Help me tear this apart please

[JoshNankivel]

I am going to be writing a letter of complaint to the editor about this trash. Please help me by picking one of the many points of nonsense and tearing it apart with references to real evidence.

www thehoodmagazine.com/pdf/feb_2011_retrain_your_brain.pdf

 

[rjh01]

Here is the link http://www.thehoodmagazine.com/pdf/feb_2011_retrain_your_brain.pdf

On chiropractic in general see the tag you gave this thread.

 

[C_Felix]

As an educator and a parent of a learning-disabled child, we don't know what causes LD.

We have our ideas.
We have our guesses.

We also have our ideas as to how to remedy these.

They suggest they know why, but, sadly, don't back it up with any research.

This (this being playing with playstations and what not) hampers developmental organization of the brain. They learn to use, and then rely on, the higher centers of the brain instead of integrating the lower (functioning) part of the brain. This disorganization of the brain and nervous system is why so many children struggle with reading, writing, and
paying attention.

...but...

There's nothing wrong with suggesting that "nerve connections aren't correct." Its an idea as to why LD exists. (Too bad they didn't back it up with research! And, they made it sound like "they know" as opposed to "here's an idea.")

There's nothing wrong with suggesting that "kids need to put down the remote, pick up a book, and physically play, explore the world, and try to build things out of legos or what not."

They only way I can see taking this apart:
No research to back up their claims about:

Today’s children spend a great deal of time in an “apparatus” (swings, Johnny Jumpers, play saucers, baby walkers) and in front of computers and televisions. This hampers developmental organization of the brain. They learn to use, and then rely on, the higher centers of the brain instead of integrating the lower (functioning) part of the brain.

...and...

Their claim that:

Movement and exploration allows the child
to make connections between the upper, lower, and side-toside
brain areas. This will lead to reading, comprehension,
math, and organizational skills later on in development.

 

[Uncle Otto]

The article reads almost like something out of a Scientology book. It really doesn't say much of anything. Re-train the brain? How?

 

[Emet]

Welcome To
The Sensory Processing Disorder
Resource Center

A New Name

This is the newest term for, and is used synonymously with, Sensory Integration Disorder or Sensory Integration Dysfunction.

At this point, sensory integration is still being used to describe the theory and treatment, based on the original work of A. Jean Ayres.

Sensory Processing Disorder is used to define and describe the disorder / dysfunction symptoms - in hopes of making this a universally accepted "medical diagnosis" - thus enabling insurance reimbursement for evaluation and treatment.

Linky

This article is from 2005:

Why "Sensory Integration Disorder" Is a Dubious Diagnosis
Peter L. Heilbroner, MD, PhD
Quackwatch Link

 

[JoshNankivel]

My submission

Thanks everyone!

@Uncle Otto, that's the 'beauty' of it. You'd have to go talk to Pfaff Chiropractic to find out how.

Ug. I keep seeing more and more 'journalism' actually being advertisements these days.


Here is what I ended up sending to the editors:

-----------------------------
The article here:

[article link]

This is a misinformation article followed up by the subtle advertisement of the final section's claim to be able to "re-train your brain" with the obvious implication that credulous parents should contact Pfaff Chiropractic to find out how to do so.

As a parent, I feel it is irresponsible for you to publish this. Are you receiving advertising compensation from Pfaff Chiropractic? If so, it should clearly be disclosed in the article per FTC regulations.

Thanks!

 

[Bikewer]

It would be easier to buy one of John-David's (PHD!) Brain tune-up machines. There must be a few lying around in Goodwill stores by now.....