Does your child have trouble staying organized, finishing homework, or getting through the day without constant reminders? Maybe you're exhausted from repeating yourself, managing meltdowns, or calming your child who just couldn’t sit for 5 seconds without throwing food across the table.
I know parenthood is never easy. But parenting a child with ADHD? It can be a constant battle of feeling overwhelmed and rewarded at the same time.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disability that doesn’t only affect one part of life. For children who are still learning to make friends or figure out how to solve math problems without mom helping, ADHD can make all aspects of everyday life feel more intense. And that constant battle trickles down to the rest of your family.
I know how exhausting this journey has been for you. But here's the reassuring truth: your child's brain can learn to regulate itself. Using proven, science-backed methods like neurofeedback therapy, we can address what's really happening beneath those ADHD symptoms.
What Is Neurofeedback Therapy for ADHD?
Many children with ADHD show dysregulated brain wave patterns that make it hard for them to concentrate, sit still, or control impulses. Neurofeedback focuses on correcting imbalanced brain activity, especially in the frontal lobes—the areas responsible for attention, impulse control, and executive functioning.
The goal is simple yet powerful: teach the brain to self-regulate by calming dysregulated brain waves. When the brain is calm and regulated, healing, learning, and behavior change naturally follow.
Let me share Cody’s story with you:
Cody was a bright student whose ADHD symptoms made school a constant struggle. His parents had tried nine medications for ADHD, but these left him feeling cranky and emotional, causing him to fail most of his high school classes. Feeling desperate yet hopeful, Cody's family decided to try neurofeedback treatment for ADHD.
Within weeks of starting neurofeedback training, Cody and his mom noticed positive changes. He felt calmer and more focused, his emotional outbursts decreased significantly, and he could finally pay attention in class. For the first time, Cody could use the tools he had and benefit from his IEP at school.
By the end of the year, Cody had turned things around—he successfully completed ninth grade and confidently moved into 10th grade feeling alert and capable.
This is exactly how neurofeedback therapy helps children with ADHD, by calming dysregulated brain waves in real-time, it helps their brains self-regulate naturally. With consistent sessions, your child's brain learns healthier patterns that lead to lasting improvements.
5 Benefits of Neurofeedback for ADHD Children and Teens
ADHD can feel like a constant uphill battle—for both kids and parents. Here are 5 powerful ways neurofeedback can help your child thrive.
1. Improves Attention And Focus
Neurofeedback therapy helps children with ADHD improve their ability to pay attention by training their brains to produce more beneficial theta and beta waves. These brain waves are directly linked to concentration and focus.
With consistent neurofeedback training, your child's brain learns to sustain these healthier patterns, making it easier for them to stay on task at school and home.
2. Reduces Hyperactivity
ADHD neurofeedback doesn't just help with attention—it also significantly reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. This therapy calms overactive areas of the brain responsible for restlessness and impulsive behaviors.
As a result, your child can experience fewer emotional outbursts, better self-control, and improved behavior both at home and in social situations.
3. Long-Term Benefits Without Medication Side Effects
Unlike ADHD medications that may come with unwanted side effects like irritability or sleep issues, neurofeedback therapy for ADHD is non-invasive and gentle. Most children feel only slightly tired after sessions.
The best part? The benefits last long after treatment ends—research shows that improvements in ADHD symptoms continue over time.
4. Helps Kids Do Better Socially
Children with ADHD often struggle socially due to difficulties managing emotions or controlling impulses. Neurofeedback helps kids manage these challenges by regulating their nervous system activity.
Improved emotional control means your child can better navigate social interactions—making friends more easily, resolving conflicts calmly, and feeling more confident in social settings.
5. Supported By Strong Evidence
Neurofeedback isn’t just helpful—it’s backed by decades of research. Studies show that treating ADHD with neurofeedback leads to real improvements in focus and behavior. Meta-analyses highlight how effective this therapy is for children with ADHD symptoms like hyperactivity or trouble paying attention. The science shows that neurofeedback training works—and it does an amazing job regulating the nervous system!
What Does the Research on Neurofeedback and ADHD Show?
If you're wondering “Does neurofeedback really work?” or “Is it worth trying when nothing else has lasted?”—I understand your skepticism. You don't need another temporary fix.
