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AutismDr. Curtis Cripe answers frequently asked questions about neurodevelopment as it relates to autism.
How does neurotherapy effect autism?
How does the combination of Neurotherapy and Neurodevelopment activities compare to other programs like Lovass or PACE?
How is Crossroads Institute's program different?
Does a brain map show hyper-sensory issues?
If the brain map reveals typical autism spectrum child brain what do you do?
Q. How does neurotherapy effect autism? How does this specifically change the brain?
Dr. Curtis Cripe: When you are looking at autism..the sensory information comes in in a manner that is clouded or distorted...and you have a distortion in reality. And it's that distortion in reality itself that appears to be autism. One of the things that neurotherapy does, when properly applied at the proper locations, is it allows the possibility of eliminating the distortions. Even if it is only momentarily, there is an opportunity of having the inner-feedback loops reset and hopefully mature. This then allows that child to get into a reality state.
I don't apply the traditional neurotherapy initially, because when you don't have sub-cortical connections in place I don't want to lock them out. I apply neurotherapy. It is designed to bring the brain into balance and help the brain release any inhibitors that may have locked. And I also apply the Research protocols based on what the brain map shows.
Q. So if I am hearing you correctly, neurotherapy allows an autistic child the ability, even momentarily to receive information that is based in reality and is not distorted.
Curtis Cripe: Yes.. and then if the child is properly stimulated a natural maturing can take place. And that is part of the Research program. That is the beauty of what I am doing with the combinations of neurotherapy (neurotherapy) and the Research program. That is why it is absolutely imperative to do both of them. One does not work as effectively without the other.
Q. How does the combination of Neurotherapy and Neurodevelopment activities compare to other programs like Lovass or PACE?
Curtis Cripe: Your Lovass programs are typically programs that are coming strictly from a cortical point of view. The primary focus is entering the cortex. So you get more cortical involvement. They are making the assumption that if you train the child to operate and respond appropriately to the proper stimuli that you will have a child who will respond. Neurodevelopment activities and neurotherapy looks at the whole brain. The cognition element is incorporated, so that true volitional control, understanding and involvement occur. Lovass does not have the volitional elements..other than training.
PACE makes an attempt to add an SI type element. So in my opinion they are more of a Lovass spin-off. It is good, it just is not complete and the focus is not on volitional control, understanding or involvement.
Q. How is your program different?
Curtis Cripe: Autism itself tends to be hyper-sensory issue related. So I always begin with a complete brain map to determine specifically where and what areas of the brain are affected.
Q. Does a brain map show hyper-sensory issues?
Curtis Cripe: Yes. Consistently and solidly it shows the cortex itself being a hyper-excited state. You will also see consistently the Parietal Lobes (which is where all the sensory input function is located) out of balance. It is hyper-excitatory.
Q. So if the brain map reveals a typical autism spectrum child brain what do you do?
Curtis Cripe: We would probably recommend a program that combined a neurotherapy tool with an individualized neurodevelopment activity-based program.
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