Integrative Insights: A Multispeciality talk on supporting learners – Crowne Plaza Chengdu Nov 2024
The event also featured amazing talks from:
🔹 Dr. Kristie Craigen, who showed how psychometric testing helps us truly understand what students need, using empowering affirmative language to encourage and support the person vs. just giving a label.
🔹Dr. Bernadette Wong, who explored the parent-child dynamic and how emotional well-being plays into development. Her fluency in Mandarin and English in explaining to the parents and teachers brought many a thankful teary eye amongst the attendees.
🔹Noel Roberts, whose insights on using AI to support student mental health clearly reflected his 40+ years of commitment to special education and student support.
The essence of Dr Sonal’s contribution to the evening is well represented by young budding journalist Ms Ava Craigen, age 13yrs
Supporting Learning With Evidence Based
Nutritional Medicine
by Ava Craigen
Dr. Sonal Hattangdi-Haridas is largely known for her work as a multi award-winning nutritional medicine specialist and registered homoeopathic doctor as well as director at Maya Health Institute, with 26 years of clinical experience and a masters degree in nutritional medicine from the University of Surrey .
However, one area of expertise that Dr. Sonal is most passionate about is benefiting children in need of support. Whether a child requires support in behavioural, environmental, biological or physiological aspects, Dr.Sonal has established therapeutic solutions that are heavily backed by scientific-evidence.
The conference began with the presentations of Dr. Sonal’s various colleagues such as, Mr. Noel Roberts, Dr. Bernadette Wong and Dr. Kristie Craigen. All of them provided the parents, educators and others in the psychology field who attended the gathering with necessary information to enhance and adapt child development and learning.
For starters Dr. Craigen, the founder of Craigen Evaluations, discussed how psychologists should shift away from the medical model of psychological assessment reports. Dr. Wong, a practising psychologist in Hong Kong stressed the idea of integrating positive reinforcement whilst parenting. Mr. Roberts, CEO at ReMynd Student Services introduced Bobby AI, a tool that aids schools in teaching and counselling. After the three very enlightening presentations were made an intermission was taken so that the countless people in the room could reflect and digest the information at hand; this also gave Dr. Sonal a chance to connect with the audience on a more personal level. During this time she demonstrated multiple admirable attributes that represent her witty, intelligent and caring personality, something that I experienced first hand during the week long trip.
Dr. Sonal was introduced by Mr. Roberts where he stated that it was his “pleasure to formally present this wonderful woman.” and that “her comprehensible approaches have earned the respect of medical and allied health professionals world wide”. Dr. Sonal then began her presentation by thanking everyone in the audience for taking the time to assist children and their many needs that should not be ignored. She then expressed her gratitude to the commitment that the audience had taken in wanting to change and add to the educational system. Furthermore Dr.Sonal demonstrated the many examples of what certain symptoms may indicate about a person’s environment as well as what that can mean for a child’s future accommodations. The first image, a child with allergies, the second a person suffering from stomach issues, third a person with lack of sleep, the fourth a person with ringing in their ears as well as nausea and headaches and lastly a child that is often distracted during lesson time. Dr. Sonal then recounted that she often suffered from this during her early years in school, ridiculed by one teacher in particular that taunted her repeatedly. She then emphasised the fact that by doing this educators can often damage a child’s mental health, stating that “I wished my physics teacher was here today to see me talking to other educators.”.
Dr. Sonal also shared that she was very glad to be surrounded by supportive and understanding teachers that help children achieve, acknowledging that “these teachers are the reason that I’m standing here today.” As a student myself I recognise and appreciate teachers who take on this approach and I personally believe that even one educator can be integral towards a pupils future.
Additionally Dr.Sonal confessed that she had originally intended to only practise medicine however, once she saw more and more patients she realised that “to help people with their health you also need to help them with their mind and thoughts”. So in order to branch out and benefit more people Dr. Sonal undertook a further study and pursued certifications in family counselling, women and child health, child development as well as a certificate from Harvard Medical School on formulating diet plans.
Dr.Sonal made a point that in being so specialised across many areas within families, she could often pinpoint early signs of certain diseases or developmental problems in order to make the treatment time faster for children. One example of this is Dr. Sonal’s study on the fact that children and people with eczema have a much lower level of vitamin D in their blood, compared to those without eczema that have larger quantities of vitamin D. Infact Dr. Sonal’s study was the “first in the world to prove the dosage of vitamin D that can reduce the eczema in a patient within three months.”
Furthermore Dr.Sonal also presented studies on the correlation between iodine levels in a child’s body and that child’s IQ, emphasising the importance and effects of micronutrients. After this Dr. Sonal presented one of her case studies in which a blind and autistic teenager grappled with violent behavioural issues. Dr. Sonal’s methods had made it so this boy who originally could not hold a conversation and suffered with sensory issues was now demonstrating social connection and decreased violent tendencies, even though his parents had almost “given up on him”. This accentuates the pattern that Dr.Sonal suggested she was seeing often, children with ADHD and allergies commonly were given other remedies for a specific doctor’s speciality rather than looking at the bigger picture.
Dr.Sonal stated that it was like “ Four blind men and an elephant.”
However Dr. Sonal did warn the audience that some supplements, especially vitamins can often contain colourings that can increase symptoms for example hyperactivity within children diagnosed with ADHD looking for holistic alternatives. She stated that it is important to always consult with trained experienced professionals.
To close the conference Dr. Sonal suggested how teachers can identify children who may be having issues in the classroom. Nevertheless educators should not just turn to a behavioural/psychological diagnosis right away, they should try their best to understand what else is going on that may be affecting the child including physiological issues.
Making sure to ask questions about the child’s environment, sleep, diet or even if their body has changed in any way, with rashes or bumps. This evidence could possibly be affecting the child’s attention in the classroom. Dr.Sonal ended the talk by sharing an impactful statement toward the crowd “There is always an inside story to what is going on, on the outside of every child”
Overall Dr. Sonal gave an extremely evocative talk by keeping the perfect balance of humor and intrigue with a calm and confident stage presence. The audience felt extremely understood by her and based on their reactions and questions I believe they felt that they could trust and learn from Dr. Sonal, as I certainly know I did.
Hi, I’m Ava Craigen, a thirteen year old student at an International school in Hong Kong, member of the swim team for three years as well as the football team. Winning the ISSFHK silver division championships for two years running. I am also a year group representative and member of the student council, helping to voice my classmates wants, needs and concerns. For this I have won multiple awards in various subjects such as, The Pursuit of Excellence, English and Design Technology.