ADHD & Focus - Cedarbrook Center

Focus for Success

Focus for Success in the Star Tribune

Focus for Success and Maestra Brianna received coverage in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. See the story here.

Focus for Success can help anyone improve focus and concentration. It is especially helpful for students who struggle with attention difficulties.

Focus for Success trains students to improve focus and attention.

It also helps students self-soothe and be calm.

Activities include the pillars of brain health and development.

Of the Cleveland Clinic's six pillars of brain health, five are appropriate for the school or after-school setting. We include:

Movement
Food & Nutrition
Relaxation
Mental Fitness (cognitive brain traiining and activities)
Social Interaction

In our newsletter to parents we include information about sleep (part of relaxation), activity in nature, and medical health.

We developed the program, and mastered the use of great tools.

Brain training. A focal point of our program is Play Attention, a computerized neurocognitive program originally developed by NASA to train astronauts. Play attention is like neurofeedback - but better. Play Attention sensors read brain waves much like a stethoscope reads heartbeats. Students learn to activate the "brain waves for focus" by controlling computer games with brain activity alone.

Movement. Not just any movement will do. We teach physical activities that improve brain function and focus including yoga and crawling.

Nutrition. We enjoy healthy brain snacks and send recipes home to share. Brain specific nutritional information is included in parent newsletters.

Nature and Nutrition. We plant and grow a brain-healthy potted garden.

Relaxation & Mindfulness .– learn relaxation and calming techniques that improve focus (and likely improve sleep at home)/

Social Interactions include brain stimulating strategy games (chess, checkers, Go, and others.) Students will also coach peers to improve focus and gain the benefit of improved learning and focus for themselves

Focus for Success Effectiveness

We developed Focus for Success using brain health research and extensive clinical use since 2008 (with 5-years investgation prior to that). Each component is evidence-based and has significant research backing it's effectiveness. Combining these individual components has been called "complete genius". We're not so sure about that high praise, but we do know it really, really works and greatly benefits kids.

One major tool we use is Play Attention. Effectiveness research can be found here.

Our primary mindfullness tool is Stop, Breathe, and Think and some of the effectiveness data is here.

Informally, we did our own assessment of program effectiveness while developing the program for over 10 years. One main component, Play Attention (PA), boasted a 91% satisfaction rate and had research showing that, upon successful completion, the focus ability was permanent.

At Cedarbrook, we like to see things for ourselves.

The PA equipment reads brain waves and gives focus percentages. Scores above 75 to 80 are the goal. On average, the program takes the length of a school year.

For the first 3 years, we offered students 5 free sessions in the fall after their completion year. All students had continually scored 80% or above on all activities in order to complete the program. It is common knowledge that students regress a bit over the summer months so we were not sure what the next fall results might be.

After the first year, students returned in the fall and scored in the 85 – 90% range. After the second and third years, with no additional training, the scores remained in that range. We had a real-life experience that correlated with the research.

Focus for Success helps students do well in school and life. Our first student is now in 11th grade and his mother reports that he continues to prosper and excel without medication (they were seeking an alternative to medication when he was in first grade).

Details: Written by Jerry Jensen; Last Updated: 23 November 2018

Cedarbrook is collaborating with Minneapolis Public Schools to provide after-school Extended Learning at Emerson Spanish Immersion school. The program will be based on our Focus for Success program.

Focus for Success

Focus for Success helps improve brain function – most notably, attention and focus. Activities include the pillars of brain health and development:

Brain training – using Play Attention, a computerized neurocognitive program originally developed by NASA to train astronauts. Play Attention sensors read brain waves much like a stethoscope reads heartbeats. Students learn to activate the "brain waves for focus" by controlling computer activities ("games") with brain activity alone.
Movement – physical activities that improve brain function and focus
Nutrition – enjoy healthy brain snacks (and bring recipes home to share)
Nature and Nutrition – plant and grow a brain-healthy potted garden
Relaxation & Mindfulness – learn relaxation and calming techniques that improve focus (and likely improve sleep at home)
Interact with others at brain stimulating strategy games (chess, checkers, Go, and others.)
Students will also coach peers to improve focus and gain the benefit of improved learning and focus for themselves

Emerson Spanish Immersion School

The Emerson Spanish Immersion Learning Center is a two-way language immersion program for native English and native Spanish speaking students serving students Pre-K - 5th grade. Coming from one of the highest poverty districts in the state of Minnesota, students are incredibly resilient. They come to school smiling and ready to learn.

