Does Age Matter?
In our work as NeuroDevelopmentalists we are often asked questions regarding the effectiveness or usefulness of attempting to implement an individualized program with clients in their late teens, early adulthood, or even later adulthood. This article is to address those questions and concerns.
It is important to first note that the brain maintains its plasticity and redundancy throughout our entire life. The capacity for continuous alteration of the neural pathways and synapses of the living brain and nervous system in response to experience or injury that involves the formation of new pathways and synapses and the elimination or modification of existing ones.
These abilities relate to how each brain is made and is not dependent upon age to take advantage of this great gift from God. The necessary ingredients to begin transforming the internal structure of the brain pathways are developmentally specific stimulation presented with the appropriate frequency, intensity and duration. This means that in order to grow new pathways in the brain there must be input that is developmentally relevant- orderly (i.e. you would not present calculus before you have presented basic math concepts ). No matter what a person’s chronological age you will not have success by presenting or task teaching above the level where the foundation has been firmly established.
Our brains build pathways and connections when specific input is presented with enough frequency (often meaning several times daily), with enough intensity (has to be high interest or at least acknowledged by the brain that it has been received), and with appropriate duration. Duration is a two part concept. The first part is the immediate duration must be short enough that the intensity it maintained at a high level. Dragging out difficult learning experiences or activities lower the intensity and cause the brain to shut down and tune out. The second part of duration is that the information or stimulation must be carried out over a long enough overall time period for the pathway to grow and firmly establish itself. This is the part that takes dedication and consistency if you are to reap the rewards of all your hard work.
Specific verses Random: Just living life and participating in random activities no matter how wonderful each individual activity is will NEVER make the functional developmental changes that families are hoping for in their loved ones. Random input (for example) would be something like going to Las Vegas. There are lights and bells and flashing and sights and sounds and amazing things to see and do. But the randomness of the input is such that it actually disorganizes the brain (so much that many manage to willingly put all their money into machines before they leave). So stimulation for the sake of stimulation does not improve your function or your brains ability to operate. Specific input and stimulation is based on an individual persons current functioning and development—then activities are assigned to complete and strengthen their current developmental levels in order for them to move on to work on the next higher levels. The specific input and stimulation must be provided daily in specific ways in order to make steady progress.
The lower the functioning of an individual the more dependent they are on others helping to provide the much needed specific input so that they can proceed successfully in their functional development. This is where the Bible encourages us to help to bear the burdens of one another. When your brother cannot provide for himself it is our duty to assist him in accomplishing his life fulfilling aspirations and full potential. Fortunately, our Lord has granted us the privilege to intervene and assist during the entire lifetime of our brothers and sisters with age not being an obstacle. Praise God, it is never too late to begin.
A Worthwhile Journey
Countless times during my career I have been asked how come the Neurodevelopmental approach is not the most common, mainstream method when it can make such amazing changes in persons of any age. The answer to this is complicated. Many things play into the reality of it, including things such as funding, politics and especially bureaucracies. But the most compelling reason is that the plain truth is that the Neurodevelopmental approach requires dedicated, consistent, long-term specific interactions based on completely individualized functional developmental needs. In other words, it is hard work and consistency that enables us to assist people in moving forward in their abilities and development. It is not magic and it is not an overnight fix—it is an actual way of building new physical pathways and connections in a brain that then turns into beautiful changes in outward function.
Since every person is different there is no way to tell at the beginning which person will change the fastest and which one will change more slowly. We cannot predict which areas of function will change first or second and which ones will take the longest. What we do know for an absolute fact is this. If you do nothing specific—nothing specific will happen. If you provide individualized stimulation with the proper frequency, intensity and duration change will occur and function will improve.
It is our belief that each human being is born with an innate ability to have unlimited potential. Each human being is made perfectly by our creator and there are no mistakes. And each person has complete and intake intelligence. The problems come when some insult or injury occurs that begins to block the typical channels of input needed to develop and so development gets interrupted, disorganized or damaged along the way. Each of us has the ability to improve our function, regain our function, or develop new function. To the extent that we are not able to make change in a person, it is because of our present lack of adequate knowledge to know how to correctly impact the weaknesses. But it is never because of the individual’s lack of potential or innate intelligence.
