Brain Training Draws Father and Son Closer

Anthony Clark was well versed in what brain training could probably do for his son’s learning ability. But what he saw happen a few weeks into training surpassed even his greatest expectations.

Nine-year-old Landon Clark has struggled in the classroom over the years.

“He is good in class but has had an issue with attention,” said Clark. He said Landon would often finish his work first and many of his answers would be incorrect. Or, he’d volunteer an answer that was incorrect. That was hard for Landon, according to his dad. “Sometimes he’d just stare at his paper and not do the work.”

Landon has Attention Deficit Disorder. But there were other things too.

At home, Clark said his son was never one to have a long or deep conversation. Not that many 9-year-olds do. But it was different, according to Clark. “Our conversations were surface-only. If we asked Landon a question we may get a short answer that was it. There was no back and forth.”

So Clark bonded with his son over sports and activity rather than conversation, in some ways. Golf, running, basketball. Anthony was always Coach Clark when it came to Landon’s sports endeavors. All was well, but the Clarks often wondered if there was something that could be done to help Landon not just in the classroom but outside of it too.

Having been told that LearningRx works with struggling learners, the Clark family decided to have Landon assessed at LearningRx Northeast.

“Landon finished the assessment and immediately said I like that,” Clark said.

That was surprise number one.

The second surprise came about a week into brain training.

“Landon began asking me a lot of questions,” said Anthony. He described it as being similar to that “why” phase kids often go through at a much younger age. Landon was never that inquisitive. Until he began brain training.

Now, Anthony said his son voluntarily brings new information to him. His questions are detailed and his conversation has a lot more context to it. Clark said Landon also appears to have a lot more confidence in his decision making.

According to Gina Cruz, Education Specialist and Owner/Director at LearningRx, this is something that frequently happens when undergoing brain training. She described it as a kind of awakening that happens in key cognitive areas in the brain.

“When we talk with people we have to be able to process what they’re saying – that’s auditory processing. We also have to be able to take that information and express what we want to say in return. When things make more sense because your logic is stronger, not only will you be able to reason better, you will also be able to comprehend better and that alone opens up communication,” said Cruz.

On a physiological level, Cruz said a real change is happening in the brain. Brain training does not teach techniques or strategies to work around issues, it changes the way the brain is working. If fact, studies conducted by Virginia State University determined that following LearningRx brain training, PET scans showed an increase in blood flow and activity in the cognitive areas of the brain necessary for learning and thinking.

So, those who undergo brain training might expect to see improvement in learning ability as well as simple, everyday tasks such as chores or even activities like sports.

And that’s huge for parents of children who struggle, like Landon.

“School may always be an obstacle for us,” Clark admitted. But he said he is okay with that. What matters more to the Clarks is that their son is confident in his decision making throughout life. A bonus is the new sense of communication they are now experiencing with Landon.

“It would be a dream come true to do something like visit a museum together, “ Clark said. “To be able to actually discuss the exhibit – not just look at it but really talk about what we each see would be amazing.”

Improved quality of life, including a stronger brain and family relationship, thanks to an investment in LearningRx brain training.