Lack of understanding.

Hi Important,
With MRI testing, it tests which parts of your brain you are using, when you do certain exercises. Where it defines increased blood flow to regions. All it might tell you, is that you use ‘these brain regions’ to do an exercise, when you should be using ‘those brain regions’.
Which wont really help with improving your thinking processes.
I might suggest that it can also be misleading, as it suggests that something must wrong with the brain regions that should be used? Which is often not the situation.
I’m involved in research into working memory, where an important thing to know about it. Is that it is not something that we are born with, but is a ‘set of skills’ that we develop through practise. Where each of our Senses, has its own ‘set of skills’.
Which can always be further developed.
Though I not your frustration with your job, that you feel stuck in. But I saw in a much earlier post of yours, an interest in getting into Special Education. Perhaps you are still interested in doing this?
Where you could combine learning about ‘improving your own working memory’, with becoming a Special Ed teacher? Where your personal experience of visual and auditory working memory difficulties, would give you a genuine understanding of students difficulties. Not just something you read about.
So perhaps you can turn what you see as your weakness, into your strength?
Geoff,

Nobodyimportant, my situation is almost identical to yours. I have similar processing deficits (visual/auditory/motor), and obviously, working memory is involved as well. Suitable intervention was not actuated early enough, for me, either, thus I’ve had little education. Of late, I cannot progress in life.

I am sorry to say that I cannot answer your questions regarding MRI technology. I have wondered about this very thing also. Geodob, thank you for your response, your message to nobodyimportant was encouraging. The information regarding the technology was also quite helpful. I wonder if anyone in the medical fields have studied this to any degree? I know it is different, but there is another technology called Biofeedback which I think involves measuring brain waves, and identifying certain mental states, and there are certain techniques used to modify certain responses in the body. I know very little about this, but someone in the medical field suggested that I try a form of this therapy. I will investigate it some more; I do not know whether it can be of assistance to indivuals such as you [nobodyimportant], or me, with processing deficits, but the person who informed me of it seemed to think so.

I apologize that I cannot answer your questions adequately, though I hope you find some solace in knowing you aren’t alone in what you experience.
[Modified by: Sacred Journey on January 12, 2007 09:07 PM]

Hi Sacred Journey,
That’s an interesting question that you raise in relation to ‘brain waves’; alpha, gamma, theta.
Which might in fact be related to current epidemic of ‘attentional disorders’- ADD and ADHD?

Hello~
I too have the auditory disorder. I work in Special Education as a One on One Aide and love it. I am lucky though to have the girl that I work with though, because I have seen other one on One Aides who have destructive kids that bite,hit,kick, and are verbally abusive. Therefore I am scared that in 2011 when the girl I work with will enter high school, will the school district offer me another child to be a one on one aide for and will they be as sweet as the girl I am with now. I also thought about being a Aide in a Special Education class. There was a lot of times last year that I had to be the girls aide and the teacher’s aide because the teacher’s aide was out a lot. What you do as a teacher’s aide is correct papers, get homework together for the kids, run some math, or reading groups. This is for a ld class, if you get into Severly Handicap it’s a little different, I have subbed for those classes and it can be hard at times. I would never think of being a Special Teacher because I have seen too much that they go through but that’s just my opinion. Hope that helps!

As of yet no concrete scientific evidence for any sort of organic difference between the ADHD brain/functioning and the normal brain has ever been discovered. There are a whole slew of theories. None of which has been proven and none of which remains unasaulted by far purer science and better documenting. That much i am certain of. But this thery about theta and Gamma is an interesting one. I will try to check it out see if there is anything else on it.

Hi

I am new to the forum. I understand your feeling of being “stuck at your job”. Are you sure its not fear stopping you? My issues involve analytical ability, fear of new experiences, disorganizations, outburts, etc.

In regards to the MRI, many insurances will not pay for them today. You could certainly try, but the reality is that you have LD. I helped myself by attending cognitive rehab sessions and medical intervention(Ritalin 10 mg, 3x per day).

By the time I was diagnosed, I had a BA degree, but couldn’t find or keep a job. I worked at SU law library for 15 years, and in that time went back to school for a master’s degree in library science.

My advice to you: Don’t be afraid! Try to learn new skills or go back to school and get a degree in something you love. Always keep connected to LD/ADHD research.

Good luck!

Hi

I am new to the forum. I understand your feeling of being “stuck at your job”. Are you sure its not fear stopping you? My issues involve analytical ability, fear of new experiences, disorganizations, outburts, etc.

In regards to the MRI, many insurances will not pay for them today. You could certainly try, but the reality is that you have LD. I helped myself by attending cognitive rehab sessions and medical intervention(Ritalin 10 mg, 3x per day).

By the time I was diagnosed, I had a BA degree, but couldn’t find or keep a job. I worked at SU law library for 15 years, and in that time went back to school for a master’s degree in library science.

My advice to you: Don’t be afraid! Try to learn new skills or go back to school and get a degree in something you love. Always keep connected to LD/ADHD research.

Good luck!

Alissa…well said.

My son struggled in school since the 2nd grade. He has been diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder, but it took years to get a diagnosis or understanding of his true problems. He has had many of the organizational issues and concentration issues you described.

We found a combination of therapies to help him. It is never too late! There are things you can do to help your LD. My son is 13 now and is doing really well. He has had speech therapy, some emotional therapy to learn to control frustrations. We try to limit empty carbohydrates and keep him well hydrated. Drinking lots of water helps to keep him focused. Believe it or not, XBox360 Rock Band has helped him too. Something about the coordination of the sound/beat, visual beat and hitting the drum at the same time seems to be rewiring his brain or making ear/brain connections.

For several years, he had morning flax seed oil in oatmeal or yogurt for Omega 3s which is fantastic for the brain/nervous system & heart. He also takes a supplement, Elevate Brain & Eye Learning Memory Supplement by BioSource Naturals which is on Amazon.com. The link is below.

http://www.amazon.com/Supplement-Learning-Contains-Vitamins-Guaranteed/dp/B001BGJGQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1227449623&sr=1-1

It contains Amino Acids, Minerals, Vitamins & Herbs for brain and eye support. They are capsules, but they open and are tasteless in yogurt, applesauce and pudding. I am a Doctor of Naturopathy and formulated this product after 6 years of research and trying to help my son. After a month of taking it, I was getting raving emails from his teachers.

A combination of life strategies has made big improvements. Does he still have challenges other kids don’t face? Yes, but it has improved tremendously.