The NeuroNet Readiness Program
Who is NeuroNet Readiness for?
Children who progress well using NeuroNet Readiness:
- Have a significant history of ear infections (with their first ear infection prior to age 1 year) or respiratory illness (frequent colds or flu, pneumonia, sinusitis, asthma/allergies)
- Often need extra time to complete academic work
- Don't overhear and appropriately join into conversations (often strikingly absent)
- Frequently ask "what?" or need repetition of questions and directions before they understand
- Frequently mishear speech (e.g. hears "cookie" for "cooking"; "hoot" for "hoop" etc.)
- Were late talkers
- Have articulation problems (i.e. some speech sounds are incorrect or unclear)
- Have difficulty learning verbal sequences such as months of year, alphabet
- Show minimal interest in books or reading-readiness activities
- Are poor judges of risk (are either overly fearful, or are excessive risk-takers)
- Are messy eaters; have difficulty with cutting, tying shoes, handwriting
Patients who are on medication (ritalin, dexadrine, other systemic medications) may make significant progress using NeuroNet. However, individual patient outcomes are less predictable if the patient is on medication.
Some patients with meningitis, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, and brain tumors have responded well to NeuroNet. An individual NeuroNet evaluation and six weeks of daily therapy are required to determine the potential usefulness of the program for these patients.
How can your child benefit from the program?
At NeuroNet, we are concerned with how you learn as well as your overall quality of life. In addition to academic improvements, those who have successfully completed the NeuroNet Readiness program:
- Show positive changes in behavior and a greater interest in their environment
- Are more attentive and better able to focus
- Are happier, have an improved outlook on life and more self-confidence
How is it different from other programs?
Many programs work with the motor system OR with speech OR with balance OR with vision OR with listening. However, nothing compares to NeuroNet which works with ALL of these systems at the same time! It is the coordination of balance, movement, speech, vision, and listening which makes NeuroNet such a powerful learning tool.
NeuroNet is about making the network. Making the network means learning how to learn.
What is the time commitment?
Unlike many other programs, the commitment to NeuroNet must be made by parents as well as their children.
Typically, you and your child will meet with a NeuroNet therapist between two and four times per month, as is deemed necessary for optimal progress. After each meeting, the therapist will revise your child's program based on progress. At home, both you and your child are expected to complete the NeuroNet exercises, which take about 30 minutes to complete, at least five days a week.
Most children can compete their entire NeuroNet program in 6 to 12 months, however, individual progress varies by child, and we measure progress on a case by case basis.
What are the NeuroNet Readiness exercises?
All NeuroNet exercises require the coordination of balance, movement, speech, vision, and listening simultaneously. The exercises look similar to aerobics, however, speech patterns must correspond with body movements. Although the NeuroNet exercises are not academic, they do lead to academic gains for students who complete the NeuroNet program.
How do I get started?
To find out if the NeuroNet Readiness program is right for your child, submit a request for a NeuroNet evaluation. Please note that completion of an evalution does not guarantee that your child will be enrolled in the NeuroNet program.
Each child must complete a set of audiological tests before beginning the NeuroNet Readiness program. These tests evaluate auditory processing from the ear to the brain, and help ensure that your child's hearing is adequate to the master the auditory skills which are a critical part of the NeuroNet Readiness Program (auditory memory, auditory analysis and auditory closure).