Ingredients:
NourishLife speak™ contains a patented blend of concentrated and purified omega-3s from fish oil (EPA and DHA), natural vitamin E (d-alpha and d-gamma tocopherols), Vitamin K (K1 and K2), borage oil (GLA) and natural orange flavor in 1200 mg soft gelatin capsules.

NourishLife Speak Dosage Information / Questions:

1. How should I begin supplementing with speak?
2. What is the correct dosage of speak for my child’s height, weight, and age?
3. How often and at what times should I administer speak to my child?
4. How should I give speak to my child?
5. When should I begin to notice beneficial changes in my child?
6. Is speak effective for older children and does it take longer to start to work?
7. My child seems more emotional, weepy, agitated. Is this normal?
8. What are the possible side-effects of omega-3 and vitamin E supplementation?

1. How should I begin supplementing with speak?

If your child is not currently taking omega-3 fish oil or vitamin E supplements:
Start with 1 capsule of speak daily. After 2 weeks increase the dosage to 2 capsules daily until reaching a dosage of 4 capsules per day over 8 weeks. If you believe that your child will benefit from additional supplementation beyond 4 capsules, regardless of previous omega-3 supplementation, check with your healthcare practitioner (e.g.: Medical Doctor, Registered Dietitian, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Naturopathic Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy).

Suggested dosage plan for those not current taking fish oil or vitamin E supplements:

If your child is already taking individual fish oil and vitamin E supplements:

• First determine the current dosage amount of the active omega-3 (EPA and DHA) and vitamin E (if any) that your child is receiving with the existing supplement^* (usually listed clearly on the “Supplement Facts” panel. Be sure to determine the amount per serving or per capsule). This will provide you a baseline from which to start for an equivalent dosage. Some families administer both “High EFA” and “High EPA” supplements. Shown below is a chart illustrating the amounts of each ingredient and how 2 capsules of speak provide the essential equivalent to two capsules of the other supplements plus additional nutrients in speak provide added benefits and nutrient balance, not found in other omega-3 supplements.
  ^*Feel free to contact SpeechNutrients at 1-847-471-0358 if you have any questions.

• Once you have determined the amount you currently administering, select a comparable amount of speak and begin with that dosage (be sure to discontinue the other omega 3 supplements). Many families begin with 2 capsules of speak daily. After two weeks, increase intake to 3 capsules daily. And after another 2 weeks, increase intake to 4 capsules daily. Most families report success with a transition period, that is, replacing omega-3 in the current supplement with speak over time.

2. What is the correct dosage of speak for my child’s height, weight, and age?

Every child is different and you will know the “best” amount by knowing and observing your child. If your child is not currently taking omega-3, begin supplementing with one capsule daily (with food or snack) and increase slowly. Toddlers and smaller children may see the most benefit with 2 or 4 capsules per day, while older and larger children and adults may do best with 6 caps a day, divided throughout the day. We suggest working with your healthcare practitioner if you choose to use increased amounts. A guideline is that if you don’t see additional benefit with additional capsules, then stay with the lower dose.

3. How often and at what times should I administer speak to my child?

It is preferable to provide speak throughout the day during a child’s most active time – in the morning and afternoon, not at night. Start with the morning meal and divide the dosage throughout the day. For example, 2 capsules with breakfast and 2 with an afternoon snack. If your child is in school, you may ask your school nurse to administer the supplements. Depending on your state, you may need a note from your child’s doctor. If you are not able to provide supplements throughout the day, administer half the dosage in the morning and the balance with dinner (best not directly before bed as omega-3s may cause increased mental activity).

4. How should I give speak to my child?

Some children find it easy to swallow the capsule. Others bite the capsule (and swallow the gelatin shell or spit it out), many parents open (pierce) the capsules and mix the oil with non-heated foods (e.g. pudding, smoothie); others serve it on a spoon (with or without juice or fruit sauce) or squirt it directly into the mouth and follow with food. The product is in a larger capsule, thereby providing a complete serving in only 2 capsules. Remember, don’t mix the product with hot foods

5. When should I begin to notice beneficial changes in my child?

Every child is different and responses vary. Occasionally, families report beneficial changes in their children within the first few days of supplementation. Others notice advances in speech and coordination after several weeks. It is not uncommon to supplement for several months before significant progress is made including speech, coordination, and motor planning. A number of factors may influence a child’s response, such as consistency and dosage, co-existing conditions (GI issues, allergies), previous supplementation, transition time, and adherence to special diets.

The time of year can impact response as well due to summer allergies, winter cold and flu season, etc. It is recommended to administer speak on a daily basis (consistency is key) for a minimum of a 4 month period to determine if your child benefits from the nutrients in speak. Identifying and addressing underlying health issues may improve your child’s success. (GI problems and/or allergies are quite common in apraxic children and should be investigated.)

6. Is speak effective for older children and does it take longer to start to work?

Families have reported positive results in older children. It may take longer to see benefits in older children, depending on the child’s health status and health history and underlying GI issues and/or allergies. Follow the suggested use and increase over time.

7. My child seems more emotional, weepy, agitated. Is this normal?

Emotional outbursts and transient moods are common when children begin supplementing with omega-3 supplements. Each child is different. If your child has been ‘very compliant’, a change in this behavior may be considered normal. Parents have reported the “Tasmanian Devil” effect, where children become very active, oppositional but in time (2-3 weeks) rebalance.

8. What are some possible side-effects associated with omega-3 and vitamin E supplementation? (The issues described are typically associated with all omega-3 and vitamin E supplements – not unique to NourishLife speak.)

1.  Some children may experience loose stools when they begin supplementation with oil-based capsules; this usually resolves quickly (great for constipated kids!)
2. Moodiness, irritability, and emotional outbursts are commonly reported in children during the first few days/weeks of omega-3 supplementation; however, this usually comes with increased babbling, imitation of sounds, and eventually words to sentences.
3. Although theoretical, experts believe it is best to be off fish oil 2 weeks before a surgery due to increased bleeding risk, given the platelet effects of omega-3.
4.  Avoid using products such as ibuprofen (motrin, advil) or aspirin since they increase the risk of bleeding, so the combination (omega-3, vitamin E, and these medicines) could theoretically heighten the risk of bleeding. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be an option under the direction of your healthcare provider.
5. Individuals on blood thinners such as Coumadin should not be using fish oil and vitamin E.

Verbal Apraxia is a complicated issue and often multi-factorial. Many Apraxic children have underlying GI issues and until these problems are addressed may find limited results with speak or other supplements.