Thanks to Temple Faye M.D., who many years ago reasoned that the brain itself could be influenced by a stimulating environment, the CNR has been able to find effective and successful ways to help thousands and thousands of handicapped children. In doing so, we have witnessed the loss of hopelessness in the hearts of family members and we have been witness to the many courageous accomplishments of the children who were fortunate enough to have parents with courage that equaled their own. These are parent who needed only a little guidance to focus their love, energy and strength to overcome the difficult obstacles associated with raising a handicapped child. The parents who come to us somehow find the ability to look beyond the do nothing gloom and doom specialist to find that there are many who believe that much can be done to help a child reach their potential and to live a better life. These special parents recognize that their intervention is the most valued of all and that their child deserves every opportunity to have the best quality of life possible.

Once these very special families contact the CNR, the process begins with a careful review of the completed history form and all previous testing that is pertinent to the problem. Next, a detailed interview with the parents takes place in order to understand their concerns and to better understand the difficulty the child is having. Following this interview, evaluations and observations are completed with the child. These evaluations usually include functional evaluation that not only documents performance but also provides valuable insight into the efficiency of the brain and its organizational skill level. Assessments are also made of the child's educational abilities, social needs, sensory systems, behavior, nutrition and diet as well as medical needs. Then, sensory system evaluations are completed and developmental evaluations in mobility, language, hand function, vision development, auditory and tactile development are conducted. Behavior assessment, diet, health and sleep are carefully considered as well. After all this information is available, a comprehensive program is developed for the individual child.

Orientation is provided for the parents based on the findings and the plan is carefully taught so that all is understood and all questions are answered. Generally, based on the severity of the problem, the rehabilitation part of the plan could take anywhere from 1/2 to 4 hours daily to complete in the home. It requires organized time and is administered in a structured way. Parents are taught how to set it up and how to accomplish it successfully. They are given the support they need to be successful helping their own child. Activities include a wide variety of sensory motor training exercises designed to stimulate the nervous system in order to speed up it's maturing process.

This type of stimulation can also be used to guide the nervous system in a more correct direction or to teach the brain to develop or to redevelop new skills it may have lost due to injury or other causes. Although it is work, the majority of our parents tell us that it is a lot easier to invest some effort into doing something productive rather than to stand by and do nothing to help. The majority of our programs are done in the home which offers many advantages. The home is familiar and comfortable. There is a feeling of love and of nurturing that can not be duplicated in a clinic or hospital. You can control the schedule and set priorities that are best for your individual child. There is very little wasted time on transportation or staff problems. You know for sure what is being done.

Our programs also work well-with other existing programs. School and other therapies are usually included in the plan providing they are positive and helpful. Parents are taught how to evaluate and prioritize existing programs so that the best use of time is achieved. Most other programs teach activities. Our program, by improving the brain, makes your child a better learner. So, if both teaching and learning are being enhanced, your child will improve far more than if only one of these important issues are addressed.

Families are encourage to follow the plan for a three month period when reevaluation take place. At this time, all concerns are discussed, new evaluations are completed, achievements are identified along with problems and a new or modified plan is prescribed dealing with as many issues of concern as possible. New goals are discussed with the parents and the new strategy is taught in detail to the family. These reevaluations are important and necessary so that when improvement occurs, new activities can replace the old ones which are no longer appropriate. Sometimes, there is limited improvement which makes it more imperative to see the child in order to determine problems and to develop solutions.

Although helping the brain learn to function in more organized and efficient ways can be accomplished, it is not simple and it does take time. Most parents begin to see results within the first two weeks or even sooner. Other children take longer. Mild problems may need anywhere from 6 to 18 months of services. Most children are under our care for 3 or 4 years. In very severe cases, families stay with our service longer.

To be successful you need determination, patience, love and some support. If you have those ingredients, you can join the thousands of families throughout the world who have experienced the rewards of helping their own handicapped child achieve their potential.

Send questions and/or comments to Dr. Unruh at DrUnruh@aol.com

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