Brain training science, services, sales pitch navigation help needed

[Anonymous]

We are thinking about pursuing brain training neurofeedback sessions for our 7 year old with aspergers. Can someone please give suggestions on how to navigate services? We have met with Brain Training of Maryland.... they wanted to offer services based on an incomplete assessment due to our children being scared to complete one of the assessments. I reached out to learning rx to learn about summer programming and they want to do more assessments. We are inclined to talk with our developmental pediatrician but I don't know if he will consider brain training to be silly or sound science. Our online research has yielded many private companies but limited links to research articles about the evidence base for brain training. I am hoping to hear from a few parents who have navigated through services and can offer sage advice. We also need to know if we should attempt to find services that will bill our insurance or not? Who is the best in the area? Do you think the investment helped your child?

[Anonymous]

You're having difficulty finding research because it's not a research based program. What exactly are you hoping to accomplish? There may be better programs out there with actual research to document their effectiveness.

[Anonymous]

I researched these programs in the past. There are some studies but they are limited. Most show short term gains but there were few studies showing long term gains. There were no conclusive studies I could find a couple years ago that said these programs in fact were proven via scientific methods of research.

I think you need to approach them as a program that could in fact help your child but the only way to know is to go through the program. It's a gamble really.

The good news is I never read anything that said a child or adult was harmed by these programs or lost any progress they had made in other ways. The only loss seemed to be in the parent's wallet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I researched these programs in the past. There are some studies but they are limited. Most show short term gains but there were few studies showing long term gains. There were no conclusive studies I could find a couple years ago that said these programs in fact were proven via scientific methods of research.

I think you need to approach them as a program that could in fact help your child but the only way to know is to go through the program. It's a gamble really.

The good news is I never read anything that said a child or adult was harmed by these programs or lost any progress they had made in other ways. The only loss seemed to be in the parent's wallet.

Agree. These sessions won't be covered by insurance either. Do them if you can afford them.

[Anonymous]

Hmm. As a scientist, I find their claims to be WAY BEYOND what the research shows. And I can't trust people who do that.

[Anonymous]

Here is an old thread about learning rx:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/268378.page#2921885

[Anonymous]

How would computer-based "brain training" help with an ASD? I can see how computer-based programs might help with ADHD and study tactics. But hard to see how they would help an ASD kid learn social skills.

[Anonymous]

OP, as kindly as possible, don't invest in this.

[Anonymous]

My son has adhd and anxiety. We have been doing neurofeedback for a year (out-of-pocket), based on recommendation of psychologist and developmental ped. We do other interventions as well so it is impossible to determine what makes what percentage of difference, but I can tell you that his anxiety is lower than it has been since he was a baby. I don't notice any difference with the ADHD.

[Anonymous]

We talked to our neuropsych about neurofeedback and she felt the evidence was just not there (yet). A part of me fella like my child will only be a child once, so I should give it a shot but, on the other hand, I am weary from all of the snake oil salespeople profiting of of me and my child has become very weary from all of the tutoring and treatment.

[Anonymous]

I researched these programs in the past. There are some studies but they are limited. Most show short term gains but there were few studies showing long term gains. There were no conclusive studies I could find a couple years ago that said these programs in fact were proven via scientific methods of research.

I think you need to approach them as a program that could in fact help your child but the only way to know is to go through the program. It's a gamble really.

Anonymous wrote:The good news is I never read anything that said a child or adult was harmed by these programs or lost any progress they had made in other ways. The only loss seemed to be in the parent's wallet.

Loss of money is no small thing. Loss of valuable time is arguably greater. Lack of direct harm doesn't mean no harm.

[Anonymous]

It's a scam, hon.

[Anonymous]

OP here I really appreciate you all providing very candid feedback, for sharing a past thread, and for sharing your own personal stories. We spend a lot out of pocket for private speech and OT every weekend for 5 years.. and we really don't have additional resources for something that is not proven or that does not have a stronger evidence base. We might talk to our pediatrician about a listening program but I am not certain about that either. We have seen very positive outcomes and skills buidling with speech and OT. Thanks again everyone.