Frequently individuals with ADD / ADHD have attention difficulties and various forms of learning disabilities such as: reading and language disorders and cognitive, auditory and visual processing difficulties. The proper neurofeedback program can be effective in the treating of attention, as well being effective in improving processing difficulties in learning. This is of great interest to those children with learning disabilities because although medication is effective in controlling behavior, medication is not helpful in remediating learning disabilities. Our cognitive training programs at Incredible Horizons are designed to help in this situation. LINK TO COGNITIVE TRAINING

In treating attention difficulties, it is often best to first rule out some of the most common disorders that can mimic the symptoms. Unfortunately, diagnosing ADHD is often conducted through general observation of the child and/or subjective feedback from the family and /or teachers and supervisors. A neuro-psychiatrist specifically trained to distinguish the subtle differences in similar conditions is a better place to start. Depression and processing disorders are often present in the attentionally challenged. 

Studies show that stimulant medication reduces impulsiveness, inattention, and over activity anywhere from 60% of the time. It simply represses the symptoms, and at a great risk to one’s health. A compilation of all the review studies published over the last twenty years on the effects of stimulant medication for ADD/ADHD showed that the medications only temporarily managed the symptoms of over activity, inattention and impulsivity, as well as increased compliance, effort, and academic productivity, decreased aggression and negative behaviors. Published research has found the long-term value of Ritalin disappointing. Studies beginning in the 1960s showed that children who took stimulants for hyperactivity (the name for ADD at the time) over several years did just as poorly in later life as the group of hyperactive children who took no medication. It has been said that it disrupts growth hormone production, disrupts neurotransmitter systems and that studies show there is a risk of long term and permanent changes in the chemistry of the brain.

 There are less harmful medications on the market now. There are low risk hypertensive medications that are seen as very safe. Clonidine (Catapres) or Guanfacine (Tenex) worst side effect is a dry mouth. These medications can help all of the symptoms of AD/HD but may have a weaker effect on attention and more of an effect on impulsivity, irritability and motor hyperactivity. The tricyclic antidepressants, such as desipramine (Norpramine) imipramine (Tofranil) and nortryptiline (Pamelor) have been shown to effectively treating AD/HD. They can provide 24-hour coverage, and may not create the sleep difficulties sometimes associated with the stimulants.  However, they have a number of potential drawbacks. Tricyclics can cause dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, dizziness and sedation. When there are other coexisting conditions to be considered, there are other medications that are also considered. All medications have positives and negatives and the choice on which to take is highly personal.  Just as the choice to try alternatives first is highly personal. I personally think that if you are choosing to use medication that one should start with the medication that will have the least negative affects on your health. When discussing this matter with a health professional one must remember that doctors do not make any money recommending alternatives. However, pharmaceutical companies do offer incentives and promotional items to doctors for promoting their products.

Medication by itself is not as efficient as it is when combined with other treatments. There is a substantial amount of research showing that a multi modal approach always increases the likelihood of success in helping the attentionally challenged.

Attention training is a viable safe option that can be used in conjunction with medication and/or nutritional supplements. For the past 25 years, professionals in the scientific and educational communities have compiled quantitative neurological evidence suggesting feedback-driven attention training as a natural and effective option in improving a range of attention-related difficulties, from the mildest inattentive tendencies to specific diagnoses, such as ADHD. In 1971, researchers first recognized that people with attention-related difficulties have slower EEG activity in the area of the brain that controls attention and concentration. Subsequently, numerous follow-up studies have indicated that, through attention training with feedback and monitoring, individuals could learn to improve brainwave activity in the portion of the brain that corresponds to improved attention.

Researchers have found that the incorporation of video games in treating attention to be as effective as traditional feedback systems, which do not incorporate video games. Additionally, the inclusion of the games resulted in higher retention rates and overall interest among children. We have found a way to package this training in an enjoyable and inherently motivating activity.

Efficacy

Over the past 25 years, studies of attention training consistently have yielded positive results. These studies cover a variety of demographics and varied degrees of attention-related disorders, and demonstrate that feedback-driven attention training is effective in treating/reducing inattention, hyperactivity, and the symptoms of learning disabilities. Researchers point to an overwhelmingly positive record of long-term, beneficial results. Every researcher stressed the need for extensive application and acceptance of this approach in helping children overcome attention-related academic and behavioral problems.

