The Overstimulated Child: What Today’s Brains Are Up Against

Understanding Modern Environmental Impacts on Developing Nervous Systems

📑 Table of Contents

▼

• Understanding Overstimulation and Brain Function
• How LENS Neurofeedback Works
• What Research Suggests
• The NeuroBalance Approach
• Modern Environmental Challenges
• Brain Development Impacts
• Screen Time and Neural Development
• LENS Benefits for Overstimulated Children
• Treatment Approach and Process
• Supporting Your Child at Home
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Next Steps for Your Child

In today’s fast-paced digital world, children’s developing brains are facing unprecedented challenges.
The increasing ubiquity of digital devices and overstimulation from fast-paced, visually stimulating content has outpaced our understanding of their effects on cognitive development, with children exposed to high levels of environmental stimulation before age 2 showing changes in brain development linked to slower decision-making and increased anxiety by their teenage years.

As parents and educators, we’re witnessing concerning trends: children struggling with attention, emotional regulation difficulties, sleep disturbances, and behavioral challenges that seem more prevalent than ever before. While these symptoms might appear behavioral on the surface, emerging research suggests they may reflect underlying neurological responses to our overstimulated modern environment.

At NeuroBalance in Los Angeles, we understand that today’s children are navigating sensory environments that previous generations never experienced.
LENS neurofeedback, developed in 1990 by Dr. Len Ochs, PhD, offers a gentle, non-invasive approach to helping overstimulated brains find their natural balance.
Our approach focuses on supporting the brain’s innate ability to self-regulate rather than forcing behavioral changes.

Understanding Overstimulation and Brain Function

The developing brain is remarkably plastic, constantly adapting to environmental inputs and forming neural pathways that will influence lifelong patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
From a neurophysiological standpoint, early and sustained interaction with digital devices significantly influences neural plasticity—the brain’s capacity to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. That adaptability is fundamental in how the brain modifies its activities in response to environmental stimuli.

However, when children are exposed to excessive sensory input—whether from screens, noise, bright lights, or chaotic environments—their developing nervous systems can become overwhelmed.
Research directly addresses whether sensory overstimulation alone is sufficient to have detrimental consequences resembling those of ADHD, and data suggests that even without cognitive engagement and without social isolation, sensory overstimulation alone is sufficient to have detrimental consequences.

### The Neurochemical Impact

Engaging with digital content requires and stimulates the visual and cognitive systems, leading to an increase in the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and glutamate. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to reward and pleasure circuits, plays a pivotal role in learning and attention mechanisms. The frequent and stimulating interactions offered by digital devices can lead to an enhanced release of dopamine, which, over time, might contribute to habit-forming behaviors similar to those observed in addiction.

This neurochemical cascade affects the brain’s natural ability to self-regulate. When children’s brains become accustomed to high levels of stimulation, they may struggle to find calm, focused states necessary for learning, emotional processing, and healthy development.

### Signs of Overstimulation in Children

Parents often notice these symptoms in overstimulated children:

– Difficulty focusing or frequent distractibility
– Emotional outbursts or meltdowns that seem disproportionate
– Sleep difficulties, including trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
– Hyperactivity or restlessness, especially after screen time
– Sensory sensitivities (sounds, textures, lights seeming overwhelming)
– Difficulty transitioning between activities
– Increased anxiety or irritability

Our experience at NeuroBalance shows that many children displaying these symptoms benefit significantly from approaches that help their nervous systems return to baseline functioning.

How LENS Neurofeedback Works

LENS neurofeedback therapy works from the bioelectrical side to alleviate brain based problems by sending a tiny low energy signal to the scalp that is precisely timed and very similar yet different in frequency to what your brain naturally produces. The difference the offset signal has, effects the amount of reactivity that the current poor brainwaves will have to it and directly influences it to stimulate a biochemical change that is believed to assist the brain to self-adjust to a more optimal state.

### The Unique LENS Approach

Unlike traditional neurofeedback that requires active participation, LENS neurofeedback is completely passive.
LENS stands apart from traditional neurofeedback through its passive approach requiring no conscious effort from clients. Unlike conventional systems that demand active participation and learning new brainwave patterns LENS works by delivering tiny electromagnetic signals that mirror the brain’s own activity helping it self-regulate naturally and efficiently.

