The Peak Potential Program Is Based on 10 Unique Discoveries:
1. These Disorders Are Not Separate Conditions.
2. Dopamine
3. Upright Posture
4. Weak Posture Muscles
5. Brain Imbalance
6. Right Brain Prevalence
7. Boys More Than Girls
8. Strong Left Brain
9. Environmental Factors
10. Treatment
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1. These Disorders Are Not Separate Conditions.
Most dysfunctions have the same underlying source although the symptoms and severity may be varied. Many children exhibit the symptoms of more than one disorder. For example, children with ADHD commonly present with symptoms of Tourette’s Syndrome.
2. Dopamine
Dopamine makes us feel good and gives a sense of reward. It helps to increase our self-esteem and our sense of attention.
When the brain is under stimulated dopamine production decreases.
Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that allows neurons to communicate efficiently.
Ritalin® and Adderall® affect the brain to allow smaller amounts of dopamine to function longer in the brain.
FYI--FDA classification for Ritalin® and Adderall® is the same class II narcotic rating as cocaine, opium, morphine and amphetamines.
3. Upright Posture
Walking upright was responsible for the development of the large human brain.
When we walk, the Frontal Lobe coordinates billions of nerve impulses to allow smoothness of motion.
Thus it was walking that promoted the development of the Frontal Lobe and hence our ability to have thought and emotion.
Children who do not develop the ability to walk upright commonly suffer from speech delay and have many cognitive and academic challenges.
In fact, cognitive and motor functions are not separate but actually one in the same. Both evolved as a product of more sophisticated movement.
4. Weak Posture Muscles
When postural muscles that support the spine are weakened there is a reduction in the amount of nerve stimulation to the cerebellum.
As the cerebellum slows, so does the frontal lobe. The neurons within the neocortex of the frontal lobe decrease in their efficiency to process information.
The result is clumsiness and poor cognitive development.
5. Brain Imbalance
The main problem relates to an imbalance in function between the two hemispheres of the brain.
The brain ignores the under stimulated hemisphere resulting in a loss of function of that side of the brain.
This sometimes results in the functional increase of the good hemisphere of the brain.
6. Right Brain Prevalence
Most of these conditions are right hemisphere deficits. ADD/ADHD, OCD, Tourette's, Asperger's, Autism all clearly involve a loss of function of the right hemisphere.
7. Boys More Than Girls
Males are more susceptible to these disorders as they are usually right brain dominant.
When they fail to develop the function of their right brain, symptoms begin to appear: loss of attention, loss of non-verbal communication skills, and socially inappropriate behavior.
Males are much more susceptible than females to prenatal stress leading to poor development of their otherwise dominant right brain.
8. Strong Left Brain
In many of these right brain disorders, the functions of the LEFT BRAIN are intact and can be higher than average. These kids tend to have average to above average IQ.
9. Environmental Factors
Societal influences that have increased sedentary behavior are the single largest factor.
TV, computers, and day care steal away from a child’s outdoor playtime, which is so important for the development of the brain.
Other environmental influences are also important: poor nutrition, obesity, parental fear, environmental toxins, vaccines, and early sensory deprivation.
10. Treatment
The most important consideration in treatment is to improve motor performance, which will equally improve cognitive function. It is also equally important to balance out activity in both hemispheres.
To achieve this it is necessary to use hemisphere specific stimulations such as motor, sensory, and cognitive modalities directed toward under stimulated hemisphere.
