Category: Achievement And Wellness Blog

Her adoptive parents were not seeing progress in the placement she was in, and some problematic behaviors appeared to be escalating. They believed the setting was not a good fit for Louise, and they withdrew her.  Parents were hoping for an alternative to the myriad of medications and behavioral plans that seemingly were not effective in managing Louise’s behaviors. They were advised to consider neurofeedback as an option. 

They came to our office for neurofeedback, a form of brain wave biofeedback. After the initial treatment, parents noticed that she was much less impulsive in stores.  Behavior at restaurants was calmer around food issues. During the sessions she appeared calm and pleasant, reporting that she was feeling calmer.

Louise has completed 12 sessions and her social skills are already improving.  She is re-enrolled in a different less restrictive school and making satisfactory progress. Parents are very pleased with Louise’s progress so far and are looking forward to re-integrating her with the family shortly

It is very encouraging to see Louise make such great progress.  The expectation is that with continued treatment she will be able to live a more normal and happy life with her family and peers.  Her future appears much brighter with better emotional, and behavioral balance.

The quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) is a specialized analysis of the electroencephalograms that can take EEG information, compare it with the brain activity of normal age mates, and provide a visual diagram of the brainwave activity.  The information includes details about the individual’s efficiency of information processing or connectivity.

Clinicians incorporate QEEG data into specific neurofeedback treatment plans that address the identified processing deficits.  The specific treatment plan is carefully tailored to the needs of the individual and the improvements are remarkable.  These improvements include more efficient processing and functional skills.

Our office is equipped to provide QEEGs as a diagnostic tool for specific processing problems and neurofeedback as a treatment.    Progress is easily observed and easily measured by a re-evaluation using a QEEG after a period of time. 

Even though the brain changes slowly, progress with neurofeedback can be seen almost immediately.  Training needs to continue over time to reinforce more efficient neural pathways. Individuals and their families report positive and happier outcomes from keeping up with their treatment. These changes are permanent and can continue improving over time.

More information about QEEGs and autism can be found at the International Society of Neurofeedback Research website, ISNR.org.

Neurofeedback is also effective with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, learning disabilities, head injuries and migraines.  

Efforts with medication were not helpful, due to their numerous undesirable side effects. Talk therapy was of limited value, since his lack of focus and follow through interfered with the goals of psychotherapy.  Nothing he tried seemed to have the positive lasting effect he desired.

After Stanley’s first session, he felt less edgy.  His energy and mood levels were more level and not rushed.  He was optimistic about the positive effects he was feeling from the first session.  Since neurofeedback involves brain wave training and balancing brain waves, he will need to continue treatment on a twice weekly schedule.  He finds time in his busy work schedule to attend sessions and reports longer positive treatment effects. 

Stanley’s progress continues satisfactorily.  If he plateaus in his treatment, we will do a quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) to uncover any other areas of brainwave imbalance that may be interfering with his progress.

With neurofeedback, it is not necessary for individuals to struggle with sub par performance when they can be on top of their game and successful.

Neurofeedback has been accepted as a level one treatment by the American Academy of Pediatriacs for ADD and ADHD. The quantitative electroencephalogram has been accepted by the FDA as a diagnostic instrument for ADD and ADHD

She believed her anti anxiety medication did not help and she wanted to try something different that she hoped would have a better outcome.  During the consultation she was given a trial session of neurofeedback, where she experienced a calmness that was unfamiliar to her.  She agreed to start a treatment plan for a twice weekly session.  Early in her treatment, her self-reports indicated that she began to have more energy and better concentration, and less tension in her neck and back.  As treatment progressed, she was pleasantly surprised when she continued to remain calm despite the stressors around her.   Over time, as Alice held her training longer, her sessions were at less frequent intervals.  Currently, Alice comes every other week for a session.  She continues to maintain a healthy lifestyle without medication for anxiety, and she attributes her newfound peace to neurofeedback.

Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback whereby a system of rewards trains positive brainwaves.  Neurofeedback reduces the undesirable brainwaves that are responsible for anxiety as well as other emotional and behavioral problems. These can include depression, head injury, bipolar disorder, concussion, Autism and learning disabilities.  Positive effects of Neurofeedback have been found to be long lasting and without negative side effects.

The hypothalamus, a regulatory structure located at the base of the brain, is the control center for the master gland, the pituitary gland. Many important bodily functions owe their effectiveness to specific instructions from these two regulatory centers in the brain. These include changes in blood pressure, body temperature, weight regulation, fertility, insomnia, short stature and fluid retention.

