Autism

Nearly one in 70 Australians has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

It can be severe (“Childhood Autism”) or milder (“Asperger’s syndrome”), or anywhere in the middle. Every person’s experience of ASD is different, so personalised treatment is essential.

Common issues in ASD are:

• problems with social communication and behaviour
• repetitive interests or stereotyped behaviour
• sensory sensitivities, meaning extreme reaction to particular noises, touch or light.

No one knows for sure what causes ASD, but evidence suggests genetics plays a role. The condition often becomes evident in childhood, but adult diagnoses are increasingly common.

Research into the use of neurofeedback for autism shows positive results for cognitive function as well as attention and social skills.

Diagnosing and treating autism in adults

Diagnosis of autism and ASD is becoming more common. As a society, we are more aware of the disorder in general, and of how it presents in girls and women especially. There are also more and more adults wondering if they have undiagnosed autism.

Symptoms
You may wonder about ASD because you

• struggle with social interactions or keeping the conversation going
• often don’t understand others’ point of view
• have difficulty with high-level use of language (verbal reasoning, problem solving, making inferences and predictions)
• have feedback from others that you act strangely or rudely in social situations
• prefer fixed routines and schedules, becoming stressed with even minor changes
• you have a narrow or specialised range of interests and hobbies
• you regularly feel socially isolated or ‘different’

Alternatively,

• your child or other family member has recently been diagnosed with ASD
• you have a childhood diagnosis of a mental health or intellectual disability, but your gut feeling is that there’s more going on

Diagnosis
Adults diagnosed with ASD are normally on the high-functioning part of the spectrum. Medication may be less relevant than for those with more extreme symptoms.

ZenWaves does not offer diagnostic services for ASD, but we offer QEEG assessment to gain a clearer understanding of your individual brainwave patterns. This provides information not otherwise available, about your specific situation and how your brain is working.

Using neurofeedback for autism treatment
We can provide neurofeedback following a QEEG assessment. In comparison with medication or behavioural therapy, neurofeedback retrains the brain at a deeper level. Over multiple sessions, your brain is gently encouraged to adapt to a more standard brainwave pattern. This improves behavioural problems, meltdowns, sleep, anxiety and depression.

Over time, you will feel calmer. You’ll also find it easier to tolerate change, reduce sensory sensitivities and improve language and communication.

We also use supplements alongside neurofeedback with positive results.