It can be tough for parents to tell if their child really has an attention problem or if they are just sleep deprived, “lazy” or defiant. It's also hard to understand what options are available to help...
What does ADHD look like?
ADHD has many different presentations. Kids with inattentive ADD often are not diagnosed at an early age because they are not showing up with behavior problems. Inattentive kids struggle to stay up to speed in the classroom. Kids with hyper and impulsive behavior are usually identified at a younger age because they can’t sit still and they act out without thinking about the consequences. Kids with ADHD struggle with focus, completing homework without supervision, staying organized and following directions. As the child ages, and the complexity and demand of school increases these kids are more easily identified. They may work just as hard as their classmates, but their effort does not pay off. They are spinning their wheels and not going very far.
Is there a way to help my child without putting him on medication?
The parents who find me are looking for a natural, drug-free treatment for ADHD. Parents who choose neurofeedback training typically don't want to medicate their children, or have tried medication that didn't work well, or the medication caused more problems. Neurofeedback is an all natural, healthy, non-medication option for treating ADHD. The training effect is considered permanent. I usually get referrals by word of mouth as many clients are very happy with the results.
How will I know if Neurofeedback training is helping?
I tell parents that we should see some slight improvement within 3-5 sessions. I use a computerized test of attention to measure how your child compares to kids their age and gender on measures of impulsivity and attention. We re-take the QIK test at the 20 session mark to determine progress in controlling impulsivity and ability to pay attention. Many kids make huge improvements in those areas. I love to watch my clients improve, feel better and believe in themselves. Kids deserve to learn and watch their effort in school pay off!
Does my insurance cover the costs of Neurofeedback training?
I am so happy to see so many psychotherapists, physicians, and neurologists embrace Neurofeedback training as a healthy approach to treat ADHD over the last 15 years. Some health insurance companies provide coverage for training and I encourage you to call your health insurance and ask about your coverage under your mental health benefits. The CPT come used for Neurofeedback training is 90901. If your insurance does not provide coverage, I usually explain that the cost of training is roughly the cost of getting braces.
Where do I go to learn more?
Feel free to call me and we can discuss your child’s needs, and the services that I offer to see if training is a good fit for your child. I often treat kids as young as 5, and work with adults also (brain plasticity!). My office is in Huntington Beach, and I can be reached by phone (657) 215-0004 and by email (info@conniehurst.com).
Here are some additional links for you to learn more:
Here is a link showing Neurofeedback training as the optimal choice among pediatricians recommending treatment: American Academy of Pediatrics: Neurofeedback as Level 1 Best Support for ADHD
Here is a link for an article describing Neurofeedback training for ADHD treatment, it's costs and effectiveness: ADDitude Magazine
Here is a link for database of current research on the effectiveness of Neurofeedback training for ADHD: Current Research on the Effectiveness of Neurofeedback Treatment for ADHD
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