It has been a long time since I’ve head such a report from a mother. Her son went from hating to read to ~ well…. I’ll repeat what she told me:

“There have been days when my son and I have come into conflict over his ND program. He gets tired of doing the activities. Quite frankly, I get tired too, somedays!  However, I must admit we are noticing some very positive results. Lately, he’s gotten interested in airplanes. I have noticed once in a while I’d catch him reading about airplanes - on his own!  I thought I’d get him a really neat book on airplanes for his upcoming birthday. 

We celebrated his birthday with guests over for dinner. Suddenly he was missing from the celebration. I started looking for him. I found him in his room with the door closed. I discovered him browsing his new airplane book!  Reminding him of our guests, he was told to join his friends and family, as it was his party and he needed to be in attendance. There would be some time later to check out his new book. 

We had a great time and it was very late when company left. We all headed for bed. As I was making my final rounds checking to see all doors were locked, I noticed a stream of light underneath his door. I opened it and here he was reading! I told him it was late, to turn out the light and go to sleep. Then I went to my room exhausted. I had just laid down when I realized I’d not turned off the coffee pot. Quietly I returned to the kitchen to take care of this final chore and as I passed his room - there was a noise. I looked and saw a diffused glow from under his door! Silently I opened his door and there was a tent fashioned out of his sheet. The glow was from a flash light. I tip toed over to his bed and slowly lifted the corner of the sheet to see what he was doing. Here he sat with his legs crossed, hiding so he could read!  Amazed at this sight, I never said a word. I replaced the sheet, retraced my steps out of his room and pulled the door to the jam.  As I made my way down the hall, tears welled up, because it was then I realized, “He’s reading and loving it…. he’s like a normal kid… curious and seeking information from a book!”  I am so grateful we stuck with the neurodevelopmental program. It’s given him access to a world I didn’t know he’d ever experience! Thanks to Jan Bedell and all at Little Giant Steps, we are blessed more than you can imagine!”

Hi,I’m Joey.  I’m 10.  I like to fish with my dad. I’ve been on my ND program for what seems like forever. (9 months)  At first I wasn’t so sure about the ND stuff.  I like Miss Jan. She said I was smart but my brain was playing tricks on me. That was why I couldn’t remember all the stuff I was supposed to in school.  I let her know I hated school. She said if I did my program every day things would get better. I might even get so I liked school. HA! Fat chance!  My mom and dad made me do all the things for 4 months.  When I went back for my tests I was surprised because I did better.  I came up a whole year in my math. I was below my grade level in math. I hope this helps you. I can not say I like school much more but I am doing better.  That is all for now.  Joey

Hi all,

The kids corner is devoted to kids who are clients or have been clients and know what being on program is all about.    We hope to give you inspiration, new ideas, and a place where you can chat with your friends (especially about your program and just life in general)! 

   IT IS NOT ABOUT RELIGION, IT IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIP!  We thought our teens would really enjoy visiting this site. It was made with them in mind.  There are devotions, bible studies and discussions about things teens have under consideration.

We have things to offer younger children, as well.  Here’s a fun coloring opportunity, not to mention much, much more!

   Here is a site that all young people who enjoy coloring, will like. There are loads of pages to download for coloring and links to other parts of the site with stories, mazes, video and many other interesting things.  Enjoy! 

I thought I’d share a good resource for you and your child.  As you know, we talk about auditory processing a great deal, because it is such a key to learning.  If your auditory processing is low (which is more the case than not these days) you are affected globally - areas of reading, writing, comprehending, and motor skills.  To increase auditory processing abilities, the activity must be “listening.” Here’s a great publication and CD  for those important “listening” times.  Remember, you or your child can listen while in the car, while playing on the floor - building castles or dressing up the dolls!   Meet Axel. from our website:

   1. Axel Galench Series - These wonderful CDs and books are written by Rooster Morris.  Here’s what Jan Bedell has to offer on the subject:  “Not since my 3rd grade teacher read us The Adventures of Mrs. Piggle Wiggle (dates me I know) have I been so entertained. Rooster Morris has hit a great balance between appeal to young children and subtle humor that keeps teens on their toes to catch it all. The main character Axle, inspires integrity, honesty and fundamental truths of good triumphing over evil. Rooster’s recordings are amazing as he depicts each cleverly named character with different voices. From my professional stand point, the recordings will accelerate reading abilities as children follow along in the book while Rooster skillfully dramatizes the written word.”  Jan Bedell,  Certified Neurodevelopmentalist.  Jan suggests the  following way to use these books and CD recordings to advance reading ability:
      a. Have the child listen to the whole book on CD through twice.
      b. On the third time through the child follows along in the book as the words are read on the CD.

2. Other books available with wonderful interactive computer games  to help in the same manner are:

     a. Dick & Jane  -   Dick & Jane In a Flash

     b. First Steps  - First Steps In A Flash

     c.  Info To Know - excellent listening to increase knowledge of the world around them (plus raise their auditory processing abilities!)

     d.  Be Positive - I must share what this parent said after her son began listening to this CD:  “My son LIKES the Be Positive CD; as a matter of fact, he now seems to readily apologize for mistakes/misconduct–something he has NEVER been known to do. While we were talking a couple of weeks ago, he told me that something was “delightful”. (!!!) That sure brightened my day! (Need I point out that he never, ever has been known to say positive things–much less pleasant?!) I have also noted an improvement with willingness to cooperate and in a general sense, there is a slightly noticeable improvement in relationships with people… (Not constant, and not huge–but YAHOO!!) I hesitated to buy this CD because I didn’t want to waste my money, knowing how much my very-negative child would hate listening to it. I’m so glad I was wrong about this one!!!”       E. W., Kerrville, TX 12/07

