Defined as:
- Problems in self –regulation with an impairment in higher order cognitive processes known as executive function.
- High co-morbidity with learning disorders such as reading, math and written expression.
- ADD patients may demonstrate distractibility and problems with impulse control.
Development Disorders
ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD – Hyperactive
OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
ASPERGERS – Affects Motor function
AUTISM – Social Impairment
PDD NOS – Persuasive Development Disorder (not otherwise specified)
Therapies Used for Brain Activation
- Brain-Based Therapy
- Neuro-Transmitter Evaluation
Children with ADD/ADHD often have difficulties with impulse control, attention span, restless movement, blurting out words or phrases, staying on task, reading comprehension, math word problems, understanding social skills, understanding the big picture (concepts), being able to focus on things that they are not interested in, poor posture and many other symptoms depending on the individuals genetic predisposition and environmental elements. These symptoms are most often due to a right brain functional weakness and particularly the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (i.e. the right, front portion of the brain). Some of the functions of this part of the brain are motor planning, executive function and inhibition of the emotional centers of the brain. The right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for putting the brakes on thoughts and movement which is why these children have problems with impulse control and sitting still etc. Often these children have amazing memories, can do math facts without word problems, can read the words on a page but have dificulty understanding the concepts after they read it. This is because they have a functionally strong left brain relative to the right brain. The problem develops because there is a functional disconnection between the hemispheres of the brain. It is like an orchestra where there is one part not working in concert with the rest which throws the whole production off. (exerpt from Dr. Daniel Hanson)
ADD/ADHD is a brain integration issue and the symptoms are most often cause by the right frontal lobe not firing enough. Generally speaking, the right hemisphere is responsible for generating ‘withdrawing’ responses and the left is responsible for ‘approach’ behaviors. The right hemisphere is also more ’sensory’ and ‘passive’ where the left is more ‘doing’. The right is more ‘where’ and the left is more ‘what’. That being said children with a right brain functional deficit often have problems with spatial awareness, especially personal space(they can be a bull in the china shop so to speak). They can have difficulty perceiving their effect on people around them. Difficulty with “comprehension”, inference, reading between the lines is common. Decreased ability to pay attention, distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsivity and compulsive behaviors is one of the most common parental and teacher observations of these children. Poor timing skills (fronto-cerebellar) and poor posture is as well. A parent was telling me recently that her daughter is overly sensitive to sounds and smells and this is typically a right brain deficit because certain sensory pathways aren’t being adequately inhibited by the frontal lobe thus allowing sensations to reach threshold too easily. Problems understanding body language, facial expression and ’social learning’ or non-verbal communication is commonplace with ADD/ADHD. Unfiltered withdrawl responses–very black and white responses to sensory stimulation takes place because the “brakes” aren’t being put on by the right brain.
Testing for Serotonin, Dopamine and Acetylcholine levels
- Laboratory Analysis
*Anitbody Gliaden Testing for Celiac disease
*Comprehensive Digestive Testing for Intestinal Permeability, Dysbiosis and Metabolism
*Food Allergy Testing
*Toxicity Tests
*Adrenal Function for Stress
*Mitochondrial Function Test for Energy Conversion
- Visual Stimulation & Imagery
INTERACTIVE METRONOME for Brain retrainment in Learning Deficiencies. Develops synchronicity between motor and cognitive functions.
Our Evaluation of the Brain- Based ADD Patient
- Screening Exam – Cerebellar Hemisphericy
- Comprehensive Health History – Inflammation
- Neurotransmitter Evaluation – Serotonin, Dopamine and Acetylcholine Levels
- Comprehensive Neurological Exam – Cortex
- Blood Chem Analysis – Inflammation / Organ function
- Functional Laboratory Tests Digestion/Celiac/Gluten/Allergies/NTs/Adrenal/Metabolic
If you would like to see if BRAIN-BASED CARE might help you or a loved one contact us at 651-739-1248 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
