Neurofeeedback for autism has proven to be very beneficial for many children. Autism is marked by failure to have proper social interactions, lack of verbal and nonverbal communication, and limited interests in activities that include playing or doing things that are outside of a normal routine. There is no one type of treatment that is used for every child. Treatments can include Applied Behavior Analysis, certain diets (gluten and casein free), speech therapy, occupational therapy, and sensory integration therapy, among others. Neurofeedback is also showing positive results for many children.
Since autism is associated with a high arousal situation that is located in the brain, neurofeedback is used to counteract that arousal situation. The brain benefits from calming down, being more relaxed, and being more social. All of these things can be accomplished by using this type of therapy. Many parents notice how their child is more calm and relaxed right after the therapy, but neurofeedback also has long term benefits. If training the child to control their brain works, over time, this reinforcement can help the child to be more adept at using these techniques in all situations.
How Does Neurofeedback Work?
When a child goes in for neurofeedback, electrodes are placed on the head. As neurofeedback is used for many types of ailments, they are placed in an area of the brain that needs to be shown on a computer. A signal is sent from the electrodes to a computer which listens to the brainwaves. The information is then shown to the patient and the patient tries to alter their brainwaves. Over time, a child can recognize how to alter these brainwaves faster. Parents, teachers, and medical staff can see a difference in children in how they socialize and act after doing neurofeedback.
Neurofeedback is typically administered by a health professional such as psychologists, therapists, and counselors trained in mental health. The neurofeedback session is conducted one on one, generally once a week. While this in no cure for autism, it can greatly help a child learn to control their behavior and become more social. This improvement in behavior helps the child, the family, and everyone else that may be associated with the child.
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