How Brain Training Works

Step 1 – Free screening to see if brain training is the proper treatment

How brain training works is through a series of measurements and exercises. The screening test measures the brain’s ability to handle and process information in the following six neurological areas most critical to learning.

Central Auditory Processing:

Measures how the brain blends, interprets and uses the 43 sounds of the English language. Central auditory processing problems are common with dyslexia. This deficit may cause difficulty in concentration, listening, reading, remembering, writing paragraphs and papers, spelling and following directions.

Attention and Concentration:

Measures the brain’s ability to lock and load on a target stimulus. In so doing, we are able to determine omission errors – where the brain zones out and misses the stimulus, and co-mission errors where the impulsive brain responds inaccurately to a target that isn’t there. This indicates poor functioning of the brain’s pre-frontal cortex.

Verbal Fluency:

We measure verbal fluency, which is your brain’s ability to generate thoughts and words on request.

Processing Speed:

Measures how rapidly and accurately the brain moves through written material and how quickly it processes information.

Active Working Memory:

Measures how effectively the brain captures information and retrieves it from memory. The hippocampus of the brain is critical to this process. It is frequently impaired in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Visual Perception/Processing Skills:

Measures how the brain handles information from pictures, drawings and shapes. This affects the ability to use maps, graphs and charts or set up word problems. Better brain function in this area helps with shape and form math such as geometry and trigonometry.

Word Attack:

Measures how the brain sounds out and spells words. Effective brain function in word attack allows a person to successfully sound out and pronounce any word in the English language regardless of its length or difficulty.

Logic and Reasoning:

Measures how the brain breaks down complex projects into a sequence of steps. A person strong in logic and reasoning likes to figure things out independently. A short attention span typical of ADD/ADHD makes this difficult. Improved logic and reasoning increases the ability to focus, pay attention and concentrate.

Step 2 – Comprehensive Standardized Testing

We administer a battery of one-on-one tests given by an educational diagnostician certified by the state. The diagnostician has teaching credentials and specialized training in administering IQ, achievement and other academic tests.

Step 3 – Custom Select Student’s Brain Exercises (no two programs are exactly alike)

Brain exercises are chosen based in indicated deficiencies found in the testing.

We also identify and choose exercises for the brain’s stronger systems to enhance the student’s strengths.