Neurofeedback Therapy for ADHD

Training our brains to improve naturally through biofeedback.

What is Neurofeedback?

Your brain is used in everything you do from things like listening, focusing, and thinking as well as controlling impulses, organizing, problem solving and planning. How well your brain functions determine your likelihood of meeting your full potential- truly feeling that level of success- in life, school and home. We find that is the ultimate goal for most parents.

Neurofeedback, also known as EEG Biofeedback or Brainwave Training, is a form of operant conditioning during which you will train your brainwaves. Neurofeedback differs from other biofeedback techniques, in that its main purpose is to focus on the central nervous system and the brain. Neurofeedback presents you with real-time feedback on brainwave activity by using sensors placed on your scalp allowing your brain to witness its activity. In other words, this process allows your brain to see itself in a “mirror”. These sensors detect brain wave activity including Alpha, Beta, Theta and Delta. When your brainwave activity changes in the direction desired by the neurofeedback protocol, a positive “reward” happens; typically in the form of a visual display and/or sound that is provided to you.

What is the difference between Neurofeedback and Counseling?

Counseling heals the mind, and Neurofeedback heals the brain. Neurofeedback improves brain function so you can engage in the counseling process more fully, allowing you to make more conscious, healthy decisions in your every day life.

➤ The Process of Neurofeedback Therapy for ADHD

Through the process of Neurofeedback, your child will learn to train down or train up certain brainwaves that are associated with a variety of disorders. Before getting started with training your brain, we will conduct an objective assessment of brain activity and psychological status. One of the assessments we will conduct is a QEEG (Quantitative Electroencephalography) also known as a brain map which is an assessment procedure that records changes in electrical potentials (your brainwaves) in various parts of the brain. This brain map is a recording of the electrical activity of the brain from the scalp using state of the art digital technology or electrical patterns at the surface of your child’s scalp which primarily reflects cortical activity or “brainwaves”. During the assessment, a multi-electrode recording of brain wave activity is recorded and then converted into numbers. The brain map consists of a cap placed on their head with nineteen electrodes/sensors along with ear clips attached to each lobe. The recording is broken down into two assessments. One while your child is sitting in a chair while being relaxed with their eyes closed and the other with their eyes open.

After the assessment, we will go over your child’s results and recommend a treatment plan to address the problem(s) identified in the assessment along with the symptoms you have identified. Typically you will be recommended to have two brain training sessions a week, with at least one session per week required with an average of 30-40 sessions overall. Training your brain to function at its true potential is a commitment and is similar to the way you exercise the rest of your body. It does take time, but our families find the results are worth it.

➤ Your First Few Sessions of EEG Biofeedback for ADHD

In most cases, “trainees” do not experience major changes after the first 4-5 sessions. Your child may also not experience anything after the first session or two. It is not uncommon, however, that you notice your child is feeling calmer, more focused, more productive, less foggy, and getting a better night’s sleep. As they progress with neurofeedback, you will begin to notice the benefits last for more than a couple of days. After 20 or more sessions, you should begin to notice that the benefits last up to a week or more. Toward the end of your training with 30 or more sessions, your child’s symptoms will become less intense, less frequent, and are shorter in duration. Emotional calm comes first, and then mental focus tends to improve later. Ideally, your “training” experience will produce steady results; these improvements may be experienced in any realm of your life to where your brain plays a role. Brain training is not a cure, but in collaboration with other methods can be an alternative to medications.

➤ Issues That Can be Addressed Through Neurofeedback Therapy

Neurofeedback is used to treat a variety of symptoms associated with a broad range of neuropsychological issues. For example:

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Anxiety
Compulsive Behaviors
Learning Disabilities

We specifically work with ADHD children ages 8-14, and at this time only offer services to children diagnosed with ADHD or suspected to have a diagnosis of ADHD.

Here is where we focus:

Improving attention and focus skills
Improving the brain’s natural ability to plan and organize thoughts (Executive functioning)
Improving decision making ability
Improving ability to listen to others and notice details
Decreasing forgetfulness

The Dandelion Difference

We do our best to make the process of therapy exactly what you need.

Yoga and Mindfulness

Social Skills Classes

Weekly Parent Sessions

Neurofeedback

Teacher Recommendations

Unlimited Calls and Email

Written Accommodations

Classroom Observations

Due to our intensive parenting support process, in addition to individual weekly child sessions, weekly parenting sessions are expected at the beginning of therapy. The duration of these sessions depends on the level of distress in the family and the level of parenting needs. With meeting weekly, many families meet their goals in 6-8 months!

Our Therapists in Charlotte who work with Children & Pre-teens

Below are our therapists who specialize in Neurofeedback Therapy for ADHD in Charlotte, NC