Part One - What is the Real Problem?
Does your child or anyone you know display the following behaviors?

• Squirming
• Getting up frequently
• Losing attention quickly
• Daydreaming frequently
• Writing poorly
• Writing laboriously
• Reversing letters or numbers
• Moving awkwardly or clumsily
• Avoiding athletics
• Developing athletic skills slowly

If the answer is, "Yes," and your child has been labeled hyperactive or as having attention-deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) or any other learning disability, we think you will find this book of great interest. Within it, we present compelling evidence that effectively challenges the current medical diagnosis and treatment of hyperactivity, ADD/ADHD, and many other behavioral and learning problems. If you have found that your life is dominated by the constant disruptive behavior of a child, we will provide you with a simple, logical, and accurate explanation of the real causes of this behavior, and we will offer you effective methods to eliminate behavior problems without the use of drugs.

Chapter 1: The Real Problem
Many children seem unable to sit still or function normally in school, home, and community situations where controlled behavior is expected. Parents of these children may find that their lives are dominated by the child's constant disruptive behavior. Frequently, these children are labeled hyperactive or described as having attention-deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) or some other learning disability. There is a simple, logical, and accurate explanation of the real cause of this behavior: these children are extremely uncomfortable, and their extreme discomfort has a real, physical basis.

Chapter 2: The Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex
Just what is this reflex that makes children so uncomfortable by pulling their bodies in two different directions? Knowing what the reflex is will help you to understand better how it may affect your children. The cure for the problem will make more sense if you understand the cause of the problem. To explain that cause, we will first review the early stages of child development. The Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) is supposed to be in control of a baby's body at the age of six months. The STNR helps a baby pull into a crawling position by straightening the baby's neck and arms while simultaneously bending the baby's legs. The STNR makes the top half of the body work opposite from the bottom half. But this reflex should not be in control of the child's body after the age of two years. If a baby does not crawl properly and for at least six months, the STNR will remain somewhat in control (immature) and can cause problems later on. When a child goes to school, an immature STNR can significantly interfere with the child's ability to sit still, pay attention, and write easily.
** All new, very important information on the unexpected negative results from putting babies on their backs too much.

Chapter 3: Looking for Clues to the Real Problem
Because of the frustration, aggression, and inflexibility that STNR children often display, many of them are misdiagnosed as having primary emotional problems that are causing their academic and behavioral difficulties. We are convinced that it is usually the other way around! Academic failure causes the emotional distress. Because of an immature STNR, most of these children fail to meet academic and behavioral demands. In many cases, the academic and behavioral problems are primary; the emotional problems are secondary, an emotional overlay. Postural clues-the way a child sits or doesn't sit-can be obvious indications of an immature STNR.

Chapter 4: Psychological Consequences of the STNR
Our clinical experience has convinced us that most STNR children do not have primary psychological problems. However, many of them do suffer psychological consequences caused by the interference of the STNR and by the misdiagnosis and mistreatment of the real problem - the STNR. An immature STNR can cause a child to exhibit the behaviors of hyperactive children, and it can affect the child's school performance. Although basic intelligence is not affected by the immature STNR, the STNR child's extreme discomfort in many school situations - particularly the appropriate sitting position - can interfere with academic performance. Maturing the STNR through therapeutic exercises can allow the child to function normally.