ADD/ADHD - WHY YOUR CHILD CAN'T PAY ATTENTION
by Barry Belt
Licensed Psychologist/Director, Attention Deficit Specialists
- Is your child so hyperactive he can't sit still?
- Does she have difficulty paying attention?
- Does he have angry, uncontrollable outbursts?
- Does he have problems socializing with other children?
- Does she zone out and appear to be in a fog?
- Is your child's school constantly calling you and complaining about her behavior?
If so, it is possible that your child suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). There are neurological problems which make it difficult for a child to learn to focus their attention on a task and learn.
Psychostimulant drugs such as Ritalin can be useful in the treatment of ADD and ADHD, but should only be used as a last resort because of the potential for addiction, abuse, side effects, and the unknown consequences of long-term use.
Fortunately, there are more benign and effective methods of treating ADD/ADHD. The most important way to change the behavior of an ADD./ADHD child is behavior modification and positive reinforcement. Changes in environmental factors to decrease stress and reform of diet to insure proper nutrition are helpful as well.
EEG Neurofeedback is the most direct and effective method of positive reinforcement which can be utilized to treat the ADD/ADHD disorders. Here the child learns to manipulate his own brain waves, decreasing the daydreaming Theta waves and increasing the attention enhancing brain waves, utilizing computer enhanced techniques which allow him to monitor his own progress using a video-game format.
The most striking improvement of EEG Neurofeedback is usually seen in the child's self esteem, school performance, behavior and test scores. For children who have spent a lifetime feeling they can't do anything right, learning to control their brains can be a powerful motivational force.
All parents want to teach their children to grow up to feel smart, capable, and independent. No parent really feels good about having their child dependent on drugs to alter mood and performance. For those parents, EEG Biofeedback may offer their child a way to get off medication, feel good about themselves and reduce negative behavior.
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