Adrian Quevedo knew early on that he was fascinated with the human brain.
He learned about neurofeedback in college, and was drawn to learn more about brain function and how it might be used to help people.
”I was always interested in the brain and how it works,” said Quevedo, founder and chief executive officer of Advanced Health & Performance Institute (AHPI) in Orlando, and with a new location in Winter Park. “I made it my mission.”
Today, Quevedo and the talented and experienced team at AHPI work with athletes, corporate executives, and children with attention deficit and other disorders to help them improve their lives through neurofeedback and other programs and technology.
Quevedo’s passion for, and experience in, the field are important qualities to have to best help those who need it.
”Experience in this field is the key to understanding what people’s needs are,” Quevedo said. ”You can really hurt somebody if you don’t do it correctly.”
Quevedo gained that experience by working with neurofeedback trailblazers, including Ph.D.s Steve Stockdale and Richard Soutar.
Some of the conditions Quevedo and AHPI help people with include:
- Attention Deficit Disorder.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
- Traumatic Brain Injury.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- Post-Concussion Syndrome.
Quevedo gained more experience in the field as he owned and managed neurofeedback centers in the Orlando area. He also has been a mental health counselor and an advocate for victims of domestic violence and other crimes.
Working with children is an essential part of Quevedo’s and AHPI’s mission.
”I can do what a pill does for a kid with Attention Deficit Disorder,” Quevedo said of the move to better training for patients with such disorders. ”Let’s listen to the brain and see where the problem is coming from.”
Helping athletes and others recover from brain injuries also drives Quevedo and AHPI.
Players ”correlate a football game with being in a car wreck,” Quevedo said of the punishing sport.
Helping stressed adults with demanding jobs and lives that have left them angry, frustrated and lacking focus also is part of AHPI’s mission.
Quevedo said AHPI can work with patients to help them be “able to relax after work. To blow off a stressful day and not ruminate about it.”
Students who are having difficulty at school and not performing well academically can benefit from working with AHPI as well.
”We can get a very clear picture as to why someone is having trouble in the classroom,” Quevedo said.
Years after his studies in the classroom were complete, Quevedo maintains his passion for the human brain and what can be done to help people live happier, healthier lives.
He recalled his introduction to brain waves in school.
“When I saw that,” Quevedo said, ”instantly I was hooked.”