Specialisterne: leveraging the unique skills of Autistics at competitive market terms

[Visionary7903]

I mentioned, in the post right above this one, Hemoencephalography (HEG) Neurofeedback. This is a form of Neurofeedback that is focused on brain bloodflow. HEG cannot be easily measured through human hair and is particularly suited to be applied over the forehead (at Fp1, Fpz, and Fp2 sites) in order to entrain the prefrontal cortex. There are two main types of HEG Neurofeedback…

…The originator of [HEG Neurofeedback], Hershel Toomim, developed a technology referred to as Near Infrared HEG or nirHEG. This measurement and biofeedback device is housed in a headband, which contains a light source and two optodes. Infrared lights are flickered alternating between 660 and 850 nm. The absorption of these lights, and a ratio of the same, received at the optodes is a calculation of cerebral oxygenation. This is used in the form of feedback to allow the client to enhance their brain’s functions.

Another form of HEG has also been developed by Jeffrey Carmen. This form, entitled Passive Infrared HEG or pirHEG, uses an infrared lense that serves as a brain thermometer and measures temperature and inferred cerebral metabolism. This may also be used as a form of neurofeedback to aide in the enhancement and regulation of brain functions…

Both types of HEG Neurofeedback have been trialled on Autistic children, with positive results. The first study mentioned below used Toomim’s system, nirHEG Neurofeedback, while the second study had both nirHEG and pirHEG trained groups…

…In research conducted in Thailand by a student of Dr. Hershel Toomin in 2003, a series of 181 students with [Autism Spectrum Disorders] were given 20 treatment sessions of HEG neurofeedback focused on increasing blood flow within the prefrontal cortex (Limsila, et al., 2004). The result was that 86% of the students showed significant improvements in cognitive functioning. These improvements resulted in an average increase of 0.94 GPA points in a 4-point Grade Point Average scale. HEG training was also associated with an average 53% increase in cerebral blood flow within the prefrontal cortex.
More recently, Robert Coben (2006) presented the results of a controlled group study in which 40 patients with autism were non-randomly assigned to treatment with hemoencephalographic (HEG) neurofeedback or a “wait-list” control group. The groups were matched for gender, age, race, handed-ness, and previous treatments. All patients had previously recieved 20 sessions of EEG neurofeedback and were identified as having frontal lobe executive system dysfunction. Compared to the “wait-list” control group, the HEG neurofeedback group showed an average 42% reduction in overall autistic symptoms and social interaction deficits decreased by 55%. In addition, there were statistically significant improvements in neurobehavioral and neuropsychological functioning…

Interestingly, in the latter study, there were differences in the effects of each type of HEG - with nirHEG impacting attention more and pirHEG leading to better social skills and emotional control.

(sources: NeuroRehabilitation & Neuropsychological Services, P.C. - Neuropsychologists - Massapequa, NY - Neurofeedback; Neurotherapy treatment of autism and autistic spectrum disorders at Edmonton Neurotherapy.)