Past reference to Resource Room - Harry Potter exercises

http://www.resourceroom.net/index.asp

Hi,

My teenage son has just been diagnosed with severe ADD (but not ADHD). Does anyone, parent or specialist, have any experience with neurofeedback used to treat ADD? There’s some interesting literature on the subject, but I’d sure like to hear from someone with experience.
Thanks

you might want to also check out PACE (http://www.learninginfo.com), which is a cognitive training program that is very good at developing the trainable aspects of attention.

Mary

at http://www.interactivemetronome.com. IM is directed more towards developing rhythm and coordination. However, an often noted side-effect of IM is improvement in attention skills. They do have some published research that documents gains from the program.

Mary

I have heard using biofeedback to improve ADD and all the reports I heard have been good. However, I understand that it is costly and takes a couple of months to achieve. I would also recommend that you try IM. It’s a 3 week, 1 hour sessions days, 5 days a week, (15 hour minimum program).

Although IM was originally designed to help improve rhythm (it was developed by a band member) it’s been shown in research to help improve focus and attention. (Written in the AJOT earlier this year.) They are marketing on those conlusions backed by research. So, the MAIN focus of IM is to develope attention, focus and the secondary gain are improved rhythm, motor planning, sequencing, and timing. Just wanted to set the record straight.

Donna in MO

My daughter is about to finish a 3 week session and I have been told that she should repeat another session. 3 weeks as I understand it is the minimum, but it might require more than that.

Yes, you are correct. Three weeks is the minimum but more sessions may be needed to reach all goals. Plus, once you meet your goal, you may want an additional session or two just to make sure that that goal is maintained. The goal is to reach 19ms especially with the 2000 reps both hands.

So, how did your daughter do? Did you see functional gains?

Donna in MO

My daughter has had 12 sessions. I am going to meet with the provider and ask to see her pretest results and what the ending results are. What questions or sort of things should I look for.

I assume you have been meeting with the provider so are familiar with the tasks in IM. (I meet with the parent after each session to discuss results of that day and what the child did.) If not, re-look over the IM site. The more you know, the more specific you can get with your questions.

First, I hope that you have seen gains outside of IM. If you have concerns that still are unresolved, I would ask about those first. Also, ask if additional sessions would help improve those unresolved areas.

What were your expectations before IM? Were those achieved? If not, why? Were the therapist’s goals achieved? If not, why? Have all IM goals been met? If not, why? What improvements did the therapist see with your dd performance in IM? Have those improvements transfered to “real life”? Also, would additional sessions help? (Remember, 15 sessions is the minimun.)

After the initial evalation, there is a “goal score”. I would suggest reaching that score. Also, I would ask about the 2000 reps both hands task. That is the task that is worked on the most to improve attention and focus. IM recommends getting 19ms on this task.

Those are some general questions. May I also suggest to write down your questions on a peice of paper before your meeting. Then, after asking each question, mark it off. Nothing worse then going in, asking questions off the top of your head, and leaving with unanswered questions.

I would love to hear how she did! Let us know!

Hope this helps.
Donna in MO