So the question then becomes; is this journey of unlocking a person’s potentiality and function a worthwhile endeavor or not? As an adult each progression in function will open new opportunities and provide new choices that were not available before. Every new ability will result in a person being able to have more opportunities for jobs, more variety of employment, more independent employment, more independent living, and increased choices over their own life, a less restrictive living arrangement, or more fulfilling personal relationships. In other words, unlocking potentiality opens up the possibilities of choices where there were none before. Is it worthwhile to begin a journey when the end result is unknown?
I liken the journey of engaging in a neurodevelopmental program to climbing Mount Everest. How many times have you heard a person talk about how they were just out taking a walk and before they knew it they accidentally ended up on the top of Mount Everest? Of course you have never heard such a thing; it doesn’t even make logical sense. Getting to the top of Mount Everest takes a long term plan and commitment. It takes daily training in the skills needed to accomplish it with minimal risk to life and limb. It takes months and years of planning and attention to the details. And what if the climber doesn’t make it to the top? Is that considered a failure? What if they made it only l/2 way or ¾’s of the way? They have still succeeded and accomplished something that only a tiny percent of the population has ever done. And in the training and planning have gained knowledge, skills, health and abilities superior to the majority of the typical population. All of this to say, you do not get to your point of destination without a specific plan of how to get there and without a vision of how it will be accomplished. If you have goals for your loved one of better function, more opportunities, more independence, improved social interaction then you must have a plan and a path of how this is going to happen. Unfortunately, hoping and wishing it will happen is not the method which provides the most consistent success. The Neurodevelopment Approach provides the information necessary and creates an individualized plan for progress and change.
Below are some comments and testimonials of typical adults and delayed adults and the changes they or others have noticed in them as they implemented their individualized neurodevelopmental plans.
Testimonies:
Young Adult Enters College:
We have a marvelous praise, I told my husband that I must write and tell you all this great testimony.
Our 24 year old son, Robert presently at Bob Jones University, is living in the resident hall ready to start classes tomorrow. Because of advice from his adviser we had an educational assessment done yesterday. We got the results back today. (The tester promptly got the results back).
His scores in verbal IQ, Performance IQ and Full Scale IQ are now average in the 45 percentile rank. When he had the assessment done nine years ago the numbers were below average in the 18 percentile rank. In all areas the sub scores improved.
We only had the test done so that Robert will receive special help in the Learning Resource Center, but we are excited to see the results. Also Robert hasn't been doing program for at least 9 months. There are still issues and problem areas like processing speed, visual processing and reasoning, reading comprehension and written expression.
I am convinced that ND program is the best, most efficient way to help our children and grandchildren.
Praising the Lord for His great goodness and blessings to us.
Joyce L.
Chiari Malformation causing regression in function:
The year I received my teaching degree I began to notice an increase in problematic symptoms related to my scoliosis. As part of the remedy process I tried chiropractic care, which resulted in a neck manipulation that triggered stroke like symptoms and left me with lingering balance issues along with false nerve sensations roving throughout my arms and legs (loss of sensation, false heat or cold, wet arms) and a debilitating "brain fog". Through investigating this I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation I and after 5 years of dealing with these symptoms on my own and simply running out of options, I finally entered somewhat skeptically into an ND program.
The results? Clearer thinking, marked pain management, vast improvement in balance and gait, an ability to engage proper core muscles for movement such that I experience far fewer movement related injuries and a clearer perception of the root causes of my condition such that I feel able to guide and direct my other treatment pursuits with greater insight. Not only does my ND program help me over the long term, but I can notice immediate results and can even at times derail a scoliotic flare-up if I begin some of my ND activities when I notice my muscles preparing to rage. My physiotherapist feels like we are finally making progress, as my body responds more favorably to her treatments.