This passive nature makes LENS particularly effective for overstimulated children who may struggle with:
– Sitting still for extended periods
– Following complex instructions
– Maintaining attention during treatment
– Performance anxiety around “doing it right”

### Safety and Gentle Application

LENS is extremely safe for all age groups. The electromagnetic signals used are thousands of times weaker than a cell phone and the passive approach eliminates risks associated with overstimulation or performance anxiety that can occur with traditional neurofeedback.
For overstimulated children, this gentle approach is crucial because it doesn’t add to their sensory load.

Patients across the lifespan, from young children to older adults, have benefited from LENS; used for over 30 years on infants as young as 3 months of age.
This extensive safety record provides parents with confidence in choosing LENS for their children.

What Research Suggests

Recent studies provide compelling evidence about the relationship between modern environmental stimulation and brain development.
Children with higher infant screen time showed an accelerated maturation of brain networks responsible for visual processing and cognitive control. The researchers suggest this may result from the intense sensory stimulation that screens provide. Notably, screen time measured at ages three and four did not show the same effects, underscoring why infancy is a particularly sensitive period.

### Critical Developmental Windows

Accelerated maturation happens when certain brain networks develop too fast, often in response to adversity or other stimuli. During normal development, brain networks gradually become more specialized over time. However, in children with high screen exposure, the networks controlling vision and cognition specialized faster, before they had developed the efficient connections needed for complex thinking.

This research helps explain why we’re seeing increasing numbers of children with attention and emotional regulation challenges. Their brains may be developing patterns optimized for high-stimulation environments, making it difficult to function in situations requiring sustained attention or calm focus.

### LENS Neurofeedback Research

Over 85% of people who have used the LENS have benefited significantly from it. Results can be seen quickly, often beginning within the first session, and are lasting.
Clinical studies support the effectiveness of LENS across various conditions affecting children, including attention deficits, anxiety, and behavioral challenges.

Preliminary research and clinical experience are encouraging with articles published on LENS treatment of conditions such as ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression, insomnia and other conditions.
For parents dealing with overstimulated children, this research provides hope for non-pharmaceutical interventions that address underlying neurological patterns.

Our experience at NeuroBalance aligns with published research findings. We consistently observe improvements in children’s ability to self-regulate, focus, and manage emotional responses after LENS treatment.

The NeuroBalance Approach

At NeuroBalance, we recognize that every overstimulated child presents unique challenges and patterns. Our approach begins with understanding your child’s specific neurological presentation rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions.

### Comprehensive Assessment

Our initial evaluation examines:
– Current symptoms and their patterns
– Sleep quality and consistency
– Attention and focus capabilities
– Emotional regulation patterns
– Sensory processing preferences
– Screen time exposure and responses

This assessment helps us understand how overstimulation affects your child individually, allowing us to customize our LENS treatment approach accordingly.

### Family-Centered Support

We work closely with families to understand the home environment and provide practical strategies for reducing overstimulation while supporting your child’s nervous system recovery. This might include:

– Environmental modifications to reduce sensory overload
– Screen time guidelines tailored to your child’s specific needs
– Calming routines that support nervous system regulation
– Parent education about recognizing and responding to overstimulation signs

Our experience serving families throughout Los Angeles has taught us that supporting the whole family system creates the best outcomes for children.

📍 NeuroBalance Los Angeles

Located in Mar Vista, serving children and families throughout Southern California with specialized LENS neurofeedback support.

4029 Alla Road, Los Angeles, CA 90066 • 424.625.5445

Modern Environmental Challenges: The Perfect Storm

Today’s children face neurological challenges that would have been unimaginable even a generation ago.
New research following children for more than a decade links high screen exposure before age two to accelerated brain maturation, slower decision-making, and increased anxiety by adolescence.
This represents just one piece of a complex puzzle affecting developing nervous systems worldwide.

### The Digital Bombardment

The statistics are sobering.
In the US, children under two spend 49 min per day in front of a screen, mainly watching TV or videos/DVDs. Children aged two to four spend an average of 2.5 h a day with a screen, also mostly watching TV, videos, and DVDs.
Yet these numbers only capture direct screen time, not the ambient digital exposure surrounding children throughout their days.