Students come from many cultures and backgrounds – roughly 70% are Latino and originate from countries like Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador and Peru. Emerson also serves non-native Spanish speakers (Caucasian and African American) who want to learn in a dual immersion setting. They are awesome, hardworking, bilingual kids!

Focus for Success on Lakeland TV

Details: Written by Jerry Jensen; Last Updated: 02 February 2019

Our son was like all kids diagnosed with ADHD...ADD. Many challenges in school...staying on task, not handing in homework, failing classes, the list goes on...

We had him on meds from 1st grade until the last day of 5th grade. We just didn’t see how meds were doing any good, his skin was gray and he was so thin his ribs stuck out, and he wasn’t growing.

6th grade – 10th grade was a big challenge....The end of 10th grade we found Focus for Success !!!

Our son is now in his second semester of 11th grade...PASSING all classes, better focused, and his self esteem is so much better.

We just had an IEP meeting and his case manger commented on how much he has improved !!!

Note: The photo is representional and not a photo of the actual student.

Details: Written by Jerry Jensen; Last Updated: 03 February 2019

Bring Focus for Success to your school or community. More info coming soon. Can't wait to find out more? Click here to email us.

Here is an overview with more details to be determined by February 15th, 2019

Training
4.5-day initial training - 9 to 3:30 PM
Intense training including

brain development and brain health background,
5 pillars of brain health with attention to specific areas of focus,
hands-on use of equipment,
personal focus training for each participant,
forms, newsletter articles, procedues that work, how-to's,
hints and tips from over 10 years of continual improvement to the program.

We also provide in-depth ways to determine underlying causes and correlates to focus obstacles. The program gets press for helping people with poor attention, but it will improve focus and concentration for anyone. NASA developed the equipment to train astronauts and jet fighter pilots (equipment has been modified for student use).

On-Going Support. After Training, you can begin to offer the program - add to it, modify it to your needs etc. We offer ongoing support – we want you to be successful.

Certification
Training teaches the program and how to use the tools. Teacher Certification requires completing a year of the program with students (with our ongoing support) plus completing the program yourself (additional components included).

Limited to 8 participants. Application required. Use this contact form to save your space.

Details: Written by Jerry Jensen; Last Updated: 09 May 2019

Focus for Success can help anyone improve focus and concentration. It is especially helpful for students who struggle with attention difficulties.

Focus for Success trains students to improve focus and attention.

It also helps students self-soothe and be calm.

Activities include the pillars of brain health and development.

Of the Cleveland Clinic's six pillars of brain health, five are appropriate for the school or after-school setting. We include:

Movement
Food & Nutrition
Relaxation
Mental Fitness (cognitive brain traiining and activities)
Social Interaction

In our newsletter to parents we include information about sleep (part of relaxation), activity in nature, and medical health.

We developed the program, and mastered the use of great tools.

Movement. Not just any movement will do. We teach physical activities that improve brain function and focus including yoga and crawling.

Nutrition. We enjoy healthy brain snacks and send recipes home to share. Brain specific nutritional information is included in parent newsletters.

Nature and Nutrition. We plant and grow a brain-healthy potted garden.

Relaxation & Mindfulness .– learn relaxation and calming techniques that improve focus (and likely improve sleep at home)/

Focus for Success Effectiveness

One major tool we use is Play Attention. Effectiveness research can be found here.

Our primary mindfullness tool is Stop, Breathe, and Think and some of the effectiveness data is here.

At Cedarbrook, we like to see things for ourselves.

The PA equipment reads brain waves and gives focus percentages. Scores above 75 to 80 are the goal. On average, the program takes the length of a school year.

Details: Written by Jerry Jensen; Last Updated: 02 February 2019

Neurofeedback is brain wave biofeedback (EEG biofeedback). The electrical activity of the brain is read with special sensors and recorded by the computer. Without the computer reading our brain signals we don't know what our brain activity is -- and so we aren't able to change it. But neurofeedback gives us that information.

Read more: What's Neurofeedback?

Details: Written by Jerry Jensen; Last Updated: 09 October 2017

We do many things at Cedarbrook to help improve lives. We are most passionate about helping kids be successful -- that is to be someone who is respectful, responsible, and fun to be around.

We're not here to help your child become the best reader on the block, a virtuoso musician, or an Olympic gold medalist. We just want to help kids be the best that they can be.

Details: Written by Jerry Jensen; Last Updated: 01 February 2019

ADHD

The International Headache Society recognizes more than 150 diagnostic headache categories. When we get a headache, the doctor doesn't jump right away to "it's a brain tumor!"