I had come to the point where I couldn't work much and now, after 2 or 3 months on the program I notice I am able to do far more. I am by no means finished yet. It is a long process. But I see a light at the end of the tunnel and for that I am ever thankful.
Professionally, my ND program has provided me with new insight into some of the challenges faced by students at school. Ever a proficient reader, reading comprehension had become a huge problem for me, to the point where my work was being negatively impacted. Similarly, spelling and editing that had once been simple had become impossibly arduous.
For me, no amount of reading comprehension or spelling activities would have remedied this, but my eye patch, pinhole glasses and other visual activities help me retain and understand what I'm reading and write with greater accuracy. There are many avenues with which ND is able to improve a person's function. In my case, I have become keenly aware that schools need to find a way to incorporate activities aimed at targeting visual deficiencies into their kit bag of strategies if they are going to help all children succeed.
Leslie L.
Valhalla Centre, AB, Canada
Testimony from Typical Adult Mom
Hi. I'm not very far into program, but the things that have improved are as follows:
Better focus
Getting better at focusing with distraction
Improvement in small tasks -- One example: It used to take several minutes for me to get dishes from the table to the kitchen sink with intense concentration. My husband has noticed that it does not require near the same amount of effort for me to get things from point A to point B.
Immediately after doing gross motor exercises (see saws, lizard, patterning on the back) energy level, concentration, and thought organization much better
After slow spin with eyes closed for 21 days followed by spin variety of speeds for about 2 months, able to read some in the car and no car sickness (note: after not doing this exercise for 3 months I have reverted)
Irritability and sensitivity to touch improving
These improvements follow 4 months of doing program fully and then 4 months of doing only Samonas and ear occlusion (didn't follow rest of program during last 4 months)
I am writing this with continual whining and bickering in the background.
Allison (age 40)
Adult Daughter
My daughter is 24 1/2 years old. We started working with Cyndi Ringoen, Certified Neuroeducational Developmentalist when Carleen was 19 1/2 years old. I had been home schooling her since she was 10 years old. She was making progress but it was VERY SLOW.
Carleen has had a speech condition that no professional was able to diagnose, normal conversations were not possible. Usually we could figure out what she was saying, but a lot of the time she would give up because she had to repeat so much. Her reading and math skills were very low and it appeared she wasn't interested in learning and improving in these areas. She was very uncoordinated, had a abnormal gait and her body muscles were very tight and stiff.
My husband and I realized we needed to research and decide what the next step would be. I took her to Maggie Dail for testing and Maggie said she had just received information about an ND Therapy seminar and was going to attend to find out more. I attended the seminar and a lot of what was presented described Carleen's behavior.
It was determined Carleen didn't hear the same sounds the same every time. She was using her peripheral vision instead of her central vision.
Today Carleen is much improved, we can now hold a conversation with her. I believe Samonas Sound Therapy plays a major role in this phenomenal improvement. In addition, she is seen by Dr. Cavanaugh (an Osteopathic Physician), he has been working on a restriction in her left temple, where the speech area is located. It brings tears to my eyes to think how frustrating it was for both her and us in the area of communication. She has a wonderful sense of humor, which has manifested itself since the emergence of her language skills.
We have done vision activities so she's using her central vision, which has addressed tracking for reading. Along with hearing the sounds correctly her reading is greatly improved. She enjoys and desires to read now.
Math scores are coming up slowly and continue to improve.
Carleen's left leg was 1/4" shorter than her right. Dr. Cavanaugh was able to correct and her legs are now the same length. In our program we have had activities that massage the muscles. This combination has resulted in a much smoother gait, her body is more relaxed and not tight and stiff. She is aware of where her body is in space and moves with much better coordination.
ND Therapy has been very productive. She asks lots of questions and is continuing to make great progress for which we thank God. ND has provided the tools and skills necessary in order to interact and communicate with her family, friends and others. In spite of my many failings, she is quick to smile and makes us laugh daily. She has endured so much pain and sorrow in her short life, I admire her for all she has and will overcome and envy her ability to keep looking at the positive side.
The Lord has blessed us many times over and has taught our family so very much in the process. When I'm wallowing in self pity the Lord has laid on my heart that it is indeed a privilege to teach Carleen!