From time to time we will share the joy of some of our clients.  Today, here’s what Steven  has to say:

 “I can’t believe how much this program has helped me.  It changed my life!  Immediately in the sports I can see the ball traveling at 65-70 mph coming straight at me and I can hit it.  My stats were 21 at bat and 15 hits and that is incredible for me.  I think I was one of the best on the team.  I went from the bottom of the batting order to close to the top!”  Steven Schuetz age 14 Congratulations Steven!  It always thrills us when we see what is possible when people such as yourself have done the program and then experienced all of the wonderful side benefits!  Not only is learning made easy, but life becomes more fun and satisfying, because our potential is enhanced in all areas!  God bless you and your parents efforts in truly changing your life for the better! ~ the LGS Staff

30 short pages boldly declare a statement of truth that can ignite a revolution against historical “mud slinging” and set a young generation free of dyslexia.  Truth has the power to set folks free.  Knowing the truth about the root causes of dyslexia can empower pioneers to blaze a trail through traditional mindsets and perhaps stop an epidemic of learning disabilities that currently claims the lives of one in five children. Does anyone care about these disheartened children?  Will anyone help their struggling families?  Is anyone brave enough to champion a life-saving effort?  Is anyone willing to sing a new freedom song? Jan Bedell, mother of a mentally challenged young adult, has sacrificially labored for two decades – 16 years to work with dyslexic children.  The neurodevelopmental approach has successfully addressed root causes of dyslexia and set them free of debilitating symptoms.  Dyslexia is no longer a death sentence.  There is hope!  Jan Bedell is helping families.  Jan Bedell is singing a freedom song! This spring Jan Bedell is writing her final paper to obtain a Master’s in Special Education Degree from Texas Tech University.  The abstract is entitled, “Dyslexia:  The Neurodevelopmental Approach.”  Results from her volumes of research on dyslexia could only be summarized in 37 short pages for her professor.  The remaining details must wait for publishing in a book. We applaud your pioneering efforts, Jan Bedell!  Thank you for dedicating your professional life to the study of the root causes of dyslexia, ADD and other learning disabilities.  Thousands of families have been helped and are deeply grateful for your neurodevelopmental solutions.  Sing on!  Sing loud!  Sing strong a Freedom Song!

Learning can be made easy! How? With all learning problems there is a root cause that can be identified and remedied. When the brain and body are communicating efficiently then sensory input is improved and the learning process can become a joy. Learning Disabilities has become an epidemic in the United States. Labels like Dyslexia, ADD/ ADHD, PDD (Developmental Delays), and Autism. These labels have invaded the lives of children and their families and have forever changed the landscape of education. Has the joy of learning been diminished? Yes, it has without a doubt.  The professionals at Little Giant Steps are trained to utilize the Neurodevelopmental Approach and have had many years of success in making learning fun again! We address these “symptoms” by using a two-fold assessment. First, using a battery of educational tests, a baseline for math, reading and comprehension is established.  Next, a developmental evaluation where nine levels of development in six areas of function are assessed.  This information gives the neurodevelopmentalist the basis for writing an individualized program.   The program will address the root causes. The one common element in all learning issues, from our point of view, has to do with sensory dysfunction. Built into the brain is the element of neuroplasticity  which is the natural ability of the brain to repair those areas that are deficient, incomplete, or damaged. We firmly believe that we can make a difference in the lives of our clients because we’ve seen it over and over again. Learning can truly be made a joyful experience that will last a lifetime. 

Special children with Special Needs bring so many wonderful things to us.  Often when we least expect it, they can tell us things that only when we’ve had time to gain perspective, does the “light” go on. One of those teaching moments happened when my preschooler, who we would learn later, had severe Dyslexia.  When I asked him about his struggle with his gross and fine motor skills, he replied, “I have trouble doing things because I have “fluffy hands”!  It took me several years to figure out what he was telling me.  When I became aware of  The Neurodevelopmental Approach his “fluffy hands” mystery was solved.  The only way he could describe the lack of sensation was to tell me what he experienced.  I came to learn that crawling (which he didn’t do) is a crucial step in developing lower level brain organization.  Without developing strong neuro-pathways which carry signals from his limbs to his brain, the registering of clear tactile messages wasn’t happening. Therefore his gross and find motor skills were “lagging.”  He was suffering from Developmental Delays.  I am glad to report it was not a life sentence! I learned how to help my child through brain stimulating activities that would create the much needed pathways and improve the communication between the brain and body. I am so grateful for The Neurodevelopmental Approach!  My child is totally functional because of it!  Find out more at http://www.littlegiantsteps.com/

WELCOME to Little Giant Steps (LGS) blog where equipping families with information to help their children reach their full potential is our main goal; whether it be for advancing a young child’s development or preventing/treating learning difficulties. For future reference, we will be posting items of interest concerning child development and tools for academic success several times a month. Whether it’s Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, Autism, or one of many labels involved in learning difficulties; LGS has been helping people, both young and old to succeed academically and leave those symptoms behind utilizing The Neurodevelopmental Approach. A quote from Jan Bedell, our founder states our philosophy, “Say “No” to labels and “Yes” to hope. What the future holds is not predetermined or preset ~ what the future holds is based on specific opportunities presented to the child or individual. When something different is done for the child’s brain development, the results can be entirely different.” Please join us with your comments, questions and helpful hints.  “Special Teaching Moments” is new area we’d love you to post those special and precious moments you’ve experienced with your child or family member.  We desire this part of our blog to be an encouragement, or bring a smile. Be looking for that topic in the coming weeks. Please share those special, sweet moments, or even those profound insights that only children can bring to our lives.