Our practice has witnessed firsthand how this digital environment creates what we call “neurological overwhelm” – a state where developing brains become stuck in hypervigilant patterns. ADHD symptoms often emerge not from attention deficits, but from attention systems being chronically overstimulated.

### Sensory Overload Beyond Screens

While screens capture attention, they’re part of a broader sensory assault. Modern environments bombard children with:

– **Artificial lighting** that disrupts circadian rhythms
– **Constant auditory stimulation** from devices, traffic, and urban noise
– **Rapid visual transitions** in media and advertising
– **Chemical exposures** from plastics, cleaners, and processed foods

As brain systems critical for attention and perception develop, they expect certain stimulation from the world. Screens are bright, captivating objects that are designed to capture your attention.
This artificial stimulation hijacks natural developmental processes, creating patterns that persist long after the screen is turned off.

### Lifestyle Factors Creating Perfect Storms

Today’s families often find themselves trapped in cycles that compound overstimulation:

– **Rushed schedules** that prevent natural nervous system recovery
– **Reduced outdoor time** limiting exposure to calming natural rhythms
– **Decreased physical movement** affecting sensory integration
– **Less face-to-face interaction** impacting social brain development

At NeuroBalance, we’ve observed that children arriving for LENS neurofeedback therapy often show similar brainwave patterns regardless of their specific diagnosis – patterns consistent with chronic nervous system hyperarousal.

### The Comparison to Previous Generations

The contrast with previous generations is striking. Children once had natural buffers against overstimulation:

– **Unstructured play time** for nervous system integration
– **Predictable daily rhythms** supporting natural brain development
– **Limited sensory input** allowing for deeper processing
– **Extended periods of calm** supporting attention development

Today’s environment lacks these natural protective factors, leaving developing brains without the downtime necessary for healthy organization. This creates what researchers call “accelerated maturation” – where brain networks develop too quickly, sacrificing flexibility for rapid specialization.

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Brain Development Impacts: When Faster Isn’t Better

The developing brain operates on carefully orchestrated timelines, with different regions and networks coming online in precise sequences.
The first two years of life represent a time period of expeditious pace of brain development.
When modern environmental pressures disrupt these natural timelines, the consequences extend far beyond childhood.

### Critical Developmental Windows

Brain development follows predictable patterns that have evolved over millennia. During the first two years, the brain undergoes its most rapid growth and organization. This period sets the foundation for:

– **Attention regulation systems** that govern focus and concentration
– **Emotional processing networks** that manage stress and social connection
– **Sensory integration pathways** that organize incoming information
– **Executive function circuits** that support decision-making and planning

Accelerated maturation happens when certain brain networks develop too fast, often in response to adversity or other stimuli. During normal development, brain networks gradually become more specialized over time. However, in children with high screen exposure, the networks controlling vision and cognition specialized faster, before they had developed the efficient connections needed for complex thinking.

Our Los Angeles practice has documented this pattern repeatedly. Children whose parents report high early screen exposure often show brainwave patterns indicating premature neural specialization – their brains have “grown up” too quickly, sacrificing the flexibility needed for optimal function.

### Neuroplasticity in Overstimulated Environments

Neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt – is both blessing and curse in overstimulated environments. While this flexibility allows rapid adaptation to digital demands, it also means the brain can become “stuck” in hypervigilant patterns.

Infants with more screen time showed premature specialization in brain networks involved in visual processing and cognitive control, which later reduced flexibility during thinking tasks. These developmental changes were associated with slower reaction times at age eight and higher anxiety at age thirteen.

The implications are profound. Children’s brains, designed to adapt to their environment, do exactly that – they adapt to an artificial, overstimulating world. This adaptation creates neural patterns optimized for rapid response but poorly suited for sustained attention, deep thinking, or emotional regulation.

### Long-term Consequences

The effects of early overstimulation don’t disappear as children age.
These findings suggest that screen exposure in infancy may have effects that extend well beyond early childhood, shaping brain development and behaviour years later.
Research now demonstrates clear pathways from early exposure to later challenges:

**Cognitive Impacts:**
– Reduced cognitive flexibility
– Difficulty with sustained attention
– Impaired decision-making speed and accuracy

**Emotional Consequences:**
– Increased anxiety and stress reactivity
– Difficulty regulating emotions
– Reduced resilience to challenges

**Social Development:**
– Challenges with face-to-face interaction
– Reduced empathy development
– Difficulty reading social cues

### The Decision-Making Connection

Decision-making constitutes a higher-order cognitive function that integrates sensory, cognitive, and affective processes, thereby serving as a theoretically relevant construct with the potential to mediate the association between screen time and subsequent anxiety symptoms. Converging evidence shows that children and adolescents with anxiety display atypical decision-making profiles, suggesting that maladaptive decision-making both contributes to and is exacerbated by anxiety symptoms.

