Any students here use Biofeedback to help one pay attention?

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I've been looking on the internet for help for people with ADD -- (inattentive) -- and have come across Biofeedback therapy.

Have you, or a loved one, used Biofeedback? Did it help, or was there no change in ability to pay attention in school?

Was it expensive? Were you able to get insurance to pay for it? I'm thinking that, since PA has passed laws requiring the insurance companies to pay for autism therapies in our state, some therapy like Biofeedback might be paid for if we decided it would be a good thing.

A friend used this with her child, most likely PDD-NOS. No noticable results, and very expensive, nothing was covered. No idea how you new law will affect it.

I never asked for details so I'm not sure how stressful the treatment is. That is always a consideration.

Edit: I just read Mystic's post and I LOVE her idea. Software for home. What a great tool. Much lower "risk" than spending a fortune for expert therapy. But ... that is just me. I'm a cheap, do it at home kind of gal, lol. I just think it's cool to know such a thing is available. VERY cool.

Last edited by DW_a_mom on 04 Oct 2008, 3:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Hello,

I have used biofeedback, not for paying attention but to lessen anxiety. However, I can see how it would help with attention because it helps you relax and focus.

There is software you can get that is relatively affordable (given that I don't know your situation -- my Mom bought it for me as a gift). It is produced by the company Wild Divine. My psychologist introduced me to it, but just doing it in her office a couple times a month wasn't sufficient. It works on your computer. When my graduate studies or life in general gets too stressful, I use my Journey to the Wild Divine and it works wonders.

You can find it here: BioFeedback - Wild Divine

The site has demos you can watch as well. If you buy it, be sure you get the hardware that comes with it -- one end hooks into your computer via USB, and the other end goes on three of your fingers. That's how it monitors your heart rate/breathing.


Edit: PS I am Asperger's with ADHD inattentive subtype.

It reminds me of yoga. Relaxation exercises?

A bit like when I drive at night in the dark. That works relaxing for me.

Thank you, MysticSong, for the information about the Wild Divine software. I think that I've seen that website in one of my previous internet searches. I looked again, and discovered that the software is $300.00 -- much cheaper than Biofeedback therapy at an office, but still quite expensive. I'll keep it in mind, though.

You're welcome.

I think they might have a newsletter you can sign up for -- sometimes they have sales. I know when my Mom bought the software/hardware, we got it both for around $190.

I used biofeedback for migraines. I suppose it helped a bit. I can't imagine how it would be used to help with attention though.

Because it, at least with what I have, helps you focus on one thing and tune the rest out. With Journey to the Wild Divine, if your attention wavers, you won't be able to do anything properly.

I assumed the OP wanted it to make the child pay attention to thinkgs like teachers and schoolwork. Biofeedback allows you to pay attention to things like body temperature, muscle tension, and heart rate, but will not help you at all in paying attention to a presentation on particle physics.

Maybe you should take a look at Wild Divine? Yes, I know biofeedback allows you to pay attention to all that, but WD is also set-up as a game. You have to be able to focus to get through each game and to be able to find tools that help you advance further. If I do anything with WD and then go back to my assignments, I am able to focus on them far better because I just came from a (simulated) environment where my body/brain was allowed to see how it felt to be relaxed and focused --- which lets me then use that feeling to stay focused on my work. It's good for pretty much anyone of any age.