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Post by KarenF on Jan 7, 2005 19:33:29 GMT -5
Hi - I am new to the board and am so glad I found it! I read in the archives that some of you were considering neurofeedback. I was wondering if any of you every tried it. We are trying it now. DS is on his 11th session and we are seeing changes!!! I was hoping to talk to anyone else trying this modality. DS is also on the Feingold diet, and takes supplements. TIA!
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Post by songwriter on Jan 8, 2005 1:39:53 GMT -5
Dumb question, here- Is neurofeedback the same thing as biofeedback? My shrink told me I could probably benefit from biofeedback but we havn't got that far yet.
By the way, WELCOME!
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Post by catatonic on Jan 8, 2005 4:40:53 GMT -5
Same same. Neurofeedback = biofeedback. There's an interesting book about using biofeedback in treating ADHD called "ADD: The 20-Hour Solution" by Mark Steinberg that explains the process. Be aware that biofeedback will require approximately 40 sessions. Depending on prices in your area, you're talking about investing around $4,000, which insurance generally won't cover because it is considered an unproven treatment. Clinical research on neurofeedback in treating ADHD is somewhat mixed. There's promise there, but little in the way of hard evidence. I thought seriously about trying this with my son, but decided against it -- price and a lack of practitioners where I live were contributing factors.
Karen, what kind of changes are you seeing at this point? How do you feel about the treatment? I guess after how well Feingold has worked for my son, I expect miracles and we probably aren't going to get another one!
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Post by KarenF on Jan 8, 2005 14:35:46 GMT -5
Hi Cat -
I recognize you from the FG board - you gave me some great advice about supplements for DS. DS was losing his temper frequently , and when he lost it he just could not calm himslelf down for a long time. We had a few episodes where he was just out of control screaming, knocking chairs over, etc. It seems that anytime you said no to him he would just lose it . He is not losing his temper much at all anymore, and the few times he does it does not last long, and is nowhere near as intense. His teacher commented that he is participating in class more in an appropriate manner, and is less impulsive. We are so very lucky, because this practice is great, and our insurance is covering it. We have only a 15 dollar copay. They also do some talk therapy with DS, just about 15 minutes before he does the session, and I think they may be billing it as therapy instead of pure neurofeedback. All I know is I am so glad! I will keep you all posted about any more changes, but I am feeling hopeful for the first time in a long time.
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Post by stevesmom on Jan 19, 2005 20:16:21 GMT -5
Hi there Karen- I am a new member too and my son has done wonderfully on neurobiofeedback-- in fact that's the reason why I joined -- to let others know I found something that worked for me and my DS, a 9yr old.
We were supposed to have a meeting with the school district in February to check on my son's progress ( the district was totally unfamiliar with biofeedback and were thinking that there wouldn't be any positive changes so they would be putting the full power court press on me to start back on meds) thankfully starting at the end of November they started to notice real changes and the meeting now ( it has to go on as a legality) will be talking about how wonderful he is doing. He is sleeping better, more cooperative, sits down to do his work and is all around a happier kid . I thank God I gave biofeedback a try.
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Post by rosyred45 on Jan 19, 2005 20:31:18 GMT -5
Hi Stevesmom, I think i said welcome on another thread, but in case I didn't WELCOME... I do the feingold for my son and it does work wonders, like Cat said, I am waiting for another miracle.....but int he mean time, we have started us all on the omega 3's and a multi-vitamin. I have to say that I am very niave when it comes to medicine/alt. medicine, etc. Could you explain what the boi/neuro feed back is? Thanks Kaiti just so I know what what is, and dont look like a total idiot when I ask other questions  |
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Post by AustinsMom on Jan 19, 2005 23:53:23 GMT -5
stevesmom,
How many hours of biofeedback did you do before you started noticing changes? Did your son participate willingly, or did it take alot of incentives to get him to cooperate? Did you see gradual progress or did it take quite a few sessions before you saw any results?
Welcome to the board, and thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to hearing more details. Thanks.
