Coherent Neurofeedback
Autism Spectrum Disorder
People with autism spectrum disorder and Asperger’s have several areas of vulnerability, including:
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Difficulties with language and social communication, especially conversation
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Rigid, inflexible thinking and behavior
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Difficulties with social interaction, especially with peers
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Difficulties with emotional regulation
Autism, high functioning autism, Asperger’s Disorder, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS) are specific forms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. At the Brain + Stem, we think of autism spectrum disorders as a kind of learning disability. In our view, the unusual behaviors in autism spectrum disorder are attempts to manage a world that often feels overwhelming due to difficulties in the brain in processing social, sensory, and emotional experience. There are effective treatments, but it is essential to start with a thorough specialized evaluation, as soon as possible.
You have come to the right place for help with autism spectrum disorder and Aspergers.
Assessment
Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Aspergers are not all alike. Some may behave and interact well with an interested adult in a quiet office. We have seen many kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Aspergers misdiagnosed or unrecognized for years. Parents and teachers are left in the dark and the child does not get the help he needs. We have even some adults with Aspergers disorder whose struggles were never understood. At the Brain + Stem, you will have our experience with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Aspergers to help you understand your child’s struggles, and a detailed qEEG brain map interpreted by a team of professionals well recognized for their contribution to the body of research in existence, on the efficacy of qEEG biofeedback with ASD.
Treatment
There are many ways you can help your child. You are your child’s main guide in life. Research and our experience with many kids has shown neurofeedback to be very helpful to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and Aspergers. What we know about the effects of EEG Biofeedback or Neurofeedback on ASD:
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98% of children with ASD improve with a full course of treatment.
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91% lessen their symptoms by 30% or more.
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0% worsen their condition or have long-lasting side effects.
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Average reduction in symptoms of 60 – 70%.
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Significant improvements in neuropsychological, language, social, and behavioral functions.
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Helps children at varied levels of functioning and intelligence levels (> IQ = 50) equally.
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Helps reduce seizures/paroxysmal events in ASD with or without medication.
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Effects of treatment appear to be long-lasting and promote future developmental gains.
Parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder
It’s not easy to raise children with autism spectrum disorder. They are in their own world much of the time. They do not really connect with you, or seek or even accept your guidance and care. They can be rigid and tense. Most have frequent meltdowns. Even though you may understand that these difficulties come from Autism Spectrum Disorder, there may be times when you find yourself sad, frustrated, angry, and guilty. Often parents disagree on how to handle the challenges associated with raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Many parents feel isolated and alone. You surely worry about the future.
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We can help. Maintaining a strong partnership and supportive social network is critical to the family’s well-being, and we see multiple family members concurrently, training individual neural networks for the family’s optimal stress management and performance.
Neurofeedback for autism spectrum disorder
Neurofeedback, also called EEG biofeedback or neurotherapy, is a research proven way to help you improve your brain function through intensive brain training exercises. Although the technology is quite sophisticated, the process is simple, painless, and non-invasive. It is just learning. You learn to alter your brain activity the same way you learn every other skill – through feedback and practice.
What is new in neurofeedback is that you are guided by a form of feedback that was previously not available to you – instantaneous information about changes in your brain’s electrical activity. Every half second, your brain activity is compared to your targets for change. You get a signal and “reward” when you meet the goal. No signal or reward when you do not.
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In 20 neurofeedback sessions, with feedback every half second, you get 72,000 chances to learn. That’s a lot of repetition and practice. Brain science has shown that repetitive exercise of brain networks reshapes the brain. Neurofeedback allows you to reshape your brain. Neurofeedback for Autism Spectrum Disorders usually focuses on improving the processing of social and sensory information and on reducing activation of emotional networks.
Scientific evidence on neurofeedback for ASD
Early studies have provided research support for neurofeedback as a treatment of the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) including Autism, Asperger’s Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). As of 2011, nine studies have been completed, showing significant improvements in social, emotional, and behavioral functioning with neurofeedback. Seven studies showed brain change after neurofeedback. Follow-up studies at 12 and 18 months after the neurofeedback training ended have showed that the gains from neurofeedback last after training ends.
Treatment for ASD is expected to be long term. But these studies are showing improvements in a very short time – between 10 and 18 weeks. More research needs to be done, particularly more studies employing random assignment of subjects to a neurofeedback and to a good comparison or control group.
At the Brain + Stem, we believe that the early scientific evidence suggests that neurofeedback should be considered an evidence-based treatment option to supplement better studied treatment such as applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy) and speech and language therapy.
See the problem, then correct it.
Neuroscience is increasingly showing the basis in the brain for Autism Spectrum Disorders. In fact, in a small study we completed with colleagues at the NYU Brain Research Center, qEEG identified subjects with ASD more accurately than the very best behavioral measure. Although more research is necessary, this study suggests that the EEG taps into the basis in the brain for ASD.
Medications just treat the symptoms and do not correct the source of the problem in the brain. At the Brain + Stem, our approach is different. We measure brain function with a quantitative EEG brain map, so that you can see the reason for your difficulties. The image below is from the qEEG analysis of one of our clients with autism spectrum disorder. The area in red shows excessive activation in a part the brain’s emotional network. Once we see the source of the problem, we target that area for change through neurofeedback brain training as part of our functional neurology approach (see Integrative Approach tab). This allows you to reshape your brain, not just mask your symptoms.