Brain training for ADHD: Neurofeedback
People living with ADHD usually experience life a little—or a lot—differently than others. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can affect any developmental age from child to teen to adult, which can make everyday tasks like working, getting the kids to school, or doing homework difficult. That is why neurofeedback is a great tool for people with ADHD and their families. It can help reduce symptoms while giving you and your family peace of mind.
Photo via Unsplash
What is ADHD?
ADHD is short for "attention deficit hyperactivity disorder". Nothing specific causes ADHD; it is a neurobehavioral condition that often manifests in childhood and can last until adulthood. It is characterized by a lack of attention and difficulty focusing, along with hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Who Does ADHD Affect?
ADHD usually affects children, as that’s when it’s most commonly diagnosed. However, it can also be diagnosed later in life for teens and adults. Boys and men are more likely to be diagnosed than women and girls.
ADHD in Children
According to the CDC, diagnoses of ADHD in children aged 4-17 years in the United States have been on the rise since 2007. As of 2021, 9.4% of children in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD.
Here in Hawaii, that number was 6% in 2011, with no more recent data currently available. However, a 2017 study showed that 0.11 to 0.39 percent of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian children were likely to be diagnosed with ADHD.
ADHD by Gender
ADHD affects both girls and boys, but it is more likely to be diagnosed in boys. This is because boys often exhibit hyperactivity as a symptom of ADHD and that is an easier symptom for healthcare providers to notice.
While girls can also show hyperactivity, ADHD in girls often looks like talking a lot, interrupting, and showing a higher-than-average amount of sensitivity and emotion.
ADHD in Teens and Adults
Children with ADHD may show symptoms well into their teen years. Teens with ADHD may have trouble focusing in class, struggle to get high grades, and have difficulty maintaining relationships in their peer groups.
For some adults, the symptoms of ADHD may continue after childhood. Adults with ADHD may show very few symptoms or demonstrate more symptoms, such as difficulty managing emotions, maintaining relationships, and focusing at work.
For both teens and adults, treatment for ADHD is similar to treatment for children. Some may benefit from medication, behavioral therapy, or neurofeedback therapy.
Photo via Unsplash
What Does ADHD Look Like?
According to the CDC, there are three main categories of misbehavior in those with ADHD. These are inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Because they are similar in nature, impulsivity and hyperactivity can be listed together. Some of these symptoms will likely affect everyone at some point in their lives, so it’s important to remember that in order to be diagnosed as ADHD the symptoms must have been ongoing since childhood and affect more than one area of the person’s life.
Characteristics of inattention in children may include:
forgetting to do homework assignments, chores, or other tasks
constantly losing or misplacing personal belongings
not appearing to listen when being spoken to
being unable to finish long or mentally taxing tasks
While impulsivity or hyperactivity can look like this:
constantly fidgeting, squirming, or moving
exhibiting behavior that is disruptive, particularly recurring behaviors that seem out of place for the child's developmental level, such as loudly interrupting a teacher in class
getting up or feeling restless in a situation where they should remain seated and quiet, such as at the movies or in school
being always 'on the go' without an 'off' switch for their energy
having little concept of social boundaries (may join in on activities or games without permission, talk very loudly, or be unable to wait for their turn)
Depending on their severity, these behaviors can be draining on both the child and the caregiver.
For teens and adults, ADHD can look like difficulty maintaining relationships, struggling to be consistently productive at work or school, excessive mood swings, and difficulty planning or prioritizing tasks.
Some common treatments for ADHD are medication, behavioral therapy, counseling, and educational assistance. However, neurofeedback is another great tool that can be used to manage the symptoms of ADHD!
Neurofeedback Brain Training for ADHD
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive therapy that can help people with ADHD manage their symptoms and improve their daily quality of life by training the brain to be more stable, calm, and efficient. When combined with other treatments like medication and behavioral therapy, it shows promising results for those with ADHD. Studies show your child can improve their memory and reduce hyperactivity, which is two of the biggest struggles for people with ADHD.
Specifically, brain training for ADHD can help:
reduce negative side effects of ADHD medication
lower overstimulation
manage executive dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, and hyperfixations
What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback, or neuroptimal brain training, is a neurotherapy that allows you to restructure your thought processes to achieve your well-being goals. It’s beneficial to those with ADHD because it is non-intrusive, takes only 30 minutes per session, and can be done in the comfort of your home – making it the perfect option for families with children who are looking for a noninvasive treatment so their child can feel safe and calm.
How Does Neurofeedback Work?
Neurofeedback works by simply placing electrodes on your head and ears. The electrodes are connected to a machine that monitors your brainwaves and projects them onto an iPad-like screen. When unwanted brainwaves are produced, such as a thought process that leads to overstimulation, your brain will learn to recognize and avoid these patterns, then automatically course correct to use healthier brainwaves instead. Over time and with consistent use, this brain training process allows your nervous system to learn healthier habits and ways of functioning. This is helpful for reactions such as executive dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, and hyperfixations, which can be big sources of stress for those with ADHD.
Unlike talk therapy or behavioral therapy, where you talk about your thoughts and feelings and make a plan to overcome unwanted behaviors, neurofeedback doesn’t require you to speak with a therapist.
Suggested Read: Neurofeedback machines for home rentals can be used by the entire family, not just the child or person who it is recommended for! In this way, Neurofeedback can help the whole family experience more stability. Read more about this in our blog post here.
Photo via Unsplash
Is Neurofeedback effective for ADHD?
Neurofeedback can provide many benefits to those with ADHD. Because it is a brain therapy, it can help you improve important neurological skills such as the ability to concentrate.
Because you are literally forming new connections in your brain with neurofeedback, you are also able to experience an overall better state of calmness and stability. The idea is to create more resilience and flexibility in your nervous system, which can help you focus. This is one of the primary struggles for those with ADHD.
For one child, brain training for ADHD helped her do better in school and reduce aggressive behavior. Student Cody Miller experienced negative side effects from ADHD medication that caused her to lash out. She practiced neurofeedback sessions for eight months, and eventually, her family noticed an improvement in her school life and a reduction in her aggressive behavior. What’s more, those positive changes did not go away and Cody was still maintaining her new lifestyle two years later!
Neurofeedback can be used in conjunction with other therapies used to treat ADHD such as behavioral therapy, counseling, educational assistance, and medication. Individually, none of these methods will cure ADHD, but together they can help to mitigate some of the symptoms.
How to get started with neurofeedback for ADHD with Ohana Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback will not eliminate ADHD but it can drastically improve the lifestyle of someone living with it and equip them with the necessary tools to maintain those positive changes in the future.
Neurofeedback at Home
You can rent a NeurOptimal neurofeedback kit from Ohana Neurofeedback to use at home. Our systems come with easy-to-read instructions, and we are available to help answer any questions you may have.
There are many benefits to doing brain training for ADHD at home. It is entirely non-invasive and it can reduce any stress that a child may have at a therapist’s or doctor's office. Your child can experience home therapy surrounded by their favorite stuffed animals and toys in a safe, comforting environment. In addition, unlike medication, neurofeedback is safe for every member of the household to use.
How can I find a neurofeedback specialist near me?
There are a few online directories that can help you to find a neurofeedback specialist or equipment rental provider near you:
Psychology Today
International Society for Neuroregulation and Research (ISNR)
Ohana Neurofeedback offers both in-office neurofeedback training and monthly rental services so you can train your brain in the comfort of your home.
Whether you are looking for an alternative solution, a new form of therapy, or just something that will make your life easier, we are here to help you understand your options and make the best decision for you and your family.
Contact us today to learn more about our flexible options for training your brain and improving your life.
