Realizing one’s true potential is both challenging yet ultimately rewarding. Our treatment philosophy is to provide individualized, home-based programs designed to re-train the brain and improve efficiency through organized stimulation of the Nervous System utilizing specialized exercises and activities designed to address the individual’s needs. Generally, as each individual achieves better neurological efficiency, the ability to function improves. As a result, we expect the patient to experience an improvement in learning, behaviour and performance abilities. The objective is to have each individual attain the highest level of function, education, and social performance possible.

The program is designed to specifically stimulate those parts of the nervous system requiring help. It will take effort, work and commitment. We have no miracles and no guarantees and we need to be realistic and give it enough time to work. Under normal circumstances, it takes more than six years for the brain to develop, so it will take some time to continue and alter the process it has already undergone. But we are confident that we can offer both child and adults a good opportunity for help and improved quality of life.

The Interview - what to expect ...

Fortunately, there is a lot that can be done to mature and strengthen the Nervous System. Our goal at A.N.D. is to help the neurologically disabled by treating the cause of their disability rather than the symptoms.

A.N.D. provides an at-home family-centered and family-administered program. It is imperative that the patient and program administrator (i.e. parents, therapists, teachers, aides etc…) attend each appointment.

During the course of the interview, the clinician will explain the objectives of the program. The appointment may last between two to three hours. During this time, the clinician will obtain a detailed case history of present and previous health concerns as well as details of the family history. Diet, nutrition, sleep, lifestyle, behaviour and other relevant aspects are also considered. The clinician will perform a functional evaluation of the sensory and developmental systems in order to determine the individual's key neurological problem areas.

After this comprehensive assessment, the clinician will take some time to write out a specific rehabilitation program that will then be taught to the patient and program administrator. The treatment techniques provide both sensory and motor activities, including a wide variety of visual, auditory, tactile, mobility, language and hand function exercises, all of which are designed to help strengthen the nervous system and improve overall health. Each patient is unique and each plan is tailored to the individual needs of the patient. Severely injured patients will require a more intensive program compared to those less severely injured. Most exercises last approximately ½-2 minutes. The entire program can range from 15-45 minutes and is prescribed 1-3 times a day depending on individual needs.

The order and time that you do the program is up to you but once you choose the order and time, you must keep it the same every day. We suggest that you spend about a week trying to determine the best time that fits into the family schedule. We have found that doing the program in the home provides a more consistent, caring and comfortable environment that produce better results. However, the same person does not have to administer the program each time. In fact, it is beneficial to have variety since it is much more stimulating. Nonetheless, the more consistently the program is done, the better it works.

It is important for children to develop a biological rhythm or pattern in sleeping, waking and eating and the exercises can act as an anchor around which everything else is stabilized. This structuring of the activities makes them more effective than if we did the exercises all day long in an unstructured way. Since the nervous system needs to function in an organized way, any attempt to help it also needs to be organized. With this combination of consistency and stimulation, we allow biology and nature to help resolve things. There may, of course, be occasions such as sickness, etc… during which it is impossible to do the program. Most families aim for 100% consistency; however, if 90% is achieved, this will still produce effective results. The success rate tends to diminish quite rapidly below 80% consistency.

At two to four month intervals, the family will return for the next clinic where we will conduct a functional neurological re-evaluation. The program may be changed according to the progress and needs of the patient. Families will be advised of the methods of communication for questions and concerns arising between visits.