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Dr. Edward Hallowell on Neuroplasticity, Sensory Processing, Alternative Learning Programs and Vision Therapy

Posted by Louis on Wednesday, 29 May 2013 in ADD/ADHD

Learning Breakthrough is one of the alternative therapy programs that I use and recommend to clients in my Hallowell Centers and also to my readers across the world. Clients continue to ask about the program, and the ones who have stayed in the program for an extended period of time have reported positive results. Dr. Edward Hallowell

I am asked regularly about my association with certain "alternative" approaches to learning disabilities. I was recently talking about vision therapy with a New York Times reporter who was asking me about skepticism observed in the medical profession regarding the topic. I told her I believe it is important to keep an open mind when it comes to alternative treatments. Most of these programs do not have the funds to undertake the multi-million dollar prospective studies that are needed to conclusively test these programs. Nonetheless, many of them, like Learning Breakthrough, have merit and have helped people a great deal.

I offer Learning Breakthrough in my offices as a powerful, approachable and inexpensive treatment that complements our other therapies wonderfully. I have found it valuable for clients with ADHD as well as dyslexia and other learning differences. It is not purely vision therapy, but rather an "integrative therapy" that makes use of several different brain systems. It is designed to get the brain working as an efficient, tight-knit system. Many of the clients who have completed the program have reported such improvements as a reduced or eliminated need for medication; better academic performance; increased organization skills; and heightened executive functioning. I hope you will read into the detailed background information posted on the Learning Breakthrough website to get a better feel for what I’m talking about.

Sensory-motor Theory

Neuroplasticity - Sensory Processing

Neuroplasticity

With respect to vision therapy, I told the reporter I believe there is something to it. What the "something" is - is up for grabs, but we are learning more and more about how the vestibular system, visual system and auditory system can all be made to work better together and improve the treatment of attention deficit, dyslexia and other learning differences. My own son's reading problem was helped by his doing vision and vestibular exercises based on the same methods Learning Breakthrough uses which is how I came to gain an appreciation for this particular “alternative” treatment. This is not hocus-pocus. The fact that medication is the best researched intervention is due to the fact that the drug companies are the only groups with enough money to fund such expensive research. I referred the reporter, and I would refer you, to the work of Dr. Mel Kaplan, an optometrist in Tarrytown, NY who is, in my estimation, a genius and a true innovator in the field.

But note, developmental optometrists are not the only professionals that understand and apply Learning Breakthrough’s ideas. Occupational therapists, physical and speech therapists, audiologists, education specialists, and physicians have all seen client improvements along the lines of those that I’ve seen.

I tell my patients that I want to use whatever works, as long as it is safe and legal. If we wait for a New England Journal of Medicine article to report on the validation of every treatment, we'll be waiting a long time. To me, the integrative approach--making use of all the possible tools I have in the toolbox--is the best way to go.

All the best, Ned Hallowell

(this post was originally written on April 13, 2010 by Dr. Ned Hallowell and has been recreated 3 years later to re-vigorate this valuable information)

What are Targeted Exercises for Brain Fitness?

Posted by Louis on Tuesday, 07 May 2013 in ADD/ADHD

Recent scientific studies have clearly shown that aerobic exercise is good for your brain health. Healthier brains help people with learning and attention difficulties, such as Dyslexia and ADHD.

Did you know that since the early 1980's, developmental specialists have used specific, targeted exercises, developed by Dr. Frank Belgau, to dramatically help these children and adults? The Learning Breakthrough Program is the most comprehensive suite of targeted exercises available anywhere that helps better organize the way the brain processes information and speeds up brain reaction time.

When I was a child, back in the early 1950s, we were outside everyday, throwing balls and moving in ways that many kids today rarely experience. It turns out that many of these movements are crucial to brain development. The simple act of crawling as a baby has a real impact on cognitive development (there is a higher rate of learning disabilities in children who never crawled than those who did crawl!).

So, it is no wonder many people are greatly concerned about too much "screen" time with kids today, be it TV or computer use. I remember a mother telling me once that for every hour her son played video games, he did a 15 minute Learning Breakthrough Program segment, especially before beginning homework. We don't know for sure about video use but we do know that targeted physical movements change the brain in a way that learning and attention become more efficient and focused.

So, if you know someone who struggles with learning or attention, send them to our website to read about the program. If they decide to use the program, they will be grateful for your suggestion.

ADHD Diagnosis on the Rise to New Record Levels

Posted by Louis on Tuesday, 02 April 2013 in ADD/ADHD

According to a NBC News video segment on children's health, ADHD has seen a rise to a new record level of 11 percent of kids currently diagnosed with ADHD. Including nearly one in five high school age boys in the United States being diagnosed with ADHD.

Read the full article text here, where Dr. Hallowell, a friend of The Learning Breakthrough Program is cited as a leading expert in the report.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Can You Make Your Brain Work Better? Really?

Posted by Louis on Tuesday, 02 April 2013 in Dyslexia

When I was a kid, back in the dark ages of the 1950s, your IQ score defined you as either average, a genius or "slow". And, everyone believed that could never change. You were born with a brain that worked a certain way and that was it!

Well, we know now this is simply not true. Our brains can change throughout our lifespan. We CAN teach an "old dog" new tricks!

It is well known that if you do aerobics, stretching and strength training, your PHYSICAL body will become stronger, more able to handle the physical demands of living on earth. You will walk better, have more stamina, lift things easier etc. etc. So, a person who is physically weak can, at any age, become stronger.

