Spirit through prayer.  Asking God to supply for all our needs is always the best choice.  God then gives us all we need when we seek Him to direct us as we proceed forward.

The final point these verses make is in regards to “doubting.”  Faith should leave no room for doubting.   If we are to truly trust God in faith we are to be firm in our convictions because “he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind, he is double-minded…unstable in all of his ways.”  Therefore, as you more forward into the summer months and are discerning how God is calling you teach your special needs child in the coming year your first and foremost command is to trust His leading in faith.  Stand firm in God who promises us that He “will never leave you or forsake you”. Hebrews 13: 5b  

So, even if your trials are many, consider them as God intends them, as faith builders.  And, even if the information you are digging through to find the answers you seek are overwhelming, let God filter them for you and direct you in the way you should go.  In the end, you will find your faith to be strong and your convictions unyielding because they were not generated by emotions, social pressures or scientific data, but rather by the maker of the heavens and the earth.  Be confident in God because He can “supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”! (Philippians 4:19)

On this page, in the near future, you will be able to find answers to a variety of different questions that come into MACHE regarding home educating special needs children in the state of Minnesota.  If there are questions you would like addressed or added to this list either comment on them here and they will be addressed as they come in, otherwise as a member of MACHE you are able to join our Special Needs Discussion group  CLICK HERE TO JOIN!

Many blessing to you.

Peggy Ployhar (MACHE Special Needs Coordinator) 

I hope you have taken some time to navigate around the MACHE Special Needs website to see all the ways this technology can be helpful to you.  These pages will be changed frequently based on your feedback, so please feel free to send any suggestions or resources my way.

Also, in your poking around, I hope you have noticed the MACHE Special Needs motto that is posted in the left-hand corner of each web page.  If you haven’t, the motto reads:  "Empowering parents to love homeschooling the special children God has chosen for their homes."  This motto will serve as the blueprint for building the ministry of MACHE Special Needs, and for that reason it is only fitting to explain the motto’s intended meaning for my first Power Boost blog.

Looking at the motto from a logistical perspective, it is designed for the purpose of setting adequate boundaries for the ministry of MACHE Special Needs.  As you may guess, “special needs” within the homeschooling community is a broad term used for a variety of challenges and disorders parents may face while schooling their children.  Therefore, with a motto, the MACHE Special Needs Coordinator and Empowering Team can set boundaries regarding the help and resources we will provide both now and in the future.  

But, the deeper meaning contained within the motto is designed to unify the MACHE Special Needs Coordinator, the Empowering Team and all MACHE members in focusing our unique and vital pursuits in our given roles. 

To understand this deeper meaning though it is imperative to dissect the words and their combinations.  So first, a common understanding of the main words in the motto, as defined by Webster’s Dictionary, should be shared.

Empowering:  "to promote the self-actualization or influence of."

Love:  "to hold dear or cherish"

Special:  "designed for a particular purpose or occasion"

Chosen:  "selected or marked for favor or special privilege"

 Now you may have also noticed that each of these words can be grouped with other words in the motto as follows:  empowering parents; love homeschooling; special children; and God has chosen for their homes.  And, here is how each can be expanded with the above definitions:

Empowering parents:  promoting within parents their God-given abilities and influence

Love homeschooling:  moving into a state-of-mind and state-of-heart where the ability to homeschool is cherished

Special children:  children designed for a particular purpose within God’s divine plan

God has chosen for their homes:  hand-picked by God for your home including siblings, circumstances and parents

Finally, the expanded motto reads as follows:

Promoting the God-given abilities and influence of each parent so as to move them into a state-of-mind and state-of-heart where they cherish the opportunity to homeschool the unique children God has designed and hand-picked for their home in order to fulfill God’s divine plan and purposes in their home.