1 minute read
Settling internal storms
Neurofeedback is an option for those looking for relief
by Gretchen Morse
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Nick was an 11-year-old boy with Autism, who had daily tantrums that lasted for hours. These outbursts often involved slamming his head into walls and through windows. He had multiple MRIs to scan for head trauma after his outbursts. His parents were exhausted and turned to Neurofeedback for help.
Neurofeedback can help to calm the nervous system, decreasing reactivity and increasing flexibility and function in individuals with various levels of stress and/or dysfunction. It is used for a wide range of physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral symptoms, and is well-supported by the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Nick’s initial session included a history of his symptoms and an assessment of his nervous system. He then started the LENS (Low Energy Neurofeedback System), a type of neurofeedback that does an extremely quick measuring of the brain’s electrical rhythms. The LENS then sends a tiny signal (less than that of a digital watch) back to the brain at a precise time, to help it to balance and become more flexible.
During the LENS, Nick wore sensors on each earlobe, and one on his scalp. Several sites were addressed in his first session. Like most people, he didn’t feel the process, but in his case, he appeared much calmer by the end of the session.
Within two weeks, his daily outbursts had reduced to one a week, and these tantrums were much shorter and less aggressive than in the past. The outbursts quickly reduced to a rarity.
Nick also started identifying his family members by their names, something he was unable to do in the past. His palate increased – he started asking for salads and other items he hadn’t cared for, before. His family would take him to the mall after the sessions, and he would seek out elevators and escalators; things that previously scared him.
While results can vary, depending on a range of factors, neurofeedback is a lovely option for many who have not found relief through traditional means.
Gretchen Morse, DMA, is Board Certified in Neurofeedback. For more information on Neurofeedback, call her at 517/290-4965, visit her website at www.mmneuro. com , or “Like” Mid-Michigan Neurofeedback on Facebook.
