The Effects of Neurofeedback on Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Erin Zellars

Date of Award

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

DeLong, Caroline

Keywords

Autism, Neurofeedback, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Biofeedback, ADD, ADHD

Area of Concentration

Psychology

Abstract

Neurofeedback has been shown to be an effective treatment for attention deficit disorder and holds the potential to be helpful for individuals with autistic spectrum disorders. The present study explored the effects of neurofeedback on children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders with two case studies. A 16 year-old female diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and a 13 year-old female diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder took part in 30 neurofeedback treatment sessions over a period of 15 weeks. Quantitative efectroencephalographs (brain maps) and parent surveys were conducted pre- and post-treatment to assess changes in behavior and brainwave activity. Behavioral surveys showed improvements in most areas, and brain maps showed movement toward normalization of the EEG. Continued neurofeedback therapy could be beneficial for these children in ameliorating negative behaviors associated with autistic spectrum disorders.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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