Traumatic Brain Injury Centers

Who says you have to get “slow” as you get old(er)? Traditional wisdom says that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and even our language reflects the idea that with age comes “senior moments.”

Well, not anymore!

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/10/991021094811.htm

Research is showing that these limitations can in many ways be cast aside. Age related change and cognitive challenges don’t have to be a part of life. Studies show the brain is flexible and dynamic. Yes brain cells die, but contrary to folk wisdom, parts of the brain regenerate and can take over for areas that experience trauma or dysfunction.

In other words, the brain is like a lizard who can regrow his own tail! Check it out.

Cognitive remodeling can give you the edge over brain fog. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/08/010820072346.htm

Even better news! You can help the re-training process along with state of the art neuroscience techniques. At Sparks Of Genius we can design a unique program that you can use for minutes a day to restore function and increase ability. Retrain to retain! Try our Free 39 point learning assessment tool at http://sparksofgenius.com/screens.html.

My name is Ellen Kleinert-Cohn. I live in Florida and am extremely involved in the plight of the developmentally disabled. I am a mother of three young adults, two of whom have special needs. In addition, I work in my husband’s law firm where we specialize in advocating for individuals with special needs. I also am a Management Team Member of The Special Olympics Broward County.

Our mission is to “bridge the gap” between the general & special population by showing the world how truly talented, capable, special & unique individuals with developmental disabilities are.

I am also the director of the world renowned Florida Special Needs Color Guard & Dance Program. It is the first special needs color guard team in the world. We perform as exhibition on The South Florida Winter Guard Association Circuit & perform annually, at Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. Our mission is to “bridge the gap” between the general & special population by showing the world how truly talented, capable, special & unique individuals with developmental disabilities are. And, this past November, 2007 we had the amazing opportunity to do just that. Our very special color guard program made history by being the very first group of developmentally disabled young adults ever invited to perform in a fabulous American Tradition….The 80^th Anniversary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

When these kids perform…there is “not a dry eye in the house.”

Our team consists of really fabulous young adults. They range from the age of 12 through 40!!! (The average age is 21), and some of their disabilities are Cerebral Palsy, autism (Asperger’s Syndrome), Down Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, and Attention Deficit Disorder, just to name a few. On this amazing team we stress our ABILITIES rather than our disabilities. With the inclusion of flags, wooden rifle & metal sabers, and interesting dance movements, combined with inspirational music, we create a performance that is fabulous! When these kids perform…there is “not a dry eye in the house.”

Also we have non disabled coaches who are involved with our very special kids & they serve as role models for each other. These high school & college kids learn to be more compassionate, caring and the world sure needs more of that!!!

I often wonder what it would be like if my oldest son, who is now 26 years of age, did not have special needs.

OK……so that’s a little background about me. I am truly blessed to do what I do & to have the family I have. It has been a long, hard road, to say the least. I truly believe that G—D has decided what my destiny in life was going to be & has given me what it takes to “give it my all” and make the best out of an often difficult situation (s). I often wonder what it would be like if my oldest son, who is now 26 years of age, did not have special needs. He has Asperger’s Syndrome (mild autism), a seizure disorder (under control), learning disabilities & ADD. I love him dearly for who he is & accept him for the fabulous, kind, good natured, very special human being he is….but that is not to say that for his sake, I would not mind his life being easier. This goes for my daughter, who is 20 years of age, as well. Her issues are different than her brothers & she has learning disabilities, ADD and a few other letters of the alphabet. Although, her functioning level is higher & she, as well as her brother, excel in areas that others have only dreamed of. Their brother, age 22 is a Network Administrator at the school district in our county & spends a great deal of time volunteering and coaching our kids.

The sad part, which I encounter everyday, is that many in the general population just “don’t get it”. [Editor: Including some teachers!]

 Because they may not be deeply involved with a person who does have a developmentally disability or are not privy in one way or another to such, they lack the patience and understanding so needed in dealing with such worthy individuals. They have a negative attitude and to be completely honest & blunt, cast them aside as not being important or worthwhile. How wrong they are & it is for us to make sure that the message gets out that their concept of such individuals is so wrong and misguided!

Wow….these children & young adults are worth a second look! And a third & a fourth, to say the least! They are truly amazing! Their attitudes are grateful, thankful and positive. They are proud of whom they are & I believe we can all take a lesson from them. And, most importantly, they can achieve anything they put their minds to with much determination, positive reinforcement and hard work.

Our goal is to help individuals with developmental disabilities fulfill their dreams & live up to their maximum potential.

