Helping individuals improve their ability to concentrate and focus - without medication

“In working with ADHD individuals
for the past twenty years, this is the
first alternative to medication that has
significant research behind it.”
Dr. Paul White
Wichita Psychologist

In kindergarten, Jack struggled staying on task, being able to follow instructions, and getting his work done. His mother received numerous phone calls from his teacher reporting concerns about his struggles in staying on task, being able to follow instructions, and getting his work done. Although her son was a delightful boy who wanted to do well, he had difficulty in keeping his hands to himself, not interrupting others, and blurting out answers to questions.

After Jack was diagnosed with an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, his parents decided to pursue a new computer-based training program (www.cogmed.com) rather than treatment by medication. This year, in first grade, Jack’s behavior has improved tremendously – with the frequency of getting in trouble for misbehavior dropping dramatically and his ability to stay on task has increased significantly.

Until recently, students like Jack who have difficulty staying on task, concentrating, and remembering what they have studied, often are recommended to take medication to help improve these symptoms. Many of these individuals are diagnosed as having ADD or ADHD. But there is now a computer-based training program, developed in Sweden, called Cogmed Working Memory Training that research has shown to help 80% of those who complete it to improve these symptoms. Research has shown that children who suffer from ADD, ADHD, or other issues related to attention
commonly have a deficit in an essential cognitive function called “working memory”. Working memory is the ability to keep information in mind for a short period of time, manipulate it, and use it in your thinking. Our working memory keeps us updated on what’s going on around us, allows us
to process what we see and hear efficiently so that we can react appropriately, and helps us block out distractions so we can stay focused. Working memory is a key component for success academically, professionally, and socially, and significantly impacts reading comprehension and multiple-step tasks.

Previously, working memory deficits were primarily treated by medication, but Cogmed Working Memory Training provides an alternative that is proven to significantly increase working memory capacity resulting in improved attention and overall cognitive
functioning.

Cogmed training has been proven to be effective for people of all ages – like Diane, a 42 year old mother of four. Diane’s children are now all in school, from first grade through high school, so she decided to go back to college to pursue a nursing degree. But her first semester back in college was quite a struggle, taking fairly difficult courses in chemistry and biology.Diane felt like she had to study longer than her classmates to get the same grades they did.

This past summer, she completed Cogmed training and now reports she is better able to stay focused during lectures, can remember what she has read, and doesn’t have to study as long to learn the material. Psychologist Dr. Paul White in Wichita is trained in providing Cogmed Working Memory Training for individuals, ranging from preschool through college, and he has coached over 80 individuals through the process in the past two years.

“In working with ADHD individuals for the past twenty years, this is the first alternative to medication that has significant research behind it,” Dr. White reports.
“I went in skeptical but I have been pleasantly surprised how students’ ability to concentrate increases – and how their reading comprehension improves as well.”

Cogmed training has had numerous articles published in scientific journals documenting its effectiveness and is the most researched cognitive training program available – you can see the full list of studies at www.cogmedresearch.com. Cogmed Working Memory Training can be done from home (or at work) and was designed to be completed in five to six weeks. The training consists of twenty-five training sessions, approximately 30-45 minutes a day. Along with the computer-based training, the program also includes weekly coaching calls to provide encouragement and instruction. Over ten thousand people have completed the training worldwide.

For more information, feel free to contact Dr. White’s office at (316) 681-4428 or visit www.workingmemorysolutions. com.

“I went in skeptical but I have been pleasantly surprised how students’ ability to concentrate increases – and how their reading comprehension improves as well.”
Dr. Paul White
Wichita
Psychologist