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If it feels like your child’s behavior has been spinning out of control and nothing you try is working, it’s not bad parenting or your child just “acting out”.
I’ve worked with many parents who find themselves overwhelmed and lost of what’s really going on with their child’s big emotions and or inattention.
That’s where a QEEG brain map comes in. It’s a gentle way to understand what’s happening under the hood.
What Is QEEG Brain Mapping and How Does It Work?
EEG (Electroencephalogram) is a medical test that has proven useful in a variety of applications, including emotion detection (Woaswi et al., 2016) and identifying mental health issues.
Specifically, a QEEG, or Quantitative Electroencephalogram, is a gentle, non-invasive procedure that measures and analyzes your child’s brainwave activity.
Think of it as a “brain check-up” that shows us where the brain might be working too hard or too little.
It gives us a visual of what’s really going on inside the brain, helping us see patterns of brain activity linked to issues like anxiety, attention problems, OCD, mood struggles, and more.
Research on the applications of EEG to detecting emotions
Understanding Brainwave Patterns
QEEG mapping looks at the different types of brainwaves (i.e. alpha, theta, beta, and delta) to get a full picture of how your child’s brain is functioning.
Each brainwave plays a unique role, and when any of them is out of balance, it can show up as challenges with focus, sleep, mood, or behavior.
However, know that too much or too little of any brainwave doesn’t mean something is wrong—it just tells us the brain is dysregulated.
The goal then is to restore balance in your child’s brainwaves, helping them heal.
| Brainwave | Speed | What It Does | Too Much Might Look Like... | Too Little Might Look Like...... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta | Slowest (0.5–4 Hz) | Deep sleep, healing, and restoration | Trouble staying awake, foggy thinking | Poor sleep, difficulty healing or recovering |
| Theta | Slow (4–8 Hz) | Daydreaming, creativity, emotional processing, cognitive functioning (Tan et al., 2024) | Spacing out, impulsivity, distractibility | Low creativity, rigid thinking |
| Alpha | Medium (8–12 Hz) | Calm focus, relaxation, readiness | Lack of motivation, zoning out | Anxiety, hyper-vigilance |
| Beta | Fast (12–30 Hz) | Alertness, active thinking, concentration | Anxiety, overthinking, irritability | Brain fog, poor focus, sluggish thinking |
| High Beta | Very Fast (30+ Hz) | Stress response, problem-solving under pressure | Fight-or-flight mode, meltdowns, hypervigilance | Lack of drive, low energy under stress |
QEEG Brain Mapping is:
- A Non-Invasive Procedure: Involves placing a cap with sensors on the scalp to record brain activity.
- Data Analysis: The recorded data is compared to normative databases to identify deviations.
- A Visual Representation:Results are presented in color-coded maps, highlighting areas of concern.
What Can a QEEG Brain Map Reveal About My Child’s Brain?
If you’ve gone to multiple doctors and all the evaluations so far have come back “normal”, you’re probably stressed and wondering what you are missing.
That’s the role of a QEEG brain map and it can make all the difference.
It gives us a deeper look at how your child’s brain is actually functioning—revealing patterns linked to anxiety, ADHD, OCD, learning issues, and more.
These are the kinds of insights that traditional assessments often overlook.
Insights Gained:
- Brainwave Imbalances: Identifies areas with atypical activity levels.
- Connectivity Issues: Highlights how different brain regions communicate.
- Functional Areas: Assesses regions responsible for attention, emotion, and behavior.(net, greymatters.studio, drroseann.com)
Dr. Velkoff, another expert in brain maps, highlights the importance of QEEG brain mapping as a powerful diagnostic tool, describing it as a “noninvasive window into brain functioning” that helps clinicians pinpoint the root causes of symptoms and neurological dysregulation.
Parent Example:
Cheryl, a mom of a 10-year-old with anxiety, shared: “The QEEG showed us that our son’s brain was stuck in high gear. It helped us understand his constant worry wasn’t just in his head—it was in his brain.”
How Can QEEG Brain Mapping Help with ADHD, Anxiety, or Mood Disorders?
QEEG brain mapping helps us see what’s really going on in the brain so we can stop guessing and start targeting the root cause.
Applications:
- ADHD: Detects underactivity in attention-related brain regions.
- Anxiety: Reveals overactivity in areas linked to fear and worry.
