Currently, there is no comprehensive mainstream treatment methodology to effectively ameliorate the broad range of symptoms characteristic of autistic and neurobehavioral disorders. Some professionals now use the new autism treatment known as the brain retraining approach or cognitive behavioral therapy for autism and other neurobehavioral disorders.
We will provide essential information about it and older treatment approaches to help you compare and understand them better.
An Overview of Conventional Treatment Methods
Two conventional treatment approaches exist. One is chemical or medication, also known as the biomedical treatment for autism and other neurobehavioral disorders, which makes up approximately seventy-five percent (75%) of recommendations. The other is neurobehavioral disorder and autism counseling techniques which make up the remaining twenty-five (25%) percent.
Chemical Approach
The chemical approach looks at the chemical makeup of the brain and the functioning of neurotransmitters in relation to specific brain activity. It can be complex in terms of side effects to the child.
Some parents also do not want to use medication because they are afraid of possible long-term side effects. Biomedical treatment for autism and other neurobehavioral disorders helped somewhat to some degree but wore off over time. For others, the medication does not work very well or at all.
Psychological or Behavioral Approach
The neurobehavioral disorder and autism counseling techniques focus on thoughts, ideas, and emotions, which are hard to identify with. While most parents feel that it is beneficial, many report that behavioral interventions did not help their children as much as they hoped.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Autism or The Brain Retraining Approach
Safe and effective alternative treatment options have been available for decades. Some of these options have become cutting-edge approaches in the light of recent brain, behavioral, pharmacological, biochemical, and genetic research.
Without discounting or ignoring conventional medical approaches that address these disorders’ symptoms and bio-medical effects, treating the brain with these scientifically proven options is the root strategy. It is found to be most effective in correcting these disorders in the long term.
Brain function itself is something that is generally intimidating to people, especially when the typical approaches to increasing brain function are either through psychological or chemical methods. The scientific basis of these alternative treatment strategies is retraining the brain. It therapeutically uses and is directed by, among other factors, the naturally occurring brain stimulus, also known as brain retraining components.
How Brain Retraining Works
From all the preceding information, the brain retraining program aims to achieve the following:
- Synchronization: It balances electric activity and allows the different regions of the brain to regain or be in rhythm. This is necessary to share information efficiently throughout the brain.
- Integration: It allows for efficient information sharing between different brain regions for optimum integrated function in all areas of concern: physically, mentally, biochemically, and behaviorally.
- Elimination: As integration increases and improves, the child’s difficulties start to get eliminated.
A brain retraining program utilizes specific individualized physical and cognitive activities which integrate the five senses, movement, balance, and thought. Brain retraining offers proven results in increased academic performance and decreasing negative behaviors, allowing for improved communications and socialization. Altogether a better life for our children, whether they are considered typical or are of special needs.
The Expected Outcome
As a form of cognitive behavioral therapy for autism, the successful outcome from a brain retraining program necessitates that the child becomes a very good reader. Reading is one of the most misunderstood words and concepts. It is not simply learning the words on a page or how to pronounce and understand those words. That really is literacy: a part of reading.
Literacy is the ability to read and understand the words on the page or things like street signs and addresses. It does not give someone the ability to read the expressions on a person’s face or determine if a person might be deceiving them or identify whether or not they’re in a very dangerous situation.
All these other reading abilities come from learning developed through well-synchronized senses, observations, and experiences. Learning is a process that begins at birth and lasts throughout our lifetime. It also dictates how successful we are in our lives.
Learning is a function of our brains, while literacy or word reading is the starting point for developing effective and successful learning abilities. These learning abilities are often delayed and underdeveloped due to forced development.
The development usually gets rushed because learning communication skills, sciences, math, and other subjects are coupled with any behavioral issue. Thus, the brain tries to process them almost at the same time.
For children of any age, whether challenged by such brain issues as dyslexia, autism spectrum, and other learning and behavioral disorders, their outcomes for becoming the best student possible are dependent on retraining their brains to operate in an automatic learning mode.
Developing children’s excellent literacy or reading skills is the first stage and launching pad for integrating natural non-invasive brain retraining techniques to guarantee genius-level learning abilities for a lifetime of success. Any child experiencing reading and learning challenges should not be regarded as intellectually compromised but rather as not having been exposed to a natural and effective manner of being taught.
Is Brain Retraining Better Than the Traditional Approaches?
Definitely, the brain retraining approach or cognitive behavioral therapy for autism and other neurobehavioral disorders has more long-term positive effects. However, as we still continue to learn more about these conditions, it’s safe to say that there is no one single approach that will work better than the other.
A combination of two or more well-studied and tested methods will always be suggested by the professional you’re working with. Just make sure you discuss your concerns regarding counseling, brain retraining, or the biomedical treatment for autism and other neurobehavioral disorders. After all, you play a significant role in helping your child go through treatment and life in general.