CLEVELAND, Posted 1:25 p.m. June 2, 1999 -- As many as 1 million children in our country are prescribed the drug Ritalin to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

NewsChannel5 Health Specialist Lee Jordan found out that there is another option.

Jordan reports that many parents don't like the idea of giving their child an amphetamine, but there is a way to help without a drug -- it's a computer game.

Lori Quail told Jordan that her son, Michael, was very different a year ago.

"He was really depressed and very down," says Quail.

According to Jordan, when Michael's grades started slipping he was tested and diagnosed with ADHD. And his doctor prescribed Ritalin.

A recent study by the National Institute of Mental Health found the drug helps 82-85 percent of ADHD children. It also found the results are not long-lasting.

Like many parents, Quail didn't like giving her son a drug so she turned to neurofeedback.

Dr. George Von Hilsheimer says children with ADHD have low activity in their brains. He says neurofeedback trains their brains to be more active.

"All we're doing is teaching the brain, hello, this is wake up time," says Hilsheimer.

Sensors are attached to the child, and they are told to activate a computer game by concentrating.

When the child reaches a certain activity level, it's considered a success.

Hilsheimer says there are no side effects and results are permanent.

Jordan says that Michael went through the neurofeedback treatment and now his grades are up and he's back to his old self.

The cost of neurofeedback sessions varies. Generally, 40 sessions will cost about $2,000. To buy the equipment and train a child at home costs about $2,500.

If you have questions about this new treatment contact:

EEG Spectrum, Inc.
16100 Ventura Blvd. Suite 10
Encino, Ca 91436

More Information:

• EEG Spectrum
• Parents Against Ritalin
• Ritalin Resource Page