This creates a concerning cycle: overstimulation leads to impaired decision-making, which increases anxiety, which further impairs cognitive function. At NeuroBalance, we frequently see children caught in these patterns, unable to break free without intervention.

### Resilience Factors

Despite these challenges, the brain’s plasticity also offers hope. Certain factors can promote resilience and healthy development even in overstimulating environments:

– **Consistent sleep routines** supporting natural brain rhythms
– **Regular physical activity** promoting healthy neural development
– **Calming environments** allowing nervous system recovery
– **Responsive caregiving** providing emotional regulation support

Neurofeedback brain training works by enhancing these natural resilience mechanisms, helping overstimulated brains develop more flexible and adaptive patterns.

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Screen Time and Neural Development: The 2024-2025 Research Revolution

The past two years have brought unprecedented insights into how screen exposure affects developing brains.
The findings highlight infancy as a uniquely sensitive period for brain development — one where screens may shape neural pathways in ways that only emerge years later.
This research is transforming our understanding of early brain development and its long-term implications.

### Breakthrough Findings on Accelerated Maturation

Children with higher infant screen time showed an accelerated maturation of brain networks responsible for visual processing and cognitive control. The researchers suggest this may result from the intense sensory stimulation that screens provide.
This discovery challenges previous assumptions about brain development timing and optimal outcomes.

Traditional thinking suggested that faster brain development was advantageous – a sign of advanced cognitive ability. However, recent research reveals the opposite. When brain networks mature too quickly, they sacrifice the flexibility needed for complex thinking and emotional regulation.

### Critical Period Specificity

One of the most striking findings from recent research is the specificity of timing.
Screen exposure before age two, but not at ages three or four, predicted long-term brain changes. Only screen exposure in the first two years predicted altered brain network development and later mental health outcomes.

This discovery has profound implications for families and childcare providers. While limiting screen time remains important throughout childhood, the first two years represent a uniquely vulnerable window where even brief exposures can have lasting effects.

### Attention Network Development

Screen time has been linked to problems with children’s learning and memory. Generally, the more kids use screens, the more the memory systems of the brain tailor to the unique demands of screen time, and less to the rest of the world. Research shows that learning from screens is less effective than real-world experiences and that children often struggle to transfer knowledge acquired from screens into real-life situations.

The attention networks that develop during early screen exposure become optimized for:
– **Rapid visual processing** at the expense of sustained attention
– **Quick response patterns** rather than thoughtful consideration
– **External stimulation dependence** instead of internal focus ability
– **Fragment processing** rather than integrated understanding

At our Los Angeles practice, we regularly see children whose attention systems have become “hijacked” by these patterns. Their brains excel at processing rapid, changing stimuli but struggle with tasks requiring sustained focus or deep processing.

### The Protective Power of Reading

Among the most hopeful findings from recent research concerns the protective effects of parent-child reading.
In a related study published in Psychological Medicine in 2024, the same team found that infant screen time is also associated with alterations in brain networks that govern emotional regulation — but that parent-child reading could counteract some of these brain changes. Among children whose parents read to them frequently at age three, the link between infant screen time and altered brain development was significantly weakened. The researchers suggest that shared reading may provide the kind of enriched, interactive experience that passive screen consumption lacks, including back-and-forth engagement, language exposure, and emotional connection.

This finding offers practical hope for families. While early screen exposure creates challenges, enriching experiences like shared reading can help restore healthy developmental patterns. The key difference lies in the interactive, emotionally connected nature of reading together versus passive screen consumption.

### Language Development Impacts

The effects on language development are particularly concerning.
Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicated a potential for a negative impact of screen time on language development in early childhood. Massaroni et al. (2024) highlighted the risk of prolonged screen time on language. Further, Karani et al. (2022) emphasizes the multifactorial nature of this relationship, with the negative influences of screen time outweighing the positive.

