The Founding of Maxi MindTM Learning

Maxi Mind was born from the love that a parent has for their child. A love that includes a desire for their child to succeed. That child, just happened to be the founder’s.

The Founding of Maxi MindTM Learning

Maxi Mind was born from the love that a parent has for their child. A love that includes a desire for their child to succeed. That child, just happened to be the founder’s.

The Founding of Maxi MindTM Learning

Maxi Mind was born from the love that a parent has for their child. A love that includes a desire for their child to succeed. That child, just happened to be the founder’s.

Maxi Mind is still about addressing the love that every parent has for their child, and the desire for them to succeed.

How a Father’s Pain Became the GTA’s Gain

By Arnie Gotfryd, PhD – Educational Director & CEO

By the time our son got to Grade 1, we saw that something wasn’t right. He was tuned out in class, wasn’t progressing academically, and seemed generally irritable most of the time. Eventually we got him tested and he was diagnosed with ADHD.

Standard treatment back then was the same as now: Medicate. But the stimulant medication he was prescribed didn’t help much and the side effects were bad – Adam’s moods got worse. He was prescribed an anti-depressant to deal with his moods but that backfired when he couldn’t get to sleep at night. The solution? Add a sleeping pill.

bored child in school
adhd medication

Between tweaking dosages and switching medications, we felt victimized by pharmaceutical experiments gone wrong. And still no end in sight to the focusing and learning issues.

As a research scientist and classroom teacher I knew what to look for: Scientifically developed and medically endorsed methods that could be taught to a kid, would be kind of fun to do, and would effectively treat focusing and learning issues.

Eventually my efforts paid off. I discovered some computerized focus training methods that combined neurofeedback with educational games. It was pricey, but it worked! Our son’s focus and learning skills started improving. But long before we could do enough sessions with him to get a lasting change, he simply quit. That’s it dad. Forget it. Now go argue with an oppositional and defiant kid with ADHD.

But I did not give up. I found a state-of-the art sensory integration exercise kit with manual and DVD so we could use it straight out of the box. That helped, too! Better focus, better reading, It was remarkable. But all too soon, after just a few sessions, there came his inevitable push back. And so the cycle continued.

After some time, a local school principal noticed what I was up to and called me in to help some neighbourhood kids using these neuroeducational techniques. The impact was remarkable. All the kids improved.

At the same time, neuroeducation became my passion and I built up a veritable arsenal of upstart technologies with a reputation for upgrading academics and attention. After seven years of research and development I realized that it was wrong to keep this knowledge to myself. I had in front of me a natural drug-free treatment for kids with ADHD.

With the blessings of my wife and my spiritual mentor, the Lubavitcher Rebbe (see below), I decided to create a company dedicated to boosting brain power using effective, drug-free methods that are fun for kids to do. And thus Maxi Mind was born – in our Thornhill basement.

boy holding up his hand

How a Father’s Pain Became the GTA’s Gain

By Arnie Gotfryd, PhD – Educational Director & CEO

bored child in school

By the time our son got to Grade 1, we saw that something wasn’t right. He was tuned out in class, wasn’t progressing academically, and seemed generally irritable most of the time. Eventually we got him tested and he was diagnosed with ADHD.

Standard treatment back then was the same as now: Medicate. But the stimulant medication he was prescribed didn’t help much and the side effects were bad – Adam’s moods got worse.

Adam was prescribed an anti-depressant to deal with his moods but that backfired when he couldn’t get to sleep at night. The solution? Add a sleeping pill.

Between tweaking dosages and switching medications, we felt victimized by pharmaceutical experiments gone wrong. And still no end in sight to the focusing and learning issues.

adhd medication

As a research scientist and classroom teacher I knew what to look for: Scientifically developed and medically endorsed methods that could be taught to a kid, would be kind of fun to do, and would effectively treat focusing and learning issues.

Eventually my efforts paid off. I discovered some computerized focus training methods that combined neurofeedback with educational games. It was pricey, but it worked! Our son’s focus and learning skills started improving. But long before we could do enough sessions with him to get a lasting change, he simply quit. That’s it dad. Forget it. Now go argue with an oppositional and defiant kid with ADHD.

But I did not give up. I found a state-of-the art sensory integration exercise kit with manual and DVD so we could use it straight out of the box. That helped, too! Better focus, better reading, It was remarkable. But all too soon, after just a few sessions, there came his inevitable push back. And so the cycle continued.

After some time, a local school principal noticed what I was up to and called me in to help some neighbourhood kids using these neuroeducational techniques. The impact was remarkable. All the kids improved.

At the same time, neuroeducation became my passion and I built up a veritable arsenal of upstart technologies with a reputation for upgrading academics and attention. After seven years of research and development I realized that it was wrong to keep this knowledge to myself. I had in front of me a natural drug-free treatment for kids with ADHD.

boy holding up his hand

With the blessings of my wife and my spiritual mentor, the Lubavitcher Rebbe (see below), I decided to create a company dedicated to boosting brain power using effective, drug-free methods that are fun for kids to do. And thus Maxi Mind was born – in our Thornhill basement.

