Neurofeedback Therapy

Just a note for those who are interested: we have tried neurofeedback therapy with our youngest child who has severe ADHD. The way neurofeedback works is that electrodes are place on the head which run to a computer that allows the child to literally play video games with their EEG brain waves. When the child used the "good" brain waves (calm, happy, positive), they can control the game and do well. If they are using "bad" brainwaves (anxiety, stress, anger) the game won't work. I observed this and it is really true. This therapy is covered by some health insurance and costs about the same as regular psychotherapy sessions. If your child is presently seeing a psychologist who does not do neurofeedback therapy, and you want to try it with a psychologist who does, you would have to switch temporarily until the feedback therapy is finished (something like three months or so) because most health insurance will not cover both types of therapy at the same time. We had to do the temporary switch. I would say we were starting to see differences with Mae (even with her stuttering, which has improved a lot), but her therapy was interrupted by Caroline's setbacks a few years ago, so we didn't finish it. I would like to restart it this summer.

As far as bipolar kids, I was told by Mae's therapist at Dr. Parker, Schlichter and Associates that it doesn't work very well for bipolar disorder. However Dr. Parker's neurofeedback website says that it can be used for bipolar disorder. I will have to ask him about that.

I have placed a link to our psychiatrist's neurofeedback information, and obviously there are many across the country, but I liked the explanation on this website about the therapy and which disorders it can help.