Unlocking the Potential: ADHD, Neurodiversity and Empowering Neuro affirming Therapies

Do you find yourself dreading the start of the school year, anticipating that concerning phone call about your child's behavior?
Do worries about your child keep you up at night?
Do you wish your child could enjoy more birthday parties and have more friends?
Do you just feel like a bad parent somedays?
Is the exhaustion taking a toll on you, leaving you longing for a different future for your family and your child?

Neuro affirming Therapies: We've got your back

From a neuro affirming perspective, accepting yourself is a powerful journey because you are inherently valuable and unique, regardless of your differences. Many folks who come to see us have received a diagnosis of Autism, ADHD, PDA, LD, FASD or other neurodivergent diagnoses, sometimes a combination of several.

At Mind 2 Heart, our approach to therapy isn’t about changing your behavior to fit some standard of acceptability. Instead, we are here to support you in:

Connecting Better: We help you build stronger connections and relationships, fostering a sense of belonging.

Feeling Better: Our goal is to enhance your emotional well-being, helping you experience a greater sense of contentment and fulfillment.

Our personalized neurocognitive training, when combined with coaching, has the potential to transform your life.

Neurocognitive Training-ADHD and Autism Therapy that is Neuro Affirming

Through neurocognitive training, our aim is to support your child, you, and your family in becoming the best versions of yourselves. We prioritize the development and enhancement of tools and strategies for:

Improved Communication and Speech
Enhanced Social Skills and Friendships
Fine and Gross Motor Skills
Self-Regulation
Executive Functioning
Sensory Integration
Overall Mental Well-Being

Building on Ross Greene’s insight, kids, just like everyone else, do well when they can. From a neuroaffirming perspective, accepting yourself is a powerful journey because you are inherently valuable and unique, regardless of your differences. When we view differences instead of disorders, our focus shifts towards understanding. At Mind 2 Heart, our approach to therapy isn’t about changing your behavior to fit some standard of acceptability. Instead, we are here to support you in: Our approach to treatment is neuro affirming. For more information on neuro affirming therapies and to understand neurodivergent click here.

Who benefits from this?

Neurocognitive training can benefit various neurodivergent individuals, especially those dealing with specific challenges such as trauma, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), ADHD, anxiety and depression, and executive functioning difficulties. It is a valuable tool for individuals looking to address the unique challenges associated with auditory processing disorders and learning disabilities. It provides targeted exercises and strategies to improve cognitive functions and support academic and everyday success.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder):

Strengthens attention and focus.
Develops time-management and organizational skills.
Enhances impulse control and planning abilities.

FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder):

Enhances cognitive and social skills often affected by FASD.
Improves impulse control and decision-making.
Supports better communication and adaptive behavior.

Trauma:

Helps individuals process and manage trauma-related symptoms like anxiety and flashbacks.
Improves emotional regulation and coping skills.
Restores cognitive functions impacted by trauma.

Executive Functioning Challenges:

Targets difficulties with planning, problem-solving, and task initiation.
Enhances working memory and cognitive flexibility.
Supports individuals in managing daily tasks and responsibilities more effectively

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD):

Enhances auditory discrimination and comprehension skills.
Helps individuals process and interpret sounds and speech more effectively.
Improves listening and communication abilities, reducing misunderstandings.

Learning Disabilities:

Targets specific areas of difficulty, such as reading, writing, or math.
Develops strategies to overcome learning obstacles.
Enhances memory, attention, and problem-solving skills, making learning more efficient.

In simple terms, think of neurocognitive training as a customized workout for your brain. It’s designed to help individuals facing different challenges enhance and reinforce specific cognitive skills, ultimately leading to a better quality of life.

What are the different components of this intensive and comprehensive program ADHD Therapy.

"Neurons that fire together, wire together"

Dr. Bruce Perry

The Three Programs of Mind 2 Hearts ADHD, Autism training program:

1. Safe and Sound Protocol- AN Auditory training Program that is Neuro affirming.

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidenced-based listening therapy that uses filtered music to help with sound sensitivities, improve how we process sounds, manage our emotional regulation, and engage socially. It’s a gentle, non-invasive nerve stimulator based on Polyvagal Theory, which helps our nervous system work better to foster connections, collaboration, and resilience.

In SSP, you listen to specially filtered music through headphones while guided by a trained Mind 2 Heart therapist, either in-person or online. It’s all about boosting your well-being and connections.

Highlights of the Safe and Sound Protocol

Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges:

The SSP is a five-hour auditory program created by Dr. Stephen Porges, who authored the Polyvagal Theory.
Boosts Social Engagement: The SSP activates your social engagement system, helping therapy work better and faster.
Improves Resilience: It also helps your body regulate itself better, making you more resilient.