Peggy K.
Back to ND Articles
It is important to first note that the brain maintains its plasticity and redundancy throughout our entire life. The capacity for continuous alteration of the neural pathways and synapses of the living brain and nervous system in response to experience or injury that involves the formation of new pathways and synapses and the elimination or modification of existing ones.
These abilities relate to how each brain is made and is not dependent upon age to take advantage of this great gift from God. The necessary ingredients to begin transforming the internal structure of the brain pathways are developmentally specific stimulation presented with the appropriate frequency, intensity and duration. This means that in order to grow new pathways in the brain there must be input that is developmentally relevant- orderly (i.e. you would not present calculus before you have presented basic math concepts ). No matter what a person’s chronological age you will not have success by presenting or task teaching above the level where the foundation has been firmly established.
Our brains build pathways and connections when specific input is presented with enough frequency (often meaning several times daily), with enough intensity (has to be high interest or at least acknowledged by the brain that it has been received), and with appropriate duration. Duration is a two part concept. The first part is the immediate duration must be short enough that the intensity it maintained at a high level. Dragging out difficult learning experiences or activities lower the intensity and cause the brain to shut down and tune out. The second part of duration is that the information or stimulation must be carried out over a long enough overall time period for the pathway to grow and firmly establish itself. This is the part that takes dedication and consistency if you are to reap the rewards of all your hard work.
Specific verses Random: Just living life and participating in random activities no matter how wonderful each individual activity is will NEVER make the functional developmental changes that families are hoping for in their loved ones. Random input (for example) would be something like going to Las Vegas. There are lights and bells and flashing and sights and sounds and amazing things to see and do. But the randomness of the input is such that it actually disorganizes the brain (so much that many manage to willingly put all their money into machines before they leave). So stimulation for the sake of stimulation does not improve your function or your brains ability to operate. Specific input and stimulation is based on an individual persons current functioning and development—then activities are assigned to complete and strengthen their current developmental levels in order for them to move on to work on the next higher levels. The specific input and stimulation must be provided daily in specific ways in order to make steady progress.
The lower the functioning of an individual the more dependent they are on others helping to provide the much needed specific input so that they can proceed successfully in their functional development. This is where the Bible encourages us to help to bear the burdens of one another. When your brother cannot provide for himself it is our duty to assist him in accomplishing his life fulfilling aspirations and full potential. Fortunately, our Lord has granted us the privilege to intervene and assist during the entire lifetime of our brothers and sisters with age not being an obstacle. Praise God, it is never too late to begin.
A Worthwhile Journey
Countless times during my career I have been asked how come the Neurodevelopmental approach is not the most common, mainstream method when it can make such amazing changes in persons of any age. The answer to this is complicated. Many things play into the reality of it, including things such as funding, politics and especially bureaucracies. But the most compelling reason is that the plain truth is that the Neurodevelopmental approach requires dedicated, consistent, long-term specific interactions based on completely individualized functional developmental needs. In other words, it is hard work and consistency that enables us to assist people in moving forward in their abilities and development. It is not magic and it is not an overnight fix—it is an actual way of building new physical pathways and connections in a brain that then turns into beautiful changes in outward function.
Since every person is different there is no way to tell at the beginning which person will change the fastest and which one will change more slowly. We cannot predict which areas of function will change first or second and which ones will take the longest. What we do know for an absolute fact is this. If you do nothing specific—nothing specific will happen. If you provide individualized stimulation with the proper frequency, intensity and duration change will occur and function will improve.
It is our belief that each human being is born with an innate ability to have unlimited potential. Each human being is made perfectly by our creator and there are no mistakes. And each person has complete and intake intelligence. The problems come when some insult or injury occurs that begins to block the typical channels of input needed to develop and so development gets interrupted, disorganized or damaged along the way. Each of us has the ability to improve our function, regain our function, or develop new function. To the extent that we are not able to make change in a person, it is because of our present lack of adequate knowledge to know how to correctly impact the weaknesses. But it is never because of the individual’s lack of potential or innate intelligence.
