Brain Training at Learning Charms..and a little vent

"Brain Training" (also called cognitive training) is a hot topic of interest for parents of children who are struggling in school, or who have  ADHD, learning disabilities, attention/focus issues and sensory processing difficulties.  There are many franchises that offer brain training.  Brain training is not new, but is a new "hot word".  Occupational therapists have been helping clients to rewire their brains for decades.  We just called it "occupational therapy".   Occupational therapy increases achievement of students by working on the underlying and foundation issues of development, such as core strength, sensory processing, bilateral use, fluency, motor planning and so on.  Therapists practice increasing left and right brain integration every day because that is part of therapy. This increase in foundation skills increases academic performance.   In the past several decades, new high tech systems (such as Interactive Metronome) have come along that can assist therapists with improving and refining areas of focus, attention and timing.

So, my clients have asked me about these brain training franchises and what they do. I cannot say that I can personally review their effectiveness.  But I will share some insight.  I recently met a student that worked at one of the franchises and I asked what she did there.

My son started Interactive Metronome yesterday.  I waited until this year to have him start because at the age of 6 and being extra wiggly, he just couldn't focus on it last year.  This year, he understands the program more and is motivated to do it because he know that some pro athletes complete Interactive Metronome training as well.  Since he wants to be a pro soccer and pro baseball player, it was the perfect time to get him started.  My sons's ADHD symptoms have not been affected much by medications or nutritional changes, so the I.M. training is something that I have high hopes for.  I'll keep you posted!