The food supplements, primarily used to enhance the taste of food, are used only in very small but extremely powerful amounts. Their effectiveness in enhancing taste of food has a destructive effect on the very tiny control center, the hypothalamus. The following presentation by Dr. Blaylock provides a very important but useful explanation into this most compelling and harmful relationship between excitotoxins, brain function and bodily responses.

Video from the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback Conference – April 2018

Alan’s treatment addressed his depression as well as anxiety which also appeared to be an issue. After the first session, Alan reported that he slept better, felt happier, calmer, and relaxed. Even though poor motivation was a contributing factor to his situation, after several sessions he reported feeling more motivated. Forgetfulness and inattention were being reported and were also included as part of his treatment plan. Alan was a quiet type and although he was not a good self-reporter, he was beginning to smile more, and report increases in activities, interests, and improved grades. He was also able to begin and enjoy a part-time job.

Alan successfully and happily completed his high school years and began college with no difficulty. He is motivated, smiles more, has a job and is successful in college seeking a career of his choice. He reports that he is very motivated to succeed in college life.

Gradually as Alan’s improvement continued, his sessions were reduced. Currently his sessions have been reduced to every 4 weeks with no symptoms of anxiety or depression in the interim. He is feeling very confident and competent with his life situation. Eventually, he will wean off completely as his brain continues to produce the new balanced brainwave patterns.

Neurofeedback is a non-invasive form of brainwave biofeedback that rewards and trains the positive waves that are consistent with more balanced emotional, behavioral, and cognitive states.

Her treatment plan consisted of neurofeedback, counseling, and autogenic training. After starting treatment, she reported improvement with having more energy, being able to express herself better. She reported better concentration, feeling calmer and more relaxed, feeling happier, more awake and alert.

Autogenic training, a form of abdominal breathing, helped her to manage stressors, maintain control and self-regulate on a regular basis.

Overtime as treatment progressed, she began to engage more with her friends, and began traveling. Her confidence built until she was able to help plan and manage events and activities with her church group.

She continually remarks how happy she has become, and how she is enjoying her life happily reengaging with the people around her. As her self-confidence and successes increased, her sessions were spaced out. Empowerment is clearly evidence by the pleasant lifestyle she has adopted and is enjoying. Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback that rewards the positive brainwaves that relate to positive emotional, behavioral and cognitive states. These result in a positive and fulfilling lifestyle.

Laura was referred to our office by a friend soon after her injury. Because of the head injury, a Quantitative Electroencephalogram (QEEG) was administered to assess the damage. Information from the QEEG indicated damage along the left frontal, temporal and posterior region. It was consistent with the information from the accident where it was determined she had an injury to the left cheekbone, suggesting an impact with the steering wheel.

After the first session, she reported more energy, feeling calmer and more relaxed, less hyper, and happier. Gradually, over time, Laura began feeling more balanced. Her progress was slow at first, but over time improvements came in language fluency, emotional balance, sleep and reduced anxiety. She gradually began resuming her normal activities as her healing progressed. Currently, se feels well enough to seek new employment. She smiles more and is cheerful which are things that were not possible at first.

As Laura continues to heal, she will be able to return to a permanent normal lifestyle. Something that would otherwise not happen without treatment.

Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that rewards positive waves and over time the brain learns the new brainwaves and more positive emotional, cognitive and behavioral balance.

Research, led by Sophie Molkolm at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, identifies processing deficits as part of the problem with the ‘autistic brain.’

Malcolm’s studies have established a relationship between the severity of a child’s autism and deficits in process­ing of sensory information. The quantitative electro­encephalogram (QEEG) is a specialized analysis of the electroencephalograms that can take EEG information, compare it with the brain activity of normal age mates, and provide a visual diagram of the brainwave activity.

The information includes details about the individual’s efficien­cy of information processing or connectivity. Clinicians incorporate QEEG data into specific neurofeedback treatment plans that address the identified processing deficits. The specific treatment plan is carefully tailored to the needs of the individual and the improve­ments are remarkable.

These improvements include more efficient processing and func­tional skills. QEEG is used as a diagnos­tic tool for specific processing problems, and neurofeedback is used as a treatment Progress is easily observed and easily measured by a re-evaluation using a QEEG after a period of time. Even though the brain changes slowly, progress with neurofeedback can be seen almost immediately.

Training needs to continue over time to reinforce more efficient neural pathways. Individuals and their families report positive and happier outcomes from keeping up with their treatment These changes are permanent and can continue improving over time.

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More information about QEEGs and autism can be found at the International Society of Neurofeedback Research website at www. ISNR.org. Neurofeedback is also effective with anxiety, depres­sion, bipolar disorder, learning disabilities, head injuries, and migraines. 

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