ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a common behavioral disorder among children and young adults. According to research, as many as 12 percent of all U.S. children have an ADHD diagnosis.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can often be difficult and challenging. It is a complex condition that can affect many different aspects of a person’s behavior and daily life, which is precisely why early training is very important. Neurofeedback is becoming a more common way to help manage ADHD over the years compared to traditional training such as stimulant-based medications.
Traditional Methods for ADHD
Some kids with ADHD can effectively learn how to cope with the condition by adopting basic behavioral changes that work to make their day-to-day lives much easier. Environmental changes can also help decrease stimulation and alleviate symptoms related to the disorder. Some children, however, require much stronger, targeted training overall. In these cases, doctors typically prescribed stimulant-based medication, such as Ritalin or Adderall.
Side Effects of Traditional ADHD Medications
In spite of their high popularity, stimulant medications come with many side effects that do not always benefit the recipients who take them. Therefore, it is very important to take a close look at the side effects if you are considering using stimulant medications to manage your child’s ADHD disorder.
Side effects of stimulant medications range from decreased appetite to delayed or stunted growth. Children who have taken stimulant medications also had issues sleeping and difficulty retaining or gaining weight. In rare cases, heart problems might develop.
How Neurofeedback Helps ADHD
Neurofeedback is the process of helping children learn how to make their brains more focused and active at appropriate times, which is particularly important in a school or work environment.
During neurofeedback training, the practitioner will encourage your child to concentrate on a certain task. Monitors and sensors attached to their body will indicate how their body reacts. Simultaneously, your child can observe his or her brainwave patterns to see how the brain works. Many doctors believe that if a person can see how their brain functions while focusing on a certain task, they can then learn how to control their overall brain activity.
Neurofeedback and Behavior
Theoretically, a child can learn how to keep their brain active while they focus on or perform a certain task while using biofeedback sensors as their guides. They can use the monitors to see which key methods are helping their brain the most during their traiuning session. Afterward, once they are no longer using the sensors, they can then use these exact strategies to help them focus and, therefore, perform better on any given task. In some case studies, children using neurofeedback technology showed improved behavior and control.
Since each child is unique, that means his or her ADHD journey will be different as well. What works for one ADHD diagnosed child may not always work for another. As more studies are being conducted all the time, neurofeedback appears to hold more and more promise.
At Advanced Health and Performance Institute, our medical team will work with your child to create a training plan that is tailored to his or her needs. Our NeuroZone™ for the Student program is centered on helping children with ADD and ADHD. Contact Advanced Health and Performance Institute today to schedule your consultation.
