Expert: Dr Billy Levin - 6/14/2006

Question
My son has ADD Type 2 Dr Amen style.

He is 7 years old,   currently on ritalin LA, but still not performing optimally at school.  He struggles to learn to read and write and as a result his confidence levels are rock bottom.  My concern was that perhaps we were still missing something as i thought he would cope academcially better than he currently is.  He is at the bottom of his class.

He is currently doing Auditory integration therapy, and we have been advised to followthrough with neurobiofeedback.  However, where i live (South Africa) it is such an new and still unknown practice that i am met with much scepticism and ignorance.  The ignorance bothers me as i desparately need more information, reassurance, experienced advisors in this field.  

My question is:  Is neurobiofeedback effective?  Am i wasting my money on 40 courses?  Will this assist him to reach his potential?  Is this as revolutionary a breakthrough as claimed in healing ADD?

Furthermore, Alan Pope and Dr Leonard Holmes have designed a game device for video games that is designed to be a more exciting form of neurobiofeedback that one could use in the home.  Do you have an unbiased opinion on this?

I would appreciate your assistance as i feel this is the best time to assist and harness this little boy's abilities. Looking forward to hearing from you.  

Answer
As you have not stated what dose or how it was evaluated, I cannot comment about how effective it is. Obviously if his dose is not optimal he cannot improve. More importent, if he is only on Ritalin LA, it only lasts for at most 8 hours. This would mean by mid afternood his medication fades. Once again, only treating for half a day cannot be of much value. Neurofeedback is in my opinion a gimmick! Do you want my opinion or my help? Where do you stay in South Africa? If you are talking about Sensory intergration therapy, it also does not really have any value. To help his reading he needs optimal stimulant mediation and an effective reading program together with Urlin colour coding.