Research From an Expert

The most recent, and likely most important, research study on the subject of feedback-driven attention training -- "The Effects of Stimulant Therapy, EEG Biofeedback & Parenting Style on the primary symptoms of ADHD" (Monastra et. al.) -- represents a significant step forward for the widespread acceptance of attention training with EEG feedback.

Participants in this study were 100 children (83 boys and 17 girls) with an average age of 10 (range 6-19), each of which had been diagnosed with a specific attention disorder. After each child/teen was diagnosed, his or her parents were informed of a comprehensive treatment approach that included stimulant medication, parent counseling, school consultation to establish and monitor a program of academic support, and EEG feedback. Approximately half of the participants (n=51) opted to include the feedback training as part of treating their child's attention.

The results of this study prompted the researchers to conclude that adding feedback training to a multi-modal approach for improving attention-related difficulties can yield important benefits. As discussed above, only the participants who received attention training via feedback showed behavioral improvement upon follow up, and these benefits were evident even after medication was discontinued. These children were doing substantially better -- according to both parents and teachers -- than participants who had not received feedback training. In addition, the pattern of cortical slowing that is found in many individuals with attention difficulties, and which is specifically targeted by feedback training, was no longer evident. This suggests that the gains associated with feedback training cannot be attributed to the placebo effect, but instead reflect meaningful changes in EEG activity in the areas of the brain corresponding to improved attention and concentration.

(Note - The preceding is excerpted/paraphrased from the review of a recent study of a neurofeedback in the treatment of attention-related difficulties, written by Dr. David Rabiner, a senior research scientist at Duke University.)

Healthy solutions provided By Incredible Horizons

“Learning is most effective when it’s fun”

Cognitive Training Games Improve:

• Listening skills,
• Attention skills,
• Working memory,
• Mental processing speed,
• Multi-sensory processing,
• Self control,
• Self confidence
• The ability to process spoken language

Treating Attention Difficulties, What is Cognitive training

Cognitive training consists of a variety of exercises designed to help improve functioning in areas such as sustaining attention,  memory, thinking before acting, visual and auditory processing, listening and reading. The principle behind cognitive training is to help improve the "core" abilities and self control necessary before an individual can function successfully academically. The exercises "drill for skill" directly in the areas the areas where specific cognitive difficulties occur.

Since this approach requires repetition and one to one instruction the computer is the easiest and most cost effective way to implement this type of program. The computer also provides the option of game like structure to motivate clients complete the training.

Research related to Cognitive Training

Link to Info on our Cognitive training Home based Programs

Neurofeedback

• Enhances ability to focus,
• Lessens distractibility,
• Enhances visual tracking skills
• Increases time on task,
• Enhances discriminatory processing,
• Improves short term memory sequencing
• Improves self esteem

For a complete transformation into successful living

 “Change Your Mind... and change your life.”

Info and Questions on our system and EEG Feedback in general

Benefits of Light and Sound

• Enhance your musical experience
• Restores balance and attentional flexibility
• Psychological stress relief
• Deep relaxation
• Assistance in falling asleep/Induces Theta state
• Memory improvement-“sets” reading material for better recall
• Increase learning-sharpens concentration
• Stabilize emotions/alter moods
• Increase intellectual focus-clear and positive thinking
• Sensory stimulation-spawns neural pathways
• Increase physical energy and creativity-releases endomorphins
• Stimulates immune system for better health
• Increased well being

  Frequently asked Questions about Light and Sound

For more information here is an article: by Len Ochs, Ph.D.  New Light on Lights, Sounds, and the Brain

Purchasing Info

Therapeutic Music

We have suggestions and purchasing info for the following interests on the links below

HEMI-SYNC® can:

    Help you to relax

    Enhance contemplation and problem solving

    Provide relief from stress

    Improve sensory processing and integration 

     Increase attention and enhance memory 

    Increase learning, concentration, and focus 

    Enhance problem solving and self confidence

    Optimize the potential of children 

    Support a restful interlude or sleep

Research shows that natural nutritional supplements can supply the nutrients that support the body’s ability to naturally:

• Help calm and reduce stress and frustration

• Help focus attention and improve concentration

• Help allow smooth, balanced information processing

• Help flush toxins, plaque and free radicals from

   brain pathways

• Helps increase the flow of nutrients, oxygen, and energy to the brain

We carry the leading scientifically formulated supplement that works to help stimulate neural growth patterning and regenerate "connections" within the neural network.