So the question then becomes; is this journey of unlocking a person’s potentiality and function a worthwhile endeavor or not? As an adult each progression in function will open new opportunities and provide new choices that were not available before. Every new ability will result in a person being able to have more opportunities for jobs, more variety of employment, more independent employment, more independent living, and increased choices over their own life, a less restrictive living arrangement, or more fulfilling personal relationships. In other words, unlocking potentiality opens up the possibilities of choices where there were none before. Is it worthwhile to begin a journey when the end result is unknown?
I liken the journey of engaging in a neurodevelopmental program to climbing Mount Everest. How many times have you heard a person talk about how they were just out taking a walk and before they knew it they accidentally ended up on the top of Mount Everest? Of course you have never heard such a thing; it doesn’t even make logical sense. Getting to the top of Mount Everest takes a long term plan and commitment. It takes daily training in the skills needed to accomplish it with minimal risk to life and limb. It takes months and years of planning and attention to the details. And what if the climber doesn’t make it to the top? Is that considered a failure? What if they made it only l/2 way or ¾’s of the way? They have still succeeded and accomplished something that only a tiny percent of the population has ever done. And in the training and planning have gained knowledge, skills, health and abilities superior to the majority of the typical population. All of this to say, you do not get to your point of destination without a specific plan of how to get there and without a vision of how it will be accomplished. If you have goals for your loved one of better function, more opportunities, more independence, improved social interaction then you must have a plan and a path of how this is going to happen. Unfortunately, hoping and wishing it will happen is not the method which provides the most consistent success. The Neurodevelopment Approach provides the information necessary and creates an individualized plan for progress and change.
Below are some comments and testimonials of typical adults and delayed adults and the changes they or others have noticed in them as they implemented their individualized neurodevelopmental plans.
Testimonies:
Young Adult Enters College:
We have a marvelous praise, I told my husband that I must write and tell you all this great testimony.
Our 24 year old son, Robert presently at Bob Jones University, is living in the resident hall ready to start classes tomorrow. Because of advice from his adviser we had an educational assessment done yesterday. We got the results back today. (The tester promptly got the results back).
His scores in verbal IQ, Performance IQ and Full Scale IQ are now average in the 45 percentile rank. When he had the assessment done nine years ago the numbers were below average in the 18 percentile rank. In all areas the sub scores improved.
We only had the test done so that Robert will receive special help in the Learning Resource Center, but we are excited to see the results. Also Robert hasn't been doing program for at least 9 months. There are still issues and problem areas like processing speed, visual processing and reasoning, reading comprehension and written expression.
I am convinced that ND program is the best, most efficient way to help our children and grandchildren.
Praising the Lord for His great goodness and blessings to us.
Joyce L.
Chiari Malformation causing regression in function:
The year I received my teaching degree I began to notice an increase in problematic symptoms related to my scoliosis. As part of the remedy process I tried chiropractic care, which resulted in a neck manipulation that triggered stroke like symptoms and left me with lingering balance issues along with false nerve sensations roving throughout my arms and legs (loss of sensation, false heat or cold, wet arms) and a debilitating "brain fog". Through investigating this I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation I and after 5 years of dealing with these symptoms on my own and simply running out of options, I finally entered somewhat skeptically into an ND program.
The results? Clearer thinking, marked pain management, vast improvement in balance and gait, an ability to engage proper core muscles for movement such that I experience far fewer movement related injuries and a clearer perception of the root causes of my condition such that I feel able to guide and direct my other treatment pursuits with greater insight. Not only does my ND program help me over the long term, but I can notice immediate results and can even at times derail a scoliotic flare-up if I begin some of my ND activities when I notice my muscles preparing to rage. My physiotherapist feels like we are finally making progress, as my body responds more favorably to her treatments.
I had come to the point where I couldn't work much and now, after 2 or 3 months on the program I notice I am able to do far more. I am by no means finished yet. It is a long process. But I see a light at the end of the tunnel and for that I am ever thankful.
