This multi model program helps children and adults that suffer from attention and impulsivity problems. The program is centered on the fact that specific parts of the nervous system are under activated and potentially malnourished. Global activation of the sensory system followed by attention based activities gives the nervous system the ability to learn how to concentrate. With repetition of these activities strong and healthy nervous system cells can form connections that are used in every day learning and focus.

Program Model
Consultation and Exam An extensive patient history is extremely important in determining if the program will help a patient. If the patient is a good candidate, a detailed neurological and physical examination will direct program treatment.

Activation of weak areas + Fuel For Building = Strength in system

1) Whole body movement jumpstarts the nervous system to activate.
2) Focused therapies activate specific under active areas.
3) Give the nervous system the nutrients needed for growth.
4) Change Happens!!


Consultation and Exam

The history is extremely important in assessment and diagnosis of neurobehavioral disorders because most diagnosis are based on subjective (patient and/or parent observation and symptoms) information. The history also gives the doctor a baseline of current health condition. The examination will follow the history if Dr. Schaffer finds the patient to be a good candidate for therapy. During the examination Dr. Schaffer will assess neurological function using standard tests. Posture, muscle tone, and balance will be assessed during the chiropractic examination. Functional assessments of different therapies will be tested against the patients current health level and neurological function to find correct therapy for the individuals nervous system.


Neuron Theory Summary

The nervous system is made up of 100 billion nerve cells, or neurons, that connect to produce specific functions. This system is plastic, meaning that it can and does change. Changes occur in the nervous system at conception and continue through life till death. Changes that are seen are very pronounced when young, response to sound, eye movements become accurate, learning to speak, and learning to walk. During each of these accomplishments the nervous system adds and refines the neuron connections. The nervous system has two primary functions, the first like all living things is to survive, the second is to receive and transmit information. For survival to take place a neuron must have two things, fuel which is glucose and protein, and activation, which we did from our surroundings. If one of the two is missing the neuron will die. If both are there in abundance the neuron will be healthy and flourish. Receiving and transmitting information within the nervous system requires connections of neurons to work together to perform a specific task. If proper fuel and activation are both present, the pathway that is being stimulated will strengthen and physically grow. Also, the opposite is true, if there is not enough fuel or enough activation, the system will weaken.
Developmentally, children with executive decision-making problems fall into certain diagnosis; attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, OCD, Tourette's syndrome, PDD, and autism/Aspergers are the major conditions we see today. According to Robert Melillo and Gerry Leisman acclaimed bood, Neurobehavioral Disorders of Childhood: An Evolutionary Prospective, these disorders are a consequence of poor nervous system activation, more specifically poor activation of the frontal cortex and over activation of the systems that the frontal cortex may control. The frontal cortex is the newest region in the brain and is in charge of "executive functions", such as planning, decision making, attention and focus, and also plays a large role in motor planning. Using the neuron theory model of activation to build nerve cells, The Center of Chiropractic systematically helps patients build strong healthy nervous systems with nutritional suggestions, state of the art coordination and timing equipment, and sensory system activation.

Treatment

In treatment of neurobehavioral disorders there is no "magic bullet". The need for a proper neuropsychological examination and a good history is immense. During the examination a doctor or therapist will determine what will be the best therapy for the specific weakened areas of the nervous system. Below are some of the treatment options which get used as stand alone therapy or will be used in combination to ensure maximal benefit. Food Sensitivities and NutritionIt is imperative to address any nutritional problems that may decrease the effectiveness of the program. Proper fuel (food) is needed for building the nerve cells that make up a healthy nervous system. Food sensitivities may interfere with proper activation of the nervous system and may even be the "root" of the problem.
 
Chiropractic Adjustments

Chiropractic adjustments are given, when needed, to activate the nervous system and eliminate any spinal subluxations. Subluxations are joint fixations, which cause a loss of activation of muscle and joint sensors. These sensors feed into the balance centers and ultimately drive brain function. This loss of activation, according to the neuron theory will weaken all nervous system function. Exercise and General ActivationExercise is extremely important when dealing with attention based disorders. Movement of the joints and muscle primarily send signals to the brain through the connecting nerves. Theses signals are the primary input for the brain to function; according to neuron theory (fuel + activation = strength in the system) the system will be less likely to become strong without physical activity. General body movements are used in the beginning of each session to "prime" the whole nervous system before activating specific areas with focused therapies.

Interactive Metronome

Interactive Metronome is a state of the art computer based training program designed to improve timing, attention, and coordination in children and adults with a wide range of cognitive and physical difficulties. As an assessment and training tool, IM provides a non-invasive way to stimulate learning and development. (see below for detailed research and case studies)

