62 Playtimes July/August 2007 63

THE BRILLIANCE OF SMILE

Max Armstrong* was facing a life of eccentric behaviour and social ostracism until his family found SMILE. His mother, Elizabeth*, tells us of the highs and lows of living with Max and the overwhelming relief and gratitude at finding a life-changing therapy.

Our therapist gives my seven-year-old son Max a crazy straw – the sort of curly, wurly one for milkshakes which makes you suck really hard. We are near the end of a two-day session with SMILE (Specific Movement for Integrated Learning Effectiveness) which includes a three-hour evaluation and a video-recorded physical exercise program designed to help many children suffering from dyspraxia, dyslexia, ADD or ADHD. I am about to write a cheque for $HK5000 and this straw is supposed to help with my son’s inability to get dressed in the morning and poor handwriting! Hmmm.

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