There are over 59 causes of attention difficulties. Let's not jump right away to "it must be ADHD!"

Details: Written by Jerry Jensen; Last Updated: 09 October 2017

Details: Written by Jerry Jensen; Last Updated: 01 February 2019

ADHD

FACT: The Great Smokey Mountain study found that "...over 57% of those who received medication did not meet the criteria" for ADHD.

SOURCE: Parens, E. and Johnston, J.: Facts, values, and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): an update on the controversies. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 2009, 3:1

FACT: A clinical report to the Western Australia government found that ADHD is misdiagnosed 75% of the time.

SOURCE: Education and Health Standing Committee of Western Australia, October 2004. Inquiry into Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Western Australia. Western Australia. Parliament. Legislative Assembly. Committees. Education and Health Standing Committee. Report 8

More facts and figures to come....

Details: Written by Jerry Jensen; Last Updated: 02 February 2019

It sounds too good to be true. Is it?

Often when things sound too good to be true--they're too good to be true.

However, some things are so basic, so fundamental, so important that they really can help in a lot of different situations. For example, improving your communication skills will help your relationship with

your boss
your spouse
your children
and even strangers.

Communication is such a basic skill it can be helpful when applied to many different situations. It can help everyone with everything -- so to speak.

The same is true with attention and focus. It is such a basic, fundamental, and important skill that improving it will help in many situations.

Students can improve performance by increased ability to pay attention.
Spouses can improve relationships by better listening to each other.
Musicians can improve performance by being totally into the music.
Athletes can improve performance by getting "in the zone."
Executives can focus and improve functioning and "multitasking."

You say this can help students, athletes, musicians, and executives. How can something help everyone with everything?

Some things are basic, like water.

Water cleans you, nourishes your body and brain, and helps all animals and plants grow. Water is basic and fundamental to life as we know it.

Focus and attention are also basic and fundamental skills -- learning to focus/pay attention will improve many aspects of your life. Notice we said in each area people will improve their performance. Focus and attention will help you do the best you are able with the skills you have. It will also help you improve your skills because of increased ability to focus on practicing those skills. However, it is not a miracle--to get better skills you have to practice those skills. And our program will help you focus so that you can do that.

Who invented your program?

How much does the Focus for Success program cost?

How much does the Focus for Success program cost?

We offer Focus for Success in schools and clinical settings.

The clinical program costs "more than piano lessons, but less than braces." Like piano lessons and braces, Focus for Success can give life-long benefits. And like piano lessons and braces, it also requires an investment of time and money.

Typically a student will have two 45 minutes sessions each week. You may see results in as few as ten sessions, but for permanent change we recommend 40 - 50 hours.

Individual sessions are $56. The average number of individual sessions is between 11-18. After that, students have group sessions which are $27.

The program is customized for each individual, so prices range, but we can offer financing options.

Details: Written by Jerry Jensen; Last Updated: 05 November 2019

ADHD

The booklet Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was published by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in 2009. It is a good resource stating the current conventional wisdom (generally accepted and sometimes wrong beliefs) and treatment standards regarding ADHD.

However, conventional wisdom about ADHD

- doesn't tell the whole story,
- is influenced by pharmaceutical industry marketing and involvement in research,
- is outright wrong sometimes.
  Read more: ADHD Information Booklet from NIMH with Our Comments

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Brain Health Help

Focus for Success

Focus for Success trains students to improve focus and attention.

It also helps students self-soothe and be calm.

Activities include the pillars of brain health and development.

We developed the program, and mastered the use of great tools.

Focus for Success Effectiveness

Better Focus for Kids | Emerson Spanish Immersion School

Focus for Success

Emerson Spanish Immersion School

Focus for Success on Lakeland TV

JD - High School Focus

Focus for Success Training

Focus for Success: School-based Program

Focus for Success trains students to improve focus and attention.

It also helps students self-soothe and be calm.

Activities include the pillars of brain health and development.

We developed the program, and mastered the use of great tools.

Focus for Success Effectiveness

What's Neurofeedback?

Our Passion - Helping Kids & Their Parents

Problem #1: Mistaken Beliefs

Focus for Success on Lakeland TV

ADHD Overdiagnosed

A few FAQ's about Focus for Success

It sounds too good to be true. Is it?

You say this can help students, athletes, musicians, and executives. How can something help everyone with everything?

Who invented your program?

How much does the Focus for Success program cost?

ADHD Information Booklet from NIMH with Our Comments

Focus & Attention

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