Autism: Can Neurofeedback be a piece to the puzzle?
As a parent, all you want is to see your child succeed. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be an emotional roller coaster. The symptoms of ASD usually begin to emerge by age 2 or 3. This may include the inability to perceive sights and sounds in an adequate manner, resistance to change in daily routines, poor motor skills, repetitive behaviors or movements, hyper-focus on one thing, and loud outbursts.
What causes Autism?
ASD develops as a result of a complex combination of factors, however, the truth is research is inconclusive. Studies have shown an accelerated increase of stress on a developing toddler’s system can contribute to ASD, including exposure to medications, vaccines, environment, diet, lifestyle, inflammation, and genetics.
What are the symptoms of Autism?
ASD can be very challenging and emotional for the family. Some of the symptoms associated with ASD can include:
- Struggling to focus and concentrate
- Hypersensitive to certain sights & sounds
- Behavior disorders & emotional outbursts
- Difficulties with social communication
How do irregular brain wave patterns affect Autism?
Studies indicate a common finding in individuals with ASD by irregular connectivity in some areas of the brain. Our brain produces certain brain wave patterns that communicate with one another at rapid speeds. These brain waves can control our emotions, attitudes, and actions. However, if the timing of this communication is off even slightly, the ability to learn and function can be impaired.
This creates abnormalities in attention, memory processes, drowsiness, and movement control because our brainwaves cannot make the proper connections. When this occurs we can experience mood swings, difficulty in learning, and the inability to focus.
How does SYMMETRY Neuro-Pathway Training help the symptoms of Autism?
There are simple exercises you can do to train the brain to produce proper brain waves, which can help alleviate symptoms associated with ASD. This allows the brain to make the connections it needs to, using less effort and energy. When this happens, you are able to gain greater control of your emotions, your self-control increases, and you are able to improve your focus.
Siegfried Othmer, Ph.D., Chief Scientist of the EEG Institute in Woodland Hills, CA, wrote “The brain is challenged from moment to moment to move toward more functional states, and gradually the brain learns to live there. By means of brain training, the highly activated (over-aroused) nervous system is calmed down. The training can also be targeted to promote emotional regulation so that children are helped in their relationships with parents, siblings, and classmates. Further, the training can be targeted to help with language function. Motor control is usually improved as well.
The training can also improve physical functioning. Many autistic children suffer from constipation, for example, and with neurofeedback, that issue can be largely resolved. Others may have auditory and visual or touch sensitivities, and these can be calmed down as well.”
How does Neurofeedback work?
Neurofeedback is a series of training exercises that takes advantage of the same learning process that occurs whenever we acquire a new skill. Quite simply, Neurofeedback is a passive training method to teach the brain to function in a more balanced and healthy way by providing the perfect learning conditions. .
What does a Neurofeedback session look like?
Each session will include Neurofeedback training through various exercises such as games and videos, biofeedback training to sync breathing with heart rate and increase oxygen flow throughout the body, coaching and consultations, and progress tracking.
What are the results of Neurofeedback?
Improvements from neurofeedback that have been clinically observed include:
- Reduced emotional outbursts
- Clear speech patterns
- Better responses to parental and teacher instructions
- Increased imaginative thought
- Decreased hyperactivity
- Improvement of social skills
Interested to learn more?