How a Father’s Pain Became the GTA’s Gain

By Arnie Gotfryd, PhD – Educational Director & CEO

bored child in school

By the time our son got to Grade 1, we saw that something wasn’t right. He was tuned out in class, wasn’t progressing academically, and seemed generally irritable most of the time. Eventually we got him tested and he was diagnosed with ADHD.

Standard treatment back then was the same as now: Medicate. But the stimulant medication he was prescribed didn’t help much and the side effects were bad – Adam’s moods got worse. He was prescribed an anti-depressant to deal with his moods but that backfired when he couldn’t get to sleep at night. The solution? Add a sleeping pill.

adhd medication

Between tweaking dosages and switching medications, we felt victimized by pharmaceutical experiments gone wrong. And still no end in sight to the focusing and learning issues.

As a research scientist and classroom teacher I knew what to look for: Scientifically developed and medically endorsed methods that could be taught to a kid, would be kind of fun to do, and would effectively treat focusing and learning issues.

Eventually my efforts paid off. I discovered some computerized focus training methods that combined neurofeedback with educational games. It was pricey, but it worked! Our son’s focus and learning skills started improving. But long before we could do enough sessions with him to get a lasting change, he simply quit. That’s it dad. Forget it. Now go argue with an oppositional and defiant kid with ADHD.

But I did not give up. I found a state-of-the art sensory integration exercise kit with manual and DVD so we could use it straight out of the box. That helped, too! Better focus, better reading, It was remarkable. But all too soon, after just a few sessions, there came his inevitable push back. And so the cycle continued.

After some time, a local school principal noticed what I was up to and called me in to help some neighbourhood kids using these neuroeducational techniques. The impact was remarkable. All the kids improved.

boy holding up his hand

At the same time, neuroeducation became my passion and I built up a veritable arsenal of upstart technologies with a reputation for upgrading academics and attention. After seven years of research and development I realized that it was wrong to keep this knowledge to myself. I had in front of me a natural drug-free treatment for kids with ADHD.

With the blessings of my wife and my spiritual mentor, the Lubavitcher Rebbe (see below), I decided to create a company dedicated to boosting brain power using effective, drug-free methods that are fun for kids to do. And thus Maxi Mind was born – in our Thornhill basement.

Program Launch

Shmuel Zahavy Cheder Chabad Elementary School

To launch the service we decided to give it away in private schools and subsidized a pilot project in 3 elementary schools. We mortgaged our house, bought loads of technology, hired and trained a whole team of teachers and offered a course of brain training for a nominal registration fee.

In the Fall of 2010, we transformed the lives of nearly all of the 40 children who signed up and since then we keep growing and developing.  See what the principal of one of those schools had to say about the results for the 20 children in his school who did the Maxi Mind trial here.

We now had a way for naturally treating ADHD for kids.  I also discovered that the program was an effective tool for high functioning autism therapy.

From a basement operation with a staff of 2, we moved into a tiny storefront and from there to a corporate office with a staff of 8 plus over 30 brain training coaches stationed around the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Ontario. And we are growing still.

As of Spring 2021, over 1000 children have received a Maxi Mind course.

As for me, I couldn’t imagine better job satisfaction. I don’t want any family to have to go through what we went through, and it’s a privilege to help children and families in the Greater Toronto Area find that effective and healthy alternative that they all deserve.

Program Launch

chabad school

To launch the service we decided to give it away in private schools and subsidized a pilot project in 3 elementary schools. We mortgaged our house, bought loads of technology, hired and trained a whole team of teachers and offered a course of brain training for a nominal registration fee.

In the Fall of 2010, we transformed the lives of nearly all of the 40 children who signed up and since then we keep growing and developing.  See what the principal of one of those schools had to say about the results for the 20 children in his school who did the Maxi Mind trial here.

We now had a way for naturally treating ADHD for kids.  I also discovered that the program was an effective tool for high functioning autism therapy. From a basement operation with a staff of 2, we moved into a tiny storefront and from there to a corporate office with a staff of 8 plus over 30 brain training coaches stationed around the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Ontario. And we are growing still.

As of Spring 2021, over 1000 children have received a Maxi Mind course.

As for me, I couldn’t imagine better job satisfaction. I don’t want any family to have to go through what we went through, and it’s a privilege to help children and families across Southern Ontario find that effective and healthy alternative that they all deserve.

As for me, I couldn’t imagine better job satisfaction. I don’t want any family to have to go through what we went through, and it’s a privilege to help children and families across Southern Ontario find that effective and healthy alternative that they all deserve.

My Inspiration ~ The Lubavitcher Rebbe

The Lubavitcher Rebbe

We’ve all got our heroes and I have one as well: it’s the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, to most known simply as “The Rebbe.”

The Rebbe is famous for many things – as a brilliant leader, incomparable advisor, exquisite role model, consummate scholar, prolific author, boundless philanthropist and champion for humanity.

