Neurotherapy as a treatment for people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
Richard Clark and Tim Hill are planning to undertake research into the effectiveness of Neurotherapy as a treatment for Autism and/or Asperger’s Disorder. In 2008, they will be undertaking a pilot study with a small number of young people who have a diagnosis of either Autism or Asperger’s Disorder. It is then planned to undertake a more detailed study in 2009.
Research in the 1960s and 1970s learned that it was possible to recondition and retrain brainwave patterns. Such patterns represent the underlying activity in our brains that are critical to the capacity for behaviour and related mental functions. The development in cognitive neuroscience over the past decade of databases of brain and cognitive function has made it possible to characterize what these patterns should look like in healthy humans and to predict the normal variation in these patterns across the age range. It is now also better appreciated how variations in such patterns frequently correspond to the normal effectiveness within individuals of functions such as memory, attention, language and emotion (eg. Klimesch, 1999; Clark et al, 2004).
These developments have led to the significant advances in the use and efficacy of clinical techniques to remove abnormalities in brainwave patterns, with the aim of normalizing mental functions that might be affected. The reconditioning and retraining of brainwave patterns is called Neurofeedback (or EEG Biofeedback). During typical training, people are provided with instantaneous audio and visual feedback about their own brainwave activity. Under ordinary circumstances, we cannot influence our brainwave patterns because we lack awareness of them. However, showing people their own brainwaves on a computer screen at the time they occur, gives them the ability to influence and change them. Through the process of neurofeedback people literally recondition and retrain their brain. Typically, changes are initially short term, but the changes gradually become more enduring with continuing feedback and practice. Thus it is usually possible to retrain healthier brainwave patterns in most people. The process is somewhat analogous to doing physical therapy with the brain, typically enhancing cognitive flexibility and control.
Thus neurofeedback training is a means of rehabilitation for a range of conditions through directly retraining the brain.
Since the late 1970s neurofeedback has been researched, refined and tested with people with a diagnosis of ADHD. A recent review (Fox, Tharp and Fox, 2005) concluded that neurofeedback is an efficacious treatment for ADHD and a viable alternative to the use of psycho-stimulant medication, and it is considered the only type of treatment with sustained improvement of central ADHD symptoms in the absence of stimulant medication (see also Monastra et al 2002; Rossieter and La Vaque, 1995).
Neurofeedback has also been used for other conditions – uncontrolled epileptic seizures have been effectively treated using neurofeedback. Research in this area began in the 1970s, and is extensively researched (reviewed in Sterman 2000). Neurofeedback also has support for its effectiveness in treating anxiety (Moore, 2000). There is also some research to support its use in the treatment of depression (Baehr, Rosenfeld and Baehr, 2001; Hammond, 2001). Recent research has also supported Neurofeedback as an intervention to help people with learning disabilities (Walker and Norman, 2006).
Some studies have pointed to the effectiveness of neurotherapy as a treatment for Autism and Asperger’s Disorder (Jarusiuwicz, 2002; Coben and Padolsky, 2007). The most recent study (Coben and Padolsky) concluded that neurofeedback can be an effective treatment for people with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The most recent study concluded “the major findings of our study included an 89% success rate with a 40% reduction in core Autistic Spectrum Disorder symptoms as a result of assessment guided neurofeedback training over 20 sessions. Significant improvement was noted for the experimental group on measures of attention, executive function, visual perceptual and language functions.”
Dr Richard Clark and Dr Tim Hill are planning to replicate and extend Coben and Padolsky’s research. In 2008, they will be undertaking a pilot study with a small number of people who have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder diagnosis. They are planning to undertake a more extensive study in 2009. Therapy will involve a minimum of 20 sessions. Cost of treatment will be subsided although there will be financial cost involved. If anyone is interested in being included in the pilot study, please call Dr Tim Hill (telephone 8410 6500) for further detailed information.
C. Richard Clark, Ph.D.
Professor and Head, School of Psychology and Director, Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Flinders University
Private practitioner in the neuropsychological and psychophysiological assessment of brain and cognitive function.
Timothy Hill Ph.D.
Psychologist in private practice
References
Baehr, E and Rosenfeld, J.P. and Baehr, R, 2001. “Clinical Use of an Alpha Asymmetry Neurofeedback Protocol in the Treatment of Mood Disorders: Follow Up Study One to Five Years Post Therapy”. Journal of Neurotherapy, Vol. 4, No. 4. pages 11–18.
Clark, C.R., Veltmeyer, M.D., Hamilton, R.J., Simms, E., Paul, R., Hermens, D. and Gordon, G., (2004), “Spontaneous Alpha Peak Frequency Predicts Working Memory Performance Across the Age Span”, International Journal of Psychophysiology, Vol. 54; pages 1-9.
Coben, R. and Podolsky, I, 2007. “Assessment Guided Neurofeedback for Autistic Spectrum Disorder”. Journal of Neurotherapy. Vol. 11. No. 1. page 5–24
Fox, Tharp and Fox, December, 2005. “Neurofeedback: An Alternative and Efficacious Treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder”, Applied Psycho-physiology and Biofeedback, Vol. 30. No. 4.
Jarusiewicz, B., 2002. “Efficacy of Neurofeedback for Children in the Autistic Spectrum: A Pilot Study. Journal of Neurotherapy. Vol. 6, No. 4, page 39-49.
Klimesch, W., (1999), “EEG Alpha and Theta Oscillations Reflect Cognitive and Memory Performance: A Review and Analysis”, Brain Research Reviews, Vol. 29: pages 169–195.
Monastra, V.J., Monastra, D.M. and George S., 2002. “The Effects of Stimulant Therapy, EEG Biofeedback, and Parenting Style on the Primary Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder”, Applied Psycho-physiology and Biofeedback, Vol. 27, Pages 231–249.
Moore, N.C., 2000, “Neurofeedback: An alternative and Efficacious Treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” - A Review of EEG Biofeedback Disorders in Clinical Electroencephalography, Vol. 31, No. 1, page 1–6.
Rossieter, T.R. and La Vaque, T.J., 1995. “A Comparison of EEG Biofeedback and Psycho-stimulants in Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders”. Journal of Neurotherapy, Vol 1. Pages 48-59.
Sterman, M.B., 2000. “Basic Concepts and Clinical Findings in the Treatment of Seizure Disorders with EEG Operant Conditioning”, Clinical Electroencephalography. Vol. 31, No. 1, Pages 45–55.
Walker, J.E. and Norman, C.A., 2006. “The Neurophysiology of Dyslexia: A Selective Review with Implication for Neurofeedback Remediation and Results of Treatment in Twelve Consecutive Patients”. Journal of Neurotherapy, Vol. 10. No. 1. Pages 45-55.