Language development requires:
– **Back-and-forth interaction** with responsive caregivers
– **Varied vocal patterns** from live human speech
– **Emotional context** connecting words to meaning
– **Real-time feedback** adjusting communication patterns

Screen-based language exposure lacks these essential elements, leading to delayed or atypical language development patterns that can persist for years.

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LENS Benefits for Overstimulated Children: A Gentle Path to Balance

When children’s nervous systems become overwhelmed by modern environmental demands, LENS neurofeedback offers a uniquely gentle approach to restoration. Unlike traditional interventions that require effort or conscious participation, LENS works with the brain’s natural healing capacity to restore optimal function.

### The Passive Treatment Advantage

Unlike traditional neurofeedback, in which you actively try to regulate brainwaves, LENS therapy is passive. As you relax in sessions, your brain does the work for you.
This passive approach is particularly beneficial for overstimulated children who:

– **Cannot tolerate additional demands** on their attention systems
– **Become overwhelmed by traditional neurofeedback requirements**
– **Need nervous system calming rather than activation**
– **Benefit from intervention that doesn’t add to their sensory load**

The electromagnetic signals used are thousands of times weaker than a cell phone and the passive approach eliminates risks associated with overstimulation or performance anxiety that can occur with traditional neurofeedback.
This gentle approach allows even the most sensitive children to benefit from treatment.

### Rapid Results: Change in 3-5 Sessions

One of LENS’s most remarkable characteristics is the speed of initial improvements.
In just a few sessions, clients often experience better focus, increased energy and improved mood. Anxiety and depression symptoms lift. Insomniacs sleep. Children and teens with ADD or ADHD can focus.
This rapid response is particularly important for overstimulated children whose families need hope and momentum.

Our practice consistently observes this pattern:
– **Sessions 1-3:** Parents report improved sleep and reduced reactivity
– **Sessions 4-8:** Teachers notice better classroom behavior and attention
– **Sessions 9-15:** Children report feeling “calmer inside” and more able to cope
– **Sessions 16-25:** Long-term stability and continued improvement

LENS particularly produces rapid improvements in the first five to six sessions.
This quick onset of benefits helps maintain motivation and engagement throughout the treatment process.

### Safety for Young Children

One of the unique features of LENS is that it can not only be used with adults and children, but it can also be used with small children and more seriously disabled individuals who lack the impulse control, attention, or stamina to concentrate for the more extended periods of time required in traditional neurofeedback.

Traditional neurofeedback often fails with young or overstimulated children because it requires:
– **Sustained attention** to visual or auditory feedback
– **Cognitive understanding** of the training process
– **Behavioral compliance** sitting still for 30-60 minutes
– **Performance motivation** to achieve training goals

LENS eliminates all these requirements.
Many small children who struggle with or could not do traditional neurofeedback can easily be treated with LENS.
Children can:
– **Move freely** during brief 3-5 minute feedback periods
– **Receive treatment** while playing or being held by parents
– **Benefit immediately** without understanding the process
– **Experience no pressure** to perform or achieve goals

### No Performance Requirements

The absence of performance pressure is crucial for overstimulated children.
Children and adolescents who struggle with traditional neurofeedback demands
often carry feelings of failure and inadequacy. LENS removes these barriers by:

**Eliminating Conscious Effort:**
– No watching screens or following instructions
– No need to “make the game work” or achieve scores
– No cognitive load added to already overwhelmed systems

**Reducing Performance Anxiety:**
– Children cannot “fail” at LENS
– No comparison to others or achievement standards
– Success measured by internal changes, not external performance

**Supporting Natural Healing:**

The brain’s natural ability to self-organize and optimize is enhanced through this gentle intervention.
Rather than forcing change, LENS supports the brain’s innate wisdom to find better patterns.

### Success Rates with Overstimulated Children

With a success rate of over 90%, it uses a small radio frequency to disrupt the brain waves and allows them to reset back into a more effective, natural pattern.
Clinical research consistently demonstrates LENS effectiveness, with
LENS neurofeedback specifically achieving success rates of 80-90% across various neurological and psychological conditions with most clients experiencing noticeable improvements within 10-20 sessions making it one of the most effective non-invasive brain training therapies available.

