My brother was a very unique and cool kid! Most people would refer to him as a special needs child but I never looked at him that way. Ever wonder why we refer to them as “Special Needs"?
That never did sit well with me. First of all we All have needs in one way or another. I feel like it’s singling them out in a negative way. Maybe it’s just me.
Never the less… my brother was the coolest kid ever. He was my buddy! His name was Nelson and man oh days… I loved this kid! He called me Nun Nun. That was his nick name for me. Not because he thought it was cool or fun to have a nick name for me but the reality is… he was non-verbal. He could only voice "nun nun. My name is Verna, close enough, right?
He passed away very unexpectedly when he was 12 years old just 3 month after my husband and I got married. The pic above shows just how proud he was of us on our wedding day. The suddenness of his passing left me heart broken to say the least. The connection and bond I had with him was strong. Yes, he was nonverbal but he sure had personality. He was loved by everyone who ever met him, he was silly, inquisitive and... maybe not typical in the worlds eyes but in my eyes he was my brother. It didn't matter, I loved him just like he was.
One thing I wish...I wish we had access to oils back then. I think of so many ways the oils could have benefited him not only with his immune system but for brain health, stress levels and anxiety.
Because he was nonverbal… I set up a school room in my bedroom when I was 12 years old and he was 6. I was the teacher and he was my student. I wanted him to talk so badly so everyday I would flash a stack of flash cards in front of him and hoped that he could sound out the words for me. It never happened. Only girbish sounds like Nun Nun.
Nelson would be 59 years old today. I suppose if he was diagnosed today he would be on the autism spectrum and... looking back it changed who I am today. The privilege of being his sister has made me more aware of kids and adults who the world labels as “not typical” but... lets me see the beauty behind their eyes and look into their beautiful souls. I also have two nieces who are on the Autism spectrum and I love them to bits! They are blessed to have a mom that uses oils on a daily basis with them and… have seen great results.
Below are ways to use essential oils if your child or adult needs support emotionally or boost their immune system. The three main ways to use essential oils are aromatically, topically, and internally.
As always, when using essential oils on adults or children, you never want to put them directly into the eyes or ears. You also want to be aware of any blends that may contain citrus oils as these are photosensitive and should be avoided if being exposed to direct sunlight.
You may have to get creative with how you will get the oils into your child’s system, especially if they are sensitive to smells, but it can be done!
* Infuse sensory materials with essential oils, rice, DIY play dough, bubbles.
*Add ‘diffusers’ to the room where your child is working or playing…use cotton balls, corks, felt pads, anything that absorbs oil and place around the room.
*Diffuse while your child is not in the room, the effects will still linger but the scent won’t be as strong when they enter.
*Spray your child’s sheets with a calming blend about an hour BEFORE they go to bed.
*Add oils to everyday-use products like shampoos and lotions.Add Vitality oils to your child’s smoothies, drinks, or food.
*Be sure to avoid plastic containers when adding oils to food and drinks.
**As you begin to use essential oils on and around your child, it is best to start with just one oil at a time so you can appropriately determine the effects. Then build from there.
Common Oils...Though this is not an all-inclusive list, these are some of the most commonly used essential oils for children with special needs and the benefits they provide.
Vetiver - promotes calm and relaxation; can help with sensory-processing issues
Lavender - can help calm, relax, and balance emotions rooted in anger & frustration
CedarWood - can help promote peaceful and restorative sleep
Frankincense - can help with focus and can reduce negative emotions or reactions
Peppermint - soothing and can calm restlessness
Bergamot - increases feelings of wellbeing, relaxing for the mind and body
Valor - promotes courage and self-esteem
Peace & Calming - can help to calm nervous tension and promote relaxation
Focus & Concentration...There are many reasons a child may struggle with a lack of focus or concentration, some of which could include the following:
Separation anxiety
Fear of what others may think
Stress or trauma
Learning disorders
Let’s talk about a few Young Living options that can help with concentration!...Brain Power seems to be the first go-to for many parents in helping their children with better focus and concentration. This is one of my favorites for me!! It contains powerful oils such as Sacred Sandalwood, Cedar wood, Frankincense, Melissa, Blue Cypress, Lavender, and Helichrysum, which are very high in sesquiterpenes. Google the benefits of sesquiterpenes… very interesting. Diffuse or apply topically to the back of neck, brainstem, temples, or under the nose as needed.
