S.R.
I have a 6 1/2 year old son with ADHD. We knew very early, because he is just like my husband who is ADHD and dyslexic. We have done 2 series of QEEG-guided neurofeedback therapy. It's twice a week for how ever many sessions are prescribed. My son's first QEEG (also called brain map) showed us similar results as the complete battery of psycho-educational tests done as part of the admissions process for Shelton School. Yes, he has attention issues, but also the range of processing glitches which include dyslexia. He did his first series (2 1/2 months) with Dr. Jonathan Walker www.neurotherapydallas.com because he took our insurance. We saw no improvement during the training phase, but a big jump about 2 weeks after the series finished. His teachers were surprised that all of a sudden he was receptive to the phonics lessons that until then had just made his eyes glaze over. We did a second series over the summer, but since he also switched schools, it's very hard to say how much of his dramatic academic progress since August is due to the neurofeedback and how much is due to the change in school. I don't care. I think the brain-training helps. It's possible that he's making slower progress with it because he is so young. I still think it's worth it. He'll do another 10 sessions specifically for the attention/impulsivity early in the new year, because that is the hardest thing for his teachers to manage right now. Our insurance changed, so now we use Rusty Lozano for the brain-training. www.onlinebiofeedback.com
I've heard plenty of stories from other parents sitting in the waiting room at Dr. Walker's about how their ADHD child either cut medication dose in half or got off meds if the dose was already very low.
It was very helpful to see on the brain map exactly where his trouble is. Sometimes these brain maps can indicate a different medication might be a better fit for the child because of how that particular medication interacts with the brain. I have heard that Dr. Todd Clements at the Clements clinic in Plano is a psychiatrist who is very supportive of alternative therapies for ADHD, but will also use medication if it is indicated.
Good healthy food is good for everyone, but critical for ADHD folks so the rest of us can tolerate them! Exercise is also essential in managing ADHD. My husband works out at least 2 hours a day to keep his ADHD from running his life. He did martial arts as a kid, and found that very helpful. Yoga would be similarly beneficial if your daughter isn't interetested in punching and kicking things. The point is focused discipline of mind and body at the same time. My son keeps a theraband on the legs of his chair at school so he can work his leg muscles as he does his reading and writing. Their brains process more effectively when their bodies are in motion. The trick is finding motion that is not disruptive to the rest of the class. Older kids can sit on an excercise ball instead of a chair without getting too silly. Many keep a stress-relief squeeze toy in a pocket all day to work their hand muscles discreetly while concentrating.
Good luck in your search for the combination of strategies and supportive therapies which will enable your daughter to reach her full potential.
S.
SAHM of 3 and wife to the Energizer Bunny (aka Mr. ADHD)