For children dealing with overstimulation-related challenges, we’ve observed particularly strong outcomes in:
– **Anxiety reduction** and improved emotional regulation
– **Enhanced focus** and attention span improvement
– **Better sleep patterns** and reduced bedtime struggles
– **Decreased reactivity** to everyday stressors
– **Improved social interaction** and peer relationships

### The Neuroplasticity Advantage

These results echo recent and ongoing research in neuroplasticity and demonstrate new possibilities for growth and change in the brain.
Young brains possess extraordinary plasticity – the same characteristic that makes them vulnerable to overstimulation also enables rapid recovery when given appropriate intervention.

LENS leverages this neuroplasticity by:
– **Gently disrupting stuck patterns** that maintain overstimulated states
– **Allowing natural reorganization** toward more optimal function
– **Supporting developmental catch-up** in areas affected by early disruption
– **Enhancing resilience** against future stressors and challenges

Treatment Approach and Process

Unlike traditional neurofeedback, LENS therapy is uniquely suited for overstimulated children who “cannot sit still” or pay attention to computer screens. With LENS, children “don’t need to ‘do’ anything, and there is nothing to learn.”

Each session lasts only 3-4 minutes
, making it perfect for young, overwhelmed nervous systems.

### Initial Assessment Process

Our comprehensive evaluation process is specifically designed for overstimulated children and their families.
Prior to beginning therapy, each client fills out a questionnaire that helps to avoid over-stimulation.
We assess your child’s:

– Current stress levels and triggers
– Sensory processing patterns
– Sleep quality and routine
– Screen time exposure and responses
– Emotional regulation challenges
– Learning and attention patterns

This thorough assessment allows us to create a personalized treatment plan that respects your child’s unique sensitivity levels while maximizing therapeutic benefit.

### Session Details and What to Expect

Each session lasts about 20-30 minutes
total, with
only 3-4 minutes of actual LENS feedback
.
Many small children who struggle with or could not do traditional neurofeedback can easily be treated with LENS.

During sessions, your child simply relaxes while we:

1. **Place gentle sensors** on the scalp to read brainwave activity
2. **Monitor brain patterns** in real-time through our computer software
3. **Deliver tiny feedback signals** that help the brain reorganize itself
4. **Track responses** to ensure optimal, non-overstimulating treatment

The brief sessions of LENS Neurofeedback are non-invasive and cater perfectly to young children, offering accessible and comfortable sessions increasing emotional regulation.

### Timeline and Expectations

The average number of sessions to achieve optimal brain functioning is generally between 15-20. However, many clients experience rapid relief even after just a few sessions
, with
results often beginning within the first session, and are long lasting.

For overstimulated children specifically:
– **Sessions 1-3**: Initial brain pattern mapping and gentle introduction
– **Sessions 4-8**: Most children begin showing improved regulation
– **Sessions 9-15**: Consolidation of improvements and enhanced resilience
– **Sessions 16+**: Long-term optimization and maintenance as needed

If you do not notice a change within the first six sessions, it probably won’t work for you.
This allows families to assess progress quickly without lengthy commitments.

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Supporting Your Child at Home

While LENS neurofeedback helps restore brain balance from within, creating a supportive home environment amplifies these benefits and helps maintain progress between sessions.

### Environmental Modifications

Chaotic environments with bright lights, noise, clutter, or constant activity are too much for a child’s developing nervous system. Homes should be designed to offer emotional and sensory relief. Such spaces need not be fancy. Comfort, predictability, and simplicity go a long way.

**Create Calming Zones:**
– Designate quiet spaces with soft lighting and minimal visual clutter
–
Include weighted blankets for children who need extra support when feeling overwhelmed

– Use natural materials and earth tones instead of bright, stimulating colors
– Remove or minimize flashing lights, loud toys, and electronic devices

**Reduce Sensory Overload:**
–
Reduce background noise and visual clutter by organizing your space and often parents can get rid of about 75% of their toys (this also helps children play more independently!)

–
Provide toys that stimulate senses naturally vs. artificially. Basic toys like blocks, dolls, trucks, and play silks will provide enough stimulation. You do not need toys that flash, dance, or sing.

