Understanding Autism
Autism is a developmental condition that exists across a broad spectrum and commonly involves differences in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. Recent CDC reporting estimates autism affects about 1 in 31 children.
Symptoms of Autism
Autism can show up in many ways, and the combination and intensity of traits varies from person to person
Social Communication Symptoms
- Poor eye contact and limited facial expression
- May not respond to their name and may appear not to hear
- Favors being alone and resists physical contact
- Has delayed speech or does not speak at all
- Has difficulty maintaining conversations
- Speaks with an abnormal cadence and has difficulty with certain words
- May have difficulty recognizing others’ emotions and expressing or regulating their own
- Has difficulty recognizing nonverbal cues
Behavior Pattern Symptoms
- May make repetitive movements and have difficulty sitting still
- Prefers strict routines and rituals
- Has difficulty with coordination and odd movement patterns
- May be highly sensitive to sensory input (such as light or sound; sound sensitivity may include misophonia
- Does not engage in pretend play
- Fixates on objects with intense focus
- Has strict food preferences, often based on texture
Neurofeedback for Autism
Helping Develop Skills by Rewiring Brainwaves
Neurofeedback can support areas often impacted by autism—such as attention, regulation, sleep, flexibility, and stress response—by helping the brain practice more stable brainwave patterns. Using a structured evaluation and symptom-based goals, our process is designed to improve day-to-day functioning and quality of life over time.
When you come to see us at ECNF, a trained therapist will work with you to determine the symptoms that most detract from quality of life. As part of our evaluation process, we will also collect EEG data to customize protocols for brain training within your unique brainwave patterns.
All data collected in the initial evaluation will then be utilized to create the best protocols and growth areas for you or your child.
Integrating Neurofeedback with Traditional Methods
Neurofeedback can offer foundational benefits that help rewire brainwave patterns for better functioning and improved emotional health. It is sometimes helpful to integrate additional treatment methods with Neurofeedback. Behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and other supports can help children with autism build important skills. Neurofeedback may help reinforce progress by improving regulation and learning readiness—so other therapies can “stick” more effectively. A combined approach offers benefits that work to support each other. With Neurofeedback as the foundation, your child may experience greater benefits from additional supportive therapies, helping them toward greater potential.
Advantages of Neurofeedback
- A safe and natural approach
- No medication involved
- No risky side effects
- Brain training without chemicals
- Long-lasting effects
- Quick response in children receiving Neurofeedback before age 12 or 13
- Potential to reduce or stop using prescriptions under supervision
The Emerald Coast NeuroFeedback Process
Our initial evaluation will take approximately 90 minutes. This is a needs assessment that will allow our therapist and software system to generate a customized protocol tailor-made for your unique needs. This enables us to identify different symptoms, goals, and growth areas to focus on for improvement during your sessions.
Neurofeedback and Autism FAQs
Neurofeedback can be a foundational brain-based tool for children with autism and can be used alongside traditional therapies.
Getting Started with Emerald Coast NeuroFeedback
To get started with our Neurofeedback services, reach out to us by phone or online. After establishing your primary concerns and needs and answering your questions, we are ready to schedule your initial evaluation. Once scheduled, we will send a HIPAA-compliant welcome email with paperwork, a review of our process and the next steps.
Our initial evaluation will help us further clarify your unique needs and goals so that we can customize the best Neurofeedback training plan for you. After this evaluation, we are ready to begin your feedback sessions!
From here, in each session, we will track specific symptom improvements that are the best indicator of your brain learning and progress. Using the most evidence-based methods and your unique goals, we will work closely with you throughout the process, assessing when your brain has sufficiently learned to ensure lasting results. Then you’re done! Once brain learning has reached a plateau, these gains are now integrated. In the same way, we remember how to ride a bike, the brain learns through Neurofeedback and keeps and builds on these improvements!
We love what we do and hope to talk with you soon! Reach out to the Emerald Coast NeuroFeedback team today to learn more about how we can help with ASD and schedule your initial evaluation.