IM published research American Journal of Occupational Therapy (March/April, 2001, Vol 55, No 2) The Effect of Interactive Metronome Training on Children with ADHD - In the double blind IM Training 'effect' study that will soon appeared in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, boys with ADHD, who received the IM intervention, were compared with a control group receiving no intervention, and a second control group receiving a placebo computer based intervention. The IM intervention group showed statistically significant improvements over both control groups in areas of attention, motor control, language processing, and reading, and in their ability to regulate aggression.
Motor Control II International Conference, Penn State University (Aug, 1999)Interactive Metronome: Effect on Motor Control, Concentration, Control of Aggression, and Learning in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Double blind clinical ADHD Study paper submitted for publication. The IM group also achieved full significance over the placebo control group. The placebo video group's significance findings support the 1998 National Institute of Health's 1998 ADHD Consensus conclusion that studies on interventions must properly control for the positive overall effect that attentive adult interaction is likely to have on the results. Significant differences were found on 11 factors (p values ranging from 0.020 to 0.000) on improving their performance in areas of attention, motor control, language processing, reading, and parental reports of improvements in regulation of aggressive behavior.
American Educational Research Association Conference (March, 1997 )Improving Special Education Student Motor Integration by Use of an Interactive Metronome - The first controlled study of the Interactive Metronome system demonstrated its effectiveness in improving fine and visual motor coordination of special education students. Parent post study observations of improvements in cognitive and behavioral areas led to more comprehensive IM studies to also document the IM 'effect' in these areas.

Eyelights

Eyelights are lighted glasses with colored lenses that stimulate the non dominant brain half, by doing this the patient will have a higher likelihood of building stronger nerve cells where they are needed. Many symptoms of ADHD are similar to those associated with binocular vision problems, such as convergence insufficiency and accommodative problems. Eyelights therapy can help to strengthen the weaker eye muscle by stimulating the visual system. Light therapy creates global excitation of the brain, causing an elevation in the production of hormones and neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Studies have shown that color can also have a profound effect on behavioral and learning problems. Certain colors can reduce hyperactivity, increase attention span, and improve speed and accuracy. (visit www.eyelights.com for more information)

Home Exercise and Therapies

Patient can only be seen for short periods at the clinic. Home programs directed by doctor or therapist help with the repetition of activation needed to strengthen the nervous system. It is of great importance to the patient that following the precise schedule of care be followed, over stimulation is possible and will have a negative affect on patient outcome. Home programs typically include fun activities that involve the whole family.

Food Sensitivities

Well-designed studies reported in the late 1980s and early 1990s have reported that food sensitivities are indeed a major factor for many children with ADHD (Egger, 1985; Kaplan et al., 1989; Carter 1993; Doris and Mandel, 1994; Rowe and Rowe, 1994; Breaky 1997).

Food elimination diets and referrals to allergy specialists are used to determine food sensitivities among patients. To perform a food elimination diet for food sensitivity is to give a child, a serving of a suspected food. Then totally avoid these particular foods for 5-12 days and take note if the child's behavior or learning ability improves. At the end of the 5-12 days, reintroduce the food one at a time in its pure form such as a glass of milk, popcorn cooking corn oil, or poached egg. One should not reintroduce more than one suspected food a day. If the child reacts to the specific food, allow time for the reaction to subside before reintroducing a different suspected food. Once identified, reaction -- producing food should be avoided for approximately 2 -- 3 months and then reintroduced in small amounts if tolerated.

Nutrition

Although we live in affluent countries our children, as we have shown, her suffering from malnutrition and lack of environmental stimuli, and adequate physical activity, and that average child's diet is deficient in basic nutrients. Children are getting fatter and eating more, but still deficient in the proper nutrients that they need further brains to develop and function optimally. Another factor is that if the brain is not functioning or activated properly, the neurological regulation of the digestive system, the ability to secrete acids with which to break down food, the ability to absorb food and nutrients, as well as the circulation to the intestines and brain, are all decreased. Therefore, even with proper diet or even dietary supplementation, a child may be undernourished, as the brain requires both fuel and stimulation. Without fuel or too much stimulation the brain will dysfunction. Without stimulation body cannot breakdown and absorb food and fuel; both the body and the brain worked together. (Neurobehavioral Disorders of Childhood: Robert Melillo and Gerry Leisman) 

Dietary Supplementation

Essential Fatty Acids (or Fish Oil) to Aid Neuron Development (research) ABSTRACT Attention-deficit hyperactivitydisorder(ADHD) is the term used to describe children who are inattentive,impulsive, and hyperactive. The cause is unknown and is thoughtto be multifactonial. Based on the work of others, we hypothesizedthat some children with ADHD have altered fatty acid metabolism.The present study found that 53 subjects with ADHD had significantly lower concentrations of key fatty acids in the plasma polarLipidsAm J Clin Nutr 1995;62:761-8. Essential Fatty Acids and the BrainMarianne Haag, MSc, DSc Conclusion: The ratio of membrane omega-3 to omega-6 PUFAs can be modulated by dietary intake. This ratio influences neurotransmission and prostaglandin formation, processes that are vital in the maintenance ofnormal brain function.(Can J Psychiatry 2003;48:195203)

Brainsustain is a dietary supplement developed through more than 15 years of research in the clinical neurosciences by board certified neurologist, David Perlmutter, MD, FACN. Its unique formula enhances brain performance and promotes brain health by improving the energy production of brain mitochondria, facilitating neural communication, and providing antioxidant action that reduces the production and damaging effects of excess free radicals in the brain. This antioxidant action is vital because excess free radicals are associated with brain inflammation a marker and common thread among such neurodegenerative disorders as Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, and ALS.