Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has seen a significant increase in prevalence over the past two decades. In 2000, approximately 1 in 150 children were diagnosed with ASD; by 2020, this number rose to about 1 in 36 children (CDC.gov).
While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, science-backed therapies like neurofeedback for autism can play a powerful role in improving brain function and behavior.
What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback therapy is a proven, non-invasive, evidence-based, drug-free, brain training technique that helps the autistic brain function in a more regulated and balanced way.
This approach specifically targets key brain regions associated with autism, including the frontotemporal lobe, frontoparietal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, basal ganglia, and anterior cingulate cortex—all of which play a role in speech, impulse control, focus, mood regulation, anxiety, and self-regulation.
I’ve worked with ASD children for more than 20 years. At our center, we don’t just rely on clinical expertise—we understand firsthand what it means to support a child with autism, because we work with families like yours every day. We believe in root-cause solutions that calm the brain and allow children to thrive in home, school, and social environments.
So let’s talk about how autism and how neurofeedback can help combat your child’s dysregulated brain.
Core Symptoms of Autism
The core symptoms of autism include difficulties with social communication, repetitive behaviors and limited interests. Autism occurs along a spectrum with deficits that impact learning, thinking, attention, behavior, and communication. Children with ASD have a functional impact on their daily life, socialization, learning, language skills, and attention.
People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, ODD, anxiety, OCD, learning difficulties and executive functioning challenges.
The needs and behaviors of children and adolescents with autism are layered and complex impacting both physical and mental health. Their needs require support at home and school and the good news is that there are interventions you can employ to improve your child’s mental functioning.
How Does Autism Affect Behavior and Learning in School?
The educational needs of children with autism can vary significantly based on their cognitive abilities, speech and motor skills, and social engagement.
I remember Clara, the sweetest little girl who had high-functioning autism. She had this incredible sense of curiosity, which made teaching her a pleasure. But like other ASD students, Clara had difficulties learning, completing tasks, focusing, and managing distractions, which slowed her progress down multiple times.
Children like Clara typically receive Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 Plans, which provide specialized education support. Many begin receiving services as early as preschool and continue until they age out of the educational system in their state. Depending on their skill development and functionality, they may also qualify for adult state services to support their transition into adulthood.
How Does Autism Affect Behavior at Home?
While children with ASD can sometimes hold it together in school because of the routine and structure, as well as the high level of support services, home can be a very different environment.
The lack of rigid schedules, unstructured free time, and increased sensory demands often lead to more frequent emotional outbursts, rigidity, and difficulty with transitions.
I’ve had many parents tell me about how their child seems to “relapse”, looking like they’re holding it together in school only to experience emotional meltdowns once they arrive home. I hear you when you say it can be exhausting when you’re in a constant state of redirecting your child. From mealtimes to bedtime and everything in between, it can be a serious workout.
Why Home Can Also Be an Advantage for ASD Children
On the other hand, home environments can work well, if not better, for ASD children. Home is a place where your child feels safe the most, allowing them to fully express themselves. With predictable routines, visual supports, sensory accommodations, and proactive at-home emotional regulation strategies, you can help your child navigate the challenges, at the same time reduce the stress for everyone in your family.
How Does A QEEG Brain Map Help Autism Treatment?
A QEEG brain map is an objective, data-driven tool that measures brainwave activity and provides valuable insights into how different regions of the brain function. This advanced neuroimaging technology helps identify overactive or underactive brain areas and reveals how efficiently neurons communicate with one another.
For example, the amygdala, the brain’s emotional regulation center, may show dysregulation in individuals struggling with anxiety, mood disorders, or sensory sensitivities.
Difference of Brain Mapping from Traditional Assessments
Unlike traditional diagnostic methods that rely on observations and subjective assessments, a QEEG brain map provides clear, measurable data about what the brain can and cannot do efficiently.
This removes the guesswork from the diagnostic process and allows for precise, targeted treatment. Because specific brainwave patterns are linked to neurological conditions like autism, ADHD, anxiety, and executive dysfunction, a brain map can help identify the root causes of symptoms rather than just treating behaviors on the surface.
In our BrainBehaviorReset™ Program, a QEEG brain map or a brain check is a critical first step in the process of beginning neurofeedback – a therapy that can improve the symptoms of autism. Based on the resulting brain map, I create a custom care plan for each client that includes science-backed therapies designed to calm the brain and regulate brain wave activity.
How Does Neurofeedback for Autism Help Symptoms?