His legendary advice and blessings have helped, without exaggeration, millions. Many even consider him to be the Moshiach (Messiah) and expect him at any moment to miraculously lead the Jewish people and all of humanity to a utopian era of wellness and sustainability, goodness and kindness, G-dliness revealed.

Yet his primary title, “Rebbe”, literally means “my teacher”, for the Rebbe is first and foremost an educator who is concerned with the success and character development of each child. Indeed since April 1978, each US President together with Congress has issued annual proclamations declaring the Rebbe’s Birthday as “Education and Sharing Day USA”.

When a child can’t learn – whether due to focusing or learning problems – they cannot achieve their potential, not only as a student, but as a productive and contributory participant in society.

kids

Following the Rebbe’s lead, Maxi Mind Learning’s goal is to help each child achieve their potential, so they can become successful participants in making the world a better place.

My Inspiration ~ The Lubavitcher Rebbe

The Lubavitcher Rebbe

We’ve all got our heroes and I have one as well: it’s the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, to most known simply as “The Rebbe.”

The Rebbe is famous for many things – as a brilliant leader, incomparable advisor, exquisite role model, consummate scholar, prolific author, boundless philanthropist and champion for humanity.

His legendary advice and blessings have helped, without exaggeration, millions. Many even consider him to be the Moshiach (Messiah) and expect him at any moment to miraculously lead the Jewish people and all of humanity to a utopian era of wellness and sustainability, goodness and kindness, G-dliness revealed.

Yet his primary title, “Rebbe”, literally means “my teacher”, for the Rebbe is first and foremost an educator who is concerned with the success and character development of each child. Indeed since April 1978, each US President together with Congress has issued annual proclamations declaring the Rebbe’s Birthday as “Education and Sharing Day USA”.

When a child can’t learn – whether due to focusing or learning problems – they cannot achieve their potential, not only as a student, but as a productive and contributory participant in society.

Following the Rebbe’s lead, Maxi Mind Learning’s goal is to help each child achieve their potential, so they can become successful participants in making the world a better place.

When a child can’t learn – whether due to focusing or learning problems – they cannot achieve their potential, not only as a student, but as a productive and contributory participant in society.

kids

Following the Rebbe’s lead, Maxi Mind Learning’s goal is to help each child achieve their potential, so they can become successful participants in making the world a better place.

My Inspiration ~ The Lubavitcher Rebbe

The Lubavitcher Rebbe

We’ve all got our heroes and I have one as well: it’s the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, to most known simply as “The Rebbe.”

The Rebbe is famous for many things – as a brilliant leader, incomparable advisor, exquisite role model, consummate scholar, prolific author, boundless philanthropist and champion for humanity.

His legendary advice and blessings have helped, without exaggeration, millions. Many even consider him to be the Moshiach (Messiah) and expect him at any moment to miraculously lead the Jewish people and all of humanity to a utopian era of wellness and sustainability, goodness and kindness, G-dliness revealed.

Yet his primary title, “Rebbe”, literally means “my teacher”, for the Rebbe is first and foremost an educator who is concerned with the success and character development of each child. Indeed since April 1978, each US President together with Congress has issued annual proclamations declaring the Rebbe’s Birthday as “Education and Sharing Day USA”.

When a child can’t learn – whether due to focusing or learning problems – they cannot achieve their potential, not only as a student, but as a productive and contributory participant in society.

Following the Rebbe’s lead, Maxi Mind Learning’s goal is to help each child achieve their potential, so they can become successful participants in making the world a better place.

kids

Discover how Maxi MindTM can help unlock your child’s potential

For a free consultation, fill in the form below.

[formlift id=”6172″]

We will call you to follow up.  Within 15 minutes on the phone, we will get a clear picture of how we can help, and what would be involved on your part to get this life-changing boost in focusing, learning and self-control for your child.

large blue quotation marks

As a health professional and counselor who works with children but more importantly as a mother with two daughters and a son who went through your program, I give my full endorsement to the Maxi Mind program.

Ora Stebben RHN, NNCP Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Maxi Mind Mother

Discover how Maxi MindTM can help unlock your child’s potential

For a free consultation, fill in the form below.

[formlift id=”6172″]

Call Us: (416) 858-9868

We will call you to follow up.  Within 15 minutes on the phone, we will get a clear picture of how we can help, and what would be involved on your part to get this life-changing boost in focusing, learning and self-control for your child.

large blue quotation marks

As a health professional and counselor who works with children but more importantly as a mother with two daughters and a son who went through your program, I give my full endorsement to the Maxi Mind program.

Ora Stebben RHN, NNCP Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Maxi Mind Mother

Discover how Maxi MindTM can help unlock your child’s potential

For a free consultation, fill in the form below.

[formlift id=”6172″]

We will call you to follow up.  Within 15 minutes on the phone, we will get a clear picture of how we can help, and what would be involved on your part to get this life-changing boost in focusing, learning and self-control for your child.

large blue quotation marks

As a health professional and counselor who works with children but more importantly as a mother with two daughters and a son who went through your program, I give my full endorsement to the Maxi Mind program.

Ora Stebben RHN, NNCP Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Maxi Mind Mother