Treat The Cognitive Deficit (rather than the symptoms):
Clearly, learning disorders and ADHD can have a
devastating effect on a child’s future. It certainly makes sense that if
a child (or adult) with a learning disorder has a weakness in one or more
thinking (processing) skills, that one would treat
the cognitive deficits directly rather
than merely trying to provide additional instruction in the academic area where
the student is currently struggling. Yet additional instruction is the
routine approach of most public school special education departments, private
tutors and retail learning centers (treating current symptoms rather than the
neurological problem). That is why many families end up very disappointed in
the results when they pursue these solutions. Often, once a child is in
a special education system (RSP pullout assistance or special day class), they
remain in the system for the remainder of their years in school (while their
academic performance remains lackluster). They are merely "given
support" until they graduate.
The long-standing belief in the
academic world has been that learning disabilities and intelligence (IQ) are
innate and “hardwired” in the brain from birth. Consequently, the primary
approach to treating learning disabilities has been to either; 1) provide
intensive drilling of an academic skill, or 2) identify teaching techniques
which can “teach around” the processing disorder that is the cause of the
learning problem.
However, current research in the neurosciences has demonstrated
that the brain is capable of
making significant physiological and functional changes if stimulated in the proper way.
This process, called neuroplasticity, can be maximized if the cognitive skills training
tasks are structured properly. While other programs (directed
at treating processing and cognitive disorders) have resulted in selective improvement,
their protocols have usually been inconsistent in frequency, intensity,
and duration, with their overall results being unpredictable. Brain Power® was
engineered to provide the optimal structure, with the frequency,
intensity, and duration of treatment required for maximum cognitive development (daily
1-hour sessions, incrementally challenging, for 12+ weeks).
Consequently, it is now possible to effectively treat the processing and
cognitive deficits which are the underlying cause of learning disorders.
The Brain Power® cognitive skills training program is
the most comprehensive and sophisticated program currently available. It
is comprised of over 60 training modules in the areas of auditory processing,
visual processing, visual motor skills, attention and concentration, impulse
control, language processing, reasoning and memory. The auditory
processing modules are also effective in treating articulation disorders.
Once a child’s processing/cognitive
disorder has been corrected, they will be ready to receive maximum benefit from
later tutoring and academic instruction. Further, once the processing/cognitive disorder
has been treated, a child will be able to keep pace academically with his or
her peers in the future. Children no longer needs to struggle with a learning
disability their entire life. Brain Power® will allow you to directly treat a
child’s learning disorder.
While Brain
Power® treatment is often
"managed" directly by professionals in the fields of neuropsychology
and education (Locate a Brain
Power Provider),
the Brain Power® program's computer
platform makes it possible for a family member to provide cognitive
skills training for the patient at home. This is important because there
are often physical, financial, and insurance limitations that prevent intensive
rehabilitation in a clinical setting. Brain Power® is
affordable, which allows treatment to be provided as long as the patient needs
it. The Brain Power® cognitive skills training
program is computerized, highly structured and user friendly. By
completing our free video-based Trainer Orientation program, a family
member will be able to effectively provide the treatment a child (or adult)
suffering with a Learning Disorder needs.
Note:
In order to create the patient's Brain Power® treatment plan, it is
important to assess the patient's clinical needs. In the case of
learning/developmental disorders, there are often assessments generated by the
school district that can help with planning. If not available, we offer SymptomTrac; a free symptom-based
assessment to assist with treatment planning. Of course, when practical
we recommend that Professional Administration be utilized to assist with
assessment, treatment planning, and post-treatment assessment. We are
happy to help you evaluate your treatment options (Contact
Us).