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 Memorin+ for Memory Support/
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 The ingredients in this Multidimensional formula have been shown to naturally:

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Extress for Stress & Nervousness/To
Reduce Hyperactivity and Promote Focus

The specific doctor-formulated nutrition in Extress to maintain your health (and sanity!) in today's fast-paced world. Extress replenishes essential nutrients burned up by the body during times of stress. The ingredients in this Multidimensional formula have been shown to naturally:

• Help diminish emotional sensitivity and mood swings
• Help calm and focus attention
• Help relax muscles safely
• Help reduce the possibility of stress-induced head pain and muscle aches

What can you expect The Listening Program ^TM to do?

Improvement in auditory processing is just the beginning ...    Incredible care has been taken to use expertise from the best minds in the field to create an auditory therapy program that is easy to do at home, is immensely enjoyable, and also extremely successful in strengthening auditory and related abilities.  Here is a program that can benefit anyone, but especially individuals who have difficulties in the areas of auditory perception, processing, and memory.

The Listening Program^TM has helped individuals make improvements in many areas, including the following:

• Attention span and focus
• Speech and motor control
• Auditory perception and sensitivity
• Musical expression
• Self-esteem, mood, and motivation
• Social interaction
• Understanding spoken language
• Reading, spelling, and handwriting
• Physical balance and coordination - sensory integration

The Listening Program^TM was designed to help balance, strengthen, and/or restore our ability to listen to and process sounds across the full auditory spectrum, from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. This can result in striking improvements across the human continuum, from academic performance to emotional balance.

Using The Listening Program ^TM literally exercises and tones tiny muscles in the ear and helps build stronger multi-sensory pathways in the brain. The brain receives especially rich auditory stimulation, and its ability to process sound improves.

The Listening Program^TM may help with:

• Treating Attention difficulties problems / ADD
• Learning and dyslexia
• Difficulties processing and retaining auditory information
• Difficulty following directions
• Articulation problems
• Language problems
• Reading comprehension problems
• Monotone voice or sing/song voice
• Central auditory processing difficulties
• Easily distracted by sound
• Overly sensitive to sound
• Low energy level and lack of confidence
• Vestibular problems, including balance and coordination
• Difficulty with communications and social interactions
• History of ear infections or middle ear fluid
• Hearing loss related difficulties
• Sleep problems

Purchasing Info

Brain Builder

APPLICATIONS

For children and adults at home, school and the office.

Brain Builder can:

• Increase short-term memory capacity
• Improve auditory and visual sequential processing 
• Raise cognitive processing speed 
• Develop visualization and conceptualization skills 
• Improve attention and concentration 
• Enhance listening, reading and self-expression 
• Increase mental efficiency and organization
• Increase confidence through reduced confusion   
• Enhance communication and social interactions
• Support growth in emotional intelligence

Purchasing Info

Incredible Horizons strives to offer cutting edge technologies for treating / improving the life of individuals with attention difficulties. Please look at the coaching programs and home services that we provide on the home page.

Attention Coaching
For more info on healthy- drug free programs for successful living click on a link below

ADHD / ADD Autism Information Loop Intro for Parents Understanding ADD/ADHD Life and Development with ADHD Progression of ADHD into adulthood Treating Attention Problems Autism Spectrum and TLP    Dietary Needs / Suggestions Digestive Solutions  ADD / ADHD- The Biochemical Approach Theanine-A safe & natural substitute for   Ritalin, Adderall etc. Learning Disabilities and Social Skills Programs for ADD/ADHD & Autism

Program Suggestions   Rehab for Brain Injury   ADD/ADHD & ASD-Autism   Auditory Processing Disorder CAPD   Bi-polar Disorder   Adult Optimum Performance   Sensory Integration    Visual Processing Disorders    Dyslexia & TLP   Sharpening the aging mind   Stress Busters   Digestive Solutions What if I don't know what is wrong? Why our Programs work General Links Page

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