ABOUT AUTISM
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals perceive and interact with the world. It is characterised by challenges in social communication, repetitive behaviours, and often, sensory sensitivities. Autism affects individuals differently, with a wide range of symptoms and abilities, which is why it’s considered a “spectrum.”
Autism Symptoms in Children:
Social communication difficulties: Trouble understanding social cues, avoiding eye contact, challenges with back-and-forth conversations, or difficulty expressing emotions.
Repetitive behaviours: Engaging in repetitive movements (e.g., hand flapping, rocking) or rigidly sticking to routines.
Sensory sensitivities: Over- or under-reacting to sensory stimuli such as loud noises, textures, lights, or smells.
Delayed speech and language development: Some children may have delayed speech or not speak at all.
Intense focus on specific interests: May develop a deep, narrow interest in specific topics, objects, or hobbies.
Emotional regulation: Autistic individuals may experience heightened emotional reactions, struggle to identify their emotions or those of others, and have sensory sensitivities that lead to sensory overload. Overwhelming stimuli, such as loud noises or bright lights, can cause meltdowns (emotional outbursts) or shutdowns (withdrawal).
Autism Symptoms in Adults:
Difficulty with social interactions: Adults may struggle with maintaining relationships, reading social cues, or participating in social situations.
Repetitive behaviours and routines: A strong need for routine, order, or repetitive activities, and discomfort with unexpected changes.
Sensory processing issues: Hypersensitivity to light, sound, touch, or other sensory input, often leading to overwhelm in certain environments.
Communication challenges: Subtle difficulties with understanding figurative language, sarcasm, or non-verbal communication.
Special interests: A deep, focused interest in specific topics or hobbies, which may drive careers or hobbies but can lead to difficulties in diversifying activities.
If you or a loved one are seeking support for autism symptoms, help is available through supportive interventions like QEEG brain mapping and Neurofeedback, which offer non-invasive and medication-free approaches.
qeeg brain mapping for AUTISM
QEEG is a brain mapping tool that measures the electrical activity in the brain, identifying regions with abnormal patterns of activity. In autistic individuals, QEEG often shows dysregulation in brainwave activity, particularly in areas related to sensory processing, emotional regulation, and social communication.
By using QEEG brain mapping, our team at Optiminds can identify specific areas of the brain that are under-or overactive, which may be contributing to the individual’s autism symptoms.
HOW NEUROFEEDBACK CAN HELP
Improved Emotional Regulation: Neurofeedback helps to improve brainwave activity associated with mood and emotional regulation, helping individual’s with autism become calmer and better able to self-regulate in stressful situations.
Enhanced Social Skills: Neurofeedback targets brain regions involved in social communication and emotional recognition, helping individuals with autism improve their ability to understand and respond to social cues.
Reduction in Repetitive Behaviours: neurofeedback can help reduce the intensity and frequency of repetitive behaviours, making individuals more flexible and adaptable to changes in their environment.
Improved Focus and Attention: neurofeedback can support better concentration and task completion.
Sensory Processing Improvements: Neurofeedback can help sensory processing, reducing hypersensitivity to stimuli like noise, lights, and textures. This can make daily environments feel more manageable and reduce sensory overload.
Better Sleep Patterns: Neurofeedback can regulate brain activity associated with sleep, helping autistic individuals achieve more restful and consistent sleep.
Recent studies provide evidence for neurofeedback's effectiveness in helping individuals with Autism. Research by Van Hoogdalem et al. (2021) found that neurofeedback significantly improved emotional regulation, attention, and social skills in individuals with autism. This meta-analysis, which reviewed 587 articles, showed that 94% of non-randomized controlled trials produced positive results, with randomised trials indicating even stronger outcomes. Another study by Eller (2014) emphasises how neurofeedback could lead to improved brain wave patterns, enhancing self-regulation and reducing repetitive behaviours. These findings highlight neurofeedback as a promising, non-invasive intervention for managing symptoms associated with autism, particularly emotional and cognitive regulation.
WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY?
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?
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If you or your child is struggling with ADHD symptoms, QEEG brain mapping and neurofeedback at Optiminds, Manchester can provide a personalised, non-invasive, and medication-free option. Schedule a free telephone consultation today to learn more about how QEEG brain mapping and neurofeedback can help improve your symptoms of ADHD.
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Neurofeedback is a non-invasive, medication-free therapy that uses real-time monitoring of brain activity to train the brain to function more efficiently. During a neurofeedback session, sensors are placed on the scalp to measure brainwaves. Individuals engage in activities (like playing a game or watching a video) that give feedback based on their brain's activity. When the brain produces optimal brainwave patterns, the activity continues smoothly, rewarding the brain and promoting lasting changes in brain function.
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A QEEG is a brain mapping tool that measures electrical activity in different parts of the brain, identifying areas where brainwave patterns are dysregulated.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE
At Optiminds, we do not diagnose or treat any medical or psychological conditions. Our services, including neurofeedback, are designed to support individuals by addressing specific symptoms related to attention, focus, mood, stress, sleep, and overall cognitive function. While neurofeedback has been shown to benefit many individuals with various challenges, our work focuses on improving wellness and self-regulation rather than providing medical or psychological treatment.
We encourage all clients to consult with a licensed healthcare provider for any diagnosis or treatment of medical or psychological conditions. Neurofeedback is intended to complement—not replace—any existing care plans or therapies under the guidance of your healthcare team.
