Autism, scientifically known as autism spectrum disorder, is one of the hardest mental disorders to diagnose and treat.

Medication treatment is not a common option for autism, mainly because there is no official medicine that can treat it or all of its symptoms. While treating its symptoms with some medicine is possible, the side effects may make many parents reconsider. For this reason, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is currently the most used form of treatment.

However, CBT is not the only non-invasive form of treatment that can be considered. With each new clinical trial, we are getting closer to uncovering the true potential of neurofeedback training in treating this spectrum disorder – and Beaverton Neurofeedback is already here to help you start your treatment.

In this article, we will delve deeper into what ASD really is and why neurofeedback for autism is a great alternative therapy option!

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder, or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), is a developmental impairment brought on by variations in brain function. Some ASD sufferers have a recognized distinction, like a genetic disorder. Other factors are still unknown.

We still don't fully understand these elements' effects on people with ASD. Sufferers might act, engage, talk, and learn differently from other people. However, symptoms vary between people.

For instance, some patients are nonverbal, whilst others can be better at talking. While some people can live independently and work, others may need a lot of assistance in their everyday lives. Although symptoms can get better with time, autism spectrum disorder typically appears before the age of three and lasts the remainder of a person's life.

 
Teens and young adults with ASD may struggle to make and keep friends, communicate with peers and elders, or comprehend what is appropriate behavior in the workplace or at school.

 
They might be noticed by medical professionals if they also have disorders like anxiety, depression, or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), which affect persons with ASD more frequently than those without it.

Symptomatology

Limited or repetitive occupations or pastimes, as well as social involvement and interaction, can be difficult for people with ASD. Additionally, individuals with ASD may move, understand, or learn in different ways. It's important to keep in mind that some people who do not have ASD could also experience some of these symptoms, but for those with ASD, these characteristics can make life exceedingly challenging. A few examples of symptoms related to social interaction are:

• Avoiding or constantly dropping eye contact;
• Lacking facial expressions for emotions (happiness, sadness) by the age of 9 months;
• No shared interests with peers by 15 months old;
• Impossibility to pinpoint when others are hurt or sad by 2 years old;
• Absence of role-playing (as a doctor, a singer, or other characters) during play by 4 years old.

There are also some examples of symptoms related to restricted or repeated behaviors:

• Insisting on keeping toys lined up and/or ordered;
• Repeating certain words and phrases (known as echolalia);
• Obsessive interest;
• Hyper focusing on certain parts of objects (like the wheels of a toy car);
• Unusual reactions to certain sounds, smells, tastes, or the way things feel.

Other symptoms related to ASD are:

• Delays in speech, movement, and learning skills
• Hyperactivity
• GI tract issues
• Unhealthy eating and sleeping habits
• Intense or surprising emotional reactions
• Either too little or too much fear

Neurofeedback for Autism as Alternative Treatment

The goal of neurofeedback therapy is to improve brain function by fortifying neural connections in the brain. In order to attain a more ideal mix of slow and fast brain waves and interconnectivity in the brain, neurofeedback for autism spectrum disorder enhances and strengthens a patient's brain wave patterns. Patients with autism spectrum disorders will be able to perform more efficiently thanks to these changes.

While clinical research mostly focuses on behavioral interventions for autism spectrum disorder, ASD, neurofeedback intervention is making more of an appearance in recent studies as a successful treatment alternative.

Here are a few symptoms that can be improved through neurofeedback treatment:

1. Unusual Emotional Reactions

Neurofeedback enhances emotional regulation in the brain to support calm brain function. When the brain is overloaded with information, it often experiences emotional outbursts because it is unable to handle them. The person no longer feels obliged to act out emotionally when the brain is functioning more calmly.

2. Problems with Speech

The processing parts of the brain, such as those in charge of absorbing sensory data and developing a response, are strengthened by neurofeedback therapy. As a result, neurofeedback sessions can help people converse more effectively and understand what is said and what should be said in return.

3. Anxiety

Anxiety is the cause of many of the other symptoms that accompany ASD, such as repetitive behavior or impulsivity. Processing information can be overwhelming and result in emotional reactions when the brain feels anxious. However, anxiety can be diminished and significant improvements can be seen once the brain learns to calm itself through neurofeedback training.

4. Intolerance to Change

When fresh, even shocking information is offered, a person may handle the seemingly rapid change without feeling overwhelmed because neurofeedback training teaches the brain to process information quietly and effectively.

Neurofeedback for Autism at Beaverton Neurofeedback

We strongly believe in the efficiency of neurofeedback for autism, namely for treating and ameliorating its symptoms. As a disorder with no cure, official treatment plan or diagnosis testing, autism spectrum disorder can be overwhelming not only for children but for their parents as well.

Not only does Beaverton Neurofeedback provide professional equipment and assistance, but it also offers an alternative for those who are unable to come to the office for their treatment. The NeurOptimal System, the very same tool that we use in the office, can be rented for at-home neurofeedback sessions. 

Contact us and let’s figure out your personalized neurofeedback therapy journey together!