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Post by stevesmom on Jan 20, 2005 21:05:09 GMT -5
Hi there and thanks for the warm welcome-- it's nice to be with a group of people who know what you've been going through.... First off, what is biofeedback? You basically have these sensors that are attached to different areas of the brain ( I think w/add it's usually the prefrontal lobes- and no it's not electrical shock or anything) that measure you're brain wave patterns. In people with adhd these brain wave pattererns are typically irregular and sporadic-- (various highs and lows and not very regulated....) The person hooked up is watching a computer screen with some type of game on it ( nothing too exciting-- Pacman, a card game are some of them...) but instead of hand controls you are rewarded by your behavior which is measured through the sensors attached toyour head-- when you're relaxed and paying attention the game will progress--- if you can't sit still and are all over the place-- you won't move. Essentially over time-- your brain waves patterns get regulated and you should be able to stop. We are just at the point of cutting down our sessions. It is a big committment to do this.... we were going 3x a week ( that worked out the best for us-- and was cheaper monetarily for us....) They hooked me up the other day just to give it a try on a new machine they had and it wasn't easy. It was this hot air balloon game and I had to keep the balloon up in the air. It wasn't easy... every time I thought in my head ""ok balloon stay up in the air.... it wasn't working--- it only worked when I was really relaxed and my breathing pattern was really regulated that the balloon moved. Am I making any sense  ?? I feel like I am rambling all over the place..... I started to notice subtle differences w/ Steve after about 10 sessions-- was more conversant, less confrontational and during soccer games, actually participated instead of just standing there!!! After a few more sessions I saw him being more sociable with other kids and actually sitting and doing his homework as soon as he got home from school without me right on top of him. I noticed the differences before they did at school -- it took a little longer there ( maybe I noticed in Oct. and the teachers started noticing changes in November. I actually got a call from the school psychologist in December who called me on her own to tell me that whatever I was doing was working ( they didn't have a lot of faith in biofeedback...) and he also seemed happier as well. He is less anxious ( used to alway check where we were and now goes to sleep with very little problems...) Steve was only wary the very first day -- but I showed him a website where they were demonstrating biofeedback and it calmed his fears. He didn't give me a problem trying it-- I gave him a choice of alternatives we were going to try and this was the one he wanted to try first. I will not lie and tell you it's not expensive because it is......I pay 150 for 3 sessions a week -- but the hell my kid was going through on meds I would've tried anything --no matter what the price. The school district gave me a hard time at first-- because they thought he was doing so well on meds-- he was a nervous wreck!!! As I told them , I wasn't looking for a quick fix , but I was searching for a long term solution. There are stats that say 75% of those who've completed biofeedback don't need the meds. Well I've rambled for awhile-- I hope I've answered your questions. Feel free to ask me more........ |
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Post by EllenR on Feb 17, 2005 13:34:43 GMT -5
I was wondering about the biofeedback as well. I just saw an article in Woman's World about a computer game that helps with at least the attention problem. You have to have the game and a specific type of hat. Somehow they control the flight of a bird and as long as they focus, it flies. When they stop, it falls. I can't remember the particulars and the magazine is at home but it sounded interesting. It's the one on the newstands now with a headline about a diet for those of us with age-related weight gain (the Perricone Promise).
The article didn't mention the cost of the game either. If anyone finds out any further information, I'd be interested in hearing about it.
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Post by JohnBark on Mar 20, 2005 17:45:19 GMT -5
can you give me some more details on what questions to ask the doctor doing the test? we've been on FG for over 2 years and been doing vitamins from Pfeiffer Research Institute with very little success. and biofeedback is our next attempt to help my DS achieve his best. we've never done meds. and he was homeschooled until this past january, when we enrolled him in a private christian school for the first time in his educational career. he's doing well, but, we still think his behavior and conduct at home can be improved as well as his focus. thanks!
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SKay
Member Emeritus
Posts: 1,126
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Post by SKay on May 11, 2005 19:09:09 GMT -5
I'm just bumping this up to see if anyone has any more news/information/updates.
EllenR, if you're still reading these, there is a game like you described called "Play Attention." I know if you do a search, you'll find a site on the Internet. I looked at it somewhat in the past but have never taken the step to invest the money to try it. The helmet looks like a bicycle helmet.
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