Oliver is a teen with autism who began to communicate with his parents more connectedly after neurofeedback. Until he did neurofeedback, Oliver was only capable of repeating back or echoing what he heard, but now he could actually contribute to conversations. The quality of his life and his family has dramatically improved, and his teachers can barely keep up with Oliver's leaps!
But how is this possible?
Neurofeedback works by helping the brain regulate underactive and overactive brainwaves, promoting more balanced neurological activity. During each session—often within seconds of starting—the subconscious brain begins learning how to self-regulate. This training is based on operant conditioning, a well-researched method that uses real-time feedback to reinforce optimal brain function:
Neurofeedback has been shown to improve:
- Stress, Anxiety, Mood and Depression
Children and teens with anxiety and depression often have an overproduction of alpha waves in their brains, associated with low motivation and disengagement. Anxious individuals may also have excessive brain communication or too much beta. Neurofeedback effectively reduces anxiety and depression symptoms in individuals with these conditions.
- Obsessive Compulsive Behaviors, Tics, and Stimming
Repetitive behaviors, such as compulsions, tics, and stimming, are often linked to dysregulated brainwave activity in specific neural circuits. Neurofeedback helps individuals gain better control over these behaviors by reinforcing more stable and organized brain function.
- Emotional and Behavioral Outbursts
Children with autism may experience difficulty regulating emotions, leading to frequent meltdowns, frustration, or aggressive reactions. Neurofeedback helps strengthen the brain’s self-regulation mechanisms, allowing for calmer responses to stressors and improved emotional control.
- Hyperactive and Impulsive Behaviors
Research has also shown that neurofeedback can help reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity in individuals with autism by regulating theta and beta wave activity particularly in the frontal brain region. By teaching individuals to self-regulate their brain activity, they may be better able to control their behavior and respond more appropriately to social situations.
- Inattentiveness
Inattentiveness is often linked to an imbalance between theta and beta brainwave activity, similar to what is observed in ADHD. Neurofeedback training works to adjust these patterns, enhancing beta activity to promote alertness and reducing theta activity associated with daydreaming or distractibility
By training the brain to inhibit theta activity and enhance beta waves, neurofeedback has been shown to improve cognitive performance, including attention and social interaction (Mekkawi, 2021)
How Many Neurofeedback Sessions Are Needed for Autism?
Most children with autism undergo two to three neurofeedback sessions per week for at least six months. The exact number of sessions depends on individual needs and is determined by a qualified neurofeedback provider.
Why EEG-Guided Neurofeedback?
Unlike generic brain-training devices that only improve overall brain connectivity, EEG-guided neurofeedback targets specific brain regions that influence behavior, communication, and emotional regulation. This precise approach allows for more effective and personalized treatment.
Factors That Influence Neurofeedback Success
Several factors influence how well an individual responds to neurofeedback, including diet, medical conditions, past brain injuries, and adherence to treatment recommendations. While results vary, many children with autism experience improvements in communication, self-regulation, and overall well-being through consistent neurofeedback training.
What Does the Research Say About Neurofeedback and Autism?
“Does neurofeedback work for autism?,” is a question we get just about every day. Often because parents find neurofeedback in desperate internet searches in an effort to improve their child’s behavior, focus, and mental health.
Neurofeedback has been around for decades and has thousands of research studies and over 3,000 peer reviewed studies to support its effectiveness. Many children with autism experience significant improvements in behavior (Carrick et. a, 2018 and Zivoder et. al, 2015) and it can be notable in significant improvements with attention and focus.
Improving Functional Connectivity
A study on Infra-Low Frequency (ILF) Neurofeedback demonstrated significant changes in functional connectivity across multiple brain regions. A 5-year-old boy with ASD underwent 26 sessions of ILF neurofeedback over six months, resulting in substantial improvements in sleep, emotional regulation, and physical well-being (Rauter et al., 2022).
Modulating Brain Activity
Neurofeedback has been shown to alter EEG characteristics associated with ASD. One study found that after 18 sessions, children with high-functioning autism exhibited:
- A linear decrease in the theta/beta ratio
- Increased gamma activity, which is linked to higher cognitive processing and attention
These changes suggest that neurofeedback may enhance neural plasticity and information processing in children with autism (Wang, et al., 2016)
Addressing Executive Function Deficits
Another study explored the use of real-time fMRI neurofeedback targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an area critical for executive function and self-regulation. Participants with ASD were able to self-regulate brain activity through real-time feedback, showing improved executive function and decision-making skills (Pereira et al., 2024).
Comprehensive Behavioral Improvements
A systematic review of neurofeedback and ASD research found that neurofeedback interventions led to:
- Improvements in emotional regulation
- Reduced repetitive behaviors
- Better social communication (Salemi & Saffarinia, 2024)
Is Neurofeedback Safe for Autistic Children?
