ADHD Study Gives Hope To Arden Family
167 views · Published 16 December 2014 · 4:20 · Indexed 20 September 2026
Channel: WLOS News 13 · 2014 · News & Politics
ARDEN, N.C. -- Sometimes it takes a little organized chaos, to help give a mom a little peace. Chin Chong of Arden takes her three boys on long walks on local trails to help expend their seemingly endless energy. "It's very stressful, confusing, and you don't know what to do with them," Chong says. "We think something is cool and we get lost, and don't know where mom is," says Ryan, who's the oldest. Managing three little kids can be a minefield, especially because Ryan and his two brothers, Mason and Dylan, all have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. "That is something that is so unexpected," their mother says. "They are so hyper." Across America, 31 million kids take medication for ADHD. But the Chongs are in search of another way. "We want a more natural way for our children," Chin explains. Ryan is the first in his family to try a treatment that doesn't include prescribed medication. It's called neurofeedback. Psychologist Dr. Roger Debeus puts sensors on Ryan's scalp and ears. Neurofeedback is almost like a video game designed to improve his ability to focus. "It's not that they can't pay attention, it's what they're paying attention to," Dr. Debeus explains/ The software can't read Ryan's mind, but it can measure his brain activity. "See like how my brain waves are moving, if it's moving slow or quick," Ryan tells us. Dr. Debeus is the principal investigator here in Asheville for the largest neurofeedback study ever funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health. The study potentially provides hope for treatment that's not in the form of a pill. "He's dealing with how to reduce the slow brain waves, increase the thinking brain waves and by changing that balance paying attention becomes easier," Debeues says. After his sessions, Ryan says he's in less trouble with his teacher these days. "Focus on the screen and not looking around," he tells Dr. Debeus, as he learns to see the big picture. "And all we have to do is practice that in the classroom, huh?" Debeus tells Ryan. "When you stop medication the effects stop working," Dr. Debeus explains. "But studies show with neurofeedback when you stop treatment you maintain the benefits." Chin Chong isn't sure if neurofeedback is the only answer for her family. She's determined to find alternatives to medicine for the disorder. "Try to find out what can be good for their health and help them." For more on neurofeedback, click here _______________ Follow WLOS on social media: WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/News13/ WLOS ABC 13 News on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WLOS_13 WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram: https://instagram.com/wlos_13 Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ABC13Channel/?sub_confirmation=1 Listen to AnchorMOMS, the Podcast: https://wlos.com/news/anchormoms/anchormoms-the-podcast Watch more top local news stories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk8Ge6UXHJs&list=PLkVbaoT-aYbIvnEpR0Ct5QQQqYaORUSUH For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit http://www.wlos.com Watch our live newscasts and other live video at https://wlos.com/watch Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340 WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
