MIDDLETOWN -
Seven year old Ryan Proto's parents noticed something different about their son three years ago. Ryan couldn't look at someone when they talked to him, he was more active than the other kids and couldn't focus. It took nearly two years before Ryan was finally diagnosed with ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
"He was becoming more disruptive, more distance being placed between him and the other students in the class," said Michelle Proto, Ryan's mother.
The Proto's went to three different doctors, but the Proto's became frustrated with the same old recommendations to put their son on the usual medication.
"That doesn't cure the situation. That just puts a mask on whatever is going on," said Ryan's father, Peter Proto.
The family lost hope until they found Dr. Robert Reynolds, whose practice focused on a medication free approach to the disorder.
"Too often what a parent is told is if your child has attention deficit disorder or has some sort of behavioral problem, put him on some kind of medication and problem will go away. It's not that we are against the medications here at the clinic. We think things should be tried well in advance before resorting to medications," said Dr. Reynolds.
Dr. Reynolds' evaluation usually begins with something called Quantitative EEG, where brain waves are monitored and compared with a database of normal children. From there it's Neuro-Feedback Training. At first glance, many would think it was only a video game, but it is actually a powerful tool for a child to use to help focus the brain's activity.
The Proto's noticed a change in Ryan from the very first session.
"We can enjoy each other as a family whereas before I would grit my teeth," said Michelle.
"Now we can just raise a normal child," added Peter.
"He was becoming more disruptive, more distance being placed between him and the other students in the class," said Michelle Proto, Ryan's mother.
The Proto's went to three different doctors, but the Proto's became frustrated with the same old recommendations to put their son on the usual medication.
"That doesn't cure the situation. That just puts a mask on whatever is going on," said Ryan's father, Peter Proto.
The family lost hope until they found Dr. Robert Reynolds, whose practice focused on a medication free approach to the disorder.
"Too often what a parent is told is if your child has attention deficit disorder or has some sort of behavioral problem, put him on some kind of medication and problem will go away. It's not that we are against the medications here at the clinic. We think things should be tried well in advance before resorting to medications," said Dr. Reynolds.
Dr. Reynolds' evaluation usually begins with something called Quantitative EEG, where brain waves are monitored and compared with a database of normal children. From there it's Neuro-Feedback Training. At first glance, many would think it was only a video game, but it is actually a powerful tool for a child to use to help focus the brain's activity.
The Proto's noticed a change in Ryan from the very first session.
"We can enjoy each other as a family whereas before I would grit my teeth," said Michelle.
"Now we can just raise a normal child," added Peter.
