Call Us: 269-430-7966
Call Us: 269-430-7966
Helpful guidance for preparing for brain mapping, treatment sessions, and supporting children during the process.
Preparing in advance can help make the evaluation and treatment process smoother and more comfortable. At Brain Treatment Center Michigan, our goal is to help patients and families feel confident about what to expect before their first appointment.
The guidance below can help you or your child prepare for both the evaluation and the treatment process.
At your first visit, you’ll meet with our functional medicine doctor, who will review your condition and medical history and answer any questions. This first consultation lasts approximately 30 minutes.
The next step is your quantitative EEG (qEEG), to measure electrical activity in the brain. During the test:
The brainwave recording itself usually takes about 10–15 minutes, although the first appointment takes longer to allow for preparation and setup, so plan to spend 30 minutes on this step.
Parents are usually able to remain in the room with their child during the evaluation.
A few simple steps can help ensure the EEG recording is accurate and the appointment runs smoothly.
Wash Hair Before the Appointment
Hair should be washed the morning of the appointment to remove oils that may interfere with the sensors.
Please avoid using:
Maintain Normal Eating and Hydration
Patients should eat and drink normally before the appointment. Maintaining regular meals and good hydration support normal brain activity and can improve the quality of EEG recordings.
A balanced meal or snack before the visit is recommended. Avoid excessive caffeine or energy drinks before the appointment.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Patients should wear comfortable clothing. Some patients may sit or lie still for short periods during the EEG recording.
Loose, comfortable clothing is often helpful for children, particularly those on the autism spectrum who are coming in for their qEEG.
Bring Comfort Items if Needed
Children and adults may benefit from bringing items that help them feel comfortable, such as a:
Children with autism may benefit from additional preparation before their brain mapping appointment. These steps can help reduce anxiety and make the experience more familiar.
The EEG cap fits snugly on the head and contains sensors that measure brainwave activity. Parents can help children become familiar with this sensation by practicing at home with:
• a swim cap
• a soft beanie
• a hairnet
Allow the child to wear the cap for short periods while watching a favorite show or doing a calm activity.
During the EEG, technicians apply a small amount of gel and adjust the scalp sensors. Parents can simulate these sensations at home by:
• gently massaging the scalp
• applying light pressure to different areas of the head
• lightly tapping the scalp with a finger or pen cap
These simple activities can help reduce sensory surprises during the appointment.
Many children respond well when they understand what will happen ahead of time. Helpful approaches include:
• showing pictures or videos of EEG equipment
• creating a simple social story describing the appointment
• pretending to place sensors on a doll or stuffed animal
• letting the child pretend to be the technician
These activities help make the experience more predictable and less stressful.
Positive reinforcement can help children cooperate during the appointment. Parents may want to bring:
• favorite snacks
• toys
• books
• electronic devices
Planning a reward after the appointment can also help create a positive association with the visit.
If treatment is recommended, sessions are scheduled five days per week for approximately six weeks.
Each appointment usually lasts 15-20 minutes, and you remain awake during treatment.
To help treatment sessions go smoothly:
NOTE: After each 10 sessions, we perform a new qEEG, so plan to spend a bit longer on these days.
Because sessions are relatively short, many patients can continue their normal work, school, or family schedules during treatment.
Consistency is important for the treatment process. Patients who live a significant distance from the clinic should plan to remain within a reasonable travel distance for the duration of the six-week treatment program.
Some families choose to arrange temporary housing or extended stays nearby during this period.
Our team can discuss scheduling and planning during your consultation.
If you have questions about preparing for your first appointment, or if your child has specific sensory sensitivities, please let our team know ahead of time. We will work with you to make the experience as comfortable as possible.
