What kind of learning disabilities and cognitive challenges do you work with in brain coaching?

• Individuals who desire to strengthen and fine tune their cognitive ability will benefit from our sessions and training. Specific disabilities and diagnoses that can benefit include autism spectrum, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADD/ADHD, traumatic brain injury, memory and comprehension challenges, down syndrome, PTSD, visual and auditory processing disorders, dementia, executive functioning, fetal alcohol syndrome, communication disorders, neurodevelopment disorders, and school-based learning challenges.

Can the program help with reading and writing difficulties?

• Yes, our program addresses literacy impairments, including reading and writing, while focusing on holistic cognitive function.

• The program helps to build and connect the neural pathways of the brain that place students on a road toward increased personal and professional progress, impacting academic, work, and social success. 

Who will benefit from the program?

• Post-adoptive children and foster care children who are experiencing challenges related to executive functioning, learning, memory, and task management

• Children who are trying so hard to learn to read but are getting more and more frustrated

• Students of all levels who are spending hours studying but are unable to recall content and remember what they read

• Students of all levels who are struggling to listen to oral instruction and simultaneously take notes

• Honors students who attain quick understanding but lack basic study skills

• Students of all levels who are struggling with executive functioning while managing a huge workload

• Athletes who are experiencing cognitive functioning deficits following a sports injury

• Business professionals, adult learners, and aging adults who are in a stressful work environment or are returning to school

• Adults who are concerned that their memory and skills "just aren't what they used to be”

• Adults who have a family history of dementia or Alzheimers

How many hours of practice outside of the sessions are required?

• Students should expect to spend 60 minutes per day, five days a week for a minimum of 12 weeks working on assigned activities that reinforce skills learned during sessions and maximize the program's impact.

Do parents need to attend sessions with their children?

• Yes, parents are expected to be present and to support their children during sessions.

• We will provide strategies, resources, and home activities to parents and caregivers in order to assist their students’ practice outside of sessions. The practice will seek to reinforce skills learned during sessions and encourage progress.

Are sessions held in person or virtually?

• Sessions may take place virtually or in-person. For children who are enrolled in the program, parents are required to be present during sessions.

How long does the brain coaching program typically last?

• The duration of the program varies widely depending on the individual’s needs, severity of cognitive challenges, and progress during sessions. It can range from a few months to several years.

• Each semester consists of 24 one-hour sessions that typically meet twice a week for 12 weeks or 12 one-hour sessions that once a week for 12 weeks..

What is involved in a brain coaching assessment?

• Each student will receive an individualized assessment that considers the strengths and weaknesses pertaining to reading, writing, auditory processing, visual processing, working memory, primitive reflexes, logic, and reasoning.

• Students and parents will also be asked to answer specific questions regarding skillsets and concerns.

What payment options are there? Is the program covered by insurance or Health Savings account plans?

• We use a payment model that does not require medical insurance to dictate the care we provide. We are not contracted with insurance carriers at this time and are private-pay only.

• However, we have had many families use education and military grants, in addition to Health Savings accounts.

• If you are an Amherst County SPED student, we are contracted with the school district to provide applicable special education services.

• We also accept payment via Venmo.

What resources will I use as part of the program?

• Our program pulls from a variety of proven curricula and resources that target different aspects of cognitive performance. Once a student has completed their assessment, an individualized program plan that largely draws upon the unique and multi-disciplinary Equipping Minds program will be created. Additional games, worksheet activities, and exercises will also be used.

• Sessions will be designed to increase the student’s capacity to learn, using a progressive system of physical, visual, auditory, vestibular, and cognitive exercises — all targeting the creating and strengthening of neural pathways.

• The program requires students to purchase necessary materials, including manipulatives and a student workbook.

How will my progress in this program be measured?

• Our program will be uniquely tailored to each student’s needs and goals, affording opportunities of scaffolding knowledge and achievement of key milestones. Such milestones are realized as students demonstrate significant ease and speed with the exercises and activities. A detailed log of weekly activity is kept.

• Individualized assessments and questionnaires will be revisited depending on student progress to provide marked data regarding area of advancement within the areas of reading, writing, auditory processing, visual processing, working memory, primitive reflexes, logic, and reasoning.

Can this program be used toward school credit?

• High school students can count the program as a critical thinking course. 

Beyond cognitive performance, what other benefits does the program offer?

• In addition to regularly seeing improvement in academics and executive functioning, students often realize increased social skills and self confidence, positive impacts on their behavior, as well as enhanced performance in sports and work.

How can I schedule an assessment for myself or my student?

• Please complete this contact form and we will reach out to schedule a complimentary phone consultation and any additional assessments.