I will say that this is my opportunity to perhaps “spread the word” that as parents, especially of young children who have disabilities such as Asperger’s Syndrome, ADD and the likes, don’t get intimidated or discouraged by school professionals. In your plight to advocate for your child/young adult, you will be confronted by some wonderful, supportive teachers, ESE specialist, etc & others that “have a lot to be desired”. Don’t give up…..hang in there….no one knows your child better than you. Which brings me to the teacher that may be overwhelmed & overworked & recommends that you immediately “get your child on medication to help him attend better.” I realize that every situation is to be handled on an individual basis, of course, but be smart…..and look into other alternatives, as well…FIRST!!!! Medications do have many side effects, as we knew all along, but even more so as time goes on.

In your plight to advocate for your child/young adult, you will be confronted by some wonderful, supportive teachers, ESE specialist, etc & others that “have a lot to be desired”. Don’t give up…..hang in there….no one knows your child better than you.

Speaking from experience, over 20 years of it, I have been through it all. I cannot stress enough that I wish many of the various alternatives to medications were available many when my son was young. I was one of the Mom’s who battled constantly…here was my motto, “If a child can’t learn the way a teacher teaches, a teacher must teach the way a child can learn.”

Thank goodness for Sparks Of Genius. 

Thank goodness for Sparks Of Genius. For not only the kids in my family, but me as well. There are good alternatives, and this, I know first hand is one of them! We need to be “open” and as time goes on you do recognize the good honest people from the ones who are not. These methods of technology are here for all of us….check it out….embrace them…….such an alternative can make the real positive difference in your child/young adults life. It is a pleasure to see everyday, and an emotional experience, as well,  to see what I thought I would never see…….consistent training does make the difference (improving focus, thinking more clearly, making conversations with others we thought previously impossible).

Everyday is another adventure with your kids, especially if they have special needs, but we become better people for it, this is for sure!

Love to hear your views……All the best to everyone….Keep up the great work… don’t give up, no matter how tough it may get at times. (Remember someone else always has it worse.) There is nothing more rewarding than working with our kids & seeing the progress…it is their futures & our legacy….they deserve our best efforts! G—D Bless!!!!

(Good luck on your journey!!!!)

Hang in there……ELLEN

Here is some great advice on parenting that applies to any child.

1) Know the difference between big things and little things.

2) Know the difference between incompetence and rebelliousness. If you child does something out of incompetence, then take the time to teach your child how to do it right. If your child acts out of rebellion toward your authority as a parent, then this behavior needs to be disciplined or punished, but cannot be tolerated or accepted.

3) The word “discipline” means “to teach, to shape, to mold, or to perfect.” Remember this.

4) Be firm, be consistent, and build a personal relationship with your child.

5) Be careful not to become overly performance oriented with your children. They are more than just homework, reports, and chores. There is a real person there who has hopes, dreams, fears, likes and dislikes. Get to personally know your child.

6) Quality time is no substitute for quantity time. The average father in America spends only 47 seconds a day in conversation with his children. But I am sure that it is quality time.

7) Be a positive person, and a positive role model for your child. The best predictor of how your child will be when he is 30-40 years old is how YOU are as a person today. Be a positive influence on your child socially, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Make the effort to catch your child doing something right every day.

9) Teach your child how to be successful. First, take the time to figure out in your own life what it means to be “successful.” Is it just having more money or stuff? Or is there more to your life than that?

10) Teach your child self-control and respect for others.

Thanks to the folks at http://www.newideas.net/parents.htm. Let’s take a closer look.

1) Know the difference between big things and little things.

This is also known as “Choose Your Battles Wisely.” The danger is that is you are constantly correcting the child, the message is loud and clear that the child cannot do anything right, and frustration and learned hopelessness arise. Similarly, of you use up your resources seeking cooperation on little things, then you are out of tools when something big comes up.

2) Know the difference between incompetence and rebelliousness. If you child does something out of incompetence, then take the time to teach your child how to do it right. If your child acts out of rebellion toward your authority as a parent, then this behavior needs to be disciplined or punished, but cannot be tolerated or accepted.

This can’t be stressed enough. At Sparks of Genius we often see children who come to us virtually squished because teachers and parents and professionals treat their uncontrollable behaviors like rebellion. Thus they are punished instead of disciplined, and behavioral problems then do develop. The ADD or ADHD child cannot fully control his or her impulses.

3) The word “discipline” means “to teach, to shape, to mold, or to perfect.” Remember this.