Neurofeedback is a safe and effective treatment with no known lasting side effects. While each person’s response to neurofeedback is unique, studies demonstrate its efficacy with a variety of conditions and parents of a child with autism should consider this evidence-based therapy.
The Neurofeedback Treatment Process
1. Initial Evaluation
The first step in our process is a comprehensive initial evaluation which includes a clinical interview, a standardized questionnaire, and a QEEG brain mapping assessment to record baseline brainwave activity and identify dysregulated areas.
2. Brain Mapping
The next step involves a QEEG brain mapping assessment to record baseline brainwave activity and identify dysregulated areas.
3. Treatment Plan
I then develop a personal care plan based on the initial evaluation and brain mapping results. It includes specific neurofeedback for autism protocols to target certain brain waves or areas of the brain, and suitable therapies that support the changes in brain waves.
4. Neurofeedback Sessions
During the neurofeedback sessions, electrodes are placed on your child’s scalp to measure real-time brainwave activity. This non-invasive process allows us to instantly monitor how the brain is functioning when your child is exposed to different kinds of activities like watching a movie or playing a game.
The goal is to reinforce balanced brain activity patterns, teaching it to regulate itself more effectively in the long run.
5. Progress Tracking
Progress is tracked throughout the treatment process using subjective reports from the patient and objective measures such as follow-up QEEG scans. Adjustments to the care plan may be made as needed based on progress and feedback from the child, and in our program, one’s brain reset specialist works closely with you to support your program.
6. Maintenance
Once the treatment plan is completed, maintenance sessions may be recommended to help maintain the gains made during treatment, or additional methods can support the brain and mitigate stress.
Our clinic in Ridgefield, CT, utilizes neurofeedback to assist parents of children with mental health conditions, calm their brains, improve behavior, and decrease family stress. We also do remote treatment sessions with families all over the world.
In our BrainBehaviorReset™ Program, we guide parents of children with ASD in calming the brain and improving their child’s behavior and family stress. Apart from supporting families for over 30 years now, I understand the unique needs of children with ASD and their families because we are a team of professionals who have our own share of personal experiences loving and supporting family members with autism.
So, don’t forget you don’t have to do this alone.
Contact our center to learn more about the neurofeedback process or download my Ultimate Guide to Neurofeedback!
Citations:
Carrick, F. R., Pagnacco, G., Hankir, A., Abdulrahman, M., Zaman, R., Kalambaheti, E. R., Barton, D. A., Link, P. E., & Oggero, E. (2018). The Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder With Auditory Neurofeedback: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial Using the Mente Autism Device. Frontiers in neurology, 9, 537. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2018.00537
CDC (2022). Data & Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
CDC (2023). Data & Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/index.html
Ha, S., Sohn, I. J., Kim, N., Sim, H. J., & Cheon, K. A. (2015). Characteristics of Brains in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Structure, Function and Connectivity across the Lifespan. Experimental neurobiology, 24(4), 273–284. https://doi.org/10.5607/en.2015.24.4.273
Mekkawi L. (2021). Efficacy of neurofeedback as a treatment modality for children in the autistic spectrum. Bull Natl Res Cent, 45(1):45. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7889708/
Rauter, A., Schneider, H., & Prinz, W. (2022). Effectivity of ILF Neurofeedback on Autism Spectrum Disorder—A Case Study. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 9. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9219907
Salemi, M., Saffarinia, M. (2024). The Effectiveness of Neurofeedback on Improving Social Interactions and Activity of Daily Living in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Narrative Review. Journal of Health Reports and Technology. https://brieflands.com/articles/jhrt-143981
Wang, Y., Sokhadze, E., El-Baz, A., Li, X., Sears, L., Casanova, M., & Tasman, A. (2016). Relative Power of Specific EEG Bands and Their Ratios during Neurofeedback Training in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00723
Zivoder, I., Martic-Biocina, S., Kosic, A. V., & Bosak, J. (2015). Neurofeedback application in the treatment of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Psychiatria Danubina, 27 Suppl 1, S391–S394. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26417802
Dr. Roseann is a mental health expert in Self-Regulation who frequently is in the media:
- Healthline Understanding Self-Regulation Skills
- Scary Mommy What Is Self-Regulation In Children, And How Can You Help Improve It?
- The Warrior Parent Podcast It's Gonna Be OK! Changing Behaviors and Responses (And The Magic of Magnesium)In Your Family with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge
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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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.