Neurofeedback isn't just another trendy therapy that makes big promises—it's backed by decades of research showing lasting improvements for kids with ADHD. Instead of just managing symptoms, neurofeedback actually helps calm and train your child's brain, addressing the root cause of their struggles.
Here's what science says:
- A meta-analysis reviewing multiple randomized controlled trials found moderate to large effect sizes for reducing symptoms like hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention (Arns, et al., 2014).
- Another study demonstrated that improvements from neurofeedback lasted up to six months after completing treatment (Gevensleben et al., 2009).
- Research consistently supports neurofeedback as an effective alternative or complement to traditional treatments for children with ADHD (Cortese et al., 2016).
Is Neurofeedback an Option for Your Child?
Absolutely! Neurofeedback is a great choice if you're looking for a safe alternative for treating your child's or teen’s ADHD symptoms. Its ability to calm the brain first makes it helpful for the root cause behind many behaviors traditionally labeled as disorders.
When considering neurofeedback therapy for your child:
- Remember that it is not a cure. You will need to be consistent and committed to the training and pair it with therapy activities.
- Work closely with a qualified practitioner experienced in treating children with ADHD like Dr Roseann.
- Look for programs that offer personalized support tailored specifically to your child's needs.
The BrainBehaviorReset™ Program developed by Dr. Roseann provides exactly this kind of comprehensive support. With over 30 years of experience helping children regulate their nervous systems through science-backed methods like neurofeedback training, Dr. Roseann has helped thousands of families find lasting relief from ADHD symptoms.
Take the first step toward reaching your child's potential today! Explore the BrainBehaviorReset™ Program now—and discover how calming your child's brain can transform their life at school, home, and beyond!
Citations:
Arns, M., Heinrich, H., & Strehl, U. (2014). Evaluation of neurofeedback in ADHD: The long-term effects and clinical utility of neurofeedback training as an alternative treatment option for ADHD in children: A randomized controlled trial study design. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(5), 512–520.e1–e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2016.03.007
Cortese, S., Asherson, P., et al. (2016). Neurofeedback for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Meta-Analysis of Clinical and Neuropsychological Outcomes From Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 55(6), 444–455. https://www.jaacap.org/article/S0890-8567(16)30095-8/abstract
Gevensleben, H., Rothenberger, A., Moll, G., Heinrich, H., & Herpertz-Dahlmann, B. (2009). Neurofeedback training in children with ADHD: 6-month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 50(7), 780–789. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3128749/
Marzbani, H., Marateb, H. R., & Mansourian, M. (2016). Neurofeedback: A comprehensive review on system design, methodology, and clinical applications. Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 7(2), 143–158. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4892319/
Scheinost, D., Hampson, M., Qiu, M., Bhawnani, J., Lacadie, C., Leckman, J. F., & Constable, R. T. (2017). Time course of clinical change following neurofeedback. NeuroImage, 151, 261–270. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6454268/
Sharma, A., & Goyal, D. (2022). Effectiveness of neurofeedback training, behaviour management including attention enhancement training and medication in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A comparative follow-up study. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 67, 102934. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35551878/
Always remember… “Calm Brain, Happy Family™”
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health advice and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new wellness regime. *The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.
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© Roseann-Capanna-Hodge, LLC 2025
Dr. Roseann is a Children’s Mental Health Expert and Therapist who has been featured in/on hundreds of media outlets including, CBS, NBC, FOX News, PIX11 NYC, The New York Times, The Washington Post,, Business Insider, USA Today, CNET, Marth Stewart, and PARENTS. FORBES called her, “A thought leader in children’s mental health.”
She is the founder and director of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health and Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge. Dr. Roseann is a Board Certified Neurofeedback (BCN) Practitioner, a Board Member of the Northeast Region Biofeedback Society (NRBS), Certified Integrative Medicine Mental Health Provider (CMHIMP) and an Amen Clinic Certified Brain Health Coach. She is also a member of The International Lyme Disease and Associated Disease Society (ILADS), The American Psychological Association (APA), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR) and The Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB).
© Roseann-Capanna-Hodge, LLC 2023
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health advice and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new wellness regime. *The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.
