Learning Disabilities St. Louis: What Happens Without Treatment?

Dr. Collins is a board-certified neurotherapist and expert at solving kid’s problems typically related to children with learning disabilities or dealing with adults with learning disabilities. Dr. Collins is also successful handling common challenges related to children with ADHD or ADD symptoms, sensory integration dysfunction disorder, and he works to create a parent support system for dealing with child discipline issues.

Some of the more common questions people ask Dr. Collins are related to whether learning disabilities will go away over time without treatment. Will my child grow out of their learning disability? Why do adults still have learning disabilities? When a person understands how the brain works in adults and children with learning disabilities, it is easier to see why some treatment is necessary to help the brain.

Dr. Collins says it is not likely that learning disabilities will subside without some treatment. Most adults and children with learning disabilities also have a sensory disorder. This means that when too much sensory information is received by the human brain at one time, it becomes overwhelmed.

In a child or an adult with a learning disability, the brain is not processing information fast enough or in the most efficient manner. This means that all of the sensory information is being delivered to the brain but the brain is having a hard time making sense of the information. This overload shows in the person’s face as they struggle to understand what is being said or attempt to follow directions. No matter how many times someone repeats the directions or information, the brain is not translating the words into something understandable and everyone becomes frustrated. The brain will continue in this pattern unless it is shown a more efficient way of operating, ultimately the brain cannot independently fix itself.

The good news is that there are therapies that address how the human brain works and helps to produce better outcomes. These brain exercises or neurofeedback therapy are much like physical exercises, which enhance the way the mind works and helps adults and children with learning disabilities, who are also struggling with work, school or social situations. After neurofeedback, children and adults with learning disabilities no longer need to struggle. They find that school, work and social situations are no longer a problem.

ADHD Treatment in St. Louis, MO: Typical Neurofeedback Session – What to Expect

After Brain Mapping or QEEG: Typical Session of Neurotherapy or Neurofeedback Therapy for Adults and Children with Learning Disabilities or ADHD – ADHD Treatment in St. Louis, MO

There are many questions parents have related to a typical session of neurotherapy or neurofeedback therapy. What do you do during the appointment? How does it work? How can it help children with learning disabilities?

Understanding what happens during a typical neurotherapy or neurofeedback therapy session will help eliminate some of the fear and angst a parent has about the treatment. Neurotherapy does not involve needles or any pain to the child, it is a safe environment for the child to learn how to utilize their brain potential.

Neurotherapy or neurofeedback therapy is often suggested for children with learning disabilities. Neurofeedback therapy and training typically involves using three sensors, some types of neurotherapy use a full mesh cap and nineteen sensors on various locations on the head and ears. For neurotherapy or neurofeedback therapy which is using three sensors, one sensor is placed on the ear and the other two are positioned on the scalp at specific locations determined by the information from the brain map or QEEG.

The client sits at a computer station with two monitors and a technician or neurotherapist assisting in the neurotherapy or neurofeedback therapy. After taking an initial brain map reading of the client’s brainwaves, goals are set to increase or decrease a particular frequency. These goals pertain to something the brain needs to work on, for example relaxing or focusing.

When the goals are met, positive reinforcement or feedback occurs. This is usually through visual cue, such as an airplane flying and an auditory signal, such as a bell ringing. For example, if a client has increased certain brainwave frequencies and lowered other brainwave frequencies, then the plane on the screen starts to fly and a bell will ring. It is through this process that brainwave patterns shift over time. Many times the technician or neurotherapist can also use movies or video games to help engage children with learning disabilities.

These brain exercises or neurofeedback therapy are much like physical exercises, which enhance the way the mind works and helps children with learning disabilities, who are also struggling with school or social situations.

About ADHD: What is ADHD? What Causes ADHD in Children or Adults?

About ADHD: What is ADHD? What Causes ADHD in Children or Adults? What kind of testing for ADHD is available? What is ADHD treatment?

Some of the more common questions people ask are related to causes for ADHD in children and adults and what can be done to help those who have symptoms of ADHD but have not been diagnosed with the disorder.

Working with a professional to obtain testing for ADHD or Attention Deficit Disorder, brain mapping, QEEG or academic assessment is always a good place to start when there are symptoms of ADHD and ADD present. This will help you understand what is ADHD and possible treatments for ADHD.

ADHD is a neurological problem that’s difficult to diagnose because symptoms are variable and the cause is not singular. Research has shown that genetics is a factor, diet is a concern, constant overstimulation from TV and video games all play a part in the development of ADHD. From research we also know five to sixteen percent of all children from 1^st to 12^th grade have been diagnosed with ADHD.  Five percent of adults have also received an ADHD diagnosis. By a ratio of three to one, boys are affected with ADHD more than girls. Geographically, ADHD is more prevalent on the east coast than on the west coast.

Of the children who do have ADHD, 60 to 70 percent of them also have anxiety, depression, ODD, borderline personality disorder, mood problems, OCD, or bi-polar disorder. This makes it extremely complex and difficult for most therapists, physicians or counselors to be definite in their diagnoses. In fact, since 1970, many sources including teachers, policy makers, clinicians and parents internationally have disagreed on the cause of the ADHD symptoms.

One way to view ADHD is that it is a complex set of circumstances that result in difficulties with attention and focus. The question is, how we can solve these problems, not necessarily how did they come about.

The good news is neurofeedback treatment addresses how the human brain processes information. This treatment helps guide the brain in developing pathways that help adults and children with ADHD or ADD, increase their focus and attentiveness in work, school or social interactions.