5 Frequently Asked Questions About Neurofeedback

Mother asking questions about neurofeedback.

1. Is neurofeedback like shock therapy?
Absolutely not. Surprisingly, this is somewhat of a common question because electrodes are applied to the head at the beginning of each session. The electrodes are only used to read the client's brain activity; nothing gets transmitted out of them and into the head.

2. How much does neurofeedback cost and does insurance cover it?
Very few insurance companies cover neurofeedback. Therefore, the cost of neurofeedback is generally out of pocket. Costs can vary from center to center ranging from $60 to $120 per session. Some centers, such as Intralife Performance Center, does offer financing options. Do not let the price scare you away. In the long run, neurofeedback actually is more cost effective. There is a great article written by Dr. Corydon Hammond which discusses the costs of medication treatments versus neurofeedback. You can read the article here.

3. How many sessions of neurofeedback do I need?
This really depends on the person and their goals. When you first meet with a neurofeedback clinician he or she should give you an estimate of what they think you will need. Beware that it is only an estimate and that you may need more or less than the given number.

4. What kind of results should I expect?
80-85% of our clients had a successful experience and feel that neurofeedback was worth the investment! It is difficult to give a concrete answer because results will vary based on a client's reason for doing neurofeedback, the severity of the situation, and the goals of the client training.

5. How often should I come?
This question depends on the client's time and finances. It is recommended to come at least once a week; however, if you would like to get through training faster a client can as often as everyday.

If you have any other questions that you would like answered, post them below and I will be sure to address them.

Finding Help for ADHD/ADD Through CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit Disorder)

CHADD Logo

Many parents find it difficult to know what to do after their child has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is not uncommon to feel alone, confused, and overwhelmed. At IntraLife Performance Center we have had dozens of parents get involved with CHADD to find help. They found this organization is a great place to network with parents in similar situations and receive information on how to work with children who have ADD and ADHD. Here is more information about CHADD.

About CHADD
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is the nation's leading non-profit organization serving individuals with AD/HD and their families. CHADD has over 16,000 members in 200 local chapters throughout the U.S. Chapters offer support for individuals, parents, teachers, professionals, and others.



Mission/Objectives
CHADD's primary objectives are: to provide a support network for parents and caregivers; to provide a forum for continuing education; to be a community resource and disseminate accurate, evidence-based information about AD/HD to parents, educators, adults, professionals, and the media; to promote ongoing research; and to be an advocate on behalf of the AD/HD community.
The mission of CHADD is stated as CHADD CARES. Specifically, CHADD works to improve the lives of people affected by AD/HD through:

Collaborative Leadership
Advocacy
Research
Education and
Support

Membership
CHADD represents 20,000 members. Most are families of children and adults with AD/HD. About 2,000 CHADD members are professionals providing clinical and other services to persons with AD/HD.

For more information about CHADD, visit their website at www.chadd.org. What other organizations are out there to help parents with children who have ADHD or ADD?

Help for ADD and ADHD: a Non-Medication Approach

"My child's teacher is constantly reporting that Timmy is struggling to focus and sit still during class. He tends to get distracted by other students which then disrupts class. When we have to do homework at home I have to constant remind Timmy to stay on task. This is out of control and now it's starting to negatively affect our family life." -Mother of 8 year old son

Can you relate to this story? Many parents are in this exact situation and are struggling to know how to help their child who is diagnosed with ADHD and ADD. Although medication such as Ritalin and Aderal can be effective for awhile, there often tends to be highly unwanted side affects such as loss of appetite, stunted growth (from loss of appetite), poor sleep habits, and development of a "zombie" like personality.

It's not uncommon for parents to see that after so many months or years of their child having these side effects that its not worth the few benefits they get from taking the medication. This invokes another quest by parents to find something that can help their child. This search leads to them to neurofeedback. This is a non-medication approach that majority of people who try it find extremely effective... and without the side effects. Here is a clip from EEGinfo to help you learn more about neurofeedback and how it can help ADD and ADHD.

If you have had any experiences with neurofeedback, please post them below to help others decide if it's right for them.