So, what about your brain? Can it become stronger, better able to handle the MENTAL demands of living on earth? The answer is a resounding YES!

The question is "HOW can we strengthen our brain"?

We hear a lot these days about playing certain computer games as a way to better "brain fitness" as well as puzzles and brain teaser tests.
Studies have shown that aerobic exercise is good for brain health.
Proper nutrition through quality eating and/or supplements can have a positive impact.
Connection to people, love and social engagement all add to a more healthy brain.

While the jury is still out about computer games and brain fitness software, the other things on this list we know are good for our brain. So, is there a way to affect our brain so you can learn better, remember more and perform at a higher level?

One answer seems is found in therapies used for decades to help people with true learning disabilities, such as Dyslexia. These therapies get to the root cause of why a person can't read or write or even speak. There are people who suffered a stroke and lost their ability to speak but were able to regain their speech. There are children years behind in reading who catch up quickly, not because of reading drills, but because they were fortunate enough to be given a therapy that made their brain work better. Even though you may not have a "learning disability", a therapy that works on the foundational structures of the brain will allow you to perform better, physically and mentally!!

Back in the 1960s the pioneering young Dr. Frank Belgau, who many considered a NUT, discovered that you can make the brain work better by stimulating the "senses" involved in daily function. Centered around balance, Dr. Belgau developed a suite of physical movements and equipment that helped better organize the way the brain processes information. Occupational Therapists and Develpmental Vision specialists began incorporating his method with great success. Unfortunately, the money to perform the detailed research such as that by the large drug companies, was not available so this powerful therapy never became "headline" news, like aerobics for the physical body.

Now, thousands of people have used this therapy to change their lives and the lives of their loved ones and patients. Some 20,000 people, between 2001 and 2008, spent nearly $4000 USD to use this therapy. Unfortunately, much of that money went to needless expensive "medical" testing, that had no affect on the outcome.

Now, the ORIGINAL program is available for $400 (plus shipping) to the average person and it no longer requires professional assistance. Click here to learn more about the original "Learning Breakthrough Program" and how you can change your brain for the better.

ADHD and video games, is there a connection?

Posted by Louis on Wednesday, 20 March 2013 in ADD/ADHD

Well, that is a good question, one that the medical and scientific world is yet to fully answer. But as a parent, should we really wait until the "jury is out"? Are adhd and video games connected? Can playing too much video games also cause ADD, dyslexia, or other learning disabilities? Certainly an important question...

The American Academy of Pediatricians urge NO time in front of a screen for kids under 2 and no more than 2 hours for older children.

Common sense tells us, as does a lot of the information floating around, that too much screen time makes for poor sleep, reduced creativity, more bullying, increased obesity and problems paying attention. Iowa State University researchers found middle school kids spending more than 2 hours a day in front of a screen are twice as likely to have attention issues as compared to those children who spent less than 2 hours. This was reported by their teachers! There is disturbing research out of Singapore and the UK as well.

Whether or not you believe there is a such thing as "gaming or internet addiction", it appears that more harm than good to child development results from excessive screen time.

So, remove tv sets from bedrooms, help your kid find other activities (there are "games" other than on the computer, remember?), turn off the tv during meals, set limits for screen use and set a good example yourself.

I have had parents tell me that they have their child do a 15 minute Learning Breakthrough Program segment after playing video games just before doing homework. The brain organizing activities of the Learning Breakthrough Program along with the visual eye tracking exercises that are involved help stay on task and make reading and learning better. Children may benefit from this 15 minutes of targeted physical exercises that work on their brain's as a pre-cursor to doing their homework. Imagine trying to do your "homework" after coming out of an intense visual movie for instance...

It seems possible that ADHD and video games are linked, but what do you think?

Also see this excellent video supporting there is a connection between the two:

Susan's own breakthrough success story

Posted by Louis on Wednesday, 10 October 2012 in Learning Breakthrough

A Breakthrough Success Story

I want to introduce you this week to Susan. Susan has taken the Learning Breakthrough Program to areas that people have been asking about for years.

Look at this recent news article found in the largest newspaper in N. Ireland that Susan recieved by helping parents and families in the UK.

A little background

Let me tell you about a few things I have learned from Susan after working with her for the past 2 years:

Susan worked in insurance for 26 years (the last 15 as a financial advisor) before deciding to provide the Learning Breakthrough Program.

She started providing the program to her friends on a trial basis, in her part time.

Now Susan makes a full-time living helping and supporting people who are looking for solutions that the Learning Breakthrough Program can provide.

The Interview

Last week I interviewed Susan over Skype, to talk about the successes she has experienced in the past couple years.

Here are a few takeaways from the interview

She had 2 young boys struggling with low concentration, bad behavior and learning difficulties.

School did not help, the principal (headmaster) made her feel like she was doing a bad job parenting.

Her oldest son, diagnosed with ADHD, had a complete turnaround and is now in a prestigious culinary school training to be a chef.

Her youngest son, diagnosed with Dyslexia, dramatically improved his reading level, among other things, and now plays Scrabble with the Oxford Dictionary with his mother.

Susan invested in a program that was based on the Learning Breakthrough Program, that included clinic visits and monitoring that cost her over £2,000 per child ($4000 US Dollars).

(Watch the video at the bottom of this post)

Click here to go watch the Video.

Dr. Ned Hallowell, ADHD expert and best-selling author, now provides LBP as Hallowell Center treatment option and recommends the program's use worldwide.