The BrainBased Learning Program is designed to enhance all patients ability to learn through stimulating the nervous system and providing BrainBased Learning Techniques. It is important to know that this program will not teach the student how to read, write or spell, but will identify areas of the nervous system that may not be functioning properly and treat the deficient areas. Once the area or areas are identified, a specific treatment plan will be developed to enhance the nervous system, thus improving the patient’s ability to learn and improve academic performance.

The initial examination will evaluate the nervous system as it relates to neurodevelopment, the motor system, eye function, balance/stability, and the sensorimotor system.

The nervous system is an inhibitory system and when the brain/nervous system are functioning as it should, there should be no movement while at rest. When the nervous system is not functioning properly, this inhibition is not present, which leads to excitation. A student that has a difficult time staying focused, typically has an area of the brain that has lost the inhibition that is required to stay focused. This student is often very intelligent, however may have a difficult time with learning because they are unable to stay focused throughout the day. Dr. Slone’s treatment stimulates the nervous system in a natural way, increasing the overall function, helping to restore the desired function.

By assessing and improving the neurodevelopment of the patient, the patient’s nervous system “foundation” is enhanced. By doing so, the ground floor of the nervous system is addressed, providing a solid base for the nervous system to grow and develop.

The motor system is a direct reflection of how the nervous system is functioning. If a patient lacks coordination, has a movement disorder, balance issues, or a processing disorder, there is an underlying neurologic issue causing this dysfunction. By evaluating the motor system, Dr. Slone is able to determine how the brain is functioning and utilize the motor system as a vehicle to treat the patient for the condition.

When evaluating the function of the eyes, Dr. Slone will use a video nystagmography (VNG). The VNG will provide vital information as it relates to the patient’s ability to track, target, fatigability, as well as the velocity of the eyes, latency and accuracy. If the patient’s eyes are not functioning together, one eye may fatigue or not function as well as the other, decreasing visual input which decreases optimal learning and quality of life.

Evaluation of a patient’s balance, stability, fatigability and adaptation provides crucial information as it relates to the patients ability to learn. If the patient has a difficult time maintaining an upright position there is a high probability that the patient has some sensorimotor integration deficits. This may lead to difficulty when processing sensory information in the classroom decreasing the ability to learn.

When a patient’s balance and stability is optimal, they are able to process information and react appropriately. The fatigability or adaptation score provides information as it relates to the patients ability process information. If the patient is fatiguing when attempting to maintain their balance, they will also fatigue when receiving sensory information while in the classroom, which will decrease their ability to learn. This is also important when it comes to learning new motor responses. Treatment is designed to enhance the patient’s nervous system, thus giving the student the best opportunity to learn. This information is obtained when using a Computerized Assessment Posturography System (CAPS).

The sensorimotor system is evaluated using all of the testings listed above, as well as the Interactive Metronome (IM). The IM test is designed to document how the patient is able to predict when a sensory stimulation will occur and initiate a motor response. Auditory information may also be provided to help the student determine if the motor response was early or late.

BrainBased learning techniques will also be provided to help the student learn in a multi-facet method that is brain friendly. These techniques incorporate movement, visual learning and application of presented information. When the student is able to apply the information, they have a greater understanding of the material learned opposed to when they are unable to apply the information.

Please contact our office for an appointment or click here to download our BrainBased Learning Flyer.