Training the ADHD brain to better control attentional processes is now possible and it doesn’t require medication. Your child or husband can learn to improve attention, consistency and behavior by exercising his or her brain with computerized cognitive retraining.

CCR has  two major features–1. it involves training based on neuroplasticity and 2. it is  not medication-based.

Neuroplasticity is the exciting discovery that the brain is malleable. It changes in response to the demands we make of it. Like doing biceps curls makes your arm muscles bigger, doing attention exercises makes the part of your brain responsible for attention bigger. This allows  you to better control your attention.

CCR involves doing different mental exercises, sort of brain calisthenics to improve certain cognitive (thinking)  functions. These techniques have been available for at least 25 years and have been consistently improved. They are effective, safe and have no side effects. You can improve attention, working memory, auditory processing, speed of processing, almost any cognitive process.

You should see noticeable results within 20-30 sessions. Most treatment protocols are for 30 sessions. Its kind of like playing video games, but you can tell its designed for more than just fun.

Both children and adults can be treated effectively. I just finished treating a 26-year-old woman who received 30 sessions of treatment–2 per week — and had significant improvement in auditory and visual attention and working memory. She decided to have treatment because she wanted to have children and didn’t want to be pregnant and on medication.

We have also seen significant results with children as young as six.

Its important to understand that CCR will improve cognitive efficiency regardless of medication. Some parents want to avoid or minimize medication use and CCR will be helpful for that.  Some parents want to improve cognitive performance–think school–while keeping their child on medication. CCR will be effective in this situation as well.

I don’t want to oversell, but I have been impressed with the results we’ve achieved in my clinic and I have colleagues who have gotten similar results.

As a parent of an ADHD child or as an adult with ADHD, check out computerized cognitive retraining. It changes your brain for a lifetime and can improve your life.

T–

For more information on the ADHD brain and treatment see Training the ADHD brain @http://terrygingrasphd.com

In the years since I was a boy psychologist,we have discovered that it is possible to train people’s brains to improve attention,memory, working memory and almost every other cognitive function. More recently we’ve discovered that it also works for ADHD!

Different training techniques improve different brain functions without medication. In some cases medication is discontinued, in other cases it is considered a supplemental treatment.

There are three of techniques so far to train brains–computerized cognitive retraining (CCR),neurofeedback and meditation training. They each have a different focus and each has a base of research indicating that they are effective.

CCR-computerized cognitive retraining- is a set of brain exercises that are kind of like video games but are designed to stress the brain and increase performance. They are mental calisthenics and like weight training for your muscles, they actually increase the size and density of specific brain areas. This increases your  brain’s ability to pay attention, control impulses and function in high stimulus environments (like classrooms).

Neurofeedback or EEG biofeedback is designed to help individuals change their brainwaves. There are four different wavelengths generated by the brain. One of these, Beta, is associated  with concentration. Another, Theta is associated with disorganized thinking. ADDers are thought to generate an excess of Theta and to undergenerate Beta. Most neurofeedback treatment protocols try to reverse this and increase Beta while decreasing Theta.

This can be accomplished with regular training at a treatment center specializing in neurofeedback. Treatment protocols usually involve 20-30 sessions. Changes/ improvements are thought to be permanent and there is research supporting effectiveness.

The last brain training technique is meditation training. This is a very loosely defined area that covers mindfulness meditation, biofeedback and different types of relaxation. There is research supporting effectiveness. This approach is the most direct–if someone can’t pay attention, why not train them directly to pay attention? Only recently has there been research supporting this approach.

These are the three methods of training the ADHD brain. They all have their utility depending on individual situations. I have used all three methods for years and am impressed with the results achieved. They are all medication free and/or may effect the amount of medication required. They produce permanent changes.

In upcoming posts, I will cover each procedure in more detail. Hopefully making your decisions easier.

T–