ADD/ADHD is a very common behavioral disorder that affects approximately 4-8% of school aged children. Boys are 3 times more likely of being diagnosed with it than girls. Adults can be diagnosed with it later in life and unfortunately they have struggled with the symptoms their entire life but not known the cause. Symptoms of ADD/ADHD in adults may manifest themselves differently than in children, because adults often have better coping mechanisms in dealing with the disorder. ADHD used to be known as attention deficit disorder, or ADD, however in 1994 it was renamed to ADHD and broken down into 3 subtypes.
This type includes symptoms such as:
35% of children with ADHD also have oppositional defiant disorder “ A number of these children are described as having high activity levels especially when they are in confusing listening environments “ Willeford & Burleigh (1985) hypothesize that some of these children are having trouble coping with their auditory world and “act up” because of extreme frustration and confusion.
Most people don’t realize that sensory issues are involved with ADD/ADHD. Sensory overload can be the root cause of the actual symptoms such as hyperactivity, lack of focus, irritability, listening difficulties, and the like. Medication often times just acts as a band aid to quiet down the symptoms and dull the nerves, however it provides only temporary improvements and often has negative side effects associated with it.
The ISP addresses not only the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, but mainly the root cause behind it by addressing the vestibular, visual and auditory processing centers of the brain. We do this by using an oscillating motion bed, phototherapy, and modulated music. It works to retrain the sensory processes the brain goes through thereby making it a foundational intervention.
Just as an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) is designed to address the unique academic challenges of a child, the ISP addresses the specific challenges presented in the child or adult with ADD/ADHD. Each person has frequencies that the brain can not process in a balanced fashion. Our program addresses each frequency the individual has problems with and works to remediate those sensory deficiencies.
Benefits include improvements in perception, understanding, and the ability to process and take in information. Other improvements include:
We are excited to offer a drug free alternative to ADD/ADHD for children and adults. This is usually a one time intervention for those suffering with the disorder, however if the ADHD is severe, the program may be repeated after 9 months and in most cases additional improvements will be seen.
Keith and Deanna Goddin came to The Sensory Center with their 5 year old son Andrew who was diagnosed with ADHD. “When we first started coming here in January, Andrew was climbing the furniture. He now makes transitions from one setting to another without a huge problem” say Deanna. “Our home life is easier. And he has really enjoyed the program.” He is able to sit and watch “Finding Nemo” quietly, which his mother points out that alone is progress.
We followed up with Deanna in September of 2005, now 8 months post treatment and her comments were, “Last year he couldn’t do anything in school. Now, he’s doing really well, he’s reading and doing simple addition. He would not color a picture last year in school, the first couple of days of school this year he colored a whole dinosaur with multiple colors. Before, you couldn’t get him to pick up a pencil.” “He’s improved leaps and bounds, I’m very satisfied with the results. He’s so much more focused and a much better kid”