Total Load Theory and the Power of AND

In this episode, we speak about the power of AND and how valuable it is to hold different perspectives to better serve our children. We have been convinced that in order to be neurodiversity affirming, we should ignore the determinants of health such as sleep, nutrition, stressors on the body from environmental factors etc. The power of AND teaches us that we can hold true many different ways to support our children all based on respect for their humanity first and foremost.

 Total Load Theory has been a game changer in how we both support families and children. When we speak about determining a child’s total load, what does that mean? Every human body has an individual load limit. One can handle only a certain number of stressors  before the body begins to show symptoms of breakdown. To understand a child's total load is to take into consideration ALL potential internal/external stressors and to determine how best to decrease these in order for that child to thrive. 

Some helpful resources as discussed in this episode:

1. Documenting Hope

https://documentinghope.com/

https://documentinghope.com/total-load-theory/

2. Breathe Institute

https://thebreatheinstitute.com/

3. Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration -  (MNRI Method)

https://masgutovamethod.com/the-method/how-mnri-method-works

4.Book: Outsmarting Autism by Patricia Lemer