2. FOCUS Program- A Listening and Movement Training

The Focus System programs are designed to stimulate and enhance both the body and brain by engaging multiple senses at once. Specially-treated music is delivered through air and bone conduction headphones, providing both auditory and sensory input. Movement activities using adaptable kits further support body organization which is customizable for all levels.

Lastly, cognitive activities are introduced, challenging the brain to process various pieces of information simultaneously, much like the everyday demands we face.

If a child, youth or adult has complex or developmental needs,and/or significant trauma then you may find 40- 60 hours of the program is necessary to see significant improvement. We deliver the program in 10 week session and offer 1, 2, or 3 times per week. We recommend a minimum or twice a week but we are aware that many families have limits to their insurance benefits as this is NOT covered by OHIP.

The Focus System includes the following programs:

Benefits of the Program:

Improvement in concentration and memory
Better academic outcomes including improvement in reading comprehension
An increased ability to control impulses and self-regulate
Increased social engagement with others
Less stress and anxiety
A happier disposition

3. Computer-Based Neurofeedback Training

Only program available that integrates NASA inspired feedback technology with cognitive skill training.

The NASA inspired BodyWave technology is a specially designed armband that monitors your brain activity indicative of your attention.
This information is transmitted to the computer and allows you to control a series of cognitive skills activities just by mind – or more specifically – your attention alone!
Attention is now concrete and controllable! You see your attention in real time! Now that is a powerful learning experience!

Improvement of the underlying cognitive skills lay the foundation for strong Executive Function.

Cognitive Skills

Lastly, cognitive activities are introduced, challenging the brain to process various pieces of information simultaneously, much like the everyday demands we face.

cognitive & other important skills

Does your child have difficulty paying attention to the teacher in the classroom? Do you have a hard time paying attention to your colleagues at work?

Attention Stamina will teach you how to direct and sustain your attention to low stimuli activities at will.

Have teachers reported that your child does really well when they are standing right next to him, but when they walk away, your child's attention drifts out the window or out the door? Does your attention drift as someone talks to you as they walk around the room?

Visual Tracking will help you learn to stay attentive while visually tracking.

Does a 15 minute homework assignment consistently take 2 or 3 hours with constant redirection? Do you end your day exhausted because you worked hard all day and yet finished nothing?

Time on Task will teach you how to start a task right away and stay on that task until completion.

Do you or your child have difficulty remembering dates, names, and facts?

Short Term Memory will improve your ability to retain information that will be used within a short amount of time.

Are you or your child easily distracted by auditory or visual distractions? Do you often feel like you are on sensory overload?

Discriminatory Processing will help you learn how to stay focused to what is important and filter out all unnecessary stimuli.

Does your child have to reread a paragraph several times in order to summarize what was just read? Do you often forget what you were going to say in the middle of a conversation?

Working Memory will improve your ability to hold information in your mental workspace long enough to use it in the short term, focus on a task, and remember what to do next.

Do you or your child have a hard time following through with multiple step verbal instructions?

Auditory Processing will strengthen your ability to listen to multi-step verbal instructions and follow through with those instructions without being redirected or reminded.

Do your child have more bumps, bruises or accidents than their peers? Do you feel like you are accident prone?

Motor Skills will help you develop mind/body coordination.

Do your child have difficulty picking up social cues? Do you have trouble making and keeping friends?

Social Skills will help you pay attention to social cues, process the information, and respond appropriately.

Do you have difficulty with hand writing or keyboarding?

Hand Eye Coordination will help you develop small motor control.

Is it difficult to stay in the present moment? Does anxiety often take over because you are constantly thinking about the past and the future? Are you always trying to multi-task?

Mindfulness will help you learn how to stay in the present moment and control distracting thought patterns and actions.

Is your child constantly losing homework assignments and shoes? Are you always searching for your keys, wallet, and cellphone?

Spatial Memory will help you remember!

Program Starts January, 2024
Contact us now to reserve your spot!

$ 875

Covered by most benefits- Sessions billed individually
OAP eligible- Delivered by MSW or RP
Delivered in person or remotely
Direct billing available

$ 2000 10 weeks - twice a week
(full program would require 2-10 week sessions)

Covered by most insurance plans-sessions billed individually
OAP Eligible-supervised by MSW
Option to blend programs 1, 2 or 3 days a week

$ 2000 10 weeks- 2hours a week( full program would require 2-10 week sessions)

Covered by most benefits-please check Sessions billed individually
OAP elibigle-billed under MSW
Option to blend programs 1, 2, 3 days a week

$ 240

monthly

Check your insurance plans-NOT delivered by MSW due to home use
Must purchase the Activity package through Untye ILS for $299.00 US
Activity package includes an amplifier, bone-conducting headphones, waist pack, balance board, 2 bean bags, 1 racket ball, 1 tethered tennis ball, headband, playbook, manual and carry bag
Affordable option for families-Requires a great deal of effort but less financial obligation