There are plenty of other oils and supplements you can use to support your child’s focus and concentration. Dilute and apply the oils below to the back of neck, top of head, and their big toes. Allow your child to inhale these oils from the bottle or out of the diffuser. Remember that consistency is key with the use of essential oils and supplements.
Mindwise - an incredible supplement that gives the brain essential fatty acids to support normal brain function.
Mighty Zyme - an all-natural, vegetarian supplement designed to help children combat the negative effects of enzyme depletion, which is a precursor to body dysfunction that could impede growth and brain development.
Vetiver - an essential oil with a distinct earthy and grounding scent, which can help your child stay calm during tense times.
CedarWood is an essential oil high in sesquiterpenes, which makes your brain happy.
GeneYus is an essential oil blend with similar sesquiterpenes levels as Brain Power, which can help your child focus and concentrate on the task at hand! Plus it comes prediluted so it’s ready for use! Note: If your child has a nut allergy, you should NOT use this blend.
Clarity - an essential oil blend specifically designed to provide greater mental concentration and alertness.
Peppermint - an essential oil with an energizing aroma that boosts alertness. (Extra dilution suggested to decrease cooling sensation when applied topically.)
Here are a few other non-oily tips for increasing focus and concentration in children:
- Prepare an environment, free from distractions
- Establish a schedule or a routine
- Allow time for frequent breaks or a power nap
- Break large tasks or goals up into smaller ones
- Add more protein into their diet, which has the ability to raise concentration levels
For some children, the lack of flexibility in their thinking can make a seemingly simple task of transitioning from one activity or place to another extremely challenging. There are several different strategies you can employ and oils you can use to help your kiddo stay calm and accept these transitions.
Transitioning Strategies:
- Clearly define how long the task or activity will last using a timer or some other visual cue.
- Allow your child to see what is coming next by using pictures or creating a schedule.
- As much as possible, stay consistent in your daily routines and transitions.
- Plan ahead and don’t rush; this will only cause added stress for you and your child.
Suggested Oils:
Surrender - helps one surrender control
Acceptance - opens the mind to accepting new things
Grounding - promotes feelings of stability and balance
Common Sense & Brain Power - help to support clear thinking
Ylang Ylang - boosts confidence and balances emotions
Northern Lights Black Spruce & Idaho Blue Spruce - promote feelings of confidence and calm
White Angelica - repels negative emotions and energies; known as the “tantrum tamer” oil
Please keep in mind, all children are different. You may need to try a few different oils to find the one that works best for your child. All of these oils can be diffused or applied topically. As we talked about previously, dilute as needed. Allow your child to choose an oil, ask them what scents they prefer, and how they feel after using it. Sometimes they know better than we do!
The following essential oils are not recommended if you have epilepsy. Note that this is not a full and complete list:
- Eucalyptus Essential oil
- Fennel Essential oil
- Lavender (Spike Essential Oil) I find that regular Lavender is perfectly fine.
- Sage Essential oil
- Yarrow Essential Oil
- Rosemary Essential Oil (all types)
- Wintergreen
- Please do your research ....
Moms, family members and caregivers ... Here are some oils I recommend to help you get through the challenges of everyday life.
- Stress Away: Melt away the tensions of the day.
- Valor: This blend creates feelings of courage and confidence.
- Forgiveness: This blend helps release hurt feelings and negative emotions.
- Acceptance: This blend allows you to overcome feelings of denial and be open to accepting new things.
- White Angelica: This blend dispels negativity and creates feelings of peace, calm, and security.
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