Professionally, my ND program has provided me with new insight into some of the challenges faced by students at school. Ever a proficient reader, reading comprehension had become a huge problem for me, to the point where my work was being negatively impacted. Similarly, spelling and editing that had once been simple had become impossibly arduous.
For me, no amount of reading comprehension or spelling activities would have remedied this, but my eye patch, pinhole glasses and other visual activities help me retain and understand what I'm reading and write with greater accuracy. There are many avenues with which ND is able to improve a person's function. In my case, I have become keenly aware that schools need to find a way to incorporate activities aimed at targeting visual deficiencies into their kit bag of strategies if they are going to help all children succeed.
Leslie L.
Valhalla Centre, AB, Canada
Testimony from Typical Adult Mom
Hi. I'm not very far into program, but the things that have improved are as follows:
Better focus
Getting better at focusing with distraction
Improvement in small tasks -- One example: It used to take several minutes for me to get dishes from the table to the kitchen sink with intense concentration. My husband has noticed that it does not require near the same amount of effort for me to get things from point A to point B.
Immediately after doing gross motor exercises (see saws, lizard, patterning on the back) energy level, concentration, and thought organization much better
After slow spin with eyes closed for 21 days followed by spin variety of speeds for about 2 months, able to read some in the car and no car sickness (note: after not doing this exercise for 3 months I have reverted)
Irritability and sensitivity to touch improving
These improvements follow 4 months of doing program fully and then 4 months of doing only Samonas and ear occlusion (didn't follow rest of program during last 4 months)
I am writing this with continual whining and bickering in the background.
Allison (age 40)
Adult Daughter
My daughter is 24 1/2 years old. We started working with Cyndi Ringoen, Certified Neuroeducational Developmentalist when Carleen was 19 1/2 years old. I had been home schooling her since she was 10 years old. She was making progress but it was VERY SLOW.
Carleen has had a speech condition that no professional was able to diagnose, normal conversations were not possible. Usually we could figure out what she was saying, but a lot of the time she would give up because she had to repeat so much. Her reading and math skills were very low and it appeared she wasn't interested in learning and improving in these areas. She was very uncoordinated, had a abnormal gait and her body muscles were very tight and stiff.
My husband and I realized we needed to research and decide what the next step would be. I took her to Maggie Dail for testing and Maggie said she had just received information about an ND Therapy seminar and was going to attend to find out more. I attended the seminar and a lot of what was presented described Carleen's behavior.
It was determined Carleen didn't hear the same sounds the same every time. She was using her peripheral vision instead of her central vision.
Today Carleen is much improved, we can now hold a conversation with her. I believe Samonas Sound Therapy plays a major role in this phenomenal improvement. In addition, she is seen by Dr. Cavanaugh (an Osteopathic Physician), he has been working on a restriction in her left temple, where the speech area is located. It brings tears to my eyes to think how frustrating it was for both her and us in the area of communication. She has a wonderful sense of humor, which has manifested itself since the emergence of her language skills.
We have done vision activities so she's using her central vision, which has addressed tracking for reading. Along with hearing the sounds correctly her reading is greatly improved. She enjoys and desires to read now.
Math scores are coming up slowly and continue to improve.
Carleen's left leg was 1/4" shorter than her right. Dr. Cavanaugh was able to correct and her legs are now the same length. In our program we have had activities that massage the muscles. This combination has resulted in a much smoother gait, her body is more relaxed and not tight and stiff. She is aware of where her body is in space and moves with much better coordination.
ND Therapy has been very productive. She asks lots of questions and is continuing to make great progress for which we thank God. ND has provided the tools and skills necessary in order to interact and communicate with her family, friends and others. In spite of my many failings, she is quick to smile and makes us laugh daily. She has endured so much pain and sorrow in her short life, I admire her for all she has and will overcome and envy her ability to keep looking at the positive side.
The Lord has blessed us many times over and has taught our family so very much in the process. When I'm wallowing in self pity the Lord has laid on my heart that it is indeed a privilege to teach Carleen!
Peggy K.
Back to ND Articles