|
|
|
|
It makes sense that if a child or adult with a learning problem has a weakness in one or more thinking or processing skills, that one would treat the cognitive deficits directly rather than merely trying to provide additional instruction in the academic area where the student is struggling. Yet, that is the approach of the school's special education services and private tutors and learning centers. That is why many families end up very disappointed in the outcome of such efforts. Often, once a child is in the special education system (RSP pullout assistance or special day class), they remain in the system the remainder of their years in school and their academic performance rarely improves markedly. They are merely "given support" until they graduate. The Brain Power cognitive skills training program does not focus on providing tutoring academic skills. Brain Power the person's weaknesses in thinking and processing skills directly. The changes in brain functioning that are developed are permanent and will serve the person for the rest of their life. There is no need for "tune-ups" later on in order to maintain the gains that have been achieved. Before treatment is started, a diagnostic evaluation is performed to identify where the persons cognitive weakness are and to then develop an appropriate treatment plan. Past testing performed by the school district or other specialists are also reviewed. Unlike other private learning centers, Brain Power is under the direction of a staff of neuropsychologists that are trained to perform the most sensitive testing of thinking and processing skills possible. Program Features Recent research in the neurosciences has revealed which techniques are essential in stimulating the brain to develop new neural connections and thus improve cognitive functioning. The Brain Power cognitive skills training program is based on the most current scientific research available. Brain Power utilizes the most comprehensive and sophisticated cognitive skills training techniques available which incorporate essential features proven to promote maximum change in brain functioning. The neurosciences are rapidly advancing our understanding of how the brain functions. Our training techniques are continuously evaluated and modified based on the most current research available. The Brain Power cognitive skills training program produces permanent physiological changes in the brain. Once the brain develops new neural connections, they are permanent and do not change. Follow-up studies have shown no loss in cognitive skills one year after training. We now know that an effective cognitive skills training program must have the following features: 1. Training must be 6-7 days per week. Only intense training will successfully force the brain to develop new neural connections. 2. Training must be provided on a one-on-one basis by a training facilitator. Inaccurate responses must be immediately corrected so that only accurate processing is reinforced. 3. Training tasks must always remain difficult. Tasks continuously increase in difficulty in order to stimulate the brain to develop new neural connections. 4. Training techniques must drive the skills to become automatic. Our program uses proven techniques which force cognitive skills/processing to become maximally efficient. This assures that the newly formed neural connections are operating at their maximum efficiency. 5. Training must be comprehensive and target all the skills that are important for learning. These skills include fine and gross motor coordination, visual motor integration, attention and concentration, memory, processing speed, problem solving, visual processing, auditory processing, and language comprehension.
Secondary Benefits of Training 1. Training will improve a student’s self-esteem and confidence .Training allows the student to actually see the improvements in his or her own performance. 2. Training teaches perseverance. Students learn that they can master skills by not giving up just because a task is hard. 3. Training procedures appear to be non-academic. Training procedures are different from the schoolwork, which many individuals have had negative experiences with. Consequently, there is less resistance to training than tutoring.
Key Benefits
|
|
Copyright © 2010
Brain Power Learning Center
|
Cognitive skills
training techniques were first developed to treat brain injuries back in the
1980's. At that time our understanding of the brain and how to stimulate
it to change was very limited. More recently, we have learned a great deal
about how the brain functions and how to structure training exercises in
such a way to produce significant physiological change. These techniques
have now become so refined that they can be applied to effectively treat the
processing problems related to learning disorders. 