Brain Based Approach

 Based upon the most current research our program works from a brain based model which recognizes that many of the children that are diagnosed with these disorders suffer a foundational imbalance or under-connectivity of electrical (brain) activity. This imbalance or under-connectivity occurs within and between the two halves (hemispheres) and/or large networks of the brain. We now understand that it is this imbalance of function, also known as functional disconnection syndrome, within and between the two halves of the brain which is often responsible for many if not all of the physical, cognitive or mental, and/or behavioral difficulties related to these disorders.

The Brain Can Change (Neuroplasticity)

Conventional medical wisdom has long held the belief that the brain could not change, that in fact the brain is hardwired like some computerized super machine. Like any computer or machine which cannot change or grow it was long believed that the brain ‘machine’ was unchangeable. However for decades neuroscientists have proven this to be untrue.

Even as early as the 1960’s and 70’s neuroscientists began to make discoveries that exhibited the ability for actual brain structure to change and it’s ‘circuits’ to have increased function when a person performed different activities. They began to also witness how when one area of the brain failed to meet expected levels of function the brain could often adapt and have other regions within the brain takeover or compensate in part or completely. This ability to change or re-mold itself became known in the scientific community as ‘neuroplasticity’.

The term comes from 2 roots, the word neuro meaning neurons which are the nerve cells throughout our brain and nervous system and the word plastic meaning changeable.