No Child Left Behind By John N. Demos, MA, LCMHC, BCIA-EEG The "No Child Left Behind" legislation was born out of a need to promote standards in education. However the pressure to perform grows exponentially when your child is the one being left behind or your school is the one that fails to meet up to government standards. Furthermore for the parents of children with learning disorders, attention deficit disorder, depression and test anxiety, keeping up with national standards may seem like an unreachable goal. Many Parents are in search for solutions to resolve the educational dilemma facing them. Some have sought individual tutoring inside or outside the public school system. Others have transferred to private schools with smaller classrooms with greater individual attention; and there are those have tried medications such as Ritalin or Cylert. Advocates of drug management therapy admit that not all children are good candidates due to unwanted side effects, whereas others refuse to participate in drug management therapy. Safe and effective alternatives to medication are available: For example, Linda Vergara, Principal, was facing drug management therapy for her son, diagnosed with ADHD. She was introduced to neurofeedback by Dr. Mary Jo Sabo of NY. After seeing positive changes in her son she arranged for neurofeedback to become part of the Yonkers, NY school program. From 1992 to 2001 over 300 children were trained without charge for ADD, learning disabilities and depression. Students who participated benefited in a number of ways including better focusing, enhanced self-esteem and better self-regulation. Neurofeedback (EEG-Biofeedback) training promotes healthy brain wave activity without dangerous side effects. Parents have reported improvements in behavior, attention and self esteem. Neurofeedback training is a process, rather than an event. Just as one can gradually learn to play a musical instrument, it is possible to teach the brain to operate more efficiently. Neurofeedback like other alternative treatments is for parents who prefer a drug free approach. Alternative treatments require more time and effort. Building brain power early can prevent low self-esteem, poor grades and conflicts with school authorities. Take the opportunity now to start a program to enhance cognitive performance before your child is left behind. Non-invasive brain imaging techniques and neurofeedback training are available in numerous locations throughout the United States and Canada. To find a clinician in your area: www.bcia.org, www.isnr.org, www.aapb.org. Bibliography Demos, J. (2005). Getting Started with Neurofeedback. NY: WW Norton & Co. Robbins, J. (2000, Sept. 26). Some see hope in biofeedback for attention deficit disorder. New York Times, p 7. Shannon, S. (2000, July) Alernative healing: What really works. Reader's Digest ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Demos, MA, LCMHC, BCIA-EEG is a Licensed Professional Counselor, nationally certified neurofeedback practitioner and author of Getting Started with Neurofeedback. He conducts workshops for health care professionals who are interested in adding neurofeedback to their practice (www.eegvermont.com). Neurofeedback of S. VT clinic is an alternative therapies clinic located in Brattleboro, Vermont