"According to Western European reports, many of them longitudinal studies, (Andersen,

1992; Connor & Rutter, 1999; Dalen, 2001): · International adoptees have significant academic problems and have higher need for remedial education than do their native-born peers.

• IA children are perceived by teachers as having attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder more often than are their classmates.
• The majority of international adoptees, by the end of formal schooling, reach the average educational level represented by the native-born comparison group and a higher level than the immigrant group of the same age.

Age at adoption is a significant predictor of level of educational attainment. For those who had arrived in their first years of life the difference in the length of education was less than for those arriving later."

http://www.bgcenter.com/BGPublications/Article%20in%20JCEP%20-%202005.pdf

From the Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology, "Cognitive, Language, and Educational Issues of Children Adopted from Overseas Orphanages"

Could it be from poor pre-natal care? Could it be from not having a loving mother bonding with the baby? Could it be from not having the best neural development during that important first year of life?

Could it be from retained primitive reflexes? Read the story below from a family who recently completed the primitive reflex exercises on the Maintaining Brains Everyday DVD, which is on sale until Friday (20% off - hurry!)

Cognitive Gains Seen Through Exercise

Woo! Hoo! I wish you could see him now that we have completed thirty days of the reflex exercises.

My son, Tim, was adopted from an Eastern European country when he was five years old. He spoke no English and did not pick up language very easily or quickly. Over the past thirteen years, he was diagnosed with auditory and visual processing disorders, dyslexia, long, short and working memory issues and finally about 2 years ago a diagnosis of PDD-NOS.

We tried many, many therapies to address each of these issues, individually, to no avail. We tried homeschooling, private schooling and public schooling. Still, nothing seemed to unlock his brain. One day while talking with Carol, I mentioned it was like Tim could not learn. She suggested that we try the primitive reflex integration exercises.

With nothing to lose, as a family, we did the exercises everyday, 10 minutes a day for 30 days. And wow, what a significant difference they made. His brain unlocked! For the first time ever, Tim is asking how and why questions, he is making decisions, he is making jokes, he is smiling and appears to be happy, he is maintaining eye contact, he is becoming socially aware, his anxiety seems to be gone! It is UNBELIEVABLE. If I had not witnessed it myself, I would not believe it.

Family, friends, neighbors and the psychiatrist have all asked, "What's going on with Tim? He's different." They have all noticed. We did not tell anyone (except Carol) that we were doing the reflex exercises. The psychiatrist told us to keep up the good work and asked for more information!

Right now, he is going through all the stages of childhood that he did not go through cognitively when he was younger. Recently, he was able to express to me that he was lonely. Before we did the exercises, he would not have been aware of this much less be able to express it. I tried to encourage him that it was a good thing, as it shows growth, progress, and awareness. We can now do something about it!

Now that his brain is unlocked and he has access to the higher parts of his brain, it is ready to be filled and developed. We started working online with Carol [Carol Brown, Equipping Minds] doing the Cognitive Therapy Workbook [The Academic Success Center Workbook, also on sale until January 31] 2 weeks ago. Tim is fully engaged and embracing the exercises with a new confidence that we have never seen. We can't wait to see what the next few months bring!

Encouraged and Blessed,
Tim's mom

http://equippingminds.com/cognitive-gains-seen-exercise/ 

If you know of a family who has adopted a child who struggles in school, please pass this on! This program was done by an 18 year old. Be aware that for a younger child, the Pyramid of Potential Series is recommended, that contains a more steady developmentally appropriate program.

The inexpensive home DVD is Maintaining Brains Everyday, which should be done every day for at least 30 days, and takes just 10 minutes a day. The Academic Success Center Workbook should be used after Maintaining Brains, every day for at least a half hour for  a couple of months to see AMAZING results, including the potential to increase IQ by as much as 20 points.

Both of these can be found at http://www.pyramidofpotential.com/store/ and are on sale now through January 31. Buy today while it's on sale, and start improving your brain!

Have a great week, 

Kathy Johnson