Guest Article - Nicky VanValkenburgh + Book Giveaway

Today, I want to share with you some information on an alternative treatment to ADHD and introduce you to Nicky VanValkenburgh, author of ‘Train Your Brain, Transform Your Life: Conquer ADHD in 60 Days, Without Ritalin.’ I am an advocate of any treatment that does not involve pharmaceuticals, which are so overprescribed in this country. I thank Ms. VanValkenburgh for sharing this interesting therapy with us.

A Natural, Drug-Free Way to Conquer ADHD: Brain Training Using Light and Sound Technology

It looks like something out of a science fiction movie. A pair of "omni-screen" eyeglasses, headphones, and a control box with pre-programmed sessions. How it works is that you put on the gear, cover up with a blanket, and zone out. You wake up 22 minutes later. That’s when you discover something amazing has happened. Now, you have laser-like concentration, focus, better memory, increased organization, and it's easier to get things done during the day. In effect, you have trained your brain using “light and sound” technology. 

The program is a 60-day home-based ALERT "brain training" that promises to help you conquer Attention Deficit Disorder, with or without hyperactivity. It’s used by children and adults, and is a natural alternative to drugs (which are traditionally used to treat ADHD). 

“The ALERT system uses mild flashing lights and synchronized heartbeat sounds. It’s audio-visual and it works to stabilize, fine tune, and normalize brainwaves,” contends Nicky VanValkenburgh, author of “Train Your Brain, Transform Your Life: Conquer ADHD in 60 Days, Without Ritalin.” 

In her book, VanValkenburgh explains that her ALERT brain training system teaches you the Rhythm of Peak Performance, which was discovered by UCLA neuroscientist Dr. Barry Sterman, as far back as 1968. 

“It’s the rhythm of a person who is optimally listening, focusing, remembering, tuning out distractions, and getting things done. It’s the person we all want to be,” she said. VanValkenburgh explained that the ALERT brain training system works with the principle of “practice makes perfect, and repetition creates mastery.” 

“By using the machine, you’re actually practicing the Rhythm of Peak Performance, until you master it. That is when it becomes an automatic response, and you can do it without the brain training machine."

Although VanValkenburgh wrote the book on this natural remedy for ADHD, her “brain training” system was invented by a school psychologist, Michael Joyce, and an engineer, Dave Siever, who also manufactures the device in Canada for Mind Alive, Inc. VanValkenburgh is a licensed retailer of the brain training system, and sells it online at www.TrainYourBrainTransformYourLife.com 

ADHD is a behavioral disorder that affects up to 1 in 20 children in America (according to World Psychiatry, 2003.) Other statistics suggest that 4 out of every 6 adults have ADHD (USA Today, 2011.) The ADHD diagnosis is based on a subjective behavioral and clinical evaluation, and drug treatment is the most common form of treatment. The ADHD treatment market exceeds $4 billion, and ADHD affects over 12 million Americans, with less than 25% are currently diagnosed and treated.

“The problem with ADHD drugs such as Ritalin, Dexedrine and Adderall is that they’re amphetamines and chemically similar to cocaine,” says VanValkenburgh. Her book lists 12 compelling reasons to avoid ADHD drugs, all backed up by references, including government warnings published by the FDA and CDC. 

“The problem with Ritalin is that it covers up the symptoms, much like aspirin masks the pain of a broken leg. If you have a broken leg, you can take aspirin to numb the pain, but it isn’t doing anything to heal your leg,” said VanValkenburgh. "It’s the same thing with Ritalin; it’s like sitting on a tack. You could take medication for relief, but the best treatment is removing the tack. If you want to get to the root of the problem, once and for all, grab that tack and pull it out!” 

She contends that her brain training program is a way to make permanent and lasting changes in the brain. Plus it’s so easy that “you can do it lying flat on your back, with your eyes closed.”

“It’s been described as the lazy way to get rid of ADHD, but it’s also a brain training method that’s based in neurotherapy, and is supported by a review of scientific literature.”

VanValkenburgh’s book, “Train Your Brain, Transform Your Life: Conquer ADHD In 60 Days, Without Ritalin” was voted “Best Self-Improvement Book of 2011” by the Mom’s Choice Awards and “Best Motivational Book” by the Reader’s Favorite Awards. It is available at online retailers, such as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com, as well as her website.

Ms. VanValkenburgh has generously offered a copy of her book to one blessed person here on my blog. There are several ways to enter:

1) Comment on this blog, telling me why you think this book would be of help to you. Please leave your email address in this format: sample at gmail dot com.

2) Check out the free downloads at her website and tell me which one you downloaded. Please leave a separate comment to that effect, and leave your email address in the format stated in # 1.

3) Become my friend on Facebook. If you’re already my friend, that counts, also! Please leave a separate comment, with your email address.

4) Tweet the following:

Treat ADHD w/o Drugs! Win ‘Transform Your Brain Transform Your Life’ from @andrealschultz. http://bit.ly/o5gFr1 #giveaway

You can tweet up to once per day during the length of the giveaway period. Please leave separate comments for each tweet.

So there are several ways to enter! The giveaway will end on September 16, 2011 at 11:59 pm ET. The Random Number Generator will choose a winner, and that winner will be announced here on September 17, 2011. The best to all of you!