- Mood Disorders: Identifies imbalances affecting emotional regulation.
Dr. Joel Lubar, a pioneer inneurofeedback research, demonstrated that children with ADHD exhibited excessive slow brain wave activity in the frontal lobes, which worsened when they tried to concentrate.
Brain mapping doesn’t only detect ADHD, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation. It can also identify signs of other mental health issues in children including OCD, depression, and psychiatric disorders (Kopańska et al., 2024).
What Happens During a QEEG Brain Mapping Session?
The QEEG process is straightforward and child-friendly.
Session Overview:
- Preparation: A snug cap with sensors is placed on the child’s head.
- Recording: Brain activity is recorded while the child is at rest.
- Analysis: Data is processed to create a detailed brain map.
Parent Tip:
“We told our daughter it was like wearing a swim cap with magic sensors. She was curious and excited!”
Is QEEG Brain Mapping Safe for Kids?
Yes—QEEG brain mapping is completely safe, gentle, and non-invasive.
It’s something I’ve recommended to thousands of families because it gives us powerful insights without any discomfort or risk to your child.
QEEG is safe because:
- No Needles or Shocks: Just small sensors on the scalp to read brain activity—nothing is sent into the brain.
- No Radiation: Unlike CT or PET scans, there’s zero exposure to radiation or chemicals.
- Painless and Easy: Feels like wearing a swim cap—many kids think it’s fun when we call it a “brain check-up.”
- Fast and Kid-Friendly:The session takes 30–45 minutes, and your child can go right back to their day.
How Do I Prepare My Child for a QEEG Brain Mapping Appointment?
Helping your child know what to expect can ease their worries and make the brain mapping session feel calm and even empowering.
Preparation Tips:
- Explain the Process: Use simple terms to describe what will happen.
- Familiarization: Show pictures or videos of the procedure.
- Comfort Items: Allow your child to bring a favorite toy or blanket.
Parent Example:
“We played a game of ‘science lab’ at home, pretending to be scientists. It made the real session fun and exciting for our son.”
How Does QEEG Fit into a Holistic Treatment Plan?
QEEG brain mapping serves as a foundation for developing personalized treatment plans.
Integration into Treatment:
- Targeted Interventions: Guides neurofeedback and other therapies.
- Progress Monitoring: Allows for tracking improvements over time.
- Customized Strategies: Informs behavioral and educational approaches.
To safely and truly help your child heal, we need to calm their brain.
When their brain is stuck in overdrive, it’s nearly impossible to get them to listen to you, tone down their tantrums, or make them feel safe again.
That’s why a QEEG brain map is such a powerful first step—it gives us the clarity we need to understand what’s really going on and where to begin.
From there, we can create targeted, brain-based strategies that support lasting change.
Parent Action Steps
FAQs
What conditions can QEEG brain mapping help diagnose?
QEEG brain mapping can assist in identifying patterns associated with ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorders, and other neurological conditions.
How long does a QEEG session take?
A typical QEEG session lasts between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the individual’s needs.
Can QEEG be used for adults as well?
Yes, QEEG brain mapping is beneficial for individuals of all ages, including adults experiencing cognitive or emotional challenges.
How soon will we see results after starting treatment based on QEEG findings?
Results vary, but many individuals begin to notice improvements within a few weeks of starting targeted interventions guided by QEEG data.(drroseann.com)
Citations
Kopańska, M., Ochojska, D., Trojniak, J., and Sarzyńska, I. (2024). The role of quantitative electroencephalography in diagnostic workup of mental disorders. J. Physiology and Pharmacology, 75(4):361-372. https://doi.org/10.26402/jpp.2024.4.02.
Tan, E., Troller-Renfree, S., Morales, S., Buzzell, G., McSweeney, M., Antunz, M., and Fox, N. (2024). Theta activity and cognitive functioning: integrating evidence from resting-state and task-related developmental electroencephalography (EEG) research. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience 67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101404.
Woaswi, W., Hanif, M., Mohamed, S.B., and Hamzah, N. (2016). Human emotion detection via brain waves study by using electroencephalogram (EEG). Int. J. Advanced Science Engineering and Information Technology 6(6):1005. https://doi.org/10.18517/ijaseit.6.6.1072.
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 PodcastIt’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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