Here is the book I mentioned referenced Donalee Markus and the brain games (Strong Mind -available on the iPhone) she developed: The Ghost in My Brain which chronicles a professor's visual and balance and cognitive debilitation -- and multiple year recovery -- after a "minor" concussion. He saw a vision therapy specialist to help with the eye movement issues, and Donalee Markus. The two clinicians explained to him why he needed them in conjunction.
The website (the games can be downloaded in your phone)
Strong Mind app.
I called and spoke directly with Markus. One point she stressed was that with underlying ADD or PTSD, patients need more help after concussions creating these symptoms, because their brains are already different... Another was how her experience with treating ADD with cognitive treatments is the intransigent habit of patients with attention disorders of REFUSING TO FOLLOW RULES. The patient in the book was doing paper and pen games designed by her, essentially follow-the-dot sort of thing. He could see the pattern and would just complete it without following the dots. but no progress. He HAD to follow the rules, which forced him to grow the underlying cognitive "brain connections" to support higher cognitive ability. (That is her theory, and does make sense.) The instructions are very important with Strong Mind, and can be used just for ADD. The key is to complete ALL of the early levels before progressing to next level. There are like 10 sets of 10. each game can be quick or take time depending on severity of the symptoms. Another essential "rule": There is a rule in upper right hand corner. its key to register the rule. say it OUT LOUD. Then follow the rule, like "same shape, same orientation" and then you pick all the figures that fit the rule as compared to the one in the center. Eventually the games are very complex. She said people with visual symptoms may need a colored filter over the screen, or vision therapy along wiht the games, particularly those w hx of visual and balance symptoms after the concussion. Some of them need a progression of prisms. The visual therapy used by the patient in the book is very unique, may be hard to find. But I also called the vision therapist. They DO train people so sther is a smattering around the country. I found one of their vision therapists for a concussed patient of mine that moved to DC and this was the first time she really progressed, over 7 years after her accident, in language fluency and endurance. She has not been able to tolerate the games. Brain HQ was the other game I mentioned. Hogan
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