My daughter Nora completed her seventh Neurofeedback session earlier this week, and so far I'm seeing several promising changes!!!
To back up though, a little background, for those of you who don't know Nora. She was born premature at 29 weeks gestation and suffered several serious infections in the NICU, including group B strep meningitis. Her struggles have varied over the years, but at seven-years-old she's still struggling with severe separation anxiety. When she started second grade earlier this fall she was crying and clinging to me at drop off, refusing to play with her friends on the playground before the morning bell. This may not sound significant, but she and I were struggling, as was her self-esteem. This morning though, Nora hugged me good-bye and happily ran to her class as the students were lining up!
And... she got herself up and dressed yesterday!! No, seriously! How many of you wake your grade-school aged children each morning? Is it kind of painful? Do they complain and throw the covers back over there heads? Granted, some days are better than others, which usually correlate to the previous evenings bedtime, but that's another post for another day. Yesterday morning I opened Nora's door and whispered good-morning, just like I always do. My normal routine would be to come back in five minutes, flip on the overhead lights and coax Nora out of bed, usually carrying her to her bathroom to finally wake her. But when I went back, her door was shut, and when I knocked, she emerged, fully dressed and ready to go for the day. I was amazed. This has NEVER happened before.
And there's more...
I pick both my girls up from school each afternoon and as soon as they are in the car I ask about their day. Nora is notoriously known for complaining about recess. It's always something along the lines of, someone wouldn't play with me, someone was mean to me, etc. etc. Her comments have always been negative. But I also realize she's always been a sensitive child, so I try to give her grace and cheer her up. But it's hard sometimes, emotionally draining. This week though... not a single word about recess. I doubt recess has changed. But how Nora's responding certainly has. She no longer feels the need to ruminate on the negative and rehash this same story over and over.
But wait, there is still more! Tuesday after school Nora made a snowman in our front yard after school. Alone. She went outside alone. Did she still ask me to go? Yes. But I explained to her I had to finish a few things quick and then I'd be out. Last week, no way would she have gone outside without me, or at least without her younger sister Nadia with her.
I'm so proud of Nora, and I can't wait to see how she responds to the next several sessions!
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