Treating the autistic brain is never easy and different children respond to different modalities. It may take time to find what works best for your child; however, many families are discovering that neurofeedback is a great addition to treating the autistic brain. Neurofeedback has shown success with helping attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety, and now autism. Neurofeedback allows a person to change their own brain waves. It takes practice, but many people show progress after just a few sessions.
Currently, long term data has not been reported on the lasting effects of neurofeedback. Parents who have found neurofeedback successful in helping their children have been quick to praise the method. Due to this recent praise and more interest, neurofeedback is getting the attention of more researchers. Dr. L. Eugene Arnold who is professor emeritus at Ohio State University felt that there was “quite a bit of improvement” in those children who had used it. He stated that if he found this improvement seemed to stem from neurofeedback he would look for funding to conduct a broader study.
The cost of neurofeedback varies depending on what type of insurance coverage you have as well as how much the provider charges. If your insurance doesnít cover the cost, you can expect to spend about $3,000 for 20-30 visits in most parts of the country. While many insurance companies are not yet offering coverage for neurofeedback, some are billing it under biofeedback, which is covered.
How Does Neurofeedback Work?
The child has electrodes placed on the head which connect to a computer. The computer reads the brain waves. While the child is connected to the computer, they can play a variety of games. The games are used to teach the child to relax and focus on what is happening in the game. If the child remains calm and relaxed, certain rewarding things happen on the screen, such as flowers blooming. If the child doesnít focus, those same flowers can wilt and die. There are a variety of games and children are generally given the choice of which one they would like to play.
The importance of having repeat sessions is the same as the importance of working out. The more you work out your muscles, the stronger they get. The brain is similar to the muscles in the body. If the brain is being worked out, it gets stronger in areas it needs to. Many parents say their child has improved speech, better eye contact, and less negative behavior after neurofeedback. Neurofeedback was developed in the 60′s and 70′s but in many ways is still in its infancy. With the promising reports by so many families, the future looks promising for this new way to help treat the autistic brain.
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