The Dirty 15

Today, a new study I had posted about earlier in Neurotoxicity reveals children may be at a higher risk of developing cognitive and behavioral issues such as autism spectrum disorders, ADHD and dyslexia, due to exposure to chemicals.

The researchers from the Lancet Neurology Journal are calling this a “global, silent pandemic of neurodevelopmental toxicity” in children.

There were five neurotoxins discussed from the research in 2006: lead, methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, arsenic, and toluene. Now new research is including six more chemicals: manganese, fluoride, chlorpyrifos, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, tetrachloroethylene, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

“The greatest concern is the large numbers of children who are affected by toxic damage to brain development in the absence of a formal diagnosis...They suffer reduced attention span, delayed development, and poor school performance. Industrial chemicals are now emerging as likely causes.”says study author Philippe Grandjean, of the Harvard School of Public Health.

Today research is showing that over 200 chemicals are being found in newborn's cord blood. This is disturbing because "the developing human brain is incredibly vulnerable to chemical exposures, both in utero and in early childhood, and these changes can be lifelong,” states Forbes.

What are some of the toxins that are harmful?

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB): These chemicals have been associated with reduced cognitive function in infancy and childhood. It is found in foods (fish) and it can be passed along by breast milk.

Arsenic: Linked to reduced cognitive function in children. Possibly absorbed through drinking water. Also used as herbicides and antimicrobial additives for animal feed.

Methylmercury: high levels in the bloodstream of unborn babies and young children may harm the developing nervous system. Avoid fish known to be contaminated with methylmercury.

Toluene: Maternal exposure has been linked to brain development problems and attention deficit in the child. It is toxic to respiratory, and nervous systems.

Lead: Found in air, soil, water and homes from fossil fuels, batteries, gas, ceramics and paints. Associated with behavior, lower IQ, hyperactivity and slow growth.

Fluoride: High levels of this chemical has been connected with a 7 point decrease in IQ in children.

Tetrachloroethylene (perchlorethylene): Linked to hyperactivity and aggressive behavior, and increased risk of psychiatric diagnosis.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs): These flame retardants are banned now, but believed to be neurotoxins. They are found in bedding, electronics, upholstery and foam to name a few. Prenatal exposure has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in the child. It is also linked to decreased fertility, birth defects, thyroid problems and hormone disruption.

Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl): Used as cosmetic preservatives, food additives/preservatives. Is an estrogen-like hormone disruptor and has been found in breast cancer tumors. It is toxic to the nervous and immune system, is a skin irritant, and possible carcinogen.

Sodium lauryl sulfate/Sodium laureate sulfate/SLS: foaming agent in shampoo, body washes, facial cleansers, bubble bath and baby products. It is linked to cancer.

Phthalates: A group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. Also used in soaps, shampoos, hairspray, fragrances and nail polish. Has a high concern of being an endocrine disruptor, and creating high toxicity to organs. Avoid #3 recycling label.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): Found in cosmetic cream bases and toothpaste. Linked to brain, liver and kidney damage in high doses.

Propylene Glycol (PG): Found in cosmetic creams, toothpaste, deodorants, sunscreens, body washes, lotions and even soda. It is also linked to brain, liver and kidney damage in high doses.

Triclosan: Commonly found in toothpaste, anti-bacterial soap, mouthwash, deodorant, lotions and detergents. It is linked to creating resistant bacteria, cancer, liver damage and is a probable hormone disruptor.

BPA: used to make plastics and resins. Found in containers that store food, water bottles, drink cans, and receipts. It can imitate estrogen in the body and potential effects show links to heart disease, intestinal damage, infertility, and developmental and behavioral problems in children.

Check out the toxicity level of what you use at home at:

www.ewg.org/skindeep

www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners

Spot it!

Introducing new games at work that help develop a multitude of skills keeps OT treatment fun as it should be! I love games that travel easily, and Spot it! is one of them.  So instead of keeping kids busy with electronics when out and about, this game can be easily carried around to provide entertainment wherever you go!  

Spot it! includes a deck of round cards that have 8 (or 6-Spot it! Jr.) different objects on it.  Each card has one match to another card.  The game includes various suggestions on how you can play, but the object is to find the matching object on each card.

Spot it! can also be used to improve:

Visual Tracking Skills: to find a match you have to track visually from one card to the other.

Visual Perceptual Skills: by identifying the matching objects children are building visual perceptual skills.

Focus and Sustained Attention: to work on this, you can change the amount of cards you give to the child to match, and increase the amount of cards, as their attention improves.  You can also keep track of how frequently you have to remind the child to keep their eyes on the cards, even when it may be challenging to find the match.

Spot it! has various versions. Some favorites are the Halloween deck and the alphabet deck. Love them!

        

35 Verses to Combat Worry

God has asked us not to worry, but to trust Him completely.  I've been aiming to be intentional with keeping patient and trusting fully in God.  For His ways are better than mine all the time.  While learning and growing in this area, I have made a list of verses to turn to and meditate on.

No matter what comes up, He is in control, and these verses serve as a reminder.  Here are 35 verses to help combat stressful situations and worrisome thoughts. (Various translations)

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 31:25 "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future."

Matthew 6:27 "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?"

Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself."

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Romans 8:28 "And we know all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose."

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future."

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you."

Ephesians 6:10-11 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

John 14:27 "Peace I leave you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

Matthew 10:19-20 "When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.  For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

Matthew 6:25-26 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and you your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?

Isaiah 35:4 "Say to those who have an anxious heart, "Be strong; fear not! Behold your God will come with vengeance with the recompense of God. He will come and save you."

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Psalm 73:23-26;28  "Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Proverbs 12:25 "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down but a good word makes him glad."

Romans 8:31 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Psalm 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times, pour your hearts out to Him, for God is our refuge."

Psalm 94:19 "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." Psalm 118:6 "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?"
Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Psalm 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears."  Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Romans 12:12 "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."
Isaiah  43:1-5 "But now, this is what the Lord says-He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life."
Psalm 107:13-14 "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains."
Isaiah 54:10 "For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you."
Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
Romans 8:6 "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace."
Zephaniah 3:17 "For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." 
Hebrews 13:5-6 For He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid."
Romans 16:20 "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you."
No one can pray and worry at the same time. -Max Lucado
Do you have favorite verses that you turn to when you are stressed or anxious?