Does your child have problems reading or with math? If so, you are probably like many parents who can be frustrated watching their children struggle with their school work while other kids that seem no different to yours appear to doing it with ease. It may be a relief to know that you are not alone, it is suggested that approximately 15% of the population suffers with reading and/or spelling learning disabilities. And approximately 10% of the population have math learning disabilities. 

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Here at the Brain Health Centre of Alberta we have been successfully treating learning disabilities. Our Reading and Math Disability Treatment Program is based on a very successful and alternative treatment known as QEEG based EEG Neurotherapy.

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A “learning disability” is defined as a 20 point gap between (IQ) intelligence and test scores. For instance with an IQ of 100 and reading at 80 or below. Another common definition of a learning disability is reading achievement scales two years below grade level.

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Learning Disorders, such as dyslexia, also show brainwave deficiencies that can be corrected with neurotherapy. The combination of neurotherapy and specific skill remediation results in a very efficient and precise method to enhance skill development. The area of the brain responsible for the specific activity, whether it be letter sequencing or comprehension, will be activated during the treatment of the Learning Disorder.

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LEARNING DISIBILITIES AND BRAIN PATTERNS

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We have found that our findings agree with that of others and shows that math learning disability is located in the parietal lobes (the upper back of the head). EEG neurofeedback training can usually remediate the blood flow and metabolism abnormalities, timing, and connectivity dysfunctions in these areas. Neuroimaging research using individuals with a reading disorder has consistently found dysfunction in the left posterior temporal lobe (behind the left ear) and in the occipital lobe (visual cortex) in the back of the brain. We see letters in the visual cortex and attach sounds in the left posterior temporal lobe. If these areas are dysfunctional or disconnected or the timing is off, then reading/spelling is impaired. QEEG brain mapping indicates the types and severity of the dysfunction in this area and EEG neurofeedback can usually remediate the blood flow and metabolism abnormalities, timing, and connectivity dysfunctions in these areas.

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WHAT TO EXPECT WITH NEUROTHERAPY

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EEG brain mapping, with multiple databases, including the New York University Medical School Normative Database, can accurately assess for what types of dysfunction are present and to what degree of severity. EEG neurotherapy training can, in most cases, rather remarkably remediate these abnormalities, with statistically significant improvements.

 

Poor handwriting (Dysgraphia), located in the motor strip which runs from above one ear to the other, and facial expression processing deficits (such as Asperger’s) which is located in the fusiform gyrus, below the posterior temporal lobes are also treatable with neurotherapy. Pre and post mapping and pre and post testing is performed to measure improvement.

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