Not punish! The goal is to train the child to avoid inappropriate behavior. Many teachers use shame to control their students. This technique works poorly on the impulsive child. He or she may make the connection between inappropriate outbursts and feeling ashamed because the teacher then ridicules them. However, when the time comes they still will not be able to control their impulse to speak out.

4) Be firm, be consistent, and build a personal relationship with your child.

This will give you more resources, more points to spend on buying cooperation from your child. If you have a strong relationship, you can call on that by saying something like, “Listen Billy, I know this is tough for you and your doing a great job so far. Can we finish this essay now? Otherwise I am going to look like I’m not doing my job.” Out of concern for you, the child will push himself.

No relationship = no leverage.

5) Be careful not to become overly performance oriented with your children. They are more than just homework, reports, and chores. There is a real person there who has hopes, dreams, fears, likes and dislikes. Get to personally know your child.

It is so easy to get bogged down with all the have-to’s in a challenged child’s life. But without pursuing dreams, there is no reason to go through all the hard work! Take mini-vacations together by going to the mall or beach or park, as a reward and for no reason whatsoever.

6) Quality time is no substitute for quantity time. The average father in America spends only 47 seconds a day in conversation with his children. But I am sure that it is quality time.

Clue: children who feel neglected by their parents will misbehave to get their attention. Cut out the middleman by giving them the attention they want in the first place.

7) Be a positive person, and a positive role model for your child. The best predictor of how your child will be when he is 30-40 years old is how YOU are as a person today. Be a positive influence on your child socially, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

The child will copy what you DO, not what you tell them to do. If mom and dad yell and fight, the child will too. If mom and dad tell the child that fighting and yelling are bad, but they do it anyway, then the child will do that too! He or she will act as if they think yelling and fighting are bad, but will continue to yell and fight.

Make the effort to catch your child doing something right every day.

The life of a child with Attention Deficit Disorder or a Learning Disability is a life filled with mountains of failure. Sometimes it takes work, and a creative imagination, to catch the child on-task. But without positive reinforcement every day, the child’s life becomes a series of endless failures and gloom. Turn a light on the positive.

9) Teach your child how to be successful. First, take the time to figure out in your own life what it means to be “successful.” Is it just having more money or stuff? Or is there more to your life than that?

This is a vital life skill. We assume that kids are picking this up on their own. A challenged child won’t, and most children in general don’t. Heck, you probably didn’t! So take the time to do it now. Showing the child what independent, adult life looks like shows them the light at the end of the tunnel, shows them for what they are working so hard!

10) Teach your child self-control and respect for others.

Good Luck!

-Allen Dobkin

Video game companies are on the move, taking the kind of peak performance technology we use for Cognitive Training here at Sparks of Genius and turning it into enhancements for all kinds of home video games.

Click here for full article.

“Most physical games are really mental games,” said Lee, also chief technology officer at San Jose-based NeuroSky, a 12-employee company founded in 1999. “You must maintain attention at very high levels to succeed. This technology makes toys and video games more lifelike.”

That’s the truth, and that is why we stress all 9 intelligences, including spatial and kinesthetic, instead of just reading and math. Developing those skills goes a long way towards building the cognitive tools needed to maintain attention for any activity.

Toys with even the most basic brain wave-reading technology — scheduled to debut later this year — could boost mental focus and help kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism and mood disorders.

That can be the case, but…

“These techniques are used usually in clinical contexts. The gaming companies are trying to push the envelope,” said Goldberg, author of “The Wisdom Paradox: How Your Mind Can Grow Stronger As Your Brain Grows Older.” “You can use computers to improve the cognitive abilities, but it’s an art.”

We couldn’t agree more! That is why we use a high-tech and high-touch approach in our Cognitive Playground. The children who come to use are usually facing failing grades in many areas. Let’s be blunt: they understand that to their teachers, parents and even other kids, they are a pain in the but and in many ways a failure.

Without a track record of success, the child has no “proof” of their ability to succeed.

Our students are made to feel comfortable and welcome, we stress that this is a fun place to be–even for the people who work here–and we help them build a series of successes. Those successes come in areas where the student is strong, but also in areas where the child has weaknesses.

Nobody can achieve peak performance without a coach.

There are many programs for sale that offer some form of cognitive training at-home, on your personal computer.  We find that they are about as effective as Bo-Flex and all the other at-home, do-it-yourself programs: not very.

Why?  First, the folks who need the training have issues with following a consistent plan.  Second, nobody can achieve peak performance without a coach.  World-champion athletes don’t, and neither does the local high school football team.  So why should we fool ourselves into thinking that we can do it all on our own?

Good luck!

-Allen Dobkin