### Screen Time Guidelines for Overstimulated Brains

The research shows that too much exposure to screens can be overwhelming for young brains. So it’s important to limit their time with devices, and it’s also important to monitor what type of content they consume; make sure that it is age-appropriate and not overly stimulating or violent.

**Evidence-Based Recommendations:**
–
Kids with the highest grade point averages had less than 30 minutes of daily screen time and spent more time with their parents

–
Avoid screen activities (especially interactive ones) after sundown
to protect natural sleep cycles
–
Avoid overloading with back-to-back digital screen lessons. Alternate with offline tasks and nature-based activities.

**Screen Time Alternatives:**
–
Offer families alternative options to media use that promote positive development, such as parent-child play activities. These alternatives should be available to support families in creating enriching and interactive experiences

–
Learning should occur with face to face interactions. Songs, rhymes, physical books, and audio books continue to build language skills. Games, finger-plays and songs build many language skills.

### Calming Techniques and Regulation Support

Children who are easily overstimulated may benefit from sensory breaks throughout the day. This can include activities like deep breathing, stretching, or spending time in a quiet, calming space. Being outside is also a naturally calming environment for many children.

**Daily Regulation Practices:**
–
Mindfulness activities such as yoga, meditation and breath work. When children start practicing these activities, they are calmer, less easily frustrated and better rested. Meditation and yoga quiet the brain, reduce stress and stimulation, improve blood flow, and balance hormones.

–
Offer the child protected, intentional downtime. Children require unstructured, low-input moments that help them process emotions and regulate senses.

–
Children’s far vision develops through outdoor play experiences in large open spaces. It’s necessary for children to see near and far during daily activities.

### Family Support Strategies

Role modeling is crucial. The amount of screen time parents and kids watch is closely associated. Parents should set an example by managing their own screen time.

**Whole-Family Approaches:**
–
Children thrive when daily routines are familiar and stable, giving them a sense of control. Create a consistent daily rhythm and reinforce it using visual anchors/cues.

–
Use visual schedules or timers to help children anticipate transitions and activities, reducing surprises that may lead to overstimulation

–
Allow your child some control over their environment and activities. Providing choices can empower them and reduce feelings of overwhelm.

Learn more about our comprehensive approach through our getting started process or explore our other supportive services like cognitive rehabilitation for additional family support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes child overstimulation in today’s world?
▼

Modern environments overwhelm developing nervous systems through constant digital stimulation, bright lights, loud sounds, packed schedules, and reduced downtime.
Children today are bombarded with constant noise, flashing screens, and tightly packed schedules. Children already prone to overstimulation may show signs of irritability, poor sleep, and emotional distress.
This creates chronic stress that interferes with natural brain development and emotional regulation.

Note: Individual experiences vary. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

How does LENS help overstimulated brains?
▼

LENS Neurofeedback helps the brain to develop new neural pathways, to get “unstuck” from repeated patterns with anxiety, depression, PTSD and more. It helps the brain to self-correct and allows clients to develop new ways of thinking, behaving and feeling.
For overstimulated children, LENS gently resets overactive brain patterns and restores natural regulation without requiring effort from the child. Learn more about how LENS works.

Note: Individual experiences vary. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

Is LENS safe for young children?
▼

LENS neurofeedback is considered a safe and non-invasive treatment option for children. The low-intensity electromagnetic signals used in LENS are well below the levels that could cause harm.

Over 500 practitioners have used it with over 75,000 clients. There has never been a reported case of enduring negative effects.
The FDA has cleared LENS as a biofeedback device for relaxation and self-regulation. Explore neurofeedback safety for more information.

Note: Individual experiences vary. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

How quickly do children see improvements?
▼

Results can be seen quickly, often beginning within the first session, and are long lasting. LENS is remarkably effective, and over 85% of people who have used LENS have benefited significantly from it.

Clients typically report feeling more calm, focused, and resilient after just a few sessions. LENS typically takes 10-12 sessions with results seen within the first 3 sessions.
Many parents notice improved sleep, reduced meltdowns, and better emotional regulation within the first week of treatment. Our client testimonials share specific examples of children’s progress.

Note: Individual experiences vary. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

What can parents do at home to help?
▼

Create calm, predictable environments with reduced clutter and screen time.
Offer the child protected, intentional downtime. Children require unstructured, low-input moments that help them process their emotions and regulate their senses.

