About Us
Ken Hutchins, MSc
Ken Hutchins is a Special Education teacher with a Master’s Degree in Cognitive Disabilities and Assessments from the University of Wisconsin and completed a Master’s thesis on holistic health lifestyles. As a special education teacher he has been looking for years for more effective, non-pharmaceutical methods that really help children and adults improve their brain functions and enhance their learning.
After witnessing the often disappointing results of inadequate special education techniques and resources in the classroom he wanted to find new learning programs and strategies that could really help students and adults learn and think better. After much research and varied classroom experiences he discovered several cutting edge technologies that offer real help in improving brain functions; its called Neurofeedback (biofeedback brain training). In fact, he liked this technology so much that he retired from the classroom to start Shiloh Learning Centre and offer brain training to special needs individuals and those wanting to improve their peak performance.
Why Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a high-tech intervention which is also known as EEG biofeedback or brain biofeedback. Ordinary biofeedback is mind-over-body training in which a person uses electronic equipment to monitor involuntary physiological processes such as heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, and skin temperature. With practice the person learns to gain control over their body without the machine.
Likewise, neurofeedback operates on the same principle, except in this case, it is mind-over-brain. Neurofeedback is a relatively new, experimental technology that offers real help for many devastating brain disorders.
When neurofeedback is properly administered it is usually very beneficial. However, it is not a medical treatment that seeks immediate results with pharmaceuticals. Rather, it is a naturalistic brain training process that takes time and patience with the ultimate goal of making lasting improvements in the central nervous system and relieving the symptoms of CNS disorders.
In the classroom Ken observed that the problem with using pharmaceuticals to treat central nervous system disorders is that they are often only partially successful in improving CNS impairments. In addition, they are usually transitory in their effects and almost always include side effects that can be unpleasant or even dangerous to human health. They do, however, have their place in our society and sometimes have to be used for a variety of reasons and as such should not be terminated without consulting your physician first.
Neurofeedback (aka brain training) on the other hand is non-pharmaceutical, very gentle and non-invasive to both children and adults.
In addition, neurofeedback has a high success rate of improving brain functions when a well designed training program is completed.
It also has virtually no inherent side effects. For further information please explore www.ochslabs.com. They are the makers of the Low Energy Neurofeedback System (LENS) which is one of the systems we use at Shiloh Learning Centre.
At Shiloh Learning Centre, we serve all ages and abilities. In addition to neurofeedback, we use several other modalities at Shiloh Learning Centre to improve cognition, reduce the symptoms of CNS disorders and enhance learning. Learn more about our approach here. We operate Shiloh Learning Centre in association with a registered Counsellor who is available for consultation.
While neurofeedback is not a panacea for all CNS dysfunctions it has demonstrated its ability to benefit (in one way or another) approximately 75% of the people that complete a suitable and well designed training regimen. It is also excellent for “brain tune-ups” in those very demanding vocations such as business executives, professional athletes and musicians who need peak brain performance.
If you or someone you know is suffering with impaired brain functions please tell them about Shiloh Learning Centre and neurofeedback as it could improve their quality of life.
We recommend four excellent books on neurofeedback:
- Symphony in the Brain by Jim Robbins;
- The Healing Power of Neurofeedback by Stephen Larsen;
- ADD, The 20 Hour Solution by Dr. Mark Steinberg and Dr. Siegfried Othmer;
- Biofeedback for the Brain, by Dr. Paul G. Swingle.
Testimonials
“I can recommend Neurofeedback as a treatment that works. For many years I have had headaches caused from slight head injuries over my lifetime. Ken Hutchins produced a Mind Map (a colored graph) that showed I had various hot spots in my brain where the headaches emanated from. After several treatments the hot spots disappeared and I no longer have those nagging headaches. The Neurofeedback method is gentle and all you have to do is sit and relax; and to be honest you don’t think anything is happening, but the Mind Map shows you that changes are taking place. Thank you so much.”
- Paul Mackie
“I decided to try neurofeedback because I wanted to improve my ability to handle stress and achieve peak performance. I was pleasantly surprised with the results as I noticed a number of improvements. One of the first things that I noticed was an increase in my motivation to complete tasks. I also noticed an improvement in my word recall, short-term memory and ability to focus. In general, I find that my mind seems to just work more efficiently overall and I find it easier to get crystal clear on ideas that I have much faster than I used to. I’m glad I found out about neurofeedback and I would highly recommend this to anyone who’s interested in improving anything that has to do with their brain and central nervous system.”
- J.D.