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8384 THE BENEFITS OF CONNECTIVITY GUIDED NEUROFEEDBACK WITH AUTISM – LATEST STUDIES AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES


Friday, July 10, 2015: 10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Room Number: 108 (Colorado Convention Center)
Connectivity Guided Neurofeedback (CGN) is an advanced form of Neurofeedback that has demonstrated efficacy in improving symptoms for autism. This presentation focuses on what the QEEG reveals about the autism brain and how CGN works to make functional, lasting changes in the brain. Research and case illustrations of new four-channel CGN training will be reviewed. Connectivity Guided Neurofeedback is a newer form of Neurofeedback that uses an advanced way of viewing the QEEG data to analyze the functional differences in the Autism brain.  Based on scientific brain imaging FMRI and other studies of the Autism brain that show differences in the white matter in Autistics, the QEEG is viewed through a database called NeuroRep, developed by William Hudspeth, Ph.D. which shows coherence differences in regions of the Autism brain in three dimension with the EEG.  These differences are measures of coherence or the over or under communication in the Autism brain.  When using this information to input training protocols used for Neurofeedback training, Connectivity Guided Neurofeedback aims to correct these abnormalities.  This operant conditioning or “weight-lifting” for the brain, improves the neuropathways and makes functional changes in the Autism brain thereby reducing symptoms.

This presentation will focus on how the Autism brain is different from that of “normals” and how these differences show up in the QEEG’s of those with Autism.  Included in this will be some discussion of abnormalities often seen as “Paroxysmal” events in the EEG that are more common in those with Autism.

Secondly, it will focus on what Neurofeedback is and how it works to make functional differences in the Autism brain.

Thirdly, we will discuss several research studies with a control group demonstrating the efficacy of Connectivity Guided Neurofeedback as well as recent studies demonstrating the lasting effects of Neurofeedback training. 

Finally, several case examples will be presented to show how the brain maps and symptoms of those who have undergone Connectivity Guided Neurofeedback at The Neuroconnection have changed and improved. 

Practical considerations of how to do training at a distance will be presented as well as what type of tools one needs to do this type of Neurofeedback training.

Upon completing this section, the participant should be able to:

  1. Provide some understanding of how the Autism brain is different in function from that of normals.
  2. Be able to describe what Connectivity Guided Neurofeedback is and how it works.
  3. Be able to discuss what changes in symptoms may occur when training is complete.
  4. Be familiar with several studies of Connectivity Guided Neurofeedback efficacy and the lasting effects of Neurofeedback training.
  5. Understand how Neurofeedback fits with other therapies used for Autism.

Learning Objectives:

  • Explore ways to become familiar with how specific areas of the brain are affected in the Autism brain and how those differences are seen in databases that look at specific regions of the brain when analyzing the EEG. Case examples will be presented.
  • Demonstrate how to become familiar with what a QEEG is and what Connectivity Guided Neurofeedback is and to demonstrate how operantly conditioning the brain using Connectivity Guided Neurofeedback training can create improvement in the brain’s functioning and decrease Autism symptoms.
  • Analyze studies using Connectivity Guided Neurofeedback for Autism and the latest research demonstrating the lasting effect of Neurofeedback.

Content Area: Medicine and Research

Presenter:

Ann Rigby, MSW, LCSW, BCN
Director, The Neuroconnection
The Neuroconnection

Ann L. Rigby is the Founder and Director of The Neuroconnection, a Neurofeedback clinic that specializes in addressing neuropsychological symptoms with Connectivity Guided Neurofeedback. Ms. Rigby has used Neurofeedback since 2001 and has over 25 years as a supervisor and psychotherapist in mental health settings.

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