Sensory breaks include activities like deep breathing, stretching, or spending time in a quiet, calming space. Being outside is naturally calming for many children.
Consistent routines, mindfulness activities, and nature-based play significantly support overstimulated nervous systems. Our learning support page offers additional family strategies.

Note: Individual experiences vary. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

How does LENS differ from medication approaches?
▼

LENS is completely drug-free and works by helping the brain naturally reorganize itself rather than masking symptoms. While medications may provide temporary symptom management,
if clients train long enough, the brain learns a new way of functioning and the change is permanent.
LENS addresses root causes by restoring natural brain balance and self-regulation. Many families appreciate having a non-pharmaceutical option that can be used alongside other wellness approaches. Our anxiety support page discusses integrative approaches to mental health.

Note: Individual experiences vary. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

Can LENS help with screen time addiction patterns?
▼

Yes, LENS helps restore natural brain reward pathways that become disrupted by excessive screen stimulation.
Screen time stresses and detunes brain chemistry and reward pathways. An electronic fast can reset and resynchronize the nervous system, improving a child’s mood, sleep, focus and behavior in a matter of weeks.
LENS accelerates this natural recovery process by directly supporting brain reorganization. As the nervous system becomes more balanced, children naturally show less compulsive behavior around screens and improved self-regulation. Our ADHD support page addresses attention and impulse control challenges.

Note: Individual experiences vary. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

What age children can receive LENS therapy?
▼

LENS therapy can help anyone of any age struggling with neurological issues, mental health, performance, sleep, cognitive and emotional issues.

LENS sessions are typically short, often lasting between 5 to 20 minutes. This brevity is crucial for keeping children engaged and comfortable throughout the process.
We successfully work with children as young as 3 years old. The passive nature of LENS makes it ideal for young children who cannot sit still for traditional neurofeedback. Our autism support services include work with very young children.

Note: Individual experiences vary. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

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Taking the Next Step for Your Child

If you recognize your child in this article, you’re already taking the most important step: understanding that their struggles aren’t behavioral problems but signals from an overstimulated nervous system seeking balance.

### Scheduling Your Consultation

Every child’s journey begins with understanding their unique brain patterns and challenges. During our initial consultation, we’ll:

– **Assess your child’s specific overstimulation patterns** and triggers
– **Review their developmental history** and current challenges
– **Explain how LENS can help** their particular nervous system
– **Create a personalized treatment plan** based on their sensitivity levels
– **Address all your questions** about the process and expectations

Our assessment process is designed to be comfortable for overstimulated children, with a calm environment and no pressure to perform or “be good.”

### What to Expect in Your First Visit

Throughout the LENS neurofeedback process, our therapists closely monitor the child’s progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. Regular follow-up sessions ensure that the therapy is effective and that the child is responding positively to the treatment.

Your first appointment includes:

1. **Comprehensive intake** in a quiet, calming environment
2. **Brain mapping** to identify areas of overstimulation
3. **Gentle introduction** to the LENS process
4. **Initial treatment session** (if appropriate)
5. **Home support strategies** tailored to your family’s needs

Most children find the process interesting and relaxing. Many fall asleep during sessions, which is perfectly normal and beneficial.

### Investment in Your Child’s Brain Health

When weighing the cost of LENS therapy, consider the long-term impact of untreated overstimulation: academic struggles, social difficulties, family stress, and potential mental health challenges that can persist into adulthood.

If clients train long enough, the brain learns a new way of functioning, and the change is permanent.
This makes LENS a true investment in your child’s future wellbeing, not just symptom management.

We offer:
– **Flexible scheduling** to accommodate school and family routines
– **HSA/FSA acceptance** for qualified medical expenses
– **Payment plans** to make treatment accessible
– **Family support** throughout the process

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### Your Path Forward

Whether you’re in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Venice, or anywhere in Los Angeles County, we’re here to support your family’s journey toward balance and healing.

Your overstimulated child isn’t broken—their brain is simply asking for help finding its natural rhythm in an overwhelming world.
Over 85% of people who have used LENS have benefited significantly from it. Results can be seen quickly, often beginning within the first session, and are lasting.

Take the first step today. Your child’s calmer, more regulated future starts with a single phone call.

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. LENS neurofeedback is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual experiences may vary. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding your child’s health and development concerns.